New to Düsseldorf? Looking for an apartment (or as many Europeans say: “a flat”)? Well, the easiest part about finding an apartment is sourcing a reputable website to start looking for.
While there are a few English-language websites that offer apartment rentals in Düsseldorf, you may often notice that they’re charging more for their rentals. Why? Well, they’re catering to expats and English-speaking internationals, why not?
If you want to find an apartment in Düsseldorf and pay the same price as a local, then you’re going to need to start searching for an apartment in the German language. But, fear not! It’s quite easy to do so when you’ve learned a few words of rental vocabulary, which I’ll get you started on after I share with you a list of the best websites to start searching for your dream apartment.
TIP: We know that finding an apartment doesn’t always come easy and to top it all off, you’re legally required to register in the city you move to within 14 days upon your arrival. If you’re struggling to find a permanent apartment consider renting a short-term fully finished apartment that will allow you to register in the city and then start on the longer-term hunt when you get here and have a bit more time to do the research.
Before you start searching for apartments, you’ll need to figure out…
- Whether you’re looking for a furnished flat or a non-furnished flat
- Exactly which neighborhood is right for you (and perhaps your family)
- Know where the best student neighborhoods are (if you’re a student and looking for a young and trendy area)
- And of course, know the important facts about renting a flat before you start contacting landlords
If you’d like to get a headstart on preparation, you can already start comparing electricity providers, picking out which internet contract might be best for you, and making sure you have a bank account set up to start paying rent.
The best websites for apartment rentals
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Search Engine |
Website Link |
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HousingAnywhere |
www.housinganywhere.com (great for short-term rentals if you need to register in the city) |
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HomeLike |
www.thehomelike.com (great for short-term rentals if you need to register in the city) |
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WunderFlats |
www.wunderflats.com (great for short-term rentals if you need to register in the city) |
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ImmobilienScout24 |
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Engel & Völkers |
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Ebay Kleinanzeigen |
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Immowelt |
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Immonet |
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Kalaydo |
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Immobilio |
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WohnungJetzt |
The best social media sites to find apartment rentals
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Facebook Group |
Group Link |
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Facebook Marketplace |
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Düsseldorf Flea Market |
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Life in Düsseldorf Expat & Local Community Group |
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Expats in Düsseldorf |
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English Speaking Expat Düsseldorf |
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Düsseldorf Expat Forum |
The best websites for student apartment rentals
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Search Engine |
Website Link |
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WG-Sucht |
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Studenten-WG |
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Uniplaces |
Learning the rental vocabulary
Once you’ve found yourself a few apartments you’d like to take a look at, you’ll need to contact the landlord or rental company to inquire about viewing the apartment (now would be a good time to ask if someone speaks English who might be able to help you, or better yet, bring a German along)!
|
German Word |
English Translation |
Definition |
|
WG |
Communal living |
A shared accommodation/Wohngemeinschaft in which every tenant has their own room, but shared common rooms (kitchen, bathroom, living room). |
|
Kaltmiete |
Cold rent |
The cost of the living space without additional costs added (essentially what the apartment would cost cold, without running water, electricity, etc.) |
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Warmmiete |
Rent including heating |
The cost of the living space with heating (this often excludes electricity and the internet – you will likely have to organize these costs yourself). |
|
Nebenkosten |
Additional costs |
The costs of all the additional expenses that you add on top of the cold rent fee. |
|
Preis |
Price |
– |
|
Zimmer (Zi.) |
Room(s) |
– |
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Wohnfläche |
Size of living area |
– |
|
Umkreis |
Distance/perimeter |
The perimeter (in km) you are willing to look for a living space. |
|
Fahrzeit |
Drive time |
– |
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Mieten |
Renting |
– |
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Kaufen |
Buying |
– |
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Wohnung |
Apartment |
– |
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Bezugsfrei ab… |
Vacant from… |
The date that the living space will become available. |
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Einbauküche |
Built-in kitchen |
Most apartments come without a kitchen, so if you read “mit Einbauküche”, then the apartment will come with the kitchen. |
|
Etage (.OG) |
Floor level |
The floor level in which the apartment is located on the ground floor is (EG) the first floor up is 1 OG., the second floor up is 2 OG., etc. |
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Altbau |
Old building |
– |
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Neubau |
Newly built |
– |
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Erdgeschoss (EG) |
Ground floor |
– |
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Stellplatz |
Parking space |
– |
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Vollmöblierte |
Fully furnished |
– |
