- Thomas Crawford
I knew that there is a big international community in Cologne, but where to find them? Yes, I did indeed find them on InterNations!.
Find friends, feel at home in Düsseldorf
Are you an American in Düsseldorf — or are you considering moving here? Imagine you could get advice from someone who’s done it already … Through the InterNations Düsseldorf Community, you can easily connect with other Americans and build a supportive network from day one. With your new circle of friends, you can spend Thanksgiving and the 4th of July with fellow Americans, find a buddy to watch NFL games with, and get tips on how to file your US taxes from abroad. If you’ve got burning questions about life in Düsseldorf, read on! We’ve rounded up everything you need to know to make the transition easier. And you’ll find more info below on how you can connect with fellow Americans at fun events. The hosts of our InterNations events can’t wait to welcome you!
Why Americans move abroad … (& do they like it?)
Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys for expats — Expat Insider — where we ask people living around the world about every aspect of expat life. We’ve rounded up key facts about the typical American expat: what motivated them to move to a new country, what they enjoy about life abroad, as well as what they struggle with the most.
Meet the average American expat
Why you'll love InterNations in Duesseldorf
and countless possibilities for fun and friendship!
Meet American expats at our events in Düsseldorf
Moving to a new city can feel lonely at first. Our events — designed to bring expats together — are here to help with that! You can meet other Americans and make new friends, while having a great time. Since everyone is from somewhere else, it’s completely normal to introduce yourself to people and ask them about their own expat journey. We also have Newcomers’ Events for people who are new to the city, hosted by our Ambassadors. They’ll warmly welcome you to the community. Check out our upcoming events so you don’t miss out on great opportunities to connect with a bunch of expats, including lots of Americans!
Want to meet other Americans at our events?
The pros & cons of living in Düsseldorf
Of course, no place is absolutely perfect. There’s always the good, the bad, and the ugly. Discover what American expats love about Düsseldorf — and the challenges they face.
Pros of living in Düsseldorf
Safety: Düsseldorf has a low crime rate. Americans feel safe walking around alone at night, even women.
Healthcare: Germany offers affordable, high-quality healthcare that’s accessible not only to local citizens but also to expats.
Free education: While higher education tuition fees are very expensive in the US, Germany provides free university education at public institutions for all residents — even international students.
Cheap travel: It’s easy to travel around Europe from here. You don’t have to take a flight to reach another country. Instead, you can take trains or buses to reach some exciting European cities in the BENELUX countries, France, or Switzerland. Public transportation is also very accessible and convenient.
Cons of living in Düsseldorf
Language barrier: While English is widely spoken in Düsseldorf, Americans still struggle at times, such as when making official appointments, doing paperwork, or reading important public information. Conversations with locals may also feel limiting.
Straightforward communication: Most Germans are straightforward. They tend to avoid small talk and get straight to the point. Americans are not used to this and might find it a bit rude, especially at first.
Sunday shutdown: Almost everything, including stores, some restaurants, and government and public services, is closed on Sundays. It’s an unwritten rule to avoid making loud noises on Sunday, a day that’s set aside for people to relax. Americans might need some time to adjust to this.
Your questions about living in Düsseldorf, answered
You may come across American expats in places like Bob & Mary, Burgerheart, or Butch Becker, an American sports bar in Düsseldorf where you can order burgers and fries (and watch major NFL games or the Super Bowl). There’s a way to increase your chances of making new American expat friends, though: attending our InterNations Events in Düsseldorf! There are different kinds of events held regularly, like after-work gatherings or dinners, where you can casually meet other expats. There are also Newcomers’ Events, which introduce new members to the community — much more convenient than wandering around in a bar, right?
Quite a few Americans live in the more international parts of town. Both international companies — and opportunities for international socializing — tend to be found in the city center. Here are some of the most popular parts of Düsseldorf for expats:
Central Düsseldorf: It’s a lively part of the city, but housing is expensive.
Düsseltal: Great for families, with many green spaces, parks, and zoos, not to mention attractions for children. But it’s rather pricey.
Bilk: A popular neighborhood that’s ideal for young professionals. It’s also home to international students because the famous Heinrich Heine University is here.
Oberkassel: This high-class expensive neighborhood with luxury housing is popular for expat families.
Düsseldorf is a very international city, with a quarter of its residents being expats. Many people speak English, so getting around or handling basic interactions won’t be too hard. However, this can feel limiting at times. You’ll hit the language barrier now and then, and it can be frustrating. The most challenging moments usually occur when you need to get official paperwork done, find accommodation, see a doctor, etc.
You might want to use your time in Düsseldorf to learn as much German as possible. There are affordable language courses. Or you can learn for free using language apps or websites.
To make your transition to living in Düsseldorf smoother, we’ve collected some services (not affiliated with InterNations) that cater to English speakers:
| English-speaking resources | Description |
General practitioner (GP) | Doctena
This platform allows you to search for general practitioners (GPs) and specialists based on language spoken, including English: |
Dentist | Doctena
Search for dentists according to location and languages spoken: |
Urgent care | Uniklinik Düsseldorf University hospital with a multilingual approach. Also provides information for international patients in English on their website: Uniklinik-duesseldorf |
Immigration assistance | PROGEDO Düsseldorf
Offers relocation, visa, and immigration services. The website is also available in English: |
Tax advisor | AKTUELL Verein A tax advisory that can assist you with tax returns. Gives advice in multiple languages, including English: Aktuell-verein |
Instant interpreting service | DayInterpreting Get connected to a native German speaker on your phone and use the phone’s loudspeaker to have an instant interpreter with you: Dayinterpreting |
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Meet other Americans in Duesseldorf
Our Global Partners
Pursue your hobbies with amazing new friends
Want to pursue your hobbies in Düsseldorf, but don’t know where to start? You can do that easily in InterNations Groups. Our groups cover everything from sightseeing to running to fine dining. They’re led by dedicated Consuls who organize at least one activity each month. Whether it’s exploring new places with the Hidden Gems Group, sipping wine and socializing in the Wines and Spirits Group, or enjoying the outdoors in the Walk and Talk Group, you can do it all with us!
Find other Americans to share your hobbies with
Wherever you go, enjoy the international experience
We’re not just active in Düsseldorf! InterNations has lively communities in most of Germany’s major cities. If you’re traveling or moving to another city in Germany, check out our American communities in Munich, Frankfurt, Hamburg, Cologne, Berlin, Stuttgart, Essen, Bonn, Regensburg, or Heidelberg. But that’s not all: If you’re in the mood for a nice night out while traveling further abroad, InterNations is your go-to platform. As an InterNations member, you’re always welcome to join events in any of our communities in over 420 cities worldwide You can find the list here: Browse all InterNations Communities worldwide.
- Thomas Crawford
I knew that there is a big international community in Cologne, but where to find them? Yes, I did indeed find them on InterNations!.
- Paula Covington
With InterNations I found other Canadians really quickly. They showed me all the sights and helped me to settle in Bonn. Great!
