- Daiki Saito
When my company decided to send me to Essen, I took a quick look at the local community and said: Please do!
Living in Solingen
Situated in Germany's picturesque Rhineland, Solingen is a medium-sized city famous for its long history and metalworking industry. Sometimes referred to as the “City of Knives,” Solingen has long been renowned for its bladed products, including razors, scissors, knives and swords. In fact, one of the city's premier tourist attractions is the Hendrichs Drop Forge, a historical metalworking forge that makes up part of the Rhineland Industrial Museum. Solingen is also home to the Schloss Burg, a medieval castle that was once home to the counts of Burg. As with many German cities, life in Solingen is made easier by an excellent infrastructure and a high quality of life. Expats living in Solingen will find a modern and friendly city with an excellent sense of community. The city has a comprehensive public transport network, comprising rail, trolleybus, light rail and both domestic and international air services, making getting around within Solingen and the Rhineland area easy.
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Moving to Solingen
Making an international move can be a major logistical challenge, and moving to Solingen is no different. It is often a good idea for expats to do some research on the pressures of international relocation before organizing a move, as unforeseen costs can mount up quickly. Expat Magazine by InterNations is a good source of informative articles on moving cross-border, and can help to make a move to Germany that little bit smoother. Shipping possessions to Solingen is usually easiest from European countries, as most freight companies can simply deliver the goods by road. If the move involves traveling over an ocean, however, you will probably need to use either air freight or container ship to transport your belongings. Expats moving to Solingen can seek the answers to any queries they might have with the InterNations expat community. Simply post your questions on one of our forums and be advised by fellow expatriates living in Solingen or other German cities who can speak from experience.
Working in Solingen
Although the manufacturing industry is still strong in Solingen, the city has undergone something of a switch to a service-based economy. The local council and transport networks, for example, are now among the city's major employers. Potential expatriates from EU countries already have the right to work in Germany, as the EU's treaty on free movement grants the right to look for a job in another EU country to all EU nationals. However, non-EU nationals, including citizens of the US, Canada and Australia, will need to obtain a German work visa before they can begin working in Solingen. Germany combines its work visas and permanent residency visas into one, meaning that international travelers are eligible to work as soon as they have acquired permanent residency. For further information on acquiring work abroad, sign up on InterNations and have a look around our forums and content section. The forums are a great place to get in touch, socialize and network with other expats in Solingen, Germany, or across the globe.
- Daiki Saito
When my company decided to send me to Essen, I took a quick look at the local community and said: Please do!
- Cristina Fernandez
On InterNations I did not only meet interesting people but I also found a flat near Bochum and settled in quickly. A great platform.
