The cultural diversity in the Rhine-Main region is above average. Many cities shine with a wide range of impressive history, art and culture. New art halls and old museums offer cultural input and also many opportunities for leisure activities. With its mild climate, landscapes shaped by viticulture and the sociable mentality of the people of Rheinhessen, the region has a high quality of life. Which places in the economically thriving Frankfurt metropolitan region are particularly good places to live?
Art and culture not only in Frankfurt
Frankfurt am Main is now one of the most sought-after major cities in Germany. The Main metropolis has done a lot in recent decades to get rid of its image as a soulless workers’ and banking city. What makes the city and also the Rhine-Main region so desirable and popular? With 38 museums such as the Städel, the Senckenberg Museum and the Schirn Art Gallery, Frankfurt offers residents and visitors a wide variety of culture. The recently completed reconstruction of the old town of the Main metropolis, which was completely destroyed during World War II, has restored its soul. Here, between skyscrapers and historic ambience, prosperity and down-to-earth sociability come together. Frankfurt’s city center attracts visitors not only with art and culture, but also with great shopping opportunities. Numerous pubs in the old town and on the beautiful banks of the Main River also invite you to linger.
But not only Frankfurt, affectionately called “Mainhattan” because of its skyline, offers a lot. A large number of exciting cities in the Rhine-Main region offer great cultural diversity. These often have a great history, a lot of art and culture and also an unusually high quality of life. What makes life in the Frankfurt metropolitan region so particularly attractive? And in which region is life particularly good? Included are the two state capitals of Rhineland-Palatinate and Hesse: Mainz and Wiesbaden.
Cultural diversity in Mainz and Wiesbaden
The two state capitals are located right next to each other, yet each has its own unique character. What they have in common is a wide range of cultural offerings in all areas. Cultural diversity in the Rhine-Main region can be seen here in all its facets.
Artistic diversity in the Rhine-Main region
Both cities offer a great deal of history as well as a wide range of modern art. Mainz’s more than 2000 years of urban history can be seen in Roman relics. The city’s most famous son is probably Gutenberg, the inventor of letterpress printing. Numerous museums offer cultural diversity and scientific insights. Contemporary art enjoys a high status in Mainz and Wiesbaden. The Mainz Art Academy trains young artists. The Kunsthalle Mainz at Zollhafen shows contemporary works by international artists in changing exhibitions. A particularly exciting project in Wiesbaden is the recently reopened Walkmühle. Both exhibition venues are located in converted historic industrial buildings. The Walkmühle presents itself as a place of lively cultural diversity in the Rhine-Main region with studios, exhibitions, events and gastronomy. How about a visit to an exciting art exhibition? Afterwards you can enjoy a small concert in the Walkmühle with a good glass of wine. The Reinhardt Ernst Museum on Wilhelmstrasse in downtown Wiesbaden offers special highlights of abstract modern art.
Music, dance and theater in the metropolitan region
Mainz and Wiesbaden offer a large repertoire of musical theater, concerts and ballet in their state theaters. In addition, there are numerous small stages and large musical events. With modern cultural diversity, open-air concerts such as the “Summer in the City” events in Mainz and the “Wi Love Music” open-air concert series in Wiesbaden attract visitors. In the parks, on the banks of the Rhine and in city squares, music ranging from classical to major international pop stars and bands can be heard. A classic at Whitsun is the Open Ohr Festival at the Mainz Citadel. In addition to concerts and political panel discussions, it also offers plenty of hippie flair.
Social life in the wine-growing region
Numerous wine taverns bring tourists and locals together in the state capitals. Over regional wines from Rheinhessen and the Rheingau, people of all kinds and from different generations quickly get talking.
Colorful cultural diversity at festivals and events
There is probably no other region with as many wine festivals as around Mainz and Wiesbaden. Winemakers open their doors at courtyard festivals, and wine festivals are held in all the towns around the cities in the summer. The Mainz wine market in the Rosengarten and Volkspark is legendary. At the Rheingau Wine Week, about 120 wine stands at the historic town hall on the Dernschen grounds attract numerous visitors to Wiesbaden. From April to November, the Mainzer Marktfrühstück takes place every Saturday at the weekly market in Mainz. Over wine spritzers, hot meat sausage and pork cheeks, the people of Mainz celebrate themselves and their city.
Mainz and Wiesbaden offer joie de vivre and a high standard of living in this economically successful region. Both cities reflect the great cultural diversity in the Rhine-Main region. With such a beautiful landscape and mild climate, it is no wonder that living in this area is so popular. Especially in the cities, apartments and also houses are in hot demand. Land and property prices have risen sharply since 2014 and the trend continues. For owner-occupiers as well as investors, this is a good reason not to wait too long before buying.
Down-to-earth and young Mainz
Mainz is characterized by a relatively small city center with numerous suburbs and incorporated villages. Since the city was almost completely destroyed in a single night of bombing toward the end of World War II, apartments in old buildings are rare. Mainzers are considered sociable as well as down-to-earth and like to live in single-family homes in the outskirts. In some suburbs, such as Mainz-Lerchenberg, a generational change is currently taking place. Founded in the early 1960s as a jubilee settlement to mark the 2000th anniversary of Mainz, the area offers a large number of detached single-family homes and also row houses. Many date from the 1970s and 1980s. Now, numerous properties are changing hands and a new generation of young families appreciates the quiet life close to the city.
Media City Mainz
The ZDF and other broadcasters as major employers make Lerchenberg and the surrounding towns particularly attractive. People with jobs in Frankfurt and airport employees also appreciate Mainz as a family-friendly place with a very good infrastructure. The city offers a wide range of schools, a renowned university hospital and an exceptionally beautiful location directly on the Rhine. The high quality of life is also reflected in the prices. The entire Rhine-Main region is not an inexpensive place to live, but the chance of finding an affordable single-family home is still much higher in Mainz than in Frankfurt.
Student city and foolish Mainz
Overall, the cityscape is also characterized by the high student population of over 17%. This makes Mainz a city with many offerings for young people. Another typical feature of Mainz is its position as one of Germany’s carnival strongholds. The people of Mainz hold their fifth season, Shrovetide, sacred. The inhabitants of the Rhineland-Palatinate capital are considered to be an open-minded people. Even newcomers quickly feel at home here.
Historic Wilhelminian charm in Wiesbaden
Wiesbaden was somewhat luckier in World War II, as many bombs missed their targets during the bombing due to the weather conditions. 22% of the residential buildings fell victim to the war, but the cityscape is still characterized by many Gründerzeit buildings. The charm of the old spa town has been preserved to this day. In Wiesbaden, you can still find beautiful old buildings that exude elegance and prosperity. The Hessian state capital has always been considered somewhat more genteel than down-to-earth Mainz. Many people appreciate the historic character as well as the excellent infrastructure without the hectic Frankfurt hustle and bustle.
Attractive old buildings in Wiesbaden
An attractive and affordable apartment in an old building in the center of the banking metropolis is hard to find. Wiesbaden shines here with a better offer and a well-kept historic cityscape. Old villas are also sought-after properties and the historic spa town offers real gold pieces here. The popular city is growing continuously and so, of course, many attractive new construction projects are being built.
According to a study by the Hertie Foundation, eighty percent of residents in the Rhine-Main region are satisfied with their living conditions. Almost ninety percent also like living in the region and find their place of residence recommendable. Those who move to the Rhine-Main region or already live here appreciate the open mentality and the numerous offers.
