LIFE IN MAINZ DISTRICTS

Mainz is rich of cultural heritage and maintains the character of a university city

Its most popular residents are probably the so-called "Mainzelmännchen", the mascots of public TV channel ZDF. Beautifully located at a soft curve of the river Rhein it is the capital of Rheinland-Pfalz. The city also offers easy public transport connections into the Rheinland, a beautiful, mostly untouched landscape that has been part of the UNESCO world heritage since 2002.

Ballplatz (c) Martin Bahmann - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, Flowerbeds at Schillerplatz (c) Andreas Praefcke - Own work (own photograph), CC BY 4.0, Drususstein (c) Johan Bakker - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0

If you asked a native to describe Mainz in three words, you could get two very different answers. People who look at Mainz from the outside would probably give you “Gutenberg,” as the inventor of modern printing Johannes Gutenberg is the most famous citizen of city history and lends his name to the university. There would be “ZDF,” one of the two major public TV channels, who named their mascots, “Mainzelmännchen” after their studio location. And depending on whether you are dealing with a fan of carnival or soccer, you would get “Rosenmontagszug” – Mainz’ famous carnival parade – or a fan chant of Mainz 05, the local professional soccer club.

But you could also ask a Mainz native, or a college student. Then you would get answers such as “quirky,” “liberal,” “beautiful.” There are over 40,000 students living in the city, enrolled either in the Gutenberg university or the technical college. Mainz is said to be a true Eldorado for students. And that is not just because of its numerous clubs and bars, its large pedestrian areas, or its equitable atmosphere that includes a very visible gay community – although these are important factors, too. It is also because of how Mainz’ whole 2000 years of history are visible everywhere: in the castle, the cathedral, in sculptures and buildings from all historical periods. Other aspects that make Mainz so popular among young people are the excellent reputation of the Gutenberg university, the great train connections to Frankfurt, Wiesbaden and Darmstadt, and – of course – the Mainz carnival. During the carnival weekend each spring, the city positively explodes. The carnival parade is attended by half a million people from all over the world every year.

Various bilingual primary schools and high schools can be found scattered through town. There is a Montessori School in the suburb Ingelheim, teaching children up to tenth grade in German and English. The primary school Marc Chagall in the small city district Drais currently hosts three English language groups among its 120 little students. The Otto-Schott high school in Gonsenheim has an English track as well. And considering Mainz’ close historical ties to France in times of monarchy and democracy both, it should not be a surprise that a French school can be found in the city as well: the Institut Français Mayence in the city center.

Mainz has some of the highest prices for real estate and rent in all of Rheinland-Pfalz. However, compared to the situation in Frankfurt, EUR 12.1/qm for rent and EUR 4000/qm for sales are still very luxurious options for expatriates.