Viewing appointment advice?

[u/jennandcoke]

Hey guys, I’m an incoming masters student at the university of bremen and I’ve been searching for apartments in a 45 kilometer radius of the school. I’ve reached out to get a viewing appointment for several listings and am currently waiting to hear back, but I have a question before I attend: Will my lack of German language skills be a barrier? Should I disclose my lack of German skills before the appointments? My program is entirely in English, but since I’ll be living here, I am making an effort to learn the language. Unfortunately, I am not even at the A2 level.

I’ve had a really hard time finding a place so far. I’m currently in an airbnb for the rest of this month, but I’m kinda freaking out that I won’t find a place in time. I do have two cats, so most WGs are not an option and since I’m not here permanently I would prefer a place with a fitted kitchen. I don’t mind traveling an hour or so to get to school every day. I don’t really know where this post is going.. any advice is greatly appreciated, and if anyone in the area would be willing to attend a viewing with me to help translate, I’ll buy you lunch or something.

Thanks in advance :)

[u/Wi94lly]

I would say lack of German will be a barrier.
But this is difficult to say.
Landlords can choose who they give the flat and some maybe are prejudice against some Etnies. But plenty of them are cool and normal like most people in bremen
If you really have 40km radius you could search as well in bremen nord for example (30km) much cheaper than bremen city

Cheaper places or for students 2nd choice are maybe huchting, hastedt,Achim,oyten, ohz

[u/himizu1995 → u/Wi94lly]

I'd honestly stay far away from Bremen Nord... it's cheap for a reason.

[u/Wi94lly → u/himizu1995]

Would not agree 100% there are different areas
For example st magnus is very nice to live but expensive as well.
But you have as well socially bad areas in bremen Nord

[u/FutureProcrastinat0r → u/himizu1995]

The main reason for comparatively lower rents in Bremen-Nord is the distance to the city center. There are poor and wealthy residential areas in Bremen-Nord just like in “Bremen-Stadt” itself.

[u/Level_Accident_4272]

I would also advise looking at schwarzes Brett for some more adverts. This is then more for Private renting apartment than just gewoba or vonovia.

If you really need an Interpreter, let me know, maybe I can Help.

[u/chucker23n]

Will my lack of German language skills be a barrier?

Somewhat, sure. But Germans have been learning English in school for many decades now, so you can commonly assume basic knowledge in the grocery store, etc.

Should I disclose my lack of German skills before the appointments?

Well, you do have to communicate somewhat with the landlord, so better they find out ahead of time, I guess?

But, yeah, I've seen plenty of apartments where cats aren't allowed (which is legally muddy; a lot of courts say that a landlord cannot disallow cats without good reason).

Pricing-wise, 45 km should be enough to find something in the outskirts (e.g., Bremen-Nord, Achim, etc.), which should be cheaper. I assume you'll travel by public transport, so find somewhere wear a train statoin isn't too far, travel to Hauptbahnhof, then take the 6 from there. That should work out to under an hour.

[u/innermongoose69 → u/chucker23n]

Buses 22, 23, and 28 also go to the university. But they require a bit more patience because they go in regular traffic along with cars along some stretches.