Ruhr / Rhine conurbation: whats it like there?

[netzerkaiser]

I may be posted to Dusseldorf in Autumn. The only Germany I know is triangle between Brandenburg / Leipzig / Halle... lovely rustic part of world. I was shocked to research that the Rhine / Ruhr connurbation has about 11 million inhabitants, in an area not much bigger than the beautiful Swedish island of Gotland. Anyone know if its overcrowded, unattractive to live in or is it great? Thanks.

[dap-addict]

Was there last time about 5y ago and it wasnt that crowded. Interesting kinda post-industrial area. Btw, Dylan Brown is from there if I am not mistaken.

[netzerkaiser]

Was there last time about 5y ago and it wasnt that crowded. Interesting kinda post-industrial area. Btw, Dylan Brown is from there if I am not mistaken.

Thank you so much!

[OKCTwister]

Düsseldorf is affluent compared to Köln which is more popular
It's got lots of jobs prospects
I personally like it compared to the garbage cities surrounding it (Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen, Schalke, etc.)
Ruhr Bassin concentrates most of Germany's Islamic population

[netzerkaiser]

Düsseldorf is affluent compared to Köln which is more popular
It's got lots of jobs prospects
I personally like it compared to the garbage cities surrounding it (Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen, Schalke, etc.)
Ruhr Bassin concentrates most of Germany's Islamic population

Thats a great insight, OCKTwister. Thanks so much. Your words ring heavily from experience. I've nothing at all against the immigrant areas, but if I go there, its more madchens etc I look forward to, thanks so much. I reckon I need to do a bit of reconnaissance myself first - best way to go. No use hoping for below scenario, if its not there. Thanks!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBSIpBpsQJQ

Elvis, wooden heart, LOL!

[netzerkaiser]

Düsseldorf is affluent compared to Köln which is more popular
It's got lots of jobs prospects
I personally like it compared to the garbage cities surrounding it (Duisburg, Gelsenkirchen, Schalke, etc.)
Ruhr Bassin concentrates most of Germany's Islamic population

Thats a great insight, OCKTwister. Thanks so much. Your words ring heavily from experience. I've nothing at all against the immigrant areas, but if I go there, its more madchens etc I look forward to, thanks so much. I reckon I need to do a bit of reconnaissance myself first - best way to go. No use hoping for below scenario, if its not there. Thanks!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wBSIpBpsQJQ

Elvis, wooden heart, LOL!

Actually I'm thinking now, what propaganda, but its fun I guess.

[Dudemeister]

I actually live there so maybe I can get you some insight:

At first, Ruhr area and Rhine area are totally different in terms of culture and mentallity.

The Ruhr area is the post-industrial region dap-addict mentioned. Most cities didn't make it there, are very poor with a high percentage of unemployment and lots of islamic people who live in their own parallel societies.
Seriously, you don't wanna live in shitholes like Gelsenkirchen (= Schalke), Duisburg, Dortmund etc.
People here are proud of their coal mining past and their working class mentallity, but that's all long gone (probably since the sixties when the German coal mines started to close down).

The Rhineland people, mostly known for Düsseldorf and Köln (Cologne), are portayed as open-minded and funny (which is only half-way true, of course - in fact, a lot of them are kinda snobby), but those big cities have much more to offer than any city in the Ruhr area. They are well worth a visit, especially if you're into beer brewing culture (Alt, Kölsch ).

So Köln/Düsseldorf: yes

Ruhr area: better not

Oh and it's not overcrowded like in Tokyo or something like that. Yes, there are a lot of people living there, but the area is pretty huge overall.

[netzerkaiser]

I actually live there so maybe I can get you some insight:

At first, Ruhr area and Rhine area are totally different in terms of culture and mentallity.

The Ruhr area is the post-industrial region dap-addict mentioned. Most cities didn't make it there, are very poor with a high percentage of unemployment and lots of islamic people who live in their own parallel societies.
Seriously, you don't wanna live in shitholes like Gelsenkirchen (= Schalke), Duisburg, Dortmund etc.
People here are proud of their coal mining past and their working class mentallity, but that's all long gone (probably since the sixties when the German coal mines started to close down).

The Rhineland people, mostly known for Düsseldorf and Köln (Cologne), are portayed as open-minded and funny (which is only half-way true, of course - in fact, a lot of them are kinda snobby), but those big cities have much more to offer than any city in the Ruhr area. They are well worth a visit, especially if you're into beer brewing culture (Alt, Kölsch ).

So Köln/Düsseldorf: yes

Ruhr area: better not

Oh and it's not overcrowded like in Tokyo or something like that. Yes, there are a lot of people living there, but the area is pretty huge overall.

Thanks very much for great insights.

[OKCTwister]

I actually live there so maybe I can get you some insight:

At first, Ruhr area and Rhine area are totally different in terms of culture and mentallity.

The Ruhr area is the post-industrial region dap-addict mentioned. Most cities didn't make it there, are very poor with a high percentage of unemployment and lots of islamic people who live in their own parallel societies.
Seriously, you don't wanna live in shitholes like Gelsenkirchen (= Schalke), Duisburg, Dortmund etc.
People here are proud of their coal mining past and their working class mentallity, but that's all long gone (probably since the sixties when the German coal mines started to close down).

The Rhineland people, mostly known for Düsseldorf and Köln (Cologne), are portayed as open-minded and funny (which is only half-way true, of course - in fact, a lot of them are kinda snobby), but those big cities have much more to offer than any city in the Ruhr area. They are well worth a visit, especially if you're into beer brewing culture (Alt, Kölsch ).

So Köln/Düsseldorf: yes

Ruhr area: better not

Oh and it's not overcrowded like in Tokyo or something like that. Yes, there are a lot of people living there, but the area is pretty huge overall.

Thanks very much for great insights.

Where are you originally in Ireland
I made a business trip to Ballina Mayo

[netzerkaiser]

I actually live there so maybe I can get you some insight:

At first, Ruhr area and Rhine area are totally different in terms of culture and mentallity.

The Ruhr area is the post-industrial region dap-addict mentioned. Most cities didn't make it there, are very poor with a high percentage of unemployment and lots of islamic people who live in their own parallel societies.
Seriously, you don't wanna live in shitholes like Gelsenkirchen (= Schalke), Duisburg, Dortmund etc.
People here are proud of their coal mining past and their working class mentallity, but that's all long gone (probably since the sixties when the German coal mines started to close down).

The Rhineland people, mostly known for Düsseldorf and Köln (Cologne), are portayed as open-minded and funny (which is only half-way true, of course - in fact, a lot of them are kinda snobby), but those big cities have much more to offer than any city in the Ruhr area. They are well worth a visit, especially if you're into beer brewing culture (Alt, Kölsch ).

So Köln/Düsseldorf: yes

Ruhr area: better not

Oh and it's not overcrowded like in Tokyo or something like that. Yes, there are a lot of people living there, but the area is pretty huge overall.

Thanks very much for great insights.

Where are you originally in Ireland
I made a business trip to Ballina Mayo

So cool thanks for response. Ballinrobe, Mayo! You're talking 40 years since I left it. But it never leaves you. I was adopted, I was actually born in county Monaghan. I really hope you had great time in Mayo Brother, it really is lovely, .

I remember one time I returned about 1996 - came to pub in Mayo. A hole in roof, a bucket there to collect rain. So darned cool. Cheers for memories. I really hope you've good memories! Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYuV76r6Ov0

[netzerkaiser]

At first, Ruhr area and Rhine area are totally different in terms of culture and mentallity.

The Ruhr area is the post-industrial region dap-addict mentioned. Most cities didn't make it there, are very poor with a high percentage of unemployment and lots of islamic people who live in their own parallel societies.
Seriously, you don't wanna live in shitholes like Gelsenkirchen (= Schalke), Duisburg, Dortmund etc.
People here are proud of their coal mining past and their working class mentallity, but that's all long gone (probably since the sixties when the German coal mines started to close down).

The Rhineland people, mostly known for Düsseldorf and Köln (Cologne), are portayed as open-minded and funny (which is only half-way true, of course - in fact, a lot of them are kinda snobby), but those big cities have much more to offer than any city in the Ruhr area. They are well worth a visit, especially if you're into beer brewing culture (Alt, Kölsch ).

So Köln/Düsseldorf: yes

Ruhr area: better not

Oh and it's not overcrowded like in Tokyo or something like that. Yes, there are a lot of people living there, but the area is pretty huge overall.[/quote]

Thanks very much for great insights.[/quote]

Where are you originally in Ireland
I made a business trip to Ballina Mayo[/quote]

So cool thanks for response. Ballinrobe, Mayo! You're talking 40 years since I left it. But it never leaves you. I was adopted, I was actually born in county Monaghan. I really hope you had great time in Mayo Brother, it really is lovely, .

I remember one time I returned about 1996 - came to pub in Mayo. A hole in roof, a bucket there to collect rain. So darned cool. Cheers for memories. I really hope you've good memories! Thanks!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iYuV76r6Ov0[/quote]

I remember in '96 I walked from Knock to Croagh Patrick with a tour over 3 / 4 days. That was fantastic! Seeing Westport from the top of Croagh Patrick was amazing.

[OKCTwister]

I remember in '96 I walked from Knock to Croagh Patrick with a tour over 3 / 4 days. That was fantastic! Seeing Westport from the top of Croagh Patrick was amazing.

Ballina is exactly the kind of towns I'm fond of... quaint, green, with beautiful waterfront views
I love the simplicity of the people there despite the heavy accent
I also love such north western European weather where it's always raining and windy
Id love to go back there but my next trip shall be in Iceland

[netzerkaiser]

I remember in '96 I walked from Knock to Croagh Patrick with a tour over 3 / 4 days. That was fantastic! Seeing Westport from the top of Croagh Patrick was amazing.

Ballina is exactly the kind of towns I'm fond of... quaint, green, with beautiful waterfront views
I love the simplicity of the people there despite the heavy accent
I also love such north western European weather where it's always raining and windy
Id love to go back there but my next trip shall be in Iceland

You're a man after my own heart. These mornings I leave house at 5:30 to drive, take my time to work, through misty early morning smoke from the river. I got to be there by 7 AM, I could do it if I left house at 6 AM, but I just take it slow through the rolling greens, fog off the river. We've spoke of Mayo... how cool is Kerry, Brother?

Watch this... it can't be beaten... my homeland... Excalibur...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dV_HaaQfLU

[netzerkaiser]

I remember in '96 I walked from Knock to Croagh Patrick with a tour over 3 / 4 days. That was fantastic! Seeing Westport from the top of Croagh Patrick was amazing.

Ballina is exactly the kind of towns I'm fond of... quaint, green, with beautiful waterfront views
I love the simplicity of the people there despite the heavy accent
I also love such north western European weather where it's always raining and windy
Id love to go back there but my next trip shall be in Iceland

@OKCTwister

Watch this, you'll never forget it. Filmed in Kerry.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_dV_HaaQfLU

[OKCTwister]

Sweet
Kerry, Cork... Ireland is such an underrated spot and I think it's a good thing for tourists ruin the charm of these paradise

[netzerkaiser]

Sweet
Kerry, Cork... Ireland is such an underrated spot and I think it's a good thing for tourists ruin the charm of these paradise

DAPAddict has my email address. Feel free to ping him & you're welcome to stay with me, no cost, I've spare bedroom, plan road trip any time Brother, post September, should have my house finished by then.

Cheers.

[OKCTwister]

Sweet
Kerry, Cork... Ireland is such an underrated spot and I think it's a good thing for tourists ruin the charm of these paradise

DAPAddict has my email address. Feel free to ping him & you're welcome to stay with me, no cost, I've spare bedroom, plan road trip any time Brother, post September, should have my house finished by then.

Cheers.

Hey thank you very much that is really cool of you

[netzerkaiser]

Sweet
Kerry, Cork... Ireland is such an underrated spot and I think it's a good thing for tourists ruin the charm of these paradise

DAPAddict has my email address. Feel free to ping him & you're welcome to stay with me, no cost, I've spare bedroom, plan road trip any time Brother, post September, should have my house finished by then.

Cheers.

Hey thank you very much that is really cool of you

Thank you too. As I said though I'm based right now in Scotland, I hope to be getting much of June & July back home renovating the old homestead, then maybe Duesseldorf for 6 months anyway - nice to be busy. Another film clip below shows singular beauty of Kerry peninsula. Man if I looked like this guy no way would I take my life, but I guess we all carry our own particular cross.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAHFWVjfVHs

[netzerkaiser]

Cheers.[/quote]

Hey thank you very much that is really cool of you[/quote]

Thank you too. As I said though I'm based right now in Scotland, I hope to be getting much of June & July back home renovating the old homestead, then maybe Duesseldorf for 6 months anyway - nice to be busy. Another film clip below shows singular beauty of Kerry peninsula. Man if I looked like this guy no way would I take my life, but I guess we all carry our own particular cross.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAHFWVjfVHs[/quote]

More, this makes me homesick. The great Rory Gallagher. Donegal is also beautiful spot.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kvO5OdZgtyM