Germany - Accommodation

If you're renting, the majority of properties available to you will be unfurnished (may not even include kitchen fixtures or lighting).  When looking for rental accommodation, make sure to ask what kind of facilities are there before you look at it (you may already know that you want a flat which has a kitchen).  Ask if you will need to make any more renovations to the property in order to live it.

Other points to remember are extra costs associated with rubbish collection etc. and, if you live in a building with other people, whether you will have responsibilities like tidying the entrance hall or sweeping the pavement outside.  As with anywhere else, it is good to show that you are interested in learning what the normal practice is; landlords prefer responsible tenants and it's even better if they are long-term tenants.  People don't move around in Germany as much as in the UK.

Germans are very strict on noise levels at night and on weekends. They call their quiet or rest time die Ruhezeit.Make sure you know what these times are and abide by them.  

We've included some accommodation links for Munich and Frankfurt below.

Munich

Munich, the capital of the southern state Bavaria and home of the famous Oktoberfest, is often referred to as Germany's secret capital.  Bavaria is the origin of a lot of German traditions which are seen as being 'typically Germany' abroad but in reality are only found in Bayern.  So if you're looking for Lederhosen, Munich's the right place!  Here are some links which can help you with accommodation.  Make sure you also check the classified section in the local paper, and ask your new employer for help.

Accommodation Sites

Immobilien-Hai (accommodation shark!) has lots of classified ads; in German only.

Letting Agents

They do charge a large commission, but will be able to decipher the cryptic abbreviations contained German classifieds and tell you what is really on offer.
Mr Lodge

Relocation Agents

Elisabeth Sommer Relocation (Munich)
Welcome Relocation Centre (Munich, Dusseldorf, Wiesbaden) 

City Guides

Munich Tourist Office
The Munich Guide
The Munich Portal

Frankfurt

The gleaming towers of Frankfurt's are the outward signs of an industry that has earned Frankfurt its status as the financial capital of Germany.  Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt on the river Main) is not to be confused with Frankfurt an der Oder (a town in the former East Germany on the river Oder).

Accommodation

City Guides

Official city website
City, Surroundings and Street Map

Other city guides

Hamburg

http://www.rrz.uni-hamburg.de/rz3a035/e.hamburg.html
Hamburg City Guide

Stuttgart

Stuttgart (in German)
Stuttgart City Guide
Public transport