When Germans are polled about where they would most like to live, Munich finds its way consistently at the top of the list. Within easy driving distance of the Alps, and some of the most beautiful scenery in Europe, it's not surprising that everyone wants to live here! Add to its benefit the beautiful architecture, especially Baroque and Rococo, green countryside which starts a mere half hour away on the S-Bahn, the second largest university in Germany, and the greatest beer culture on the planet; could there be anything wrong with Munich? Yes and no. The Bavarians are very conservative (although, Munich itself traditionally has a Social Democratic municipal council), to the point of being reactionary. This can make it tough to get to know them, and at the very least, will lead to more than a few raised eyebrows at your ripped denim shorts.
There's a price to pay for living in a city where everyone else wants to be: Munich is the most expensive city in Germany. But all in all, its advantages make a visit more than worthwhile.
The people of Munich don't want their city to be recognized only as a city connected to beer and the Oktoberfest. In fact, the Bavarian Kings had their share to do with Munich becoming a city of arts and science in the 19th century. Its outstanding position among other German cities may have faded, especially due to Berlin becoming the German capital again in the 1990s, but Munich still remains Germany's number-one place for art, having been the home or birthplace of many famous writers, artists, architects, and musicians, including:
Egid Quirin Asam, François de Cuvilliés, Johann Michael Fischer, Albrecht Dürer, architects Barelli and Zuccalli (credited with bringing the Italian baroque style to Munich, a style that would become omnipresent throughout Bavaria), Leo von Klenze, Franz von Lenbach, Wassily Kandinsky and the artists of the Blaue Reiter (Blue Rider) School of Expressionist art.
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