New in Bonn: Registration Four Districts and Daily Life in the UN City

Bonn is divided into four districts: Bonn (centre), Bad Godesberg, Beuel and Hardtberg. The Bonn district includes neighbourhoods such as Bonn-Zentrum, the Südstadt and Nordstadt with many period buildings, Poppelsdorf and Endenich near the university, as well as Kessenich, Venusberg and Tannenbusch. In total, the city has 51 neighbourhoods.

Beuel lies on the right bank of the Rhine and is connected to the city centre by three Rhine bridges. Bad Godesberg in the south was a separate town until 1969, and Hardtberg with Duisdorf lies in the west. Bonn, Bad Godesberg and Beuel were merged into today's city on 1 August 1969. Which district suits you depends on your commute, school and budget; before you commit, also take a look at the stairwell, parking situation and surroundings – that will also make moving day easier later.

We deliberately do not quote specific rents here, because they depend heavily on location, condition and size; use the city's rent index (Mietspiegel) as a guide and compare offers. Start early – especially at the beginning of term – and keep proof of income and a Schufa credit report ready. Bonn offers a broad job market: Deutsche Post and Deutsche Telekom have their headquarters here, as does Deutsche Welle, along with federal ministries and 20 UN organisations.

The University of Bonn is one of the largest universities in Germany and, with the university hospital, one of the largest employers in the region. In your free time, the Rheinaue, the old town, the Beethoven House and the Siebengebirge hills on the horizon beckon. Cologne is quickly reached by train and car, and you can also catch the ICE at Siegburg/Bonn station. The United Nations has worked in Bonn since 1951 – many colleagues have come from abroad themselves and know the first steps.

The moving costs depend mainly on the size of your flat. Here is our price range:

• One-room flat: from €359
• Two-room flat: from €615
• Three-room flat: from €884
• Four-room flat: from €1,324
• House or villa: individual quote

For long-distance moves we charge from €3.85/km. Use our free survey to get an exact quote.

For a realistic quote, we need details of the volume, the distance (from €3.85/km), and the floor and lift. Whether a parking restriction zone is needed is also important, as is whether furniture assembly or a shared load is wanted.

Whether a flat, an office or single pieces of furniture – we move what you want moved.

• Home move – worry-free into your new home.
• Company move – minimal downtime for your business.
• Furniture transport – safe transport of single pieces of furniture.
• Part load – transport cheaply thanks to shared cargo space.
• Move with assembly – we take furniture down and rebuild it.
• Clearance – we create space and dispose expertly.

We plan moves from Berlin-Moabit (Stromstraße 21), without branches in other cities. It is around 597 km to Bonn via the A2, A1 and A3, about 8.5 hours by lorry including a break. Places with their own page can be found in the locations overview.

Under the Federal Registration Act (Bundesmeldegesetz), anyone moving to Bonn must register with the registration authority within two weeks of moving in (§ 17 paragraph 1). Anyone moving abroad or not taking up a new home in Germany must deregister within two weeks of moving out. The City of Bonn lists the current appointment and online options on its website; check them before you move in.

The landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) is important: under § 19 of the Federal Registration Act, your landlord must cooperate with the registration and confirm that you have moved in within the deadline. The confirmation states the landlord's name and address, the move-in date, the address of the flat and the names of the persons required to register. Ask for it in good time, ideally when the flat is handed over.

Next comes the broadcasting fee (Rundfunkbeitrag). According to the Beitragsservice, a fee of 18.36 euros per month is charged for each household, regardless of the number of residents. You notify the Beitragsservice of your move using the form on rundfunkbeitrag.de. An overview of all deadlines can be found in our guides to re-registering after a move and to the broadcasting fee.

Tip: have your ID, the landlord confirmation and, if applicable, documents for anyone moving with you ready in advance. If you plan in good time, you avoid stress in your first days in your new home and have the registration certificate to hand for your bank, employer and insurers.

Moving into Bonn often produces bulky waste: packaging, old furniture, shelves. bonnorange is responsible for collection. According to bonnorange, each household is offered three fixed dates and one individual date, and kerbside collection comes without an extra fee. The individual date is limited to a maximum of 5 cubic metres and can be arranged via the online form or by phone on 0228 555 27 20. According to bonnorange, delivering items to the recycling centres is subject to a fee.

Bulky waste items must be at the kerbside by 7 am on collection day, without obstructing or endangering anyone. bonnorange sets out on its own pages what is included and what is not; electrical appliances have their own section. The citizens' hotline for waste advice and street cleanliness is available Monday to Thursday from 7:30 to 16:30 and on Fridays from 7:30 to 15.

If you want to declutter before the move, you will find tips in our guide Disposing of bulky waste correctly. For larger quantities, a house clearance service is a good option. How we plan your move to Bonn is described in the Bonn moving guide.

Practical for moving in: flatten boxes before putting them at the kerbside, and separate bulky waste from electrical appliances. That way you avoid individual items being left behind.