Moving to Rostock: costs process, districts

Rostock is divided into diverse districts with very different characters. The Kröpeliner-Tor-Vorstadt is a popular hip neighbourhood with old buildings, cafés and proximity to the university – ideal for students and young families. The Südstadt scores with green residential areas and good infrastructure, while Reutershagen offers quiet residential streets with solid post-war buildings. If you want to be near the sea, Warnemünde with its beach, lighthouse and maritime flair offers a unique living environment, although rents here are higher than the city average.

Family-friendly new-build areas can be found in Brinckmansdorf, for example, while Lütten Klein, Evershagen and Groß Klein, as prefab housing estates (Plattenbau), offer affordable housing with good public transport links. The city centre around Kröpeliner Straße and Neuer Markt attracts with historic architecture, the Marienkirche and short distances, but is correspondingly in demand. Depending on lifestyle and budget, Rostock has a suitable district for almost every requirement.

Compared with many university towns in western Germany, rents in Rostock are moderate, though higher in sought-after areas such as Warnemünde or the Kröpeliner-Tor-Vorstadt. The housing market is nevertheless tight, as many students, skilled staff at the university medical centre and newcomers from all over Germany compete for attractive flats. If you search early and stay flexible about the district, you have good chances of finding affordable housing, especially in the northern and eastern districts.

The quality of life in Rostock impresses with short distances to the Baltic Sea, an active cultural life with Hanse Sail and the city harbour, and numerous green and recreational spaces such as the IGA Park. As a city of science and a port, Rostock also offers solid job prospects with employers such as Yara, the port economy and the university medical centre. Many newcomers appreciate the relaxed pace of life compared with big cities, combined with good infrastructure and direct access to the sea. This mix makes Rostock an attractive destination for families, students and career starters alike.

The question of costs can initially be answered with guide values: from €359 for a 1-room flat, from €584 for 2 rooms, from €879 for 3 rooms and from €1,269 for 4 rooms. A house or villa requires an individual quote, as many factors play a role here. For a long-distance move we charge from €3.95/km. The easiest way is a free survey, during which we clarify everything else.

The basis of the price calculation is the volume of your belongings. Added to this is the distance, which we charge from €3.95/km – from Berlin-Moabit it is 221 km – plus the floor and lift. According to the city, a parking restriction zone in Rostock costs a €20 fee, with the signs on top. If you would also like furniture assembly or a part load, we include it in the calculation.

From the initial consultation to the last screw – we offer you everything from a single source.

We come from Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and handle moves nationwide. The route via the A24 and A19 is described under Berlin – Rostock; further destinations are shown in the locations overview.

In Rostock you apply for the parking closure for your move at the traffic department of the Hanseatic City's municipal office (Stadtamt); the town hall cites §§ 45 and 46 of the Road Traffic Regulations (StVO) as the legal basis. According to the town hall, you should submit the application at least three weeks before the moving date, in writing by post, email or fax, or in person.

The town hall states an administrative fee of €20.00. On top of this come the costs for signage by a traffic safety company, which the town hall puts at from approx. €120.00. The no-stopping signs with additional panels must be up before the moving date. If you need a no-stopping zone at both the moving-out and moving-in address, submit a separate application for each address. Only commission the signage company once you know when the permit will be issued. Also state your contact details and the exact time period in the application so that the city can issue the order without queries.

Because a three-week lead time applies, it is worth applying as soon as the moving date is fixed. State the street, house number, date, time and the required length, which depends on the removal van. How we help you with this is explained under Parking restriction zone; the guide Applying for a parking restriction zone shows the process in brief.

After moving in, you register in Rostock within two weeks; according to the city, late registrations can be fined. Registration takes place at one of the five local offices (Ortsämter), usually in person:

• Mitte: Neuer Markt 1a, 18055 Rostock
• Ost: Jawaharlal-Nehru-Straße 33, 18147 Rostock
• West: Goerdelerstraße 53, 18069 Rostock
• Nordwest 1: A.-Tischbein-Straße 48, 18109 Rostock
• Nordwest 2: Warnowallee 30, 18107 Rostock

You can reach all local offices by phone on +49 381 381-7777. According to the city, they are open Mondays 9 am to 12 noon, Tuesdays 9 am to 12 noon and 1:30 to 6 pm, Thursdays 9 am to 12 noon and 1:30 to 4 pm, and Fridays 9 am to 12 noon. Bring your ID card or passport, the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung) and the completed registration form. The registration certificate is free of charge.

Before moving out you should book a bulky waste collection: according to the city, the collection service will not take it without a booking. Book with Stadtentsorgung Rostock ideally 14 days in advance; the standard collection is included in the waste charges, while a preferred date costs extra. Put the items out the evening before or by 7 am on the collection day, easily accessible on the public street. Everything about local prices and services is on the page Removal company Rostock; for larger clear-outs, Clearance can help.