Expat life and the traveling mind go hand in hand. We’ve already traveled and experienced something new, and then have probably caught the travel bug (assuming the move was voluntary). Expat life is however, not always about travel – it’s more about spending lots of time somewhere new and learning the in-depth, cultural stuff that you would never know while skimming through a city in a few days or even a few weeks.

As a foreigner living in another country, even if it is long-term, I find that the tendency to view your new home from a traveler’s perspective still remains, which I consider a good thing for the most part. A lot of people never really explore the city where they live or take full advantage of what it has to offer, which I think is a real shame! I can’t tell you how many Hamburgers (the people, not the food, ha) I have given tips to about what do see/do/eat, even though Hamburgers are a very proud folk! It really takes your quality of life up a notch to take those traveler’s eyes and use them on your own city.

Thus being said, when I told my friends that we were moving out into the country, they of course asked where, followed by a big HUH? Then when I mentioned Neumünster as a city nearby, one friend said: “Oh no! Why?! That’s the ugliest city in Germany!!”

Ha, quite a statement! I hold no personal stake in Neumünster being considered pretty or not; our house is a ways outside of town. Yet, I still was caught off-guard and felt inspired to defend my new home aka shopping city.

Here are the results!

While Neumünster is mostly a “worker’s town”, it does have some highlights to offer to a wider spectrum of society. It has all of the following 10 qualities that I consider to be the basics in defining a European city as “cute”:

1) Cozy coffee shops / cafés

Here is the coziest café in town, Cafe Oldehus. This is a traditional chocolaterie that also offers amazing cakes and tortes to be enjoyed in the afternoon with coffee and good company. Classy but not stuffy.

2) Outdoor cafés

Who doesn’t love to sit outside in the sun and do some people watching? Big European past time.

3) Small pedestrian shopping streets

Definitely restored here, but still adds that cute aspect. Different shops, cozy street corners, and pedestrians only (dogs welcome).

4) Nice restaurants

Like ones you can happily take visitors to. Good decorations and food, a plus if it’s local or traditional food.

5) Cobblestones

Lots of these downtown! Adds charm. Just really tricky to walk on in stilettos…

6) Landscaping

Neumünster is obviously invested in maintaining and improving their image, as demonstrated by many median strips, round-a-bouts, and corners that are landscaped year-round. Also notice the fresh flowers hanging on the lightposts.

7) Old buildings

Found all over in town, some having survived the wars more than others, but nevertheless restored. See below.

8) Fancy architecture

…like a cathedral or city hall building, the latter of these pictured below.

9) Pretty parks

As well as a few walkways downtown with sculptures, there is also an actual sculpture park in town with a small art exhibit and café that is very peaceful to visit as an escape in the spring and summer! The Gerisch Stiftung Park works toward maintaining high culture in town.

10) Canals and waterways

Not really a must for a European city, but definitely adds charm to any city. Also some of this in Neumünster!

So while it’s undeniable that there are cities that have much, much more to offer (and are waaay cuter), “our” new city has plenty of cute corners to enjoy as well!