The city houses one of the biggest European bank concentrations and is home to several of the most important national and international HQ's in the telecoms and internet sectors. The De-CTX handles over 95% of all commercial European internet traffic.
Frankfurt is a city of contrasts. Wealthy bankers, students, and granola drop-outs coexist in a city that has some of the highest, most avant-garde skyscrapers of Europe next to well maintained old buildings. The downtown area, especially Römer square and the museums at the River Main, draw millions of tourists every year. On the other hand, many off the beaten track neighborhoods, such as Bockenheim, Bornheim, Nordend and Sachsenhausen, with their intact beautiful 19th century streets and parks, are mostly neglected by tourism.
Frankfurt am Main is the largest traffic hub in Germany. This is the place where Germany's major Autobahns and railway-connections intersect. About 650,000 people commute to the city each day, not counting the 660,000 people who really live here. With a huge airport—the largest in Europe—it is the gateway to Germany and for many people also the first point of arrival in Europe. Further, it is a prime hub for interconnections within Europe and for intercontinental flights. These prime traffic connections have made Frankfurt the city with the highest percentage of immigrants in Germany: about 25% of Frankfurt's 660,000 people have no German passport and another 10% are naturalized German citizens. With about 35% immigrants, Frankfurt is the most diverse of German cities.
Frankfurt is home to many museums, theatres (among them the first-class "English Theatre"), and a world-class opera. While Frankfurt is not the size of London or Paris, it will not keep you wanting in terms of cultural activities.
Living
Frankfurt is a city of opposites with the Goethe and the Stock Exchange, the Paulskirche and skyline buildings. But it does so in a disarming way. For those with a bit more time on their hands, the discovery of charming Frankfurt is often just a corner away. Think of the village atmosphere of Bornheim, Sachenhausen and Bockenheim, to name just a few.
Frankfurt is a very international city. Almost 30% of its residents are not German! A multitude of languages is spoken, and every flavor of food is available. Depending on how you look at the city, it reflects back at you in a different light, maily due to the diversity it has so warmly embraced.
The city is loaded with cultural attractions, leisure facilities and ofcourse sports clubs. It has dozens of museums and art galleries. Then there are the opera, swimming pools, race track, ice sking rink, a botanical garden and so much more.
It is even a green city with many parks and bicycle paths.
Living in Frankfurt does not come really cheap. The average rent is around 10€ per square meter (9 sq. ft.) "kalt". Kalt (cold) means excluding charges such as electricity, water etc. Some prices are "warm", meaning including such charges. (always check the contract carefully!) This is of course a very rough guide and very much dependend on what you are looking for. Globetrotting families should expect to pay more as they need bigger accomodations.
History
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