Quality of life in Franconia? There are said to be certain doubts, especially in Old Bavarian, but these are due to the fact that in the area north of the Danube people sometimes fundamentally doubt the first part of the word: life.
But that is part of Bavarian folklore – and fortunately there is science for such disputes. In the form of the incorruptible institute of the German economy, they have now determined: If you want to live in the independent large city in Germany with the highest quality of life, you have to move to Franconia, of course.
And after, drum roll: Erlangen.
Of course, this is not news for Erlanger. The most exciting residential building in the republic? What else than the Lange Johann: beautiful 380 residential units, built in the late 1960s in a water protection zone, all with a loggia or terrace, storey-high exposed concrete elements on a striking arterial road, opposite a parking garage, practical.
The tidiest city center? Can’t be found anywhere other than Erlangen. The Huguenot founders of the new town wanted it to be like a checkerboard, which is still of invaluable practical use today. If you’re looking for something: always go straight ahead – and then right or left.
Most beautiful festival under the sun? Can only be the poet festival in Erlangen: lie down and let yourself read. And under the castle park trees.
For folk festival fans there is the “Berg”, which is more endearing than anything comparable in an unnameable Bavarian state capital. For friends of making money there is a very large company, for friends of intellectual culture there is a very large educational institution, for friends of transatlantic friendship there was once a very large inner city area. When the army withdrew, they knew how to use it, all in the interests of quality of life.
And if you’re feeling tight in this officially recognized quality metropolis, right next door is the next supercity, which is listed in fifth place in this ranking – and is therefore four places better than the federal capital, eight Places better than Freiburg and eleven places better than the Hanseatic city of Hamburg.
Of course, we’re talking – who wouldn’t have guessed it – about Fürth. Quality of life, your name is Franconia.