Mainz....?

Question

Has anybody lived / stayed / visited Mainz in Germany?

Or do you live there?

I would just like to know a bit more about this city from first hand experiences. I've been to Hamburg and Munich and I love Germany to bits. I'm studying German at University and am very competent in the language. My Uni is offering scholarships to Johannes-Burg University for August and I'm seriously thinking about applying as Mainz is where I want to spend my year abroad. The Univeristy looks amazing and I can also see FSV Mainz 05 play a lot :D

So can you tell me a bit more about Mainz, the culture...the city...the people..the lifestyle?

Thanks all!

Vielen Dank!

Answer 1

I lived in neighboring Wiesbaden--just across the Rhein river from Mainz--for over three years.  I drove through Mainz every day on my way to work, and visited Mainz countless times.  I love Mainz.  Mainzers also pretty crazy about FSV Mainz 05--the red-and-white team logo is EVERYWHERE.  I still have one of their scarves.  I would be happy to tell you anything you'd like to know, provided I've had some experience with the specific questions you're after :)  Just shoot me a message.

EDIT:  Jared G--the Mexican restaurant you're referring to is Mexico Lindo, right next to the Romer-Passage (I think the name of the street is Adolf-Kolping-Strasse, or something very close to that).  It's owned and operated by a Mexican originally from San Antonio, Texas, and is a nice place to eat, although it tastes a bit different than the Mexican places most Americans are used to.  It's within reasonable walking distance from both the Dom, Marktplatz, and Hauptbahnhof.

Answer 2

I have visited Mainz for work.  It is quite a small city with a quaint main square and a few winding streets.  The Rhine is very close.  Frankfurt and Wiesbaden are also close and are both bigger cities.

I can't say I love Mainz, because it is really an average sort of place, but it isn't terrible.  WIth the right people and a nice sunny day, it could be a good place to visit, have a coffee and walk along the Rhine.  The winter in Mainz is depressing though.  The university is good enough place I am sure.  German universities seem much of a sameness.  Not a lot of ranking of universities here.  That's more a US, Canadian and UK thing.

Answer 3

its clean and efficient!...and judging by a weekend in the "drosselgasser" in Rudesheim am rhein...it seemed like a christmas party every night but without the drunks and punch ups!!!...

Answer 4

I am originally from Mainz, love it very much and will be back in the summer for a few months. You would like Mainz very much, too. It has many things to see, and of course as other cities, it is very old. The Johann-Gutenberg Museums is very nice, the theatre. Of course many things have changed since I left seven years ago but you wouldn't regret to go there. the Johannes Gutenberg University is also very nice and not far from downtown Mainz. You will also enjoy the German food, the people, the culture and everything else that Germany has to offer.

Enjoy!

Answer 5

I lived and studied Physics in Mainz. Its a great place.

The University has some advantages over others (like Frankfurt etc) as all facilities are in the same place and you'll be able to meet a loot of other students from other subjects. The University is quite green (has lots of parks and lawns) so sitting down and chillaxing is good.  The housing facilities are OK and finding private accommodation is quite easy.

Every Thu is a big Party and night live in Mainz is very cool.

Mainz 05. Vor..Vor..noch ein Tor....for sure also rowing ...very popular

The really cool thing about Mainz is that it is a quite "small" city coopered to Frankfurt and has WAY more culture the Wiesbaden. In Feb there is the Carnival where the hole city dresses up and you got public Holiday (Monday) to attend the big parade where everyone is having a lot of fun. Also with the S-Bahn (fast public transport) you be in Frankfurt (Shopping) with in 20minutes. The surrounding area is mostly wine growing and there are a lot of small festival ("Stadecken Sekt Vergnuegen" "Bingen Rot Wein Fest"...) and ideal for an extensive bike tour or hiking.  

Public transport inside Mainz is pretty cool and as member of the University you are free to travel on public transport in the hole Rhein-Main region. A lot of students also use bikes to get around and a lot of special Bike lanes exists.  

For Jobs there are quite some possibles in and around town, even if your German is not up to scratch.

Mainz itself and the surrounding are SAVE. No gang problems, Neo-n***s or other **** like that. People in Mainz are very nice and life is easy and chillaxed. In regards of religion there are ALL nominations and no problems of any kind. Mainz is home the first Church north of the Alps and is very old. Mainz itself was first established by the Romans and some of the surrounding Villages grow wine since 740BC.  

You should go there, you'll never regret it.

BTW:

Its called the Johannes-Gutenberg University (after the guy that invented printing)

Answer 6

Go for it!  As you see from all the answers, Mainz is awesome.  After traveling around Germany and seeing all "must see" places, I am always happy to return to Mainz.  It is a big college town...you'll fit right in.  Have fun!

Answer 7

I used to live on the Army base in Mainz-Kastel which is just across the river and by Wiesbaden.  That area is lovely.  There is so much to do.  The Rhein River is beautiful.  I used to run from Wiesbaden Biebrich to Mainz along the river and then head through town and to the Volkspark.  The Volkspark is by the Univeristy there and that whole area is beautiful.  Down-town there is a beautiful Cathedral the Dom du Mainz.  Their is also a good Brewery there.  A good Movie theater, the Cine-Star.  The nightlife is pretty good.  They have great Irsih Pub as well as some good clubs. The Kunz (spelling), and the Red Cat, Safari Lounge,Euro Palace are names of some of the good areas for nightlife. They have a pretty wild Open Air Festival for live music there once a year.  The area is a lot cheaper than neighboring Wiesbaden because it is a University Town.  There was a decent Mexican Restaurant downtown....the name escapes me at the moment.  There is also wine festivals there and carnivals down along the river throughout the year.  They have a beautiful Christmas Market...I'm sorry this is so long but this question brought back good memories...if you want a crazy story ask me about my first night in Mainz...  :)

Edit.  Thanks Brendon Mexico Lindo's is correct!!

Answer 8

I visited for work a few times.

Lots of good modern (science and engineering) employers.

Good night life especially from Aug/Sep onwards when the new wine starts arriving. German wine is MUCH better than its reputation.

But watch out for Federweisse (young wine still fermenting) - tastes like lemonade, is very very strong, and gives you seriious runs.

Mainz is good - grab the chance!

Answer 9

I was born in Mainz. It is very famous for the wineries. also a lot of history around the rhein part of it and a lot of folklore