What does WG mean when searching for apartments in Germany?

Question

I'm going to be working in Germany this summer, but am still trying to pick up on the basics of the language. If WG is something website-specific, the website is www.nadann.de. What is the difference between "Housing offers WG" and "Housing offers not WG"?

Answer 1

Oh, this is a fun one. You will soon discover when Germans are speaking English it is either Oxford(The 'Queen's' English) or American. Trust me you will notice.

OK, WG is not web specific. WG in Germany means sharing a flat/apartment with 1 or more persons. That is the basic meaning. It can however be used to describe(for example) a student type of apartment complex where everyone has a small apartment, but you share common areas like a larger kitchen and living room, washers&dryers, bicycle storage area, etc. In general when you see WG it means some kind of sharing.

Depending on where you are looking this term may not always have exactly the same meaning. I am sure someone will give you a more 'Exact' description. The German langauge can be very exact at times.

Not sure how long you will be staying this summer, but another option would be a Pension. I think in America we would call it a boarding house? They are sort of like hotels, a European version of Corporate Apartments maybe? Most large cities have them, and they offer rooms with baths(or a sink in your room, and shower and toilets down the hall(depending on much you want to pay?). The plus of a place like a Pension, is that your bedding and towels are taken care of, and breakfast(maybe more depending on what you arrange?) are included. Little things I know, but it is less to worry about. Since Pensions tend to be small and not real fancy the price is reasonable.  

When I first came over to Germany my company arranged my first apartment. That is how I know about Pensions. I was shocked at first, but once I got used to the setup, I loved it!

Good Luck, and have a fun summer!

Answer 2

They already gave you great answers I just wanted to say T that is a great site, thanks for sharing it!!

Answer 3

That is an abreviation for Wohngemeinschaft

Wohngemeinschaft means you share the flat with some other people.

Answer 4

"Housing offers WG" means "rooms in shared flats" and "Housing offers not WG" means other housing opportunities (in this case mostly appartments).

WG is a German abbreviation for "shared flat".

"Zwischenmiete" is rent-in-between, say if you want to rent a room in a shared flat or an appartment for a month or two.

The best site in Germany for shared flats is

http://www.wg-gesucht.de/

Shared flats are an economic way of housing. The majority of people who live in WG's are students or young singles with low-income.

I like WG's bc they are a great way to make friends, especially when you are in a foreign country. When I was at uni I lived for a year in a WG where I was the only German, it was a lot of fun.