University town, home to international business, host to 18 United Nations organizations .... Bonn is a vibrant, diverse city of almost 320,000 inhabitants. It has the advantages of a large metropolitan area (great network of public transportation, international population, variety of entertainment) paired with the plus points of smaller cities (high quality of life, close proximity to schools and shops).

The city is known for its dedication to the arts. The Museum Mile features highly-acclaimed museums with an emphasis on modern art, hosting both permanent and changing collections. For music fans, there is the annual Beethoven Festival in September, a number of musical competitions, an opera house and soon-to-be constructed center for the performing arts.

At the same time, Bonn residents take advantage of many opportunities for outdoor recreation. The city is nestled on the Rhine River and at the foot of the "Seven Hills" region. There are numerous bike paths along the river leading into and throughout the city as well as out into the surrounding countryside. Hiking paths connect sightseeing points and villages. Ferries and tourist boots ply the Rhine and provide easy access to points just outside the city.

Founded over 2000 years ago by the Romans, Bonn has a proud and lengthy history.  Its most recent history is colored by its status as the capital of Germany from 1949 to 1990. After the federal government officially moved to Berlin in 1999 after a period of construction and transition, Bonn re-positioned itself as a center of technology, innovation and development. In 2007, the IFO Institute, a leading economic think-tank in Germany, designated Bonn one of the top 5 places to live in the country.