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Who lives in Solln
Solln sits in the south of Munich, part of the city's nineteenth borough alongside Thalkirchen, Obersendling and Forstenried, and is one of its more genteel residential districts. Old Solln in particular is known for its villas, tree lined streets and gardens, giving the area a quiet, established feel that sets it apart from the busier inner city. The residents are a settled mix of Munich professionals, established families and internationally mobile households drawn by the space, the greenery and the calm. It is a district for families who value a suburban pace and proximity to the Isar and the southern parks over central nightlife, while still wanting Munich's centre a short train ride away. To see how Solln fits into the wider city, start with our international schools in Munich directory.
Schools in and near Solln
Solln does not host a large international campus itself, but its location in the south of Munich is an advantage for school choice. Munich International School, a long established IB World School set on a lake campus in Starnberg to the south of the city, is the natural option for many families here, and a southern base like Solln keeps that commute manageable. Elsewhere in the wider area, the Bavarian International School and the European School Munich serve international families, and several bilingual schools sit across the city. Because the most sought after places fill early, apply well ahead of your move and weigh the commute from Solln to each campus when you shortlist.
For the full list with curricula, stages and admissions detail, use the Munich schools directory, and read our neighbourhood guide to living in Harlaching, the leafy Isar district nearby. If you are weighing curricula or budgets, our Munich primary school fees guide sets out the bands, the school finder quiz will shortlist options based on your priorities, and our roundup of the best areas to live in Munich for expat families sets Solln in context. Parent perspectives are gathered on our Munich school reviews hub.
Commute and catchment
Germany runs catchment areas for its state schools, but international and bilingual schools admit by application rather than by postcode, so a Solln address does not reserve a place at any particular international school, though a southern base certainly helps with the daily run to Starnberg. What Solln offers is a reliable connection alongside its calm. The district is served by the S-Bahn and the bus network, so central Munich is reachable without a car, and the southern position shortens the journey to Munich International School on Lake Starnberg. For the school run, families using the Starnberg campus typically drive or combine the S-Bahn with a school bus, while those choosing schools elsewhere in the city rely on the rail network. Plan around the morning and evening peaks, though the south is generally less congested than the central districts.
Housing and cost of living
Housing in Solln is dominated by villas, detached and semi detached houses and larger apartments, set among gardens and green streets, especially in Old Solln. That puts it towards the upper end of Munich's housing market, which is itself one of the most expensive in Germany: rents and purchase prices here sit above the city average, reflecting the space, the quiet and the district's enduring popularity with families. When you add international school fees, which remain the biggest single line in any Munich family budget, Solln lands firmly as a premium, settled choice rather than a value one. Families weighing it against more central districts trade a livelier location for room, greenery and a calmer pace. Model the full picture, rent or purchase, schooling, transport and day to day costs, with our relocation cost calculator, and read the wider relocation guide for registration, healthcare and setting up. Treat any specific price you see as indicative, as the market moves, so verify current figures before you budget.
Family life
Daily life in Solln is calm and green, the appeal of a southern villa district. Parks, the Isar valley and the forest are close by for walking, cycling and weekends outdoors, and the district has its own shops, cafes and services for the everyday. Central Munich, with the English Garden, museums and the city's restaurants, is a short S-Bahn ride away when families want a bigger day out, and the lakes and the foothills of the Alps to the south are within easy reach for weekends, one of the great advantages of living on this side of the city. The trade off is the familiar one for a leafy, affluent quarter: Solln is quieter and more spread out than the central neighbourhoods, so family social life tends to centre on school, sport and the district rather than the city core. Healthcare access is strong, in line with the rest of Germany, which matters for families with young children.
Budget your move to Solln
Model Solln housing, school fees and transport together before you commit to the area.
Open the relocation cost calculatorLiving in Solln, Munich: FAQ
Solln sits in southern Munich, which puts it on the right side of the city for Munich International School, an IB World School on a lake campus in Starnberg to the south. The Bavarian International School and the European School Munich are reachable elsewhere in the wider area, and several bilingual options sit across the city. See the Munich schools directory for curricula, stages and admissions detail.
Solln is one of Munich's most settled southern districts: a leafy, villa lined residential quarter above the Isar valley with parks and forest close by. It suits families who want space, quiet and greenery with good rail links into the city, rather than central nightlife.
Not necessarily. Solln is served by the S-Bahn and bus network, so central Munich is reachable by public transport. A car helps for the school run south to Starnberg and for reaching the lakes and countryside at weekends, but daily city commuting is straightforward by train.
Solln sits towards the upper end of Munich's housing market, which is itself one of the most expensive in Germany. Villas and larger homes here command high rents and prices, and international school fees add the largest line to the budget. Model the full picture with the relocation cost calculator before committing.
Family life in Solln is calm and green, built around parks, the Isar valley and forest, with local shops and services for the everyday. Central Munich and the English Garden are a short S-Bahn ride away, and the lakes and Alps south of the city are within easy reach for weekends.