>>1182526>>1182553The Ruhr area is one of the most depressing places in the country. Think a megacity of 5 million people that grew rapidly between ~1850 and 1950, then lost about 20% of its population over 60 years. Essen and the surrounding cities had fucktons of coal and iron deposits, which turned them into the torchbearers of industrialization in Germany. But coal and iron didn't last forever.
I keep hearing that there are nicer places in the whole conurbation. I've been to different parts of Mülheim and to Bochum. They were both much nicer than Essen and fucking Dortmund.
I really liked the light rail/tram station at Essen Central Station. Futuristic AF. The pic is not OC though
