"If Germans hear the word Khorweiler, they get scared. But statistically, crime here isn't worse than anywhere else in Koln. Germans get scared because of the high buildings, and because there's lots of foreigners. They're not used to that."

Alla, an umemployed 40-year-old accountant, and Grigorij, a 43-year-old mechanical engineer, emigrated to Germany four year ago from Kiel, in the Ukraine. The effects of radiation worried them. Their daughters, Valentina, 11, and Maria, 14, developed ulcers on their feet after Chernobyl.

The family now lives in a sunny, two-bedroom apartment. The windows overlook other box-like high rises, green parks and a large parking lot.

Khorweiler isn't so beautiful, they say, but it's only 15 minutes from downtown. It's also near a large lake. Alla says she is satisfied. She has her friends and her books. What more could she want?

"There are Germans who hate foreigners, but we don't want any contact with them anyway. You can feel it. It's the same everywhere. You can't please everyone."