[...] I assume learning German is going to be an important step to socialize fully.

yeah Nürnberg doesn't have an established university and shares the major one from Erlangen, because of this you will find probably more English speaking people in Erlangen. But subcultures don't align general rules.

I don't think the local population is responsible for Scheuer or the CSU :') I also don't make Aachen (my other home) responsible for hosting Armin Laschet.

You will like the beer and fränkische Schweiz is awesome for biking. Coming from Rheinland people are a bit introverted though.