PROGEDO presents: The capital city Berlin
While planning your relocation to Berlin, you've probably already encountered the typical theories and prejudices about the capital and Berliners. But which of these are true, and which statements can you safely ignore? The PROGEDO Relocation Agency Berlin has examined five theories.
5 Theses on Berlin and the Truth
Berliners are unfriendly
The Berliner Schnautze (Berliner Schnautze) is world-famous. While it may sound biting and often harsh, it's usually meant to be ironic and cheerful. This dialect persisted unhindered and free from foreign influences for almost four decades, after all, both East and West Berliners were locked in their respective "reserves," some in their city, others in their state.
But Berliners have been working hard to improve themselves since reunification. Are taxi drivers in Paris and London really friendlier?
Berlin is ugly
Today's Berlin is and remains a torn city, judging by its urban landscape. What the hot and cold wars and division didn't destroy was taken care of by various construction booms and socialist and capitalist architectural experiments.
Berlin may not be beautiful as a whole, but it is incredibly diverse. And since beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and Berliners are always firmly rooted in their neighborhood, Berliners find their city beautiful from their own perspective.
And if you try it here for a while, you'll quickly find out what the locals mean.
Driving in Berlin is hell
The fact is: In Berlin, you don't need a car. The nearest VBB boarding point is never more than 500 meters away. Young people in particular, even young families with children, are no longer even buying cars.
Not only is it a bit hip not to have a car, in Berlin it's simply cheaper and more practical to achieve individual mobility via public transport or bicycle. Parking spaces and clear roads are in short supply. Berlin is a truly international metropolis.
Life in Berlin is cheap
The legend persists. Since Berlin was a second-rate city in the West during the division of Germany, and everything in the East was artificially cheap anyway, it was possible to live cheaply on both sides.
This basic attitude still exists after 25 years; it remains part of the Berlin legend that people tell themselves about themselves, even though Berlin is a more affordable place compared to most European capitals and metropolises, depending on how and where you set it up.
Rents have exploded like everywhere else, but life in Düsseldorf or Munich is more expensive than in Berlin.
Newcomers still think of alternative lifestyles in Kreuzberg before reunification or in Prenzlauer Berg after reunification, where one could live well even without much money. However, that's history.
Berlin is the cultural city of Germany
The notion that Berlin is poor but sexy persists. The Senate has long boasted surpluses. In 2015, 500 million euros were spent on infrastructure investments alone!
The sheer number of buildings, classical and alternative culture, museums, and galleries is unparalleled in Germany. 170 museums, world-famous orchestras, theaters, operas, variety shows, and cabarets, along with the sheer number of other events, are simply breathtaking.
If you don't find something to your liking here, you won't find it anywhere. And many new trends still emerge from Berlin – from fashion to art. The Spree isn't yet as established as Paris or London.
Berlin has become a young, cultural melting pot: Berlin is still sexy.
Berlin real estate market
Everything used to be better…
This statement is, of course, not true, even though housing in the eastern part of the city was incredibly cheap after reunification, and Berlin as a whole – compared to other German metropolises – was a bargain. However, the quality of housing was also, on average, disastrous; rents had to be cheap. After reunification, the first wave of renovations swept through Berlin, but demand remained limited.
Two things are currently happening simultaneously: the second wave of renovations and improvements to housing quality is underway after 25 years, and the influx of residents and thus the demand for housing have been increasing sharply for years. The result: excess demand and sharply rising rents. It is estimated that around 100,000 apartments in Berlin are currently undergoing this process and will return to the market with significant premiums. Neighborhoods like Kreuzberg or Prenzlauer Berg are no longer breeding grounds for thriving subcultures, but are heavily populated by middle-class communities.
Between 2011 and 2013, rents for new leases increased by around 20 percent. The average rent in Mitte is over €13 per square meter, in Friedrichshain and Prenzlauer Berg around €11, in Kreuzberg even one euro higher, and in Charlottenburg just under €11. Small single-occupancy apartments, in particular, are trading at significant premiums to the average. What's "in" has its price in Berlin – as in every major German city!
Due to Berlin's sheer size, the real estate market is not very transparent and difficult to navigate for newcomers. It's good to have an expert on your side. Of course, assisting with an apartment search with a relocation expert from PROGEDO relocation comes at a price, but it's worth considering the clear advantages:
- Lack of local knowledge and orientation doesn't matter; you're guaranteed to end up in the right Kiez, as we call it in Berlin.
- Within two weeks, the entire property potential of a city with a population of one million can be effectively processed and, after accompanied viewings, a suitable apartment can be found.
- Language problems and different cultural backgrounds do not represent an obstacle to success in the search for accommodation.
- Comprehensive support and auditing protects against contractual and payment risks, defrauding or even fraud.
- Business relationships with real estate agents and property management companies facilitate the successful application for a suitable property in times of strong competition.
- Even while looking for an apartment, there is still enough time to get used to the new job and to spend time with your family.
- Many employers support their employees with relocation services as standard or upon request.
- Private owners frequently contact PROGEDO relocation for suitable tenants for their properties. They know that we represent a clientele that is very interesting to them.
The TOP 4 sights in Berlin
If an expat wants to explore Berlin, they should plan a little more time, as there is so much to discover here. Berlin is always diverse, making it one of the most interesting and exciting cities in Germany.
The Brandenburg Gate
As a symbol of German unity, the Brandenburg Gate is a relic of the past – a memorial to the division of Germany into the GDR and the FRG.
The sandstone building is a child of classicism and was built between 1788 and 1791. Commissioned by King Frederick William II, it was considered a magnificent conclusion to the Unter den Linden boulevard.
As a magnet for numerous tourists, serving as a New Year's Eve party location, a venue for Berlin Fashion Week, and as part of the fan mile, the Brandenburg Gate is no longer an indispensable part of the capital's most important events. A focal point, a destination, a landmark.
The Federal Chancellery
Welcome to the office of our Chancellor. Located north of the Reichstag and in the city's government district, it is part of a vast real estate complex characterized by government buildings along the so-called Spreebogen.
Known as the "Band of the Federation," this area encompasses the Chancellor's Park, the Chancellery, the Paul Löbe House, and the Marie-Elisabeth Lüders House. This includes the parliamentary offices and the Parliamentary Library. Particularly striking is the 36-meter-high Executive Building, which houses the offices of the Chancellor and her state ministers, a cabinet room, and conference rooms.
It's marked and clearly visible by its large glass facades, so you're always at the heart of German political events. Just take a few minutes to look over our Chancellor's shoulder.
Checkpoint Charlie
One of the biggest and most famous attractions for visitors from Germany and abroad is the former, still preserved Checkpoint Charlie border crossing. Surrounded by faithfully recreated barriers and watchtowers, the military checkpoint is a historic landmark of the American-controlled border points.
Just imagine: During its active period during the Cold War, only foreigners or employees of the Federal Republic of Germany and GDR officials were allowed to cross it.
As a result of reunification, Checkpoint Charlie was opened to the public in order to draw attention to its historical significance through many vividly documented museums.
The Victory Column
Another of the city's landmarks: the 69-meter-high golden sculpture and unique viewing platform. Once you've climbed the 285 steps, you'll have a magnificent view of the Tiergarten and Bellevue Palace, the seat of the Federal President.
Built between 1865 and 1873, the Victory Column commemorates Prussia's victories in wars against Austria, Denmark, and France. The heroic pose of the 8.32-meter-tall, winged goddess of victory is an unmistakable symbol of this.
However, since Berliners don’t want to have much to do with this symbolism, they call the goddess Victoria “Goldelse.”