Where to live in Berlin

Berlin is a city with a laid-back attitude allowing for every kind of life style and offers a wide range of activities and events. Particularly appealing is also Berlins green spots with over a third of the citys extensive surface covered by sweeping parks, forests, lakes, rivers and canals. Unsurprisingly, cycling is quite popular and the wide streets are usually filled with specially marked bicycle lanes. Public transport in Berlin is thorough and efficient with the railway and bus network the fastest way of getting around the capital.

Most of the 1.8 million apartments in Berlin are rentals but the trend is shifting toward home ownership. In recent years the choice of both reasonably priced and exclusive living space in Berlins extremely varied districts has increased. Rents are generally lower than in any other major German city. Average monthly rates are about 4 to 6 per square metre depending on the area, size and quality with the lowest rents still to find in the eastern parts of the city.

It all makes Berlin a perfect place to live in with some of the liveliest nightlife in Europe to keep you going through the long grey winters.

Charlottenburg

With its beautiful 19th-century town houses, Charlottenburg is at the high end of the real estate market and is popular with celebrities. However, the presence of many students from the... area details

Friedrichshain

Berliners looking for low rents are moving eastwards and Friedrichshain is the latest stop in this inevitable push. The district has become increasingly popular especially with students and for its... area details

Hellersdorf

Hellersdorf lies half way between the forests and lakes of Brandenburg to the east and the city centre and it has large areas of greenery and numerous parks and playgrounds.... area details

Hohenschnhausen

Hohenschnhausen in the north-east is a modern district dating from the 1980s, with numerous parks making it a suitable area for families with children. Culturally speaking, and well worth a... area details

Kreuzberg

Central Kreuzberg is known as the biggest Turkish city outside Turkey and is famous for its cultural diversity. When Berlin was divided, the district became a melting pot of foreigners... area details

Köpenick

This large district with a low population density is located in the far south-east of Berlin and about 75 per cent of the area is covered by forests, fields, lakes... area details

Lichtenberg

With its well-to-do detached houses and industrial estates, Lichtenberg is an interesting combination of a village-like atmosphere and modern urban sprawl. Friedrichsfelde Zoo is one of the major attractions here.... area details

Marzahn

Marzahn is located in the far east of Berlin on the edge of the Brandenburg area. Berliners tend to think of Marzahn as an archetypal tower-block monstrosity; most visitors therefore... area details

Mitte

Mitte is the location of the Brandenburg Gate, the symbol of Berlin and of German division and reunification and undoubtedly the city's most famous landmark. After the wall came down... area details

Neukölln

Neukölln is sometimes referred to as the "Bronx of Berlin" and it is not among Berliners preferred districts, even if it isn't particularly dangerous and has developed significantly. This former... area details