After spending a few days in Berlin, one thing became clear to us: we need to move to a bigger city in Germany as soon as possible. The city is full of life, with people who are relaxed, open-minded, and often speak English. We’ve mentioned this idea before, but our visit confirmed it. Ideally, we would like to relocate and possibly invest in our own apartment by July 2026 at the latest.
While cities like Chemnitz offer very affordable apartments for rent or purchase, what we truly miss is the convenience of having everything within walking distance. For example, a clean and premium wellness center like Meridian Spa for swimming, a great vegetarian Indian restaurant such as Savanna Bhawan, affordable and well-stocked Indian supermarkets like Spice Junction, and access to a wide variety of sports and arts activities. Most of all, we miss the international atmosphere: hearing English spoken all around us and being part of a diverse, multicultural environment. Being close to a major international airport is another big plus.
Berlin reminds me of Brussels, where I lived for a few months while working at ERCEA. It is international, relaxed, well-connected, and full of opportunities to enrich daily life.
We also had the chance to meet and talk with friends who have been living in Berlin for several years. They shared that rental prices have increased dramatically in recent years due to the growing number of people moving to the city. As a result, issues such as homelessness, drug use, and petty crime have become more noticeable. According to them, the best quality of life is now mostly found in the western part of the city or in areas popular with tourists.
One thing they confirmed, which we had already suspected, is that some of the best areas to rent or buy are still in the western districts of Berlin, such as Friedenau, Spandau, and Charlottenburg. Although prices have risen sharply and the market is competitive, they said that with patience and a strong application (including proof of a good salary, stable employment, and even a doctoral title), it is still possible to find a good place.
Dipty even mentioned that she regrets not investing in an apartment back in 2015, when she lived in Berlin. At that time, a 100-square-meter apartment near Gleisdreieckpark and Potsdamer Platz cost around 350,000 euros. Today, in 2025, that same apartment would cost around 1 million euros.
So yes, apartment prices in Berlin have tripled in the last ten years.
P.S. One thing I noticed while traveling by train is that many people still smoke at the stations, despite clear “No Smoking” signs everywhere. It is disappointing to see such a lack of respect for public space and for others.
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