Experience in Berlin, Germany, by Anne

What is it like to live in Berlin? Would you recommend it? What is the city like?

Berlin is my hometown - and I´m still living here. So, of course I can recommend it.

I can´t tell how Berlin is like exactly but let´s say that Berlin offers a lot for everybody.

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What is the student lifestyle like in Berlin?

Like in every other city with lots of universities. Study, party, going out, meeting friends, being active...

It also depends if you receive money from your family or not - because most students have to work a lot to earn their living.

How much does it cost to live in Berlin?

I earn about 650 €/month. You can live with this but need to have a look on for what you´re spending money.

Is it difficult to find accommodation in Berlin? Is there any advice you can give?

I think no. But it depends on your criteria, of course. Finding a very cheap room or even flat in one of the most liked districts is nearly impossible. The more you want to live in the inner city the more expensive it is, unfortunately.

What is the food like? What are your favourite dishes?

As Berlin has become very international you can find lots of very good restaurants, takeaways and bars nearly everywhere. So again, it depends on what you are looking for - for Arabian food you better go to Kreuzberg and Neukölln, for African food go to Wedding. Good Italian, Spanish, Indian, American etc. restaurants you find especially in the inner city.

It is quite difficult to say what the typical Berliner cuisine is like - it is definitely simple and solid, inspired by the Bohemian cuisine - so more Berliner pea soup than extraordinary pasta.

As a Berliner I like Currywurst for example.

What places would you recommend visiting in Berlin?

As a tourist you have to visit the sights in Berlin-Mitte, of course (e. g. Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Wall at the Bernauer Straße, Reichstag, museum island, TV-Tower) but maybe you just have a look from outside because entry prices are very expensive!

I like especially the "structure" of Berlin: There are not just the so called "cool hotspots" in the inner city (inner circle of the Ring-Bahn) like Kreuzberg, Neukölln, Wedding or Friedrichshain. Berlin has so many districts and quarters (called Kiez)- even in the suburbs - which are very interesting to visit. Actually Berlin is just a bunch of many villages, that means that Berlin varies from district to district. Even as a Berliner I don´t know all quarters in the city... But I recommend that you not just stay in the inner city, e. g. have a walk in the Grunewald or visit the "Gardens of the World" in the Marzahn Recreational Park.

Gardens of the World

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You can also reach e. g. Potsdam via S-Bahn within an hour or visit Dresden or Leipzig or make a 2 days trip to the Baltic sea (will take about 2 - 3 hours by train).

Is it good to eat out in Berlin? Can you tell us your favourite spots?

Yes, of course! I have my favourite restaurants but I won´t write them down here because then it might be even more difficult to get a table.

For a start I recommend visiting markthalle 9 in Kreuzberg or Neue Heimat at the RAW area in Friedrichshain - these are food markets where you get some idea of what is going on at the Berlin cuisine - and it´s always full of people from all over the world!

Is the nightlife good in Berlin? Where is good to go?

Yes, of course! But again, it depends on what music style you like. There are many Electro clubs/bars especially in Kreuzberg. But for those who like more House, Hip Hop etc. there are also lots of clubs. I like more alternative music like punk, Rock´n´Roll, ska, soul music.

For a start have a look in the Berlin city magazines Zitty or Tip.

What advice would you give future students heading to Berlin?

I don´t know... Just have a great time!