Berlin is one of the most fun cities to settle in with hundreds of newcomers from different parts of the world flocking in every day.
The city is a popular choice for business people as well as tourists. Thousands of expats are already settled in Berlin, enjoying the city’s ideal atmosphere characterized by renewal and a strong sense of change.
Apart from exciting nightlife scenes and great art, Berlin is popular with an affordable lifestyle. Overall, it is an incredible option whether you’re considering a short-term or long-term stay.
Are you considering relocating to Berlin in 2022? Here are some tips to experience the best of the city when living in this part of Germany.
Things to do in Berlin
One unique thing about Berlin is that you can explore different parts of the city without getting bored, thanks to its amazing museums, great art, epic markets, sumptuous food, and much more. The city is known for its wide range of historical attractions, parks, museums, and galleries that attract tourists in their millions. If you’re one of those who enjoy the quirky side of life, there are a lot of things that Berlin can offer.
Berlin has endless opportunities, from underground supper clubs to abandoned theme parks to naked saunas and entertaining public karaoke sessions. So, if you’re planning a mainstream tour of the city or in search of something of the ordinary, you’ll never miss a choice.
Your tourist guide of the Berlin city would be incomplete without some of the famous sights like Museumsinsel, Brandenburger Tor or Potsdamer Platz. You can rest assured that you’ll find plenty of wonderful things that you’ve never experienced in the Lonely Planet.
Where to stay in Berlin
Before you relocate to Berlin, you should first decide on where you’ll be staying in the city. You need to embark on some research before arrival to ensure that the place you pick best suits your needs.
Berlin, just like other big cities in Germany, boasts vastly varying neighborhoods. While you’ll find hipster havens with parties on every corner in some parts of the city, other parts offer great swathes of family-friendly green spaces.
Officially, Berlin has a total of 12 districts each featuring smaller dockets of unique subcultures. This makes it a city with unlimited different areas and atmospheres.
Some of the most critical decisions that you should make before you move to Berlin are the choice of life and the area you want to stay.
If you’re looking for leafy suburbs suitable for families, then you should consider Prenzlauer Berg and Marzahn-Hellersdorf. Those who prefer alternative parties and an assorted cast of barmy bohemians should consider Neukölln or Kreuzberg.
Whatever life and lifestyle you want in the city of Berlin, you can have it, but you first need to familiarize yourself with the various areas and places before settling on a long-term place of stay.
Transportation
Berlin is widely applauded for its efficient and reliable bus service. The extensive transportation system is exactly what you need is you’re looking for an affordable and quick way to get around the city.
Other useful transportation methods to use in the city include the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, trams, trains, public buses and even ferries. Regardless of where you are, there’s always a stop nearby, which makes it really unnecessary to own or rent a car in Berlin.
Healthcare insurance
The Healthcare system in Berlin (and pretty much most of Germany) is well-organized and open to all regardless of whether you are an expat or a German citizen.
Unlike many other countries, you don’t have the option to choose which type of healthcare you want here. As long as you work in Berlin and earn less than 5,577 USD per month, you are automatically served with public healthcare.
You are only required to register at your local town hall, have a social security number handy and you are good to go!
If you need to take out health insurance, whether private or public, we highly recommend that you take some time to understand Berlin’s legal requirements. But as we said, you will hardly require it.
Driving
Some people will still prefer the comfort of their cars to public transportation regardless of how streamlined it is. If you decide to own a car in Berlin, you need to remember that some specific zones in Berlin are restricted as the “umwelt zone.” This means that only vehicles that comply with low emission standards can be driven inside these areas.
This environmental zone has a population of around one million of the entire cities’ 3.5 million. The government created the zone to reduce emissions of diesel particles and nitrogen oxides from cars moving around the city.
To be on the safe side, you need a badge to drive around the umwelt zone, or else you will be charged 44 USD.
Conclusion
As is the case with most top cities around the world, life in Berlin can be hectic. But what stands out for us is the strong sense of change and renewal this city depicts; it’s constantly changing. As such, our best advice is that you need to always keep up with what’s happening around you to enjoy your stay here.
If you are already living in Berlin or preparing for a big move, we hope that the five tips we shared with you in this guide will guide you to experience the best of Berlin. Good luck!