Berlin is a huge multicultural city, so it can be hard to work out where in Berlin would be best for you to live! We’ve summarised all the unique factors of each kind of neighbourhood and provided you with an ultimate guide about where the best place for you to live or stay for your German language course is. The list is based on the recommendations of our students on environment, nightlife and price, so you can take everything into account when choosing the right spot.
Live in Mitte
The name ‘Mitte’ is already self-explanatory. It is the most central neighbourhood in Berlin. Here, you find a lot of historical landmarks and other tourist sites. Apart from being a playground for tourists, Mitte is also the commercial hub of Berlin. If you’re looking for a designer bag or clothing, then Mitte is the place to be. Around Torstraße, there are many new businesses trying to break into the market, and therefore it is known to be the Silicon Valley of Berlin. You can find wealthier people spending their evenings here. If you have the budget for it, you can find some beautiful, spacious, and luxurious apartments or rooms in the centre of the German capital.
In short: Ideal for working or tourism, but more expensive than other areas.
Prenzlauer Berg in Berlin
Prenzlauer Berg is a neighbourhood filled with young families. It has a predominantly middle-class population, hip restaurants with organic food, and a lot of yoga studios. All the stores are very family-orientated. Berlin is big on brunch, and Prenzlauer Berg is one of the best places to go to for the perfect brunch. If you like to sleep in and meet friends for a relaxing brunch at 11:00, Prenzlauer Berg might just be the place for you! This would be the ideal living spot in Berlin if you are looking for a loving and relaxed neighbourhood!
In short: A fun place for young families.
Living in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
If you are looking for a calmer neighbourhood that isn’t about the whole party scene, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf might be something for you. It is a very ‘clean’ neighbourhood and a bit more laid-back. Bigger villas and town houses appear here. This borough is the home of several exclusive stores like Apple. It is not as central as Mitte, but still easily reachable from anywhere. Finally, just like Mitte, this neighbourhood is on the more expensive side of the scale when it comes to housing.
In short: Still central but a bit more expensive.
Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg
Friedrichschain is a great place to have fun evenings with friends. This part of Berlin never sleeps and might be the best place for you!
You will find very affordable housing and a nice environment for students. The streets are full of young people due to the unusually cheap price of the rent. The most popular clubs are in Friedrichshain, which attracts a busy nightlife. Friedrichschain is also known for its variety in cultures. A lot of students, expats and artists stay in this neighbourhood. You can fill your evenings by trying out new food, by learning a new style of dance, or by going to the new art exhibition just around the corner.
Kreuzberg has nice homes at lower prices in comparison to other neighbourhoods – perfect for young families. The Turkish community also has a big presence in Kreuzberg which makes for a very nice variety of Turkish delicacies.
In Short: Ideal for students and expats, with a busy nightlife.
Neukölln
Neukölln is also one of the more multicultural areas with a big Arabic and Turkish presence. Alongside the variety in cultures, Neukölln is also known for its hipsters. It used to be a very cheap neighbourhood to live in, but now the price of rent is climbing higher and higher since more people are attracted by the relaxed environment in Neukölln. They have a lot of nice places to enjoy a coffee or some brunch, there is also a lot of vegan and vegetarian options, as this area is known for keeping up with the latest trends. This part of Berlin, just like Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, never sleeps.
In short: Would be great for hipsters and to enjoy the party scene, but it is getting more expensive.
The neighbourhood of Tempelhof-Schöneberg
Locals who have the day off love to spend their time in this part of Berlin. For jogging, biking and exercising overall, Tempelhof-Schöneberg is the place to be. It was once home to the Tempelhof airport, which played a crucial role in the Cold War, but this has been closed since 2008. The land has since come back to life as a recreational city park. You can still feel the tolerant atmosphere from years ago when it was a cultural hub. It was the home of David Bowie and many more artists who recorded their albums in Tempelhof. This might be the best place for you to live when you are looking for a very socially accepting neighbourhood with some great spots to relax and socialise.
In short: Falls in the middle-price category and is a nice place for families
Treptow – Köpenick in Berlin
These parts of Berlin are known for their greenery and calmness. Treptow and Köpenick are perfect for families who are looking for an out-of-the-city feeling. Köpenick is home to several lakes and makes for nice outdoor day trips with the family. These areas are a bit more spacious and very relaxing for young families. When you are looking for an escape from busy city life, this would be a good option. These neighbourhoods are not as expensive as Mitte or as Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf.
In short: Good for day trips, families and has alm nightlife.
Berlin has a very advanced public transportation network, meaning you can get to all of the neighbourhoods pretty fast. This means that working in one neighbourhood and living in another is no problem at all! Did you figure out where the best place for you to live is? Are you just moving to Berlin and in need of some German classes? Check out our German language courses at DAS Akademie!