Berlin is a choice destination for many expatriates and home to many foreign professionals and digital nomads living there for short and extended periods to experience its affordable cost of living, thriving arts scene, and vibrant nightlife. When moving to Berlin, selecting the right neighborhood can greatly impact an expat’s experience. As an expat new to Berlin, choosing the right neighborhood that lets you feel at home without having to miss the Berlin experience can be quite tricky. This article will provide insight into Berlin’s best neighborhoods for expats and what experience expats can expect to get in the neighborhoods.
With over 12% of its residents born outside Germany, Berlin has a welcoming aura for foreigners. Some of the neighborhoods are pleasing to English-speaking expats some to French-speakers and several others to people of different races and countries. Let’s take a closer look at these top neighborhoods and what each has to offer expat newcomers in Berlin.
Popular Neighborhoods for Expats in Berlin
Mitte
- Rental Prices: €25.45 to €36.60 per sqm.
- Home Ownership Prices: High.
- Amenities: Shops, restaurants, cultural sites.
- Community: Diverse; a mix of students, professionals, and tourists.
- Safety: Generally safe; some tourist-related crimes.
- Transportation: Excellent public transport; very walkable.
- Employment: Many startups and international companies.
Friedrichs Hain-Kreuzberg
- Rental Prices: Moderate; increasing.
- Home Ownership Prices: Rising due to popularity.
- Amenities: Nightlife, cafes, cultural venues.
- Community: Young, artistic, diverse.
- Safety: Generally safe; avoid certain areas at night.
- Transportation: Well-connected by U-Bahn and S-Bahn.
- Employment: Many coworking spaces and creative industries.
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
- Rental Prices: Higher end.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate to high.
- Amenities: Shopping, parks, schools.
- Community: Affluent; mix of locals and expats.
- Safety: Generally safe; petty crime can occur.
- Transportation: Good public transport options.
- Employment: Retail and service industry jobs available.
Pankow
- Rental Prices: More affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Parks, schools, local shops.
- Community: Family-friendly; relaxed vibe.
- Safety: Low crime rates.
- Transportation: Well-connected; bike friendly.
- Employment: Growing number of coworking spaces.
Neukölln
- Rental Prices: Affordable; varies widely.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Diverse dining options, and community spaces.
- Community: Trendy; strong LGBTQ+ presence.
- Safety: Generally safe; some noisy areas.
- Transportation: Good U-Bahn access.
- Employment: Increasing job opportunities in creative sectors.
Tempelhof-Schöneberg
- Rental Prices: Moderate.
- Home Ownership Prices: Affordable.
- Amenities: Parks, schools, local markets.
- Community: Diverse; a mix of cultures.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-served by public transport.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Lichtenberg
- Rental Prices: Very affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low.
- Amenities: Schools, parks, zoo.
- Community: Multicultural; growing expat presence.
- Safety: Considered one of the safest neighborhoods.
- Transportation: Good public transport links.
- Employment: Budget-friendly business spaces available.
Treptow-Köpenick
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Parks, lakes, family friendly.
- Community: Quiet; a mix of families and retirees.
- Safety: Low crime rates.
- Transportation: Good public transport access.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Reinickendorf
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low to moderate.
- Amenities: Schools, parks.
- Community: Family-oriented; quiet lifestyle.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-connected by public transport.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Spandau
- Rental Prices: Generally lower.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Historical sites, shopping options.
- Community: Mix of locals and expats.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Good public transport access.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Wedding
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Local markets, parks.
- Community: Diverse; a mix of cultures.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-connected by public transport.
- Employment: Increasing job opportunities.
Moabit
- Rental Prices: Moderate.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Shops, cafes, cultural venues.
- Community: Diverse and vibrant.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Excellent public transport options.
- Employment: Local job opportunities are available.
Schöneberg
- Rental Prices: Moderate.
- Home Ownership Prices: Moderate.
- Amenities: Good schools, local markets.
- Community: Diverse; rich cultural scene.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-served by public transport.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Marzahn-Hellersdorf
- Rental Prices: Very affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low.
- Amenities: Shopping centers, parks.
- Community: Residential; a mix of families.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Good public transport access.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Hellersdorf
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low.
- Amenities: Schools, parks.
- Community: Family-friendly.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-connected by public transport.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Biesdorf
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low.
- Amenities: Local shops, schools.
- Community: Family-friendly.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Good public transport access.
- Employment: Local job opportunities available.
Falkenberg
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low.
- Amenities: Schools, parks.
- Community: Quiet and residential.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-connected by public transport.
- Employment: Local job opportunities are available.
Kreuzberg
- Rental Prices: Moderate.
- Home Ownership Prices: Rising.
- Amenities: Vibrant nightlife, cultural venues.
- Community: Diverse and artistic.
- Safety: Generally safe; avoid certain areas at night.
- Transportation: Excellent public transport access.
- Employment: Many creative industries.
Prenzlauer Berg
- Rental Prices: Higher.
- Home Ownership Prices: Rising.
- Amenities: Cafes, shops, parks.
- Community: Young families and professionals.
- Safety: Generally safe.
- Transportation: Well-connected by public transport.
- Employment: Local job opportunities are available.
Lichtenberg
- Rental Prices: Affordable.
- Home Ownership Prices: Low.
- Amenities: Schools, parks, zoo.
- Community: Multicultural; growing expat presence.
- Safety: Considered one of the safest neighborhoods.
- Transportation: Good public transport links.
- Employment: Budget-friendly business spaces available.
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