Berlin is an experience. No other city in Germany provides so many opportunities to shape one's own lifestyle.
In Berlin, young and old alike enjoy an embarrassment of riches when it comes to recreation and entertainment. With over 150 stages, three opera houses and world famous museums, the capital boasts a cultural landscape that is unique within Germany.
International festivals and sporting events, mega-concerts and outdoor events round out the city's colorful cultural calendar.
Over half a million Berliners participate in amateur sports in the State Sport Association's (Landessportbund) 2,000 clubs. Berlin is a great town for watersports as well, due to its many rivers and lakes.
Why Berlin?
"I tell old friends from school and I'll tell you now:
Nothing beats Berlin!"
Berlin offers a high quality of life but remains affordable:
- Low cost of living
- Homes on the water, in the leafy outskirts, in trendy neighborhoods, or in the fast-paced downtown areas
- Short commutes thanks to an excellent transportation network
- Green city and green surroundings with excellent recreation opportunities
- More residential space per person than in most other metropolitan areas in Germany
Compared to other large cities in Germany, the cost of living in Berlin is relatively low. A study by Mercer consulting showed that people can live inexpensively in Berlin. On the list of the worldwide most expensive cities, Berlin dropped 22 to rank 106. The world’s top 5 cities are Tokyo, Luanda, Osaka, Moscow and Geneva. In the European most expensive: Zurich (6), Bern (14), Oslo (18), Copenhagen (21), London (25), St. Petersburg (28), Paris (37) and Milan (38).
(Sources: Der Tagesspiegel, 13.06.2012; Mercer, 06/2012)
| German cities | Frankfurt | Munich | Dusseldorf | Berlin |
| Rating 2012 | 88 | 90 | 104 | 106 |
(Sources: Der Tagesspiegel, 13.06.2012; Mercer, 06/2012)
Attractive to Young People
Contrary to the overall trend, the population of Germany's cities is growing and becoming younger compared to the national average. Berlin has an especially strong draw on people aged between 25 and 30. At 12 percent, this group shows the largest growth. Berlin is especially popular among women from this cohort. This trend is fueled by the good infrastructure for families and single parents in Berlin.
(Source: Weekly Report of the German Institute for Economic Research (Deutsches Institut für Wirtschaftsforschung - DIW) No. 19/2010)
Accessibility for everyone
The EU Commission named Berlin an “Access City 2013” and commended the German capital for its dedication in removing barriers. Berlin was awarded for its public transport system and its newly constructed, fully accessible buildings. By 2020, the city intends for all sidewalks and intersections to be barrier-free. Currently 176 schools, 53 museums, three operas and four public theatres are fully accessible.
Further information about Berlin’s full-access concept
(Source: Der Tagesspiegel 05.12.2012)
