Berlin attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors every day and thousands of new Berliners every year. The city is thriving and this is also true in other areas: art, culture, music, fashion. In Berlin you can always see the latest trends and have everything in abundance. Nobody gets bored in the capital, because there is always something going on. But there are many other good reasons to move to Berlin. Why is it worth it? You can find out in this article.
Interesting facts about the German capital
Berlin is a fascinating and diverse city. No wonder, then, that about the capital you can learn many interesting facts that will amaze even the most ardent Berliners. These facts also give a good answer to the question of why you should live here.
The inhabitants of the city
About 3.7 million people currently live in Berlin, and the trend is growing. So if you like hustle and bustle and noise, you will love this city. It is also a colorful mix of different nationalities. So at every turn in Berlin you can meet people from other countries and encounter foreign cultures. A fact you definitely don’t experience in smaller cities. A large population also means a lot of possible social contacts that enrich life, whether as new good friends or as friendly acquaintances from the subway.
Judging by the current unemployment rate, you have a good chance of finding a job in Berlin. Last year, an average of about 232,000 people were unemployed in Berlin, which is the lowest number ever. In December 2017, the unemployment rate fell for the first time, to 8.4 percent. This is 0.8 percentage points lower than in December 2016.
Berlin is also a crime capital, both nationally and compared to other German cities. However, a downward trend could already be seen in 2016. Those who know and avoid Berlin’s hotspots, however, need not worry too much.
Surprising facts about Berlin
You can party in Berlin at the most impossible times. Of course, there’s no shortage of clubs where it’s classically party time on the weekend. But Sunday afternoons are also great for partying, and on Wednesdays you can score a Morning Gloryville party before work.
Berlin has a rich cultural offering. Theater, opera, concerts by celebrities from all over the world, plenty of festivals, and don’t forget big events like Fashion Week in January and July and the Berlinale in February.
Berlin is the only city in the world with three opera houses. Deutsche Oper, Staatsoper Unter den Linden and Komische Oper with a capacity of over 4,800 spectators. In addition, there are more than 150 theaters and stages of all genres in the city. Berlin is also the only European city with more museums than rainy days. The average number of rainy days is 106 per year, but there are 180 museums.
Culture of Berlin
Berlin is one of the few cities with three UNESCO World Heritage Sites. These are the Museum Island, the Prussian Palaces and Gardens, and the Berlin Modern Estates. The city also holds the title “UNESCO City of Design” and is thus part of the UNESCO Creative Cities network.
Due to the former division of the city, Berlin has two zoos: the Tierpark in Friedrichsfelde and the Zoological Garden with aquarium. There are 2,000 bridges in Berlin, 540 of which cross the water, far more than in Venice. The Berlin Television Tower, measuring 368 meters, is the tallest building in all of Germany.
How to love a great city?
One big plus that is clearly in favor of living in the German capital is that Berlin is very popular among Germans as well as around the world and enjoys a great image. People from all over the world come or move to Berlin. Like most, they appreciate the great diversity and almost endless possibilities that Berlin continues to inspire us with.
Overall, living in Berlin has many advantages. These cover all areas of life, from personal development, leisure and private life to education and career.
One of the biggest advantages of living in a big city is that it is never boring. Cultural and entertainment offers, concerts of world stars, parties in trendy discotheques and many other attractions can be found in every major city and of course Berlin, as the state capital, is in no way inferior in this respect.
Public Life
Berlin’s public transport network is so good that you can easily get home in the middle of the night. In this respect, Berlin is a real pioneer, because even in Munich, the local transport systems do not run this long. There, travel times on weekends end as late as half past two in the morning.
Another plus is the opening hours of stores, of which there are of course plenty in Berlin, so it’s easy, though of course not a necessity, to always be on time. You can shop at a supermarket until 10pm, and even later at one of the 1,000 or so so-called Spätis (night stores) or 24-hour vegetable stands.
Work and education in Berlin
Due to the wide range of companies from different industries located in Berlin, the capital has something to offer for every professional field. This is also confirmed by the current unemployment rate, which is currently the lowest at 8.4 percent.
Berlin also offers a wide range of educational opportunities for young children and teenagers, with numerous day care centers and schools to choose from. In addition, there are quite a few public and private universities.
Opportunities for growth
Tolerance and laissez-faire are very important in Berlin. Thanks to the open and tolerant mentality of Berliners, everyone has the opportunity to develop freely. Here in the German capital, everyone can just be who they want to be and no one bothers.
Although Berlin always has its finger on the pulse and you can admire the latest fashion trends on every corner, not only in fashion boutiques, but simply everywhere: in the subway, in the park, on the pedestrian zone or anywhere else. Overall, Berlin is known for setting trends, whether in fashion, music, gastronomy or sightseeing.
Disadvantages of the city
Unfortunately, living in a big city like Berlin not only has its advantages, but there are also a few things that stand out negatively. But with the right attitude, even these are not a major problem.
Berlin is constantly growing, as evidenced by the increase in population. Future projections show an upward trend for the capital, by 2030, 180,000 people could be added to the current population of around 3.7 million. This will not only bring positive effects to the great city, but also some negative ones. One of Berlin’s biggest problems is the housing shortage; after all, all people have to live somewhere. However, so far the planned housing development is lagging behind the intended targets. The city’s development plan calls for at least 194,000 new housing units by 2030.
In addition, public transportation is usually overcrowded, and driving in the capital has its pitfalls. Because besides the difficulty of finding a parking space, rising air pollution is a serious problem. Last year, the permissible levels of nitrogen oxides were exceeded several times in Berlin.
Moving to Berlin
In conclusion, moving to Berlin is well worth the effort. The only question that remains is whether, as a new resident of the capital, you prefer to live in the middle of the city in an apartment or a little further away, possibly in your own home. This is something to consider calmly, as both options have their advantages and disadvantages.
