Berlin's Best neighborhoods and areas
Trendy, unique, and frenetic, Berlin is one of the most exciting cities in Germany and on the planet.Β
Itβs also slowly becoming one of the worldβs most desirable places to live, with people around the world flocking to start a new life in the capital city of Germany. And though itβs famous for its kooky counterculture, thatβs not all that Berlin has to offer – for lots of different people, there are plenty of reasons to live in Berlin.
If youβre thinking about living in Berlin, weβre here to help you out. Weβve broken down Berlinβs sprawling metropolis into more manageable chunks, giving you an insight into the cityβs separate districts.Β
Whether you want to live in a trendy nightlife hotspot, a gentrified hipster zone, or one of Berlinβs laid-back green areas, weβve got you covered – weβll help you work out where to live in Berlin.
No matter the type of person you are or the type of life youβre looking for in Berlin, weβve got the perfect district for you. Want to know where to live in Berlin? Our ultimate guide to the best Berlin neighborhoods is for you. Read on!

Best places to live in Berlin for expats
Deciding where to live in Berlin is one of the most difficult parts of moving to the city, and lots of different types of people make the move – almost 800,000 non-Germans already live in the city. Later in this article, weβve included specific districts for different types of people, but for now, here are the three best overall Berlin neighborhoods for expats:
- Berlin Wilmersdorf
- Berlin Kreuzberg
- Berlin NeukΓΆlln
All three Berlin neighborhoods are very popular with expats, with huge populations of non-natives. If youβre not sure where to live in Berlin, these three neighborhoods are a good place to begin. Theyβre central, theyβre varied and youβll be surrounded by lots of other expats.
1. Wilmersdorf for expats
Often grouped with the neighboring district of Charlottenburg (to make up the aptly and imaginatively-named district of Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf), this area has historically been a home for many English-speaking expats in Berlin.
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Because Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is a little expensive, itβs also a little different to some of the cityβs other central districts. Relatively more quiet, laid-back and upmarket than other central parts of the city, living in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is a great choice if you want to stay in the center of Berlin without living in hipsterville.Β
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If you want to live in a nice apartment, Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is also a good choice, as itβs at the high end of the real estate market, with some pricey but beautiful townhouses and cosmopolitan accommodations. Itβs a great place to consider getting a serviced apartment in Berlin.Β
As an all-round district for families, middle-class professionals and anyone not explicitly looking to reside in the heart of Berlinβs hipster hangouts, living in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is an excellent choice.
Apartments in Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf
2. Kreuzberg for expats
While Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf is a little quieter and calm than the archetypal hipster Berlin,Β KreuzbergΒ epitomizes it. Itβs trendy, gentrified, and fun, and itβs packed with unusual places to spend time.
If you want to be part of Berlinβs alternative scene while being surrounded by lots of other foreigners and expats, Kreuzberg is the best choice. A longtime hangout for expats seeking a unique lifestyle, Kreuzberg is full of street art, nightlife and endless packs of cyclists.Β
Though living in Kreuzberg is an option for families, the district is a better pick for younger people, both solo and couples.
Apartments in Kreuzberg
3. NeukΓΆlln for expats
NeukΓΆlln is another good option for expats seeking a hipster zone in Berlin. A little cheaper and more up and coming than Kreuzberg, itβs around ten years behind its more famous neighbor and is on its way to soon becoming Berlinβs most trendy area.
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NeukΓΆlln is a great place to be an expat, as itβs very multicultural. Known for pastry joints, hummus stores, and its Turkish market, itβs an area packed with students, artists, and a whole host of bizarre bohemians. Looking for a young, trendy, anything-goes population on a budget? Live in NeukΓΆlln.
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Again, this isnβt really a place for families, but for young couples and solo expats who want to indulge in the bohemia of Berlin, itβs an excellent place to be.
But depending on what type of person you are – and your priorities – you might be seeking something a little more specific. Coming up, weβve considered the best places to live in Berlin according to these three categories:
- Affordable, cheap places to live in Berlin
- Best Berlin neighborhoods for families
- Best places in Berlin for young professionals

Affordable, cheap places to live in Berlin
Our three picks for affordable living in Berlin are:
- Berlin NeukΓΆlln
- Berlin Wedding
- Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf
1. Living on a budget in NeukΓΆlln
Weβve already covered NeukΓΆlln above, but itβs an excellent place to live in Berlin on a budget. For now, rents are still pretty cheap (though they might not stay that way for too much longer!), and itβs easy to eat and drink affordably. If you want trendy, hipster, central Berlin on a budget, itβs your best choice.Β
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For more detail about the area, check our section on NeukΓΆlln above.
Apartments in NeukΓΆlln
2. Living on a budget in Wedding
Within Berlin, living in Wedding is a choice that comes with an unfair reputation. Yes, Wedding isnβt as hip, happening, and interesting as some other parts of Berlin, but itβs very central, so itβs a good option if you want to live close to all of Berlinβs cultural quirks without residing in the heart of them.
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Itβs also a good choice if you want to live on a budget. Because Wedding has a reputation for being a little dull compared to some other parts of Berlin, prices are a little lower than many other districts.
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And donβt let Weddingβs reputation fool you – though it might not be the most exciting part of the city, living in Wedding still offers plenty to keep you busy.
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If youβre looking for a cheap place to live with a family, Wedding can also be a good choice. Itβs relatively affordable, itβs pretty quiet and it has lots of green spaces.
Apartments in Wedding
3. Living on a budget in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
If you donβt mind living on the outskirts of Berlin, Marzahn-Hellersdorf is our top pick. Largely residential but very affordable, eastern Marzahn-Hellersdorf is excellent. More eastern bloc than other parts of Berlin, itβs all high-rise apartments and vast parks.
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But though Marzahn-Hellersdorf is outside of Berlinβs center, itβs easy to access central Berlin from here, and it’s a great place to enjoy a quieter side to living in Berlin. Again, because itβs a pretty quiet place to live, it can be a good place to live with a family – but itβs also suitable for any people wanting to live in Berlin on a budget.
Apartments in Marzahn-Hellersdorf

Best Berlin neighborhoods for families
Berlin can be a great place to settle with a family. Though the city has a reputation for being a hipster paradise (which is of course true), thatβs certainly not all that the city has to offer.Β
With lots of green spaces, great quality of life, excellent levels of safety, and lots of green spaces, Berlin can be a great place to live with kids, and you donβt even have to make them join a circus troupe or get dreadlocks if you donβt want to.
Our three top picks for where to live with kids in Berlin are:
- Berlin Marzahn-Hellersdorf
- Berlin Prenzlauer Berg
- Berlin Tempelhof
1. Living with a family in Marzahn-Hellersdorf
As covered above, living in Marzahn-Hellersdorf is an excellent choice for anyone looking to save money. Itβs an even better choice for anyone looking to save money while living with their family. Itβs affordable, itβs quiet, itβs full of green spaces and itβs not too far from the center. For raising a family outside of Berlinβs central area, Marzahn-Hellersdorf is your best choice.
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For more detail on the area, check our section on Marzahn-Hellersdorf above.
2. Living with a family in Prenzlauer Berg
The northeastern part of central Berlin is a haven for families who have a little extra money. With kidsβ stores, great green spaces, lots of playgrounds and plenty of fun attractions for kids, itβs a fantastic place to rear some little ones.Β
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And because itβs relatively removed from Berlinβs party hotspots, itβs a great place to live if you want to be in central Berlin without being endlessly subjected to the pounding beats of Berlinβs non-stop nightlife.
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Itβs certainly not Berlinβs cheapest district, but for families with kids, itβs fantastic.
Apartments in Prenzlauer Berg
3. Living with a family in Tempelhof
Quiet, quaint, and peaceful, the southern district of Tempelhof is an excellent choice if you want lots of green spaces for your kids to enjoy. The areaβs epicentre is its big park, which was once the site of a vast airport. If you and your kids want green areas in the city of the centre, living in Tempelhof is fantastic.
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Tempelhof neighbors some of Berlinβs trendier areas, offering a great compromise between quiet safety and trendy hipster hangouts.
Aparments in Tempelhof

Best places in Berlin for young professionals
Berlin is one of the worldβs best cities for freelancing and being a young professional. With excellent coworking spaces, endless work-friendly cafes, a young population and a relatively low cost of living, itβs built for young professionals.
Here are our favorite three districts for young professionals in Berlin:
- Berlin SchΓΆneberg
- Berlin Mitte
- Berlin Friedrichshain
1. Living as a young professional in SchΓΆneberg
If youβre a young professional, living in SchΓΆneberg is brilliant.Β
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This southwestern district is a little more upmarket than some other parts of Berlin, and itβs not quite as trendy or rough around the edges as some of its neighbors. But because itβs close to some of the cityβs trendier districts, you can enjoy the edgy, alternative parts of Berlin while living in a pleasant, upmarket, somewhat suburban area.Β
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With upscale stores and eateries, SchΓΆneberg is a great choice for young expats who arenβt looking solely to party. Hereβs what young professionals might be looking for in SchΓΆneberg:
Apartments in SchΓΆneberg
2. Living as a young professional in Mitte
Berlinβs central borough, living in Mitte is great if you have some money. For those trying to save money, itβs not a great place to be, but if youβre a young professional with a pretty good salary, living in Mitte is fantastic.
Sprawling, vast and busy, Mitte is home to lots of the cityβs central attractions and areas of interest, including Brandenburg Gate and lots of art galleries. A perfect combination of great nightlife, stylish boulevards, and fantastic architecture, itβs (a pricey!) Berlin in miniature.
If youβre keen to be a cosmopolitan city hopper, living in Mitte is excellent.
Apartments in Mitte
3. Living as a young professional in Friedrichshain
If youβre a young professional seeking a compromise between upmarket living and great proximity to Berlinβs underground counterculture, living in Friedrichshain is incredible.
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Home to several huge world-famous clubs such as Berghain along with countless flea markets and some surprisingly serene chillout spots, Friedrichshain is like Kreuzberg but with a little respite. Slightly more upmarket than its habitually-hipster neighbors, Friedrichshain is the best place to live for young professionals who want to work hard and play hard.
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If you want to live relatively sensibly in a fun place, quiet but chaotic riverside Friedrichshain is a fantastic choice.
Apartments in Friedrichshain
All of the above Berlin districts are excellent places to live. But there are many other great places to live in Berlin, depending on what youβre looking for. Of the ones we havenβt already mentioned, we also recommend:
Living in Spandau
Famous for parks and waterways, quiet Spandau has a fantastic old town which history buffs will love. Looking for somewhere relatively quiet to stay on the west side of Berlin? Spandau is a great choice. One of Berlinβs biggest districts, living in Spandau is a great option for families and others seeking a relatively quiet life.
Living in Lichtenberg
Sandwiched between the nightlife of Kreuzberg and the chilled-out tower blocks of Marzahn-Hellersdorf, Lichtenberg is one of East Berlinβs biggest areas, and is a hub of multiculturalism, with a huge Vietnamese population. Looking for an area that is busy but doesnβt necessarily revolve around nightlife? Try living in Lichtenberg.
Living in Pankow
Living in Pankow is a great choice for families. Itβs upscale, itβs leafy and itβs full of kid-friendly attractions. Its northern location also keeps it pretty far removed from much of Berlinβs biggest nightlife scenes.
There you have it – where to live in Berlin!
Pick one of the neighborhoods weβve listed and youβll have a fantastic time living in Berlin.Β
But no matter which part of Berlin you live in, all of the cityβs areas weave and intertwine, so youβll be able to enjoy hanging out in all of its separate spots.
A city of hundreds of different vibes and many different districts, Berlinβs areas and atmospheres combine to make up a city full of chaos and contradictions. While all of its districts offer something different, they all co-exist to concoct an endlessly-exciting city packed with diversity and fun.
Choose your Berlin district, choose your Berlin apartment, and choose a brand new life in one of the planetβs most exciting cities.
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If you’re having trouble planning your relocation, check out our Berlin relocation guide detailing all the important things you need to know while moving to Berlin
Finding apartments in Berlin that meet your requirements
Finding an apartment in Berlin is fairly easy if you know what to look for. We’ve prepared a detailed guide with tips on things you need to know about renting in Berlin. If you’re ready to take the plunge, here are some apartments that you might like.