20 Things I Love About Living in Berlin — From an American Expat
Moving abroad, no matter which country, is no small accomplishment. When facing a language barrier, a culture much different from your own, and the daunting task of making friends in the new country you’ve chosen to call home, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed.
But, even with the headaches of finding work, a flat, a residence permit, etc., the thrill of trusting yourself and living in another country far outweighs the unease in it all. When I moved from the U.S. to Berlin, I found that the unique experiences and lifestyle here made up for any bureaucratic hurdles I encountered.
— Want to read more? Click to learn about the challenges that come with moving to Berlin from the U.S. —
20 Surprising Facts for Americans Moving to Berlin
If you’re considering moving abroad from the U.S. to Berlin, here are some of the most surprising and fun facts based on my personal experiences that come with living in this hedonistic and international city.
1. Most People Speak English
If your German language skills are not quite up to par, you’ll have no trouble getting by in Berlin. While you should definitely try to communicate in German, in most cases, Berliners switch to English pretty fast when they can tell you’re not a native speaker.
The only downside is that it’s too easy to live here for years without achieving an intermediate German language level. Whereas if you moved to Nuremberg, Dresden, Hamburg, or most other cities in the country, you need to learn the language. So, while it’s easy to avoid the hassle of learning a new language , do you really want to tell your family and friends that you lived in Germany but still can’t speak German? You have the opportunity for an immersive language learning experience — why not take it?
2. Finding Friends Is Easy When You Put Yourself Out There
One of the main reasons expats are unhappy after moving to a new country is not being able to make friends. This was definitely something I was worried about before I took the plunge. But I found that it’s pretty easy to meet like-minded individuals who are just as happy to make connections as you are. It’s just a matter of reaching out and getting used to talking with strangers. Sometimes, those strangers become your friends.
Here are some ways I made friends when I first moved to Berlin:
- Facebook groups: This is one of your best resources for finding almost any specific group in Berlin. Some of my favorites include Berlin EXPATS, English Speaking Jobs in Berlin, and Swing in Berlin. It was through the Berlin EXPATS page that I was invited to my first NYE party, and by making friends with that person — I met countless other people.
- English-speaking bars: From trivia night to comedy shows, to bars that simply cater to English speakers because it’s owned by another anglophone, there are countless events across Berlin to meet other English-speaking internationals.
- Take a class: I started going to swing dance classes shortly after I arrived. This was perfect for meeting people from Germany or another country where the native tongue isn’t English. We all move to Europe looking for a change, right? This is a great way to meet locals and interesting individuals outside the expat bubble.
3. Traveling around Europe Is So Affordable
Traveling around Europe has always been a dream of mine. One thing I’ll always love about living in Berlin is the proximity to almost every country in Europe. The Czech Republic, Poland, Denmark, and France are closest.
You can travel to many cities on a two-hour flight, including Amsterdam, Barcelona, London, Oslo, Rome, and more. When you book early enough, you can usually find a round-trip flight for less than 100 EUR.
If you want to avoid flights to cut back on carbon emissions, trains will get you nearly everywhere too. You can even take a bus from Berlin to Prague for around 40 EUR and be there in four hours. It just doesn’t get better than that.
4. Public Transportation Is Convenient & Dependable
When you live in Berlin, you can say goodbye to long commutes in your car, aggressive drivers, and getting lost on the road. In Berlin, you don’t need to drive. Public transportation is so easy, affordable, and can get you anywhere. Plus it’s rarely late.
If you need a ride that’ll carry you faster than your legs, you can rent a bike or a scooter and get to wherever you’re going in no time. When you have your own bike, you can cycle to almost any district within a reasonable amount of time. It’s common for roads and sidewalks to have bike paths, and there are plenty of work-around routes for the busier areas that don’t.
5. Music, Art, & Culture on Every Corner
An easy reason to fall in love with Berlin: you cannot beat the music, art, and culture here. From world-class museums to historical monuments with significant global meaning, you don’t have to search for long to find a taste of culture.
Here are some of my favorite cultural events:
- Free Museum Week: From the Pergamon Museum to the Neues Museum or the Stasi Museum — you can see them all for free once a month. Just be sure to book the most popular ones well in advance for free admission.
- Musicians On-Tour: If your favorite artist or group is touring in Europe, they’re undoubtedly making a stop in Berlin.
- Art exhibitions: Whether an immersive Van Gogh or Dark Matter Experience, contemporary art show, or photography exhibition, the art scene is world-class.
6. Drinking & Späti Culture
Walking around in public with a beer, wine, or cup in hand is normal in Berlin. It feels so surreal and weird in the beginning, but, in most of Berlin, it’s totally legal. As long as you’re being safe and not causing problems, you can pretty much drink wherever you want.
Spätis go hand-in-hand with drinking in public. Spätis (short for Spätverkaufsstelle) are kiosks on almost every corner that are open at all hours, even during holidays. Like a bodega in NYC, they’re stocked with beer, wine, snacks, and cigarettes. While on your way to a bar or friend’s place, you might stop at one to pick up a beer for the road.
Sitting at a table outside one for a quick drink before heading out, or just to have a cheap drink with friends, is fun too. These areas can get crowded in the summer, but it’s a good place to meet interesting people, or at least have interesting conversations, even if you’re alone.
7. Come as You Are: Embrace Your Weird
By far one of my favorite things about Berlin is the freedom of expression. There’s something for everyone, and you don’t have to travel far to find it.
It’s so much less judgmental than other places I’ve lived. You’re accepted no matter how you look, dress, date, think, or act. If you give someone a hard time for expressing themselves freely — you’ll likely be the one who gets told off.
Whether you’re into weekend-long ragers at the club, fetish play, table tennis, salsa dancing, or social activism — you’ll be in good company. The theme here is: You do as you do, I’ll do me, and we can all be friends.
8. People Are Genuinely Curious About You
No matter what country you move from, you can expect to hear the question:
So, why did you move here?
It’s an easy conversation starter, but most of the time, I think people genuinely just want to know and learn about you.
When I share that I moved to Berlin from Florida, the response is often surprise — especially in the winter. People seem confused about why someone would move from the “sunshine state” to a place that’s cold and gray for nearly six months out of the year.
My reply’s always the same: I’ve always wanted to live in Europe and love Berlin. You can’t beat the culture and nightlife. It’s full of history and fascinating people from around the world. Most of Europe is just a two-hour flight away. What’s not to love?
9. Klub Kulture Where Anything Goes
Berlin’s club scene is second to none. After the Berlin Wall fell, techno clubs became a place for freedom and expression. Clubs are open Thursday night till Monday morning. The party does not stop.
When it comes to club fashion, understand what type of club you’re going to. Sex clubs à la KitKat or Berghain? Think harnesses, mesh, leather, kink, fishnets , the more skin the better — and zero judgment. Open-air, techno clubs like Sisyphos or Renate? More colorful, fun, and chill garb works — just keep it sexy.
One thing that they all have in common is you’ll have an amazing time no matter which club you choose. You may have to queue in line for a couple of hours at some venues, but that just makes it even better once you’re in.
Berlin’s club culture means letting loose, letting your hair down, and letting go of inhibitions. You never know what fun may come.
10. Sex-Positive + Body-Positivity
Open relationships, polyamory, friends with benefits, and free love are big here. There’s an overall comfort with sexuality, and nudity’s not taboo. When you go to the sauna or swim at the lake, for example, you go au naturel. It’s not sexualized at all — just the natural human body. If you meet someone you matched with online, don’t be surprised if they have glitter all over because they spent the night before at a sex party. And if you’re not into that, then just be upfront with any potential dates or hookups before you meet them. Honesty + open communication are always the key.
11. Thriving LGBTQ Communities
The LGBTQ community is nothing short of amazing in Berlin. There’s acceptance for everyone. It’s intrinsic to Berlin’s culture. This might be one of the best cities in the world to explore your sexuality.
No one’s going to question what bathroom you feel most comfortable using. No one will bat an eye at two guys, two girls, or a full-on group making out. One of my friends said it best when talking about acceptance and embracement for the LGBTQ community, saying:
It’s everywhere. It’s not limited to one street, club, or neighborhood.
I think this is such a beautiful thing that shouldn’t be a rarity. While you can find this acceptance and love in many U.S. cities like Orlando, San Francisco, and NYC, it’s on the opposite end of the spectrum in others. In Berlin, there’s full acceptance for anyone and everyone. Love is love.
12. Dating Apps: Everyone Uses Them
I never used dating apps back home in the States. Even when I’d go on vacation, I just didn’t do it. Maybe because it seemed unappealing after all the eHarmony ads I’ve seen over the years. But in Europe, especially Berlin, dating apps are the norm. Whether it’s Tinder, OkCupid, Hinge, Bumble, or even Instagram, I found them more fun, with less pressure, and more variety.
Don’t get me wrong — not every date is going to be spectacular. I’ve had my fair share of nightmarish dates that couldn’t end sooner, I’ve been ghosted, and dealt with creepers who couldn’t take a hint. But I’ve also had some fun experiences and discovered parts of the city I’d never find alone by using these apps.
Although, if you’re looking for anything more significant, I wouldn’t suggest relying soley on dating apps. When I met my boyfriend, we met through friends and going out IRL. While I know some success stories with couples who met on Tinder, it’s just not as likely.
13. Bountiful Parks & Green Spaces
Berlin is filled with idealistic parks and green spaces perfect for picnics, BBQs, people-watching, sunbathing, or having drinks with your friends. There are parks reminiscent of classic French gardens, like Kornerpark, waterfalls at Viktoriapark, some with Biergartens, concerts, or secret late-night raves.
I live near Tempelhofer Feld, an abandoned airport, where people all over Berlin come to roller skate, skateboard, walk their dogs, fly kites, and more. There’s even a community garden where you can sit amongst the flowers in the spring and summer. During the winter, you can find stands selling hot gluhwein (mulled wine) to keep you toasty.
The thing I love about Berlin’s parks and green spaces is not just how many there are, but how people enjoy them. People rarely go to the park and spend a day there in any of the places I’ve lived in the States. It’s part of the lifestyle here, being out and about in your community, and it’s one of my favorite things.
14. Summer Is the Best in Berlin
Summer in Berlin means lake days, “yachting” along the canals (aka cruising in a motorized raft), Biergartens, and open-air concerts.
Canals run all through Neukölln, Kreuzberg, and Friedrichshain. You can even rent a boat with a jacuzzi in the middle, which is perfect for the cooler months. On the Spree, there are plenty of boats serving as comedy show venues, bars, and restaurants that are a lot of fun.
If you’re willing to travel a bit longer, you can check out the lakes in the west too. You’ll have to pay an entrance fee to some of the most popular ones, like Wannsee, but as long as you get there early enough to find a spot, the fee’s worth it. Hanging outside and on the water is one of the best ways to keep cool during the scorching summer months in Berlin.
15. Second-Hand & Vintage Stores Filled with Treasures
While America is a huge pioneer with the vintage scene, thrifting at second-hand and vintage shops are indeed picking up steam in Berlin. The quality and variety in shops here are wide-ranging, and full of treasures if you look to find them.
I love how mainstream it is to shop at second-hand shops in Berlin. It’s almost cooler to do so, rather than buying brand new. As a freelancer on a budget, I often go to a second-hand shop about once a month and always find something cute, unexpected, or functional.
My favorite is HUMANA SecondHand & Vintage, which has multiple locations throughout Berlin. I’ve bought winter coats, leather gloves, vintage skirts, and flowy scarves that are good as new here for a fraction of the cost.
Here are some other second-hand shops in Berlin:
- Salt — Friedrichshain
- Soul and Style — Friedrichshain
- Bintus Vintage & Bags — Mitte
- Who Killed Bambi — Mitte
- Homefullofclothes — Prenzlauer Berg
- Zweimalschoen — Prenzlauer Berg
16. Berlin Fashion: Less Is More
It’s easy to say that all-black is Berlin’s style. Yes, that’s true — but not always. I’ve noticed a lot more colorful outfits recently, especially looks that reflect the ’90s and neons of the ’80s.
Closet staples everyone rocks in Berlin include combat boots, white trainers, leather anything, trench jackets, beanies/berets, and boyfriend jeans.
The main thing I love is the minimalistic style: no make-up, no heels, baggy clothes, natural hair — simple. You’re not dressing or styling like you would in most other European cities, like Rome, London, or Barcelona. Berlin has its own style where it’s almost more trendy to rock dad clothes over a suit and tie. When it comes to everyday streetwear, it’s casual. You’re not dressed to impress — just rocking whatever you have on with confidence. The main element here is attitude.
17. Eclectic Restaurants & Bars
Before moving here, I’d never heard anyone talk about the food in Berlin. But do not be fooled. Berlin boasts some of the best street cuisine you can find, like falafel, döner kebabs, and, of course, currywurst — an original Berlin dish made of steamed or fried sausage with curry ketchup + fries.
You can also find excellent authentic German/Austrian, Vietnamese, Thai, Turkish, and Italian cuisines no matter what part of town you’re in. If you want something healthier, you don’t have to look far to find vegan, vegetarian, and organic fare that don’t skimp on flavor.
As far as bars go, there’s no shortage of variety. Whether you want a divey pub to play darts and pool (a kneipe, in German), a themed cocktail bar, a craft beer bar with shuffleboard, or a rooftop bar to catch the sunset, you can find something unique no matter which district you go.
18. It’s Easy to Live a Healthy Lifestyle
There are many reasons why it’s easy to live a healthy and active lifestyle in Berlin. On one hand, walking, bicycling, and taking public transportation makes getting in your steps-for-the-day easy. But also, nobody has microwaves. Instant meals are almost non-existent. You just use a kettle or stove to cook lunch or dinner — and it’s usually much healthier.
Did I miss having a microwave when I first moved here? Sure, yeah, a bit. But now, I don’t see a need for it.
I find that buying fresh produce is also much more affordable than it is in the U.S. You can easily find a produce market on the weekend, and, even at the store, the prices are reasonable. Eating healthy always felt like such an investment and expensive lifestyle choice before. But here, it’s affordable.
19. It Feels Safer without Gun Violence
It is very rare for anyone to own a gun in Germany. Sure, there’s violence from time to time — it’s a big city with a population of almost 4 million after all. But I’ve never felt safer than I do here. I live in Neukölln, a district known for its Turkish markets, hipster cafes, and lively bar and club scene. I’ve walked home a million times at night, on both well-lit sidewalks and dimly lit side streets. I’ve never had a problem or felt unsafe.
Sure, you have to be alert and have some wherewithal to know what’s going on around you while walking late at night. But one thing’s for sure, there are no mass shootings every month, and that makes me feel safer at the end of the day.
20. It Pays to Recycle
Recycling and living an eco-friendly lifestyle are ingrained in German culture. Separating your garbage and recyclables is expected, but it pays to do so through the Pfand system.
Whenever you buy certain plastic, aluminum, or glass products, you pay a Pfand deposit. When you’re done with them, you can get that deposit back by returning your empty bottles in a Pfand machine.
Just take all your plastic and aluminum bottles and cans to the local grocery store (like Aldi or Rewe), and get back .25 EUR for each bottle you recycle. It’s an easy way to save on groceries and save the planet. This has helped me out when money’s tight on many occasions.
You can Pfand beer bottles as well for .08 EUR each. So, when you’re out and about, it’s customary to leave your empty beer bottle outside under an orange trash bin. Homeless people walk around the city collecting them and will Pfand them all at once later, allowing them to get money for food. This Pfand system makes recycling both easy and rewarding, while also helping others in the community.
Moving Abroad to Berlin Was One of the Best Decisions of My Life
Berlin’s not for everyone. It’s unlike any other part of Germany and may seem a bit rough in comparison. But for me, it’s everything I was looking for — history, travel, culture, international communities, life balance, and open-mindedness.
Moving abroad was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. And what I’ve learned is to say yes to nearly everything when you first move — social meet-ups, park parties, solo adventures, get-togethers with colleagues, work experiences that scare you, whatever. Each experience opens doors and leads you to friends and moments better than you imagined.
If these surprising facts about moving to Berlin sound ideal for you too, then plan a visit and discover all these things + more for yourself!
