Frequently Asked Questions about Berlin
Finding a job in Berlin is difficult enough in itself without a working knowledge of German. The city suffers from a high rate of unemployment, and foreigners moving to the city without a job organised prior to arrival will most likely find that opportunities are few and far between.
Expats who do not speak German will want to consider teaching English or approaching multinational companies headquartered in Berlin that may need foreign employees.
As a final alternative, art is the currency of this cosmopolitan city, and if you can produce fantastic work you may not need to know German to make some money.
Is it better to live in East or West Berlin?
Although the city is no longer divided, many locals and expats still see a clear schism in the greater cosmopolitan character. No one side is necessarily better than the other, but both do have their pros and cons.
Both luxurious and cost-effective accommodation options exist on each side; though the draw card of Berlin's hip, young counterculture mainly make their home in the East.
The East is also subject to more construction, and in some ways is associated with certain areas that are considered unsafe at night.
The West is more developed and had the benefit of receiving funds from the Allies post World-War II.
At the end of the day, the fantastic public transportation in Berlin makes getting from point to point fairly easy, so access to all there is to see and do in Berlin is efficient and convenient no matter where you live.
