arriving in berlin

Jae has had some challenges with flatmates* and landlords*. So we dedicate an entire episode to tenant associations, deposits and everything you need to know before the rental dispute hits you. (*All names have been changed.)

Lony and Sean fell in love with Berlin on a summer tour and spontaneously decided to swap their life in North Carolina for a fresh start in Berlin. The couple not only navigated the maze of immigration laws and managed to secure a skilled worker's visa for Sean, who's a barber by trade, but also qui...

It's been a year, and Jae is still looking for a permanent place to live. This episode is all about what he's learned in the process. Everyone who got an amazing place at a good price "just got lucky" — but you won't get lucky without being fast and prepared. We explore how to navigate ImmoScout, th...

Upon listener request, Manuel explores the ins and outs of using public transportation in Berlin. You'll learn about the various types of transportation available, such as the U-Bahn, S-Bahn, and trams, and how to find your route and buy tickets. You'll also hear about the different types of tickets...

Boring, but kind of important: In this episode, Manuel explains which insurances are required by law in Germany, which ones are optional but important to have, and which ones you may pass on depending on your personal situation.

In this episode, Jae explains the lessons and tips he would tell his past self if he was moving to Berlin again for the first time.

Rachel Stern from The Local joins us to talk about having kids and raising a family in Berlin, Germany's working culture, life as a journalist, cash vs. cards, learning German, and the best and worst aspects of being an expat.

In this short solo episode, Manuel shares how to avoid getting scammed when looking for an apartment in Berlin, and explains how teaching English can be a way to legally stay and work in the city.

In this solo-episode, Manuel explains how to register after you move into an apartment in Berlin and how to sign up for electricity, gas and internet contracts. Also: Reflections on the first 8 months of this show and some fun listener emails.

In this solo episode, Jae provides an update on his mental health and how he has been managing since he’s been living here. He discusses the effects of burnout and a few strategies on how to compassionately encourage yourself as you go through some of your challenges.

Astha moved to Berlin from India without ever having visited the city. After a few exciting first weeks, she was struck by migratory grief. In this episode, we talk with her about how to deal with loneliness and how to find friends in a new place.

Cari from Easy German joins us to describe the infamous Berlin mentality and ponder why Berliners often come across as cold or rude. We then try to establish the best method for learning German and share our favorite language learning tricks and resources.

We're back after a short hiatus to talk about one of the reasons we took a break: Mental health. Jae talks about a mental breakdown he experienced recently and we both share mental health resources available in Berlin and Germany.

Berlin is not as cheap as it used to be — but it's still one of the more affordable capital cities in Europe. In this episode, we go through all of the monthly expenses you should budget for if you plan to live in Berlin.

Most people's first contact with Berlin is through travel. In this episode we discuss how to experience the city like a local. We also share Couchsurfing stories, explain how to spot a tourist and encourage you to go out and meet strangers.

Jack is back on the show and joins us for lively (!) discussion on the best German bank account, which phone plan to choose and how to pick a "Fitnessstudio" (gym) in Berlin. We also cover the infamous Schufa, cheap meals in Berlin, burger places, milkshakes, bubble tea, prices for alcoholic drinks,...

Jae has arrived in Berlin! While his trip couldn't have gone any smoother, his first week in the city was quite a roller coaster ride: He found his apartment on day one, marvelled at German doors and the local recycling system, discovered Apfelschorle (and the price of tap water), bought a bike, cra...

Manuel's friend Jack has been cycling around Berlin every day since 2012 and joins us to explain everything you need to know about the topic: Why Berlin is best discovered by bike, how to buy a bike in the first place, which type of bicycle to get and why electric bikes are a little bit like horses.

Kreuzberg, Friedrichshain, Neukölln, Tempelhof, Schöneberg, Mitte, Wedding, Prenzlauer Berg, Pankow, Tiergarten & Charlottenburg — an overview of Berlin's most important districts.

Finding a place in Berlin will require a great deal of organization, optimism and endurance. We have some tips for you.

Why move to Berlin, which types of visas can get you here, what you should prepare before the move and how to get an appointment for the notorious Anmeldung.