Interested in moving to Berlin?
You’re not the only one.
Some 50,000 people a year are now making the move to Berlin, from other regions of Germany – as well as from all parts of the world.
It’s not hard to see why.
Berlin is quite simply Germany’s most energetic, lively – and most happening city.
And Berlin’s a great place for digital entrepreneurs and digital nomads who want to work location independently.
What’s The Cost of Living in Berlin?
To give you an idea of the cost of living in Berlin I’ve made a list of some of the basic items and the typical price you will pay in Berlin.
Housing
Rents in Berlin vary depending on location of the apartment, age of the building, standard of renovation, and of course the size of the apartment.
A 2 or 3 room apartment of 50 to 60 square metres, in an average location and of average quality in Berlin will typically cost around between 400 to 700 Euros per month. Some can be found for less money, and others for more.
These are rents for unfurnished unlimited lease apartments which are standard in Berlin. AirBnB rentals and other short-term furnished lets will tend to cost more.
Additional costs such as service charges (Nebenkosten) for this type of apartment will typically be 100 – 200 Euros per month.
Rooms in a WG or flat share: typically 300 to 500 Euros per month inclusive
Health insurance
Public Krankenkasse for employees: around 15% of salary (half is paid by employer)
Private health insurance: from 150 Euros per month and upwards. Can cost double and treble that amount and more depending on extent of coverage, age and other aspects.
Public health insurance for students: around 70 Euros per month
Services & Utilities
Mobile Phone contract: typically 20 to 30 Euros per month, may be more depending on the package and data use.
Broadband Internet connection: 25 to 35 Euros, in some cases more, again depending on the package.
Electricity charge for a one or two person household: 50 to 100 Euros per month. May be more, depending on package and usage.
TV tax (formerly called GEZ): 17.50 Euros per household per month (payable whether you actually have a TV or not)
Transport
BVG transit ticket: 2.70 – 3.30 Euros depending on number of zones. Short distance ticket 1.70 Euros
Monthly travel pass: 81 Euros and upwards, depending on number of zones
Petrol (gasoline) per litre: typically 1.25 – 1.50 Euros
Basic grocery provisions
Prices are for ALDI or LIDL discount supermarkets. Other supermarkets are generally more expensive.
Loaf of bread: 1 – 2.50 Euros
Kilo of potatoes: 1.00 Euros
Kilo of apples: 2.00 Euros
Pack of ground coffee 500g: 3 – 4.00 Euros
Litre of milk: 0.50 – 0.75 Euros
Bag of muesli 500g: 1.90 Euros
Bag of rice 500g: 1 – 2.00 Euros
Bottle of mineral water: 0.30 – 0.75 Euros
Bunch of bananas: 1 – 2 Euros
Eating and Drinking
Coffee (in a cafe – Starbucks type coffee shops are pricier): 2 – 3 Euros
Glass of beer (in a bar or cafe): 2.50 – 4.00 Euros
Pizza at a restaurant: 5 – 8 Euros and upwards
Currywurst or bratwurst sausage with fries at a kiosk stand: about 4 – 6 Euros
Average sit-down meal in a cafe, pub or bistro: 10 – 15 Euros and upwards
Clothing
Pair of shoes or sneakers: 50 – 80 Euros and upwards
Men’s shirt: 12 – 25 Euros and upwards
T-shirt: from 8 – 15 Euros and upwards
Pair of trousers or jeans 30 Euros and upwards
Cinema ticket: 5 – 10.00 Euros and upwards, excluding discounts, special offers etc.
Get the Best Out of Berlin By Learning German
About the best thing you can do to get the best out of your move to Berlin is to learn to speak German as soon as you can.
And there’s one German course in particular that stands out way above the rest. It’s called GermanPod.
Learn German Quickly With GermanPod
You can give yourself a head start in learning German by signing up for the self-study MP3 based course offered by GermanPod.
GermanPod is now one of the world’s most successful digitally based online language courses. It’s not hard to see why.
GermanPod – The Best Language Course For Expats in Berlin
GermanPod is THE ideal audio MP3-based German language course for expats in Berlin.
This is because with GermanPod you learn German quickly in your own time, as and when you want – and at your own pace.
And what’s more, GermanPod is VERY low cost.
You can use GermanPod on your smartphone and tablet, as well on as your laptop or PC.
So you can be learning German wherever you are – and whenever you’re on the move.
With GermanPod you can make the most of those spare moments of time that you have which otherwise just get wasted. When you’re commuting on the S-Bahn or U-Bahn. When standing in line, or sitting in a waiting room.
Learning German With GermanPod is Easy, Fast – And Fun
GermanPod teaches you modern, up-to-date German. The kind of German that people speak in everyday life in Berlin.
GermanPod comes with four different learning levels -Absolute Beginner, Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced. So you can choose the level which suits you best.
That makes learning German with GermanPod very easy, fast and fun.
I myself learned German using the self-study audio method before I came to Berlin and I found it the fastest and easiest way of learning to speak and understand German.
GermanPod is Affordable
GermanPod is available on a monthly subscription basis. In other words, it’s “pay as you go”. Unlike some German courses, you don’t have to part with a large sum of money. And you can use as much or as little of it as you wish.
For just $8 a month you can get started with GermanPod.
For longer term advance subscriptions there are discounts of between 11% and up to 60%.
And if you’re a student then you can benefit from an EXTRA 20% DISCOUNT on a 12-month subscription.
This makes it very inexpensive to get started learning German with GermanPod.
You have the flexibility to use as little or as much of GermanPod as you wish, when you wish – and according to your own budget.
In short, GermanPod is probably the best investment you can make to ensure the success of your move to Berlin.
My advice: check out www.germanpod101.com and get a head start right now with learning German
Try GermanPod for FREE!
GermanPod gives you an UNLIMITED Lifetime Free Trial of the first three audio lessons with NO obligation.
So you can test drive GermanPod for yourself before you buy.
PLUS you also receive a FREE 7 Day Trial of GermanPod’s Premium package.
You can sign up for a free GermanPod account right now at www.germanpod101.com
GermanPod also comes with a 60-day Money Back Guarantee.So there’s no risk whatsoever.
Start getting yourself up to speed understanding and speaking German NOW by learning German the quick, fun, and easy way with GermanPod.
Want To Know More About GermanPod? – Read My Full Review of GermanPod Here
Visit GermanPod101 at www.germanpod101.com to take the FREE TOUR – and get started learning German right away!
