Beppi, Thank you for your reply. There are many good reasons why staying in the US is not an option for us. We have moved a lot, including internationally and my kids do well. We are looking to stop traveling and put down roots. I am open to German cities other than Berlin. I chose Berlin because I spent my childhood there, still have some distant relatives living there, it has great public transportation and it's LBGTQ safe.
Any recommendations for us as we start searching for a flat to rent?
- @ErynnSchanding
One might look around at lots of other options in Germany. If one is familiar with the city and has relatives then those are strong factors. But while no other city is so large, most German cities are safe and most have better public transportation than Berlin which is known for having one of the most decrepit systems in the country. And the big cities problems have increased over the years. People who lived there a few decades ago might find the atmosphere has drastically changed. It is no longer the cheap, laid back, place full of artists and alternative scenes anymore. Now it is expensive and cut throat where a lot of desperate people are competing to survive. A bit like someone going to San Francisco and expecting to find hippies and the summer of love vibe which is now more characterized by homelessness and beggars.