By Ian | 20 December, 2012
Berlin seems to be the place to live for artists around the world now. Several people have told me that back at home, people want to go to live there. When they arrive they are surprised at the low cost of living in comparison to home.
Germany, differently to the UK, has its “power centers” spread across the country: Finance in Frankfurt, Media in Hamburg, IT in Munich. Berlin has nothing (ok they have politicians - but they are more of a cost factor and not productive), but it is trying to catch up or be the best in:
- the startup capital of Europe
- the artist capital of Europe
For startups, Berlin offers low fix costs and lots of intelligent multilanguage labour, an excellent infrastructure and a growing networking, incubator environment. If you like riding your bike to work or around the city, you will feel at home.
Berlin also doesn’t sleep - dance venues, culture, food outlets, supermarkets - and within an hour you are out in the country at the lakes. It is also cosmopolitan and you can do your own thing and have your own style.
By 2020 it will probably be different, but until then it’s a place to watch or be.