Moving to Berlin, am I mad?

Right so I've decided that I'm going to move to Berlin- initially for 2 months and if I settle in well enough, and finances permitting, indefinitely.

Thing is it's a huge step as I'm going to be going out there all by myself with no job lined up. All of my friends have stayed in Plymouth (my home city) all their lives and don't have any plans to move so you can see why they dont understand why I want to go. Thing is I've been to Berlin three times and love the place every time I go, but I'm a bit fearful that the reality of living out there would be completely different from the weekend-breaks that I've previously been on.

It's such a relief finding this forum and so many like-minded people, and I'd really like to know (especially from those in a similar position to me ie initially solo and jobless) what motivated them to move to the city and how have they settled in since.

Cheers,
Jamie

Hi Jamie,

Just curious, what's your profession? I would think that will have quite a bit to do with whether moving to Berlin is a good idea.

I graduated last year with a degree in Photography. Not brilliant I know.

I should mention that I've been learning German for the last 10 months at night school as well. My spoken German isn't brilliant at the moment but I'm hopeful that with a bit of practice and being immersed in a German-speaking environment, I can only get better.

Just do it, and good luck to you. If it doesn't work out then you can always turn around and head back home, and your friends won't take the piss too much.

Sure you aren't secretly following a girl over here? Otherwise it might seem like a fairly unusual desire to move specifically to Berlin

I've been on holidays to Spain a couple of times and enjoyed it. Live there? Forget it.

I would recommend that you clearly think through your motives for moving. I moved to Frankfurt with work (in an English speaking environment too) and that was a challenge enough initially (or, maybe I'm just a big softie...)

Good luck whatever happens

well, probably not the opinion you want, but have you thought about getting some work in your field first before trying for a job in another country?

Here's my thinking -- you just graduated, and need some experience (employers generally like this). When a german company hires someone who is not from Germany (say over a German) it is usually because you bring something they need to the table. Usually that's our ability to speak English.

Now here's the problem: a photographer takes the same picture whether they speak English or not.

So, when you compare you to a German entry-level photographer, the company has no reason to hire you over them.

The same holds true if you decide to do something other than photography.

Germans usually have quite a bit of practical experience included in their school curricula. That means that when they apply for their first post-uni job, they probably have an edge on you.

Now, as a foreigner when you get here you have no real benefits. But in the UK you do. So maybe it would be better to be bored in the UK, and either get some experience, or more training, and then try to come to Berlin when you have an edge over the Germans.

maybe?

absolutely do it, Jamie. If you don't, you'll be wondering for the rest of your life what it would have been like i you had trie it.

At worst, it'll be a bit of money down the drain and - maybe - going back to the UK with your tail between your legs. But it is most likely to be so much more. Experience, better German (good on you for learning it beforehand, that's really importnt..and a tip would be to not become too dependent on the ex-pat crowd/TT once ou arrive..keep a balance, make sre you mix with Germans too...which can be difficult at first).

From the sound of it, you're pretty young..that's a big advantage. You're more flexible, don't have a huge base se up or comitments in the UK, can - probably - live on less money than older people

Hey, I'm old now (43)...but I moved here from NZ at 25..I had studied German, but I didn't know anyone, had only a suitcase and a rucksack and sod all money...and 18 years on here I am! Boy, it was hard at first - took me quite a while to make friends there was no internet so I didn't meet many ex-pats (but to be honest, I was also sor of avoiding them at first)..but I would never go back no and I am SOOOO happy did it.

Ah, and as a comment on what Lexicon said (although it's not incorrect)..I couldn't do anything at all except speak German, French and English when arrived. A friend of mine once said, the problem is: you're a professional German. Here in Grmany, there are lots of real ones. You should go somehwre where there aren't so many Germans to be appreciated. Also true..but with perseverence it worked out. temped in a lot of lousy receptionist/secretarial/assistant jobs, dd translations, taught English, etc etc...but in time I worked my way into a well paid job in marketing, and later when that didn't satisfy me into project management for engineers. I now earn pretty good money working for people like Siemens and BMW and I hardly ever use my English (let alone my French). So: you need to know what is the most important: working in what you've studied, o getting the Berlin experience. Maybe be prepared to do something else for a while to gt established, then gradually push your wa back into your chosen field.

Ha ha, no far from it! It's actually more to do with getting away from one!

Only joking, I've always been fascinated by the place and the fact it's reasonably affordable for a capital city, so I figured that I may as well see what it's like living there while I still have the opportunity ie young, single and no commitments or responsibilities.

Have you considered coming to study something? There are a lot of English-language Masters courses in German universities, the fees are low and the cost of living a joke.

Are there really?? I had aimed to do a Masters eventually, even better if I can do it abroad! Scraping that 2:1 may've been worth it all along!

Hey Jamie,

I am in a pretty similar situation, moving to Munich in April. Needed a change and thought that if I was ever going to go live somewhere else it would best be now, or probably never. I have similar worries, but I am not there yet, so all I can do is say good luck, and I will let you know how things go for me. But your right, TT is a great resource, and has been helping me with alot of things I have been worrying about, and some stuff I didn't even know to worry about! : )

Just one point regarding job opportunities in the field of photography. I think it will also depend a bit on whether you would like to do "commercial photography" or rather "artistic photography". If the latter, I'm quite sure Berlin is a great place for you to work as it has a huge art scene. If the former, then other cities may offer better opportunities (which however shouldn't deter you from moving to Berlin).

Here's a searchable list of "international" (i.e. English-language) study courses in Germany. There are 33 courses in Berlin alone. The website is the DAAD, the German equivalent of UCAS, although the big difference here is that you apply direct to the university. Now is a good time to look for something starting in October.

DAAD - International Degree Programmes

I came here on a gap year, because I was intending to study German at university, and after about six months decided I could skip the university bit. I sold newspapers for a while (back then it paid quite well), and things sort of developed from then onwards.

As others have said, "proper" jobs are thin on the ground, but you should be able to find some kind of "Job" (in the German sense of the word). I say go for it and see what happens.

I don't know anything about the world of professional photography, but if it involves portfolio-building kind of activities, Berlin is a good place for artistic inspiration.

Unpopular opinion and post i'm sure, who cares ? Do it or don't, it's YOUR decision and you will have to live with it, other people's experiences or opinions don't count.

Of course it is but it's still re-assuring to hear some 'case studies'.

nah you would be able to go back an experience richer - whatever happens it isnt a waste, especially if you arent packing in a UK job to do it

Jump out of your comfort zone and just do it, as others have said, you can always go home again, it's only an hour or so away by plane.

..and maybe Gururise can introduce you to some...friends!!!

I'm coming out from Australia in June and have had exactly the same concerns as you. Try adding to the mix the fact that you don't qualify for any type of work visa. Your risk seems relatively low compared to mine, but nothing will drag me away from having a go at this opportunity. After all nothing ventured nothing gained. Everything was put into perspective for me when I lived in the UK for 2 years, when I came back nothing had changed, people where still sitting in the same pub drinking the same brand of beer, listening to the same music, talking about the same things - Sure a few people had gotten married and a couple had children and some even got divorced, but you would miss the same on a trip to the toilet on a saturday night out (lol I don't exactly walk a straight line). The way I see it you can sit at home doing the same thing day in day out and discover... the same thing or you can try as much as possible of what the world has to offer and discover... well in the famous words of Elle "You'll never never know if you never never go" - (advert for Western Australian tourism - had to throw it in)

good luck you only live once - well as far as I can tell.

Rereading this and i think STB has offered some fantastic advice that means you are not tied to the move and at least have the opportunity to further your education should it not work out as rosy as you had planned.

Hey!

I'm doing the same thing, moving to Berlin with nothing lined up. I really don't know anyone here, sept for the Toytowners I've talked to (bless u all lol). But I work as a voice over artist and I can pretty much do that anywhere. So why not try something new. I don't speak German, well at least not anything that's gonna get me friends but I'm gonna jump on a class down the road, and we'll see.

I can see why u would choose Berlin, I loved it from the first time I was here as a tourist. It's a great city, sure Hamburg and Munich might be more international, but Berlin is..well Berlin lol.

Like some other guy said, the worst that can happen is that u have to go home. I can live with that.

Life is just to short to miss an adventure don't u think

Have a great time in Berlin.

Scott

UPDATE- I've decided to take the plunge after all. Just sorted out the flights and I'll be over there for July 9th. Here's to a new adventure...

Dear Jamie,

I am making the big move over to the other side of the ocean this month to NYC and can totally relate to what you're going through. (for more details go to my blog where I have been carefully documenting my demise in crazy land). I am leaving my family and a good job and am so sad and nervous right now. But I have always wanted to live in NY and the time is now while I am still young and single. So don't worry, peolple do it all the time and it is wonderful, I'm sure you will love Berlin. And even if you don't at least you know you tried. And Toytown is also a great place to talk about it since most people have moved themselves and can relate.

You go - your post made me want to go somewhere else, too. If you end up in Berlin without money, try motivational speaker, you've got it in you!

WELL HELLO NEED SOME HELP MY BF IS MOVING TO BERLIN SOON FROM EGYPT AND I WILL JOIN HIM SOON AFTER BUT NOT SURE WHAT I NEED I.E VISA. DO I NEED 1 IF SO WHERE DO I START

CASSXAHMED

Hey mate, im doing practically the same thing as you - and probly most people here aswell.

Im going to Germany next year for a year or so to see if i like it. Same thing, i don't really have anything - well "reasonable" for job qualities.

But i have been into sales for the last 4 years (one of the managers for Harvey Norman Computers) so i have sale and managing experiance so i don't know if that might be a good qualification in Germany - maybe in trade where english speakers may be needed?

My german is alright (im german myself but moved to aust when i was 3). So i got reletives over there aswell what makes it abit easier to settle in for the first few months before finding an apartment etc.

But go for it mate, im doing this as a trial, if you dont enjoy it - or whatever. Well you can always move back and continue your life.

Ok, it might be abit of money "wasted" but well - if your young, single and want to try new things that might be beneficial later in life go for it!

Heck, even if you come back and you put on your resumee that you worked in Germany for a year or so and that you have experiance in working in another country and enviroment and can adapt to different things. These "relocations" arnt bad and can turn out for the best if done correctly.

Good luck mate, and hope it turns out good!! You only live once, think of that - and like one of the other posters said - you don't want to be thinking later in life what might of been if you went or not to germany.

Good luck again,

Cheers,
TJ

[quote name='ruapehu' date='Mar 1 2007, 8:22 pm' post='865180']

Hey, I'm old now (43)...

That's not old, Ruapehu. I'm 48 and still planning to move to Berlin in January...

Good to hear all these discussions . I'm 35 , a full time musician and after several interesting performances in Berlin the last few years i am wanting to move to Berlin . I felt ( and maybe a little bit still ) why anyone would want to hire someone my age ( believe me ... i really don' t think 35 is old ) . but , having to work with references as opposed to actual " degrees " , i felt it would be hard . i have a great music teaching situation here in the US ( NC to be exact ) , but the main problem i have ( and which is while people don't understand why i would leave a good paying job ) is that i have to live here everyday . Culturally it is prett desolate here . When i come back from playing in another city , i still have to deal with day to day life here . What good is it making lots of money if i don't enjoy spending it where i am ? I have gotten a bit more motivation just by reading this one original post . I think i'm gonna do it later this year !

Just read your thread 'c hilton'.
I admire your courage and attitude.
I moved here last year after many years in London.
I find Berlin to be a wonderful place.
Although life's not always perfect:
Berlin always makes me smile
Your outlook will get you far!
Best of luck.

Hello TheMerse

Go for it! Here are the reasons:

1. As someone has previously said you only live once
2. You have learnt German for 10 months - you have shown dedication and planning towards this cause.
3. If you are a talented Photographer whether you are German or otherwise you WILL find work.
4. If it all fails (it won't) you have your homeland to return to.

Just do it.

I feel totally the same way. So many people just sit here and do nothing with their lives. If it all goes to pot, at least you tried and you will never regret it - ever.

Perhaps you should have read past the first post. The OP moved to Berlin last summer.

Go for it, or you'll end up like us. Doing the dream with a family in toe and havingto worry about the money side, and I mean really worry. You are free and can cope with alot more than you think. aAnd besides home is only a few hours away, for some of us it is days away.

This about where I am too!

But I'm a firm believer in Nothing ventured, nothing gained...

*grin* And I'm from Canada... I want to go to Europe where the history comes from!

Hello, I am planning to move to germany early next year from Australia. I have been with my german partner nearly 2 years now ( lived with him 7 months in germany then we came back here later on) and because he will be studying in Berlin i have decided to move over there with him. I dont have much of a plan, but it has to be done, we either stay here or go there so he can study, so hopfully all goes well it is a giant leap especially since i have no formal qulifications, I studied Photography and Video Production, even a part time job would be enough. But true Love cant be seperated so a great adventure is ahead.