Berlin is a city where for over four decades the Eastern Communist Empire met Western Democratic Europe. Although there are few visual reminders of where the wall that separated the city used to run, the economic differences between Eastern Germany and Western Germany are large and glaring and Berlin still sits precariously at the centre of these changes. As a result of the cities recent history, Berlin is the perfect base for digital nomads and here’s why:

Property Prices

As the Berlin Wall rose out of the ground, bringing with it the threat of conflict, business, industry, capital and people fled the capital. In total, more than a million people relocated from Berlin to other areas of Germany. Though the population of the city is once again rising, there is a huge over supply of housing. This situation makes Berlin one of the cheapest capitals in Western Europe to live in.

Startup Culture

A large student population, cheap cost of living and good infrastructure makes Berlin a perfect base for digital nomads, so it is unsurprising that the city has a strong start up culture. If you move to the city you can quickly integrate yourself into this online business community through attending meet ups like those organised by Start Up Berlin and going to shared workspaces like Betahaus. In short, the city is the perfect place to meet like minded people, network and create new business ventures.

Music and Nightlife

Berlin is a city with great nightlife. The choice of places to go and things to do is large and varied. There are the student dives, punk concerts and huge house and techno clubs. In fact, whatever your budget and interest, you can find something to entertain you seven days a week. Cover charges on clubs are also very affordable, rarely exceeding €5, which means even if you are on a budget, you can afford to go out almost every day of the week.

Nature and Culture

Although you might not know it, Berlin is a city of canals. Funnily enough, it has more canals than either Venice or Amsterdam, which makes you think that the city council really needs to get around to launching a new tourism campaign. This large network of canals is interspersed with open parkland and lakes, which are the perfect place to spend a sunny summers day. While in winter, Berlin’s many Museums and historical buildings offer an interesting cultural break for a bleak rainy day.

Infrastructure

Like most European cities, world class infrastructure makes Berlin an appealing city to be based in. The large international airport ensures that travel is painless, while it’s central location in the heart of Europe makes it a convenient spot from which to explore the Continent. Healthcare is also cheap and easy to access and Internet connection speeds makes working online a pleasant experience.