Job Discussion Forums

[posh]

What sort of average price does a flat go for, say in Berlin?

[Hod]

A good choice of city. Prices depend on the usual factors. �300 would get a reasonable place, but the websites below show examples of what�s available in Berlin now. The sites are in German I�m afraid, but Google translate will sort that.

The first website is for all sorts of properties. Look at Wohnungen (apartments) and preferably provisionfrei (no agency fee). The norm is to pay three months rent as a deposit.

http://www.immobilienscout24.de/Suche/S-20/Wohnung-Miete/Berlin/Berlin

The second website is for something I never tried, namely WG or Wohngemeinschaft or apartment sharing. I�m a bit old now to share an apartment with strangers, especially Germans, but WGs are very popular here, and the few I have visited were quite nice.

http://www.wg-gesucht.de/wg-zimmer-in-Berlin.8.0.1.0.html

[gjj]

If you can stand sharing, the WG is a good idea, especially if you are new to Germany, don't intend to stay for a long time, and don't want to spend a lot on deposits.

The problem with renting a flat in Germany - apart from the deposit - is the fact that unfurnished places are just that. They don't usually even have light fixtures, just wires hanging down from the ceiling, and no kitchen appliances - unless the previous tenant wants you to spend thousands of Euros to buy their stuff, which would often be a condition of getting the rental contract.

GJ

[ioamosalerno]

Hey, anyone have any other tips for finding a place to rent, specifically in Duisburg or Dusseldorf? I have been on immobilielenscout and wg-gesucht, but I seem to be getting nowhere fast. I have no problem doing a flatshare with strangers, I just need a place to live that is cheap.... Also, what is a typical amount for a deposit? thanks for any help and insight!

[artemisia]

http://www.toytowngermany.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=233440

You'd have to join this forum to make contact. It's not really clear what "cheap" means to you. This doesn't seem too bad for a shared (one other person), fully furnished place.

You could try the university noticeboards and see if there's one for flat/ roommates. Put up a notice yourself, if so. Same with any of the English speaking hangouts there - bookshops etc.
'Networking' is the way to go in a new place if you know you're going to stay. This forum might be of some use:
http://www.expat-blog.com/forum/viewforum.php?id=307