Anyone looking to invest in building land or residential property in Berlin naturally wants to be able to check the criteria on which the purchase price of such a property is based and whether it is justified. When gathering information, you often come across the term “urban residential location”. In this article, we explain what this term means and which urban residential areas the different districts and neighborhoods in Berlin belong to.
What is meant by the term "urban residential area"?
When determining the purchase price of a property, various criteria are used to estimate the value. These include, for example, the year of construction, the fittings, the size, the orientation and the name of the architect. Another feature that is decisive for the value of owner-occupied homes, building land or condominiums is the location within the city. This criterion is referred to as urban residential location. The value is a reflection of the quality of life that can be expected at the location of the property. It is based on the city’s rent index and the current street directory. If you want to buy a property or building land in Berlin, you should therefore definitely also look at the urban residential location of properties that could be on your shortlist.
What are the different classifications of urban residential location?
The property can be assigned to four categories according to its location, which are discussed in detail in this article. What criteria are used as a basis for the valuation? What are the four categories called and what characterizes them?
The simple residential location
If an apartment is located in the city center and is classified as a basic residential location, this is due to the dense development of a district, for example. There is no space for green areas or open spaces, which limits the quality of life in this neighborhood. The streetscape is unkempt and the street may not be paved. In addition, the buildings are in a desolate state. The facades are crumbling or have been heavily soiled by graffiti. Unrenovated residential areas are also classified as basic residential areas. However, it is also possible that there is a commercial area near the property, resulting in a restrictive odor or noise nuisance.
If a condominium is located on the outskirts of the city, residential areas are described as basic if the streetscape is unkempt, there are hardly any paved roads and the green spaces are not adequately maintained. The transport connections are anything but convenient and the buildings are in poor condition. Many of the apartments should actually be renovated to improve the quality of life in the neighborhood.
The middle residential area
The average residential area could be described as average standard. All the basic requirements for a district are met, but there are no positively conspicuous features. The streets are paved and do not show any major defects overall. When looking at the facades, no extensive damage is noticeable and most of the apartments have been adequately refurbished or at least renovated. New development areas can also have an average residential location if they have few green spaces or recreational opportunities. The streetscape meets the requirements overall, but may not have any special features. If it is a residential area on the outskirts of a city, the houses are sometimes close together. There is a normal traffic connection and shopping facilities that correspond to the average. There is no interference from a nearby commercial or industrial area.
Good residential area
A good residential area has an above-average image. If it is a district in the city center, it has good to very good shopping facilities so that residents feel well provided for. The transport connections are excellent and you are able to get to various places in the city within a short time by private or public transport. There may even be a long-distance train station to facilitate interregional travel.
The buildings are in good condition and even though the development is dense, there are numerous green spaces that beautify the image of the neighborhood and give residents the opportunity to go for walks in parks and enjoy the fresh greenery. Even though the district is located in the city center, residents are not restricted by loud noise. The streetscape is well-kept, the streets are in good condition, as are the buildings. The façades are beautiful and the apartments have been recently renovated so that residents can enjoy a high level of comfort.
Districts on the outskirts of the city can also be classified as good residential areas. The development is extensive and interspersed with parks and green spaces. In such a district, the transport connections are good, so that residents can reach the city center within a short time both by private vehicle and by public transport. The shopping facilities are excellent and the image of the district is above average.
The very good residential location
In order to distinguish neighborhoods with a very good residential location from the other districts of the city, the office of the expert committee defines certain parts of the city that stand out from the good residential locations due to their unique characteristics.
These are districts that are particularly attractive. The building structure of such a district is above average. The image is excellent, as are the shopping facilities. There are numerous green spaces that belong to private owners or the city. Not only the green spaces, but the entire streetscape is extremely well maintained. The facades of the buildings shine in all their glory and the apartments located in such a district have been freshly renovated. They meet the highest living standards and offer a high degree of luxury. The very good residential location can certainly be described as exclusive, which is reflected in the high prices of the plots and apartments.
What is the distribution of residential areas in Berlin? An overview
At this point, we would like to provide you with a clear overview of the distribution of the individual residential areas in Berlin using a map. This will give you an overview before we go into the individual residential areas of Berlin in the next section.
The most expensive residential areas in Berlin
The fact that Berlin is one of the most popular cities in Germany quickly becomes clear when you look at housing prices. In recent years, the vast majority of the old buildings that have been preserved have been renovated to meet luxurious living standards. The individual, bare areas that have long dominated Berlin’s streetscape have been replaced by grandiose new construction projects. They fit perfectly into the city’s streetscape, but at the same time give it a whole new shine. These changes to living space in Berlin are naturally also reflected in prices. Living in Berlin is becoming increasingly expensive. Residential areas within the S-Bahn ring are particularly sought-after and highly competitive. The most expensive residential areas in Berlin at a glance:
The Viktoria-Luise-Platz in Berlin Schöneberg
The square was named after the only daughter of Prussian Emperor Wilhelm II. Anyone who wants to know what makes up the Schöneberg district can get an idea of this at this emblematic square. The entire area, which has a hexagonal shape, is a listed building. Most of the buildings date back to the Wilhelminian era and have pompous façades with numerous decorations. Wittenbergplatz and Nollendorfplatz are very close by. Hardly any other place in Schöneberg is as centrally located and reflects the essence of the district as much as Viktoria-Luise-Platz. Those who live here can enjoy the advantages of one of the best residential areas in Berlin, including the U4 subway station, which is right on the doorstep. Are you interested in Schöneberg’s residential areas and would like to find out more about the district? Then we recommend our detailed article about the trendy district of Berlin Schöneberg.
The Savignyplatz in Charlottenburg
Charlottenburg is without question one of the most popular districts in Berlin. If you live on trendy Savignyplatz, you are just a stone’s throw away from Kurfürstendamm. The shopping street attracts thousands of visitors every weekend. But people who can call this area their home are particularly lucky. Anyone who longs for a bit of greenery and enjoys a walk on sunny summer afternoons is likely to be drawn to the nearby Berlin Zoological Garden. If you live on Savignyplatz, you are right in the middle of life. The S3, S5, S7 and S9 lines depart from the S-Bahn station, allowing you to cross the city in no time at all.
Auguststraße in Berlin Mitte
Those who want to experience the typical flair of Berlin are drawn to Berlin Mitte. The district is centrally located and boasts beautiful house facades and streets with dense tree cover. The high popularity of the district is reflected in the housing prices, which becomes immediately clear when looking at the rental or purchase prices. The apartments, which are located in old buildings, have been extensively renovated in recent decades. They meet the highest living standards, but at the same time have retained their old building charm.
Auguststraße, which was named after the Prussian Prince August, is particularly interesting. It branches off from Oranienburger Straße, then leads past St. Hedwirg Hospital, crosses Große Hamburger Straße and finally joins Rosenthaler Straße.
The Kurfürstendamm in Charlottenburg
Kurfürstendamm, affectionately known by Berliners and tourists as Ku’damm, is located in the Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf district. It is the largest shopping street in the German capital – 3.5 km long in total. It begins at Rathenauplatz in Grunewald and then leads past the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church before finally merging into Tauentzienstraße. Street cafés, restaurants and stores crowd together here. A five-minute walk away is the KaDeWe, the large department store of the West, where the world’s most expensive brands feel at home.
The air around Kurfürstendamm literally reeks of money, which is undoubtedly reflected in the prices of condominiums.
Klopstockstraße in Berlin Mitte
Klopstockstraße is part of the trendy Hansaviertel district of Berlin Mitte. The district borders the large Tiergarten park to the south and runs along the banks of the Spree to the north. If you take a closer look around Klopstockstraße, you will immediately recognize what a luxurious residential area you are in. The street branches off from Bundesstraße 2, passes very close to the Tiergarten S-Bahn station and ends at Hansaplatz, where the Hansaplatz subway station is located. This makes Klopstockstraße a street with excellent transport connections. If you live here, you are just a stone’s throw away from the English Garden and can enjoy one of the most beautiful residential areas in Berlin.
Popular Berlin districts and their residential areas - an overview
You are now familiar with individual streets and squares that stand out from other residential areas in Berlin due to their unique characteristics. But which districts are particularly popular with people looking to buy a condominium in Berlin? We have put together a comprehensive overview for you.
Zehlendorf
Zehlendorf has a small-town flair – in the middle of the big city of Berlin. Hard to believe, but true. The district of Steglitz-Zehlendorf has retained the typical charm of West Berlin and is now one of the most popular residential areas in Berlin. Families in particular are drawn here because the district has numerous parks and green spaces, is safe and is considered a quiet area. Those who can watch their children grow up here consider themselves lucky. There are plenty of shopping opportunities, small stores, cafés and restaurants. As everywhere in Berlin, a wide variety of cultures come together here, which makes for a varied and diverse living environment. You can reach the city center or the surrounding regions within a short time via the major roads, which is why Zehlendorf is also extremely popular with commuters. Would you like to know what makes the district so special, how high the quality of life is here and what the residents particularly appreciate? Find out in our detailed report on the Zehlendorf district, what to look out for if you want to buy a property in Zehlendorf.
Steglitz
The district of Steglitz belongs to the borough of Steglitz-Zehlendorf. It lies between Schöneberg to the north-east, Dahlem to the west, Lichterfelde to the south and Lankwitz to the south-east, in the south-west of Berlin’s city center. Steglitz is characterized by its small-town flair. There is probably no other district in Berlin where it is so relaxing to stroll through the streets, stop off at small cafés and still be close to the city center. Residents appreciate the tranquillity and the excellent residential location of the district. The district has the Steglitz city park as well as a large park with a cemetery. Those looking for a weekend getaway with the family are drawn to the nearby Botanical Gardens. The Charité hospital, with its Benjamin Franklin campus, is located in the Lichterfelde district, but borders directly on Steglitz. The transport links are excellent, which is particularly popular with commuters who have to travel to work in the Berlin area every day. In our In this exclusive article about Berlin Steglitz, you will find out what to look out for when looking for an apartment in Steglitz, what political views the residents of the district have and what advantages make the district an irresistible place to live.
Friedrichshain
The Friedrichshain district of Berlin is one of the trendiest districts in the German capital. There are numerous apartments here that date back to the Wilhelminian era and have been extensively renovated in recent years. The residential area has experienced a huge upswing in the last decade. Nevertheless, it is still a district where artists, students and other free spirits live. The apartments are in good condition, which is accelerating the steady rise in property prices. Until some time ago, Friedrichshain was mainly frequented by people from the left-wing scene. But the district has developed rapidly. The development process is far from complete, but it can already be seen that Friedrichshain is becoming one of Berlin’s most popular residential areas. Would you like to find out more about this unique district and what you should look out for when buying an apartment in Berlin Friedrichshain? Then be sure to read our detailed article about this trendy district of Berlin.
Wedding
The district of Wedding belongs to the borough of Berlin Mitte. Hardly any other district in Berlin is as culturally diverse as Wedding. People from many different countries come together here to create a dynamic, varied and interesting mix. Seestraße is without doubt the central shopping street in Wedding. It has important stores as well as cafés, restaurants and bars. The Virchow Clinic of Berlin’s Charité hospital is also located on this emblematic street, which runs diagonally through Wedding from west to east. In the Volkspark Rehberge, many people go for a walk on warm summer afternoons. Many of them live in Wedding, others travel there from other parts of the city to enjoy nature or swim in Plötzensee. Those who find an apartment on the Schifffahrtskanal can consider themselves particularly lucky. The view is beautiful and the apartments have recently been renovated. There are now modern new buildings in former vacant lots. The Moabit district opposite can be reached via several bridges. Would you like to learn more about the history of Wedding and find out why investing in this Berlin district is particularly worthwhile? Then be sure to read our comprehensive article about Condominiums in Wedding.
Moabit
The district of Moabit is also part of the Berlin Mitte district and is also known as an island by the inhabitants of the German capital. The district is framed by rivers and canals in all directions. Wedding is located in the north of Moabit. It can be reached via bridges that cross the shipping canal. To the south, Moabit is bordered by the Spree, which separates the district from Tiergarten and Charlottenburg to the south. Moabit is very centrally located and delights residents with its quiet, balanced residential area. Many new construction projects have been built here in recent years, including high-quality, high-priced condominiums. In one exclusive article we have compiled all the information you need to know about the Berlin district of Moabit. Among other things, we inform you about the political views of the residents, how good the infrastructure is and which streets could be considered for investment.
Neukölln
The district of Neukölln is one of the largest districts in the German capital. It borders Treptow-Köpenick to the east, Tempelhof-Schöneberg to the west, Friedrichshain-Kreuzberg to the north and Brandenburg to the south. It is one of the districts with the highest population density in Germany. Just under 7300 people live here per square kilometer. A district that appears in documents in the middle of the 14th century under the name Richardsdorp and has developed into one of Berlin’s most popular residential areas over the last few centuries. Among other things, it is home to Germany’s most successful hotel, the Hotel Estrel, which recorded a turnover of over 77 million euros in 2019. If you would like to find out more about the housing market in Neukölln and are considering investing in this Berlin district, you should definitely read our detailed Article about condominiums in Neukölln read.
Schöneberg
Until recently, Schöneberg was one of the most affluent areas of the German capital. In the 1920s, people here were in the middle of the golden age. German stars such as Marlene Dietrich also walked the streets of Schöneberg. A century ago, the district was not yet part of Berlin’s city center. But due to Berlin’s explosive expansion, things are different today. The district is a place of contrasts. To this day, the streets are lined with houses from the Wilhelminian era. The condominiums in the old buildings have been extensively renovated, which explains the sharp rise in rents and purchase prices. The rainbow colors of the gay community light up right next to a magnificent façade. Germany’s first gay bar opened in Schöneberg many years ago. Berlin’s diversity, which attracts thousands of visitors to the German capital every year, is also reflected in the Schöneberg district. In our detailed article about Schöneberg you can find out how purchase prices for condominiums in this district have developed in recent years. We explain what you should look out for when looking for an apartment in Schöneberg, which streets and neighborhoods are particularly popular and where the best restaurants in the district are located.
Prenzlauer Berg
Until the 1990s, Prenzlauer Berg was regarded as one of Berlin’s trendiest districts. But over the last 30 years, the district has undergone a major transformation. In Prenzlberg, as the district is affectionately called by its residents, one café follows the next. Today, it is mainly young, affluent couples and families who live here. On a walk through the residential area, a young mother with a baby carriage walks past you every second. What used to be part of the scene is now trendy. Thousands of tourists are drawn to Prenzlauer Berg every year. While some stroll through the streets looking for high-end jewelry in the luxurious boutiques, others meet up with their friends for a drink in one of the hip bars. In our article about the If you are looking for a condominium in Prenzlauer Berg, we will look at the price trends in this district. We will tell you where new construction projects are planned and what price per square meter you can expect when investing in this Berlin district.
