Our Second Charlottenburg based parent for the Berlin Locals Series although this time on the boarder of Schöneberg.
Which Kiez or neighbourhood of Berlin do you & your family live in?
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, although sometimes I also say Wilmersdorf-Schöneberg because it’s right on the border of the three districts. We live near Berliner Str.
How long have you been living there?
nearly three months
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
It is centrally located - about a 20 min walk to Kurfürstendamm. My street and neighborhood are really quiet, but on the main streets one finds everything. It is really close to Volkspark and Prager Platz.
Are there any aspects you don’t like about your neighbourhood?
I wish there were a big organic grocery store (like LPG) nearby. It looks like one is opening soon on Bundesalle/Trautenaustr.
Where do you most like to go in your neighbourhood during the Spring / Summer months with the kids?
We haven’t spent spring or summer in Berlin yet, but we plan on visiting the Zoo quite often as it’s only 20 minutes walking distance. I recently got a membership for my daughter to the Spielsprachschule (language play school) on Wexstr. She goes there once a week.
Where do you most like to go in your neighbourhood during the Autumn / Winter months with the kids?
This winter we spent a lot on playgrounds even though it was cold. We visit the French Institute at least once a month as it’s less than half an hour away.
Are you aware of many other international families living in your neighbourhood?
I haven’t met any, but in nearby Schöneberg I have.
Do you think your neighbourhood is suitable for families who can’t yet speak German?
Yes, the Germans love speaking English! There are many hotels in the neighbourhood, indicating that many visitors stay in the area too.
Is it easy to get around your neighbourhood with public transport or is having a car more vital where you live?
There are two UBahn lines: U9/U7 and the Bus 104 is right around the corner. If one needs the SBahn, Bundesplatz is a 20-minute walk away. There are two Citee cars (carsharing) in the neighbourhood available for rental. It costs only €1 an hour, and I think €0,29 per kilometre. Special rates if you want to take a car for a whole weekend away. One just has to reserve it in advance.
What is the quality of playgrounds in your neighbourhood and do you have a favourite?
There is one on Spichernstrasse on the way to Ku’damm. Volkspark also has two. The closest playground to us is on Nikolsburgerplatz, but it’s for older kids.
Did you find it easy to attain a suitable childcare spot in your neighbourhood?
Yes, my daughter got a spot within five weeks of searching. Until entry, she went to Max & Moritz Europa Kindergarten, an English-German facility offering pay-as-you- go childcare for up to four months.
Are there any bilingual schools / kitas in your vicinity?
Yes, Spanish-German, English-German, French-German, and Italian-German. The Swedish school is across the road from us.
Do you have a favourite child-friendly restaurant or cafe nearby?
There is Kiiwii, a restaurant with a large indoor play space.
Can you describe your neighbourhood in five words / adjectives?
Authentic, convenient, central, established, heterogeneous
Do you have any tips for a family considering a move to your neighbourhood?
Go to the Rathaus Schöneberg to do the Anmeldung as it is open for walk-ins on most Tuesdays. See if you qualify for a Wohnberechtigungsschein, as there appears to be a lot of social housing apartments here. Go to the Jugendamt o Hohenzollerndamm
near Fehrbellinerplatz because they are relatively efficient and helpful. I got my Kitagutschein within eight days!
Charlottenburg-Wilmersdorf, although sometimes I also say Wilmersdorf-Schöneberg because it’s right on the border of the three districts. We live near Berliner Str.
How long have you been living there?
nearly three months
What do you like most about your neighbourhood?
It is centrally located - about a 20 min walk to Kurfürstendamm. My street and neighborhood are really quiet, but on the main streets one finds everything. It is really close to Volkspark and Prager Platz.
Are there any aspects you don’t like about your neighbourhood?
I wish there were a big organic grocery store (like LPG) nearby. It looks like one is opening soon on Bundesalle/Trautenaustr.
Where do you most like to go in your neighbourhood during the Spring / Summer months with the kids?
We haven’t spent spring or summer in Berlin yet, but we plan on visiting the Zoo quite often as it’s only 20 minutes walking distance. I recently got a membership for my daughter to the Spielsprachschule (language play school) on Wexstr. She goes there once a week.
Where do you most like to go in your neighbourhood during the Autumn / Winter months with the kids?
This winter we spent a lot on playgrounds even though it was cold. We visit the French Institute at least once a month as it’s less than half an hour away.
Are you aware of many other international families living in your neighbourhood?
I haven’t met any, but in nearby Schöneberg I have.
Do you think your neighbourhood is suitable for families who can’t yet speak German?
Yes, the Germans love speaking English! There are many hotels in the neighbourhood, indicating that many visitors stay in the area too.
Is it easy to get around your neighbourhood with public transport or is having a car more vital where you live?
There are two UBahn lines: U9/U7 and the Bus 104 is right around the corner. If one needs the SBahn, Bundesplatz is a 20-minute walk away. There are two Citee cars (carsharing) in the neighbourhood available for rental. It costs only €1 an hour, and I think €0,29 per kilometre. Special rates if you want to take a car for a whole weekend away. One just has to reserve it in advance.
What is the quality of playgrounds in your neighbourhood and do you have a favourite?
There is one on Spichernstrasse on the way to Ku’damm. Volkspark also has two. The closest playground to us is on Nikolsburgerplatz, but it’s for older kids.
Did you find it easy to attain a suitable childcare spot in your neighbourhood?
Yes, my daughter got a spot within five weeks of searching. Until entry, she went to Max & Moritz Europa Kindergarten, an English-German facility offering pay-as-you- go childcare for up to four months.
Are there any bilingual schools / kitas in your vicinity?
Yes, Spanish-German, English-German, French-German, and Italian-German. The Swedish school is across the road from us.
Do you have a favourite child-friendly restaurant or cafe nearby?
There is Kiiwii, a restaurant with a large indoor play space.
Can you describe your neighbourhood in five words / adjectives?
Authentic, convenient, central, established, heterogeneous
Do you have any tips for a family considering a move to your neighbourhood?
Go to the Rathaus Schöneberg to do the Anmeldung as it is open for walk-ins on most Tuesdays. See if you qualify for a Wohnberechtigungsschein, as there appears to be a lot of social housing apartments here. Go to the Jugendamt o Hohenzollerndamm
near Fehrbellinerplatz because they are relatively efficient and helpful. I got my Kitagutschein within eight days!
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the Berlin Locals Series, get in touch
Regular tips and information is also shared on the Berlin for all the Family Facebook page
Sign up to the BFATF email newsletter to receive the latest posts
direct in your inbox here.
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