Nice article, as a born berliner I can confirm all of this. Actually I can add, that by law you have to register yourself at a Buergeramt within 7 days. It's funny how in our german minds bureaucrats could care less about you standing in line and yourself feeling like just another number. (considering what I have gone through in other countries I have to agree with you) Thanks for sharing! :)

> If you want to have a good time, lots of interesting pubs, cool clubs, great restaurants, frequent and varied meet ups, and a constant stream of level 7 hipsters with some questionably placed facial tatoos walking by, then you should try these neighbourhoods.

Any recommendations for neighborhoods that don't have "level 7 hipsters"? ;)

Kreuzberg has nice spots where not only level 7 hipsters are hanging out. Friedrishain is way worse (if you consider that worse, some enjoy hipster presence). Personally I don't mind hipsters, they are usually nice people.

I liked Neukoelln but was only there for a couple weeks.

Very helpful, thanks!

For free-time / nightlife / neighbourhoods, I find the Vice guide actually quite helpful:

http://www.vice.com/read/the-vice-guide-to-berlin-2014-124

Nice article! Have fun in Berlin, it's a great city.