A chance to spend a year in San Sebastián or Berlin - but need a garden.

[Freedomprogramme]

Hi mumsnet,
We may have a chance to live in one of these two cities in a couple of years due to my husbands work. We would go for just a year and keep our house.
I’m at a bit daunted by the prospect but have said that I will be up for it provided I have a garden. Can anyone provide any information about places to live in or near these city where it would be realistic to rent a place with a garden for non-crazy prices? Any other information about being an expat there will be very welcome as well. DH is an academic so middle income.

You'd struggle to find a garden anywhere near the centre of Berlin, I think.

Both amazing places. Do you mean an actual garden or would a balcony suffice? Are you willing to live outside the city in the suburbs?

Why do you need a garden? I'd find a nice flat near a big park if it was me.

Yes I would live in Suburbs for sake of having garden

Husband would be connected to Uni so a half hour train ride would work.

Loads of amazing parks in Berlin, and lovely apartments with balconies.

San Sebastián every time

What a gorgeous place - loved Berlin but no contest

Maybe a huge balcony could occupy me for a year..........in Spain there would be all the different plants to play with...

If the garden is because you like gardening, rather than for DC to play, could you look at volunteer, paid or guerrilla gardening?

For a year, I'd immerse myself in city life and use the parks for exercise and save DH an hour a day of commuting.

As for San Sebastian or Berlin, that's a tough choice, can he do one and go for the other next year. As it happens, those two destinations are the two city breaks we've had cancelled due to COVID, well we were planned to go to Malaga last April, got cancelled, used the flight voucher to book San Sebastian last autumn, got cancelled, rebooked to Berlin a few weeks ago, got cancelled.

Definitely San Sebastian, all the amazing areas in France and Spain near by as well.

Which do you speak better? German or Spanish? Many people will speak some English, but having a good command of the local language will also help immensely. What do you want to grow or do you just want a garden to sit in?

Will your husband be coming home for lunch in either venue? Presumably the working day might be quite different hours to the UK.

I'm in France and some of my jobs have had 2 hours off for lunch.

“If the garden is because you like gardening, rather than for DC to play, could you look at volunteer, paid or guerrilla gardening?”

That might work well, good idea. Not sure if they will want foreigners....maybe local hospital garden, etc.

I will work too (can work anywhere)
He wouldn’t have fixed hours (research)

Ooh!

www.visitberlin.de/en/urban-gardening-berlin

Allotments are a big thing all over Germany, the term is Klein Garten

Cost to rent about €1 per day, some areas may have waiting lists so you could find some and get a flat near wherever they are available Good luck.

https://www.berlin.de/special/immobilien-und-wohnen/balkon-und-garten/927039-739650-kleingartenwiemaneinenbekommtundwasdortp.html

https://www.gartenfreunde-berlin.de/service/kleingarten-aber-wie

Surely if you're only there a year, it probably won't be worth your while starting a garden? I would find a different hobby for a year and enjoy the parks instead.

Klein Garten thing sounds ideal - and sociable too. Thank you.