[oblio]

Sorry for the hipsters, but Berlin is the capital of the biggest economy in Europe and it was once one of the biggest metropolises in the world plus one of the biggest hubs of economy and science.

It was always destined to go towards its past glory once Germany reunited. The only question was: "how long will it take for that to happen?".

[itsmenotyou]

Two points of contention:

1. It's not just hipsters this is affecting

2. This is not necessarily a move towards "glory". Most Berliners value the arts and cultural scene that exists in part due to low rents/cost of living and readily available performance/exhibition spaces. To see Berlin turned into another Silicon Valley would for most of us here be a major downgrade

[oblio]

Ok, to clarify a bit: cities are roughly ranked into categories. The rankings are quite fuzzy but I still think they're a good starting point for discussion: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Global_city

Based on the geostrategic importance of Berlin (capital of Germany, the biggest city in Germany, central position in the EU, etc.) it should be an Alpha+ city, if not an Alpha++ city. Right now it's not due to a historical accident that is being "fixed": the separation into West and East.

According to that study from 2004 (ancient, I agree), Berlin was classified as Beta. For comparison, they classified Bucharest as Beta+. I'm Romanian, but there's no way that makes any sense unless Berlin is "underperforming".

So if you're a Berliner, brace yourself! Want it or not, Berlin will move up in the world to its rightful place and prices will go up accordingly.

[deanCommie]

This list is heavily biased by political influence.

The fact that "Luxembourg" - a glorified village is an "Alpha" city says more about it's significance in the European Union than any amenities/industry/jobs/lifestyle that exist (or rather don't exist) in the city.

[barrkel]

Germany (Prussia in particular) extended quite a ways further east of Berlin when it was capital before; Berlin was the Prussian capital.

It is however very central for Europe, and is fairly well placed for growth in the eastern EU.

[mhomde]

Maybe Leipzig is the new Berlin :)

[Schaulustiger]

It's closer to just being Hypezig.

Source: am from Leipzig.

[rurban]

If so then Dresden. Dresden has all the brains and the industry. Plus it's the most beautiful town in Germany.

[_b8r0]

Nah, Bielefeld is where it's at ;)

[jhoh]

There's no Bielefeld. What are you talking about?

[krylon]

I keep telling people that places like London or Paris are more like the sleepy outskirts of the vibrant metropolis that is Bielefeld. They rarely take me serious, though. ;.-(