Am looking at http://www.vrbo.com/141420

for May, Has anyoe stayed here? I searched the forums and didn't find it.

I have been in contact with the owner, but just looking for another opinion, there are no reviews from guests on vrbo.com

Thanks!

I have not stayed here, but I can tell you something about the location:

- First, and most important: You have easy access to the U-Bahn, so you can reach every other place in Berlin.

- The neighborhood is built of historic houses, many of them renovated. The neighborhood is very mixed. Expect an urban mixture of YUPPIES, students, Turkish immigrants, greens and anarchists. In London, Notting Hill would be comparable.

- The pictures look very good.

I hesitate to be negative, but I'm not sure about that area. Looking at the map, it seems to be in between 2 u-bahn stops that I think can be a little dicey-- Kotbusser Tot and Moritzpl.-- I can check further for you if you'd like.

I love the part of Kreuzberg that is closer to Mehringdam, around Bergmanstrasse.

thanks for the info on the 'hood!

Surie, you say dicey, can you be more specific? For context, we live in a fairly gentrified, though mixed area with million dollar condos, projects, old-school co-ops, Mitchell-Llama mixed income housing and tenements all within spitting distance of each other. Neighborhood is mixed economically and racially with Puerto Rican/Dominican social clubs sharing blocks with "trendy" bars and restaurants. I don't find it dicey, though I know some would. FWIW, our neighborhood is classified as "transitional,"--though I think it moved beyond that 10-15 years ago. Just looking for clarification.

On another note, the owner is in California, not Berlin, any feedback as to that being problematic in anyone else's experience?

Also, if anyone has another recommendation for Berlin apt, am game for it--we do prefer to be in the Kreuzberg neighborhood.

Thanks!

cherrybomb-- I was afraid that would sound ambiguous, but I remember my daughter saying one of those 2 u-bahn stations gave her the creeps because of the guys hanging around. I'll have to get more specifics. I could very well be wrong!

Berlin on the whole feels very safe, and a lot of the neighborhoods have a great mix.

You might want to ask about the stairs-- how much of a walk-up it is. I don't think the owner being absentee is a problem, because it looks like it was done up nicely as an investment property and there will be a caretaker locally.

I'll try to get some factual info for you!

Thanks Surie.

I asked on the stairs--there are 4 in the building entryway, apt is ground floor on the back of the building--I'd prefer the front and a higher floor, but, the apt does look nice. I actually asked them to email me a shot of the exterior and the stairs to be sure as that is a make or break point for me which I assume you are referring to if you have read any of my other posts.

If it is just men hanging around, well, welcome to my neighborhood! I am used to that and catcalls that accompany it.

What has me off a bit is that they have been rather slow with the correspondence--it took a week to hear back on just whether it was available and the response was "it is available, would you like to book it." Nothing more. I am now just waiting on the question of exterior and who we will be dealing with for management/caretaker. I don't think I am being too high maintenance on the questions--who knows?

I know the neigbhorhood. You will probably feel like at home.

Thanks Traveller, I figured.

Traveller-- I thought you were describing Kreuzberg in general-- sorry! You actually know the neighborhood so that's reassuring.

cherrybomb-- I mentioned stairs because high walk-ups are pretty common in Berlin, in apts I've seen.
Maybe the people you're talking to are managers, since they don't seem personally interested.

I guess I need to broaden my horizens in Kreuzberg! I'll be interested to hear where you end up.

No worries Surie--I didn't mean to sound like I took offense with the stairs--it is a make or break for me!

It is an american yahoo email address so who knows, they may just be slower and I am wanting instant grat.

I just looked at the link for the rest of the pictures. The neighborhood looks fun and lively, and if that's the building, it's gorgeous!