I'm a female traveling to Berlin for 3-4 days in May and I've found an apartment online at http://www.bandb-ring.de/p/map.htm.

Here is part of the description:

"Here you find an apartment with a wonderful view to the TV-tower and the water tower in the heart of the scene-surrounding nr. 1 in Berlin, the Prenzlauer Berg.

Your host offers his private flat from time to time.
You should accept it, that he will come in the flat because he needs clothes and other stuff, but normally you will never see him. So this flat is nothing for people who are used to spend vacation time in a "sterile, normal holiday flat", but it is excellent for people who would like to discover Berlin and who want not pay hotel price. Your host can be asked for recommendations and casual guided tours."

Has anyone ever used this site to find a place or stayed in a similar place? It seems kind of weird that the owner would be renting out his home, yet be near enough that he would need to come in for clothes, etc.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

I would never rent a flat with the owner wandering through at his leisure - sounds like he's staying with a friend nearby to save money.

You might want to read this article that appeared in Travel + Leisure:

http://www.travelandleisure.com/invo...04BA310F5D9C00

I haven't reread it, but if I recall correctly, Prenzlauer Berg is in the former East Berlin and is now becoming trendy. I'd opt for a neighborhood in the former West Berlin myself.

The owner is probably an East Berliner who is trying to make a little money on the side. And I wouldn't want an owner walking in on me to pick up clothes...

Yes, Penzlauer Berg is a gentrifying neighborhood in the former East Berlin.

I just couldn't quite figure out where the scene was exactly when I was there.

Do you have an exact street address? I'm sure that there're people here who know better.

Well, I'll say this much for you, Jeb0228: like some of us here you've figured out that MITTE isn't the ONLY place to stay in Berlin.

I'm not sure I'd go for the periodic
intrusions" unless you're up for some foreign intrigue and on-the-spot romance. After all, if the stud is hot and you are single, well....but not being sure of any of that I'd look elsewhere.

Enjoy your trip to Berlin..it is a wonderful city.

Thank you all for your input. I have to say I really don't feel comfortable with it, so I think I'll try to find something else. The apartment is located in Knaackstrasse in 10405 Berlin, near the Kollwitzplatz. That's the area I'm interested in, but I have to admit I don't know that much about the other neighborhoods. How easy is it to travel between them? Are certain neighborhoods safer than others?

Prenzaluer Berg is not "gentrifying", it is already completely gentrified. The area has lots of bars, and has been completely spruced up in the last 15 years - so the argument that it's owned by an "East" and thus economically disadvantaged Berliner is not valid 15 years after reunification. The Kollwitzplatz area is very residential & very sought after, and should be full of life & people due to the many shops & restaurants. It also hosts the one and only undestroyed synagogue in Berlin.

Public transpo is great, the subway is like 2 blocks away, and there are tons of trams and buses. It runs 24/7 so going to/from places is always easy!!

Have a great time!