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Berlin and Money ?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:46 am
by guerillabass
I am applying for this job in Germany,
but I am not sure how much you would need to live off in Berlin.
I am expected to nominate a preferred salary but...?
I just want to enjoy Berlin and not worry about rent or food.
Job Profile
- Developing concepts for state-of-the-art music software + hardware
Writing technical specifications
Prototyping concepts with graphical tools, mockups and diagrams
Close cooperation with product managers, software developers and graphic designers
You
- Highly creative individual with a clear vision of next generation music production software
A highly critical perspective on software usability
Experience of preparing large, detailed and clearly structured technical documents
Background in software development
Detailed, expert knowledge of computer based music production
Analytical, precise and team oriented
I have a degree in Media production from a top University,
experience in software development
and 10+ years of experience with digital music production.
So,
1) How much should I ask for ?
2)How much will i need for a bottom line ?
Any advice would be appreciated.
thx
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 4:55 am
by Pitch Black
oh Ho! You said hardware/software, so I guess that rules out Abes.
So, it's NI, is it?

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 5:30 am
by sweetjesus
Pitch Black wrote:oh Ho! You said hardware/software, so I guess that rules out Abes.
So, it's NI, is it?

are you a knight who says NI?
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:36 am
by 8O
Relative to other major (west) European cities, Berlin is cheap. Rent is also relatively cheap. However, the employers know this and will generally offer reduced salaries. E.g. the Munich branch of the company I work for give their employees around 10% more than the Berlin branch.
To get an idea for rent, here's a
link to one of the local papers rent listings. It's for Kreuzberg - ideal for NI!

Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:10 pm
by mikemc
8O wrote:Relative to other major (west) European cities, Berlin is cheap. Rent is also relatively cheap. However, the employers know this and will generally offer reduced salaries. E.g. the Munich branch of the company I work for give their employees around 10% more than the Berlin branch.
To get an idea for rent, here's a
link to one of the local papers rent listings. It's for Kreuzberg
wow-- was just curious so checked out the link: there are rents for less than $500-- but this is in a shady part of town frequented by miscreants and where auslanders get rolled, right?
I don't think any major city in the US has rents that low, even in the worst parts of town.
Don't worry
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 3:15 pm
by overdub
I have a flat in Kreuzberg.... 5 minutes walk from NI headquarters, and I love that whole area of Berlin.... Kreuzberg rules..... mine is 100 sq ft.... one room, kithen, bathroom... rent incl. heat 300€ a month.... nice clubs and shops.... cheap restaurants.... close to the river, the U-bahn and a nice park.... you can't go wrong ;o)
See you there
Posted: Fri Jun 20, 2008 8:33 pm
by koneko
rent in kreuzberg for a 60-70qm flat, in a not bad location, should range between 500 and 600 euros "warm", that is, heating and some other monthly costs included. mind the difference between "cold" and "warm" when you look at prices. the "warm" part can be 150-200€ a month, on top.
when renting a flat, 3 month "cold" rent is usually taken for deposit.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:26 am
by guerillabass
Thanks for all the Info people ! much appreciated. Berlin sounds like a great place to live now !!!
So i guess I am looking at about 600 Euro a month rent
And I should be thinking about 30,000 Euro a year ?
What you rekon ?
Cheers
Re: Don't worry
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:27 am
by guerillabass
overdub wrote:I have a flat in Kreuzberg.... 5 minutes walk from NI headquarters, and I love that whole area of Berlin.... Kreuzberg rules..... mine is 100 sq ft.... one room, kithen, bathroom... rent incl. heat 300€ a month.... nice clubs and shops.... cheap restaurants.... close to the river, the U-bahn and a nice park.... you can't go wrong ;o)
See you there
Yep,
if the job werks out,
sounds like I will be.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 12:54 pm
by attackmode
guerillabass wrote:Thanks for all the Info people ! much appreciated. Berlin sounds like a great place to live now !!!
So i guess I am looking at about 600 Euro a month rent
And I should be thinking about 30,000 Euro a year ?
What you rekon ?
Cheers
I have no clue what a software/hardware developer gets in the music industry
but for a general software developer 30k isn't really that much.
It's more like an entry-level salary.
Posted: Sat Jun 21, 2008 2:52 pm
by tamtam
Yes, 30k isn't that much, lots of taxes & social security payments in Germany. All depends on your job experience though. But: Berlin is cheap to live. NI doesn't really pay well, this is what you might get, but aiming a little higher in advance can't hurt.