Frans' apartment is in the heart of the Friedrichshain neighborhood, a place replete with nightlife, restaurants, and charm.
For people who want to be in the heart of the Friedrichshain neighborhood, the location is excellent— minutes walk away from Ostkreuz station & near the best nightlife in the world.
Yet, something strange happened: When I went to write my review after my month-long stay, I noticed that the price of the apartment had increased by nearly 300% since my booking.
Lucrative increases in rent cause a vicious cycle that drives out the people who give Fridrichshain its character, as homeowners opt to rent out their homes through Airbnb at high prices and move elsewhere, raising the rent floor for locals. That said, I would never recommend this Airbnb for $154 per night (price as of 2/27/2022).
Friedrichshain has an undeniable charm: Young people cruise the restaurant and party scenes, small business owners offer incredible food & drinks, and new families smile and walk along the graffiti-filled streets.
Predatory pricing and greed in rental markets threaten the livelihood of the people who make Friedrichshain special.
Frans has been a responsive and kind host; the apartment is convenient, yet I urge against Airbnb guests from fueling greed in rent markets.
The check-in process went smoothly, though it was a bit disorienting after a long flight. The room is dusty, and there is no dining table. ($154 a night, not including the cleaning fee, for a room with no dining table? What?! Just get a hotel.)
All in all, the apartment's strength is its location in the Friedrichshain neighborhood; its fatal flaw is its value for both Airbnb guests and the local community.
Berlin doesn't need to join the international collection of high-priced soulless cityscapes. Keep it weird. :)