Alex's place is SO close to public transportation. We visited most major attractions and figured out the city transit fairly easily. Alex's house is very cleanly and is a welcome respite from the city below. His particular location in Pankow is very quiet and there are many families taking children to school throughout the day; the neighborhood is safe. Don't be put off by Grafitti; Berlin is full of it. Some walls in town can even be bought strictly to paint on. It's very different from the US and we'll miss Alex's home very much.