living in Frankfurt or Berlin

Have a look at ToyTown Germany, a forum for English speaking expatriates in Germany. If you browse/search through the older topics, you'll find many useful answers.

Both cities are pretty high listed in Mercer's list of best cities if it comes to quality of living.

Frankfurt is more central in Germany and Europe and better connected with the rest of the world. E.g. much more direct intercontinental flights. Many people commute to Frankfurt for work. The city has more commuters than inhabitants. That's a bit like Manhatten would be an independent city. Frankfurt is the only city in Germany which has skyscrapers to speak off. It's also the banking capital of Germany. Thus at least 2 things it has common with NYC.

Berlin is in size (area) nearly identical with NYC. With 3,5 mio inhabitants less crowded. Before WWII the city had over 4 mio inhabitants and the infrastructure was planned for 4,5 to 5 mio. This has positive and negative aspects. Berlin is a relative poor city, the GDP per head is lower than the national GDP per head - certainly unique for a capital city. For these reason housing situation is better and cheaper than in Frankfurt. If it comes to cultural offers and the whole vibe of the city it comes closer to NYC than Frankfurt.

both cities have international shools - private
the access to people seems easier in Berlin -
Frankfurt is a rather expensive city- housing and living costs
Plenty of museums theater opera and the surrounding like Darmstadt and Wiesbaden within 50 km the same
if you know can give you tips about Frankfurt

Frankfurt is mainly about business and money (being the banking-capital).
Berlin is (of course) bigger and a lot more diverse - more creative, off-culture, a lot more about living. The different parts of Berlin also each have their own character.
Both are international, Berlin definitely has lots of Expats from USA/ Canada.
I don't think Frankfurt has anything in common with NYC except some (very few) skyscrapers and both having a stock exchange...
The housing market is a lot tighter in Frankfurt and also a lot more expensive (I'd say at least 20%). Compared to NYC, it'll still be cheap, though :-)

A word of warning, if you happen to be looking at renting a place...many real estate agents in germany have fees to pay...these can sometimes be up to three months rent, and are payable even (like in my case) the estate agent only emails you a phone number. SO if you are looking at renting a place while finding a real house, remember to keep an eye out for these costs.

Also look at the Frankfurter Rundschau website at http://fr-online.immonet.de/. not available in english, but an internet translator will get most of the difficult words for you!

thanks everyone!--#4 in we have all sorts of those kinds of fees here, u thanks for the warning often in NYC that payment (if it is in addition to a security deposit) is usually called 'key money'--sometimes it ends up in the pockets of the buiding superintendent...though it isn' t legal--(at least that way) if you want the key...you pay!

Adding to hexagarm, note that legally estate agents-fees must not exceed 2 months rent + VAT (currently 19%) = 2,38 months rent - even in case all the agents does is shoving you through the flat along with a group of other (prospective) lodgers. The fee applies once you've signed the contract.

Yet in return, this often means that in case less than this amount is charged, there's something wrong with the place (unpopular neighbourhood, outdated sanitary or heating facilities etc.) - so be aware!

Obviously it's cheaper to rent from the owner directly, yet this will (significantly) limit the variety of places to choose from. Frankfurt has a competitive (rental) market, most interesting objects will be in the hands of agents. Berlin, on the other hand, is supposed to be more relaxed in this aspect (as well).