Berlin

Berlin remains Europe's capital of cool, but the "poor but sexy" days are long gone—now it's just expensive and crowded. For software engineers, it offers a vibrant ecosystem with a high quality of life rather than maximum wealth accumulation. The social safety net is strong, and the culture is incredibly open and diverse. However, the daily reality involves battling a broken housing market and a hostile bureaucracy. Recent Reddit sentiment has shifted from "come here, it's a party" to "come only if you have a job secured and patience for administration." It is a city that trades convenience for character.