Purchase or construction in Berlin / surrounding areas, realistic?

The tenor here is quite sobering after all, basically the tenor goes in the direction: Definitely don’t build, maybe buy, but only very far out or no house at all?

Unfortunately, I have to join all the previous commentators, building is probably no longer possible with that budget combined with the region. I would look for an existing house, at least there won’t be any nasty surprises regarding additional costs that can arise during construction. Renovation and refurbishment can also be done gradually if it’s not too urgent.

We have had postcards/letters in the mailbox a few times where people introduced themselves and mentioned that they have been looking for a house here for a long time and would be very happy to be contacted if there was ever any intention to sell. Maybe that would be something for you too, to drop something in mailboxes in the areas where you’d like to go.

This question about having children is asked to me as a childless woman in my age group more often than anything else, it somehow gives the impression that there is nothing else relevant in life.

And when you do have one, they nag you for years about when the second one is coming, after all, you shouldn’t leave the poor child an only child (I’ve been hearing that for 10 years too :rolleyes:)! In one ear and out the other is all I have to say!

I would look for an existing house, at least there won’t be any nasty surprises regarding additional costs that can occur during construction.

I really don’t like being a spoilsport here, but I don’t think so. Possible defects and damages are much better hidden in an existing building because everything is already "built over." Waterproofing in the base area is not done properly: masonry absorbs moisture, but you won’t see it until two years later because of the fresh paint. Vapor barrier to the roof is leaky: condensation water in the ceiling insulation causes mold between the drywall ceiling and OSB boards in the attic! Ventilation of the sewage system is incorrectly designed: water constantly flows back, but only when the property and the shower are in use at the same time... :rolleyes: Sorry

I have to say, though, that your salaries seem a bit low for your jobs, even for Berlin

Absolutely, that may be true in absolute terms, but relatively speaking, at 28 you are just "starting to get going", or do you think they are already experts after just a few years? She says it herself:

I don't want to change jobs at the moment, I enjoy my other privileges in this job too much. We've only really been in the job for 3 years anyway.

As a childless woman my age, I feel like I get asked this question about having children more often than anything else.

I know (and now even enjoy) the looks on some people's faces when I say that I don't plan to swap my combustion engine car for an electric one. Sometimes I even add that I'm actually leaning towards an SUV. The pitying looks from some vegans when I mention coming from a family of butchers are also wonderful. Yes, the social pressure to have children from the perfect supermoms, who meanwhile dictated their doctoral thesis into their phone in the delivery room, is sometimes right on the edge of you don't even know what exactly. At least at twenty-eight you can still say for the next seven years that you "want to finish your career first." Just say you’re already clients of a cryo-trust and will schedule a thawing date as soon as your boyfriend earns enough after the wedding so you can stay at home. Then you’ll have killed two birds with one stone: peace with the future neighbors and with the salary debaters here *smile*

I really don't like playing the spoilsport here,

I would first visit an existing house and, if seriously interested/intending to buy, take a building surveyor/expert with me ;)

I don't want to change right now, I enjoy my other privileges in this job too much. After all, we've only been really in the job for "just" 3 years.

Seen absolutely, that may be true, relatively speaking, you only really "start walking" at 28, or do you think they are already experts after a few years? She writes it herself:

I just see that the topic has already been discussed countless times - so please ignore (at least partly). ;)