I'd leave the UK in a heartbeat for a European city 2 hours away - not in France or Spain

Everyone has one city away from home they have fallen in love with. Whenever I'm asked the classic question, "If youcould live anywhere in the world, where would you move to?" My answer has always been the same: "I don't know."

I have been to four different countries, but countless citiesand despite how beautiful these places are, they never felt like they could be home. That was until I stepped foot in Berlin,Germany. I'm surprised by saying this, but if I had the opportunity, I would ditch the UK and move there in a heartbeat.

This European city is vibrant, rich in history and art, (somewhat) affordable, and incredibly diverse, but most importantly, it allows you to be your authentic self.

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Berlin is shamelessly distinctive

A 'world-renowned spiritual and self-love teacher' and bestselling author, Shannon Kaiser, brilliantly captured Berlin on her blog Play With The World and said: "This city has no shame.

"Anything goes, and here there is more attention on creative expression and individual exploration than possessions or even success. A delicate balance of glamour meets grit; the city has a pulse of its own.

"In the last twenty years, the city has become a giant hub of cultural and creative experimentation, thanks to an abundance of space, cheap rent, and a free-wheeling spirit that nurtures and encourages new ideas."

I come from Croydon, the 'London borough of culture'. Croydon is also renowned for its rough-and-ready lifestyle and celebrated musicians, but it's withering away due to economic struggles and encroaching gentrification.

London itself seems to be transforming into a hollow version of what it once was, plagued by extortionate living costs, rising crime levels, and the decline of markets, nightlife, and traditional boozers.

Every borough once boasted its own distinct character and charm, yet now your local kebab house has been swept aside for a GAIL's. Berlin felt like entering a paradise that echoed memories of home, only more stunning, vibrant and alive with creativity.

Every structure possessed personality, whether through distinctive colours or unusual architecture, in stark contrast to London's polished 'spotless' tower blocks.

It might sound daft, but the moment I spotted those brilliant yellow trams rolling down the street, I was absolutely delighted - though the most remarkable feature was the enormous quantity of street art covering every surface.

A metropolis of creativity and heritage

Berlin has earned the nickname 'the city whose walls tell stories'. According to IMAGO, "The modern Berlin graffiti culture traces its origins to the Cold War era, particularly with the construction of the Berlin Wall in 1961.

"The Wall, dividing East and West Berlin, became an iconic canvas for political dissent and artistic expression. As early as the 1970s, graffiti began to appear, with artists using the Wall to voice their opinions and to express their personal and political beliefs."

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 brought together artists from both sides, transforming once desolate areas like Friedrichshain and Mitte into vibrant canvases adorned with murals and a variety of graffiti styles. For those who appreciate art and history, Berlin is a treasure trove of museums, with one district even known as Museum Island.

The city pays a fitting tribute to the Jewish lives lost during World War 2 with the Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe, an experience that felt surreal but was striking in its unique architecture.

An English-speaking city

One of the best aspects of Berlin was how open-minded and comfortable the locals were about speaking English. In fact, many were quite taken with my accent - a rare compliment from our European neighbours.

While Paris and Barcelona are undoubtedly beautiful, some locals could be rather curt if you weren't fluent in their language. However, when I came across locals who only spoke German, I was fortunate to have AI glasses, Rokid, which translated German to English in real time right in the lenses.

These smart glasses were much quicker than using a translation app and provided built-in assistance whenever I found myself in a bind. When my phone ran out of battery, these glasses also offered help with their message and call feature or could play music when I needed some entertainment.

They retail for around £406 on Kickstarter but are worth every penny if, like me, you don't speak any foreign languages and want to travel solo.

Berlin is not only affordable but also boasts an excellent public transport system that's a breeze for tourists to navigate, almost on par with London's Transport for London (TFL).

Travelling around Berlin is significantly cheaper than in London. The Deutschlandticket, priced at €58 (or £50), offers unlimited access to public transport across Germany for a month, not just within Berlin.

In comparison, a monthly ticket covering zones one to six in London, which is three times the size of Berlin, will set you back £313.40.

According to travel writer Nomad And In Love, renting in Berlin is much more affordable than in London. A one-bedroom flat in the German capital can cost between £600 and £800, while in London, the same could cost anywhere from £1,000 to £2,000.

The nightlife in Berlin is not only cheaper but also more vibrant and entertaining than in London. The Germans have a unique and cool sense of style, and they certainly know how to party.

Even the restaurants and bars scattered around the city are full of character and charm. However, it's worth noting that in Berlin, KitKat refers to a notorious nightclub, not the chocolate bar.

Any drawbacks?

Like any bustling city, it can be quite noisy and crowded. When I feel overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle, I pop in my noise-cancelling earbuds to drown out the unnecessary noise, especially when using public transport.

I'd recommend the Status Audio Pro X for £224, which offers a transformative experience where the world becomes silent and your music is elevated.

Sadly, homelessness was a heartbreaking sight on the streets, a problem that's not unique to this city, but still distressing to witness. The city may be compact, but it's larger than Paris in size.

Chatting with some locals, they expressed their preference for London due to its cultural diversity. However, during my exploration of the city, I encountered people from all walks of life. As someone of mixed heritage, I felt more at ease walking around Berlin than I did in Barcelona.

Even though I only spent a week in Berlin, it felt like a second home, a connection I've never experienced elsewhere. I adore the UK and my city, but the world is so much bigger and better than I could have ever imagined.