Expats of Berlin: Ananya Chattaraj (Entrepreneur, India)

Ananya moved from Kolkata (East India) to Berlin in 2019. At the time, her plan wasn’t fixed. A few internships lined up, opportunities to grow came along with a few temporary apartments; then the pandemic hit. Things slowed down, doors opened, and she’s still here six years later, calling Berlin home — “at least for now.”

Building a new life in Berlin meant starting over socially. She made friends through work and daily life, but many eventually left the city, as is common among expats. “You have to learn to let go”. Over time, she learned to live with the rhythm of constant change: meeting people, creating connections, and saying goodbye.

Cultural adjustments always happen: Berlin’s nightlife is interesting, but picnics in the park and quiet afternoons in open fields are small pauses she cherishes, even if her friends back in India tease her for being “too contemplative.”

Adapting to Berlin as an Expat

Ananya is an independent entrepreneur looking to start her own business. As of now, it’s a stealth project, but she spilled the tea about her side hustle, which is event management for another startup. In the end, everything makes sense. 

She describes her fluid approach to Berlin through startup culture. The town provides enough stimulation to keep her busy networking for investors and connections while also giving her space to slow down. “People here have boundaries,” which she appreciates as much as its thrift shopping culture and the occasional Sunday brunch.

The German language remains on her to-do list. She’s not fluent (yet), but found ways to communicate through body language and broken German: grandiose hand gestures, resilience, and persistence. Despite this challenge, she says she hasn’t dealt with overwhelming bureaucracy. 

Feeling at Home Through Movement

Ananya lives in Mitte, the heart of Berlin. It’s busy, vibrant… and expensive. She thinks Berlin is no longer affordable, as most preach. The higher rent in Berlin now means the price of comfort, safer spaces, and better community experiences — she accepts it as the cost of living in the city’s most dynamic and sought-after district.

Learning to use the BVG system made her feel at home. From the tangled U-Bahn lines to the slow trams and endless bus routes, it gave her a new sense of control and freedom. Finally, she stopped feeling like “just” an expat and started feeling more like a local. 

She had landed. 

Discovering A4ord Services

Ananya first found A4ord through a promo on Instagram. The platform stood out because it was fully written in English, removing the stress of translation apps or guessing instructions. For someone not fluent in German, this seemingly minor detail matters a lot. 

Her first A4ord booking was for a handyman. The experience was positive — he was very professional, kind, and reassuring. The job was done well, and she felt safe in her space.

The next booking was for cleaning. The lady who came worked carefully, and the results were good. But what stayed with her the most was not only the quality, but also the sense of familiarity in the interaction, which reminded her of the warmth of her country. For her, it showed the service makes everyday life smoother.

What makes A4ord practical for her is its accessibility. She can book, explain her needs in English, and trust that the work will be handled. “I don’t have to use Google Translate.” This fits her expat lifestyle, as she manages her first long-term apartment while living in a metropolis.

Ananya plans to continue using A4ord for her cleaning and other tasks. Pets are not part of her life now, though she has said she might consider it one day if she had a partner to share the responsibility. We dare to say she’ll hire our A4ord Pet Services, too. 

What would you advise someone moving to Berlin tomorrow?

–To keep an open mind.