How do I find the right flat within easy commuting distance?

Start from the new workplace and search in neighbourhoods you can reach in 30 to 45 minutes door to door. Keep your application folder ready digitally, bundle viewings on one day and test the route to work straight away in the morning.

Can I have my move carried out at the weekend?

Saturdays are in demand; we clarify whether your preferred date is free when you enquire. We do not usually move on Sundays and public holidays. With a long-distance move a weekday is often more practical, because in the new place you can reach the key holder, authorities and tradespeople straight away.

How much time should I allow for a commuter move?

For flat hunting from a distance you should allow several weeks, and four to six weeks for planning the move afterwards. The long-distance move itself takes one to two days, depending on the distance. Leave at least one day free between arrival and your first working day.

Is there a flat-rate price for a commuter move?

There is no flat rate. With a long-distance move, the kilometres are added to the basic price by flat size – see the overview ‘What your move really costs’ above. We give you the fixed price after the survey. Also ask your new employer whether they will cover moving costs.

Is a part load sensible for small moves?

Yes, if you are moving to the new city on your own with only a few pieces of furniture. With a part load your belongings travel with other jobs in the same direction. In return, there is a time window for delivery instead of a fixed time.

How do I keep an eye on my job during the move?

Keep your old employer informed about viewing days and clarify the start date with your new employer. Carry your laptop and documents yourself on moving day. If you have leave between the old and new position, schedule the move during that time.

What applies to a long-distance move for commuters?

With a long-distance move you usually need two days: loading and the journey, then unloading at the destination. Clarify the parking space at both addresses with the respective responsible authorities. We drive from Berlin nationwide; more under Long-distance moves .

How do I avoid a longer travel time after the move?

By looking for the flat starting from your workplace and testing the route at the real time before you sign. In an unfamiliar city, maps can easily be deceptive – a line with a direct connection is often more reliable than the shortest route.

What role do public transport links play?

In a new city often the biggest, because you do not know the streets and traffic yet. Check the walk to the stop, the frequency and changes. With the Deutschlandticket you can use local public transport in the new city too without a new subscription. More in part 7 of this series .

How do I organise working from home during the move?

Order the internet connection in the new flat early, because activation can take time. Pack your laptop, charging cables and router separately and carry them yourself. For the first few days a mobile hotspot can help until the connection is up and running.

What should commuters bear in mind when registering their new address?

Within two weeks of moving in, register at the registration office of the new city (§ 17 BMG). You need your ID and the landlord confirmation (Wohnungsgeberbestätigung). Then update your vehicle registration certificate, bank and insurance; book mail forwarding beforehand.

PART 13 · FLAT HUNTING

New job unfamiliar city: flat hunting and viewings from a distance

New employment contract, but no flat yet: how to search in an unfamiliar city without travelling there every week.

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SEARCHING FROM A DISTANCE

Commuter guide, part 13

Finding a flat in a city you hardly know yet

Documents, appointments, caution

Unsere Firma Flat hunting from a distance: digital application folder, bundle viewings on one day, test the route to work and spot fraud.

If you are moving to another city for a new job, you usually look for a flat from a distance – alongside your old job and without knowing the city yet. With preparation, it works: put together a digital application folder, narrow down the districts by route to work and bundle viewings on one or two days on site. That way you do not need a long journey every weekend.

Be careful with offers from a distance: reputable landlords do not ask for a deposit before you have seen the flat and signed the lease. The deposit may amount to no more than three months' net basic rent and can be paid in three instalments (§ 551 BGB). Once the flat is settled, we plan the long-distance move: at Beste Umzug Unternehmen you receive a fixed price after the survey. More under Long-distance moves.

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FOR JOB CHANGERS

PERSONAL ADVICE

Found a flat? Then comes the long-distance move

Fixed price after a survey in Berlin

Once you have found a flat in the new city, call us on 01625978461. We survey your flat in Berlin, clarify access at the destination and then give you a fixed price. That way the moving date is settled before you plan your first working day.

Offers available individually, depending on effort, scheduling and the scope of services required.

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LONG-DISTANCE MOVE TO THE NEW JOB

How we plan the move to a new city

Survey here, delivery there

If you hardly know the new city, at least we take care of the transport with a plan. We survey your flat in Berlin, ask about the floor, lift and access at the destination and set the loading day and arrival so that there is time to settle in before your first working day. You apply for the parking space in the new place at the local authority there – or we take care of it. We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21, Moabit) and drive nationwide. We give you the fixed price after the survey; your belongings are covered by liability under the German Commercial Code (HGB).

Long-distance move

From Berlin we drive nationwide. For a long-distance move we plan the loading day, journey and arrival so that one day remains before you start work.

No-parking zone

At the new place of residence a different authority is responsible, often with its own deadlines. On request we apply for the no-parking zone there in good time.

Packing service

Alongside your old job and the flat hunt, there is little time left. Our packing service packs your flat in Berlin while you do viewings in the new city.

Storage

If the new flat is not free yet, we put your furniture into storage and deliver later. Storage bridges the gap until you move in.

WELL PREPARED

How to succeed at flat hunting from a distance

With good preparation, one or two viewing days in the new city are enough. You should take care of these six points beforehand – then you can accept quickly on site if a flat suits you.

Digital folder

Employment contract, proof of income, Schufa credit report and a copy of your ID as PDFs: with the finished application folder you can react immediately.

Narrow down the districts

Start from your workplace: which neighbourhoods are within 30 minutes door to door? That way you search in a targeted way instead of across the whole city.

Bundle appointments

Schedule several viewings on one day and test the route to work straight away in the morning. That makes the journey worthwhile.

Video as a preselection

A video viewing helps with shortlisting. But you should only sign once you or a trusted person has seen the flat.

Spot fraud

No deposit and no fee before the viewing and the contract. Offers with very low rent and payment in advance are a typical warning sign.

A plannable move

Once the flat is settled, we give you a fixed price after the survey in Berlin; your belongings are covered by liability under the HGB, with additional cover on request.

SMALL LOADS

Part load to the new city

Combine cleverly, move for less

With a part load (Beiladung) your belongings travel together with other jobs towards the new city. This is worthwhile for a few pieces of furniture and boxes. Because the tour has several stops, there is a time window for delivery – plan to be in the new flat on that day.

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NEW CITY, NEW JOB

Search,
view, move

Stress-free from A to B

Flat hunting in an unfamiliar city has three steps: preselect from a distance, view on site and plan the long-distance move. For the first, a digital application folder and a list of neighbourhoods that suit the route to work are enough. For the second, bundle appointments on one day. And for the third, get in touch with us – more under Long-distance moves.

Preselecting

A list with districts, commuting time and maximum rent helps with every private move, senior move or student move to a new city: you only look at flats that really suit you.

Viewing

While the packing service, careful furniture transport and flexible small transport are being prepared in Berlin, you can do viewings in the new city – take the furniture measurements with you.

Moving

The same applies to an office move, company relocation, public authority move, part load or furniture taxi to another city: set the loading day and arrival beforehand and clarify the parking space at the destination.

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MoabitBased at Stromstraße 21

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FAQ

Frequently asked questions about flat hunting in a new city

Answers on planning, flat hunting, weekends, costs, part loads, long-distance moves, home office and registering your address.

Plan in three steps: look for a flat, sign the contract, book the move. Work backwards from your first working day – with a three-month notice period for the old flat (§ 573c BGB) and four to six weeks for planning the move. If that is too tight, a temporary flat in the new place can help.

Flat hunting from a distance: folder, neighbourhoods, appointments

Prepare the search before you travel to the new city. Put together a digital application folder: employment contract or confirmation from the new employer, proof of income, Schufa credit report, copy of your ID and, if available, a certificate confirming you have no rent arrears (Mietschuldenfreiheitsbescheinigung). Then narrow down the neighbourhoods by route to work.

Bundle viewings on one or two days and test the route to work at the real time while you are there. A video viewing can help to sort out hopeless offers in advance.

Accepting safely: deposit, estate agent, lease

Never transfer money before you have seen the flat and signed the contract – payment in advance for keys or a “reservation” is a typical fraud pattern. The deposit is no more than three months' net basic rent and may be paid in three monthly instalments (§ 551 BGB). If the landlord commissioned the estate agent, the landlord also pays the commission.

Check the move-in date and handover in the contract. You will find a checklist in the article Flat viewing.

What your move really costs

The moving costs depend heavily on the size of the flat. For a 1-room flat we start from €354, for a 2-room flat the price is from €579. A 3-room flat comes to from €909, while a 4-room flat costs from €1,324. For a house or villa we prepare an individual quote for you. For long-distance moves we charge from €3.95/km. It is best to have a personal quote prepared as part of a free survey.

How the price of a long-distance move is made up

Besides the pure volume of your household goods, the distance between the old and new place of residence plays a major role – we calculate from €3.95/km. A floor without a lift also increases the effort. For a smooth process we also recommend a no-parking zone. Services such as furniture assembly or a part load round off the offer.

Services for the move to a new city

For the move to a new city you can book these services individually.

House clearance: reliable clearance of all kinds of property. House clearance
Private move: moves that take the weight off your shoulders. Private move
Furniture transport: fast and safe when only one piece of furniture needs to travel. Furniture transport
Company relocation: your business moves, we take care of it. Company relocation
Move with assembly: a comfortable move with a full assembly service. Move with assembly
Part load: share the transport and save real money. Part load

From Berlin to your new city

We are based in Berlin (Stromstraße 21) and drive nationwide – including to your new city. More on long distances under Long-distance moves; you will find destinations with their own page in the locations overview. If the new flat is not free yet, storage helps.

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Beste Umzug Redaktion

September 26, 2026

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