Berlin: A local's view

(CNN) -- Sam Hancock, 20, moved to Berlin 10 months ago, where he is living as part of his degree in English Literature at Warwick University. Between times working as a language assistant at a German high school, he writes his "Berlin Blog," an insightful view of the changes taking place in the German capital.

CNN: How did you come to be in Berlin and what made you start blogging about it?

Sam: Principally, I decided to start blogging on Berlin because of the potpourri of culture, history and nightlife that the city has to offer. Berlin's bulging history is ever present and often intertwines with its present, as many of my blog posts demonstrate.

CNN: What makes the city distinct from others?

Sam: In contrast to Paris and London, the city's relaxed pace of life definitely makes it unique. After a day in other European capitals one begins to feel the stress of life, but Berlin manages to combine the pace of village life with the amenities and cultural scene of other big cities.

People are to be seen languidly drinking coffees outside their local cafes or laid out in the sun at one of the city's many parks. The city's cultural magazines often brag about places for "flanieren" (strolling). At times though, it can feel as if you have to be an artist to fit in, and that can occasionally grate.

Berlin's identity is also constantly in flux, both because of it's past and present. Unlike London or Paris, which have been settled since World War II, Berlin has had relatively little time to develop a solid, unchanging identity.

CNN: Does it feel to you as if Berlin is becoming gentrified? If so, do you think that's a good thing?

Sam: Gentrification is inevitable and to a certain extent needed -- with unemployment at around 15%, the city needs some cash injection (as long as that brings employment with it.) However, often gentrification can pay little regard to what it is displacing; the Media Spree development, for example, which is engulfing the banks of the Spree in Mitte, Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg, could potentially wipe out some of the city's most vibrant clubs and bars. I guess that with time Berlin is going become more of a "normal" capital city.

CNN: Do you think there is a difference between life in east and west Berlin?

Sam: Rents are definitely lower in the east and a lot of students and artists have moved to east Berlin during the last 10 years. The east is now where everything is happening and the west has a feeling of being a bit staid.

CNN: How would you describe Berliners' attitude to life?

Sam: Berliners generally have a fairly laidback attitude to life. During the recent strikes on the U-Bahn and S-Bahn (Berlin's underground and overland rail systems), for example, people simply took to the streets on their bikes. If the same had happened in London, the whole city -- and very probably the whole country -- would have been in chaos.

Many traditional Berliners retain what is referred to as "schlagfertigkeit" (quick-wittedness), which can often leave you feeling a tad stung, but is always amusing to hear.

CNN: Could you describe a typical Berliner's weekend?

Sam: A typical Berliner's weekend probably begins at around 8pm on a Friday evening with a relaxed meal. Around 10pm a few beers will be had in various bars and then at around 1 or 2 people will begin to surface in one of the city's plethora of clubs. Dancing often goes on until 5 or 6 in the morning and is followed by a leisurely lie-in.

Berliners resurface at around 1 or 2pm, when people tend to head to a cafe in their "kiez" (neighborhood) for brunch. This has developed a cult status in Berlin -- with the verb "brunchen" often displayed on signs -- and generally comprises various cheeses, fruits and generous helpings of wholemeal "brötchen" (bread rolls).

Following this they might go for a cycle or to one of the city's many green spots (my favorite being the Grünwald). The same languid process will then ensue, topped off with a visit to a "flohmarkt" (flea market) and a fairly early night on the Sunday evening.

CNN: Does Berlin deserve its reputation as a party city?

Sam: Definitely! The clubs and bars are often open the whole night.

CNN: If Berlin was a person, what would she or he be like?

Sam: Berlin would almost certainly be a youngster, alive to new experiences and full of energy, without a fully developed identity and lacking the money to make things happen.