Money can buy you local knowledge, but as Marius Benson reports, even when armed with the best advice, new arrivals to Berlin are presented with some tough decisions.

In Berlin they are known as the 'green widows'.

They are the wives of professionals who move to Berlin and, keen to re-create the comforts of home, move to the leafy quiet of Berlin's more distant suburbs.

As well as peace and quiet, suburbs like Dahlem and Grunewald also have houses rather than just apartments, which are all there is on offer closer in to the centre.

But when the first flurry of settling-in has been completed and the kids are off at school, the dark realisation dawns for the green widows that they are a long way from the action.

What appeared to be the best place to recreate the home you left behind, can start to look like a less-than-wise decision.

More action in the center

"People want to move to the green areas out of town," says Ingrid Henke, the owner of ARRIVA, one of the specialist relocation services operating in Berlin. "But then they find there is nothing much to do out there."

Although many come intending to find a home in the leafy suburbs, Henke says that some appreciate the attractions of the areas closer in.

"They see that the inner city is very nice, with cafes, cinemas and restaurants just outside their doors. And they are not very noisy - so people say: 'Why be so far out?'"

Henke says she often finds a gap between what expatriates coming to Berlin have in mind in accommodation and what is on offer.

"In Berlin in general you do not live in individual houses. Everyone in diplomatic and professional areas wants a big house in the outer suburbs - and it can be difficult when they all want the same thing."

And even when a house is found there can be problems, she says.

"The houses tend to be older and while they are beautiful they do not have three or four bathrooms, which Americans in particular are used to."

Good schooling remains top priority

While housing is critical, Henke says for families it runs second to schooling in the list of priorities.

"Many expatriates, feel very responsible about finding good care for their children, especially because they relocate quite often."

"The most important thing is for families to have a school and a setting in which their children will be happy."

Berlin's range of international and local schools and pre-schools makes finding the right one entirely possible, although it can be a time-consuming search.

While you are battling with the issues of housing and schooling there is also the wall of red tape to cut through with registration, the police, the aliens' office. And when you've resolved all your residency issues, then it's time to start worrying about getting the utilities connected!

Which helps explain why ARRIVA is just one of a score of relocation services available in Berlin.

The cultural divide

And the whole experience is complicated, says Henke, by the cultural divide between newcomer and locals.

Apart from the language gap the most confronting difference for many expatriates, she says, is the legendary abruptness of Berliners.

Her only advice is to persist, because there is almost certainly a helpful person behind that gruff exterior.

The arrival is also helped by the number of professionals who offer services in English - and the international clubs providing a valuable social resource.

In short, there are many ways to avoid becoming another one of Berlin's 'green widows.'