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Originally Posted by NBC
^ East Berlin, West Berlin? Have I missed something here?
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Berlin offers you a compact summary of how the division of Germany still is very much apparent even today.
Germany has transfer payments, and a ton of cash flows West to East. There is still an infrastructure and social disparity between the old Soviet terriotory and the former West German territory.
In Berlin it's usually pretty obvious which half of the city you are in. The commie architecture is very obvious, the East is generally less affluent, and prices are lower because of it. Imagine buying a 6 pack of beer in a liquor store in Mount Royal vs Forest Lawn. I bet it's cheaper in Forest Lawn. It's more exagerated in Berlin, especially because of the tourist factor.
It's a really fascinating place to visit.