Finding an apartment in Hamburg has by now become like searching for the Holy Grail. Especially when you’re a single parent and, between nursery pick-up times and your job, still have to battle through 80 applicants per viewing.

Julia M., 35, mother of a five-year-old son, knows this game all too well. For eight months she searched, hoped, doubted – and experienced quite a few absurd viewings along the way.

In conversation with us, she talks openly about her experiences and offers other single mothers and fathers some practical tips for the journey.

Interview with Julia M., 35, single mother from Hamburg-Hamm:

Editors: Julia, you searched for an apartment in Hamburg as a single mother. That’s probably the punchline already, isn’t it?

Julia (laughs): Yes, exactly – that’s basically the joke in one sentence. I mean, single parent, two rooms too few, income kind of middling, but in return a wonderfully lively child with very loud toys. Sounds like the dream tenant, right?

Editors: You’ve touched on it – what were your biggest challenges?

Julia: Well, first of all: time. I was working, looking after the little one, and then in the evenings, between pasta and Paw Patrol, I’d dig through apartment listings.

Then of course the viewings: I never understood why they schedule them for 2 p.m. on a Tuesday. Every normal person is working then – unless you happen to have a yoga teacher as your landlord.

Editors: How did you deal with that?

Julia: I developed a few strategies. First: networking! I really told everyone I was looking – the neighbour, the nursery teacher, even the parcel courier. Second: I put together a little PDF, with a photo, info about me, my son, my income – basically my own “application folder”. With it I could often introduce myself directly by email. I think that really helped me stand out from the crowd.

Editors: Were there any bizarre or frustrating moments too?

Julia (laughs): Oh, plenty! An apartment in Barmbek looked great online – but at the viewing it was directly above a shisha bar. My son immediately asked: “Mum, why does it smell like the Christmas market here?” Then there was the “flatshare with a family feel” – which turned out to be: two older gentlemen renting out a room who “find children’s laughter quite sweet”. I quickly realised: there’s a fine line between alternative and absurd.

Editors: How long did you end up searching?

Julia: A good eight months. At one point I even considered just moving into IKEA – at least it’s warm there and they have hot dogs.

Editors: And now – a happy ending?

Julia: Yes, actually. Through a colleague and friend I heard about a housing cooperative apartment in Hamburg-Hamm. They had a waiting list, but because single parents were prioritised, I got lucky. Now we live in a small, bright 3-room apartment with a playground right outside the door. The first time I could breathe out.

Editors: What would you advise other single parents?

Julia:

  1. Talk about it! Many apartments go under the radar – the more people who know, the higher your chances.
  2. Create an application folder. Personal and likeable – that makes an impression.
  3. Check housing cooperatives. They’re often set up more socially than the open market.
  4. Don’t let yourself be discouraged. Yes, at times you’ll feel like you’re in the “jungle camp for tenants”, but eventually it works out.

Editors: And your son – how does he like the new apartment?

Julia: He says: “Mum, it’s much better here because there’s no more funny smoke and I can sleep at night.” I think that says it all.

Anyone searching for an apartment in Hamburg as a single parent needs more than luck – you need a network, persistence and a decent dose of humour – just like Julia.

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