I am now settled in Berlin

Question

Hello,if a foreign student said he was not settled in Berlin, would it sound natural to you? This person is going back home within a year, so I wouldn't use it myself. Settle suggests something much more serious to me, but not necessarily permanent.What do you think?

Doctor D · Accepted Answer

Do you mean to write "not settled in" or "now settled in"?
Settled suggests comfortably established. It may be temporary or not.
It would be natural to say "I am now settled in" [after a period of temporary housing]
or "I am not yet settled in" [you are still looking].

Gene93 · Answer

It is "I am now settled in Berlin". Is it not more natural to say "I currently live in Berlin where I go to uni."? I would not say "I am now settled in Berlin" to mean that I currently live in there and I attend a German university. The person is not comfortably established, they don't have a job, they don't have a house/flat/etc. How can settle be used here?

Fivejedjon · Answer

Gene93It is "I am now settled in Berlin". Is it not more natural to say "I currently live in Berlin where I go to uni."? I would not say "I am now settled in Berlin" to mean that I currently live in there and I attend a German university. The person is not comfortably established, they don't have a job, they don't have a house/flat/etc. How can settle be used here?

If they are settled, then the do have somewhere to live, their course is presumably going satisfactorily, and they presumably have no financial problems.

Gene93 · Answer

Is this the most natural way of expressing this idea? I have never heard anyone say that, but that means nothing. They have somewhere to stay as long as they pay the rent.

AlpheccaStars · Answer

"I am now settled in Berlin".

It means that the person has found an apartment, has registered at the university, knows how to get around (eg. the bus system, the bank, shopping streets, post office etc.), and is learning a little about the city of Berlin.

Anonymous · Answer

In history books you might see something like: "In ancient times the area that is now Berlin was settled by Germanic tribes from the east." This is the firmly established used of the verb "settle." and is why (in the US) "settle" is generally not used to mean "move to" or "living in," with respect to a contemporary situation. Thus, "I'm now settled in Berlin." does not sound right for contemporary times.

You'd more likely hear: "I'm now living in Berlin." or "I've moved to Berlin."

The only time you'd use "settle," in a contemporary context, is in the phrase "settle in," as in:

"I've moved to Berlin and am now settling in."

"I've moved to Berlin and have settled in nicely."

"I'm living in Berlin now. It took me a while to settle in, because of the language and cultural differences, but I'm comfortable here."

Note: "I'm now settled in Berlin." is not an example of the phrase "settle in," which is a combination verb, "to settle in." "In Berlin" here is an adverbial prepositional phrase modifying "settle."

Gene93 · Answer

Hello again, Anonymous. I only have to say that I agree with you wholeheartedly. The person I am talking about actually moved to Berlin. In his sentence, she has used "settle" instead of "move". I asked her and she confirmed it. I would say "I moved to Berlin last year," or "I am originally from ....but now I live in Berlin" etc.

Thank you

BarbaraPA · Answer

Gene, how many native speakers do you need to say that "settle" is okay and works in this context before you believe it and stop insisting it's wrong?
A Stars explained what it means.
5JJ explained what it means.
I agree with both of them and verified their posts.

Certainly, you can say "I moved to Berlin" or "I now live in Berlin" but that doesn't mean you feel "settled" there. I moved to Pennsylvania in 2003 and I wouldn't say I felt "settled" for many, many months. Changing residences doesn't mean you feel "settled." Limiting the sentence to simply say "I changed where I live" omits the essential information that the person is comfortable in their new surroundings.

Gene93 · Answer

Hello, Barbara. I don't understand why you are so angry with me. I did not say it was wrong. Yes, it makes as much sense as "to move" does. All I am saying is that this person used it instead "to move" in that sentence. This friend of mine has not settled in Berlin yet. We talk very often and I know that for sure. I am saying that "I settled in Berlin" and "I moved to Berlin..." are both correct, but they have very different meanings. Why would anyone say this if they want to say that they live in Berlin, but they don't feel settled. Do I deserve to be lynched for stating the obvious?

I am sorry for making you angry, Barb

Fivejedjon · Answer

Gene93All I am saying is that this person used it instead "to move" in that sentence. This friend of mine has not settled in Berlin yet. We talk very often and I know that for sure. I am saying that "I settled in Berlin" and "I moved to Berlin..." are both correct, but they have very different meanings. Why would anyone say this if they want to say that they live in Berlin, but they don't feel settled

Gene, this is a language forum. We have all been talking about the meaning of the word, and suddenly you bring in this personal knowledge. We have been explaining why it is possible for you to use the word settled in a context you describe. Now you change the context and ask why your friend should say she felt settled when it is clear to you she doesn't feel settled. We can't answer questions about your friend's state of mind. Ask your friend.

I am now settled in Berlin

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