In summarizing academic research on large-scale housing estates in Eastern Germany, totally contrary opinions on the future prospects of these neighborhoods can be found. While some describe these quarters as still integrated neighborhoods with a social status that is much higher than that of their western counterparts, others see them as places of segregation, social problems and decay.

Using data from a long-term survey (1979–2004) in Leipzig-Grünau, we argue that both perspectives are misleading. We give an insight into the main trends concerning large estates in Eastern Germany. We concentrate on social and demographic issues, thus showing how inherited problems and new issues interact, leading to a very specific situation with growing differences on a micro-scale.