I often hear these mistakes made by German speakers who are learning English.
They say: In former times I lived in Berlin.
This is totally understandable but it sounds a little strange to native speakers to use the words ‘in former times’ here.
Instead we use the construction ‘used to’. This describes an action that was true in the past but is no longer true now.
Correction: I used to live in Berlin. ( = I don’t live in Berlin now.)
Further examples:
They used to work together. ( = They don’t work together now.)
He used to smoke. ( = He doesn’t smoke now.)
She used to travel to work by train. ( = She doesn’t travel to work by train now.)
Have fun learning English!
Louise