Living in Zurich can be an exciting adventure. It’s consistently ranked as one of the top cities to live in, and for a good reason.
For starters, the city offers numerous fantastic things to see and do, is relatively safe, and there are plenty of job and business opportunities if you are looking for work or just want to expand your network.
But as with many top cities, you need to be cautious when hunting for an apartment in Zurich. This is exactly why we compiled this post to share five crucial things that will make it easier for you to find your perfect place.
Ready? Let’s get started!
Mind your commute
Costs aside, where do you work? Is there public transport nearby? Do you want to walk or cycle? How long does it take on average to get to work?
These are all important questions when deciding where to live in Zurich. Sure, they might not worry you if you’re happy to take a bus or train every morning. But if you prefer to walk or cycle and don’t want to spend half of your days commuting, this is one of the most important factors to consider when choosing an apartment in Zurich.
Consider the type of apartment
You’ll need to think carefully about where and how long you want to stay in Zurich and buy the furniture accordingly. There are different options depending on your circumstances, as follows:
Short-term accommodation
If you’re only going to be here for a few months, renting an unfurnished apartment can be pretty expensive. So instead, booking a hotel or hostel would make more sense. However if looking for more privacy and for a a place that looks more of a personal space, then the best solution is choosing a furnished apartment.
Long-term accommodation
If you plan on staying in Zurich for at least six months, it makes sense to look for a permanent place to stay. It can either be unfurnished or part-furnished (these are rarer and generally more expensive). You might also find rooms available in shared apartments that include basic furniture.
Calculate your budget
Before you begin your search for an apartment, determine your budget first as this will allow you to stay focused and avoid wasting time on houses you cannot afford. This factor also determines where you can live since rents vary dramatically from one district to another.
The size of apartments in Switzerland is smaller than in many other countries around the world. Most landlords require that a tenant pays three months’ rent as a security deposit or “bail” at the beginning of the rental agreement. This amount will be refunded at the end of the rental agreement if no damages have occurred during this period.
While at it, remember to consider more than just the rent: are there any extra charges you might incur? Does your landlord include insurance? What about tax? You need to be confident that you can pay all the additional charges on top of your rent each month.
How much space do you need?
One of the first things you’ll want to ask yourself is how big of an apartment you need? You may not need much if you’re single or a young couple playing around with wolf cabinets.
However, if you have kids or pets or anyone in the family works from home, your needs will differ from the average person moving out independently.
If you need a lot of space, consider looking into apartments that have been renovated recently or have newer appliances. This will ensure that you can get all the space and amenities without paying too much for them.
Shopping and amenities
Where you’re living will determine how many things you can walk to conveniently. If you need to use a car to constantly get out of your neighborhood, you may want to reconsider the area.
When it comes to finding apartments in Zurich, the more convenient, the better. For example, are there good restaurants nearby? What about grocery stores? A gym? These are all things you should consider when looking at potential apartments.
Conclusion
Finding an apartment in Zurich can feel like the “wild west.” We hope that the information we provided here helps you on your journey to finding the perfect pad. In a nutshell, think about what is most important to you. Location? Size? A home-like atmosphere? Only you can decide this.
If you feel that an apartment does not fit your desired criteria, remember that there are always other better options hiding behind doors that did not open the first time around. So don’t give up. Keep looking and you will surely find one for you.
