This has probably been asked before - but I'm struggling to find a related thread...
I am due to move to Zurich in the next few weeks and have my accomodation sorted for the first few months - however I am looking to get someone on the case for finding a different appartment to rent as soon as I get out as I am aware that house hunting takes a considerable amount of time.
I am looking to live towards Kilchberg - anywhere on this side of the lake that is no more than a 30/40min commute to Uetlihof.
Can any advise on any rental agents (I'm not sure of the term that is used)?
Thanks in advance
I'm not sure how much time you would actually save by using an agent. You'd still have to go and look at the apartments yourself. Through
www.homegate.ch it is quite easy to find out which apartments that would be interesting for you. An agent wouldn't be doing much more.
The problem these days seem to be to get the apartment and I don't know how much influence an agent would have on that.
My best tip for getting an apartment would be to go for the more high-end apartments. Those are usually easier to get as there are less applicants. If money is an issue, I would consider going for a high-end 2 room apartment e.g. instead of a cheaper 3 room apartment. If you really need more space later you can always change later when you are more settled and it is easier to find something.
If I were you, I would try in Adliswil, Gattikon, Horgen, Thalwil area.
www.homegate.ch is a good website to try. If you are looking
at Uetlihof, you must be going to work at Credit Suisse.
Agents, I am not quite sure if they are worth it.
Relocation agents tend to take care of such things.
They charge lots of money, usually a couple thousand.
It took me less than a month to find a nice apartment.
Good luck!
Yeah I am going to work at Credit Suisse.
Thanks for the advice - I just imagined it would be hard to find an appartment easily
It does take some time, I must admit.You just have to be diligent about it.
In case you didn't know,each community has a different tax rate. You can see your tax bill on Homegate.ch by looking at the "Steuerrechner".
Cheers,
Grant
On another note, do you know the best way to fly to Manchester?
British Air?
For the very beginning I'd recommend immo.search.ch, it is a map annotated with advertisements from homegate.ch
As to agencies - ones like Mata-Dienst are just taking 50-100 chf for giving you an access to "insider" base, they do no additional move to make your dream come true, but in case of success (you call advertiser, you check and carify all questions, etc. etc.) they charge you 50-100% of monthly rate
Am am going to use something like http://www.xpatxchange.ch/index.php?...=145&Itemid=94
their prices are ~ x2.5 higher but they seem to do what I expect from agency: get my requests, find matching apartments, appoint apartments review sessions, undertake all negotiations and assist in things like phone, internet, etc.
swiss-relocation.ch seems the most friendly from the first look (I wrote mails to many but these were the only to reply in less then an hour and to give me exactly that information which I requested).
You might try ums.ch in case you're looking for furnished apartments only. A couple of my friends have used them and liked the service.
Homegate.ch is a great start. Maybe your company will help-don't think an agent is needed. There really isn't much available, especially furnished apartments. I also just moved to Zurich. The relocation company wanted me to move out of this great and large temporary apartment in Enge after a month or two but my employer convinced them to let me stay until the end of the summer. I may even try to extend when the summer is over but will likely be in the same boat having to find a nice furnished place in the same area such as Kilchberg or a similar location on the other side of the lake. One of our admin assistants will help me look this summer if in fact I have to move by the end of August. Good luck, Ed