Anything lower and quality/size drops drastically. How do average non typical English forum people like me manage such highs costs?
Scanning the property websites I get the distinct impression that CHF2500 is some kind of magical figure for decent medium sized flats in Zurich.
You got me on "average non typical English forum people"- but in all seriousness and with all due respect, I suspect that Average Joe Middleclass hasn't socked away the better part of a half million at 41... .
Are you talking about Zürich city center? If so, 2500 is extremly cheap!
I am living in the surroundings (35 min by train to the city center), which was the only place where I could find a decent 5 room (which means 3 sleeping room apartment) for under 2000 CHF.
Define decent - and also depends largely on the area.
I've seen flats in Seefeld costing around 2500CHF and I wonder to myself how the landlord has the cheek to charge that when its condition is appalling and kitchen like its stuck in the 70s. On the other hand, in the lower tax and more popular gemeindes along the lake, 2000 - 2500 CHF flats are considered "cheap" and will be snapped up like that. 3500CHF will be much more realistic.
All relative!
Because 8008 is a super slick post code and 2500chf is really low for an apartment there.
I mean any area 0 to 20-30 minutes from center. 2500 is not extremelly cheap if money is not flowing in
5 rooms for less than 2000 sounds great. Which area are you in?
I guess that is what it boils down to. There shoudl be some subsidized housing in the center so Zurich has all kinds of people in the middle and not just rich folks.
LOOOOOL I didn't mean it like that I meant cheap as in compared to the prices I saw when I was looking for a flat hihi Housing prices in Zürich are ridiculously high, specially considering the quality they offer...
I am living in Zürich Oberland. Building was built in the 70s, but kitchen is brand new (remodeled last year), real oak parket floor, gorgeous view to the mountains, train 3 minutes away from my front door. The only problem is the windows, which are still original, and could use some remodeling, and so would the toilet... My neighbours could also need some remodelling (specially the stinky shoes they leave in the staircase, but for the price I can't really complain...)
All other apartments I saw were more expensive with kitchens over 20 years old, so disgusting not even the landlord dignified himself to get it clean, and toilets so full with mold I didn't dare get inside.
If you are looking for a quiet lovely place, with a affordable price, Zürich Oberland is great. But if you are looking for night life a bit busier that the dangling of sheep bells, it might not be the place for you
by dipping into your CHF400k perhaps?
8008 is great. I have a friend paying slightly less than 2.5K for a charming 3.5zimmer apartment in great condition, in the heart of Seefeld. It all depends on luck and timing to find the perfect one.
I personally like my comforts and dont think its justified paying rent that isnt reflective of the apartment's condition just for the postcode and bars.
I am out most of the time and paying CHF2500 fixed cost every month would be too much for me to justify. CHF30000 every year
I am more a CHF900 studio flat kind of guy. Around CHF20000 saving a year.
I also like my comforts, and to be sure luck is a factor and landlords are cheeky bar stewards but when all's said, for a 4-room apartment in 8008, 3500 would be closer to the mark, and for 2500 you'd expect something to be wrong.
Seb70 you might have a look at Adliswil - post code 8134. How's that for slick? We're just 12 minutes to Zurich HB on the S4 line and it's affordable. It's also on the ZVV Night Network so if you go out on the weekends and enjoy the nightlife in Zurich you can still get home without paying for a taxi. We really enjoy living here. It's a quiet place, but that is preferable when sleeping. The village itself has a big Migros, a little Coop, banks, post office and lots of other conveniences we've come to discover during our time here. Our apartment is newly remodeled with an incredible kitchen with V Zug appliances and a laundry room! We bought our own washer and dryer since we already had the plumbing and it's the best thing ever! Adliswil is close to lots of hiking and nature, but still close to all the action a very easy commute for my husband to his job in Zurich. I really recommend it!!
Yeap, it all depends on what you value, but no, 2500 CHF is NOT the magical number.
8008, 8001, 8044, 8032 and some places down the lake, throw in 500-1000 CHF more if you want a view! *sniff*
I think the government should subsidize Porsches, so all people can afford to drive one and not only rich folks.
Seriously: I do believe that people do not have a right to live in the city center. If you cannot afford it, move to a cheaper place. And yes, there are cheaper places. Moving half an hour in any direction cuts the prices nearly in half.
BTW: Zurich HAS all type of folks. But yes, if you want a nice and modern 3.5 room 100 sqm appartment within the city, you are looking at 2500 CHFs a month. As soon as you leave the city limits to the West, say Dietikon or Spreitenbach, the rents are significantly lower. That's some 10 minutes on the train to HB.
What was the question again?
(I had a CHF900 studio (OK, CHF960) in 8001, so they do exist. Keep looking.)
Even if you've lived here all your life?
I've seen so many families and elderly people kicked out of their appartments here (8032, 8008) - I don't think that's quite right either.
It used to be nice enough, until it became the United Kingdom Bundesland Seefeld of America.
At the moment 8008 and 8032 are far from super-slick.
We've got a huge building site opposite our block of flats, which will be there for another two years. And when we go out to the playgrounds, there's sounds of drills, building next to practically all of them. The noise is driving us nuts.
Did I mention we're looking for a new place too? (quiet area of 8008, 8032, 8044, 8053 - 'cos we're local, not 'cos it's chic).
People do not and cannot get kicked out easily in Switzerland - the laws are very much in favour of the tennants vs the landlords. So even if a landlord cancels the contract can older and financially weaker people easily fight their cases and live up to four (!) years longer for the same conditions in their appartments: http://www.tagesanzeiger.ch/leben/ge...story/20797664
Imagine that the appartment is not owned by a huge company, but in a four appartment house that is the majority of your family wealth. Being not able to change contracts for so a long time in a one-sided way makes houses a fairly unattractive investment.
I would not put my money on Swiss real estate except of a house I live in myself. (Same is true for other countries as Germany. My parents had so many troubles with the renters of my grandparents house that they in the end made zero income on it and decided to sell it)