Hello good people!

First of all, hi! I'm new in the forum, and we most likely haven't had the chance to meet

I'm here to ask you for your opinion/help.

I landed an internship in Zürich that starts in March and it ends in the end of August (6 full months). Since it is an internship, my salary doesn't allow me to have a good budget for accommodation. Since my girlfriend is also coming, I'm looking for a studio/1br that's reasonable priced (if she finds a job, up to 1200chf; if she doesn't, 700/800ish). Since my contract only starts in March, we're moving there in the 15th of February.

I've been looking for an apartment for the past month (yes, it's been one month already..) and I've found a few possibilities. However, whenever I contact the seller, two things happen: a) I don't get any answer; b) I get an automatic reply in German from a real estate agency with the open house date and time. Whenever I get a reply, I explain the situation and I say I can't make it to the open house because I'm still living in another country, yadayadayada, they also stop replying.

I'm starting to think I'm asking too much for too little. I've been looking for apartments in homegate, comparis and ronorp, and now here. Since I'm moving to Zurich to experience the city, I've been looking for places in the most central location I can find (the best deals usually show up in Kreiss 5 and 6, that are near(ish) to the center and the place I'll be working).

Am I dealing with impossible terms here? Will I have to move to a shared flat? This is far from ideal, since I'm moving there with my girlfriend..

Thank you for your time

Have you checked out the sticky at the top of this sub-forum with other sites? I don't think you have much chance of finding a flat for only 6 months in the 'normal' way. Too much hassle for the owner/agent. Good luck though.

Sorry but I think you will find it next to impossible to find an apartment for only 6 months in Zürich. You might find a service apartment but then not within your budget.
As an example
http://glandon-apartments.ch/en/zuri...partments.html

I have no connection with this firm & never used them.

Hi Longbyt!

My bad, I forgot to say that I plan to stay longer. My 6 month contract just "proves" I will be there for at least 6 months.

I'm devouring all the information I possibly can, including topics from this forum! Do you have any specific recommendation?

Cheers

hi Marton, thanks for your reply!

my job contract is for 6 months, but I intend to live in Zurich. unfortunately, I can't edit my post, so I'm sorry in advance for anyone that I might be leading wrongly.

I wasn't aware of that "service apartments", and I will definitively look into them! thanks, I appreciate it.

In addition to the apartment situation, I don't think there is any type of visa that would allow your girlfriend to stay here for six months without a job or having her financial situation guarantee...

You might want to start thinking about a plan B.....

Realistically, I think the only chances are either "Zwischenmiete" or a flatshare (WG Zimmer).

Well, in theory, from April 1st, you could go camping around Zurich...
http://www.tuerlersee.ch/camping_preise.php

Yes, flat share would be an option but also there are people looking to rent out their appartments for a certain amount of time, while they go away themselves. However, these inserts are usually found iin local newspapers or info papers. Good luck.

PS and you girlfriend, whoever she is, may have a jobless permit to stay for three months. After that she will have to leave the Shengen area and re-enter.

BTW JFYI even if a persons exceeds her or his stay without proper permit for one or two days it is regarded as an offence under the alien act and the fine and or punishment can be severe, including the ban to come back for a certain period of time.

Share flat:

http://www.wg-klick.ch/zurich-zurich...-zurich-zurich

A useful link above.

http://www.apartments-swiss-star.ch/

also WOKO

http://www.woko.ch/en/default.asp

wow, so many interesting posts!

@Jim2007: I'm aware of that. we're already looking for a job in the graphic design area to get one asap. thanks!

@rainer_d: although waking up by the sound of nature would be nice, I think that wouldn't work for 6 months eheh. you're right, maybe I can't rule out the possibility of living in a shared apartment.

@romainesol: wow, thanks for the useful tip! I'll try to dig deeper into the temporary leave thing, I've seen some on RonOrp! and thank you for the rooms link!

@jrspet: thanks, I never seen these before! I guess I'll have a long afternoon going through these adverts

I'm humbled for your help, really. thank you and I hope I can do the same for you one of these days

To be honest, if it's temporary, then the cost of setting up your own place and then cleaning and moving out again will be quite high, even if you could find something.

It would be wise to find a cheap share, keep your costs to an absolute minimum until you have adapted to being here and work out what it's actually going to cost to live compared to your ability to earn money...

Would be better if you searched on some Company internal boards or transfer from an existing tenant.

that's a very good idea @swisspea, and it's probably the best thing to do at the moment. thanks

@virgocouple: and what company would that be? mind that I'm new on this zurich-house-hunting-thing

Huh? Since Portugal is part of the Schengen, I'm not sure how she will leave the Schengen zone.... Of course that is assuming the GF is a Portuguese citizen.

If she is then first she stays for 3 months as a tourist, then after the 3 months are over she applies for a job seekers L permit. Or if she has some freelance clients she sets herself up as an independent and if she is approved she goes straight to B permit.

Anyway, good luck on the apartment & job search. It's not easy. And less easy finding a full time job in graphic design.

I would look for a shared apartment or a sublet in your case until you decide how long you are here for.

If you do wind up getting a lease, one thing to think of in your search is that the gemeinde may not let your girlfriend register her address at your studio if they decide it isn't big enough for two people.

Be very careful there are many criminals about, do not send any money until you have seen the accommodation and have a contract!

Serviced apartments are expensive. With your situation I am afraid a shared flat is about your only option, [Wohngemeinschaft = shared living together =WG ]

http://www.wgzimmer.ch/wgzimmer/sear...00-zurich.html

Hi guys,

@miniMia: I read the same - 3 months temporary + 3 months looking for a job. The freelance thing is actually our plan B, spot on!

@NicoleCZ: I've been looking into shared flats, that's probably my only option, you're right! Thanks

@Sbrinz: yeah, unfortunately I've crossed paths with some scammers. Most of them use the same approach (I'm in the UK blablabla), but I've been very cautious regarding others I've exchanged e-mails.

I'm also looking into studios and, although they are 150chf/200chf more expensive, they are inside the budget and also look promising.

Again, I cannot thank you enough for the help.

Just be aware that most studios are quite small and many landlords limit the occupancy to one person, ok for you, but not for your girlfriend too. Probably a flat share is the realistic option on your budget.

If you are looking for a WG, you might want to check the Uni Zurich and ETH website (in German):

http://www.marktplatz.uzh.ch/wohnungen/

Good luck.