So I guess you got the job. Congratulations.

Hi,

just to give some hope...
Me and my family will relocate in Basel pretty soon and we decided to spend a few days beforehand in order to sort things out. From home I searched via homegate the apartments I was interested in and made contact for viewings during my short trip to Basel. In two days we saw 11 apartments. Back home I sent the Formular via email to the agencies We do not have any reference from previous owners so I just wrote down that we currentlly live in an apartment we owe. And we added the business card of my husband's new employer so that they could contact him for references. We got two positive answers out of the four we sent. And we phoned to the other agencies as one of the two was our first choice so we do not know if also the other ones would have been accepted or not. The agency sent us a contract that we will sign upon our arrival together with the payment of the deposit. During the days in Basel we also sort out the bank account and the mobile telephone. I do not know if this was luck or efficiency. Maybe I have a future as relocation manager..... However it was not so difficult and I think that with the current resources (internet, EF, etc.) it is not worth paying for a relocation agency.

this is too pricey, 3000CHF is too much mate, just like what they said, use homegate, found my apartment there, after 20 or more viewing and refusal letters, still, i did not pay for an agent, saved me at least 500CHF.

the thing to do is, find an apartment, then find a better one, if you are not satisfied with the first, it usually has a contract of minimum 3 months, but can be ignored if you find a replacement for the old one, usually, this is the case

On your profile, you have German listed as a foreign language. If you speak German, you would definitely be able to search for an apartment on your own. I think this is a point worth mentioning.

On the other hand, just because you speak the language does not mean you have a in depth knowledge of the areas most suited to your needs, what schools are like in the area, whether the asking rent is fair, what standard the apartment is, knowing what you might be able to negotiate in the apartment- these are things a relocation agent would be in a position to know how to do. For example, when it is time to accept the keys, I attend the lease start inspection. Most foreigners have no idea how this procedure works, what to look for, what to expect. Of course one can join the Mieterverband and arrange to have someone attend with you.

Many foreigners have found housing on their own, this is true, though some are happier with their selection than others. Most places have a minimum rental period of one year, so if you are not happy, you are stuck for that time. Moving locally is expensive so I think it is important to try and get things right from the start.

As you can see from my profile, I am a relocation consultant, and of course I do take exception to comments like "it is not worth paying for a relocation agency". Since you have not used one, how do you know the value of these services? I never waste my clients' time and money showing them 11 apartments. That is far too many.

I have read postings here from people who feel they did not receive value for the money from a relocation company and that is a pity. On the other hand, there are people who felt their relocation agent was extremely helpful.

Good luck with your move. I hope all goes smoothly.

Not all the sites. This one is better, but unfortunately it is not available in English.

www.anzeiger.ch

Trying to find housing in Zurich can be such a nightmare. Things are difficult if you don't speak German. If you can afford it, it might be worth the peace of mind to use a relocation service, especially with kids and schools to consider.
That's what we did.

It would add great value if you named the service, explained the costs and summarised what they did well and where to look out.

Hmm....it's gone very quiet.

Unfortunately many people are not aware what their employer may have spent hiring a relocation firm to assist them. Often these services are sold in packages and the cost can run in the thousands.

A client recently informed me that for their house search in the Baden area a firm in Zürich quoted a fee of 3,500 to 4,000 Swiss Francs. After they picked themselves off the floor, they started shopping around and someone recommended my firm. There are only a firm firms that I know of, including mine, who charge for house hunting services on an hourly basis. The rates vary anywhere from 50 to 150 Swiss Francs per hour. What may NOT be included in this rate is:

cost of telephone calls
cost of public transportation and/or mileage allowance and parking charges if a car is used
rental of car seats (if necessary)
postage costs
photocopying charges
any fees related to submitting an application, such as having documents notarised

Any time spent not just with the client, but making phonecalls, arranging viewings, may be calculated, as well as traveling time.

Food or drinks consumed with the client may also be billed.

Prices and services offered vary from company to company but anyone seeing relocation services should ask for a contract outlining the services to be provided and the costs. In addition to house hunting, there can be school visits, neighbourhood orientation, settling in services. I think it is important that there shouldn't be any unpleasant surprises when a client receives the invoice.

The size of the place you rent will depend on two things that are related, budget and location.

Your rental budget is the first consideration. More space costs. Living centrally also costs more. If you compare, for example a 5.5 room apartment in central Baden, if you can find one, with a 5.5 room apartment in a village near Baden, the village apartment will be less expensive and probably larger.

Proximity to shopping, access to public transportation - these things will also add value.

Then there is the general condition of the apartment, and special features. Newer places and renovated flats costs more. Add features like a fireplace, your own washer/dryer....well I think you get the picture.

Kids here are very independent, getting around on their own with public transport, but they can only do so if the walk to the bus stop is reasonable and the bus times are somewhat regular. Bicycles can be very useful too.

For some families, adapting to less space than they have been accustomed to in the past can be quite difficult. Kids who have never had to share a room who must do so here can be quite miserable.

I sent you a PM, actually, it was a reply to a PM you sent to me, but I have not heard back from you. If your situation is desperate, waiting to the last minute is just going to put you under more pressure. Given that your lads are older, as you told me, and will not be attending local schools, you can look in areas that might otherwise not be practical, but you have to know where to look. I know of 2 rentals that would give you plenty of space for 3 lads - one is about 230m2, for 2,350 per month. I know the owner. The other is 180 m2, and the rent is 2,180 per month. Both offer easy access to Brugg and Baden. Oh, I forgot to mention your would have your own washer/dryer, which is not common in apartments and with 3 lads playing tennis, you must have a lot of wash.

If you found something, great! Why not let us all know.