Hi all,

I was wondering if the infinite wisdom - that is the members of EF - could help me out. From September this year, I will be doing an exchange year at the University of Zürich. I have been looking for some accommodation online for rooms in Wohngemeinschaften (WGs), and although I get invited to flat viewings, I can't go forward as I am still in the UK.

So, in August I was thinking of going to Zürich early, to look for accommodation (as I would be able to attend flat viewings - making the process easier and more successful hopefully). Whilst there, I would ideally like to stay in the cheapest temporary accommodation possible (hostels or cheap hotels) before I find a flat.

Does anyone know of anything that could be of interest to me?

As an aside, I'm a British citizen, but I'm guessing I still have to register at my local Kreisbüro once in Zürich. Should I do this right away, or wait until I find a flat?

Thank you in advance!

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Hi there,

I'm also looking for an apartment as of august/september. considering a flatshare?

You can try this one here:

http://www.youthhostel.ch/en/hostels/zurich/price

http://map.search.ch/zuerich/mutschellenstr.114.en.html

Still within Zone 10 ticket zone in Wollishofen

There is also this one http://www.city-backpacker.ch/ . It's cheaper, and is very centrally located, which will help you get to know the city and get about. However it's not as nice as the one mentioned above, which doesn't really feel like a youth hostel. I should know, I was in your situation last year, it took me a month to find something.

Just another suggestion, you may want to come earlier and check out Woko. They're in charge of all the student halls, but the rooms go really quickly and you have to be there in person to apply. The good thing is they're really cheap.

If there's anything else you want to know about anything 'studenty' in Zurich just ask, I'd be happy to help.

I've noticed that some people who advertise (I've only done searches online) rooms in WGs, are also open to rent to people on a weekly basis. Last one I saw was about 200.- per week.

Also, you have to register at a Kreisburo within 2 weeks of living in your new residence. You register you must give your address... so I don't think you can sign up beforehand.

Hope this helps. If you are interested, I can give you the sites I've been doing my WG searches on..

Anika

@ Anika (and anyone else with tips)
As this is an ongoing problem, could you please post any useful sites in this Thread which can be found linked into Sticky Threads in the Housing in General and also Market Place > Properties areas of the Forum. This would enable anyone looking for such info to find it more easily.

These are bed and breakfast and there are some in zurich center as well, especially in Kreis 4 and they look cheaper than normal hostls: http://www.bnb.ch/index.php?PHPSESSI...cd7f2945022650

Thanks for all the help so far!

As others mentioned, the youth hostel is one of the best bets. It is very close to town and well connected. And cheap.

I think there is a maximum stay limit, probably 3 weeks or so, but by then you should be able to find a temporary house-share if not fussy re location.

Easy hotel is another option - see website, but more expensive (circa CHF 100 per night depending on how far you book in advance etc).

While waiting for my "serviced accommodation" I stayed in a B&B that was convenient for getting to/from the centre. Run by a lady who speaks excellent English and I thought it was good value for 80CHF/night (I took the smallest room "The Blue Room") especially as it included breakfast. The web site is here: http://www.dakini.ch/

The downsides are they only take cash, and the site out the back is a massive construction site and they tend to start the drills and hammering just after 7am. Although the room is small there is a nice kitchen with facilities for making coffee/tea etc, a microwave and table and chairs.

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