Since everybody on this forum has been so helpful, I thought I would ask another question. My family(wife and 2 young kids) are going to be in Lausanne from Jan-Aug. We looked at unfurnished flats but are now giving up on that idea, seeing as it seems a bit impossible to get anything for less than a year and we don't want to lie to any agent. So we're looking at furnished flats...more expensive but it looks like our only option. We have been offered a nice sounding place in Lutry. I looked there after reading on this Forum that it was a pretty place to live. However I'm not sure about the distance to EPFL and the ease of getting there. Also, is it a good place for my wife and kids to be during the day. How much does the train/bus to EPFL cost? and if this flat doesn't have internet how much will that cost?
Thank-you in advance for answers to these questions......

Yes, it's a great place for you & even better for your wife & kids.
Take the flat! Now!

You can look at the lausanne public transport site (if you are not getting a car) to see how to get to the EPFL. www.t-l.ch

Hi Gary

I totally agree with Mia's comments, Lutry is GREAT.

For your internet access, you may want to look at this thread
Broadband without 12 month subscription

Cheers
Nats

From Lutry to EPFL you would probably take the number 9 bus then change to the metro. It would take about 30 mins and cost 2 CHF (assuming you have a half-price card), alternatively you could buy a monthly pass for the region from Transit Lausanne, which would work out cheaper if you were doing it every day. Or, splash out and get the abonnement general from the SBB/CFF - the pass for all of Switzerland's public transport, then you can explore the whole country by public transport while you're here - you can get good family rates for that, too.

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Thanks for the help. The place in Lutry may not work now......doesn't seem worth the money, but will keep it as an option.

Have a look on the epfl website

http://direction.epfl.ch/page14375.html

try this site too

http://www.annonz.ch/c/appartement+meubl%E9+lausanne

thanks for the links...will check them out

Hi
I too am planning to spend some time in Lausanne while my partner does 2 months of his sabbatical at EPFL. I'm looking for rental accommodation and am following up a Lutry lead - perhaps the same one. We spent 6 months at EPFL in 2001 with our kids but this time we're on our own.
Did you find some accom? Any hints?
In 2001 we stayed in Preverenges, between EPFL and Morges, and I found it a bit isolated. We didn't have a car. This time I'd prefer to be closer to Lausanne or even in Morges.
If you have time to give me any clues I'd appreciate it.
Much obliged
chriscal

Lutry is much nicer than Preverenges. It is a great location in a very desirable area. It is a nice place to raise kids also.
By car, it is a very scenic and painless drive to EPFL along the lake.
You can also explore the route de la Corniche through the vineyards that has stunning views.
Go for it.

Lutry is very pretty, but some of the more residential areas can still feel pretty isolated - I have a friend who lives in an appt back off the lake rather than in the cute fishing village bit, and during the day it's a total ghost town up there. By public transport, it's a half hour commute to EPFL via Renens.

Morges would be very good for feeling 'connected' to people if you didn't want to be in a city - lovely market Wed and Sat, nice coffee shops, library, museums, etc, always people walking/cycling/roller-blading along the lakefront. And the bus to EPFL would be less than 15 mins, and more regular at peak hours.

There are good English-speaking communities in both areas.

kodokan (who lives in Préverenges, but totally understands that you'd never meet anyone to talk to in the village here if you didn't have kids in the local school)