Hi,

I've just been flat hunting and have whittled down my choices to two flats:

One is in Fribourg, near the centre and the other is in Cormanon, Villars Sur Glane.

Anyone got any advice on which is the nicer area to help me choose?

I will be working near the train station!

Cheers!

Depends on exactly where the one in Fribourg is, but I would think the Cormanon one would be a nicer area. They're quite new apartment blocks (built about 8 years ago), bus service runs through the area so easy connection and only about 5 minutes away from the station I would think plus a good shopping centre. If you're feeling like some exercise you could even walk to work.

The one in Fribourg are the new apartment blocks on the corner of Rue Jacques-Gachoud. (http://www.homegate.ch/rent/10367782...ault&l=default)

It is more expensive than the Cormanon one, but I can't decide which one to go for.

Both are very nice, but i don't have a link for the cormanon one. I'm trying to weigh up the pros and cons of each flat, but was just curious if anyone had any advice of the different areas and convenience of local amenities.

Thanks!

I would think the Fribourg one would be more noisy for traffic as Bvld de Perolles is one of the main roads through the city. Good for getting to work for you too though and there is a Migros and an Aldi down Perolles towards the station. Google maps will give you a view of both locations if you have the street addresses for them.

The Fribourg one is actually quite peaceful as it is off the main road and on the fifth floor. But i just can't decide between the two........one is more expensive, closer to work and brand new; the other is further from work, used but nice and cheaper and would still be cheaper even with monthly travel on the bus!

Hi Prit25
I just came over Swiss 4 weeks ago and got a flat in Cormanon, just 200 m far from the shopping centre.
Building is recent, 2011 I think. Area is definitely quite, well maintained, ideal for family with kids or those who are looking for peace time, like myself .Very well served by bus, it will take you 5 mins to the train station or u can even ride a scooter or a bike.
The Cormanon centre offers a bakery, a small but equipped supermarket, pharmacy, pizzeria, Villars-sur-Glane admin offices, office equipments shop, a gym and something more.
Personally I found it perfect for myself, next to my office, next to the motorway, and very comfortable to go to Fribourg when needed.

I recently had to make a similar choice, and ended up choosing a flat in Cormanon....moving there in October! The flat looks nice, and has everything on it... including a washer and dryer, which means no sharing with others. There is a Migros and other shops down below, access to public transportation, a theater, and it takes only 20 to 25 minutes to walk to the train station (did it last week and counted time). The apartment building looks like a concrete block, and could use some plants, but overall it has everything you could possibly need.

It really boils down to your personal preferences. If you like downtown Fribourg, you also have everything nearby. I liked Cormanon because it was outside of downtown, close to the countryside, walking distance to work, and close to the highway.

But then if you already thought of all that, and you like both places, then the decision would be based on price. Remember you are renting (aka throwing money out of the window on something you don't own). So if both choices look good to you, then I would take the cheaper option and save the difference.

Good luck!

Brand new is great in theory but it also means the issues that accompany new builds still need to be identified and corrected. A colleague who moved into a new build rental last fall endured most of last winter with minimal heating and barely warm water. Where I live, the attic apartment had a leaking roof and the one below them had mold on the ceiling (maybe due to the leaks above?). I'd be more inclined to go for the one where these issues have been ironed out already.

Wow, thank you all for the sound advice.

I took a walk to both locations yesterday and have opted to go for the Cormanon one, but fingers crossed that i actually get it as somebody else has registered their interest before me.

@LB79, where abouts are you from? How are you finding it here? Drink sometime?
@jjrb37, thanks for the advice, i know what you mean about throwing money out the window, so the cheaper flat got the thumbs up from me, so fingers crossed. Drinks??
@Camupa, hopefully they've ironed out all the 'problems' or would be kind to let me know of any

Are you guys on Grand Chenes or Perolles d'en Haut??

TBH if this is a recently-built block it's likely that some issues will arise. There's a two year guarantee period after which the builders/other contractors have to come back to fix issues that have arisen during the period. My apartment (also first occupancy) had a list of about 15 fixes (window wouldn't open, wonky toilet flush, wind blowing through an electrical socket etc). If the building wasn't in use last winter, has the effectiveness of the heating been checked? It also means having to be home to let to workmen in a number of times.

I don't want to put you off, but just let you know what you're likely to experience. Anyone I know who moved into a first-use apartment has had similar experiences.

Yeah, that's true, but i guess it's the same in any country with new builds. Time will tell, but hopefully i will get the cormanon flat and it should be ok and cheaper. Should find out this week :-)

I think those buildings in Cormanon have been there for over a year at least. Yes they are new, and there are always risks when living in new places. But that doesn't mean you are going to have an issue every time, or that you will have make big fixes. Its really a matter of luck. The best thing you can do is have a good look at it before you move in. But older buildings might require a lot of maintenance as well. The reality is that you won't know until moving day or later.

The thing to do is go over the whole place with a keen eye on the day you move in and spot any problems, broken items, etc. The landlord/agency people should be with you and will note on a form any problems and either arrange for them to be fixed or note that they are broken so when you come to move out you will not be expected to pay for them.

Don't worry, i've lived in many different rented properties before, so will be going over the place with a white glove for dust and magnifying glass, lol.

Hopefully, should be all ok. But things over here seem better than the UK in terms of making things official and doing things properly.

Well, my flat is in Grand-chenes and I am the second occupant. Defects have been already fixed, I had a list from the agency and you can count only 3 minor issues.
As regards myself, I am Italian, lived in Ireland for a bit, moved to France and now to Fribourg. Hope to fix myself here for a while now.
Lads, isf u are organising a pint out somewhere in the city I will enjoy with pleasure.
It is only a bit I am so settling is still on going. Hanging out mostly will colleagues and discovering the regain cycling.
Will be great being able to set up a group of friends out of work environment. I still have to find it out but seems here people group themselves with old school mate or colleagues. Let's see....

Ah, i looked at a flat on Grand-Chenes, but by the time i made a decision, it had gone. I like the flats on that side because of the views if you are on the right side.

But i'm definitely up for a drink one day and maybe more if we get on :-)

Definitely good to have friends outside of work as well, so lets try and arrange something soon.