I've tried searching apartments for rent (e.g. homegate.ch). In general, there seem to be relatively few modern apartments available that are recently built (for example, built after 2015).

Is there, in general, very little new construction in Switzerland? Or are new apartments listed somewhere else? Is there a big difference in the quality and age of houses in different regions of Switzerland?

Huge difference in prices and availaibility depending on different regions.

Which area are you looking in?

Even in different regions, there are huge differences depending on individual areas.

Well, I'm basically searching for the best place to live. I run my own business and most of my work is online, so location is not that important for me.

What matters most is quality of life - I like new housing because they are usually contemporary in design and everything works smoothly. I'd prefer to live in a mid-size city with essential services nearby. I speak a bit of German, so the northern parts of Switzerland might be ideal.

Well, I live as the first tenant in my dream new apartment in Zurich, which I found on Homegate. There are relatively few (affordable) apartments here, and the search and success in finding one would be impossible if you don‘t even know which part of Switzerland you are looking in . Not to mention budget, size etc.

So much to consider- tax rates too. Usually areas with high tax rates are much cheaper to live in than those with low taxes. Checks and balances.

A lot of newer apartments are currently destined for ownership/sale, rather than rentals.

This is what I suspected. Anyways, is homegate.ch the primary place for rental listings? Are there other sites that I should check out as well? Maybe contact some real estate agents directly expressing interest in finding a new apartment for rent?

for websites, there's immoscout24.ch and flatfox.ch

I live in an apartment building finished on 2018. All I can tell is that new apartments buildings are being built in old industrial areas right next to train stations. So, look for this.

@mods

I wanted to suggest an easy search, as it has been discussed and summarized in so many different posts (probably in the thousands), but even I couldn‘t find it in one place except for this one, which is not up to date :

https://www.englishforum.ch/housing-...re-asking.html


@Northern

In addition to Homegate there is immoscout24.
I‘m sure that you will get additional suggestions according to different areas and your search criteria. Good luck in your search!

I live in a rural area and lots of new apartments are being built on green sites and also on land with large traditional mansions/country houses.

Until fairly recently, ownership in Switzerland was only for villas/detached houses. Buying apartments in shared ownership is quite recent, but has taken over. Because houses are now too expensive for most, and because people can get mortgage and many costs deducted from tax, so have realised it makes sense.

I think we are being trolled. If the OP is unable to tell us where s he wants to, or is able to live how can we help them? Northern stretches from the Jura to St. Gallen.

That was my first thought too, and I suggested using the above right search tool in my immediate first response (having read also the posters previous postings / threads).

However, I had to change my reply when I found that I couldn‘t find a summarized link to answer his question . Or maybe I‘m just having a slow day.

It is indeed a small country but so so varied and different, depending.

Mind you, I know some people who just looked for the cheapest place to rent, best value/quality/size and were totally open minded. They moved very close to us and loved it. Not a new apartment, but for 500.- all in, they were very happy.

I think it's the exact opposite.

Agree, once you know the area you are looking for then you keep an eye open. I rented my apartment (new build) unseen, and my neighbours above also. They actually secured it once they saw the building construction sign go up.

The neighbour below me also rented it unseen, as he was familiar with the area. We had one thing in common: If you know the area well, then you already know how it is to live there and the views it may provide.

Affordable apartments just take the right amount of effort to secure in an extremely competitive market. So it helps if you know where you are looking as a starting point.

Brand new apartment often get rented through their site and only go on Homegate for the leftovers. New complexes will have a site showing all the apartments with floor plans etc. So if you are going around and spot a new building you can read the sign and check it out.

Or if a dispute has happened between the funder and the the builder etc. and the build time exceeds the funders expectations, so it becomes available as soon as possible, as in my case. Anyways, there are many new properties available in Switzerland is my take on things. However you just need to be on your toes to get the place you want, at the right price.

Thanks, this is useful to know. Might there be websites that list all new building projects in a specific canton or a city (or all of Switzerland)?

As said, most new built are destined for sale, not rentals. Mortgage facilities are very limited if you want to buy to rent. I have several friends with a big property portfolio- but they all say they get a much better return on older, but refurbished well, apartments.

That really depends where you are. Most of the new buildings where I live are rental apartments.

Yes, very regional probably.