We're moving to Zurich in a few months and are finding it impossible to find an apartment. Granted, we're only looking in a very specific area (Enge/wollishofen), but still. It seems that finding one on one of the internet sites is hopeless, since so many people respond and with 2 young kids, we're certainly not their first pick.

So, what am I missing? What's the magic way to find an apartment? Did you sign up somewhere?

btw, my husband is Swiss.

Touchdown relocation service - paid for by my company. Wouldn't have found anything otherwise, I don't think.

Well, I found my apartment through English Forums, and I'm not the only one. Granted, I don't see much coming from Zurich, but who knows, you might just be lucky and find a suitable place by posting here.

Best of luck...

Hi,

Just found this in Wollishofen (from 26.5.9)

http://zurich-wollishofen.efmc.ch/wo...en/426741.html

BTW. I got my flat at http://www.homegate.ch

Just looked. 93 appartments in Zürich Kreis 2 (Wollishofen) for all price classes.

Good Luck

PS: The train system along the lake is great. Maybe if you cast your net a little further? Horgen, Thalwil, Wadenswil are all very nice.

Harry

i asked every single swiss person i knew to help keep an eye out adn eventually i took over an apartment from a colleague as a Nachmieter

Our department Secretary was sweet enough to get a nice apt for 800, sent me the contract by fax to sign before I moved here...

now the contract is drawing to an end and I will be happy to get a similar one for 1200

I think locals have access to sections of the market that don't go public and are hence better deals than the more openly advertised ones.

it is very hard to find an appartement in Zurich, even if you live there. I have heard of people viewing appartements with the bond payment in their pockets. And the viewing takes place with upteen other couples. With 2 young kids you might even look at living 1 or 2 train stops out of Zurich? Unless of course you are city kids at heart where that wouldnt be an option.
We found our first appartement in the local paper, in Wettingen. I used to take the train into Zurich every day.

We're really very specific on the area since that's where the family lives and we want to be walking distance from them. My in-laws are on the look out for us as is everyone we know there, but still no luck.
Harry, thanks for looking for me. I'm always on homegate. I know 93 sounds like a lot, but when you take off one's with less that 3 rooms, (we want 2 bedrooms, but preferably 3), not for outrageous prices and only a specific area within kreis 2, there's not a lot left. And of those, we are applying, but never seem to get picked.

I can also recommend looking in the local Migros / COOP. There are normally lots of appts on offer there. Normally reasonably priced too.

If you can get there yourself, then maybe your family/in-laws could löök for you?

I know I searched for 6 months and then in the end took something I hadn't even seen, only in Internet.

Again. Lots of luck with the search.

Harry, that's a great, my mother in law goes there all the time, I'll tell her! I dont mind not seeing it, I trust my in-laws.

We found a few places on homegate.ch, submitted a letter of reference and a page 'about us' with our application and were successful right away. Perhaps trying this will help.

Another tip is to increase your visibility by posting loquaciously on EF

You can also add a signature like I have done below, that might improve your chances

All I can say is "Good Luck" - we are living in Wollishofen and looking to upgrade, I have just had Nr 3 in a 2 bed apartment (although my saving grace is the amazing garden and big celler) but I would love a house - (coming from the UK I grew up in a house,) in the same area as the kids schools are in Enge as is work. I didnt want to wait until we moved to have a bigger place to have another child.

We ask everybody and anybody we see - we have been seriously looking for 3 years and found a couple of houses we loved (especially 1) but we were outbid - so if you see something that your not interested in then PLEASE let me know! and likewise I will let you know.

Lydia

Ok, sorry about that. Now I am not particularly referring to your case, but in general isn't it a good thing that people can bid and get something closer to what they need?

If the market is not free it results in price stickiness...the going rates are below the true value. This reduces incentive for builders to build more homes than they would have in a free market, and that results in less number of houses than the market deserves and in the end everyone suffers...

How? people will have no choice, just take what's available. That results in some people living in smaller places than they would have liked, others live in more expensive places than they would have liked...and no one's happy.

Hmmmm, some analysis I couldn't resist . But in summary I think higher prices and bidding are a good thing.

Since your bidding, does that mean you're looking to buy?
I'll let you know if I see something good for you. And if you find something, maybe we can get your apartment???

I called every estate agent that was listed in the Zug phone book. Found an apartment that was yet to be listed. We also had a higher budget than most because we were staying in a hotel apartment and needed to get out before they hiked up the rates for summer. 300 plus people were applying for the cheap ones and on L permits we didn't stand a chance.

" But in summary I think higher prices and bidding are a good thing.[/quote]"

Higher prices / bidding are a good thing, for those with the budget.....or with a rich Swiss relative who can help out

But, thats life and it happens everywhere! and one day we will get lucky! with or without the aunt!

Lyds

Thanks - looking to buy....if the price is right then renting would be an option as well. Have to be realistic.

Lyds

Powerlauer, we're the other way around, haha.

So is it a good idea to start calling estate agencies. What exactly do they do. Charge a certain %? Does that mean you know about it before anybody else? Anyone know any goed agencies for Zurich?

Good Luck!
Try homegate.ch that is where I found our house. Our relocation spec. was useless. I looked day and night and jumped on something I liked right away. It is difficult, just keep plugging away!

MSP