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Other Recruiters, Employment Agencies and Job Boards in and around the Cities of Zurich and Zug, Switzerland (Page 2)

Housing in the Zuerich and Zug Areas

Housing in Zuerich is very expensive. Although, the it is very family-friendly city with various options. Many, especially American Expats, like to live in the suburbs, near the two main international schools (K12) on either side of the lake. These are in Kuesnacht and Zumikon (InterCommunity School, which follows the IB program) on the right side also known as the “gold coast”, and Kilchberg and Thawil (Zurich International School) on the left hand side of the lake, known as the “silver coast”. Both locations will require that you either drive or take the train (S-Bahn) to get to the city center. It is not easy to find homes with gardens for rent in the city of Zuerich. Though, there are nearly always children's play parks and public areas close by.” There are also recreational areas such as the Dolder Forest, the Zoo area, Irchel, Landesmueseum by the river Limmat (right behind the main railway station), and the Uetliberg.

High land and house prices resulted in renting being the norm in Switzerland and it is not unusual that people rent the same apartment for 30 and more years. Large insurance companies, banks and pension funds are the major owners of rental property, besides private owners. The average size of a Swiss home for a family of four is between 100 - 150 m2, with the larger 150 sqm being on the expensive and high income side. Large rental homes with 5 or 6 bedrooms are very scarce and almost unobtainable.

The attractive blocks of flats, built in the 1890-1920's, you see everywhere in the city are generally occupied by long term renters and if they come onto the market, you will never hear about it. If you are in the upper bracket market, you can try to get a rental in one of the old villas (again 1870-1920) that are constantly being refurbished to a very high standard and divided into four to six apartments. Most of them are to be found in the expensive Kreis 1 (center), 2 (Enge) and Kreis 7 (Zuerichberg - the most expensive part of town). Many of these villas are historic buildings and the rents can be astronomical. They are also not very well suited for families with small children and usually do not have any garage or parking spaces. If you find one that has, you are very lucky!

The above districts (Kreis 1, 2, and 7) are at the upper price end of the market and there are cheaper inner city places available in the Kreis 4 and 5. Kreis 5 had been mainly industrial and is now the up and coming area with lots of loft conversions. It is by no means cheap. Kreis 4 is not really recommended, if you have children, since it is the entertainment district, which can be quite noisy. Kreis 3, 9 and 10 also offer cheaper accommodation. Otherweis you have to head for the suburbs. Though, not those along the Gold of Silver coast, because they carry their name for a reason! Since there is excellent public transport anywhere surrouinding Zurich, a 30 minute commute is easily possible.

If you have children access to schools is obviously important. For German speaking children, the Swiss school system, which is obviously free, is an excellent choice. If you speak French, the Lycée Français de Zurich in Gockhausen is an obvious choice. Home schooling is not an option in Switzerland! There are other smaller private schools available and most of the international schools have a bus system for the younger children. Otherwise children from the age of 9 use public transport which is save and fast.

Below are two rental examples of what you can expect for your rent. There are also good online sites for rental property (look under "Mieten"), some of which are shown here.

Cost Examples for Apartments in and around Zuerich

Typical example 1 (2014) in Zurich 8006 (Kreis 6) a quiet middle to upper bracket neighborhood in the center are:

• 4 1/2 room apartment meaning kitchen bath, maybe a second WC (if it is in an upper price bracket), three bedrooms (3), reception room (1) which is linked to a dining room (this is always the 1/2 room)
• fully equipped kitchen, probably coshared laundry (on specified days) in the basement, cellar compartment, maybe loft storage compartment -
• apartment has 120 sq.meters - 1st-5th floor, possibly with shared lift -
• Monthly rental costs around Sfr 4,500 per month which should include heating and hot water. If it does not include heating and hotware, expect about 10% of the rental costs to be added. Swiss houses and apartments do not have any air conditioning, but are generally well insolated.
• One to three month deposit is required (Deposit is usually held by the owners in a savings account with interest payable when you leave to the renter - but practices may vary),
• 3 months notice period (March, June, Sept. only)

Typical example 2 in the suburb of 8180 Buelach, 20 minutes S Bahn commute to Zuerich HB (main station) a quiet dormitory town near the airport:

• 4 1/2 room apartment, kitchen bath, second WC with shower (en suite to the master bedroom), three bedrooms (3), reception room (1) which is linked to a dining room (this is always the 1/2 room)
• fully equipped kitchen, coshared laundry (on specified days) in the basement, cellar compartment, maybe loft storage compartment -
• apartment has 131 sq.meters - 1st floor -
• Monthly rental costs around Sfr 2,690 per month which includes heating and hot water costs of Sfr 190.00 monthly.
• One to three month deposit is required (Deposit is usually held by the owners in a savings account with interest payable when you leave to the renter - but practices may vary),
• 3 months notice period (March, June, Sept. only)

Recruiters and Staffing Agencies

Executive and other Recruiters in and around Zug

Return to Page 1 - Zuerich and Zug