Felix, the hotel concierge, told us that it took him and his girlfriend 5 months to find an apartment, and in the meantime they lived in a 16sqm (including bathroom) "apartment." Sarah, a bartender we met last night, told us that it took her and her boyfriend 1 YEAR!!! Everyone warned us that open houses are basically lotteries, and if you don't submit your application first, you have no chance. There's nothing you can do to increase your chances -- bribing is frowned upon -- and you must tell the landlord everything he/she wants to know, including your yearly salary, your religion, and your marital status.
We were prepared for a long, hard slog, and we went to a place last night sans relocation consultant just to get our feet wet. Imagine our surprise when I got a call this morning saying that we are the preferred candidates, and can we send more information, please, because "your chances are very good and you are very sympathetic." Apparently our we're-a-nice-young-couple-and-isn't-this-apartment-lovely-and-we-just-moved-to-Zurich-by-the-way-Ian-works-for-THE ANONYMOUS COMPANY routine really worked!
Our relocation consultant is now on the case, filling out German forms that divulge all our secrets, and we should have a decision by Monday or Tuesday at the latest. Home sweet home???
The apartment is a 3.5 (two bedroom) on Rossligasse 3 (click here for map), in a posh and lively neighbourhood on the water at the Munster bridge. Ian asked around at the office, and people said it was a good price and a good area, and we should go for it! The current tenants are a gay couple from Iowa who are now moving to NYC. They lived in the apartment for 3 years, and loved it. They also have a cat, so Mr. Banana is cleared for take-off.
The current pics we have of the interior are less than stellar...but...here's our (maybe) living room:
Swiss Mister wants to say that we are going back tonight to check the noise-factor of this neighbourhood.
ReplyDeleteSwiss Miss remembers the endless and endlessly annoying Lausanne carnivals, and thinks this is an excellent idea.
Don't forget to check out the restaurants!
ReplyDeleteLooks nice! And if noise is a potential issue, I'm sure the Swiss have engineered some excellent earplugs.
ReplyDeleteWe went to check out the "noise" -- it was very Swiss...in that there was basically none. :) Maybe it will be a little more boisterous come summertime...but I'm not sure the people here do much boisting.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of good little restaurants and bars! And, just a few minutes down the way, a riverside bar with lounge chairs and paddleboats for hire!