Moving to Zurich with a newborn - tips and advice

[Sara456]

Hi All,
I am moving from London to Zurich with my husband and our new born baby. A bit of excitement and stress because I am completely lost on how to organise the logistics. I read it is a nightmare to find a place to live in Zurich 😔 and with the covid-brexit situation ...I cannot afford to be on site and visit the flats.
I would be really grateful if you have any local relocation agency that you would recommend ? And also, which international movers would you advice ? I want to plan the boxing and unboxing ahead as with the baby...things are unpredictable

Thank you 🙏🏻

Really read up about the Public school system if that is where you intend to send your child. It is very different from other educational systems round the world eg children come home for lunch and some afternoons, they walk to school without the parents, there is a selection process into different streams at age 12, but in Zürich this happens earlier and is into different schools. Most children 70% go on the highly skilled apprenticeship system at the age of 15, working in both a company and study in a college. These are skilled apprenticeship jobs eg veterinary nursing to what we would think of as less skilled but are taught to a high level eg plumbing.

Ooh exciting! I have lived in Zurich for the Last 10 Years. It’s a wonderful place to bring up children.
The housing situation is a little tricky at the moment but it’s better than it was a few months ago.
I have a Instagram account called @yourzurichhome it offers tips and ideas for people living here.
I also offer an advice and settling in service.
I have heard good things about Matterhorn relocation and also packinplex. But maybe your/DH work is offering a relocation company as part of your moving package?
Happy to answer any more questions if you have any

thank you so much ladies !!!
@Abricot1993 you are right I need to look at schools. I saw some international schools but they seem v expensive. My concern over the next 3 years is to find the right childcare /nursery...and it already seems challenging !

@Serenschintte thank you for sharing your instagram ! I will check it out. I will reach out to Mattherhon. I have heard that the demand is higher than the supply and it is quite hard to secure a 3 bedroom flat...even if we are not against living outside of the center of Zurich. Husband is finalising the last relocation benefits...not sure if the company is providing a relocation company. They said they would help with the work permit (B)... Given your experience @Serenschintte, do we need to find a flat and then apply to get the permit or...vis versa..THANK YOU

You need a permit and to register with the local Gemeinde. You cannot access things like mobile phones or bank accounts without an address. Have you looked at immo.ch et al? If the company is paying to relocate and an expat package (it will be very challenging financially if not) do they have temporary accommodation or include an agent? Nurseries are very expensive. Do you hope to work too?

Also bear in mind that the number of rooms quoted in adverts includes living spaces, not just bedrooms, so you want 4/4.5+. It used to be that most leases started 1st October or 1st April so most apartments are advertised with this in mind although you do get some coming up in between, usually becoming vacant around the end of the international school year in June. Zurich is a fairly spread out city so do consider your dh office commute.

@LIZS thank you for your reply. the company is providing a lump sum as an allowance to help with the move. They dont have a temporary accommodation, neither an agent. This is why I was wondering if a relocation agency can help us to secure a rent/flat. Once we have the address , we could then apply to the permit, bank account, mobile...i am not sure if i am doing it in the right order???..
I hope to work too once the baby is big enough ,ie when he is 1 year.old..

Do you speak German, if not start now! English is widely spoken but not all doctors receptionists, post office and supermarket staff will and even those that do will appreciate you making an effort. Food labels are in German, French and Italian.

You probably won't be able to work automatically on your dh permit unless B status has changed. The company will organise the permit for your dh, with you and the baby named as dependants.

I moved to zurich in 2007, now live just 15 mins outside of Zurich in Kanton Aargau. I would recommend getting an international moving company to pack, ship, store and unpack. It might take you a couple of months in temporary accommodation until you find somewhere permanent so start looking immediately when you arrive. If DH company is not offering temp accommodation then look at longer term air bnb, you can book monthly I think.

If you want to go back to work within a year you also need to register for a nursery as soon as you arrive, we registered when I was pregnant and got a place in our village nursery when DS was 1 year old (we got another place 5 km away in the interim but were lucky to get that).

Homes on the Gold Coast (Tiefenbrunnen side of the lake) are ridiculously hard to come by, and correspondingly expensive. On the other side you can be in Kanton Aargau in less than 15 mins and it can be quite a lot cheaper. The north side of the city towards the airport is also a little cheaper.

Feel free to send me a PM if you have questions.

Switzerland is amazing and Zurich is particularly good for family life but it really does take a bit of getting used to.

If he has colleagues in the Zurich office and is transferring , rather than moving to a new company, would any of those be willing to visit potential apartments or advise?

I live in Zurich, it’s a great place to be! However finding a flat/house is indeed hard. I fully agree with the posters who said to look for temporary accommodation. The public transport system is amazing which means you can live quite far up the lake (e.g. Stäfa, or Wädenswil) and still be in the city in 30 minutes. Do you know where your DH will have their workplace?