Oh. My. God.



I am currently searching, and I have already been hit with every scam on the Glocals scam guide - 419s, Cash-first, Wiring scams, you name it haha



But you're right, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, and it's all about having a big funnel at the top, so to speak. Basically, you go to the olympic-sized effort when looking for a place. I have posted all over, and have gotten responses from all over - not the best, but you have to be hopeful, right? I think my main compromise is going to be location, though. I will have long commutes for a while, but oh, well.



The best resources I've used:

EasyWG.ch

Immo.search.ch

glocals (of course)

WorldLiveRadio.ch

comparis.ch



Have you been seeing the same things?



...You're right. Venting feels great.
TheMoney, Apr 2, 2009 @ 22:44

Hi there! There are so many other resources you could try, I feel like I've pretty much been through it all. In addition to the ones you mentioned, you could go to:



www.toutimmobilier.ch

www.immostreet.ch



Also, some regies use the aggregator sites listed above, and some don't, and you have to know which ones won't so you can go to their individual websites and snap up deals that others may not have seen. Try these:

www.abordier.ch

www.burger-sa.ch

www.regiezimmermann.ch

www.regieducentre.ch

www.forum-immobilier.ch

www.regisseurs.ch

www.regiebrun.ch



You'll be surprised - let me know if you find anything new there, I've found lots! Not that I got them, anyway, but at least there wasn't every tom, dick, and harry competing against me. There's some stuff on those sites that stay up for weeks and weeks, so I can only assume they have a slower turnaround time than some of the other regies who use toutimmobilier.



In any case, bookmark all the regie sites and check them regularly (Tues-Wed seem to be the most active days). I had a folder of 35 bookmarks! Even if they use aggregator sites, they might only post up their ads after they've been on their own sites for three days :w00t:, and sometimes being first can make a positive difference :D



Also try anibis.ch, for listings similar to glocals - people looking to get out of their leases and turn them over to new tenants (sometimes with obligatory furniture buy-back, but then you have to decide if it's worth it...) Anything that doesn't pit you against sixty to a hundred other people...



As to location - where did you want to live and where do you think you'll end up living? Fortunately we found something in Eaux-Vives, but I always thought it might be a tad less competitive if we had expanded our search to Onex, Meyrin, Grand-Lancy, etc...



afrochick, Apr 2, 2009 @ 23:50

I am planning to move to Geneve in July and I have heard the horror stories involved! We currently have an employee in Geneve but she is leaving and unfortunately I cannot take her place.



When should you start looking for a place to live? Before you move or once you get there? I would assume with all the docs you need to start looking only once you arrive?



Also, what is your thought on regies approving employees from small companies. My company is small (literally no office in Geneve yet) and they would have never heard of us. However, we work with huge international fashion groups that everyone has heard of. I was wondering if I should ask my contacts for something on company letterhead to help "prove" my ability to pay and worthiness for an apartment. This has helped in the past when VISAs were needed and wondered if it might help now.



I am extremely picky, so I can only imagine how difficult it will be for me to find a place to live. I don't want to settle for just anywhere!
bean1019, Apr 3, 2009 @ 00:08

Hi bean,



First of all, good luck! You're going to need it. I don't know if it'll do any good to start looking for a place to live before you get here - most of the averagely-priced apartments (from 1-3k) are advertised a month or two weeks before the availability date, and the competition here means that lots of real live people will go and beg for them (and one will get the apartment) before you even have a chance to make that phone call. I think it's better to get here and find something temporary (a sublet or a furnished residence) and then use that as a base from which to launch a full search (be prepared to devote a lot of time to it!);)



The small company could be an issue... I'm lucky enough that while I work for one too, my fiance works for a well-known multinational and that made a huge difference. If there's anything you think can add value to your dossier - letters of reference from employers, salary slips from past several years (ie above and beyond what is requested) etc - add it up front, rather than kicking yourself after the tenth rejection for not having put in the maximum effort. But yes, some stuff is best gotten here - like the attestation de non-poursuite, which will require you to have a Geneva address, I believe, even if it's just a hotel.







That will be the hardest obstacle! Don't worry, after a few missed tries, you'll be surprised at what you'll be willing to consider...:P





afrochick, Apr 3, 2009 @ 00:38

Wow, nice apartment! I'm sure someone will take you up on the offer soon, sounds like a lovely place. Like most others, I don't really understand the complexities involving living in Vaud when the permit to work was granted in Geneva... perhaps you can share some insights?



I remember you mentioning this apartment in another thread... how come you're leaving Gland? Coming back to Geneva?:P



Also, general heads up: for other offers in the Vaud/neighboring Geneva region, check out [url=http://www.rytz.com][/url]
afrochick, Apr 3, 2009 @ 09:01

I'd like to share my positive story, to keep people from falling into complete and utter despair. When I moved here, I got temporary accommodation from my employer, but they couldn't give me any more help in finding an apartment other than advice. So I started the normal apartment hunt. It took me almost three months and about 30 apartment visits (and applications, of course), but I did find an apartment, completely without personal connections or subletting. Simply saw it, personally went to the regie with the papers, and got called back a couple days later that I was the chosen one. And the apartment is great! I didn't have to make a single compromise: walking distance to work, quiet, balcony, nice old building, and affordable.



Just writing this to show that it is possible. Don't give up. Check the sites every day and have your papers up to date, in nicely looking copies. I also think that speaking French helps a lot. I felt that even my somewhat crappy, but functional French was appreciated.
thomas11, Apr 3, 2009 @ 10:04

I'd like to chip in that it's pretty crucial to be personally involved in the process and go to the regie in person, etc, and this was something that we found hard to do. I had all the time to go to the visits and go to the regies, but it was my bf's name on the lease (I'm only a colocataire) and he couldn't go because he was at work all day. I think I only got him to a regie's office once, and then he was quite disappointed when that didn't work out - it's easy to get frustrated and take all the rejections personally :-(



For the apartment we did get, he was very involved (via phone), his employer was involved (they reserve some apartments in Geneva that only their employees are eligible for), and I was involved (getting our complete dossier there nice and early before competitors had a chance!) So, whew.



I'm curious - didn't you find it hard to make 30 visits while working full-time? I've probably seen about fifty in the past four-five months, and most of them were during regular working hours when I had to go get the key, leave an ID, and come back two hours later. Not sure how I'd have managed it if my schedule wasn't so flexible! Especially because those open visits in the evenings are cattle calls... once after waiting in a queue for fifteen minutes I gave up and left without even seeing the door of the apartment...:w00t:

afrochick, Apr 3, 2009 @ 11:40

Toupie_2, Apr 3, 2009 @ 12:18

I agree with Lokum about being early! I checked the regie sites obsessively and was often the first to call to make an appointment for an apartment (and I could then choose any time slot I wanted). Frankly, the longer an ad has been up the slimmer your chances get... nothing's better than refreshing the page to see something brand new and knowing you're one of the first in line!



For those moving within Geneva, have you found your current regies to be helpful in finding a new apartment? I thought that would be a good strategy at first, but the market is so saturated they don't seem to care if they lose your business, because someone else is always waiting to take your place!
afrochick, Apr 3, 2009 @ 13:44

I know there is hope...but after I have been looking for an apartment every single day of the last one and the half month, I am startin to think that I am unlucky, with a big U.

I have one question though.

Where did you guys stay meanwhile?My company just payed one month of hotel and from now on a small studio costs 3200 fr a month. Anyone has some info about that?Even sublet flats wich them I realized to be a scam I already found, although that one looked pretty real and belonged to someone at the UniGe.

:doze:
kkrisz, Apr 3, 2009 @ 18:49

I think subletting is your best bet at this point - there really are real people who sublet for various reasons! My fiancé and I are planning to do so for a short period when we move later on (his lease on the current apartment doesn't expire for another month). Most sublets will be marked up because of the furniture, etc, but are a better deal and a better alternative to staying in a hotel. The sublets are usually advertised by the tenants - if you know some French, look on www.anibis.ch. I think it should be easier to get sublets than to rent from the regie... with a sublet you just have to be first in line and fork over the rent. Just don't do it for too long for your own security - ideally, the subletter will want to get out of his own lease and you can apply to take it over. It's worked for some people...



Otherwise, there are companies that rent furnished apartments, but for rather steep prices as you have found. You can try this: http://www.hotels-suisse.ch/dizerens/dizerens.htm
afrochick, Apr 3, 2009 @ 19:38

More or less we are in the same situation as you. I'm working during the day meanwhile my wife hunts for apartments in our hotel room. I already have my pre-visa (a letter from Office Cantonal that I will receive visa soon) but my wife is still a tourist. When we send our application for an apartment I never know if I should mention her on the forms. If I write her name on the form they expects her visa to be attached what we obviously cannot do. If I apply for the apartment alone I guess we have less chance to win it. What do you think about this? What is the better strategy?



kkrisz, Apr 4, 2009 @ 01:00

Well, I actually do have a permit, so I did put my name on all the applications - even though it's only a student permit, so it probably didn't help so much. I also have a part-time job and an income, so I listed all of that. In your case, though, I think it's better if you put your name only on it, since your wife's lack of documentation will raise question marks that may make the difference between you getting the apartment or someone else. There's no problem with single people applying for apartments up to about 50 - 60m2 or so, anything more and they'd prefer to give it to a couple or family (at least that's what I'm told). If your net income is 3x the rent, then give it a shot.. and apply in person, apply early, etc. etc. Hang in there... and get a sublet in the meantime to save some $$$
afrochick, Apr 4, 2009 @ 11:17

Afrochick,  Thank you for posting all of the sites on where to look for apartments.  My husband and I have been here for 3 years now living in a studio.  We love our location in Old Town and the unique building we live in. However, we had a baby last year and the studio is really too small for us.  I received a contract renewal in December and have been looking for a bigger place since then without much luck - I am picky though.  I'm not sure how much longer we can survive here so will likely start compromising in location and price....time will tell.  I look forward to checking out some of the links you suggested as I have only been following a few of them on a regular basis so far.

Again, many thanks for posting.
incap1, Apr 8, 2009 @ 00:11

My Fiance and I found our place on Craigslist.org It was easy and quick. Check it out!! Hope that helps....
pascal555, Apr 16, 2009 @ 21:47

Google :)
ThomasNL, Apr 16, 2009 @ 22:18

Hi,

I found my appartment on www.homegate.ch and it only took 3 weeks from first coming to Switzerland to collecting the keys. In the meantime I stayed in a cheap hotel.

I did, however, end up spending more than my original budget as I didn't realise quite how expensive a furnished flat in Basel-Stadt would cost. Still I enconomise by flying with Easyjet from Geneva each weekend.

Cheers, Graham.
graham2, Apr 21, 2009 @ 16:53