Areas and suburbs in Zurich

The best places to live in Zurich

Wherever you look for accommodation in the best places to live in Zurich, you will need to consider commute times to work and schools, your budget and the kind of property you’re looking for.

Children in kindergarten and primary school are expected to come home for lunch every day, with schools generally not providing canteen facilities. Students typically return home around noon and then leave again an hour and a half later. Secondary school students often need to travel some distance, so access to public transport is important.

Getting around in Zurich shouldn’t be a problem, thanks to its excellent public transport system. The average commute in Switzerland is around 30 minutes, and hour-long commutes are rare. You probably won’t need to spend too much time on the road in this compact city.

If you’re used to large properties, remember that Switzerland is a small country – space is limited, and the market is quite tight. The scarcity of housing, rather than just the high prices, is frequently cited as a major challenge by newcomers.

Accommodation in Zurich mostly consists of apartments and houses. City apartments won’t differ much from other large cities around the world, while nearby towns and villages typically have terraced apartments. There are usually four to eight apartments per building that have terraces rather than balconies or gardens. These offer outdoor space without the work associated with maintaining a garden. Houses typically have small gardens, and swimming pools are rare.

Unfortunately, house prices in Zurich reflect its position as one of the world’s best cities to live in. The city consistently ranks at the top of global quality of living indices. Being close to the lake easily doubles or triples rental prices, so it might be worth doing the proper research and budgeting before relocating.

Read more: Renting Accommodation in Zurich

City living in Zurich

City living in Zurich is probably easier if you’re single or have older children. Most people live in apartments, so space is limited, and children have less room to play. Enge and Seefled are popular with bankers and lawyers, but keep in mind that most restaurants in this area are closed on Sundays. Older, more affluent Swiss residents tend to live in Fluntern and Zürichberg, which are located near the city’s zoo.

Trendier areas include Kreis 5, which maintains its status as a hipster hub with loft apartments, restaurants, and bars. The nightlife scene here buzzes with energy. Students and twenty-somethings flock to Oberstrass and Unterstrass near the university. They're also drawn to Oerlikon and Affoltern, two formerly industrial districts now buzzing with young energy.

Families with young children might consider areas like Höngg, with its gardens and traffic slowed to 19 miles per hour (30km/h), making it safer for the kids to play.

Lake living in Zurich

Lake Zurich

Few things beat having a view of Lake Zurich. The right side of the lake is called the Gold Coast because it catches the sun, and the left side is called the Silver Coast. Interestingly, property prices in some municipalities on the Silver Coast have recently overtaken those on the traditionally more expensive Gold Coast for the first time in history.

Many expats live here because there are international schools on either side. Popular lakeside villages include Kilchberg, Thalwil, Rüschlikon and Horgen on the Silver Coast, as well as Zollikon, Küsnacht, Erlenbach and Meilen on the Gold Coast.

Many facilities and shops around the lake cater for the English-speaking community. Property prices are steep, and most people can only afford the area if they receive a housing allowance from work or are willing to compromise on space. The days of generous job packages with housing allowances are fading fast – you’ll likely need to choose between a swanky address or extra square footage.

Pfannenstiel and Albis regions

The villages on the Gold Coast’s ridge are in the Pfannenstiel region, and those on the Silver Coast are in the Albiskette region. They don’t necessarily have a view of the lake, but their proximity to the international schools and the city makes them popular. Prices are also high here, but it is possible to find affordable accommodation. After-school activities, shops and other places often don’t offer English-speaking services but are still within easy reach of the city.

Greifensee

Greifensee in Zurich is the other lake in the canton of Zurich and is a natural haven. It’s a nature reserve under UNESCO protection with no buildings allowed along much of the shore, resulting in rich fauna and flora with around 400 plant species. You will see many cyclists, rollerbladers and joggers in the area enjoying the unspoiled environment.

There are many villages around the lake with minimalistic infrastructure, with some larger towns such as Uster and Volketswil. Numerous expats live here and send their children to a nearby local or international school. Prices are more moderate, and you usually get more for your money in this area.

Other areas of Zurich

Unless you speak German, living in other areas in the canton of Zurich can be a bit more challenging. Areas such as the Zürcher Oberland and the Weinland are beautiful, but there aren’t many expats aside from those who want to integrate fully and don’t live a typical expat life. Although English services are gradually becoming more common in traditionally German-speaking neighbourhoods, you'll need to learn German if you want to fully blend in. 

The Zürcher Unterland is the area around the airport, north of Zurich. More foreigners are coming to work and live in Zurich without the support of generous expat packages, and are moving to the villages around Bülach and Dielsdorf. Prices are far more affordable here than around Lake Zurich, and the English-speaking population is ever-growing. You’ll be subjected to some aeroplane noise, but many find it isn’t intolerable.

At the end of the day, living in Zurich is great. Finding the right area will be determined by your budget and if you are willing to give up on English-speaking conveniences. If you can live beyond your comfort zone, you will most likely be rewarded with a lovely home and many local friends.