Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the country's fifth-largest city. It has long attracted expatriates from both the European Union and other countries. As the capital of the canton of Bern, it offers many professional opportunities. The good news is that the housing market is a bit less competitive than in other major Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva. So, how do you find accommodation in Bern?
Neighborhoods in Bern
The canton of Bern is divided into five major administrative regions: Bern-Mittelland, Bernse Jura, Emmental-Upper Aargau, Oberland and Seeland.
The city of Bern itself currently has a population of just over 146,000, with around 17% foreigners.
The city is divided administratively into six districts, each of which is made up of several neighborhoods: the city center, Länggasse-Felsenau, Mattenhof-Weissenbühl, Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde, Breitenrain-Lorraine and Bümpliz-Oberottigen.
Bern's city center is renowned for its medieval heritage, with most of its streets remaining unchanged for over a hundred years. This area preserves its rich historical and cultural charm. As a result, housing in the center is scarce and expensive.
The Länggasse-Felsenau district, located to the northwest, is home to university buildings. While rents are still high, they are lower than those in the city center.
The Mattenhof-Weissenbühl district in the south is quieter and more residential. The city center is easily accessible by public transport, and rents here are much lower than in the city center.
The Kirchenfeld-Schosshalde district in the southeast features extensive green spaces, luxury villas, embassies, and museums. As a result, rents are correspondingly high.
Breitenrain-Lorraine, located north of the city center, especially in Lorraine, offers a lively atmosphere with numerous bars and cafés. Rents in this district are relatively affordable.
Bümpliz-Oberbottigen, to the west of the city, is a very residential area with good transport links and shopping facilities. Like in the previous district, rents here are reasonable.
Rent prices in Bern
Rental prices in Bern are generally lower than in other major Swiss cities like Zurich and Geneva.
Currently, the median rent in Bern is 310 CHF per square meter per year. For a 100-square-meter apartment, this averages out to CHF 2,583 per month.
In comparison, the median annual rent per square meter in Zurich is 431 CHF, making the monthly rent for a 100-square-meter apartment CHF 3,591. In Geneva, the average rent for a similarly sized apartment is CHF 3,866 per month. Despite being the federal capital, Bern offers more affordable rental prices than these other Swiss cities.
As mentioned earlier, the most affordable districts to rent in Bern are Bümpliz-Oberbottigen and Breitenrain-Lorraine.
How to find accommodation in Bern
Like most Swiss cities, Bern offers a range of housing options, including studios, rooms, apartments, and single-family homes. Currently, there are 1,391 rental properties available in Bern, according to the real estate aggregator RealAdvisor.
Self-serviced accommodations and shared flats are quite popular in the area, making them ideal for students and trainees. Additionally, there are many hotels and bed & breakfasts available for those just passing through Bern.
While it's a fading tradition, there are still some furnished apartments available for rent in Bern. However, you'll also find plenty of unfurnished apartments.
Single-family homes are less common than apartments and are outdated.
When searching for accommodation in Bern, check that essential services like transportation, healthcare, and schools are within a reasonable distance. If you're already in the area, explore the neighborhoods to find out where you'd prefer to live.
You can find housing options online and in the classified ads of local newspapers.
You can also enlist the help of a real estate agent to find a home that matches your criteria.
Additionally, check out expatriate forums and social media communities. There are groups specifically dedicated to housing in Bern.
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