And where prices are rising: Which neighborhoods are popular in Bern?

According to the calculations of real estate expert Iazi, condominium prices have increased 18 percent in the last five years. “As far as price increases are concerned, Berne is currently in the Champions League,” says Donato Scognagmiglio, Iazi Chairman of the Board. Prices rose 26 percent in Zurich alone and 19 percent in Basel. At the same time, taxes are high in the city of Bern, which means that property buyers are attracted to neighboring communities with lower taxes.

Ruedi Tanner, Chairman of the Swiss Chamber of Brokers, speaks of a certain inertia that can be found in Bern. “70 percent of those employed are civil servants. This inertia also affects the real estate market. Very little is being built to meet demand.” The capital has 77,000 apartments for around 130,000 people.

The vacancy rate is 0.57 percent. An uncomfortably low number. Apartment postings disappear from the web after just two hours, as providers are flooded with questions. Otherwise there are scenes known only from Zurich. “Even in Bern, those interested are now lining up to see an apartment as it’s only an affordable 4.5-room apartment,” says Michael Friedli.

Neufeld and Felsenau regions are in demand

A popular neighborhood is Neufeld, the largest neighborhood in Bern next to Oberbottigen. Here you’ll find FC Bern’s almost century-old home stadium, the Stadion Neufeld, as well as numerous sports facilities and the adjacent local recreation area Bremgartenwald. Shining green just outside the front door, Aare makes long curves here, which means the water flows more calmly and it’s easier to wash. “There’s one thing above all else in Neufeld: there’s still plenty of room,” says Managing Director Dr. Mayer real estate. Especially since there are still building land reserves. Much of the urban development will take place in Neufeld over the next few years. The city of Bern is planning a major development project on the “Viererfeld”. The aim is to create an urban, green zone with approximately 1,200 flats for 3,000 people.

The Felsenau region is visually different. This was once the location of large industrial companies and of course still influences the image of the neighborhood today. Here you will find many workers’ houses which were previously sold by the Municipality of Bern with building rights. “In terms of urban development, this quarter is not as attractive as the others,” says Marc Balsiger. “But Felsenau has everything families need for their daily needs: plenty of shopping, daycare and schools.” Unlike Bethlehem and Bumpliz, the population here is predominantly Swiss. Felsenau has the second lowest rate of foreigners with 7.4 percent.

in Langgasse

Breitenrain and Länggasse are trendy. Länggasse runs from the train station across from the university, via Neufeld to the edge of the forest and the motorway. The former working class district flourished when traffic calmed down and public spaces were improved. As a result, trendy shops, various restaurants and cozy cafes have come to the neighborhood. An afterlife-like scene developed that made many students in the neighborhood happy. “Secondos used to live in Länggasse, today he is an urban city freak,” says Ruedi Tanner of Wirz Tanner Immobilien AG. “It’s cool that you can say you live in Länggasse,” says Michael Friedli, Managing Director of Von Graffenried Real Estate. “Even though many forget that the quality of life in beautiful old homes isn’t always the same.”

2.5-room apartments ranging from 50 to 70 square meters no longer meet today’s needs. Büezer lived here, so only small apartments were built; The Büezer families lived in the countryside. “Many people, especially students and lecturers who live there, want to buy an apartment in Länggasse,” says Ruedi Tanner. “It’s just that there are no flats on the market. And if so, then the wrong ones.” Currently, 1.1 million needs to be allocated for a 100 square meter apartment.

families in Murifeld

On the outer border of Bern you will find Murifeld. The quarter borders the stylish upper Kirchfeld on one side and the low-tax municipality of Muri on the other, where many wealthy residents reside to save taxes. The neighborhood is well-maintained, its building texture is valuable. In no time you are in the adjacent local recreation area and Aare. Unlike Lorraine, Breitenrain or Länggasse there are hardly any cafes or shops. Dr. Mayer real estate. “But it’s also safer, thanks to uninterrupted monitoring of embassies in the region.”

With a 50 percent price increase in five years, Murifeld has outstripped all other quarters. This is largely due to the construction of larger buildings. “A lot of women from the city of Bern were in pole position to buy an apartment there,” says Marc Balsiger. “Many people who searched for a long time and found nothing were finally willing to pay a substantial premium to own their own home.”

luxury in Schosshalde

One of the oldest districts of Bern is Schosshalde. First mentioned in a document in 1288, Schosshalde offers a magnificent view of the Alps in the distance and the old town nearby. Schosshalde is a quiet residential area. It’s easy to live here – if you can afford it. There are neither industries nor shopping centres, instead there are many venerable villas and residences, a local recreation area and even a lake, the Egelsee. Next door is Kirchenfeld, which is even more expensive with all its foreign embassies, security guards and high thuja hedges. Life in Schosshalde is private and expensive.

“Only a few senior officers and industry captains can afford this top-notch position,” says Ruedi Tanner of Wirz Tanner Immobilien AG. “Only Kirchenfeld and the city center are more expensive than Schosshalde”. Michael Friedli, CEO of von Graffenried Liegenschaft, doubles down: “Those who want to find something here need a lot of time, luck or B vitamins, especially since objects are rarely on the market.” Good luck to those who want to stay in the district and are looking for an apartment. “Here you regularly receive flyers from young families who want to stay in the neighborhood and are looking for a larger flat at affordable prices.”

Bethlehem: Still underdeveloped

And then there is Bethlehem. And Bumpliz. Two neighborhoods characterized by apartment blocks and high-rise buildings with one or two farms in between, followed by unattractive prefabricated buildings from the 1950s and 1970s, protected by urban planning. Dr. Mayer real estate. “Refreshing blocks is a challenge.” Bethlehem is still a workers’ district. Financially weaker tenants live here – densely populated and therefore close to each other. The rate of foreigners in this quarter is 35 percent, the highest rate in the entire city.

“Anyone looking for an apartment here will definitely find something,” says Ruedi Tanner of Wirz Tanner Immobilien AG. “Unlike all other neighborhoods there is a high vacancy rate here.” Even though home prices have increased 19 percent in the last five years, they are still relatively cheap. You can get a 3.5-room flat for less than 1,000 francs. “Many Bernese voluntarily move to Bethlehem,” says Tanner. “But there are also nice corners and squares.” The palace garden, for example the registry office or the nearby Weyerli, Switzerland’s largest outdoor pool, is where the whole Bern-West ripples on hot days. Michael Friedli of von Graffenried Real Estate agrees: “Bethlehem has a worse reputation than it actually is,” says Friedli. “It will probably take a long time to become a quarter.” But in terms of spatial planning, a lot of thought is put into it.