Retiree Monica K. (74) cannot find a smaller apartment: “Finding an affordable apartment is hopeless.”

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Monica K.* (74) has been living in Zurich for 14 years. In a 3.5-room apartment of 90 square meters for 1,900 francs. She lost her life partner unexpectedly in the summer. That’s why the retiree is looking for a smaller, cheaper apartment. But she can’t find anything, she tells “SonntagsZeitung”: “It’s hopeless to find something affordable.”

His current apartment has become too big for him. 2.5 rooms will be enough for him. He is also concerned about rising electricity and rent costs. Monica K. thinks that she will have to pay 100 francs more per month after the increase in the reference interest rate.

unsuccessful search

He doesn’t have particularly high expectations for his new apartment. It must be located in the canton of Zurich and be easily accessible by public transport. Monica K. wants to continue living close to her children in the future. And get out into nature.

According to “SonntagsZeitung”, the search for a smaller apartment is getting serious. So far he hasn’t found an apartment as expensive or as cheap as his current one. The search for a cooperative also failed.

Lack of family residence

“I don’t just want to spend my pension on rent, I also need to be able to pay for health insurance, electricity and food,” he says. After his partner’s death, he can no longer share rent and living expenses.

Monika is not alone in her search for a smaller, cheaper apartment. For years, rent prices have only moved in one direction: up! This means that many tenants, especially older people, choose to stay in their old apartments. A dilemma that turns into a problem.

As long as the living space consumption of the elderly population is high, this situation increases the housing shortage of families. It turns out that from the age of 55 onwards, not as many people live in the apartment as before. Because the kids moved away or a relative died. (pbe)

Source :Blick