Despite rate hikes and crises, the dream of owning your own home remains unaffordable for many. Prices still do not want to drop due to high demand and constant migration.
But even in the middle of an island with high property prices, there are exceptions: An analysis of “NZZ” shows where interested parties in Switzerland can still buy affordable residential property. Apartments with an area of 125 square meters were compared.
still bargain here
Not surprisingly, the cheapest housing is found in rural communities. First of all at Le Locle NE. Bargain hunters can find a suitable flat here with prices starting from 420,000 francs. Communities from Valais and the Canton of Bern follow right after. In some villages, 125 square meters of living space still costs less than half a million Swiss francs. Small mountain villages with a population of less than 2,000 were deliberately excluded from the study, as the small number of properties sold here was not important.
The closer you get to major metropolitan areas, the more expensive it becomes. A 125 square meter flat in Riehen BS already costs 1.29 million Swiss Francs. Buyers at Puplinge GE similarly have to dig deep into their pockets. And an apartment in Menzingen ZG already costs over a million.
If you want to have affordable housing in the canton of Zurich, you need to move away from the city. The cheapest condominiums are in the Zurich Oberland. In communities like Fischenthal, Wald or Elgg. Prices here are already between 700,000 and 800,000 francs.
Taxes, health insurance and childcare
In addition to the price of a property, there are other factors to consider. For example, the tax rate. For example, an apartment in the low-tax canton of Zug is much more expensive than in Aargau. However, that additional price is put into perspective over time if you can save a few thousand francs on taxes each year.
A long commute time, no or expensive childcare, and different health insurance premiums should also be considered as long-term cost factors when purchasing real estate.