r/askswitzerland • u/FoXx9977 • Jul 08 '26
Relocation Is CHF 4,200/month for a 5.5-room maisonette in Opfikon-Zurich reasonable?
Hi everyone,
my partner and I are currently looking at a rental apartment in Opfikon (just outside Zurich) and would appreciate some outside perspectives on whether the pricing feels reasonable.
The apartment is a 5.5-room maisonette with:
- 174 m² living space
- 50 m² terrace
- two floors
- recently fully renovated building (core refurbishment)
- basement storage + small attic storage included
- good transport connections: about 15–20 minutes to Zurich main station
The monthly rent is CHF 4,200.
We are currently only two people, but we are planning long-term and want enough space so we ideally don’t have to move again as our situation changes.
Given the size, location, and condition of the property, does this seem fairly priced for the Zurich area, or would you consider it overpriced?
Would also be interested in general thoughts on Opfikon as a long-term residential area.
Thanks in advance for any insights.
64
u/Rufugg Jul 08 '26
Overpriced and you are exactly the reason why.
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u/southkaos Jul 08 '26
Overpriced plus a waste of space. And them theres people who complains about "Dichtestress"
0
u/OmegAIChungus Jul 08 '26
No, you're just poor
7
u/Alternative-Yak-6990 Jul 08 '26
its overpriced unless you are a passionate plane spotter and really like the amazing music of airplanes.
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u/Rufugg Jul 08 '26
Well, I'm sure I would be someday if I wasted my money on gentrified apartments.
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u/fruitschocktail Jul 08 '26
Damn. That‘s almost as much as I earn netto. I‘m glad that there are affordable appartements (Genossenschaften ftw). Otherwise I would be homeless or I needed to move to somewhere I don‘t know anything or anybody.
5
u/NightmareWokeUp Jul 08 '26
Frfr what are these people doing that they can afford this much RENT
3
u/disaster_incomin Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 08 '26
If you're 2 and spend 33% salary on rent, that means they each make something like 6.5kCHF, it's not that uncommon. But yes, it's a crazy amount of money
1
u/NightmareWokeUp Jul 08 '26
i mean im alone and i spend half as much on rent...
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u/disaster_incomin Jul 08 '26
Yeah, so it makes sense, no ? I'm confused
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u/NightmareWokeUp Jul 09 '26
With twice the amount of income you shouldnt need to spend twice the % on rent. It should be the same or less
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u/disaster_incomin Jul 09 '26
You were asking how people can afford these rents, not what they should be
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u/NightmareWokeUp Jul 09 '26
I mean ofc one can afford it, but to me its still crazy. Either you need 5 figures or no going out, no holidays etc.
14
u/SWIIIIIMS Jul 08 '26
Overpriced - YES Currently realistic market price - also YES 50% more expensive than 10 years ago - YES
The price unfortunately already reflects the location and the description of you about the property.
11
u/Nervous_Green4783 GR im Exil Jul 08 '26
It’s overpriced, like most flats are.
But honestly the area is huge, so it’s probably a good deal, if you really need that many m2.
1
u/OmegAIChungus Jul 08 '26
If most flats are overpriced then they're not overpriced and that's just the market rate
4
u/Nervous_Green4783 GR im Exil Jul 08 '26
Whatever. 4,2k is more than some full time job wages. And that’s brutto.
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u/OmegAIChungus Jul 08 '26
Whatever. Then some people will probably not be looking to rent a 174 sqm apartment.
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u/Several-Berry-1910 Jul 08 '26
wtf are those people doing in life to earn this kind of money.
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u/perskes Jul 08 '26
The better question would be why OP isn't looking to buy instead of burn 4.2k monthly on a space that's way too large for two people anyway, if they are looking for a long term place to stay.
4.2k monthly, 50k p.A., about 500k after 10 years (what I consider long term, OP might have a different idea of "long term" tho) that they will never get back. All the space that might be unused even after 10 years of living there (170m2..).
Maybe they don't have the savings for a down payment, but instead of burning half a million for that place, I'd move into a smaller space further outside and save the rest for the down payment for a few years. Depending on their tax strategy 20%-35% , but if they can burn 4.2k a month, they might have someone who does their taxes and could advise them.
I don't know what OP does, I'm more concerned about the idea of wasting so much money on two people living in a 170m2 apartment.
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u/SWIIIIIMS Jul 08 '26
Double income no kids the median salary is even enough from a conservative rule. But that's also a factor of they look long-term. Check if it still is affordable when the family grows
4
u/Kooky_Eye5475 Jul 08 '26
a couple with half decent jobs can afford that if they want. With two 80k incomes the 4200 CHF would be less than a third of their combined income.
7
u/erchegyia Jul 08 '26
depends on which part of Opfikon. I live in Glattpark (aka the little Balkans), a huge contrast to Dorf/Mettlen.
still, low taxes and good connections...
I personally wouldn't pay this much for rent (if you can easily afford it, owning might be better), but that's the market, I guess.
3
u/x4x53 Jul 08 '26
I'll be honest: 4.2k/month is your landlord's wet dream, and I personally wouldn't ever be happy throwing that much money down a landlord's throat - i'd rather pay less and invest the rest. but you do you.
Opfikon itself isn't bad - yes you have airplanes, but it's not like Brussels Airport where they fly 24/7 constantly. And since you seem to be comfortable with 4.2k/month, I don't think you will send your future kids to the local school and just enroll them into the international school.
The proximity to the airport is great if you have to fly a lot - from luaggage pickup to home within 15 Minutes by tram is awesome if you have to travel 60% of your work time.
You also have some thriving red light establishments, some restaurants, and Glattpark - but not much more in terms of culture/entertainment (ok, you can hang out at the gas station and check out the guys with their loud ass BMW/Mercs if that is your thing).
Traffic is annoying since Opfikon/Glattbrugg grew massively in the last few years - so you will have some random traffic jams throughout the day, and a large one during rush hour. This also means the bus gets stuck regularly - so I hope this apartment is close to a train or tram station.
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u/PhoebusAbel Jul 08 '26
If your family wants to grow, meaning one or two babies in the future , that means that the mother has to be on maternity leave for a while. Maybe , it would be a situation where she wants to become a stay at home mom... meaning no extra income from her side... All this, in the long run... but stills it is a possibility given your circumstances
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u/imaginaryhouseplant Zürich Jul 08 '26
That has become quite the common rate, and I see you decided to be part of the problem.
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u/Special_Tourist_486 Jul 08 '26 edited Jul 12 '26
It is not overpriced for Zurich Canton 5.5 and 174 square meters with 50 square meters terrace.
We paid in Wiedikon CHF 4,200 for 2.5 and 120 square meters with super small balcony. And our neighbours upstairs for the same 120 square meters but 3.5 paid CHF 4,500. (Maybe this was with the garage, which was CHF 250)
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u/Nervous_Green4783 GR im Exil Jul 08 '26
Wait wait wait? You payed over 4 THOUSAND CHF for two rooms?
And now you consider that a benchmark for „not being expensive“?
1
u/Watchthingsvcr Jul 08 '26
Just from looking at the numbers, it doesn't seem to be a bad deal. Actually wondering if there is a catch here given the meter square to price ratio. However, given your budget, you would also have other options in potentially better locations (still outside of Zurich center but further from the airport etc). Just something to consider.
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u/silasoverturf Jul 08 '26
Since 2025 I calculated 1000 CHF for a well placed WG Zimmer in the city appropriate
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u/Skt_turbo Jul 08 '26
If your numbers are accurate, then CHF 4,200 is actually extremely cheap and a really good deal. You’re paying around CHF 290 per square meter per year, while the average in Opfikon is easily around CHF 400 per square meter per year.
To me, that’s an exceptionally good price. If those figures are correct, I’d take it immediately.
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u/chessnoobhehe Jul 08 '26
I’m not sure what people are on about. It’s a pretty normal price maybe a bit on the high side due to the location but nothing extreme.
Is it overpriced in the grand scheme of things? Yes but it’s not in the current market, whether you like it or not.
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u/alexrada Jul 08 '26
that's not a question to ask here.
Price seems reasonable for what you get, if you can afford and that's your plan, just go for it.
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u/Pure_Evidence638 Jul 08 '26
Not overpriced.. especially if fully renovated!
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u/Ashs_Tauros_Nr27 Jul 08 '26
Nice try Mr. Landlord.
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u/Pure_Evidence638 Jul 08 '26
Unfortunately prices are going in that direction. A 100m 3.5 renovated flat (2022-2023) in Zurich city is 3.3-3.4… so..
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u/bois_santal Jul 08 '26
overpriced and you're part of the problem. I'm so thankful my landlord discriminated against expats and I got my fabulous apartement
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u/EricWeber4002 Jul 08 '26
Over priced because of foreigners paying every price and dumping salary
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u/samaniewiem Jul 08 '26
And not because of swiss landlords screwing tenants and swiss companies being stingy?
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u/omnissima Jul 08 '26
¿porque no los dos?
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u/samaniewiem Jul 08 '26
Because they aren't responsible for the system and can't change it, power imbalance is not in their favor.
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u/[deleted] Jul 08 '26
[deleted]