1. Cultural Festivals: Zurich hosts a variety of unique cultural festivals throughout the year that celebrate different aspects of Swiss culture, including the Zurich Film Festival, which attracts international filmmakers and cinephiles, and the Street Parade, one of the largest techno parades in the world, celebrating love and tolerance. 2. Rich Chocolate Heritage: While many know Switzerland for its chocolate, Zurich is home to some lesser-known, artisanal chocolatiers that produce exquisite handmade chocolates. These shops often offer workshops where visitors can learn the art of chocolate-making. 3. Hidden Green Spaces: Beyond its well-known parks, Zurich has a network of hidden green spaces, including rooftop gardens and community gardens tucked away in urban areas. These spaces not only provide tranquility but also serve as community hubs for locals to engage in gardening and social activities.
The housing market in Zurich, Switzerland is characterized by high demand, limited supply, and steep prices. The city has approximately 220,000 housing units. Zurich has one of the lowest homeownership rates in Europe, with only about 26.8% of residents owning their homes, while 73.2% rent. The median price to rent an apartment in Zurich is around €30 per square meter per month. To buy, the median price is approximately €13,500 per square meter. These figures make Zurich one of the most expensive cities in Europe for housing. Public, social, and cooperative housing play a significant role in Zurich's market. The city itself owns about 6.8% of all housing units, offering them at below-market rents to low and moderate-income households. Housing cooperatives are particularly prominent, owning approximately 18.1% of all housing units, or about 50,000 apartments. These cooperatives operate on a non-profit basis, typically offering rents 20-30% below market rates. The vacancy rate in Zurich is extremely low, currently below 1%, indicating a highly competitive market. Despite high costs, Zurich remains attractive due to its strong economy and high quality of life. However, the lack of affordable housing is a growing concern for many residents.
The city of Zurich actively promotes affordable and sustainable housing through several initiatives: The administration aims to increase the share of non-profit housing (public, cooperative, and social) to one-third of all rental apartments by 2050. As of 2024, this sector accounts for about 25% of the rental market. Zurich implements an active land policy, purchasing land and leasing it to cooperatives and non-profit developers at favorable rates. The city generally does not sell publicly-owned land, instead offering long-term leases of 60-100 years. In 2023, voters approved a new €280 million housing fund to support land and property acquisition for affordable housing. The city also provides low-interest loans and loan guarantees to cooperatives and non-profit developers. Zurich has implemented inclusionary zoning policies requiring a percentage of affordable units in new developments and offers density bonuses for projects with a high proportion of affordable housing. The city actively supports housing cooperatives through land allocation competitions, technical assistance, networking events, streamlined permitting, and public awareness campaigns. Additionally, Zurich has introduced programs like "Wohnen für Hilfe" (Living for Help), pairing students with seniors for discounted housing in exchange for assistance with daily tasks. These initiatives demonstrate Zurich's commitment to addressing housing affordability and sustainability through a multi-faceted approach involving policy, financial support, and innovative programs.