Best neighborhoods for students
- Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass 94/100
- Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg 88/100
- Kreis 4 — Langstrasse 94/100
- Kreis 5 — Zürich-West 90/100
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LifeSkills city guide
Zurigo
Switzerland
The economic capital of Switzerland and one of the world's major financial and technology hubs, Zurich offers top-notch salaries, first-class safety and model public transport. It is home to the Federal Institute of Technology (ETH) and the University of Zurich, among the best universities in Europe. The downside is the cost of living, among the highest in the world: very expensive rents and a very tough real estate market. You live on the lake, with mountains an hour away and a quality of life that is constantly at the top of the world rankings.
Safety 92/100
Affordability 25/100
Student-friendly 82/100
Nightlife 76/100
Transport 96/100
Last reviewed: 2026-07-23. Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
Interactive map
Stadtkreise di Zurigo
Official administrative boundaries: Stadtkreise. Select an area to view the available data.
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Verified geographic dataset
Boundary source: OpenStreetMap contributors — Stadtkreise verificati su Stadt Zürich Open Data (ODbL 1.0; catalogo comunale CC0). Base map © OpenStreetMap contributors.
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Neighborhood ranking
Best neighborhoods for nightlife
- Kreis 4 — Langstrasse 94/100
- Kreis 5 — Zürich-West 90/100
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt 88/100
- Kreis 8 — Seefeld 90/100
Best neighborhoods for quiet living
- Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg 88/100
- Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass 94/100
- Kreis 8 — Seefeld 90/100
- Kreis 3 — Wiedikon 82/100
Best neighborhoods for low rent
- Kreis 11 — Oerlikon 850 CHF
- Kreis 3 — Wiedikon 950 CHF
- Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg 950 CHF
- Kreis 4 — Langstrasse 1,000 CHF
Best neighborhoods for safety
- Kreis 8 — Seefeld 90/100
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt 88/100
- Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass 94/100
- Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg 88/100
Neighborhood cards
Where to live in Zurigo
Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass
Student hubKreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass: The university district par excellence: next to the ETH Zentrum and the University, residential, green and bourgeois. The natural choice for students
- Room
- 1,050 CHF
- Studio
- 1,900 CHF
- Apartment
- 2,600 CHF
Safety 88 Student-friendly 94 Nightlife 58 Commute 90
Pros
- student-friendly: 94/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 1,050 CHF.
- Useful for ETH Zurich (Zentrum).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg
Student hubKreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg: Residential and green in the northwest along the Limmat: young Wipkingen and quiet Höngg, home to the ETH Hönggerberg campus. Good compromise
- Room
- 950 CHF
- Studio
- 1,750 CHF
- Apartment
- 2,350 CHF
Safety 86 Student-friendly 88 Nightlife 54 Commute 84
Pros
- student-friendly: 88/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 950 CHF.
- Useful for ETH Zürich — Campus Hönggerberg.
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Quiet score is 76/100; compare activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Kreis 4 — Langstrasse
NightlifeKreis 4 — Langstrasse: The most multicultural and lively neighborhood: Langstrasse is the epicenter of nightlife. Central, young and (for Zurich) more accessible
- Room
- 1,000 CHF
- Studio
- 1,850 CHF
- Apartment
- 2,500 CHF
Safety 72 Student-friendly 86 Nightlife 94 Commute 94
Pros
- nightlife: 94/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 1,000 CHF.
- Useful for PH Zürich (Europaallee).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Kreis 5 — Zürich-West
Work hubKreis 5 — Zürich-West: The former industrial district has become the coolest: clubs, towers, the ZHdK at Toni-Areal and the tech offices (Google). Creative, modern and highly sought after
- Room
- 1,100 CHF
- Studio
- 1,950 CHF
- Apartment
- 2,700 CHF
Safety 80 Student-friendly 82 Nightlife 90 Commute 92
Pros
- transport: 92/100 in this guide.
- Indicative room rent: 1,100 CHF.
- Useful for ZHdK — Toni-Areal (arts).
Cons
- Check the exact block and building before signing.
- Busier profile: check noise and activity at different times.
- Rent and commute are indicative and depend on the exact address.
Study
Major universities in Zurigo
ETH Zürich (Politecnico federale)
Elite technical audience (among the best in the world; ~25,000 students)
EngineeringInformaticsArchitectureMathematicsPhysicsMaterials sciences
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass5-15 min (Zentrum)
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt5-10 min (Polybahn)
- Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg10-20 min (Hönggerberg)
Universität Zürich (UZH)
General public, the largest in Switzerland (~28,000 students)
MedicineRightEconomyLettersScienceVeterinary
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass5-15 min (Zentrum)
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt5-10 min
- Kreis 11 — Oerlikon10-20 min (Campus Irchel)
Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK)
Public (arts, design, music, theater, cinema; ~2,500 students)
DesignVisual artsMusicTheaterCinemaDance
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Kreis 5 — Zurich-West5-10 min (Toni-Areal)
- Kreis 4 — Langstrasse10-15 min
- Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg10-20 min
PH Zürich (Pädagogische Hochschule)
Public (teacher training; ~3,500 students)
Primary teachingSecondary educationSpecial pedagogyContinuous training
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Kreis 4 — Langstrasse5-10 min (Europaallee)
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt5-10 min (HB)
- Kreis 5 — Zurich-West10-15 min
HWZ Hochschule für Wirtschaft Zürich
Private (economics and management, part-time/executive courses)
Business AdministrationCommunicationBanking & FinanceDigital Business
Nearest neighborhoods
Commute from top areas
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt5-10 min (Lagerstrasse, HB)
- Kreis 4 — Langstrasse5-10 min
- Kreis 5 — Zurich-West10-15 min
Rent analysis
Average rent by neighborhood
Indicative monthly asking levels for rooms, studios and apartments.
| Neighborhood cards | Room | Studio | Apartment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kreis 1 — Altstadt | 1,200 CHF | 2,100 CHF | 2,900 CHF |
| Kreis 4 — Langstrasse | 1,000 CHF | 1,850 CHF | 2,500 CHF |
| Kreis 5 — Zürich-West | 1,100 CHF | 1,950 CHF | 2,700 CHF |
| Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass | 1,050 CHF | 1,900 CHF | 2,600 CHF |
| Kreis 3 — Wiedikon | 950 CHF | 1,750 CHF | 2,350 CHF |
| Kreis 8 — Seefeld | 1,150 CHF | 2,050 CHF | 2,850 CHF |
| Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg | 950 CHF | 1,750 CHF | 2,350 CHF |
| Kreis 11 — Oerlikon | 850 CHF | 1,650 CHF | 2,200 CHF |
Cheapest: Kreis 11 — Oerlikon, Kreis 3 — Wiedikon, Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg
Mid-range: Kreis 10 — Wipkingen / Höngg, Kreis 4 — Langstrasse, Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass
Premium: Kreis 1 — Altstadt, Kreis 8 — Seefeld, Kreis 5 — Zürich-West
Safety
Safety notes
Safer neighborhoods
Kreis 8 — Seefeld, Kreis 6 — Oberstrass / Unterstrass, Kreis 1 — Altstadt
Areas to be careful with
the Langstrasse (Kreis 4) late at night, more lively, around the HB station and Zürich-West on weekend nights, opportunistic thefts in vehicles and crowded tourist places
- Zurich is one of the safest cities in the world: violent crime is very rare and the most common risk is opportunistic petty crime (pickpocketing) in the crowded areas and nightlife of Langstrasse.
- The rules of coexistence are taken seriously: attention to noise (evening and Sunday silence in the buildings), separate waste collection and very strict condominium regulations.
- At night the city remains quiet and well lit; Langstrasse is lively but guarded. Night transport (Nachtnetz) is safe and reliable.
Student perspective: Students: Kreis 6 is the natural choice for ETH and University (Zentrum), Kreis 10 (Höngg) for the ETH Hönggerberg campus; Kreis 4 and 5 are the youngest and liveliest. The real difficulty is not security but finding a room: move well in advance and prepare a complete application dossier.
Nightlife
Where to go out
Langstrasse (Kreis 4)
bars, clubs, international cuisine, multicultural night
The epicenter of Zurich's nightlife: crowded bars, clubs of all kinds and a cosmopolitan atmosphere until late.
Zürich-West (Kreis 5)
clubs, electronic music, industrial spaces
The former industrial warehouses host some of the most famous clubs (Frau Gerolds Garten, Hive): the most modern and trendy scene.
Niederdorf (Kreis 1)
pubs, historic bars, night in the centre
The alleys of the old city on the Limmat, full of pubs and clubs: the most classic and touristy exit area.
Zürichhorn / Seefeld (Kreis 8)
bar on the lake, aperitifs, summer
In summer the lake shores and public baths become meeting places for aperitifs and outdoor evenings.
Kreis 4/5 — scena alternativa
concerts, cultural spaces, underground culture
The alternative and cultural scene is concentrated between Aussersihl and the Industriequartier: concert halls, cinemas and collectives.
Transport
Getting around Zurigo
Zurich has one of the best public transport systems in the world, integrated into the ZVV network: trams and city buses (VBZ), a dense S-Bahn network, SBB trains, funiculars and lake boats. Everything is very punctual and frequent; rates follow a zone system (Zone 110 covers the city and counts as two zones).
Metro Zurich does not have a subway, but a very dense VBZ tram network (13 lines) which takes its place in the city, with very high frequenciesZurich S-Bahn: one of the most widespread suburban networks in Europe, with a hub at Zürich HB and urban stations such as Hardbrücke, Stadelhofen, Oerlikon and WiedikonFuniculars and Polybahn: the historic Polybahn connects the center to the ETH; the Uetlibergbahn (S10) goes up the “home mountain”
Tram / busThe VBZ network of trams and buses (many electric or trolleybuses) is the backbone of urban transport, with frequencies of just a few minutes; at night the Nachtnetz connects the city on weekends (for a small fee).
TrainZürich HB is the busiest station in Switzerland and a major European hub: Bern and Basel in ~1 hour, Geneva in ~2h45, Milan in ~3h20 and international connections; the airport is ~10 minutes away by train.
Pass info Single ticket Zone 110 CHF 4.60 (short route CHF 2.80) daily Zone 110 CHF 8.80 monthly pass Zone 110 CHF 88 (adults), reduced for under 25s/students Halbtax CHF 190/year (50% throughout Switzerland) National GA (unlimited) more expensive
WalkabilityExcellent: compact and walkable center along the Limmat and the lake, with short distances; the city is clean, safe and pleasant to walk around in every season.
Bike-friendlinessGood and growing: expanding cycle network and public bike sharing; the center is fairly flat along the river and lake, but several Kreis go up into the hills (Höngg, Fluntern).
Transport sources ZVV — Rete, tariffe e biglietti del trasporto pubblico di ZurigoSBB — Treni, orari e collegamenti nazionaliStadt Zürich — Mobilità pedonale e ciclabile
Cost of living
Monthly budget estimate
Reference monthly budget 1,900-2,900 CHF/month
single room + utilities + groceries + subscription · excluding university fees
Spending items
Food approximately 450-650 CHF/month (personal spending) cheap meal ~25 CHF
Transport ZVV monthly pass Zone 110 (city): CHF 88 (adults) reduced rates for under 25s and students. Halbtax CHF 190/year = 50% on all Swiss transport
Utilities approximately CHF 225 for 85 m² sharing 80-140 CHF per person
Coffee / bars cappuccino around 5.50 CHF cheap meal around 25 CHF
- Zurich is among the most expensive cities in the world: rent is the dominant item and the real challenge is finding it. A shared room (WG) often costs CHF 800-1,200 and a studio apartment easily exceeds CHF 1,800; the market is competitive and the applications for an apartment are numerous.
- However, the salaries are very high (among the highest in Europe) and largely offset the costs: many expats live well despite the prices.
- Entire apartment rental: ~2,000 CHF outside the center and ~2,400 CHF in the center for a two-room apartment, according to the Numbeo range for Zurich.
- Food, utilities and coffee costs are estimates for one person based on average Numbeo prices for Zurich (the shopping cart costs much more than in the rest of Europe).
- For transport, the Halbtax season ticket (CHF 190/year, 50% discount on the entire Swiss network) or the ZVV monthly/annual season ticket is almost always worthwhile; for students under 25 there are reduced rates.
Budget sources Numbeo — Costo della vita a ZurigoZVV — Abbonamenti e tariffe del trasporto pubblico di Zurigo
Decision guide
Pros and cons of living in Zurigo
5 strengths
- Zurich has one of the best public transport systems in the world, integrated into the ZVV network: trams and city buses (VBZ), a dense S-Bahn network, SBB trains, funiculars and lake boats. Everything is very punctual and frequent; rates follow a zone system (Zone 110 covers the city and counts as two zones).
- ETH Zürich (Politecnico federale), Universität Zürich (UZH), Zürcher Hochschule der Künste (ZHdK): poli di studio rilevanti per la città.
- Students: Kreis 6 is the natural choice for ETH and University (Zentrum), Kreis 10 (Höngg) for the ETH Hönggerberg campus; Kreis 4 and 5 are the youngest and liveliest. The real difficulty is not security but finding a room: move well in advance and prepare a complete application dossier.
- Zurich is among the most expensive cities in the world: rent is the dominant item and the real challenge is finding it. A shared room (WG) often costs CHF 800-1,200 and a studio apartment easily exceeds CHF 1,800; the market is competitive and the applications for an apartment are numerous.
- Kreis 1 — Altstadt, Kreis 4 — Langstrasse, Kreis 5 — Zürich-West sono tra le zone analizzate nella guida.
5 drawbacks
- Zurich is one of the safest cities in the world: violent crime is very rare and the most common risk is opportunistic petty crime (pickpocketing) in the crowded areas and nightlife of Langstrasse.
- However, the salaries are very high (among the highest in Europe) and largely offset the costs: many expats live well despite the prices.
- The highest rents in the city
- Rent, scores and commute notes are indicative and should be verified before real decisions.
FAQ
Questions about moving to Zurigo
Is Zurich a good city for students?
Yes for quality: it hosts the ETH and the University of Zurich, among the best universities in the world, with top-level research and an international environment. The big obstacle is the cost of living, among the highest on the planet: very expensive and difficult to find rents. Many students live in WG (shared flats) and work part-time; It is best to organize your accommodation well in advance.
Is Zurich a good city for workers?
Yes, very much: it is the economic capital of Switzerland, a global finance and insurance hub (Paradeplatz) and a rapidly growing tech hub (Google, startup in Zürich-West). Salaries are among the highest in Europe and unemployment is very low. The cost of living is high, but the wages and quality of life more than make up for it.
Which neighborhoods are worth looking at?
For students: Kreis 6 (ETH and University, Zentrum) and Kreis 10 (Höngg, Hönggerberg campus); Kreis 4 and 5 for those who want life and centrality. For those who work and seek prestige: Kreis 1, 8 (Seefeld). For a better quality/price ratio: Kreis 3 (Wiedikon) and Kreis 11 (Oerlikon).
Which neighborhoods are cheapest?
Everything is expensive in Zurich, but in relative terms Kreis 11 (Oerlikon, Seebach, Affoltern), 12 (Schwamendingen) and parts of 9 and 3 (Wiedikon) have the lowest fees while remaining well connected. Sharing an apartment (WG) is the most common way to reduce costs.
Is public transport convenient?
It is among the best in the world: very frequent VBZ trams, an extensive S-Bahn network, very punctual SBB trains, boats on the lake and even funiculars, all integrated into the ZVV system. You don't need a car: with the monthly pass or the Halbtax you can move anywhere, in the city and throughout Switzerland.
How much budget is needed?
For a student approximately 1,900-2,900 CHF per month including room, utilities, expenses and subscription; university fees (relatively low) are extra. Those who work most often fall between 3,500 and 5,500 CHF, but the high salaries make these figures sustainable.
Why is it so difficult to find a house?
The real estate market in Zurich is among the most tense in Europe: very few vacant apartments and many applications for each one. You need a complete dossier (employment contract/registration, extract from the enforcement office, references) and you often have to move quickly. Many start with a room in WG or temporary solutions before finding a stable contract.