Our Apartment

We really lucked out with our apartment.  

Here's how the story goes: 

For 6 months we looked and looked for housing.  We sent nearly a hundred emails and called several rental companies inquiring about properties.  Time and time again we were turned down because we needed to be in person to sign the contract and do a walk through.  We debated flying to Zurich early in the summer to secure housing.  After talking to one final rental company, we learned that we shouldn't even bother. 

"We had 45 applicants for this property and none of them qualified."

What??  The market is so tough, and the documentation required so strict that we may not secure an apartment even if we flew out early.  The rental company's advice:  talk to the university. 

The university has a great housing program for graduate students and there are houses/buildings all over the city with well priced rooms for graduate students.  But there's a catch.  There are single and double rooms available.  If we wanted to rent a double room together, we would have to be in a co-ed house. Which means Ali would have to share a bathroom with other guys, and Stephen would have to share a bathroom with other girls.  Not happening.  The only other university option was to live separately.  Also, NOT HAPPENING.

Our next thought was to talk to the ward members.  Unfortunately, because of Zurich's "tiny European apartment" status, no one had extra rooms available for us. 

Our plan quickly became

live in a hostel for a month and search frantically for housing once we get there. 

We continued to look, but no such luck.  Until one day we stumbled across a sublet option.  

The renter was going away on vacation for 3 months (starting the day we arrived in Zurich) and needed someone to sublet his apartment.   We sent an email right away, got a response within 24 hours, and skyped the renter and his girlfriend that week to get a virtual tour of the apartment.  We had a colleague in Zurich walk through the apartment for us, then contracts were sent/signed and before we knew it we had an apartment.  A large, fully furnished, under budget, city-center, 10 minutes to campus apartment.  

I know.  I still can't believe it. 

Entry way

Living room

Patio off living room and bedroom

Bedroom

Bathroom

Kitchen

Patio off Kitchen

 Please excuse the poor picture quality...

all photos were taken with my new swiss phone.  

I know.  I have one of those now too.

We're here!

Well, 

We're here!

One week down and it has already been an adventure. 

Things we have learned about Zürich: 

1. Parking is horrific. 

If you need to rent a car, be sure to ask for a blue parking pass.  You can also pick one up from the local Kreisburo or the Police.  Without this pass you will have to move your car every hour regardless of the time of day. 

2. Double check when stores are open. 

Most stores and banks close at 6:00 pm Saturday evenings and will not be open on Sundays. Also, bike stores are closed on Mondays.  

3. Always have cash on you. 

Not every store accepts credit cards.  Most small places only accept cash.  And don't fill up your cart with a kitchen full of groceries and expect to pay with a credit card, especially when the store and the bank are closing *see point 2*.

4. Prepare for sticker shock

Zürich is one of the most expensive places to live in the world.  Everything is expensive.  Food, clothes, toiletries, housing.... it all rings up high.  A big-mac at McDonalds is 11 CHF (~$12).  Stephen and I were prepared for this, fortunately.

5. Everything is walkable

You might have tired feet by the end of the day, but walking is the best way to get to know the city and see the different neighborhoods. 

We have been loving our time in Zürich. 

The ward is going to be awesome.  We have 2 sets of missionaries!

And we can't believe the luck we had finding our apartment. 

*divine intervention*

We are excited to start classes in a couple weeks,
but for now we are hitting the German books :)

We feel so blessed to be here and are looking forward to many more adventures. 

bis später!

California Part 2 :: Driving South

Day 4 // Fairfield -> Long Beach

In the morning we took off to head back to Long Beach.  

After a nice long drive we landed at my aunt and uncle's. 

We spent a lovely evening at dinner and walking around the canals. 

No pictures. 

Just lots of quality time. 

Day 5 // Long Beach 

Aunt Judy took us for a walk around the nature center, 

then we hit the beach.

The evening was filled with more good food, 

mexican train dominos, 

and fun. 

Day 6 // Long Beach -> Phoenix

On our last day we woke up super early to head back to Phoenix. 

We were both ready to be home with no time constraints, 

no obligations, 

and no driving.