What should families look for in an apartment?
A family-friendly apartment needs to offer more than enough rooms. A practical floor plan, safety, short journeys to school and childcare, sufficient storage, accessible outdoor spaces and affordable long-term housing costs are all important.
Briefly explained
A family-friendly apartment combines sufficient space with a practical floor plan, safe rooms, short journeys and affordable costs. Families should consider more than the number of rooms and also check storage, the lift, laundry arrangements, pushchair storage, schools, childcare, playgrounds, traffic, noise and the tenancy agreement. For married spouses and registered partners, the shared apartment may also qualify as a legally protected family home.
What is a family-friendly apartment?
A family-friendly apartment suits the size of the family, the children's ages, daily routines and the available budget. It provides enough space for sleeping, playing, studying, working and spending time together without important parts of family life constantly interfering with one another.
The total living area is only one part of the assessment. A smaller apartment with a practical floor plan can work better than a larger apartment with long corridors, rooms that can only be reached through other rooms, insufficient storage or spaces that are difficult to use.
The surrounding area is also part of the home. Schools, kindergarten, childcare, shops, public transport, playgrounds, medical services and safe routes affect family life every day.
The most important criteria for an apartment for families
Space and floor plan
The number of rooms, private areas, living space, storage and flexible room use need to suit everyday family life.
Location and journeys
Short and safe journeys to school, childcare, shops, public transport, doctors, playgrounds and leisure facilities save time every day.
Safety
Windows, balconies, railings, stairs, entrances, underground car parks and traffic around the building should all be checked.
Other important criteria include outdoor spaces, noise, a lift, laundry facilities, pushchair storage, bicycle storage, a cellar, rental or purchase costs, house rules and long-term flexibility. What is essential for one family may be less important for another. Families should therefore separate essential requirements from optional preferences before beginning their search.
Location, schools, kindergarten and childcare
For families, the location is often more important than individual features inside the apartment. Short journeys reduce the organisational burden and make it easier for children to travel independently as they grow older.
Consider schools, kindergarten, nurseries, after-school care, school meal services, playgrounds, shops, doctors, pharmacies, public transport and commuting routes together. The nearest school is not necessarily the school responsible for the address. School districts and catchment areas differ between municipalities and cities.
Walk the route to the school, childcare facility or public transport stop where possible. A short distance on a map can be considerably more difficult because of heavy traffic, missing pavements, steep roads or complicated crossings.
- Safe and clearly laid-out routes to school and kindergarten
- Nursery, after-school care, school meal services or childminders nearby
- Shopping facilities for everyday needs
- Paediatricians, general practitioners, pharmacies and medical care
- Playgrounds, parks, sports facilities and leisure activities
- Good bus, tram or train connections
- Safe bicycle storage and sufficient lighting
Safety inside the apartment and around the building
Families should assess safety inside the apartment, throughout the building and in the immediate area. Easily accessible windows, climbable balcony railings, open staircases and heavily used roads can present significant risks, especially for young children.
Inside the apartment
Check windows, balcony doors, electrical sockets, stairs, the kitchen, bathroom, glass doors and possible climbing aids.
Inside the building
Look at the stairwell, lift, entrance, cellar, underground car park, laundry room and shared areas.
In the surrounding area
Assess road traffic, car park exits, lighting, routes to school and access to playgrounds.
Check whether safety devices may be installed on windows, balcony doors or staircases. Furniture, boxes and chairs should not be positioned in a way that allows children to climb towards windows or balcony railings.
Family-friendly criteria compared
| Criterion | Why it matters | What families should check |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Every family member needs space for sleeping, playing and living. | Number of rooms, room sizes, furnishing options and long-term space requirements. |
| Floor plan | A practical floor plan supports shared spaces and private areas. | Rooms accessed through other rooms, open-plan kitchens, home offices, children's rooms and noisy areas. |
| Location | Short journeys save time and make everyday organisation easier. | Schools, childcare, shops, doctors, public transport, commuting and leisure facilities. |
| Safety | Depending on their age, children cannot reliably recognise every risk. | Windows, balconies, stairs, electrical sockets, traffic and the building entrance. |
| Outdoor spaces | Outdoor areas provide space for movement and recreation. | Balcony, garden, courtyard, playground, shade and safe access. |
| Facilities | Practical facilities make everyday family life easier. | Lift, laundry room, pushchair storage, bicycle storage, cellar and other storage. |
| Noise | Noise affects sleep, relaxation and possible conflicts with neighbours. | Roads, railway lines, businesses, construction sites, playgrounds and sound transmission. |
| Costs | The apartment must remain affordable over the long term. | Rent, service charges, deposit, parking, mobility and childcare costs. |
| Flexibility | The family's requirements change as children grow older. | Future use as a child's room, study area, home office or guest room. |
Tenancy agreement, rental deposit and family home
When renting an apartment, families should carefully review the tenancy agreement and house rules. Relevant points include the net rent, service charges, deposit, notice periods, quiet hours and the use of shared areas.
Where an apartment is used as a family home, one spouse may generally terminate the tenancy only with the other spouse's express consent. A termination notice issued by the landlord must be delivered separately to both spouses or registered partners.
For residential property, a rental deposit provided in cash or securities may not exceed three months' rent. Families should also remember that the first rent payment, moving expenses, insurance and new furniture may all become payable at approximately the same time.
Service charges should also be checked carefully. The agreement should specify which costs are included and whether they are charged as advance payments or as a fixed amount.
Step by step: How families can assess an apartment
- Define the family's size, space requirements, budget and long-term plans.
- Separate essential requirements from optional preferences.
- Check schools, kindergarten, childcare, after-school care, shops and public transport.
- Assess the floor plan, room layout, furnishing options and storage.
- Check windows, balconies, railings, stairs, entrances and road traffic.
- Inspect the lift, laundry room, cellar, bicycle storage and pushchair storage.
- Assess noise and traffic at different times of day where possible.
- Read the tenancy agreement, house rules, service charges, deposit and notice periods.
- Calculate the total cost, including transport, parking and childcare.
- Compare the apartment with alternatives using the same checklist.
Questions to ask during an apartment viewing
The following questions help families assess an apartment based on everyday practicality rather than only on their first impression.
1. Will the number of rooms and floor plan still be suitable in several years?
2. Is there enough space for pushchairs, toys and sports equipment?
3. Are the windows, balcony, railings and stairs safe for children?
4. How far away are the school, kindergarten, childcare and playground?
5. Is the route to school safe and suitable for the child's age?
6. Is there a lift, cellar, bicycle room and pushchair storage?
7. How are the laundry facilities organised?
8. Which sources of noise are present in the morning, evening and at weekends?
9. How high are the net rent, service charges and rental deposit?
10. Which rules are included in the house rules?
11. Are pets permitted or subject to approval?
12. Will the apartment remain suitable for working from home or a growing family?Examples from everyday family life
Example 1: A family with young children
A family with two young children finds an attractive apartment on the third floor. The rooms are large, but the building has no lift or pushchair storage. The laundry room may only be used on one fixed day each week. Despite the generous living space, the apartment may be impractical in everyday life.
Example 2: A family with school-age children
A family compares two apartments. The larger apartment is located beside a busy road and far from the school. The slightly smaller apartment has a better floor plan, a safe route to school and shops within walking distance. The smaller apartment may therefore be the better choice for everyday family life.
Checklist: Assessing an apartment for a family
Frequently asked questions about apartments for families
Summary
A good apartment for families in Switzerland combines sufficient space, a practical floor plan, safe rooms, short journeys, a family-friendly surrounding area and affordable costs. Important considerations include the room layout, storage, lift, laundry facilities, pushchair storage, schools, childcare, playgrounds, shops, public transport, noise and safe routes. Families should also review the tenancy agreement, service charges, rental deposit, house rules and, where applicable, the special legal provisions applying to a family home. The best apartment is therefore not automatically the largest one, but the apartment that reliably supports everyday family life both now and in the years ahead.