Flat-sharing in Geneva: what you need to know before you start
The rental market in Geneva is particularly tight. For students and young professionals arriving in the region, finding suitable, well-located and affordable accommodation can quickly become a real challenge. In this context, flat-sharing offers an attractive solution for enjoying comfortable accommodation whilst sharing living spaces and certain costs.
But not all shared flats are the same. From traditional shared flats, where several people share a private flat, to halls of residence specifically designed for students, the conditions, facilities and services can vary considerably.
In Geneva, solutions such as ŌMESTAY offer a turnkey approach, with furnished and fully equipped flats, communal areas and various services designed to simplify residents’ daily lives.
Why flat-sharing has become so popular in Geneva
A particularly competitive rental market
Finding a flat to rent in Geneva on your own can prove tricky, particularly for students and young professionals on a tight budget or those arriving in the region without a local network.
Shared accommodation offers more living space than a studio flat, whilst allowing you to enjoy shared communal areas. It can also make settling into a new town easier, particularly when the accommodation is already furnished and equipped.
It is precisely this simplicity that underpins the ŌMESTAY concept. Located in the Étang neighbourhood of Vernier, the residence offers studio flats as well as shared flats for three or four people, all fully furnished and equipped.
What sharing a flat actually means
Sharing a flat allows you to enjoy more spacious communal areas whilst still having your own personal space. At ŌMESTAY, shared flats feature a fully fitted kitchen, a lounge area and two shared bathrooms. Each bedroom also includes a desk area, storage space and suitable bedding.
The social aspect is also an important element. ŌMESTAY focuses on building a community through workshops, sports activities and regular events. The residence also has workspaces and relaxation areas, as well as a community managed by a Community Manager.
For a student or young professional arriving in Geneva, this can be a way to settle in more easily whilst meeting other residents.
Types of shared accommodation available in Geneva
Flats designed for communal living
The shared accommodation offered by ŌMESTAY is specifically designed for shared living.
The three-person shared flat comprises five rooms and offers a minimum floor area of 81 m². Each resident has their own bedroom with a desk area and storage space. The flatmates share two bathrooms as well as a communal living area comprising a lounge, a fully fitted kitchen and a dining area.
The residence also offers flats for four people. These flats have six rooms and a minimum floor area of 85 m², again featuring private bedrooms, two bathrooms and fully fitted communal areas.
The accommodation is furnished and equipped, allowing you to move in without having to buy furniture or numerous items of equipment straight away. The bedrooms feature a bed, a desk area and storage space.
An alternative to a single studio flat
For those who prefer to live alone, ŌMESTAY also offers single-person studio flats with a minimum floor area of 20 m². These include a fitted kitchen, a desk area, storage space and an en-suite bathroom.
The choice between a studio flat and a shared flat therefore depends mainly on the lifestyle you’re looking for. Shared flats emphasise communal spaces and social life, whilst studio flats offer greater privacy.
Furnished and fully equipped: a real advantage
One of the main advantages of a residence such as ŌMESTAY is that it offers accommodation that is ready to move into. The flats are furnished and fully equipped and include, amongst other things, an internet connection, a dedicated app and a cleaning service. Some services may vary depending on the package chosen.
ŌMESTAY currently offers three packages comprising rent, service charges and a service fee. Prices start from CHF 1,391 per month for a room in a shared flat and CHF 1,401 for a studio, depending on the package and availability. Prices are subject to change.
How to search effectively for shared accommodation in Geneva
Compare the different options
There are several options for finding a shared flat in Geneva. Classifieds platforms allow you to compare rooms offered by private individuals and estate agents. Student halls of residence are another option, offering a more ‘turnkey’ approach to accommodation.
The advantage of a residence such as ŌMESTAY is that it combines accommodation with various services in one place. The flats are situated in the Étang neighbourhood of Vernier, around ten minutes from the city centre and five minutes from the airport. The residence is also served by TPG tram lines 14 and 18, with a stop nearby.
Services designed to make everyday life easier
Choosing a place to live isn’t just about price or size. The services on offer can also make a real difference, particularly for students moving to the area for the first time.
ŌMESTAY provides Wi-Fi, workspaces and relaxation areas, a shared kitchen, a communal laundry room and various communal areas. The hall of residence also offers a complimentary gym membership thanks to its partnership with Let’s Go Fitness.
The residence also organises events and activities to encourage residents to get to know one another and build a genuine sense of community.
Preparing your application
Even when accommodation is offered in the form of a residence, it is still important to check the eligibility criteria, the documents required, the booking procedures and availability before committing.
For a standard search on the Geneva property market, it is generally a good idea to prepare the documents required for an application in advance: proof of income or financial means, proof of identity, a residence permit where necessary, and any administrative documents requested by the landlord.
The aim is to be able to react quickly when a property matching your criteria becomes available.
What to check before choosing a shared flat
The actual monthly cost
The advertised price isn’t always the only factor to consider. It’s important to check what’s included in the quoted amount: service charges, internet, cleaning, utilities or other services.
At ŌMESTAY, offers are presented as all-inclusive packages comprising rent, service charges and a service fee. The residence states that it is not possible to rent a property without signing up to one of these packages.
This approach therefore provides greater clarity on the overall cost of accommodation and the associated services.
Facilities and communal areas
Before choosing a shared flat, it is worth looking beyond just the bedroom. The quality of the communal areas can have a significant impact on day-to-day comfort.
At ŌMESTAY, shared flats feature a fully equipped kitchen, a dining area, a lounge and two bathrooms. The bedrooms, meanwhile, have a desk area, storage space and bedding.
The residence also offers various communal areas dedicated to work, relaxation and social activities.
Location
In Geneva, the neighbourhood plays a key role in choosing accommodation. A residence situated slightly further from the city centre can be a particularly attractive option if it is well served by public transport.
ŌMESTAY is situated at 69–71 Avenue de l’Étang, in Vernier, in the new Étang neighbourhood. The residence is approximately ten minutes from the city centre and five minutes from the airport, with access to TPG tram lines 14 and 18.
Community life
After all, shared accommodation is about more than just sharing a flat. It’s also about choosing an environment where you feel at home.
Schedules, routines, communal spaces, privacy and social life are all factors to take into account. In a residence designed with community in mind, the aim is precisely to encourage socialising whilst allowing everyone to retain their personal space.
In Geneva, shared accommodation can therefore be much more than just an alternative to a studio flat. For students and young professionals, it can offer a comfortable, well-equipped and sociable housing solution, whilst making it easier to settle into the region.
With its furnished studio flats and shared flats, integrated services and communal areas, ŌMESTAY offers a different approach to traditional shared accommodation: a turnkey housing solution designed to support residents in their daily lives, their studies and their social lives.