Just a moment...
Moving to a new city or country is no small feat. In fact, in most cases, it is as good as a wild adventure. You’ve got places to see, people to meet, friends to make, and just so much to do! For starters, you’ve got to find a job and a place to call a home. This is where most of us sink back into our seats.
Lucky for you, coliving offers to kick most of these problems to the curb.
Coliving is an exciting concept that gives each resident access to their own bedroom, and shared communal spaces such as a living room and a kitchen.
It works particularly well for those looking to get set-up in a new place quickly. Imagine you’re a writer, and there’s a graphic designer in one room, and a filmmaker in another. The possibilities of what you could create with this beautiful cocktail of people are endless!
But is coliving for you? Let’s find out.
Rent is the largest monthly expenditure for people under the age of 30. On average 45% of their income is spent on the lease of the apartment. Living alone also means that you need to take into account additional monthly costs of electricity, WiFi and water (on average somewhere around 90-120 Euro per month/per person).
However, since you will be sharing the property with other residents, you are only paying for one room and the rent is split which makes it substantially cheaper than renting a whole property by yourself. This also allows you to save up some cash to eventually invest into your own property.
Many choose coliving because it often helps them develop long-lasting friendships and avoid isolation. Here it’s important to note that joining the right coliving community plays a huge part in how it all pans out. Well-managed coliving communities create spaces with like-minded individuals who are open to sharing whether its sharing good ideas over a cup of coffee, tasty meals after work or hosting movie nights and talking about each other’s days.
One of the nicest things about coliving is that it doesn’t demand major financial commitments. While terms will vary depending on where you stay, most communities don’t require you to commit for a year or two but instead you can often rent for several months. What’s more, since Coliving properties are pre-furnished, the process of leaving becomes that much easier.
As you are sharing spaces, this allows for an optimum use of resources such as gas and electricity. Besides, coliving also encourages lending and borrowing, which is great for the environment!
Now, let’s take a look at the other side of the picture…
For some, the thought of sharing a home with others can initially be challenging. Depending on how the flat and its community is set up, there are good reasons for this. It all boils down to how well these communities are managed and communication is key.
This is where it becomes important to choose communities that ensure that the properties are managed professionally and a basic set of guidelines are maintained to ensure a harmonious living environment. With Vauban & Fort (and other similar services like Lyvly in London or the Cohabs in Brussels), you are guaranteed a beautiful space you know you will love and surely with this Luxembourg agency, you’ll join a trusted community of like-minded individuals.
There’s a reason coliving has become incredibly popular over the last few years. If you’re looking for an affordable option with a sense of community that comes from sharing a home with other like-minded individuals, but don’t want to deal with the up-front costs of furnishing and leasing, coliving can truly offer you the best of both worlds.
Vauban & Fort offers private rooms and properties in coliving spaces that actually feel like home and have great flatmates to share them with. We screen potential tenants and help you match with flatmates who share your living preferences and interests. Vauban & Fort offers great Coliving experiences by design, not by accident. Talk to us and find out why we are top rated on social media.
Find your next home on Vauban&Fort.
Now, moving to a new city or country can be a daunting process. Where are you going to live? Who are you going to live with? Is it financially viable? What about the legalities? And taxes? Yikes!
Don’t worry. This article will walk you through all the basics of getting your own humble abode in Luxembourg.
The real estate market in Luxembourg is very active. With an increasing number of professionals moving here, prices continuously increase.
If you are considering to buy, according to the Observatoire de l’Habitat, you should expect to spend about 7,000-10,000 euros per m2 in the center of Luxembourg city. On the other hand, if you choose to rent, you’ll be shelling out an average of 1,650 euros for a one bedroom inside the city on a monthly basis (as per 2016 data). When talking about buying or renting, it’s also important to note the average wages. As of January 1, 2021, the minimum qualified social wage is 15,27€/h or €2.642,32 gross per month.
Despite huge tax incentives for first time buyers, these prices remain too steep for many.
Whether you wish to rent or buy a house in Luxembourg, there are several websites (AtHome, Immotop) that offer a clear idea of prices. Alternatively, you can seek help from a real estate agency. Mostly, their fees cover searches and visits, as well as administrative follow-ups. An agency can be a real bonus if you would like to speed things up and they add that layer of trust to make sure that everything is legal.
Rental leases in Luxembourg usually last three years, following which it can be renewed. You’ll be required to pay a fixed deposit—three months of rent for a furnished flat, and two for an unfurnished one.
The cost of utilities and groceries in Luxembourg is higher than in most EU countries. As per Expatica, electricity and water can cost you anywhere between €150 and €300 on a monthly basis.
A fairly new take on an existing concept, Coliving is a modern form of housing that values sharing, openness, community and collaboration. It challenges the notion that city living is expensive.
In simple words, coliving is a bridge between living alone and sharing your home—residents typically get a bedroom to themselves, along with access to fully-equipped shared spaces such as a kitchen and a living room. It is a great choice for international professionals, digital nomads, or really anyone that wants to get more for their money while have a great time with like-minded individuals.
Coliving comes as a relief for those that fancy living in Luxembourg, but are discouraged by the high housing prices. Vauban & Fort provides quality coliving arrangements across Luxembourg—these are homes that are designed for comfort, and for members that desire a high quality of life. With over 12 years of experience in flatshares for professionals, we pour our hearts and minds into creating awesome communities where our members live in a home, not just a random room in a house.
In recent years, a growing number of Luxembourg residents with lower incomes have had to move to surrounding regions within the country, or even move across the borders. I’m a professional who recently moved here for a new job. A few months into trying coliving out, I’m convinced a possible solution to our housing paradigm is coliving.
Coliving is a new form of housing that’s been reimagined to align better with the needs of modern-day life. Nevertheless Coliving might mean different things to different people altogether.
At a physical level, residents typically have their own bedroom & bathroom but share cooking and living spaces. The focus of Coliving is on community. Usually, Coliving spaces are usually fully furnished down to the knives and forks and include utility bills, fast internet and fortnightly housekeeping essentials.
This way of living also places emphasis on community and shared experiences. Rather than just renting a single room, you are joining an active and vibrant community of like-minded individuals.
-You can’t or don’t want to commit to buying a house or renting long-term just yet (1y+).
-With Coliving collectives, your home becomes so much more than a place to rest your head at night.You are looking for something with more space and amenities than you would be able to afford alone. In well-managed Coliving communities like the one I am with, the price of rent not only gets you your space, but a guarantee that you will be with a community of like-minded people.
-Coliving creates a space that feels like a home away from home, something that’s becoming increasingly important as we currently spend most of our time indoors.
-You would like to be more sustainable in terms of energy and resources. Living as part of a collective helps you cut down on how many appliances you need to run.
-Living with others can be a big money-saver, allowing you to split costs for things like food, utilities, household items and utensils.
-When I moved here, I decided to go with Vauban&Fort as it has been one of the pioneers of Coliving since 2015. What I loved about the house hunting process was they initiated a viewing process through which I was able to share a bit about myself and what I was looking for outside of my work. This helps them to create a community of professionals who are looking to get to know other like-minded people in a new city.
I hope more people will begin to branch out and give it a try, words can’t express how grateful I am and how much I’ve felt at home during this pandemic — even more than I do in the city I am from.
There are many really cool places to live in the city, whether this is your modern loft right in the city center, whose owners want to make some extra money or a flat share in the sought-after areas of ‘La Gare’, ‘Limpersberg’ or ‘Belair’ for instance. Increasingly also the areas around ‘Cessange’ and ‘Cloche d’Or’ are becoming more desirable. Yet the rental market in the capital can be challenging, particularly if you have just arrived or are looking for a flat share while still abroad and do not have any contacts yet. It is possible to find an excellent flat that is just right, in terms of location, price and of course the people, but it does need some networking or you might prefer to work with an agency to assure quality standards and have a guaranteed return of your deposit.
One of the main sources of finding rooms in Luxembourg is Appartager.lu, the flatsharing platform in Luxembourg. They make up for something like 70-80% of all room offers in Luxembourg city.
There are also several FB groups where you can look for rooms but it might be an idea to check whether this is a legal sublet. Indeed many owners are not aware that there is a sublet happening at their property and potential tenants of such unserious offers risk losing their deposit in full if the owner finds out.
Deleted: You should always ask whether you can register at the townhall for your potential new home.
(If this is not possible, chances are high that you are looking at an illegal sublet)
These are some of our suggestions for now. In the future we might turn this page into a regular blog. See you hopefully soon.
Over the last decades, Luxembourg, with its busy financial center and thriving economy has become a destination for many skilled professionals across Europe. As a multicultural hub it blends making good money with a higher quality of life. It is not surprising that in the end many people end up staying longer than they anticipated, too.
So how much will a room in Luxembourg city set you up on average. Well this is a question harder to answer but it might be anywhere between 700-950€ all charges and any additional expense included.
Tip: Be careful but many privately rented rooms do not tell you about added electricity and Internet charges which are often at the cost of the tenants.
Peak periods are in January, February but also in September. It is better to sort out your accommodation early and start at least 4-6 weeks before than risk being disappointed or come under pressure.
Many interns that traditionally start in September and then again in February put additional pressure on the market.
It is customary in Luxembourg that owners ask for 3 month rent as deposit on a new flat. Sometimes you might be lucky and find somebody who only asks for 2 but normally it is 3. Additionally you normally need to have a CDI (Contrat a Duré Indeterminé) to be considered as a potential tenant.
But, not to despair, most flat sharing companies ask for only 2 month deposit. Even so this is a cost to factor into your moving plans.
Tip: Make sure you demand a receipt of the payment for the deposit.
Whether you need an agency or not is ultimately up to you but agencies normally guarantee quality standards. This should make the whole process a lot easier and faster.
It is customary for an agency to ask you for 1 month rent as a fee for their services in helping you to find a room. The cheapest we have found were Vauban&Fort whose reduced agency fee was substantially cheaper than its competitors while also offering additional services like professional maintenance and additional insurance.
Whether you are an intern or have been offered a CDI (Contrat a Duré Indeterminé) there is a difference whether you will be staying short term (under 6months) or long term (generally anything over 6 months). This is particularly relevant when you search for rooms. People that stay long term have different expectations than those staying short term.
Tip: If you are looking for short term you should really start early because this can limit your options
While many privately offered rooms are not a scam be aware that renting privately has some risks and in some cases people do not see their deposit again.
Rooms are often rented out without the consent of the property owner and it can get hairy once this is found out, as it is illegal.
Tip: Warning signs to find out about this is if you are not allowed to register at the townhall for instance
Everything is about location and with all the traffic in Lux City it is important to be close to your work. Rent in the capital for example in Belair or Kirchberg is a lot more expensive than outside the city. If you wanted to rent a decent room for under 700€ consider locations outside of the city like in Leudelange. Inside of the city a decent room/flat normally starts at 700€.
A good place to start looking for rooms is appartager.lu the main flat share platform in Luxembourg. Of course there are also many groups on FB but these are less regulated and do not have proper search criteria that match what you might be looking for. Also justlanded.lu has some rooms to look for. We would recommend companies like Vauban&Fort who are known for their quality services (www.vaubanfort.lu) and specialize in international flat shares only.
It is obvious that finding the right room at the right rate in the right location is the first and foremost consideration but many people do not directly consider their flatmates.
After all, these are the people you will be living with on a daily basis. Some agencies offer basic assurances as to the background of tenants but in practice often fail as screening for tenants is time consuming. Do make sure that you ask for a 1-on-1 visit of your future room.
So you booked your room online and it turned out to be nothing like the pictures? This is unfortunately a more common issue and we would recommend to visit a place in person in nearly all cases.
There is nothing like actually seeing a place to get a feel for it. During a visit do pay attention to the cleanliness of the kitchen or common areas as well as whether your private landlord or agency is coming across as serious, whether they take time to answer your questions and if they ask for upfront payments.
In some cases it might be better to slightly increase your budget to be able to have piece of mind.
You definitely need to know that this is a very diverse country in terms of demographics, culture and language. There are 3 major spoken languages besides English.
This is the official, administrative language spoken in Luxembourg. It sounds a little bit like German most of the time. At least 50% of Luxembourg’s population speaks luxembourgish. You could also encounter it in parts of Belgium and France.Speaking of which, if you stop and look at the world’s map for a minute, you will find that Luxembourg is situated near Belgium, Germany and the Netherlands. So close, you could commute everyday and many people indeed also do so!Don’t worry though, Luxembourgish is often spoken on personal occasions, such as at home and by the locals themselves. It makes a big difference though if you do show that you are able to speak Luxembourgish and language classes are incredibly popular since it is necessary to pass a test with very basic Luxembourgish to become a Luxembourg (EU) citizen after 5 years in the country.
If you are moving to Luxembourg for business or planning to spend more than 3 months there, you should definitely practice your French speaking skills! This is the official language of the parliament and rule of law, also many official documents. A strong business relationship is based on solid communication so you might take some French learning classes.
This is the third official language of the country and almost 45% of the population speaks German. You might want to learn a few words, but also note that most of the people here are educated to speak at least 3 foreign languages and in almost 90% of cases with English you will definitely manage if you don’t speak French of German yet. If you had a choice between French and German we would pick French as many employees in the shops and restaurants are French frontaliers (so people that actually commute from France everyday to work in Luxembourg). English is widely spoken, particularly among the sizeable expat communities (over 50k people) and is one of the motors of business in the Grand Duchy.
Now that you know what to expect in terms of spoken languages let’s talk about culture.
Deleted: Luxembourg City features very good museums that are really popular and each year during the ‘Night of the Museums’ (in November) all 7 main city museums are open till late into the night and attract huge crowds. Luxembourg City is incredibly diverse, the seat of the EU law courts and blends both ultra modern with old traditions. It has a cultural legacy and history that stretches back over 1000 years and features the breath-taking Wenzel’s walk, which is also on the Unesco World Heritage list. Its architectural legacy goes back to Celtic, tribal times although the city itself was most likely founded by the Romans. Formerly known as ‘Gibraltar of the North’ as it was considered to be the most significant fortified city in Northern Europe, make sure that you do not miss out on visiting the breath-taking fortified Pétrusse valley that cuts the city into 2 big halves. With ramparts of nearly 50m height it is a sight to behold and perfect for romantic walks along the river. You might even encounter ‘Melusina’, the mythical Mermaid that disappeared centuries ago when according to legend count Sigfried, the mythology founder of Luxembourg city, spied through a keyhole while she was bathing.
Outside of Luxembourg city, if you have any time left, you should not miss the Vianden Castle, the Echternach Basilica or the so-called Müllertal. If you are a painted art lover, you can find beautiful works by Jean-Baptiste Fresez and Nicolas Liez. They are the most important artists of the country and also painted the City of Luxembourg and its surroundings in the late 19th century.
Checking out the local libraries where you can delight yourself with some of Edmond de la Fontaine’s poetry who is considered to be the country’s outstanding national poet, being one of the first to write in Luxembourgish.
As far as national cuisine goes, it is strongly influenced by the German and French cooking, as well as Portuguese and Italian expats who arrived in the 50s and 60s. Eating out is somewhat of a national sport in the capital and there is a very high density of restaurants to choose from. This will be an enriching experience! Either way, you will most certainly enjoy what this country and its people have to offer.
