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Located in the north-east of Luxembourg city, Kirchberg is one of the most modern neighbourhoods in town. This locality is a perfect cocktail of art, business, history, and culture. Known locally as the European Quarter, Kirchberg plays host to several European Union institutions, international banks, as well as the University of Luxembourg.
Due to being a business hub, Kirchberg has a variety of restaurants, bars, and pubs residents can hang out at. This neighbourhood is also touted for its leisure facilities such as the d’Coque Sports Complex, that helps residents keep close tabs on their health.
All in all, if you’re someone looking for a calm respite away from the tourist hubspots of Luxembourg city, Kirchberg might be the neighbourhood for you.
Limpertsberg is another one of Luxembourg’s highly sought after areas. There are numerous reasons for this, including its excellent schools but also its more residential character, many cool bars (Tramways and Gotham) and its outstanding connection to pretty much everywhere, including Kirchberg.
Limpertberg is located right next to Glacis. This is also where since the 14th century the Schueberfouer happens. The locality sees a huge influx of students and young professionals, and is home to beautiful old houses, lots of green spaces, and some of the most beautiful parks in the city.
Limpertsberg is perfect for Coliving and although this area is pricey we have several cool apartments there.
The Petrusse Valley is an idyllic green oasis in the very centre of Luxembourg—a goldmine for nature lovers. The valley is surrounded by a ravine, at the bottom of which runs a quiet river. Dense willow trees, green hills, and steep slopes characterise the valley’s picturesque landscape. The area is currently undergoing a nature restoration project that aims to promote biodiversity and limit flooding. The plan also includes the development of relaxation areas, playgrounds, and other amenities that will make living in Petrusse more pleasant.
If you’re someone that wishes to stay away from the hullabaloo of the city centre, Petrusse is just perfect for you. It follows the motto of ‘more ecology, less concrete.’ All properties in and around Petrusse are highly sought after.
A former working class district, Bonnevoie has changed quite a bit over recent years. Today, the area is described as bohemian, hip, and up-coming. Houses here are colourful and vibrant, and quality of life is high. Bonnevoie is located just south of Luxembourg City’s central railway station, making it extremely accessible to other towns, cities, and even countries. This neighbourhood is becoming highly sought-after for families and students from all backgrounds.
Residents in Bonnevoie benefit from its excellent Spa complex and swimming pool, as well as its Football Club. Bonnevoie also plays host to a number of specialty food shops from Greece, South America, India, Portugal, and more. In addition, the neighbourhood’s got shops for your daily grocery needs, as well as stores you can window shop at.
The Gasperich neighbourhood is on the path to becoming one of the most sought after districts of Luxembourg city. The area is attracting big corporations, as well as locals and expats from across the globe. As for housing, the neighbourhood is undergoing major changes, and a variety of new apartment buildings have cropped up here since 2019.
This locality boasts of a number of restaurants and bars, along with a few schools, making it a perfect fit for both youngsters and families alike. It also has another lovely bakery, the famous ‘Pain de Marie’ and altogether this is just a great residential area where many expats have found a new home. And as if that weren’t enough, Gasperich is well-connected by public transportation, too.
For all shopping needs, residents can visit Cloche d’Or. One of the biggest shopping centers in the city, here, one can find a variety of big-name brand retailers, hypermarkets, grocery stores, and leisure facilities.
While these are 5 of the best neighbourhoods in Luxembourg, this list is anything but complete. Some other localities that are great to live in are Cessange, Pfaffenthal, and Belair. And again, no neighbourhood in Luxembourg can be categorised as good or bad. In the end, it all depends on your budget, and the kind of experience you’re seeking to have.
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 with Vauban&Fort.
Healthcare in Luxembourg is covered by the Caisse Nationale de Santé (CNS). Chances are that as an expat, if you are employed you are normally affiliated to the ‘Private Employees Health Office’ (Caisse de Maladie des Employés Privés) unless you work for the Luxembourg state.
Once your employer has registered you, a form is sent to you by the CCSS requesting details of all family members and dependents so they can be included on the social security insurance. A social security card (Carte de Sécurité Sociale- CCSS) is then issued to the insured and each dependent by post. This card must be taken with you to any medical visits to ensure reimbursement is carried out seamlessly.
If you are self-employed, you will first have to register with the CCSS to gain access to CNS.
In Luxembourg, the following persons can be covered primary insured, regardless of whether he or she is from an EU Member state or not:
Most medical and hospital care as well as medication is covered, but some drugs may require prior authorization from the CNS or its Medical Board (CMSS). Doctors and dentists must comply with rates fixed by the CNS. Reimbursement for doctors is 100% for children under 18 years and 88% for adults.
Some medical services are not covered by the CNS (e.g. purely cosmetic surgery). For these procedures, the hospital costs incurred are not covered either.
Hospital costs such as beds are directly covered by the CNS, adults over 18 years need to pay a cost of 10-20 EUR/night. The CNS does not cover the cost of a private room.
As I had no hospital admission, all I had to do was submit my paid medical expenses as a reimbursement request in an envelope and send it to:
Caisse Nationale de Santé – Service Virements, 125 Route d’Esch L-1471 Luxembourg
As I was applying for reimbursement the first time, I also had to include my full name, address, 13-digit identification number and my bank details. Three weeks later, I was delighted to see that my expenses had been reimbursed.
Despite being new to the city, in the end I was pleasantly surprised by how seamlessly it all worked out with the CNS.
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.
