Furnished Stuwo.ch Flatshare vs. Traditional Flatshare vs. Student Residence
Choosing the right type of accommodation is an important step for students to feel comfortable at university and live stress-free. Especially in popular cities like Bern, Lucerne or Brugg-Windisch, many face the decision:
- Should it be a furnished flatshare with Stuwo.ch?
- A traditional flatshare with main tenant(s)?
- Or a place in a classic student residence?
All three options have their pros and cons – here’s an overview.
What is a furnished Stuwo.ch flatshare?
A furnished shared flat from Stuwo.ch offers fully equipped rooms and apartments specifically designed for students. You usually only need to bring your suitcase, as everything essential is already provided: a furnished room, motivated flatmates, internet, kitchen, dining area, bathroom, laundry facilities – and almost always a furnished living area and a shared balcony. Rental contracts can be terminated at the end of the semester.
Pros of a furnished Stuwo.ch flatshare
- Easy move-in: No hauling furniture – ideal for 1 to about 3 years.
- All-inclusive: Fixed price for rent, utilities, electricity, internet, and furniture.
- Security: You’re only liable for your own room, not jointly for the entire flat.
- Co-determination: You can have a say in choosing roommates – Stuwo checks creditworthiness and social compatibility.
- Good infrastructure: Wi-Fi, laundry, public transport connections, convenient amenities.
- Student community: Connect with others in a similar life situation.
- Less admin hassle: No discussions about rent or utility payments among roommates.
- In some apartments, floor plans are altered by adding walls to divide large rooms into several smaller ones—ideal for students on a tight budget.
- Autonomous living within guidelines is well possible; tenants are allowed to take on more responsibility and thus gain greater freedom of choice, for example when selecting roommates.
Cons of a furnished Stuwo.ch flatshare
- Less individuality: Furnishings are predefined.
- Rules: Clear house rules, some restrictions on pets or frequent guests.
- Influence on roommate selection: A proposed person may be rejected, for example, if there are justified doubts about their financial reliability, they are not enrolled as a student, or they do not fall within the specified age range or the minimum lease duration is not fulfilled.
- Costs: Slightly more expensive than unfurnished rooms – but includes services and no purchase costs.
- Notice periods: Contracts with fixed termination dates; early termination is possible if a suitable replacement tenant is provided and accepted.
- Annual tenant changes possible: Many flatshares experience regular turnover – dynamic, but potentially exhausting.
Pros & Cons of a traditional flatshare with main tenant(s)
In traditional shared flats, you’re either the main tenant or a co-tenant – this gives you more freedom, but also more responsibility.
Pros of a traditional flatshare
- Cost advantage: Usually cheaper than furnished rooms.
- Design freedom: You can furnish your room completely in your own style.
- Co-determination: You choose new roommates together, without any restrictions.
- Long-term: Rental contracts are often open-ended – good for longer study periods.
Cons of a traditional flatshare
- More effort: Finding furniture, moving, repairs – all your responsibility.
- Liability: If you’re the main tenant, you’re liable for the full rent – even if others don’t pay.
- Unpredictable utility costs: Heating and electricity bills often come later – can be expensive.
- Less flexibility: Having your own furniture makes spontaneous moves harder.
- Conflict potential: No neutral person to turn to if problems arise.
- Unclear responsibilities: With multiple main tenants, responsibilities can be vague.
Alternative: Student residence with shared kitchen and bathroom
Another type of housing is the student residence (e.g. run by foundations or cooperatives). Usually, about 10 students live per floor. Everyone has their own room but shares a kitchen (which must be cleaned by residents) and 2–3 sanitary facilities, which are professionally cleaned once a week.
Pros of a student residence
- Simplicity: Everything is taken care of.
- Good location: Often close to university or university of applied sciences.
- Simple booking process without viewing and no personal interview.
Cons of a student residence
- Feels like a hotel for students, not a family-like flatshare atmosphere.
- No say: You live with people you didn’t choose.
- Higher price: Often more expensive than Stuwo when considering amenities, comfort, and privacy.
- Limited privacy: Shared kitchen and bathrooms reduce private space.
- Unclear responsibilities: Especially kitchen cleaning often causes conflicts.
- Weekly bathroom cleaning often insufficient if usage is high.
- Noise and disturbance: Many people = lots of movement. Not ideal for studying.
Conclusion: Which option suits you best?
| Type of Housing | Ideal for … |
|---|---|
| Traditional flatshare | Self-organized, long-term living projects – for those ready to take full responsibility and enjoy living individually. A classic, diverse housing form that has always existed. |
| Stuwo.ch flatshare | A structured option for students seeking a practical, safe, and comfortable solution, who still want a say in how the flatshare works. Particularly popular for 1–3 year stays or for at least a year among international students. |
| Student residence | Students who consider communal living with others less important and prefer to maintain short-term, on-demand social contacts. Here, you’ll feel at ease – you can focus 100% on studying and sleeping, and on weekends you’ll find exchange students who are up for partying. However, you’ll need a high tolerance for kitchen chaos. This is the right place for you if you prefer to take little or no responsibility for the shared living environment – a popular choice as a temporary solution. |
