House Hunters International - Zurich

If only finding an apartment in Zurich were as easy and entertaining as an episode of House Hunters. Unfortunately it wasn't as simple as viewing 3 apartments, picking our favorite, and boom we're in our 1st choice no problem and no questions asked.  We saw roughly 14 apartments, agonizingly went back and forth on our top picks, applied for 4, were rejected from 2, and received a positive response from our back-up choice before we heard from our top picks so we were forced to pass on it.  Finally yesterday,  2 weeks after applying for our 1st choice, we were informed that our application was accepted!  The underlying layer of anxiety that's been plaguing us for the past 2 weeks has dissipated, and we cannot wait to move in and get settled into our new digs. 

It's an attic apartment with 3 bedrooms (so y'all better come visit), 1 bathroom, kitchen with dishwasher and combined washer/dryer (upgrade from our West Village apartment), and the best part is we have our very own private rooftop terrace with views of the city, the Üetliberg mountains, and if you stand just so you can see a smidgen of  the Alps. Oh, and there's an elevator to keep all the old people happy :).  I'll post some pictures once we've moved in. For now here's some pics I found online, but don't get too excited. Our views won't be quite like this.  

Uetliberg Mountains

Beautiful Zurich
Let me just manage your expectations now.  Our view is no where near as spectacular as this; we aren't millionaires.  

Die Sonne scheint, und das Wetter ist sweet.

Well, according to locals this is the last sunshiny weekend for about the next 6 months.  Something to do with the Alps and pressure...ask Kevin.  All I know is, we better learn how to ski because winter is coming.  Here are some pics of us basking in the last bit of the Swiss sunshine.  

This church could have been our backyard

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams

Mya getting some loves

Palm trees in Zurich

Lovely Lucerne

Today we took a day trip to Lucerne, Switzerland. Even though it was overcast, we really enjoyed ourselves.  Here are some of the pics.

Kapellbrucke "Chapel Bridge" - the oldest wooden covered bridge in Europe (according to Wikipedia)

One of the creepier murals

Mya's a tourist attraction!  This sweet lady wanted a picture with Mya.

Kevin enjoying some fondue.

On the way home.  Mya loves the train.

Mya Explores Stoos

Mya survived the flight!  She looked like she'd been through hell and back with her raggedy fur and stressed out face, but the puppy lives and it hasn't taken her long to adjust to Swiss life.  Switzerland loves dogs.  You can take them anywhere with you; inside restaurants, trains, grocery stores, malls...this puppy is never leaving my side :).  Taking advantage of the ability to travel with Mya, we took our first family day trip to Stoos, Switzerland where we "climbed" Fronalpstock mountain.  Check it out.

Mya on the train to Stoos

Going up the funicular

Going further up via the lift

View from the top

Mya grazing the Alps

Mya and me

Mya taking in the view

Mya going down the mountain

Mya vs Cow

On the way down, Mya lovin the ride 

The Journey Begins

Leaving NYC is bittersweet.  After only 2 and 1/2 years we have made some lifelong friends, and have completely embraced city life.  Although it is hard to leave behind the friends and city that we love, we are excited to move to the magical land that is Zurich, Switzerland.  The land of crystal clear lakes, breathtaking Alpine views, and fresh mountain air - where all our European dreams will come true.  The only question is, will Mya survive the flight? 

"I'm trapped in a plastic box of emotions!"