What are the features of living in different countries: from Switzerland to the United Kingdom?

Washing machines in Switzerland

Switzerland, famous for its high quality of life and wealth, has its own unique system of organizing laundry in apartment buildings. Here, not every tenant is lucky enough to have their own personal appliances - only newcomers in modern buildings can use their own washing machines. The rest of the apartment dwellers have to sign up for laundry and follow a predetermined schedule.

Ideally, there should be at least one washing machine on each floor, but in practice, often one machine is used by all the residents of the entire building. Typically, the washing machine is located in the same room as the dryer and the system for hanging laundry. The use of a dryer requires residents to pay.additional feeWhile the laundry hanging service is already included in the utility payments. It is interesting to note that the fee for the electricity used for washing is not included in the utility expenses. Before starting the washing machine, residents are required to insert an individual key, which is programmed to record electricity consumption.

Travel in France

In France, there is a peculiar phenomenon calledviageThis represents a unique form of property sale with a lifetime lease. According to statistics, around ten thousand such transactions are recorded annually in this country. The essence of this arrangement is that the buyer makes an advance payment of 15-30% of the total property value, while the remaining amount is paid in the form of rent for the lifetime of the former owner. These payments are adjusted based on the indexing of the rent.

• The first option: the former owner can stay in their home until their death.
• The second option is that the seller moves to another home, receiving rent in return.

This method of acquiring housing can be compared to gambling: there can be both positive and negative consequences, as the final cost of the property remains uncertain. If the previous owner lives to an old age, the buyer may need a very long time, sometimes even decades, to pay the rent, without being able to live in the purchased apartment. A striking example is the story of Jeanne Calment, who sold her house to a lawyer in 1965 and lived to be 122 years old, continuing to receive rent from his heirs.

Panoramic windows in French architecture

In French architecture, you can often noticepanoramic windowsThese windows reach to the floor and have aesthetically pleasing railings that extend slightly beyond the façade of the building. These windows are also known as French balconies.

International real estate market

As in most countries, the international real estate market offers a wide range of interesting opportunities. All the most important news relates to various aspects of life and can be easily tracked through Telegram channels.

Traditions and customs of Thailand

In Thailand, a home, like in any other country, is surrounded by numerous cultural traditions and superstitions. One of the most well-known customs is the prohibition of entering a house with shoes on, as well as the strict rule against hammering nails into the floor. Thais hold the belief that:

• Stepping on the threshold can anger the spirits, so it is considered an undesirable action.
• Pregnant women are advised not to sit on the threshold, as it is believed that this can lead to difficult labor.

Traditions of construction in Thailand

Before starting the construction of new housing, residents of Thailand often consult shamans to check the land for spirits. These mystical beings hold special significance in the culture, which is why Thais build small houses for them, calledsanitary rules.

These architectural miniatures are located near the homes of local residents, as well as various public establishments, including shops, restaurants, and hotels. According to traditional beliefs, a spirit that is not given a place to dwell may become aggressive and start to disturb people.

However, simply building such houses is not enough — they require constant maintenance. This includes regular offerings:

• water,
• rice,
• sweets,
• flowers,
• incense.

It will also require careful cleaning of the surrounding area.

Respect for spirits in everyday life

These small structures are usually located close to residential houses, institutions, and agricultural lands, reminding people of the need to treat the spirits with respect. Beautiful photographs provided by the Unsplash platform (by authors Raimond Klavins and Flavia Gnecco) vividly showcase such constructions.

If you're interested in a deeper look at the everyday life of Thais, I recommend checking out the material "Amazing Facts About Thai Life and Their Real Estate."

Numbering system in Bulgaria

As for Bulgaria, local residents sometimes encounter an imperfect apartment numbering system. Although the numbers are listed in official documents, they are often missing from the doors of the residential units themselves.

To help guests, owners place name plates near the doorbell or near the intercom. Often the owners give directions instead of the apartment number:

• “on the second floor, in the right apartments,”
• “Fifth floor, left apartment.”

Confusing numbering system

The system of labeling buildings in Bulgaria may seem rather confusing to foreigners. Sometimes the numbers are not in order from left to right, but vice versa, or may be chaotic at all.

For example, in the capital region, there are streets that are designated only by numerical values, without names — this creates additional difficulties for tourists and new residents. There is even more confusion in resorts, where the address may be indicated solely as the plot number in cadastral documents.

For additional information about the life of Bulgarians, you can refer to the article "Incredible Facts About Life and Real Estate in Bulgaria."

House names in the UK

In the UK, it is quite common to use names to designate houses. These names can be related to natural elements, as well as directly describe certain objects, such as flowers or animals.

The British have a habit of giving their dwellings names that reflect their characteristics, such as:

• “mansion”– manor,
• “the priest's residential house”– the vicarage.

Often the names are supplemented with diminutive and affectionate adjectives, which emphasizes the personal attitude of the owners to their home.

Names and characteristics of houses

Sometimes the name of a house can reflect a notable element of it. For example, if there is a prominent fireplace in the house, it might be named after that feature. The names of buildings are often related to their location: for instance, "house on the bend" could refer to "house-on-the-bend."

In rare cases, housing may receive unflattering names, such as "hovel," but this usually happens in a joking context.

In general, this tradition of naming houses has become part of British culture, embodying the stories of its occupants and reflecting their life circumstances.

Concept of the "Chelsea" house

In this material, we will discuss the residential complex called "Chelsea" and learn about how the residents of the United Kingdom live, as well as explore some amazing facts about the real estate market that may surprise you.

Spanish real estate: interesting nuances

Spain is known for its multi-story buildings, each equipped with an elevator. It's important to note that the locals highly value this convenience. For example, if an old building in Valencia or Alicante lacks an elevator, it will definitely lower the price per square meter.

To increase the level of comfort and increase the market value of homes, Spaniards often team up to install an elevator. Such work can be quite expensive -from €600 thousandTherefore, even in historical buildings in areas like Born in Barcelona and Lavapiés in Madrid, you can find modern elevators.

Elevators in private homes

It is worth noting that elevators are found not only in high-rise buildings but also in small two- and three-story private houses. For example, in Torrevieja, you can see how non-residential floors are used in apartment buildings.

One example is the story of Alla, who bought a cozy two-bedroom apartment just a few minutes from the beach. These cases demonstrate how diverse housing in Spain can be. If you are interested in Spanish life, you can read more about it.

Life in trailers in the USA

Now let's move on to the United States, where living in trailers is quite a common practice. More20 million AmericansWe chose this type of housing. Trailers can range from old, heavily worn structures to modern mobile homes that offer a high level of comfort.

The former are often the subjects of stereotypes in movies, symbolizing economically unstable populations, while the latter are real houses with separate bedrooms, kitchens and bathrooms.

Prices for mobile homes

The cost of such mobile homes can start from small amounts and go up to a million dollars. Modern trailers can even have dryers!

In modern society, many choose self-service laundries as a more economical option compared to traditional laundry services. This is especially noticeable in cities like Figueira da Foz, where self-service laundries are becoming an increasingly popular choice. You can find more information by exploring the lifestyle of the Portuguese and amazing facts about their real estate.

A reimagined perspective on basements in Germany

When moving to Germany, one cannot help but notice that Germans have a completely different perception of their basements, which are usually considered unattractive and dark spaces. In Germany, kellers, or basement floors, are often transformed into cozy spaces for relaxation. This is not where old things pile up; rather, Germans find creativity and transform their basements into:

• game rooms,
• offices,
• creative workshops,
• venues for meetings and celebrations.

If someone has the opportunity to use such a space, it gives them the right to utilize it. Typically, these spaces are located on the lower floors and are presented in the form of sections resembling boxes. The area of such cellars usually does not exceed15 square meters.

Even budget apartments in Germany can boast the presence of such shelters. You can learn more about the life of Germans and interesting aspects of their real estate by reading special articles on this topic.

Architecture and habits in Georgia

Georgia is known not only for its rich architecture but also for the unique customs of the local residents, who strive to expand their living spaces by any means, including building without the necessary permits. As a result, you can find a variety of extensions on the streets of Tbilisi and Batumi, which can range from individual rooms to entire additional floors.

Local residents manage to add new floors to buildings, even to nine-story houses, using supporting structures made from improvised materials. Unfortunately, such unauthorized constructions usually do not meet safety standards, which increases the risk of their collapse.

What is the situation with basements and attics in Canada?

As for Canada, Canadians, despite the spaciousness of their homes, actively use basements and attics as additional living areas. These spaces were originally intended for housing various engineering communications, but after obtaining permits, they are insulated and converted into living spaces.

Students and migrants often choose such basements as places to live, which allows them to significantly reduce their costs. Attics, which are usually accessed through hatches, most often serve as offices for the owners. A prime example is an attic in a Toronto cottage that has been converted into a cozy sleeping space. You can learn more about the life of Canadians and their interiors through specialized publications.

Amazing variety of housing

You may be amazed by the diversity and unusual aspects of housing in different corners of the planet. Special attention should be paid to the features of real estate that might surprise you. For example, in the United Arab Emirates, locals enjoy unique living conditions. Native residents make up only 15% of the total population, and they do not have to worry about utility costs such as electricity or water. The only exception is the fee for air conditioning. The majority of utility expenses fall on the shoulders of foreigners, who make up 85% of the residents. Nevertheless, even locals may find themselves needing to pay for utilities if they exceed the established consumption limits.

Dubai Marina: the perfect place to live

One of the most popular places for renting is Dubai Marina, which attracts tenants with its picturesque views and convenient location. If you want to live near the sea and enjoy modern amenities, this area will be the perfect choice for you.

Saunas in Finland: part of the culture

Now let's move to Finland, where saunas hold a special significance in culture and everyday life. Finns cannot imagine their daily lives without a sauna, which is why it is present in every home – both in private houses and in apartment buildings.

A popular saying is:“First build a bathhouse, then a house.”In private homes, creating a sauna doesn't require much effort. In apartment buildings, however, they often build a shared bath that is available on a schedule, so everyone can enjoy it at least a few times a week, keeping the tradition alive.

It is worth noting that many modern residential complexes have small saunas built right into the apartments. This creates a cozy atmosphere and gives you the opportunity to use the sauna when it is convenient for you, without waiting for your turn.

Israeli bomb shelters: the necessity of safety

Israel also has its unique features in residential real estate. Almost every building here includes special protective rooms—bomb shelters known as mamads. This requirement was introduced by law in 1993 and is dictated by the current situation in the region.

MommyThey should be constructed of reinforced concrete, equipped with metal doors and sturdy windows. They are designed to ensure the comfort and safety of the residents, and should also be equipped with electricity and communication facilities.

In high-rise buildings, mamadas may be shared, whereas in private homes they are created for each dwelling individually. Such security measures are particularly relevant in southern regions and border areas, where the threat of rocket attacks is real.

Italian homes: art and style

We must not forget about the wonderful Italy, which is renowned for its sense of style and magnificent interior design. Italians take pride in their cultural heritage, which they reflect in the decoration of their homes, harmoniously blending ancient techniques with modern trends.

The interiors of Italian apartments are infused with sophistication and artistry, which captivates many foreign tourists.

Unique aspects of living and real estate

Each of these countries vividly showcases its unique aspects of life, which are tied to the characteristics of their real estate, and this is undoubtedly impressive and inspiring.

Conclusion

In conclusion to my review, I want to emphasize how diverse and unique the approaches to housing are in different countries. From Swiss communal washing machines to Thai spirit houses, each culture brings its own characteristics and traditions to everyday life.

It's interesting how in one region people are forced to follow a washing schedule as if it's part of their lifestyle, while in another they interact with the spirit world, taking care of spirits and observing rituals.

Original approaches to real estate

• The Viaj system in Francedemonstrates how real estate financing can turn into a kind of game with unpredictable consequences.
• Each of these phenomena reflects not only economic but also cultural aspects of life, creating unique rules of the game in the real estate market.

Cozy and individuality

At the same time, despite the apparent exoticism of the Bulgarian and British approaches to numbers and names of homes, in each case there is a clear desire for people to create a comfortable and cozy space that not only meets their needs but also expresses their individuality.

Housing as part of culture

Observing all this diversity, I realize that a home is not just walls and a roof over our heads. It is a place that fills us with emotions, memories, and cultural characteristics.

Ultimately, being part of such a diverse mosaic is not only a privilege but also a unique opportunity to better understand and appreciate the world around us.