ChatGPT, help me find a flat in Zurich – fast! How AI is smarter about moving than ever before

The serviced apartment industry is adapting because the habits of its guests are changing dramatically. The days of passive browsing are gone. People are now searching with full-sentence, conversational queries, often turning to AI and platforms like ChatGPT, aligning perfectly with Google’s Search Generative Experience (SGE). Instead of typing “short-term rental Zurich,” they are asking, “What’s the best place to live in Zurich for three months while I look for a permanent flat?” or “How do I find a furnished apartment with a washing machine for under three months, ideally no more than 15 minutes from the office?”. Some go even further, requesting specifics like “a pet-friendly one-bedroom in Seefeld, under CHF4,000/month, with a terrace, parking, and walking distance to a tram.”

In a city like Zurich, where quality and efficiency are a way of life, these detailed prompts are more than just search queries-they’re a reflection of the expectations people already associate with living here. Zurich is a city where time is valuable, standards are high, and decisions are made quickly. The demand for fast, accurate, and tailored answers isn’t just changing how people search; it’s reshaping the entire serviced apartment industry.

From generic searches to prompt precision

This behavioural shift is closely linked to how people use AI tools like ChatGPT daily. Those familiar with AI know that the key to getting accurate and relevant answers is crafting detailed, context-rich prompts. Frequent users specify every requirement: budget ceilings, pet-friendliness, amenities such as terraces or washing machines, parking, and proximity to public transport.

Research backs this up: Schulhoff et‚al. (2024) found that well-structured, precise prompts significantly improve AI-generated accuracy, reducing back-and-forth iterations (arXiv). Hospitality Net also highlights that “prompt engineering is becoming a skill in its own right, especially in industries where time and accuracy matter” (Hospitality Net, 2023, hospitalitynet.org). Google’s SGE is designed for exactly this behaviour, giving preference to conversational, highly specific queries. In a relocation hub like Zurich, where professional assignments often come with tight timelines, this shift is transforming how serviced apartments are discovered and booked.

Why serviced apartments are the natural fit

For relocating professionals and mobility managers, every requirement matters. It’s no longer acceptable to offer generic options; the expectation is instant, tailored solutions. The serviced apartment industry has grown to meet this demand. Once considered a niche between hotels and traditional rentals, it is now a USD 112 billion global market, projected to grow by 12.7% annually through 2030 due to demand for flexibility, furnished living, and premium standards (Grand View Research, 2023, grandviewresearch.com).

Properties are being redesigned with granular amenities in mind-pet-friendly layouts, ergonomic workspaces, terraces, and in-unit laundry-because that’s what users now search for. According to Multi-Housing News (2024), renters and relocation managers increasingly rely on AI tools, LinkedIn, and YouTube-not just Google-when making housing decisions, demanding transparency and real-time accuracy (multihousingnews.com).

And nowhere is this level of service more essential than in Zurich, where competition for housing is fierce, and every day without a home base can mean lost productivity.

Zurich: a city where quality matters

Zurich’s position as one of the world’s most liveable cities heightens these expectations. Ranked 2nd globally in the Economist Intelligence Unit’s 2025 Global Liveability Index (97.1 score) and consistently at the top of Mercer’s Quality of Living Survey (2024), Zurich is known for its safety, superb public transport, and sustainable urban design. Professionals relocating here aren’t just looking for a temporary stay-they’re expecting Swiss-level efficiency from the very first day.

For mobility managers, this means two things:

• Competition for housing is intense, making trusted providers critical.
• Premium standards are non-negotiable-accommodation must reflect Zurich’s reputation for precision and quality.

Cityus: built for a prompt-driven world

This is where Cityus stands out. With over 10 years of experience in the serviced apartment industry, Cityus understands both the evolving habits of end-users and the operational needs of global mobility managers. Their approach is built around precision, flexibility, and human reliability.

Our Zurich inventory is organised by key features-pet-friendliness, terraces, parking, and proximity to public transport-matching the level of detail found in prompt-driven searches. Transparent listings with real-time availability, photos, and clear pricing remove the guesswork and deliver the instant clarity users now expect. Cityus’s multilingual team takes a human-in-the-loop approach, ensuring every request is handled personally, with responses typically delivered within hours. Designed for flexibility, stays can range from a few weeks to several months, with seamless check-ins that adapt to changing relocation timelines.

In other words, Cityus doesn’t just list apartments; it translates SGE-style prompts into real-world, relocation-ready solutions-quickly, reliably, and to the standards a city like Zurich demands. 

Conclusion: meeting the prompt, exceeding the promise

A prompt like: “Find me a furnished, pet-friendly flat in Zurich, with a terrace, parking, and a washing machine, one minute from public transport, under CHF4,000/month, available in two weeks.”‚ is no longer unusual; it’s the standard. The serviced apartment industry is evolving to meet this reality, and Cityus is at the forefront. By combining curated inventory, flexible terms, transparent processes, and a knowledgeable team, Cityus delivers on speed, precision, and premium standards-exactly what today’s relocation market, and Zurich itself, demand.