A move to Milvignes needs to be planned with the terrain in mind: the commune stretches between Lake Neuchâtel and the vineyards, with village streets, slopes and very different types of housing. Whether you are looking for a removal company in Milvignes to leave the commune or to settle there, it is best to describe the access precisely from the very first request. This guide gathers the useful points for moving to Milvignes, from administrative steps to choosing services.
Milvignes, a commune of three villages between lake and vines
Milvignes was created in 2013 by the merger of Auvernier, Colombier and Bôle. It retains the character of its winegrowing villages, with Colombier castle as a notable landmark, and a landscape where the lake and the sloping vineyards sit side by side.
For a move, this means that the same name covers a range of situations. In the old village centres you will find village houses and period buildings, sometimes with narrow staircases or cramped stairwells. Around them, the more recent areas have apartment blocks and detached houses, where access is generally easier. Homes close to the vineyards may be set high up, with sloping access.
Before asking for a quote, note which village your home is in, its type (apartment block, village house, villa), the floor and whether there is a lift. These details, more than the name of the commune, determine how the move goes.
Access, parking and floors in Milvignes
In the winegrowing villages, streets can be narrow and access is sometimes restricted. A large lorry cannot always get close to the door: you then need to allow for a longer carrying distance, or a smaller vehicle making more trips. Mention this in your request so that the movers can size the team and equipment.
Slopes matter too. On sloping ground, carrying takes more time and care, especially for heavy furniture, appliances or a piano. If access by the stairs is difficult, a furniture lift lets items go through a window or balcony, provided it can be set up close to the façade.
In the canton of Neuchâtel, winter can bring cold and snow, especially further inland. On the lakeshore the situation is generally milder, but a slippery road remains possible: plan to clear the way and flag any tricky access.
To park a lorry, a furniture lift or a skip on the public highway, prior permission from the commune or the police may be required. Ask the commune a few days or weeks before the date. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure.
Choosing the right time to move to Milvignes
For a rented home, the notice period is three months for the termination date set by local custom or, failing that, for the end of a three-month lease period, unless your contract provides for longer (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO). Customary termination dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and local custom before setting a date. Notice must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). For more details, see the guide on moving dates in Switzerland.
Dates around the termination dates are the most in demand: movers are very busy then and slots are booked early. If your schedule allows, moving in the middle of the month or outside peak periods gives you more choice.
The season matters too. In winter, snow and frost can complicate access, particularly in sloping areas. In summer, the heat makes carrying more tiring and means some sensitive items need protecting. Spring and early autumn are often the most comfortable periods, but they remain busy.
Administrative steps for moving to Milvignes
Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in your old commune, arrival in the new one, within the time limit set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online via eMoving (eUmzugCH); check whether this is the case for your commune.
Also remember to give your change of address to your employer, insurers, bank and service providers. If you are leaving your home, plan the move-out inspection (état des lieux) and the return of the keys. If you are married or in a registered partnership, terminating the lease on the family home requires the express consent of your spouse or partner (art. 266m and 266n CO). If you have to leave before the end of the lease, you can be released by proposing a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO).
On arrival, the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent for a home (art. 257e CO) and it is paid into a blocked account in your name. The guide to terminating a lease in Switzerland covers these steps.
As the French border is close in this canton, leaving for France or arriving from abroad involves additional formalities: customs for goods being transported, a residence permit depending on your situation. Ask the relevant authorities early.
Useful services for moving to Milvignes
Residential moving
For an apartment, a village house or a villa, residential moving covers loading, transport and delivery. Specify the floors, the stairs and the distance between the lorry and the door, particularly in the old village centres.
Furniture lift
When the staircase is narrow or the furniture is bulky, a furniture lift avoids risky manoeuvres. It needs a clear space near the façade, which may call for permission to occupy the public highway.
Packing and unpacking
Packing and unpacking saves time and protects crockery, frames and fragile items, which is useful if you own glassware or bottles to be transported with care.
Storage
If your move-out and move-in dates do not coincide, or if the new home is smaller, storage lets you keep part of your belongings for as long as needed.
End-of-lease cleaning
To hand the home back in good condition, end-of-lease cleaning helps you prepare for the move-out inspection without stress.
Piano transport
A piano copes badly with slopes and stairs. Piano transport is a specialist service, to be mentioned as soon as you request a quote.
Requesting a quote
- You describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors, access and preferred date.
- Professional removal companies in the region contact you, possibly for a visit on site.
- You compare the free, no-obligation quotes and remain free to choose.
The cost depends in particular on the volume, the distance, the floors and access, the use of a furniture lift, packing and the date. To get started, simply request a quote.
Around Milvignes
If your project concerns the surrounding area, see the pages for Neuchâtel, Boudry and La Grande Béroche. For an overview, go to the page on moving in the canton of Neuchâtel or browse all communes.
Frequently asked questions
Frequently asked questions: moving to Milvignes
Not always. In village centres with narrow or sloping streets, a large lorry may struggle to get close. State the access in your request: the movers will adapt the vehicle or plan for a longer carry.
Occupying the public highway with a lorry, a furniture lift or a skip may require prior permission from the commune or the police. Ask the commune a few days or weeks before the planned date.
Spring and early autumn are often the most pleasant. Winter can complicate access with frost and snow, and summer means coping with the heat. The periods around lease termination dates are the busiest.
Report your departure to your old commune and your arrival to the new one, at the residents' registration office (contrôle des habitants), within the time limit set by the canton. In many communes, eMoving (eUmzugCH) lets you do this online. Then remember to give your change of address to your insurers and providers.
Describe your move online: addresses, volume, floors and date. Professional removal companies in the region contact you, sometimes for a visit, and you then compare the free, no-obligation quotes.