Moving to Orbe: Old Town and Lowland Districts

Orbe is a small town perched above the river of the same name, at the foot of the Jura, and moving to Orbe needs to be planned differently depending on whether you are heading up to the old town or settling in the newer districts on the plain. To move to Orbe without nasty surprises, think early about truck access, stairs and paperwork. A professional removal company in Orbe will help you adapt the logistics: simply describe your project to receive free quotes.

Orbe, between the old town and the districts on the plain

The town rises in tiers: up on the hill, the old town is made up of old townhouses, often tall and narrow, with interior staircases that can be steep and landings that are far from spacious. Further down, on the plain, the newer districts look quite different: more modern apartment buildings, villas and detached houses, generally with more open access.

This dual character changes the nature of the work. In the old town, you are moving homes full of character, where every piece of furniture has to pass through openings that were not designed for today’s furnishings. On the plain, the challenge is more often volume and the number of floors. The surroundings, with the Roman mosaics at Boscéaz close by, are a reminder that the area has been inhabited for a very long time, which also shows in the variety of its buildings.

Before comparing offers, note the type of property you are leaving and the one you are moving to: old-town house, apartment with or without a lift, villa. This guides the choice of equipment and team.

Access, parking and floors in Orbe

In the old town, narrow streets limit the size of the vehicle that can get close to the property. Depending on the layout, a large truck may not get through, which can mean a smaller vehicle, shuttle runs or carrying items over a longer distance. Mention this in your request: the distance between the truck and the door affects the working time.

The slopes of the upper town make carrying more tiring, especially with heavy loads. In old-town houses, expect narrow, sometimes winding staircases: bulky furniture, sofas or wardrobes may have to be dismantled, or go in and out from the outside. A furniture lift can then be a solution, provided there is room to position it.

In the districts on the plain, access is generally easier, but check the building’s lift, its size and any booking requirements. In winter, the foot of the Jura can bring snow or ice, which calls for care on the slopes.

To park a truck, a furniture lift or a skip on the public highway, prior permission from the commune or the police may be needed. Find out a few days or weeks before the date. The guide on the parking permit for moving day explains the procedure, and the one on moving in an old town covers the constraints of narrow streets.

Choosing the right time to move to Orbe

For a rented home, the notice period is in principle three months, to the termination date set by local custom or, failing that, to the end of a three-month lease quarter (art. 266c of the Swiss Code of Obligations, CO), unless your contract provides for longer. Customary termination dates vary by canton and commune: check your lease and the local custom before sending your notice, which must be given in writing (art. 266l CO). The guide on moving dates in Switzerland helps you find your way.

Around the termination dates, removal companies are in high demand: book early if you are aiming for a popular date. If you leave before the termination date, you can be released from the lease by presenting a solvent replacement tenant willing to take over the lease on the same terms (art. 264 CO).

As for the season, winter can make steep streets harder to access with snow and ice, while summer makes carrying more gruelling in strong heat. The shoulder seasons often offer the most comfortable conditions.

The paperwork for your move to Orbe

Every move must be reported to the residents’ registration office (contrôle des habitants): departure in the old commune, arrival in the new one, within the period set by the canton. In many communes, the notification can be made online through eMoving (eUmzugCH); check whether this is the case for your departure and arrival communes.

Then think about changing your address with your employer, insurer, bank and the services you rely on. When leaving your old home, the move-out inspection (état des lieux) needs preparing: home emptied, cleaned, keys ready. End-of-lease cleaning saves a lot of trouble.

When moving into your new home, the rental deposit may not exceed three months’ rent for a residential property (art. 257e CO) and is paid into a blocked account in your name. If your notice concerns the family home and you are married or in a registered partnership, the express consent of your spouse or partner is required (art. 266m and 266n CO). For an arrival from abroad or a departure to France, find out about customs and the residence permit. The guide on terminating a lease can help.

Useful services for moving to Orbe

Residential moving

For an apartment on the plain as well as an old-town house, residential moving covers loading, transport and unloading. State the floors, the lift and the carrying distance to get a realistic quote.

Packing and unpacking

In an old house with narrow staircases, well-prepared boxes make carrying easier. Packing and unpacking protects crockery, frames and fragile items, and saves time on the day.

Furniture assembly and disassembly

A wardrobe or bed that will not fit round a winding staircase often has to be taken apart. Furniture assembly and disassembly avoids damaging both the furniture and the walls.

Furniture lift

When the staircase is too narrow, the furniture lift takes loads in and out through the façade. It needs space to be set up and may require a permit to occupy the public highway.

Storage

If your departure and arrival dates do not coincide, storage lets you keep your belongings temporarily.

House clearance

Before leaving a house or a cluttered home, a clearance lightens the move and reduces the volume to be transported.

Request a quote

1. You describe your move online: departure and arrival addresses, volume, floors, access and preferred date.
2. Professional removal companies in the region get back to you, possibly for a visit on site, in order to price the work precisely.
3. You compare the free quotes and remain free to choose, or not.

The cost depends on volume, distance, floors and access, any furniture lift, packing and the date. To get started, simply request a quote.

Around Orbe

If your plans take you further afield, see our pages on Yverdon-les-Bains, La Sarraz and Vallorbe. You will also find moving in the canton of Vaud and the list of all communes.

Frequently asked questions