[thirsteh]

Copenhagen is one of the most expensive and over-crowded cities in the world. I'm not surprised that you couldn't find something in a rush. People sign their kids up for housing when they're born in this city.

That said, it sounds like your scope is something like the inner city of Copenhagen. That's a terrible starting point. It's much easier to find an apartment in the greater Copenhagen area: Frederiksberg, Albertslund, Ballerup, Brøndby, Gentofte, Gladsaxe, Glostrup, Greve Strand, Herlev, Hvidovre, Ishøj, Lyngby-Taarbæk, Rødovre, Søllerød, Tårnby, Vallensbæk, Værløse.

I am surprised, however, that your employer hasn't given you any references, tips, or even subsidized housing. Considering how hard it is to find housing in Copenhagen as a Dane, it seems strange they would expect a foreigner to just "figure it out".

At least get a Dane to interpret all of the Danish apartment postings you're missing.

[dalke]

The term you want is "highest occupancy rate" or "lowest vacancy rate" not "overcrowded." I've had a hard time finding good numbers for comparison. What I've seen suggests that Copenhagen's vacancy rate is about 2%, New York City is 2.9%, and Geneva is 0.25%.

[hmmokay]

> Copenhagen is one of the most expensive and over-crowded cities in the world.

Overcrowded? Copenhagen has 6,100 people per km2. New York City has 10,600, Paris has 20,900.

Expensive? Sure, but not when it comes to housing. Renting an apartment in the city center is much cheaper in Copenhagen than in many other larger cities.

> Considering how hard it is to find housing in Copenhagen as a Dane

It used to be hard. Nowadays it isn't that bad. But you do need to ask around. What cphhell should have done is talked to his employer - and, like you said, he should broaden his scope. If I go to live in NYC I don't expect to get an apartment on Times Square.

[loevborg]

Population density is hardly a good measure. Munich has 4300 people/km2 and, let met tell you, it's hard to find an affordable flat there. NYC or Paris are hardly a good comparison, either. In this sense, Munich is very crowded. In October, in particular, the housing situation is even more difficult, given thousands of new students. I'm sure Copenhagen is somewhat similar.

[hmmokay]

> Population density is hardly a good measure.

thirsteh claimed that Copenhagen was overcrowded. I didn't bring density into the discussion.

> Munich has 4300 people/km2 and, let met tell you, it's hard to find an affordable flat there. NYC or Paris are hardly a good comparison, either. In this sense, Munich is very crowded

"Crowded" in the sense that thirsteh used refers to population density, not whether or not it's hard to find an apartment. Also, you can't automatically assume that it's hard to find an apartment in Copenhagen just because it is in other cities. It's gotten a lot easier in the past few years, and if you're willing to look beyond the city center, you'll find something pretty fast.

[thirsteh]

So, basically, exactly what I said? Are you just arguing for arguing's sake? :)

[thirsteh]

It's overcrowded in terms of housing available.

It's expensive in general. It has about the highest cost of living outside of Japan. OP was moaning something about not being satisfied with giving up half his paycheck.

[hmmokay]

> It's overcrowded in terms of housing available.

Except that's not what overcrowded means. Also, most people I know (including foreigners) manage to get an apartment pretty quickly - but you can't expect to get something in the city center in a day without making an effort.

> It's expensive in general.

With housing being the notable exception. Try comparing what $700 or $1000 will get you in Copenhagen with what it'll get you in London, Paris, or NYC and you'll see what I mean.

> OP was moaning something about not being satisfied with > giving up half his paycheck.

That's another area where he probably didn't do his homework. First of all, the wages are some of the highest in the world. Secondly, while the tax rate is high, the amount of deductions is so big that the vast majority of people don't give up as as much as half their paycheck.