findatime is a free social scheduling app that finds when you and your friends are both free. You mark your available hours each week, share a single link, and findatime automatically surfaces the times that overlap — so you can stop the back-and-forth of 'when are you free?' texts and just make the plan.

How do casual plans work on findatime?

Instead of polling a group chat, you post what you're up for — a gym session, a hike, a coffee — along with a time. Share it with a Group so the whole crew sees it at once. Friends who are free tap 'I'm Keen'. No RSVPs to chase, no one feels pressured.

Does findatime sync with my calendar?

No. findatime does not sync with Google Calendar, Outlook, or any calendar app. You manually mark the hours you're free each week, which takes about 30 seconds. Your contacts and calendar data stay completely private.

Can I use findatime to catch up with friends overseas?

Yes. findatime works across timezones. You mark your free hours in your local time, your friend marks theirs in their local time, and the app shows you the overlap in your own timezone — no mental math required.

Yes, findatime is free to use. Set your availability, share your link, and start making plans at no cost.

How is findatime different from a group chat?

Group chats require back-and-forth messages to find a time everyone's free. findatime eliminates that: you mark your availability once, share a link, and the app shows the overlap automatically. For casual plans, you post once and see who's keen — no chasing RSVPs.

Making Friends in Zurich: A Guide for the Swiss Hub

The Zurich challenge

Zurich is a city of banks, mountains, and social reserve. The Swiss social model is similar to the German one — friendships form slowly, are deep when they form, and are hard to break into as an outsider. The expat population is large but transient.

The Zurich-specific challenges

The social reserve. Swiss people are reserved initially. The leap from acquaintance to friend takes longer.
The language. If you don't speak German (specifically Swiss German), your social world may shrink to the expat bubble.
The transient expat population. A large percentage of Zurich's professionals are expats on 2–5 year contracts.
The cost. Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world, which makes dinner plans a financial commitment.

The fixes

1. Learn the language

Even High German opens doors; Swiss German is the real key. The expat bubble is transient; the German-speaking world is more stable.

2. The outdoor strategy

The Swiss outdoor culture is strong — hiking, skiing, cycling. The outdoor community is the most welcoming social entry point. The mountains are 30 minutes away; use them.

3. The low-cost plan

Don't plan a dinner (which is very expensive). Plan a walk, a hike, a coffee — activities that are free or cheap.

4. Share your availability

Mark your free hours, share your findatime link, and let the overlap find you. In a city where the reserve and the cost kill plans, removing the scheduling tax is the biggest lever.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Zurich hard to make friends in?

It's harder than in Anglo-Saxon cities — the social reserve is real. But the friendships that do form are deep. The key is patience, language, and the outdoor community.

How do I make Swiss friends?

Recurring shared activities — especially outdoor ones. The Swiss are reserved but warm up over time. The key is patience and recurrence.

How do I handle the cost?

Plan free or cheap activities — walks, hikes, coffees. The dinner is not the only social format; the hike is often better (and always cheaper).