Moving to Switzerland is not only about opportunities to have better careers. Many move to Switzerland as it offers high living standards with high-quality public services, access to nature, and excellent education.
To find the benefits of living in Switzerland, you need to read this article thoroughly. Here we share information to give you an insight into what it is like living in Switzerland.
1. The Pros And Cons Of Living In Switzerland You Can Anticipate
Moving to Switzerland can be your best experience if you are ready to embrace the pros and cons. Therefore, we share some of the pros and cons of living in Switzerland to help you adapt to this country.
The Benefits Of Living In Switzerland
Excellent Healthcare
Switzerland has an excellent healthcare service because of the extensive network of doctors and well-equipped hospitals. This makes the patient waiting list short so that people can get treated as soon as possible.
What’s more, the emergency rooms in this country are rarely overwhelmed. Therefore, most Swiss residents are satisfied with the local healthcare service.
Education System
The education system in Switzerland is among the best in the world. The local government pay great attention to education and makes it accessible for everyone.
Switzerland also provides vocational training to its residents. The training aims to increase the employment rate by teaching various skills to students.
It Is A Beautiful Country
There is no doubt that Switzerland is a beautiful country. It has mountains, beaches, rivers, and even forests.
If exploring nature and historical sites is your favourite thing to do, Switzerland is the right choice for you. On top of that, this country has good public transport, making it convenient to go around.
The Downsides Of Living In Switzerland
Swiss People May Seem Not Welcoming
Swiss people may not seem friendly or chatty. However, it does not mean you cannot make friends with them.
Start to talk with your local colleagues, ask them to show you around, and learn more about the local culture. You can also join groups with the same hobbies and interests to find new Swiss friends.
Culture Shock
It is natural for you to experience culture shock in a new country. Therefore, you need a supportive environment to help you to adapt.
One of the best ways to overcome culture shock is to join expat communities. You can discuss your hardships with other expats in the community and learn about how others have overcome similar hardships. Having a supportive environment will also help you navigate through Switzerland’s expat life.
2. Enjoy The Four Seasons
Switzerland is located within the temperate climatic zone, where there is no extreme heat, humidity, and cold.
Summers in Switzerland are warm with average temperatures from 65°F(18 °C) to 82° F(28 °C). During winters, the temperatures range from 28°F(-2 °C) to 45° F(7 °C).
There is a lot to enjoy during all four seasons. You can visit beautiful places around the country, join a tour or an event, and ski in the winter.
3. The Best Cities In Switzerland That Suit Your Vibes
Switzerland offers cities with high living standards. It is not difficult to find a perfect city with a high safety rate, excellent public services, and access to nature.
As a reference for your search, we have some of the best places to live in Switzerland.
Geneva
Geneva is home to the United Nations (UN), Red Cross, and World’s World Health Organisation (WHO). That’s why this city has many expats, and many of them are diplomats.
You can survive with English in Geneva. However, it will be better to learn French before moving there. This way, you can communicate with more people, especially the local residents.
Basel
Basel has a cosy vibe and is famous as a student city. It has nightlife, beautiful scenery, and is relatively affordable.
One of the perks of being located near France and German borders is access to both countries. You can cross borders to France and Germany easily for shopping or a vacation.
Sion
Sion can be your option if you love to live in a mountainous area. It is the capital of Valais canton and is located next to the Italian border.
Sion is a French-speaking city that is surrounded by snowy peaks. Some of the best things to do while living here are skiing, sightseeing, and visiting the hilltop castles.
4. High Living Expenses In Switzerland Will Never Bother You Anyway
We do admit that the cost of living in Switzerland is expensive. Swiss residents also pay high taxes each year.
The estimated monthly expense for a single person is 1,500 CHF (€1,454.70). If you add this number with the average monthly rent, 2,000 CHF (€1,939.60), you will find that the overall monthly expense is more than 3,000 CHF (€2,909.40.).
However, it does not mean you won’t be able to afford the cost of living here. The average salary in this country is one of the highest globally, 60,000 CHF (€58,000).
Below are some tips on how to reduce your monthly expense in Switzerland:
- Limit internet and phone consumption.
- Subscribe to Zattoo instead of paying for television.
- Switch your light bulbs to LEDs to reduce power consumption.
- Find cheaper grocery stores.
5. Opportunities To Work In Various Industries
The main industries in Switzerland are finance and banking. However, there are also opportunities in other industry sectors.
As an insight for you while you’re on a job hunt, below are some growing sectors you can look into:
- agriculture,
- chemicals,
- pharmaceuticals,
- mechanical and electrical engineering, and
- hospitality.
If you’re job hunting before moving to Switzerland, you can make use of job portals. Another effective way is to contact a local acquaintance to refer you to a company.
6. Transfer Your Children To The Best Schools In Switzerland
As mentioned before, Switzerland has excellent education services. If you move with your children, you can transfer them to Swiss schools.
Swiss public local and international schools are free of charge, and the students are not required to wear uniforms. On the other hand, private schools in this country are expensive.
Usually, expat families will send their children to international schools. The local government also provides a language class to help your children communicate in the local official languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh).
7. This Is How You Get Around In Switzerland
The public transport system in Switzerland is one of the best in the world. It incorporates trains, buses, boats, lake steamers, funiculars and even cable cars.
On top of that, Switzerland has four airports that make this country well connected. The busiest airports in Switzerland are:
- Zurich Airport,
- Geneva Airport,
- EuroAirport Basel Mulhouse Freiburg, and
- St. Gallen Airport.
You will also find other means of public transport such as taxis and ride-sharing. These transport alternatives make exploring regions in Switzerland more enjoyable.
8. What’s It Like Living In Switzerland? It’s Fun! You’ll Have Things To Do All Year Round
You will never get bored in Switzerland. There are things to do throughout the year, both indoors and outdoors.
If you prefer to enjoy your off days indoors, then the following places are for you:
- Queen Studio Experience,
- Basel Minster,
- The Olympic Museum Lausanne (Musee Olympique),
- Kunstmuseum Basel,
- Stiftsbibliothek,
- Swiss Science Centre Technorama, and
- Omega Museum.
As much as you love relaxing, you should also try some outdoor activities. Here are some of the outdoor activities you can enjoy in Switzerland:
- going on a tour at CERN,
- hiking in the Alps,
- wine tasting in Vaud,
- going on a trip to Jungfraujoch by train, and
- sightseeing on the GoldenPass Line.
9. Join The Festivals In Switzerland
Switzerland has its way of bringing fun and the community together through festivals. Participating in the festivals is the best way to get you closer to the local community’s culture.
You can mark your calendar to attend local festivals as follows:
- International Balloon Festival,
- Fête de L’Escalade,
- Gauklerfest – International Street Performer’s Festival,
- Basler Fasnacht, and
- Montreux Jazz Festival.
For your information, the jazz festival in Switzerland is the biggest one in Europe. Therefore, it should be in your “not to miss” list.
10. The Variety Of Food In Switzerland Is More Than You Thought
Each region in Switzerland has its own specialities. Therefore, exploring food scenes in this country will introduce you to a large variety of foods.
To help you get started on your culinary adventure, you can try these recommendations that will never go wrong with your taste buds:
- rösti (hot cake from grated potatoes),
- Zürcher Geschnetzelte (a veal dish),
- amaretti (small Italian macaroons),
- Churer meat tart, Birnbrot (thin layer of bread mixed with fruits and nuts), and many more.
In addition to the above dishes, you should also try variations of dishes made from cheese like fried cheese and cheese fondue. It would be best if you also took the time to try Swiss chocolate in its many flavours.
11. Reasons Why You Should Hire A Moving Company
To get a stress-free relocation process, we recommend engaging a moving company to ship your belongings to Switzerland. A professional like Sanelo has the experience and expertise to ship belongings from worldwide.
Here are some reasons why engaging Sanelo is a must:
- You don’t need to carry heavy luggage during the moving trip.
- Our team will help you pick up and ship your belongings to Switzerland.
- Sanelo will walk you through the shipment process.
Conclusion About Moving To Switzerland
Switzerland is a country that offers many benefits to its residents and expats. You can enjoy beautiful sceneries, delicious food, fun festivals, and visit beautiful recreational spots.
You will also find Swiss cities that offer great neighbourhoods for singles, families, and even students. This makes working and living here more enjoyable.
On top of that, this country is equipped with excellent education, public transport, and healthcare. Despite the relatively high cost of living, Switzerland is still one of the best places to live in the world.
To avoid troubles during your relocation process, you should consider hiring a professional like Sanelo. We have teams that will help you to ensure your relocation is seamless by delivering your belongings to Swiss.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Switzerland
Is It Difficult To Move To Switzerland?
It is not that easy to immigrate to Switzerland, even for EU citizens. You need to go through two steps to move there.
First, you need to earn an appropriate visa, then you need a residence permit. Therefore, it will be best to move after securing a job.
Can I Move To Switzerland Without A Job?
Yes, you can. You are able to live in Switzerland without having a job only for a certain amount of days. For more specific information, you should contact your immigration office.
Can Foreigners Live In Switzerland?
Switzerland has been one of the favourite hot spots for expats. As long as you have a residency permit, you can live and even buy a house in Switzerland.
Can Sanelo Ship My Belongings To Switzerland?
Sanelo can ship your belongings to Switzerland. Our team is ready to make your international relocation a less stressful experience.
Visit our website and contact us for more information. It is better to contact us three to two months before the moving date since we need to arrange your shipment schedule.
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