Moving to Zurich, Switzerland, can be the right decision if you want a better career and living quality. This city offers excellent public facilities, including an extensive transport network and healthcare services.
Living in Zurich may come at a high cost. It is not a secret that the cost of living in Zurich is among the highest in the world.
However, you can still afford and enjoy life in Zurich by following the 12 essential pointers that we share below.
1. An Overview Of The Life In Zurich, Switzerland
Before you read the other specific essential pointers, you need to learn some basic facts about Zurich.
Here are four facts that will give you an idea of what it is like to live in Zurich.
Enjoy The Lovely Weather
Overall, the weather in Zurich is lovely all year round. Typically the temperature ranges from 27°F (-2.7°C) to 76°F (24.4°C) for the whole year.
Even though there is snow in the winter, Zurich does not experience extreme cold. You will still be able to partake in outdoor activities in the winter.
One Of The Happiest Places In The World
Switzerland is one of the happiest places in the world, this includes Zurich according to the 2021 World Happiness Report. The study measured several aspects such as life expectancy, gross domestic product, freedom to make a choice, and social support.
Once you settle in Zurich, you will understand why Switzerland is a happy country. The high living quality with excellent public facilities makes it hard to not be happy when living in Zurich.
Enjoy Outdoor Activities In Zurich
Zurich is a perfect city if you love some outdoor adventures.
You can enjoy a day trip to the Swiss Alps to enjoy the scenery on your off days. If you prefer to explore the city, we suggest you bike around. This way, you can take in the beauty of Zurich while enjoying some exercise.
Central Location
Zurich is located in the centre of Europe. It only takes you a few hours to reach Italy, France, Austria, and Germany by train.
As it’s so convenient to explore the city and the neighbouring countries, you will not get bored when you’re living in Zurich!
2. Do Your Home Search In The Best Neighbourhoods In Zurich
Zurich is a small city with a population of 1,420,000. The city is relatively quiet, making it suitable for families with babies.
For expats, the following neighbourhoods are highly recommended:
- Wädenswil,
- Rüschlikon,
- Horgen,
- Enge, and
- Zollikon.
The above neighbourhoods have a fair number of English speakers, so it will benefit newcomers. Additionally, these areas have top schools, making it perfect if you’re moving with your children.
3. Get To Know The Average Cost Of Living In Zurich
Zurich is one of the most expensive cities in the world. However, it is still a liveable city that offers high living quality.
A family of four spends around €6,893.24 (7,054 CHF) for monthly living expenses and rent. In comparison, a single person spends €3,937.18 (4,029 CHF).
To survive in this expensive city, you can follow the following tips:
- Buy your clothes and essentials in your home country before moving to Zurich.
- Find restaurants with lower prices or buy your sandwiches at the department store.
- Buy second-hand goods at the markets.
- Find cheaper alternatives for leisure like walking around the city centre or parks.
4. Biggest Industries And High-Demand Jobs In Zurich
To help you in your job search, we will share about the most significant industries and high-demand jobs in Zurich.
Below are the biggest industries in Zurich for your reference:
- machinery,
- chemicals,
- watches,
- textiles,
- tourism,
- banking, and
- insurance.
People with expertise and experience different from the above industries can still have opportunities to find a job in Zurich.
The following professions are high-demand jobs in Zurich:
- legal jobs,
- nurses,
- doctors,
- medical staff,
- IT-related jobs,
- mechanics, and
- technicians.
Once you get a job in Zurich, you need to clarify several things with your employer:
- income taxes filing and deduction,
- health insurance coverage, and
- documents they need to proceed with your employment.
5. The Best Way To Get Around In Zurich Without Buying A Vehicle
The public transportation networks in Zurich are one of the world’s best. That’s why most Zurich residents prefer to go around by bus or other means of public transport than by car.
You will find several options for public transport such as buses, streetcars, and trains. There are also bike and scooter rentals if you want to enjoy the city view better.
Taxis, car rental, and ride-sharing services are also available. However, it can be costly compared to the other public transportation options.
6. Check Out The Best Schools And Universities In Zurich
Zurich is the right place to pursue a better education as it has top-rated schools and universities.
If you plan to move with your children, you can check out the following top schools in Zurich:
- International School Zurich North (ISZN),
- Hull’s School Zurich,
- SIS Swiss International School Mannedorf,
- Institut International de Lancy, and
- Lipschule.
If you want to pursue higher education, check out these universities that offer various programs that may suit your interest:
- The University Of Zurich,
- ETH Zurich, and
- Zurich University of Arts.
Please ensure you complete all the administrative requirements to enrol at one of these schools. It is crucial to ask the school official about the documents they need before moving to Zurich.
7. Explore The City By Visiting These Iconic Landmarks
It is not a secret that Zurich has plenty of landmarks consisting of iconic buildings and historical sites.
These places are excellent to introduce you to the local culture and history, especially if you’re not from Switzerland. Besides that, they also look good as the background of your pictures.
Here are the landmarks that you can visit after moving to Zurich:
- Burkliplatz,
- Prime Tower,
- Schanzengraben Canal,
- Grossmunster,
- Old Town, and many more.
8. A Call For Nature Lovers To Visit These Beautiful Places
Zurich offers beautiful green spaces for people who love being in nature. There are gardens and parks with beautiful scenery where you can relax.
Here are some of the parks and gardens you’d want to visit in Zurich:
- Lake Zurich,
- Uetliberg Mountain,
- Zoo Zurich,
- Botanical Garden (Botanischer Garten), and
- Platzspitz.
9. Join The Locals In These Festivals
Living in Zurich can be even more fun when you participate in festivals. This city has annual festivals that you should not miss.
Below is a list of festivals you can enjoy in Zurich:
- Zurich Spring Festival,
- Urban Bike Festival,
- Caliente (South American music and cuisine),
- Zurich Pride Festival,
- Züri Carneval, and
- Kunst Zurich.
To get an even better experience, ask your local friends to join you at the festivals. This way, you can make friends easier and overcome any culture shock.
10. Try The Iconic Local Dishes To Experience Zurich Food Scene
The cuisine in Zurich is heavily influenced by Germany. Therefore, you will find the term Swiss-German cuisine to describe the food scene in this city.
To start your food exploration, you can start with the following dishes that will suit anyone’s taste:
- bündner gerstensuppe (Swiss barley soup),
- zopf (braided bread),
- zuger kirschtorte (cake with nut infused meringue),
- raclette (melted cheese with dried meat, gherkins, onions, and potatoes), and
- cheese fondue.
You can join a culinary tour for those who want to explore more. The tour will take you to where cheese, chocolates, and wines are made. They will also allow you to taste the products during the tour.
11. Make Sure To Prepare These Things Before Heading To The Airport
The most practical tip to make your relocation process less stressful is having a to-do list. You can use our checklist to determine your priority and track your moving process’s progress.
- visa requirements,
- other essential documents,
- things to pack,
- items to donate and sell,
- things to buy before moving,
- travelling precautions,
- important contacts, and
- relocation budget.
To live and work in Zurich, you will need The Aufenthaltsbewilligung (category B) permit. It is a common permit for people who want to live and work in Zurich.
You should also contact your employer and real estate agent to ask if there are any documents they may need from you. This way, you will be well prepared and ready to start a new life in Zurich.
12. Engage A Moving Company Ship Your Belongings
Relocating to another city or country may give you a lot of stress, especially if you have a lot to bring. Therefore, engaging a moving company like Sanelo to help you is a smart move.
Sanelo has a team with years of experience assisting people relocating internationally and locally. We will also help you to go through the paperwork and administrative process, so your belongings can arrive in Zurich.
Conclusion About Moving To Zurich
Living in Zurich will give you the experience of living in a multicultural city since many expats live here.
Zurich also offers an excellent experience. It provides better job opportunities, friendly neighbourhoods for locals and expats, a high-quality transport system, good education, and plenty of beautiful places to visit.
To make your relocation less stressful, make a moving list. This list will help you to track your relocation progress.
Lastly, save your energy by hiring a professional like Sanelo to ship your belongings to Zurich. Carrying heavy luggage on your moving trip is not a good idea, especially if you are new in town. As such, you’d want to have a more practical moving process.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Zurich
Is Zurich A Good Place To Live?
Zurich is an excellent place to live in. It has safe and clean streets as well as tons of attractions.
Living in Zurich is also perfect if you love nature since there are a lot of outdoor activities to do. You can maintain a work-life balance in this city.
Is Zurich Expat Friendly?
Many foreigners will find it easy to adapt to Zurich. The city is safe, and there are options of neighbourhoods suitable for expats.
If you are moving from overseas, joining an expat community will help you settle in Zurich. It will be better to search for some expat communities before moving to Zurich.
Can Sanelo Ship My Belonging From Overseas?
Yes, we can! Sanelo has a team that is ready to assist you with your international relocation. We will also walk you through the paperwork and administrative procedure to ship your belongings to Zurich.
How Far Ahead Should I Contact Sanelo Before My Relocation?
It is better to contact us three or two months before your moving date. This way, we will have time to schedule your shipment slot and prepare any essentials for the relocation.
To find out more tips and information about relocation to the cities in Europe, please check out the following articles: