If you are doing research for a supportive place to live in Europe, you might want to look long and hard at Switzerland.
It is ranked as one of the best places in the world to call home.
At the same time, the country also has several cities on the list of most expensive places to live.
It is hard to argue with all that beauty, but we are here to help shed some light on both sides of the Switzerland coin.
Get your skis shined up, this info is going to move you!
Contents
Pros of Living in Switzerland
1. Happiness Index
Of all the countries around the world, Switzerland is often ranked one of the top three happiest.
Why are they ranking so high?
There are several factors, such as feeling supported by the country, income, life expectancy, trust in the government, freedom, and crime rates.
Switzerland happens to have the longest life expectancy, coming in at around 85 years on average.
When you have such scenic views, you might want to stick around longer, right?
2. The Swiss Alps
There is beauty in the most unexpected of places across the globe.
Switzerland did not choose the Alps, the Alps chose Switzerland.
So, the valleys and towns that sprung up around it have tapped into the views that put the cleanest air in your lungs and make you want to live longer.
The Swiss Alps stretch from one end of southern Switzerland all the way through into Austria and Italy.
Switzerland does not have a monopoly on the mountain ranges, but it makes the country one of the biggest tourist attractions.
3. Proximity to Everything
Switzerland is landlocked in a unique way.
All the way around, there is one interesting country after another.
It only takes a train ride to be in some of the most historic places in Europe.
Switzerland has the advantage of basically being in the middle of it all, so everything is relatively close to natives.
4. Exercise All Year Long
Not only is Switzerland next to everything, but it sits in a great place weather-wise.
Due to the abundance of natural resources, you can be outside every season and stay active.
During the warmer months, there are plenty of lakes and gorgeous terrain to enjoy.
When winter rolls around, there’s skiing in the Alps.
There really is no stagnant time where people huddle up or hibernate.
5. Education
The standards for learning in Switzerland are high.
That includes public schools as well as private schools.
International schools also give a boost to a student, especially ex-pat children.
While there are four official languages, most public schools are taught in German or French.
That means international schools really come in handy.
Continuing on through higher education after standard years are over is highly encouraged with going on half of the country obtaining a degree.
6. Low Crime Rates
Maybe it’s because the happiness level of people who live there is so high.
Whatever it is, something about living in Switzerland makes citizens less likely to commit crimes.
This provides a lot of assurance to parents who typically let their children be much more independent in comparison with other places.
There is just not a whole lot to worry about, which helps the country as a whole feel better about being out late or traveling.
7. Variety of Sustenance
Since Switzerland is surrounded by unique cultures, the food spills beyond borders.
Here, you will find 450 types of cheeses and 200 kinds of bread and other baked goods.
Because Switzerland is so well positioned, they are able to keep crops in production, so a majority of what is eaten is local.
That healthy eating likely has a lot to do with why the citizens feel so good about things.
8. Eco-Friendly
Switzerland is putting a lot of effort into becoming a more sustainable society.
The country is the first to vote on having an environmentally friendly economy.
Their big goal is to be totally green living by 2050.
One way they are making this happen is by putting laws in place that will protect the farmlands against industrial expansion.
Much of the natural environment is kept intact.
It is not only laws but the attitude of the Swiss who help put the importance of land over corporations.
Cons of Living in Switzerland
1. Cost of Living
All that beauty and cheese comes at a cost.
If you are able to find housing, it might break you.
There are no cheap dining options.
The Swiss might not mind so much, considering they are so healthy and happy.
The third most expensive city in the world is Geneva and it is not the only Swiss city on the list.
From entertainment to groceries, everything is a budget buster.
Head as far from a city as you can to keep your savings from taking a hit.
2. Gender Pay Gaps
After reading the last point, you may be thinking of taking on the challenge of finding a high-paying job to finance life in the city.
Unfortunately, if you are a woman, that might be an uphill battle.
It has been reported that women make almost 20% less than their male counterparts doing the same job.
Also, men overwhelmingly hold those higher-powered positions.
Switzerland still has some efforts to make to catch up with other developed nations in this respect.
3. Sunday Shutdown
Aside from corner stores and the train station, a majority of Switzerland takes Sunday off.
Depending on perspective, this might not be as much of a con as you think.
In other parts of the world, the 24/7 lifestyle means being used to getting whatever you want when you want it.
So, it can be tough getting used to having to prepare in advance or wait.
Switzerland’s Sunday practice may have been inspired by religion, but they believe it’s a day of rest for everyone.
4. Expat Language Learning
One big benefit of moving to a country where they speak a language you are not fluent in is the ability to practice.
Immersion is always the best way to learn a language, so living in a new place will definitely have you sounding like a native in no time, right?
Well, not exactly.
Most Swiss people can speak English quite proficiently.
When they meet an English speaker, they tend to speak to them in English as opposed to helping with their German or French.
5. Housing Market
The housing standards are high and most places you will find are very modern.
You just have to find one that’s available.
Competitive does not even begin to describe how swiftly prospective tenants move towards occupying a newly opened space.
Trying to win a bid towards an apartment will make your head spin.
Want any special features, like outside space or pet-friendly?
You will probably wait a long time.
6. Making Friends
This is more for people who did not grow up in Switzerland.
If you are born in the country, you were around people in school as well as having family nearby.
If you are moving there fresh, it is hard to get close to a Swiss neighbor.
In general, people tend to keep to themselves.
You would really have to go out of your way to find a friend, much less develop a friend group.
7. Limited Space
Due to the serious efforts by the government to turn Switzerland into an eco-friendly paradise, the land is not in great abundance.
Well, that combined with the Alps taking over so much of the country, it is a tight squeeze.
That also contributes to competitive housing.
So, you are unlikely to come into possession of a sprawling estate or even have a huge backyard.
They are trying to make the most of the space they have.
8. Air Pollution
One of the motivating factors behind the Swiss push for green living is air pollution.
It is causing about 3,500 deaths a year, by being responsible for respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
The weight this has on the economy is to the tune of $4,000,000,000.
Pros and Cons of Living in Switzerland – Summary Table
| Pros of Living in Switzerland | Cons of Living in Switzerland |
|---|---|
| 1. Happiness Index | 1. Cost of Living |
| 2. The Swiss Alps | 2. Gender Pay Gaps |
| 3. Proximity to Everything | 3. Sunday Shutdown |
| 4. Exercise All Year Long | 4. Expat Language Learning |
| 5. Education | 5. Housing Market |
| 6. Low Crime Rates | 6. Making Friends |
| 7. Variety of Sustenance | 7. Limited Space |
| 8. Eco-Friendly | 8. Air Pollution |
Switzerland Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Switzerland Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Switzerland's healthcare system like?
This is a topic that would not be a pro or con, 100%.
The pro of the healthcare available is that it is about the best you can get anywhere in the world.
The technology is top-notch, as are the medical professionals.
However, the system is on the higher end financially.
What is the Swiss retirement age?
You can retire at age 65 for men and 64 for women.
At that time, you can fill out your form for retirement and collect a pension and healthcare.
There is more than one pension you can qualify for, however.
The state pension is mandatory for all Swiss citizens upon retirement age.
The next pension is called the occupational pension plan.
Everyone from the age of 17 has to participate, as do companies.
What'= is the most populated city in Switzerland?
Despite not being the capital, Zürich accommodates the most people.
Currently, there are almost half a million who call Zürich home and about a million more in the suburbs.
It far outweighs the number two city, Geneva, which has around 200,000.
You may be thinking that is because it is a lot cheaper than Geneva, but it is not.
Zürich is just behind Geneva on the most expensive cities list.
What is the most affordable city to live in?
Uri, which is basically in the middle of the country.
The local taxes are low and it is more possible here than anywhere else in Switzerland to own land.
Not just the home, but the actual land around it.
If you wanted to have a garden, this would be where you could do it.
Does Switzerland have required vacation time?
Yes, it is the law to have a bare minimum of four weeks annually of vacation.
That rule applies whether you work part-time or full-time.
While we are at it, they are also very particular about overtime.
No taking advantage of employees here.
That does a lot for the morale of Swiss citizens and probably helps to keep them so happy.
Who wrote this absolutely not correct statement: “One of the motivating factors behind the Swiss push for green living is air pollution.”
Check with official sites on the internet, which show you the PM2,5 PM10 and other air pollution criteria and see for yourself that Switzerland has a very clean air.
It is criminal that you distribute such uncorrect information.
I am pretty sure they mean air pollution in the world in general, not specifically above Switzerland, you know, we all live on the same planet.
We get air pollution warnings all the time in So-Cal. Never did in Upstate NY or North Carolina. We all on the same planet but some areas have lower air pollution than others.
Air pollution is super low compared to most other countries on the planet. Germany is a chain smoker compared to Switzerland. So is Italy etc. They hardly burn fossil fuel for energy production. Get there and you will find out the moment you arrive.
So true. I was there for two weeks and the air is so clean and fresh and crisp, it will blow your mind. I want to move there as my ancestors came from Switzerland.
People smoke an insane amount in Switzerland. I can’t stand going to the train station or the bus stop…or walking in the city. I can’t speak for Germany but I lived in the Nordics before this and did not remember experiencing it the way it invades my life here.
I was Born in Switzerland and after a long stay in Other Countrys for work and Living .I was forced to stay in Switzerland with Covid Rstrictions and now after 2 years livin here i realize i Live in 3rd World Land full of social problems from Bad Migration to exessive cost for everything the only one how think Switzerland is Great are people from 3rd World country
Well that’s kinda the same thing for people who come from Mexico to America, America sucks but realistically we Americans see Switzerland as better, not perfect but it sounds like you guys have alot of safety nets and treat employees like humans. Not digging the gender pay gap though
I’m an American living in Switzerland, not all is that golden here. I miss the access to everything, the high cost of living (when you aren’t a C-level executive), the weird business hours, the incredibly expensive (and packed/hot) trains…we’re planning to leave. It doesn’t mean that it isn’t a paradise for others, but most of the time isn’t spent frolicking in the mountains, it’s inside an office.
Sorry for being so blunt but as a Data Scientist, I can clearly say that the pay gap myth has been debunked. It was also very clear that this was indeed written by a woke feminist mentioning pay gap as a negative, shameful!. This is one of the main reason why I stopped reading articles written by most modern women as it is heavily biased.
I wouldn’t even go as far to say “must have been a woke feminist”. Majority of people have been indoctrinated on the terrible data sorounding pay gap. I see regular men who are clueless adopting this view too.
Can an American live there year-round?