Get Lost in the Peace and Serenity of the Magnificent Alps
We all want to move abroad for many reasons. Although it is a dream come true for most people, this is a pretty big undertaking. a new job, school, perhaps to pursue love or just embark on a new adventure. If you're ever considering moving abroad, finding a place where you can spend your new life happily and comfortably requires extensive study and research. If you love chocolate and picturesque mountain ranges, you've probably imagined what life in Switzerland would be like. However, like every country, Switzerland has its pros and cons. We researched what life is like in Switzerland for you and what its positive and negative aspects are.
Pros of Living in Switzerland
Let's start with the pros first. Just imagine… Snow-capped mountains, clear lakes, punctual trains and legendary chocolates. Yes, you are in Switzerland. We can say that the stunning beauty of the Alps or Lake Geneva is just the beginning. Switzerland is a country that stands out over time, and its quality leads to a deeper awareness of the landscape and culture. In addition to these, we can list its other advantages as follows.
1) You will have a community right away.
Switzerland is a very popular place for expats to choose to live. Therefore, there are people living there from all over the world, and new expats are likely to find a welcoming community ready to help them adapt to their new culture. No matter where you're from, you'll likely find others from the same country as you who can help with the culture shock. Plus, if you get homesick, you'll have people to comfort you.
2) It is close to many European countries.
Situated between many large neighbors, Switzerland is a melting pot of cultures, languages and traditions. One of the perks of living in Switzerland is that you're only a short (and often cheap) flight away from all the European holiday destinations gracing Pinterest boards around the world. If you're a frequent world traveler, Switzerland will offer you the perfect home base to explore dozens of nearby countries. Prepare your passport!
3) Healthcare is abundant and affordable.
Switzerland has a universal healthcare system and its insurance providers are non-profit and government-approved, ensuring their policies are affordable. There is a lot of cost sharing in the Swiss system — insurance plans come with deductibles and co-pays — but annual co-pays are capped to avoid financial hardship based on medical costs. There is also an annual out-of-pocket limit for all Swiss health insurance plans.
4) The food culture is incredible.
The Swiss have a culture of eating local and what is in season. This means the dishes are fresh, healthy and delicious, featuring Switzerland's 450 types of cheese, 200 types of bread and pastries, farm-fresh meat and eggs and more. Of course, it is not possible to imagine life in Switzerland and talk about chocolate. Brands that we all know, such as Nestle, Toblerone and Lindt, which gift us those delicious chocolates, also belong to this country. Gaining a few pounds seems guaranteed.
5) You'll probably spend a lot of time outside.
Outdoor recreation is common in Switzerland. Swiss people spend time in hobby clubs ranging from sports clubs to firefighters' clubs and butchers' clubs. Skiing, hiking, swimming, tubing and more are common activities for the Swiss, who get more than their fair share of fresh air living in such a beautiful country. Well, in a country where there are Alps, the opposite should not be possible.
6) Education is excellent.
The Swiss education system is known as one of the best in the world. It is also the first choice for many students who want to study internationally. Education is compulsory for all children and young people aged 9 to 11. The public school system is free for all children to enroll, and there are also numerous options for private and international schools, but these tend to be competitive and require an interview and testing to gain admission. A distinctive feature of the Swiss education system is that it takes into account the wishes and abilities of students. This is done by diversifying the different directions a student can take after completing primary education.
7) It is easy for foreigners to start a business.
Switzerland has a simple and straightforward process for registering a new business, meaning almost anyone can become a Swiss entrepreneur. You need to be a resident of Switzerland to register a business, which makes setting up something from abroad a little more difficult. But good news: the only requirement for residency in Switzerland is that you live there for at least 90 days, so you can start your business pretty quickly.
8) Opening a bank account is even easier.
Switzerland is famous for its many banks, and being one of the financial centers of the world makes it easy to open a bank account. It's even possible to open a Swiss account from outside the country, but you'll need to send some documents by mail – after all, the anonymous Swiss banks you see in movies only exist in movies. Some documentation will be required, such as proof of identity, residence and address, and some accounts may come with annual fees. But overall, opening a Swiss account is simple and straightforward.
Cons of Living in Switzerland
As you can see, there are many reasons to consider Switzerland your new home. The country is famous all over the world for its high standard of living, so it's no wonder there are many pros to moving there! But where there are pluses, there must also be minuses. Switzerland also has some disadvantages and you should be aware of them when you consider moving to the country.
One of the most well-known facts about Switzerland is the high cost of living. From housing to healthcare, Swiss residents pay a good percentage of their monthly salary just by living in this country.
Expats moving to Switzerland will need to learn the practices of not only their new country, but also their own canton. Switzerland is known as a “confederation of cantons”, meaning it is a country divided into several regions. Cantons are similar to states or provinces in other countries. In Switzerland, cantons have a lot of power over their individual laws, making each canton slightly different from the others and requiring expats to check the specific rules and regulations of where they live.
1) Meeting real Swiss people can be difficult.
Remember that healthy and thriving ex-immigrant community in Switzerland? Once you join, you can definitely become an expat bubble. Some people who moved to Switzerland from other countries report that it took them years to make Swiss friends, even though they had friends from more than a dozen nationalities. It doesn't help that Switzerland has its own dialect of German that differs from that spoken in many other German-speaking countries. Integration will require significant effort, and the burgeoning ex-pat community will likely make this even more difficult.
2) There is prejudice against foreigners.
Yes, life in Switzerland is our dream, but as in many countries, there are people in Switzerland who view foreigners with extreme suspicion. There is not always a direct bias, but it is worth noting that it does exist and can affect the ease with which expats find work and housing.
3) The cost of living is extremely high.
Switzerland is a crazy expensive place to live. Rent is on par with places like London and New York City. Markets and restaurants are also expensive. Switzerland is home to some of the most expensive cities on the planet, so moving there from a place like Turkey could be a shock to your wallet. A high salary and a good budget are required to make the most of living conditions in Switzerland, especially if you plan to live near a city center where there is action.
4) Renting can be difficult for a foreigner.
While we are on the subject of rent, let's talk about one of the biggest difficulties for foreigners: owning an apartment in Switzerland. Most Swiss people – around 60% of the total population – rent their homes rather than own them, meaning there is a highly saturated and highly competitive rental market. Getting into an apartment in the first place will also be expensive. Many Swiss people rent apartments and then stay for a long time. This means it's standard to pay a three-month rent deposit just to get into a place. Even when you find the perfect apartment, there will likely be competition for it. You'll have a better chance of winning if you have an agent, but it will cost you too – about two more months' rent. Ah.
5) Everything is closed on Sundays.
This can be a bit of a culture shock for some expats. If you routinely run errands on Sundays, you can't anymore because gas and train stations, small stores, and everywhere that isn't a museum or restaurant are closed on Sundays. Like some countries in Europe, the Swiss really see Sunday as a day of rest, which can be nice, but can also be annoying.