Pros and Cons of Moving to Zurich
While Zurich continues to top annual quality of life surveys, life in Switzerland's largest city is certainly not without its cons. Expats should be sure to prepare themselves for the challenges, as well as the advantages, that come with relocation to Zurich.
Pros of living in Zurich
- Top quality healthcare and infrastructure
- Efficient and reliable public transport
- Possibility of earning a high salary
- Low unemployment rate
- Excellent food quality
- Low crime rate
- Outdoor sports heaven
- Most people can communicate in English
- Because you are in the centre of Europe, it is easy to find cheap flights to destinations all over the continent
Cons of living in Zurich
- No government-sponsored healthcare programme. Private insurance obligatory
- Long, sub-zero winters with limited sunny days
- Expensive public transport
- Generally reserved locals
- One of the highest costs of living in the world
- Grocery and medical products do not have labels in English
- Many documents connected to immigration and visas are not available in English
- Almost all retail outlets are closed on Sundays, even in the heart of the city
- Difficult to find accommodation to rent, as demand is higher than supply and renting is not on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis
