When it comes to natural beauty, Switzerland is Europe’s crown jewel as it has the best places to live in Switzerland. Nature lovers, hikers, and winter sports enthusiasts will appreciate living in Switzerland. Of course, the Alps are synonymous with the Swiss landscape, and mountains cover two-thirds of the country.
The Central Plateau, woods, and wetlands, on the other hand, are important aspects of Swiss terrain. A third of the country is forest, and little under a quarter of the land is protected.
It is home to around 50,000 distinct plant, fungus, and animal species. Switzerland also holds 6% of the continent’s freshwater reserves, making it Europe’s water tower.
Most notably, Switzerland has committed to protecting its natural environment and combating climate change. Switzerland emits fewer greenhouse gases per capita than several other OECD countries. It has a robust recycling system and has vowed to be climate-neutral by 2050.
Choosing a city to reside in Switzerland can be difficult, but fortunately, you have several options depending on your tastes. The fact that four Swiss cities were listed among the top 50 best places for expats made determining the best cities much easier.
Because Switzerland is one of the safest locations to live and visit, each city is extremely safe and offers a high standard of living. So, before you start your new life in another country, make sure you have all the information you need on the best places to live in Switzerland.
List of Best Places To Live in Switzerland
Geneva
Geneva, Switzerland’s second-largest city, has a population of 203,856 people. It stretches along Lake Geneva and is one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities and is one of the best places to live in Switzerland.
Another distinguishing feature of this French-speaking city is that it is home to several of the world’s most well-known institutions, including the United Nations (UN), World Health Organization (WHO), and Red Cross, which explains the enormous number of diplomats and officials.
Because Geneva is a large city, the cost of living is likewise expensive. Geneva is the eighth most expensive city in the world, according to the World Economic Forum.
Monthly fees for foyers and homes range from CHF 300 to CHF 600. However, you can save money on rent by finding a roommate with whom to share an apartment.
Zurich
Zurich, the largest city, has a population of 434,335 people. This German-speaking town is well-known for its excellent connections to Europe’s most important cities and for housing one of Switzerland’s largest expat communities.
Zurich is well-known as Switzerland’s financial center, but it is also popular for its cultural and entertainment offerings during the summer and winter seasons, such as visiting the old town, enjoying the nightlife, and swimming in Swiss lakes and rivers making it one of the best places to live in Switzerland.
In addition, during the winter you can visit museums, go skiing at nearby resorts, or savor Swiss cuisine. Since Zurich is among the most expensive cities in Europe, all of these are not without a price. Therefore, you should budget CHF 182,698 per month for rent and other costs.
Winterthur
This German-speaking city has one of Switzerland’s largest expat populations. More than 110,000 people are living in the sixth-largest city by population.
A cultural hub near Zurich, appeals to expats with its proximity to the larger city and comparatively affordable housing options. Museums and art galleries contribute to its vibrant cultural scene, making it one of the best places to live in Switzerland.
Due to its location in the Zurich canton, only 20 minutes from Zurich, and cheaper rental and home prices than in Zurich, Winterthur is a popular destination for foreigners relocating.
Lugano
The Italian border is only an hour’s drive from this city where the language is spoken. 62,315 people are living there, with 35% being foreigners. The Lugano Prealpsmountains encircle the town, which is situated on the stunning Lake Lugano.
Being the third most significant financial and business hub in Switzerland, it is the most visited location due to its picturesque surroundings. The monthly expenses for an individual are approximately CHF 1,426 plus an additional CHF 2,350 for the rental of an apartment in the city center.
However, the cost of living in this picturesque city is on the higher side, making it essential to budget wisely in one of the best places to live in Switzerland.
Bern
The population of Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is 144,000, with 17% being foreign nationals. Situated between the Jura and the Alps, the city is situated on the Swiss plateau.
Due to its beauty and distinctiveness, Bern is a very popular travel and shopping destination. There are plenty of exciting things to do in Bern if you move there, but visiting the Old Town, or Berner Altstadt, should be at the top of your list in one of the best places to live in Switzerland.
Visit Barenpark next, where the city’s emblem, the bear, originates, then proceed to Einstein House, the Parliament building, and the Botanic Garden, and don’t overlook Bern’s eerie side.
Switzerland’s capital is an expensive place to live. Without rent, a single person’s monthly expenses come to CHF 1,366. In contrast, the rental of a three-bedroom apartment might run you about CHF 2,375.
St.Gallen
In St. Gallen, 167,000 people are living. The best business school in Europe, the highly regarded University of St. Gallen, is located in the city. The most common language spoken here is Swiss-German.
The city near the German border offers a balance between academic excellence and living costs, making it a contender for the best places to live in Switzerland.
For foreigners employed in Zurich, St. Gallen is an excellent place to live due to its more affordable cost of living. You may have to pay approximately CHF 1,917 a month for apartment rent in the city center.
Basel
With 175,000 residents, Basel is the third most populous city in Switzerland and one of the best places to live in Switzerland. A significant portion of its population is students.
Most people are drawn to the town’s proximity to the French and German borders because it gives them the option to live in Germany, work in Switzerland, or go shopping in France. German is Basel’s official spoken language.
Residents of this city have no shortage of activities to choose from. There are lots of excellent bars, eateries, and boutique stores in the city. In addition, Basel offers a zoo, an old town, and a wish book where you can write your wishes.
Nevertheless, living in Basel is costly. The monthly expenses of a single individual are approximately CHF 2,542 for rent and CHF 1,544 for other
Zug
Zug is a multicultural city with about 30,000 citizens. Because of its location between Zurich and Lucerne, it provides access to both the Swiss countryside and larger cities, giving people options.
Zug has a higher-than-average cost of living compared to most large cities, despite the area’s rising house prices. You should budget approximately CHF 5,343 per month for rent and other expenses. You can also be confident that Zug has a low crime rate and is a very safe place to live and securing its spot among the best places to live in Switzerland.
Lausanne
The population of Lausanne, another city by a lake, is roughly 420,000. Situated 62 kilometers northwest of Geneva is the French-speaking city.
With its metro system, it is regarded as the smallest city in the world and is the location of multiple multinational corporations. Foreigners are drawn to the town because of its renowned jazz festival.
Regretfully, neither is living in Lausanne inexpensive. The monthly expenses for an individual are CHF 1,434 plus an additional CHF 2,953 for rent in one of the best places to live in Switzerland.
Sion
This French-speaking city of 34,978 people is surrounded by massive mountains and two castles. Sion’s railway station connects you to larger cities like Zurich and Bern, but most tourists prefer to explore the high mountains rather than the big cities.
Outside of Sion, the most well-known ski resorts, such as Zermatt, attract a large number of tourists. However, the cost of living in Sion is quite high; a three-bedroom apartment can cost up to CHF 1,787 per month.
La Chaux-de-Fonds
La Chaux-de-Fonds is the fourth-largest city in the French-speaking part of Switzerland, with a population of 36,915 people. It is situated in the Jura mountains, just south of the French border. As a result, French is the most commonly spoken language in the town.
The town is distinguished by a chessboard, which was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2019 following a devastating fire. It also houses the “Musée International de L’Horlogerie,” a watch museum dedicated to the history of time measurement. As a result, there are a lot of visitors.
Lucerne
There are very few cities in Switzerland that can compare to this one – it’s perhaps the most magical! Here are some reasons to relocate to Lucerne.
This city is well-liked by tourists since it is located on Lack Lucerne and is encircled by stunning, snow-capped mountains. Because of its amazing natural surroundings, you will never get bored.
The Chapel Bridge, which crosses the Reuss River to link the city, and Lucerne’s mediaeval architecture are what make the city most famous. Dating back to the 14th century, this bridge is the oldest in the entire world.
Numerous paintings from the 17th century that illustrate the history of Lucerne and Switzerland hang from the ceiling.
Lucerne is small enough to maintain its intimate environment, making it a good choice for anyone who wishes to escape the bustle of larger Swiss towns. However, during peak seasons, the city can become a little livelier due to the swirl of tourists and visitors.
Interlaken
Go south for around 70 miles and you’ll arrive at Interlaken. Although Interlaken is much quieter and smaller than Lucerne, you should give it serious consideration if you wish to reside in Switzerland because of the breathtaking scenery. It is situated between two stunning lakes, as the name would imply, but that is not all.
Surrounded by breathtaking mountains, it offers breathtaking hiking paths during the summer and magnificent pistes throughout the winter. Retirees and remote workers alike will find Interlaken to be an excellent place to live if they enjoy the outdoors and are not seeking jobs.
Due to the town’s popularity with tourists, including Swiss nationals, rent and living expenses can be a little bit costly.
Montreux
Montreux is only a short drive or train trip from Lausanne, but it is much smaller and thus much calmer. This implies that Montreux can be a good option for you if you enjoy the outdoors but are also drawn to a large city.
It is situated on the beaches of Lake Geneva, much like Lausanne, and is surrounded by stunning hills. If you’re retired or just want a bit extra peace without being alone, this might be the ideal location for you. In comparison to Lausanne, the total cost of living is also somewhat less.
Sion and Valais
Nearly all of the Swiss Alps surround the canton of Valais; the mountains are home to numerous well-known Swiss ski resorts and provide just as much entertainment in the summer as they do in the winter.
The largest capital city of the canton is Sion. It provides every convenience you could want. pleasant daily living conditions with a respectable selection of stores and eateries.
If you are a professional skier who would like to relocate to Switzerland, Valais is unquestionably the place to be. Rental fees vary in every ski town, although many people choose to live in Sion and visit the ski resorts for the day because it is less expensive.
In Sion, an apartment with one bedroom typically costs 1200 dollars (or 1000 pounds), while one with three bedrooms costs 1900 dollars (or 1600 pounds).
The general way of life in Valais is more tranquil than in other regions of the nation unless you work in the winter or summer sport/tourism industry. For someone who loves to ski, this is the ideal setting.
Zermatt
Probably the most well-known ski resort in all of Valais is Zermatt, where you can see the majestic Matterhorn from practically everywhere in the town.
It’s undeniably an incredibly opulent and exclusive and one of the best places to live in Switzerland, which is why so many wealthy people decided to make it their weekend or vacation destination.
The town itself and the surrounding mountains are breathtaking, but the air quality is further improved by the city’s car-free atmosphere. As a result, the only method to get there is by train, albeit these depart often and, naturally, on time.
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Conclusion
We hope that by now you have a better idea of the best places to live in Switzerland and what awaits you in each of the above-mentioned cities, each of which is distinctive in its own right.
All of them share two things, though they will make you fall in love with every aspect of your life in Switzerland and the extraordinarily high standard of living there.