Zurich, Switzerland Report of what it's like to live there - 08/27/14
Personal Experiences from Zurich, Switzerland
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
London, New York, and Bermuda.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Its about 6 hours away from the East coast.
3. How long have you lived here?
I lived there for four years from 2007-2011.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
My dad's job.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Its expensive to live there so if you aren't super rich you might have to live in an apartment. It's not that big of a city so comment times are really not long.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
About one "Migros" for town, I'd say. Pretty expensive.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Nothing.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Same as in the U.S. But moderately more expensive.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Not really any actually.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes, but pretty expensive and usually only in Swiss German for classes!
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Pretty much everyone here speaks English (or to a certain extent.) So don't kill yourself learning German. Plus, this city is tricky to learn High German because the locals speak Swiss German and if you try to talk to them they will speak back to you in Swiss German!
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Probably not.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Probably as safe as you can get. But again, expensive.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
If you're an EU citizen. If not, it would be difficult.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Not a lot if you don't speak the language.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No, its extremely safe there.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No, excellent.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Air quality is probably one of the best in the world.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Pretty seasonal but not too extreme.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
ICS and ZIS are the two best international schools in Zurich from what I've heard. I don't know about the current competition to get into these schools but when I was there we had to wait two years to get into ICS! So if you know you're moving there I would definitely call one of them ASAP and see what the situation is.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
The local schools are terrible for special-needs kids. They won't really respect the fact that you have a learning disability and they will just "nail you down". But the international schools tend to be great with them.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, but most are in German/Swiss German/French or something like that. There are a few that are bilingual in English and German but I haven't heard of any that are purely English.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Probably but again if you don't look into ones affiliated with the international schools, they're probably only going to be in Swiss German!
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
HUGE, expats spend a lot of time here usually.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Families and singles, yes. But I think it would be hard for a foreign single to live there.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Its an aggressively xenophobic country. Lots of traditional Swiss people want to get rid of all foreigners and make the country purely Swiss. I have heard of a Sri Lankan community that is prejudiced against. It's a negative atmosphere for foreigners but if you "look Swiss," you will be fine as long as people don't know that you're a foreigner.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Learning new languages (Switzerland is the land of languages, most people here speak at least 2-3 languages!), independence and living in a natural life.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Planet walk, Grossmunster...
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Watches, backpacks etc.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Its a beautiful country, public transportation is very easy to use and children get a LOT of independence here.
10. Can you save money?
Absolutely no way.
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
The whole language situation. (Swiss German vs. High German)
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Probably not to live but I'd love to visit especially since I haven't been back in 3 years!
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Noise.
4. But don't forget your:
Travel gear.
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
7. Do you have any other comments?
A great base to travel around Europe for sure. But you might feel lonely at times with the language barrier if it applies to you. If your kids speak English and not any German/Swiss German and you're not going to live there forever, I would really try to make it a last resort to send your kids to a Swiss school.
