Have you ever wondered what it’s like to move to and live in Zürich?
Or are you planning to spend some time in this cute Swiss city and are you looking for tips to make the most of your time in Zürich?
In this Ask an Expat series I interview people living all over the world but outside of their home country. I try to help paint an honest picture of the ups and downs of life abroad, share tips for anyone thinking about moving abroad, and information about the city the expat moved to.
Expat Life in Zürich, Switzerland
Name: Kirsty
Age: 25
Hometown: Dundee, Scotland
Her Story:
“I’ve known since I was a teenager that I wanted to live abroad, so studying languages to open the gateway to the world seemed like a natural step. Like most language degrees, mine involved a year abroad.
I spent five months in Paris fulfilling my dream of studying at the Sorbonne and then five months in Zürich studying at the ZHAW.
I fell in love with Zürich very quickly and soon found myself making tracks to move back to Zürich after my degree was finished.”
Why Did You Move to Zurich?
“My grandparents visited Switzerland a lot, so I was curious to discover the country for myself.
When I found out that Zürich was an option for my year abroad, it was a no-brainer.”
Also Read: Must-Visit Places in Switzerland if You Love the Outdoors & Breathtaking Views
What Do You Like About Living in Zurich?
“The thing I like best about living in Zürich is that there is a lot more to the city than meets the eye.
There are so many bars and cafés hidden in parts of Zürich that you wouldn’t necessarily think to visit – it’s so much fun to go off the beaten track a bit!”
What Do You Dislike About Living in Zurich?
“That’s a tough one. I suppose it would be that there is building work going on ALL THE TIME in one part of the city or another.
In a way, this is good because I know I’ll benefit from it in the future… but for now, it’s just noise and disruptions to trains!”
Also Read: Things to Consider Before Moving to Another Country
Is Zurich Safe as a Place to Live?
”Yes, Zurich is generally a very safe place to live.
It has a low crime rate compared to many other cities around the world, and I hardly ever hear stories of homes being broken into or even pickpocketing.
Of course that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t watch your belongings and use common sense, but there are no serious safety concerns.
I feel safe living in Zurich and walking home alone after dark as well, something I know a woman can’t do safely everywhere in the world.”
Is Zurich an Expensive Place to Live?
“Yes, Zurich is definitely expensive.
In fact, it often shows up at the top of those “most expensive cities to live” lists. For example, Mercer’s 2024 Cost of Living Ranking puts it in the top three worldwide.
But here’s the thing: the high cost of living really does go hand in hand with the quality of life here.
Everything is clean, safe, and well-organized. Public transport runs like clockwork, the lake is gorgeous, and the city just feels very livable.
Of course, your first grocery bill or night out might give you a bit of sticker shock. But once you start earning a Swiss salary, the prices feel more reasonable.
That said, saving money or trying to set money aside for a house still feels tough — so it’s definitely not cheap living.”
What Is Your Favorite Thing to Do in Zurich?
“I love just walking around the city.
As I mentioned above, there are so many hidden spots in the city and I love walking around with nowhere in particular in mind to see where I end up.
It has really helped me develop a map of Zürich in my brain!”
What Is Your Favorite Place to Hang Out in Zurich?
“Without a doubt, Babu’s.
The atmosphere alone makes this place worth a visit, but it would probably be rude to not have a brownie and some homemade lemonade while you’re there…”
What Is the Expat Community Like in Zurich?
“Being home to so many international firms, Zürich has a massive expat community. People from all over the world have chosen to live in Zürich.
If you don’t meet people through work, try Internations.org or Meetup.com to find some expat groups in Zürich.”
Any Tips for Moving to / Living in Zurich?
“To be honest, Zürich is a very easy place to live – day-to-day life runs very smoothly.
As for making the big move, it depends on your nationality. But wherever you’re from, one thing is certain: you need to be prepared for paperwork!”
Any Resources You Found Useful During the Process of Moving to and Building a New Life in Zurich?
“Stadt-zuerich.ch is the official website of the Zürich ‘Gemeinde’ (council) which can help with legal matters.
Thelocal.ch: as the name would suggest, this is a local news/info channel with contributions from both locals and experts.”
Is There Something You Just Have to See or Do When You Are in Zurich?
“For me, no trip to Zürich would be complete without a visit to the lake.
Most bigger cities in Switzerland sit on a lake and it’s a lovely part of the city to just walk around, have a coffee with friends, or even just take five minutes to yourself.”
Also Read: A Complete Travel Guide to Zürich
About Kirsty
Kirsty, who lives in Zürich, is an adventurous linguist who drinks more caffeine than any human probably should, is a big believer in making the most of wherever you are in the world, and a self-confessed shopaholic.
On her blog LittleLadyGoesGlobal she shares a mix of stories about traveling around Switzerland and about life in general.
About Zürich, Switzerland
Zürich is one of Switzerland’s most picturesque cities, surrounded by stunning natural scenery and the nearby Alps.
The city is known for being clean and efficient and has been rated several times as the city with the highest living standard in the world.
More than once, Zurich’s inhabitants were also listed as the happiest people in the world.
Although Zürich is the largest city in Switzerland by land area and population, it only has a population of just over 40,000 in the city proper and around 1.5 million in the agglomeration area.
It is the financial center of Switzerland and houses the stock exchange and the headquarters of a large number of national and international companies.
Zurich also hosts the global headquarters of FIFA, and is home to Google’s largest development center outside the USA, with about 5,000 employees working out of its Europaallee Campus.
The city is increasingly cosmopolitan: almost one in three residents is a foreign national, reflecting its vibrant, international character.
Because Zurich is the central node of the Swiss-wide train network and also runs the biggest and busiest international airport in the country, it generally is the first place tourists visit.
And because of the city’s close distance to tourist resorts in the Swiss Alps and its mountainous scenery, it is often referred to as the “portal to the Alps”.
Also Read:
- A Complete Guide to What to See & Do In Zürich
- Where to Go for the Best Views in Switzerland
- Things to Do Before Moving Abroad – A Checklist
- Why Moving Abroad is Such a Valuable Experience
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