What is the lifestyle like in Zurich, Switzland?

Question

I'm particularly interested in what the lifestyle is like for finance professionals.

From what I gather, Switzlerland is quiet, laid back, good money, low tax, clean, efficient trains! Is this an accurate assessment?

What is it like to live in Switzerland?

And specifically for those who work in finance - is it much more laidback than working in say New York or London?

Answer 1

In answer to your finance question...my Husband is a Director in a Swiss Bank and says (after spending 3 years working in N.Y.) that the Swiss are very structured in Banking and it was a mess in N.Y. He would never go back.There are nice perks working in the finance industry which help you afford the living costs here in Switzerland. Life is laid back if you want it to be but you certainly have the opportunity to do what you want. We don't lack in anything...including Happy Hour ;0)

Answer 2

Other than laid back, absolutely.
Laid back, I guess it depends what you mean. The people I know who come here from London (most of whom, not surprisingly, are finance professionals) say it is. I don't know many (any?) finance professionals from NYC here, but no American I've encountered would call Zurich laid back.
It's a surprisingly small town. Yes you'll make tons of money, but so does everyone else. The banking-types I know are driven, driven, driven, and then they get to 35 or 40 and they think, shouldn't I be married by now? Is my Porsche really 4 years old? Why can't I find anything NEW to do or anywhere new to go that I haven't tried yet?

Answer 3

Zürich offers a lot of variety when it comes for night-time leisure. It became one of the capitals of Europe's electronic music scene and is the host city of the world-famous Street Parade, which takes place in August every year.

The most famous districts for Nightlife are the Niederdorf in the old town with bars, restaurants, lounges, hotels, clubs, etc. and a lot of fashion shops for a young and stylish public and the Langstrasse in the districts 4 and 5 of the city. There are authentic amusements: Brazilian bars, punk clubs, HipHop stages, Caribic restaurants, arthouse-cinemas, Turkish kebabs and Italian espresso-bars, but also sex shops or the famous red light district of Zürich.

In the past ten years new parts of the city have risen into the spotlight. Notably, the area known as Zürich West in district 5, near the Escher-Wyss square and the S-Bahn Station of Hardbrücke. This area has become the new up-and-coming part of Zürich with its avant-garde cinemas, music clubs, lounges, restaurants, cafés and bars.

Answer 4

My direct personal experience with Switzerland is only traveling through it from France to Austria one day on a clean efficient train. However my America-raised daughter and her British husband, who works in finance in Zurich, have direct experience, having lived there about 8 years raising their son. They would have your "outside" way of seeing things, rather than the native "inside." No guarantees in this busy world, but perhaps an indirect, thru me, or direct communication link from you to them could be arranged.

Answer 5

It's pretty much as you describe it. However, the hassles are there all the same. Not least, pettifogging bureaucracy, the inbuilt racism of the Swiss, issues with the language etc.
And no it's not expensive these days - the pound is strong at the moment so you will do well against the franc. In any case, important things like travel, petrol, car tax, council tax (equivalent) are all much lower so you will be fine.
Check out http://www.swissinfo.org for more.

Answer 6

They all sit around ponds in gardens with fishing rods, wearing funny hats and colourful clothes, they are known as the gnomes of Zurich.

Answer 7

Very Swiss.

Answer 8

As you describe it but VERY expensive. It is a beautiful place though ... for those who can afford to live there.

Answer 9

loads of chocolate and cuckoo clocks.