Living in Switzerland. City or village?

Which do you prefer: residing in a picturesque small Swiss mountain village, or enjoying the bustling and vibrant atmosphere of a Swiss city? Each option has its own set of advantages and disadvantages.

What is it like to live in a mountain village in Switzerland?

Swiss villages are appealing places to live because of their lower cost of living; rent is more affordable, allowing you to choose a larger and newer apartment or even a house. In my area, Kanton Solothurn, 4-room apartments can start at 1400 CHF per month, and houses from 2000 CHF. In other cantons, such as Zürich, prices are significantly higher, even in the villages.

One of the benefits is being in close proximity to nature, with hiking trails potentially beginning right by your home. Particularly in the summertime, having the forest nearby allows you to enjoy fresh air, unwind, balance your hectic life, go jogging, or take leisurely walks.

Being close to major cities and having a well-developed network of roads and highways can allow for quick commuting, although heavy traffic in the mornings and evenings often leads to significant delays. Nevertheless, Swiss trains (SBB) offer a timely and efficient way to reach your destination. The SBB app can assist you in finding the best routes.

Villages are ideal for children, enabling them to be more self-reliant by walking alone to kindergarten and school. While some argue that big cities offer numerous opportunities for children, larger villages also provide options such as sports, painting, music school, badminton, and language lessons. Additionally, school classes have fewer students, allowing teachers to devote more time and attention to each child.

Village life is often very quiet, which might lead some individuals to favor the bustling atmosphere and nightlife of a large city. This preference has driven many people to relocate to bigger cities.

Cities such as Zürich, Bern, Lausanne, or Geneva are highly appealing, but securing an apartment or house in the city can be a lengthy process. Many accommodations are allocated based on connections or relationships. Therefore, if you wish to relocate to Zürich, in addition to using real estate apps like Homegate, you should also consider using Facebook or reaching out to friends and other contacts already residing there.

Residing in a large city provides numerous benefits, and in Switzerland, you're always near nature, whether you live in a village or a town. One feature I adore about these cities is the presence of a lake within them: Lake Zürich, Lake Geneva, Lake Lucerne, or Zuger See. On warm summer days, swimming in the lake is a delightful experience.

Lucerne on the shores of lake Lucerne and guarded by Pilatus mountain

If you selected city or village, consider the following:

• To improve your chances, consider the number of available apartments for rent daily or weekly. In Zürich, there are many locations available each day, though fewer when filtered by price. In Zug, finding an apartment is rare and often relies on connections.

• Use Google Maps to check driving routes and SBB for public transportation options. I once discovered a lovely house, but my commute to work took nearly 2 hours.

• If you have a family, consider the distance to kindergartens, schools, and secondary schools, as well as the availability of lunch options for children (kids return home at 12:00 for lunch). In villages, there is limited support for supervising children during lunch hours.

• Verify the washing availability. In certain buildings, washing is permitted only one day a week, so if you're at work or occupied, you might miss the opportunity to do your laundry. In Switzerland, 80% of apartment blocks have a shared laundry room.

• Explore more locations; don't limit yourself to just one city. Check the train routes to discover additional opportunities. For instance, from Olten, you can reach Zürich in 30 minutes by train, or Langenthal, which has a direct connection to Zürich in 47 minutes and to Bern in 33 minutes.

Langenthal is a recommended choice in canton Bern where the rent is reasonable; you can even rent a house for 2300 CHF. Langenthal boasts a beautiful theater and a Tierpark, with numerous hiking trails nearby. The area offers kindergarten, primary, and secondary schools, along with a Kantischule. Although taxes are higher in canton Bern, you receive other benefits in return.

If you're visiting Switzerland for the first time and seeking an apartment to rent, be aware that you have a good chance of being accepted quickly if you're considering a village. Competition is low, and some villages attract newcomers with lower taxes or incentives for families, like child vouchers. However, if you wish to move directly to Zürich, you'll need temporary accommodation for an extended period to allow you to attend numerous viewings, as there is high competition for each apartment in Zürich.

Whether you chose a village or a city, we wish you the best of luck and hope you enjoy every moment!

Jess