Zurich
Relocation Advice - Zurich
Despite the prevalence of the banking industry here, which creates excellent opportunities for finance and legal professionals, Zurich has a lot more to offer than just business. It is a clean, safe city in central Switzerland, is generally considered one of the best in the world to live in and has a vibrant cultural scene and beautiful scenery.
These high standards are reflected in a high cost of living, though, and also in a scarcity of available housing. While some was freed up during the economic crisis - during which time many ex-pats left the city - it is still hard to find accommodation.
Zurich has a great infrastructure, and public transport is very widely used due to the efficiency of the system, which includes buses, trams, trains, boats, a funicular and even a cable car.
Swiss German is the official language of the city, and while English is widely spoken it is wise to learn some local phrases prior to moving for daily life, as some locals will not appreciate a lack of effort.
There is a great cultural scene, the medieval Old Town is particularly good for bars and restaurants, and the ex-pat community is large - around 30% of the population in Zurich are not Swiss.
