Thinking about moving to Zurich but haven’t found a job yet?
Before you start applying for apartments, booking flights or comparing salaries, you probably have a more basic question:
What is it actually like to live in Zurich?
Zurich is not the cheapest city in Europe. The rental market is competitive and moving to Switzerland involves bureaucracy.
But there is a reason so many international professionals consider Zurich.
High salaries, safety, excellent public transport, access to nature and a lifestyle where you can live comfortably without owning a car.
Here is what you should know before deciding whether Zurich could be your next home.
What is everyday life in Zurich like?
Zurich is a city, but it does not feel like a huge city.
You can walk through the city centre, take a tram to work, swim in Lake Zurich after work and be hiking on the Uetliberg shortly afterwards.
The city is clean, organised and generally very safe.
And because Zurich is compact and public transport is excellent, you can have a very convenient lifestyle without a car.
For many newcomers, this is one of the biggest surprises.
Your daily life might look something like:
Walk → tram → work → lunch by the lake → tram home → supermarket → walk home.
You do not necessarily need to plan your entire life around driving, parking and traffic.
Zurich is expensive. But salaries are high too.
This is an important part of the Zurich equation.
Yes, rent is expensive.
Restaurants, childcare and many services can also be expensive compared with other European cities.
But Zurich is also one of Europe's major economic centres and salaries are correspondingly high in many professional sectors.
Finance, technology, consulting, pharmaceuticals, insurance and other international industries offer significant career opportunities.
So instead of asking:
“Is Zurich expensive?”
Ask:
“What would my income and lifestyle look like in Zurich?”
That is a much more useful question.
If you are considering a Zurich job offer, read our guide to the salary you need to live comfortably in Zurich.
Is Zurich really that safe?
For many people, yes, this is one of the biggest advantages.
Zurich feels calm and predictable.
It is normal to see children using public transport independently, people walking home in the evening and bikes parked outside shops and train stations.
Of course, normal precautions still apply. But the general sense of safety is an important part of everyday life here, particularly for families.
And safety is not just about crime.
It is also about infrastructure that works, reliable public transport and a general sense that everyday systems are predictable.
Can you really live in Zurich without a car?
Yes.
And many people do.
Zurich has an extensive network of trams, buses and trains. You can get around the city easily and travel to other parts of Switzerland without driving.
This changes what you can look for when choosing an apartment.
You do not necessarily need to live directly next to your office. A neighbourhood with a good tram or train connection can work just as well.
And when the weekend comes, you can take the train to the mountains, another Swiss city or a lake without spending hours in traffic.
If you are bringing a car, parking becomes an important consideration. Our guide to parking in Zurich explains the main options.
Zurich gives you city life and nature at the same time
This is probably what makes Zurich particularly special.
You can have an international career in a global business centre while living next to a lake and close to hiking trails.
Lake Zurich is part of everyday city life.
The Uetliberg is on your doorstep.
And the Alps are close enough for weekend trips.
You do not have to choose between career and nature in the same way you might in a much larger international city.
What is Zurich like for international professionals?
Zurich is highly international.
You will find people from all over the world and English is widely used in international companies.
You can therefore start your professional life in Zurich without necessarily speaking fluent German.
But there is an important distinction:
You can work in Zurich in English. Living in Zurich becomes easier when you understand German.
And then there is Swiss German, which you will hear everywhere in everyday life.
You do not need to master it before moving. But knowing that the language you hear on the tram or in a local shop may sound very different from the German you learned at school is useful preparation.
What about families?
Zurich can be particularly attractive for families.
The combination of safety, public transport, outdoor activities and access to nature means children can have a relatively independent lifestyle.
But families need to think about more than the apartment itself.
Before choosing where to live, consider:
School or Kita
Commute to work
Public transport
Playgrounds and outdoor space
Storage
Parking, if needed
Apartment size
Budget
Our guide How to Find a Family Apartment in Zurich covers the practical side in more detail.
What is the downside?
Zurich is not for everyone.
The biggest challenges for newcomers are usually:
Housing: Good apartments can be difficult to secure.
Cost: Zurich is expensive and you need to understand your budget before moving.
Bureaucracy: Residence permits, registration, health insurance and other administrative processes can take some getting used to.
Social life: Zurich can feel more reserved than some other international cities. Building a social circle may take time.
Sunday: Many shops are closed and the city becomes noticeably quieter.
But these same characteristics are part of what many people eventually like about Zurich.
It is structured. It is predictable. It is peaceful.
What if I don't have a job yet?
This is where your planning matters most.
Before moving, you should understand:
☐ Can I legally live and work in Switzerland?
☐ What salary could I realistically expect?
☐ How much would I spend on rent and health insurance?
☐ Do I have enough savings for the first few months?
☐ Which Zurich neighbourhoods would suit my lifestyle?
☐ Could I live without a car?
☐ Where would I stay while looking for a long-term apartment?
☐ Do I have the documents I would need for a Swiss rental application?
☐ Have I considered the possibility that finding an apartment may take time?
☐ Have I compared my current lifestyle with what I would actually have in Zurich?
That last question is often overlooked.
Don't compare countries. Compare lifestyles.
What matters is not whether Switzerland is more expensive than where you currently live.
What matters is whether the combination of your future salary, housing, commute, free time and lifestyle works for you.
So, should you move to Zurich?
If you are looking for a strong international job market, high salaries, safety, excellent public transport and easy access to nature, Zurich is certainly worth considering.
But you do not need to decide based on a generic list of "pros and cons".
Start with your own situation.
What job could you get? What would you earn? Where would you live? Would you need a car? What would your everyday life look like?
Once you answer those questions, you can make a much more informed decision about whether Zurich is the right move for you.
And if you decide to come, housing should be part of your strategy from the beginning, not an afterthought.
Planning your move to Zurich?
Discuss your situation with Anna and Andy, the co-founders of SwissNest Relocation. We are available after working hours, weekends, holidays:
Book your free 20 minute consultation https://swissnest.as.me
Write us an email hello@swissnest-relocation.ch
Call us or text us on WhatsApp +41 76 341 68 06
