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Popular Cities in Switzerland for Expats

Switzerland is a popular destination for people moving from the UK to Europe. Its economy continues to thrive, meaning many people choose it for work reasons; but the beautiful countryside, healthy lifestyle and cosmopolitan atmosphere all make it attractive too.

Hamiltons Removals are experts in removals to Switzerland. Here we spotlight some of the main cities which people are choosing to move to.

Bern

This is the capital of the country, but it is not the largest city. It has a population of around 140,000 and is in central Switzerland, although the airport lies within the neighbouring town of Belp. The central railway station, Bahnhof Bern, is among the busiest in the country. There is an extensive public transport network, so you do not need to worry about driving once you get there.

Almost a third of the city’s residents are expats. Historically the city is famed for its cheese, particularly Emmental, and wine. It is also the place where Ovaltine and Toblerone were invented. This means there are usually jobs available in the city’s food, tourism and agricultural sectors. Recently Bern’s number of high-tech firms has grown while the multi-lingual nature of the place means there are often vacancies for English teachers too.

Bern’s Old Town was made a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983, thanks to its network of ancient arcades which reflect its long history which dates back to its founding in 1191. Notable sights you might want to visit include the centuries-old ornate clock tower, complete with moving puppets and the spectacular Gothic cathedral, called the Munster.

Basel

This city rates highly in a recent survey among expats. It is in north-west Switzerland, so both France and Germany are within easy reach. There is a lot of heavy industry along the countries’ borders, and the River Rhine, which runs through the city, has also helped its reputation as a major importer and exporter. Finance, ICT and the chemical industry are major employment areas, but life sciences, entertainment and retail sectors have also been growing in importance recently.

Basel has a thriving arts and cultural scene. Several orchestras bear the name of the city and there are more than 30 museums. A number of cinemas show films in English as well as French or German. The Basel tourist office offers English language walking tours around the picturesque city.

Transport connections are excellent; not only is its international airport, EuroAirport, just 15 minutes away from the city centre, but the rail stations have regular services to France and Germany.  You could also choose a more relaxing manner of transport, namely by ship or boat down the Rhine.

Zurich

Switzerland’s largest city is in the north of the country. It is still a major international business hub, but the major growth in employment opportunities these days are in sectors such as the aerospace industry, tourism, and health and life sciences.

The city’s enduring popularity as a leading place for removals to Switzerland is also reflected by its high score in expats surveys. Its cosmopolitan profile means there are a wide variety of shops and restaurants to choose from.

Zurich also benefits from some stunning scenery. The River Limmat runs through the city, which lies on the northern shore of Lake Zurich. The city’s airport is around 6 miles to the north-east and has its own railway station. Public transport in the city is extremely popular; this means you can get around not just by bus but by tram, boat, and, in a few cases, by cable car.

Lugano

This city is to the south of the country, close to the border with Italy. It lies on Lake Lugano, to the south of the Alps, so there are some stunning views to enjoy, especially if you enjoy getting out and about on one of the many cycle trails.

Finance is by far the biggest employment sector in this city. There are more than 100 banking organisations based here, employing around 20,000 people, and many of the banks are private international ones. Another thriving employment area is tourism, a natural by-product of the area’s beautiful scenery, while scientific research, particularly relating to health, has also been flourishing.

Lugano Airport is about 2.5miles to the west, and is sometimes known as Lugano-Agno. Lugano lies on the European A2 motorway, although you could opt for a boat trip across Lake Lugano. Services are run to remote communities as well as to popular tourist attractions.

If you are thinking about overseas moves to Switzerland, Hamiltons Removals will be happy to arrange your move, so you can benefit from our detailed knowledge of the country. Click here if you would like to know more about the services we offer to Switzerland.