In terms of overall well-being and health, Switzerland ranks among the top countries in the world. According to the Better Life Index, which looks at factors such as employment, education and health, Switzerland offers a high quality of life and is an excellent choice for expats.

Many people in the UK choose Switzerland for a new life, as the people are similar to Brits in their mannerisms and habits and a lifestyle change does not cause too much upheaval. People from the US or Australia will have to adapt to the way of life, and the local people can be reserved.

Employment is a key draw for expats. The average person in Switzerland earns more than the average American and although the gap between the richest and poorest is high, there are opportunities available for all and tax is low, which is always a bonus for an expat. Career opportunities in the country are good, with 79% of people aged 15 to 64 having a paid job. This is above the global average and the work-life balance within the country is reported to be good. Many expats find work in the finance sector of the country.   more ...

As counter-intuitive as it seems, Switzerland has always seemed to receive a bad reputation on account of the fact that it enjoys a high living standard. For evidence of this, we need look no further than Orson Welles' famous monologue in The Third Man (based upon similar comments made by the painter McNeill Whistler), in which he castigates the Swiss for "five hundred years of democracy and peace" that produced nothing more than "the cuckoo clock." The country's steadfast commitment to neutrality, even in times of great geo-political upheaval, is one clear source of such resentment - but whatever one's personal take is on such matters, it cannot be denied that the Swiss standard of living is easily among the world's best. The nation enjoys one of the world's highest life expectancies behind Japan, with the cities of Zurich and Geneva being ranked as the #2 and #8 cities in the world, respectively, for overall quality of life. The net worth of the average Swiss adult, meanwhile, is over 500,000 USD, even after their considerable portion of the national debt is figured into the picture.   more ...

by Nancy Bach

In other parts of the world, it is known as Lake Geneva. But the Swiss and French know this lovely glacial lake as Lac Leman. I like to call it that so it's not confused with Geneva Lake, Wisconsin! Its southernmost tip is at Geneva Switzerland; then it stretches up to Lausanne and curls to Montreux. In summer the beautiful blue waters are dotted by sailboats.

In autumn the hillsides are redolent with the aroma of vineyards yielding their bountiful crops. In winter icy blasts whip lake waters up over the banks, creating ice statues of trees and benches. And in spring the glorious wildflowers and fields and mountains beyond the lake are direct from the triumphant ending of "The Sound of Music."   more ...

by Nancy Bach

Views from the heights of Lausanne looking south to the lake with the surrounding Alps, in the crisp, clear Swiss air are impressive. City businessmen sponsored construction of the Sauvabelin Tower, with a 100-foot climb up a circular wooden stairway to make the views even better. Breathe in the tranquility; you may never have this opportunity again.

Lausanne, of course, is the home of the IOC, International Olympic Committee, with an interesting museum, worth a visit. Each January Lausanne is home to the Prix de Lausanne international amateur dance competition. We missed it during our one year in Geneva—wish we could get a do-over!   more ...

by Nancy Bach

We loved Swiss trains. As expats we faced uncertainty every day, but we could always count on the trains for grounding. If the scheduled time was 12:30, we knew with certainty that we’d miss the train if we arrived at 12:31. When you’re running late there’s far less stress if you know you don’t have a chance of making it. Just relax and grab a glass of wine while you wait for the next train.

Once you’re ready to take the train, all of Switzerland is open to you! Europe, too, for that matter.

We lived in Geneva, tucked into France so far that it might as well be France. So we took advantage of the high-speed train to Paris. Liz and I zipped there (~200mph) to see the musical Notre Dame de Paris (in French), the trip very comfortable and easy compared to air travel. On another empty weekend we took a family trip by train to visit the Louvre, hassle-free.   more ...