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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.
Your Guide to Moving Abroad with Children
Moving abroad can be a stressful experience at the best of times. If you have children it can be even more daunting, but the right sort of preparation and planning should solve any problems and help to ensure your move goes smoothly.
Norfolk international removals company Hamiltons Removals has a wealth of experience in helping families move to destinations in Europe, North America, Canada and many other worldwide destinations. Here are our top tips for making sure that your children can enjoy moving abroad as much as you do.
Talk to Them About the Move
It is important that your children feel part of the process, so you need to explain to them the reasons for the move at an early stage. Make sure you listen to any concerns they have and encourage them to find out more about where they are moving to themselves – they may even think of something you haven’t.
Exploring what the new area has to offer online can throw up a range of opportunities, such as new hobbies for them to take up. For instance, if you are relocating to Switzerland or Austria, your children might enjoy a taste of winter sports, and if you are moving to the US they could take up cheerleading or American sports like baseball.
Know the Legal Position
Making sure you have all the relevant documentation for the children as well as yourself is just the start. There are also other legal formalities to bear in mind when moving abroad, so you will need to acquaint yourself with all the rules and regulations, and the benefits your children are entitled to, which may include free language tuition. Hamiltons Removals will be able to happy to provide advice about all the paperwork you will need for your chosen country, as well as customs information and relocation guides.
Selecting Their School
This will be one of the most important factors for both you and your children when starting a new life abroad, and again forward planning is essential. Apart from the basics of where it is and how they will get there, you will also need to know what is on the curriculum and whether they have to learn a new language. With teenagers, exams are of course a major consideration.
If possible, talk to other parents and expats and the local education authorities both in this country and in your chosen destination. This way you can learn many details about how schools operate and what the culture is like, as well as at what age your child goes to what school, what exams they have to take, and when the holidays are.
Again, it is a good idea to make sure your children are fully involved in all the decision making. If there is a choice, for instance between the local state school or an internationally accredited day or boarding school, they may have a strong view on which they would prefer.
One good idea is to move during your new country’s main holiday. This will not necessarily be in our UK summer, depending on where you are moving to. The extra few weeks before school starts can be vital in giving your children the chance to learn some of the new language and culture before they start school.
What Age is Best?
Generally younger children are thought to be more adaptable than older ones, and might find any move less difficult. They also could find learning a new language and skills quite natural. If your children are older or in their teens, they might be more concerned about leaving friends behind.
If this is the case, you could let them invite a friend over to stay over during the holidays, or arrange a visit to stay with friends back in the UK, so they have something to look forward to.
Also, in these days of instant internet access, social media and Skype, there is no need for your children to feel isolated from their friends, even when they are on the other side of the world. If you make sure you have got all the relevant internet connections and accounts sorted out in advance, they will be able to chat to friends easily while they get used to their new life.
Norfolk international removals experts Hamiltons Removals can help organise your move to a wide range of countries including Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the United Arab Emirates. Our European destinations include France, Germany, Italy, Austria and the Netherlands. As part of our services we also offer storage facilities at completely secure and alarmed premises in Harleston. Click on the link for an online removal quote.