{UAH} Is Switzerland the best country to live in?

Tonia Nagle

·

Updated March 10, 2017

Switzerland · Resident for 10.5 years in Suisse Romandie

Is Switzerland the best country to live in? It is one of the richest countries in the world and also always at the top of different rankings measuring the quality of life.

Originally Answered: Is Switzerland the best country to live in?

I came to Switzerland 10.5 years ago, planning to stay for 2 years. All my friends thought it was going to be SO dull. 10.5 years later, I'm not the only one who's trying to make sure I stay here. Why?

- the country itself is marvellous - do not underestimate what location can do for your lifestyle - hot in summer, cold in winter, with mountains, lakes and only 4-5 hours drive from the Mediterranean.

- I don't care what people say, the Swiss are lovely. Everyone has welcomed me and my family with open arms. They actively try to help us integrate and encourage us in our poor French.

- After 7 years of complaining about the shop hours, I now wouldn't have it any other way. As a parent who tries to spend as much time as she can with her family, I think we should encourage businesses to be closed on a Sunday if they can, or shut at a reasonable time after normal working hours (e.g. 7pm) so that the workers can get home to spend quality time with each other.

- if you don't like something, or you want a new law, all it takes is 500 signatures to get a vote on it in the quarterly elections.... 500!! that's participative government!

- the quality of life is good - yes, food is expensive, but they pay you more. Recently I looked at wages vs housing costs etc. in the UK and no way could UK compete with the type of lifestyle I have here, even though it is 'cheaper' in many ways, the pay is too low for the cost of housing in the South.

- they look after stuff... I mean the workmen in your house borrow your vacuum cleaner and clean up after themselves, the plumbers call you when it's time to service your boiler, they CLEAN country roads and cycle lanes once a week, they even CLEAN public parking/garages...

yes, there are downsides - I'd love more choice in furnishings and clothing shops or more funky /bohemian parts of town, but frankly I'm so busy enjoying the outdoors and my village that I probably wouldn't go there much anyway... so, yes, Switzerland is the best country in the world... or it would be if I could get the rest of my family to move here so I didn't have to spend all my vacations visiting them :-)

*** EDIT****

I'm going to add this fun list from Buzzfeed on 25 quirks that make Switzerland weird and wonderful… (other than the gun one and the minaret ban..)

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