Many aspects of living in Switzerland are different than living in the United States, and it is essential to know what to expect before relocating. One thing you need to know before moving here is that Switzerland has a four-person system. This means that wherever you live, whether it’s a city or the countryside, your apartment will have at least four different families in it. And It’s not unusual for Swiss people to have their rooms without beds or furniture. Read this for a guide on what’s it like living in Switzerland.
If someone is looking for an affordable place and wants privacy, this may not be the best country for them. Housing is expensive in Switzerland, but the Swiss do not believe in renting. Landlords are familiar, but most Swiss people prefer to own their property. This might seem strange since rent is so high, but it’s the norm here. Another difference many ex-pats will notice is that Switzerland has a communal kitchen and washing machine in each apartment complex. Yes, every single apartment and house has a shared sink and a shared washing machine. No one cares who uses what since they’re all going to get cleaned anyways.
Another significant difference in Switzerland is the space inside most apartment complexes. There are no typical bedrooms and even fewer bathrooms. Many Swiss people don’t even have a place to sleep. Most of the people who live in Switzerland will be sharing bedrooms and doing their own laundry in communal areas meant for that purpose. If you don’t want to do your laundry or have someone else do it for you, Switzerland might not be a good fit. Also, if you plan on living on your own, then moving to Switzerland might not be your best decision either. It is costly to rent an apartment here, and many people think that it’s terrible to live alone since they can’t afford that kind of expense.
Many people do still live on their own in Switzerland, but they aren’t the majority. Many ex-pats who do live on their own do so with help from an older person or a friend who is helping them pay the rent. A lot of Swiss people prefer to live with someone else since it’s cheaper and they can share expenses. This allows for a more comfortable lifestyle, but it also means if you’re trying to relive your youth as an ex-pat then Switzerland might not be the best country for you. Since there are so many different people in Switzerland, you will experience many differences from city to city.
