Move to Zurich
Switzerland · Expat Guide for Tech Workers
Rent (1BR)
$2,200
Rent (2BR)
$3,200
Transport
$87/mo
Expat Community
4/5
🌟 Why Zurich?
- ✓ Highest salaries in Europe with excellent purchasing power
- ✓ Stunning location on Lake Zurich with Alpine views
- ✓ Extremely clean, safe, and efficient city
- ✓ Strong finance and tech sectors (Google, UBS, Credit Suisse)
🏠 Best Neighborhoods
Zurich West (Kreis 5)
Industrial-chic, restaurants, tech companies, nightlife
$2,500/mo
Seefeld (Kreis 8)
Lakeside, upscale, parks, quiet
$2,800/mo
Wiedikon (Kreis 3)
Family-friendly, diverse, good value, Idaplatz
$2,100/mo
Oerlikon (Kreis 11)
Affordable, business district, good S-Bahn access
$1,900/mo
✈ Airport
ZRH (Zurich Airport)
☔ Weather
Continental: warm summers (25C), cold winters (-2C). Snow in winter. Lake breezes in summer.
🎓 Schools
Several high-quality options (ZIS, ISZN, others)
💻 Coworking
Many (Impact Hub, WeWork, Spaces, Kraftwerk)
✅ First Week Checklist
- Register at Kreisburo (local district office) within 14 days
- Get a ZVV travel pass for trains, trams, and buses
- Open a bank account (UBS, ZKB, or Neon/Yuh digital banks)
- Set up mandatory health insurance (Comparis.ch to compare)
- Download TWINT app for mobile payments
🏗 Top Industries
Finance
Tech
Pharma
Insurance
💰 Zurich Salary Insights
Is your salary competitive in Zurich?