About Zurich area |
If there's one city that you can guarantee has prominence, prestige, and luxury, it's Zürich. The Swiss capital is the seat of power and a central business and financial hub of one of the wealthiest countries in the world. Of course, many would be intrigued about what's in store here! At first glance, it looks like your typical European city, a gateway to past eras yet filled with modern-day conveniences and hope for the future. However, it's safe to say that there's still a lot to look forward to in Zürich. You never know what you might discover here!
The city of Zürich isn't just the capital of Switzerland. The country is actually divided into various Cantons—regions that belong to the different communities of Switzerland. Zürich is also the capital city of the Zürich Canton, one of the main German-speaking provinces of the country. As such, German is the most dominant language in both the Canton and the city. Although Zürich itself has come to house a variety of communities within its current 20201 population of 1,407,572 residents, it remains a German city through and through. In order to have an easier stay here, you ought to learn the language either beforehand or while you're in the city.
It's no secret that Switzerland tends to go pretty cold during winter. The Swiss Alps alone are famously chilly no matter what time of the year it is. So when it comes to a city like Zürich, the best time to go here, weatherwise, is during summer. From June to August, you get to experience the Swiss capital at its warmest, and even then, the city still feels colder than other destinations in Europe alone. The only downside, however, is that summer is also the peak season for tourists. This often means that prices tend to go up during this time.
If you think big business is all there is in Zürich, you clearly don't know that city all that much yet. You'd be surprised to learn that there's actually a lot you can do in the Swiss capital, even if you're just here for a day! From shopping at the most luxurious stores to sightseeing, there's a lot you can do!
Explore Old Town and discover the classic culture that the city has preserved so well over the years. You can also go people-watching at Sechseläutenplatz, the largest public square in all of the different neighborhoods in Zürich. This is definitely a must-see in the city!
If there's one thing you should never forget about Zürich, it's that it's an expensive place. What would you expect from the capital city of one of the wealthiest countries in the world? Of course, the costs to stay here would be sky-high! The best example is the cost of renting a place in the city. The common rental fees in Zürich range from CHF 1,500.00 to CHF 6,000.00 per month. The cheapest you'll find is CHF 1,200.00 a month and that'll already be along the outskirts of town. As for food, you'll need to spend around CHF 168.25 for one to two weeks' worth of groceries. Can you handle that?
The way you socialize and interact with people here in Zürich is very important. You should probably already know that the Swiss are very reserved and conservative. Though they may share a lot with the French and Italians, culture-wise, in terms of their overall personalities, they couldn't be further away from each other!
As far as getting around Zürich is concerned, you have very little to worry about! Public transport in this city is efficient and effective, offering up a ton of options for you to choose from. There's the railway system, the trams, buses, taxis, and more. Do note, however, that the ticketing system here, as well as in the rest of Switzerland, relies heavily on the Canton you're in and not necessarily on your specific destination. Moreover, to make things easier, you might want to use a transportation app from time to time! You never know when it'd get so busy in this bustling metropolis. There's a big chance you might get stuck in a place thanks to the rush hour here.
You probably don't need others to tell you that Zürich is an expensive city overall. However, it bears to keep this in mind especially when it comes to medical costs. Simply put, make sure you're covered with a health plan when you're here in Zürich. If you've moved to Zürich and became a legal resident, you can gain access to the Swiss healthcare system, particularly its public coverage. But if you're simply visiting as a tourist, you'd do well in getting private insurance as this is the only way to ensure you're covered while you're here. Either way, both options will help subsidize rates for your medical costs, especially when you get treated in any of Zürich's best hospitals!
The great thing about Swiss food is that it's influenced by the delectable cuisines of its neighboring countries. As you already know, Switzerland is mostly made up of big communities that come from the nearby nations, particularly Germany, Italy, and France. So in terms of the food to expect here in Zürich, you'll find that many of what the most notable culinary hotspots serve are similar to those from said countries.
Of course, you can't not indulge in the most famous delicacies and desserts. You'll find Swiss cheese, for example, in the many shops in the city. As well as the equally sought-after Swiss chocolate, which you can get in a lot of sweets stores in the Swiss Capital.
Since Switzerland is more or less a Roman Catholic country, you can expect that a lot of religious holidays are important here. From Easter Sunday, which is often around Spring, to St. Stephen's Day (December 26), these holy days can affect your trip in more ways than one. Oftentimes, you might find that the cultural attractions that you want to visit may be closed on these days, so schedule your trip here accordingly. Furthermore, when it comes to Swiss holidays overall, it bears to keep in mind that, apart from national public and religious holidays, what the Swiss celebrate observe differs from one Canton to the next.
Since Zürich is a wealthy city, you'll want to move here yourself, don't you? Sure, the Swiss capital is great to explore as a tourist and all, but if you're one to work hard, advance your career, and climb up the corporate ladder, no other city is better than Zürich! With that said, however, moving here is no easy task.
Even if you've been here dozens of times before, when you relocate to Zürich, you'll essentially start from scratch. There's a lot you'll need to do and if you're not careful, you'll instantly get overwhelmed. But don't worry, this relocation guide can still help you!
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