https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Switzerland in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed Switzerland has consistently ranked close to the top in various international 'quality of life' studies. Does it still maintain this position? https://www.thelocal.ch/20260224/does-switzerland-still-offer-a-high-quality-of-life-in-2026 Tue, 24 Feb 2026 13:11:54 +0100 does-switzerland-still-offer-a-high-quality-of-life-in-2026 When it comes to time spent on public transport or in traffic jams or the cost of a monthly travel pass, not all cities in Switzerland are equal. In some places commuters find it easier and cheaper to get to work. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251015/which-swiss-city-is-the-best-for-commuters-to-get-to-work Wed, 15 Oct 2025 11:11:35 +0200 which-swiss-city-is-the-best-for-commuters-to-get-to-work Has life in Switzerland improved or deteriorated in recent years? Which aspects have got worse and where have things got better? Our readers give their verdict. https://www.thelocal.ch/20251117/higher-prices-poor-job-market-has-life-in-switzerland-got-worse-or-better Mon, 17 Nov 2025 14:43:05 +0100 higher-prices-poor-job-market-has-life-in-switzerland-got-worse-or-better Swiss life expectancy hit a new record in 2024 with a number of studies suggesting that living in Switzerland will help you enjoy a longer life. Why is that the case? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240702/the-reasons-why-living-in-switzerland-can-prolong-your-life Tue, 02 Jul 2024 18:49:20 +0200 the-reasons-why-living-in-switzerland-can-prolong-your-life A new, large-scale comparison of Swiss communities reveals where life is good — and where it leaves much to be desired. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240919/where-are-the-best-and-worst-places-to-live-in-switzerland-in-2024 Thu, 19 Sep 2024 15:59:33 +0200 where-are-the-best-and-worst-places-to-live-in-switzerland-in-2024 Switzerland has been awarded the title of the world’s best country in global rankings for the second year in a row - having already received the honour seven times previously. What is it about the alpine country that attracts such a prestigious honour? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240911/what-makes-switzerland-the-best-country-in-the-world-in-2024 Wed, 11 Sep 2024 14:28:01 +0200 what-makes-switzerland-the-best-country-in-the-world-in-2024 Switzerland has fallen in popularity among international workers and students, according to survey results released this week. Do you agree with the conclusion? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240704/cant-make-friends-why-switzerland-is-less-popular-with-foreign-residents Thu, 04 Jul 2024 17:47:27 +0200 cant-make-friends-why-switzerland-is-less-popular-with-foreign-residents One of the most complex challenges facing parents in Switzerland is balancing family life with a professional career. How well do they manage to do it? Please share your own views in the comments section below. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240524/does-switzerland-offer-a-poor-work-life-balance-for-families Fri, 24 May 2024 15:27:32 +0200 does-switzerland-offer-a-poor-work-life-balance-for-families Can residents of Switzerland’s largest city really be happy, considering its higher-than-elsewhere cost of living? https://www.thelocal.ch/20240415/the-zurich-paradox-why-is-worlds-most-expensive-city-also-the-best-to-live-in Mon, 15 Apr 2024 14:16:08 +0200 the-zurich-paradox-why-is-worlds-most-expensive-city-also-the-best-to-live-in Yes, employees in Switzerland tend to spend many hours on the job—42 hours a week on average—but that doesn’t mean they don’t get any down time to enjoy life. https://www.thelocal.ch/20240320/does-switzerland-really-have-a-good-work-life-balance Wed, 20 Mar 2024 14:06:57 +0100 does-switzerland-really-have-a-good-work-life-balance There are certain aspects of life in Switzerland where immigrants are disadvantaged compared to the Swiss, a new study reveals. https://www.thelocal.ch/20231213/how-foreigners-in-switzerland-have-worse-living-conditions-than-the-swiss Wed, 13 Dec 2023 15:43:37 +0100 how-foreigners-in-switzerland-have-worse-living-conditions-than-the-swiss Switzerland and neighbouring Austria have a lot in common, but there are many differences as well. How can you decide which country is better suited for you? Our comparison provides some answers. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230306/switzerland-vs-austria-which-country-is-better-to-live-in Mon, 06 Mar 2023 17:39:40 +0100 switzerland-vs-austria-which-country-is-better-to-live-in Switzerland’s population has the second-highest life expectancy in Europe, a new study has revealed. But where in the country can you expect to live the longest and why? https://www.thelocal.ch/20231110/in-which-parts-of-switzerland-can-you-expect-to-live-the-longest Fri, 10 Nov 2023 13:23:47 +0100 in-which-parts-of-switzerland-can-you-expect-to-live-the-longest Even though Switzerland was recently once again ranked the best country in the world in an international survey, not everything in the country is rosy. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230907/analysis-switzerland-might-be-worlds-best-country-but-there-are-downsides Thu, 07 Sep 2023 14:02:56 +0200 analysis-switzerland-might-be-worlds-best-country-but-there-are-downsides Choosing the best municipality in a country full of charming and picturesque towns is not easy, but as a recent large-scale survey has shown, some places in Switzerland stand out. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230922/which-towns-in-switzerland-are-the-best-to-live-in Fri, 22 Sep 2023 17:20:31 +0200 which-towns-in-switzerland-are-the-best-to-live-in Switzerland has been ranked "the best country in the world" again - and many foreign residents would agree. But there are also quite a few things about life here that rub foreign nationals the wrong way. Do you agree with these? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230428/7-common-complaints-that-foreigners-have-about-switzerland Fri, 28 Apr 2023 11:32:23 +0200 7-common-complaints-that-foreigners-have-about-switzerland For the sixth time, Switzerland wins the coveted title of the world’s top country in an international ranking. Why does the nation make it to the no.1 spot —time after time? https://www.thelocal.ch/20230906/pleasantly-constant-why-switzerland-ranks-as-the-worlds-best-country-again Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:31:52 +0200 pleasantly-constant-why-switzerland-ranks-as-the-worlds-best-country-again Whether you’re in Switzerland for a short time or you’ve committed to the country for the long haul, here are five tips to make your time in Switzerland count. https://www.thelocal.ch/20230308/five-tips-to-help-you-make-the-most-out-of-life-in-switzerland Wed, 08 Mar 2023 18:12:21 +0100 five-tips-to-help-you-make-the-most-out-of-life-in-switzerland In a new international ranking of the best and worst cities for expats, it was Basel and not Zurich, Geneva or Lausanne that came out on top in Switzerland. https://www.thelocal.ch/20221129/why-basel-is-ranked-switzerlands-best-city-for-expats Tue, 29 Nov 2022 12:45:15 +0100 why-basel-is-ranked-switzerlands-best-city-for-expats Switzerland, as well as some of its cities, regularly appear in international surveys among the nations with the highest quality of life. Why is this so? https://www.thelocal.ch/20220930/analysis-is-the-quality-of-life-really-that-high-in-switzerland Fri, 30 Sep 2022 15:36:34 +0200 analysis-is-the-quality-of-life-really-that-high-in-switzerland