Geneva named the best city to call ‘home’ in new survey
Geneva and Zurich are the two most ‘liveable’ cities on earth, according to a survey based on environment, economy, crime and culture factors.
The study was undertaken by scientists from the National University of Singapore, University of California and Curtin University in Australia, as they calculated ‘liveability’ standards by the balance of work and social life as well as cultural and sustainability elements.
Third on this list is Singapore, following by Copenhagen and Helsinki, with London only reaching 22nd place and New York slightly higher in 17th position.
So what are Switzerland’s big ‘pull’ factors?
Located in the heart of Europe, Switzerland is an increasingly popular choice among expats looking to relocate. With one of the greatest standards of living in the world, Switzerland and Swiss culture have been heavily influenced by the neighbouring countries of Germany, France, Italy, Austria, and Liechtenstein.
Out of a population of just under 8 million, there are approximately 1.65 million foreign residents in Switzerland. More than 40,000 of these are British expats, with the vast majority of those earning high salaries; over 25 per cent earn more than £125,000 a year.
Individuals who relocate to Switzerland enjoy comparatively low tax rates, minimal crime and a steady economy, and being in joint first place with Holland on the Bribe Payers Index, means business corruption is almost unheard of.
Expats in Switzerland also praise the country’s transport systems, as well as health and safety factors and general way of life.
With an increasing number of people moving to Switzerland annually, deVere Switzerland, part of deVere Group, one of the world’s largest independent financial advisory organisations with 80,000 mainly expatriate clients in more than 100 countries, has three bases in Geneva, Zurich and Basel specialising in expatriate and cross-border financial planning and wealth management solutions.
deVere Switzerland caters to demand from a dynamic population of varying nationalities, for financial services including savings and investments, insurance, reviewing and improving assets and retirement planning.
