Bern – the Swiss capital – is surely one of the best cities in the world, thanks to its environment, transport, urban and life quality.
Yet, before moving, you should be aware of both the pros and cons of living in this wonderful city.
Let’s see them in detail!
5 Key Pros of Living in Bern...
1. High life quality
One of the major pros of moving to Bern is the high quality of its healthcare system, accommodations, and connections.
The perfect example of urban quality, for instance, is the possibility to swim below the Parliament Building at the famous Marzili outdoor swimming facility!
2. Strong safety
In addition, Bern is a city on a human scale and has really low crime rates, thanks to an organized local police service that allows you to safely enjoy any leisure activity.
3. Excellent public transport
Then, the city’s transportation system is efficient and reliable. It includes:
- The Swiss Federal Railways network, which offers a regular connection to Basel, Geneva, Lucerne, and Zurich;
- A worthwhile bus system.
4. Countless activities
As we’ve recently seen, Bern also offers numerous outdoor, leisure, and sports activities, such as:
- Swimming on the banks of the river Aare;
- Skating at the Parliament Square in winter, when it turns into an artificial ice rink;
- Relaxing in one of the city’s 130 parks, which offer diverse fauna and flora;
- Visiting Bern’s Old City, the Bernese fountains, and the wonderful Clock Tower.
5. Wide expat community
Another great pro is the city’s massive and lively expat community.
Such a cosmopolitan atmosphere will allow you to easily meet new people and join exciting expat events!
...and 5 Major Cons
1. Making friendship with locals
On the downside, starting a friendship with locals can be slightly more complicated, since many clubs and activities are offered in the local language.
That’s why we suggest you:
- Take a German course once moved to the city ;
- Opt for a living concept that includes an international community, which will help you settle in Bern.
2. High costs of living
Given the Swiss high costs of living, expenses such as rent, bills, and groceries will be more expensive than in many other European cities.
Nevertheless, the Swiss salaries are quite generous and usually include subsidies like health services or rail cards!
3. Challenging real estate market
What’s more, the Swiss real estate market and the tenant selection process are truly competitive.
So, we suggest you opt for a flexible microliving provider – like City Pop – that can offer innovative furnished apartments and on-demand services!
4. Language gap
A significant issue can surely be the language barrier, since the immigration documents and the medical instructions are available only in German. Yet, never forget that:
- The city offers numerous German courses for expats;
- English is widely spoken among locals.
5. Closed shops on Sundays
Finally, another drawback of living in Bern may be that Swiss shops are closed on Sundays.
Yet, this can be a chance to relax or share some moments with your friends!
