Why Switzerland?

Watch Out for the Tram!

I remember my first week in Zurich very well. At dinner with a friend, also a student who had moved to the same city more than a year prior, I confessed: "I'm still in the phase where everything seems wow to me".
He replied quite naturally and ironically: "Don't worry, for me this phase has lasted a year and shows no signs of ending".

Almost six months later, despite knowing Switzerland better and being almost used to a new life, I can't help but agree with him.

I often repeat that I want to die in Zurich (preferably not hit by a tram within a few months) but, while keeping numerous alternatives open, I admit that, at this time, Zurich represents an ideal dimension.

I was (and remain) convinced that living and working in Switzerland represents a true arbitrage compared to the rest of Europe, and I cannot understand why this “disparity” (or market inefficiency) is not exploited (and consequently hedged) by the rest of the continent.

The reality is that (fortunately) most of the population does not think like me: for many, Switzerland is not a model to imitate or a destination to aspire to; rather, it is a country that is too difficult, far from European ideals, and driven by a society very different from the Italian one.

What does it feel like to be a millionaire in Switzerland? Nothing, there is no shame in being poor

When I was little, the stereotype of the average Swiss person was that of a middle-aged individual, socially reserved, rigid about quiet hours, and likely the holder of an (at least) 7-figure bank account.

The truth is that, while these people do exist, Zurich, especially among the younger generations, is fortunately a much more heterogeneous and multicultural city than I expected.
Behind the caricature just mentioned, however, lies what, at least in my experience, represents the founding value of this country: respect.

The True Wealth of the Country

As generic as it may sound, the respect I am talking about is tangible: you perceive it in daily life to the point that, even unintentionally, you get used to it very quickly.

Respect for rules is evident at every level of "granularity": not crossing on red even if there isn't a car for hundreds of meters, not cheating at university or, as ironic as it may be, not leading others' private property.

Paradoxically, I have often thought that stealing in Switzerland would be much easier than elsewhere in Europe, given the enormous mutual trust the population displays, to the point of leaving goods unattended, doors open, or bikes unlocked. When trust is so widespread, and at the same time when it is considered a necessary condition for living in a community, it becomes a true productive asset for the country, capable of sustaining a stable social balance and improving the quality of coexistence.

Swiss Watches

Respect for time is structured on two levels: the first, more evident and concrete, is punctuality. The second, more subtle and subordinate to the first, concerns respect for other people's time, understood as a resource that the person is offering.

I have often had the impression that every exchange between two or more people is treated as a scarce resource to be protected: on one hand, there is an effort to maximize the value of the meeting through full concentration and dedication; on the other, there is no hesitation to conclude it when every additional second has diminishing marginal utility, even at the expense of "pleasure" and sociality.

This latter conception of time translates, almost directly, into a strong respect for the work of others. During my (still brief) university and work experiences in Zurich, I have had the constant impression that my work was being valued.
Working for free, in exploitative conditions, or "under the table" does not exist: every activity is either paid or valued from an academic standpoint. Consequently, however, every behavior and output is rigorously evaluated, and feedback is often direct, essential, and timely.

In university, this translates into professors who are, on average, very precise and punctual but also very demanding, capable of providing the right tools for independent study but ready to set clear expectations and demand quality output.

In work contexts, both in academic research and the corporate world, I have noticed a curious contrast: on one hand, there is often an atmosphere of informality and an apparent absence of hierarchy (often facilitated by English, which lacks formal titles). On the other hand, however, people are extremely demanding regarding the quality of work, and there is an assumption, even for junior positions or, as in my case, students,of a fair amount of autonomy and initiative.

The consequence of all this is that, even while studying, having a part-time job that goes beyond occasional "under the table" jobs is quite common, and generally, being fairly compensated (especially financially) is not an exception.
In fact, while I am still shocked that a pizza can cost 25 francs and am well aware that Zurich is consistently among the most expensive cities in the world, local purchasing power remains among the highest globally.

Yes, but at what price?

While my characterization might make it seem like a cynical and boring country, I think it is more accurate to define it as selective: it works perfectly, but only if you share the cultural assumptions upon which it was designed. Ironically, I believe Switzerland has “engineered” its way of life, organizing institutions, spaces, and social relations to minimize friction and ambiguity in favor of maximum efficiency.

This optimization, however, implies a trade-off: citizens bear a social cost that manifests in the rigor and respect mentioned above, often leaving little room for interpretation and improvisation. For this very reason, I say the country is selective: it is an optimal dimension for those who align with these values and agree to pay this “non-monetary tax,” which is necessary to enjoy the benefits (including monetary ones) and feel at ease.

The comparison with Italy, having had the luck to discuss it with friends, not only Italians, naturally follows.

Personally (and at this stage of my life), I evaluate quality of life based on a few key factors:

• Opportunities: the density of intellectual stimuli and interesting people, a dynamic and meritocratic job market.
• Livability: the structural quality of the urban environment, measured by the presence of public spaces, accessibility to greenery, and pleasant aesthetics.
• Mobility and safety: the ability to move easily without a car, preferably by walking or cycling, in a safe environment regardless of age, gender, or time of day.
• Internationality: the degree of integration into the global context, both in terms of cultural openness/composition and rapid connections to the rest of the world.
• Services: the reliability and quality of essential services at both municipal and national levels, from healthcare to bureaucracy.
• Proximity to Italy: the actual distance, in terms of time and logistical friction, from Milan and Italy in general.

All in all, we’re nicer!

Based on these criteria, Zurich ranks very high, to the point that I consider it, at least for the moment, Pareto-superior to most alternatives in Italy and the world. However, I recognize that this framework, even if it is built on observable and measurable parameters, miss two fundamental factors that could potentially influence my choice.

First, I won't deny that, even if I don't instinctively think about it, the quality of relationships remains a fundamental variable in the quality-of-life equation. While Switzerland is "optimal" from many points of view, I recognize that Italy (and generally many other European countries) provides an environment where developing and maintaining high-quality social capital is easier.

Widespread conviviality, the culture around food, the sense of the "bella vita," and Italy's historical, artistic, and social heritage contribute, even indirectly, to creating a socially fertile environment where friendliness, helpfulness, and the desire to be together are the foundation of everything.

Furthermore, living close to one's roots, family, and loved ones (assuming this context brings value and pleasure) significantly impacts a person's well-being; which is why, even if moving might be the most rational and convenient choice, it often does not coincide with the most reasonable one in a broader sense.

Have you ever seen a Swiss person protest?

The second aspect that I feel is lacking in Switzerland is political and social awareness. From my experience—still limited in scope and confined mainly to university and professional circles, I have always perceived little interest in political and social issues, especially those outside the borders of the Confederation; as if the country, partly for historical reasons, were hardly permeable to anything that does not have concrete and economic consequences on daily life.

In the "Bel Paese," on the contrary, often in an exaggeratedly symbolic way that is less oriented toward changing the status quo—one, I perceives a strong sensitivity and reactivity toward politics, both domestic and foreign, and social rights.

In Switzerland, paradoxically, the opposite happens: there is less public exposure and mobilization, but a greater lean toward more pragmatic solutions, often through economic tools and charitable initiatives; resulting in an intervention that is less ideological and more operational.

While I consider myself a very pragmatic person, I believe this approach is not always sufficient. In fact, I recognize an intrinsic value in political activism and collective mobilization that makes a topic part of the public debate, a value that, at least from my perspective, still seems to be lacking in Switzerland.

The world is a beautiful place because it is diverse

In short, it is certainly not my intention to create a ranking of European countries or to prove the superiority of Switzerland; rather, I want to tell the story of how people with different priorities look for different contexts, forming different societies that attract like-minded personalities and fuel a feedback loop capable of strengthening the cultural identity of each country.

To conclude, take some time to play with the Better Life Index [OECD], an intuitive online tool that allows you to weight the aspects of life you consider most important and identify the countries best aligned with your preferences!

Cheers!