If you’ve known me for a while, you probably know how much I genuinely love Switzerland — its stunning landscapes, peaceful atmosphere, and incredible quality of life. There’s no doubt that this country holds some of the most breathtaking places I’ve ever seen and has given me the chance to experience nature in a way I never did before.
However, as with everything in life, there’s always another side of the story — the side that you don’t always see on postcards or social media.
I wanted to write this post because while I always share the beauty of Switzerland, I also believe in sharing the reality behind living here — especially as a foreigner coming from a completely different culture.
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The Quality of Life Is Amazing… But There’s a Price to Pay
Switzerland is often ranked as one of the countries with the highest quality of life in the world — and I can 100% confirm that this is true. The economy is stable, salaries are high, everything works perfectly, and life feels incredibly safe and organised. For many people, this makes Switzerland the dream country to live in, especially if you’re looking for stability.
But what nobody really tells you is that this perfect system comes with a price — and I’m not just talking about the cost of living (which is insanely high, by the way). I’m talking about the rhythm of life here.
Everything in Switzerland seems to revolve around work. People work hard, and everything is designed to fit around working life. Shops close early, restaurants shut down early, and if you want to go out on a normal weekday — well… good luck finding something open.
Coming from southern Italy, where life is more laid-back and spontaneous, this was one of the hardest things to adapt to. And having lived in China — a place where you can literally have groceries or medicine delivered to your door at 3 am — the Swiss way of life honestly felt like a huge shock to me.
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A Challenge for Social Life
One of the biggest struggles I’ve experienced here — and something that I honestly never expected — is how difficult it is to make friends or socialise.
I’ve always considered myself an open, extroverted person. Everywhere I’ve lived, I’ve always managed to connect with people easily — whether in home country, China, or anywhere I’ve traveled.
But in Switzerland… things are just different.
People here tend to live in their own little bubble — work, home, repeat. It’s not common to just start a conversation with a stranger at a café or make friends randomly while walking around. Everything feels a bit more closed off, and if you’re an expat without an existing network of friends, it can get quite lonely.
Of course, I understand that every culture is different — and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with the way people are here — but when you’re used to a more spontaneous and warm social life, this can really hit you hard.
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The Language Barrier (Even When Everyone Speaks English)
One surprising thing that makes it even harder to feel integrated is the language situation.
Before moving here, I thought that learning German would be the key to feeling more at home. But the reality is… most people speak perfect English — which sounds great, right?
Well, not really.
As much as I appreciate how easy it is to communicate in English, it actually makes it harder to fully integrate into the local culture. Every time I try to speak German, people automatically switch to English as soon as they hear my accent — even if I’m genuinely trying to learn and improve. It might seem like a small thing, but it creates this invisible wall that always reminds you: you’re not really part of this place.
And even if you learn German, there’s still another layer — Swiss German. It’s not just a dialect… it’s literally another language that only locals speak. So even if you make the effort to learn the official language, you’re still one step behind from truly blending in.
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Adapting to a New Mindset
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learned from living in different countries is that no place is perfect.
Switzerland might not offer the warm social life or the spontaneity I’m used to — but what it does offer is something completely different. Stability, safety, and a deep connection with nature.
I’ve come to understand that the way people live here is simply a reflection of their culture. Swiss people value privacy, work ethic, and structure — and while that might feel distant to someone like me, it’s also what makes this country one of the most peaceful and organised places in the world.
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A Love-Hate Relationship?
If I had to describe my experience in Switzerland, I would say it’s a mix of love and frustration.
I love how this country has helped me reconnect with nature, live a healthier life, and find a sense of stability I never had before. But at the same time, I can’t deny that there are moments when I feel like something is missing — that little spark of spontaneity, warmth, and chaos that makes life feel more alive.
But maybe that’s the beauty of living abroad — learning to appreciate the best parts of every place.
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Would I Recommend Living in Switzerland?
Absolutely — but only if you’re ready to embrace both sides of the coin.
If you’re someone who loves nature, values peace and organisation, and doesn’t mind a slower, more structured lifestyle — Switzerland will probably feel like paradise to you.
But if you’re looking for a vibrant social life, spontaneous nights out, and a dynamic cultural scene… then Switzerland might test your patience.
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Final Thoughts
Living in Switzerland has been one of the most challenging experiences of my life — but also one of the most rewarding.
It taught me that every place in the world has its own rhythm, and that sometimes, adapting to a new culture means letting go of your own expectations.
While Switzerland might not always feel like “home” to me, I know that it’s giving me something precious: the chance to grow, to slow down, and to discover beauty in the simple things.
And maybe… that’s exactly what I needed without even knowing it.
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What about you? Have you ever lived in a country where you struggled to fit in? Let me know your experiences in the comments — I’d love to hear your stories!