½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Menu
½ûÂþÌìÌÃ

Moving to Berne

Post new topic

Elena Xenikaki

Is it difficult to find a job?how is everyday life?schools,transportation,is it a safe town?

Maximilien

Hi Elena Xenikaki,

Welcome to ½ûÂþÌìÌà :)

Can you please introduce yourself briefly so as we get to know you more and maybe let us know in which sector are you looking for work :) ?

I invite you to read those articles from the guide pls:

- Find a job in Switzerland
- The labor market in Switzerland

You can browse through the discussions on Berne Forum for more information :)

Best of luck with everything !

Thank you

Maximilien
½ûÂþÌìÌà Team

Elena Xenikaki

Hello Maximilien, thank u for ur reply.I m an insurance consultant with the highest certification from The Bank of Greece for insurance and reinsurance.I can work at insurance companies,agency,organizations etc.I wish to move in Switzerland maybe Zurich?it depends,i m seeking after a job there.Second options Sweden,Norway.Any help from all of u is more than useful.Thank u.-

David

Hi Elena Xenikaki,

Please feel free ton post an advert in the Banking, finance and accountancy jobs in Berne section it might surely help.

Thank you,

David.

Elena Xenikaki

Thank u  for the advise dear David i ll do so..

erniemcpeck

Hi Elena,

Just a quick remark - if you are qualified in insurance/banking (as you mentioned), then Zurich might be ideal for you. Try checking the recruitment sections of some Swiss-based insurances companies or banks to see if there is anything to suit you.

I have visited Bern and Zurich and definitely preferred Bern (my own personal feelings) due to the fact that it felt more cosy and quaint. Zurich for me resembles any other large city, so didn't really attract my interest.

As I said, Bern is a nice town and if you like bears then there's a little something waiting for you there... :)

In general, the quality of life in Switzerland is good, most schools are of a good standard (particularly private schools) and the transportation system is a sort of national pride; a bus or train running more than a couple of minutes late is seen as both a disaster and a disgrace, so the network is usually very efficient.

In general, Switzerland is quite safe (little to no threat from terrorists due to the country's neutral status), but in recent times the crime level has begun to rise a bit in the big cities. This tends to be mainly pickpockets and opportunists hanging around airports and trains (especially Geneva airport). If you are sensible and cautious then you should be fine.

Language is another point to consider - if you speak English fluently then finding a job in the larger cities in Switzerland (Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Lausanne, etc.) shouldn't be a problem. However, for areas like Zurich and Bern you would need to learn Swiss German - this is different to High German (German tourists often cannot understand spoken Swiss German). In Geneva and Lausanne French is the main language, so you would need to learn that to be able to fully integrate into life there.

I moved to Lausanne in 2009 and didn't speak much French at the time, but living with a family who only spoke French (as well as being surrounded by French on TV, newspapers, radio, local people, etc.) helped me learn very quickly, and that for me has been crucial to settling in well.

Hope some of this information is helpful.

I would recommend Switzerland to anyone who wants to come here - it's great! :)

Paul

Articles to help you in your expat project in Berne

  • Working in Bern
    Working in Bern

    As the federal capital of Switzerland, Bern offers numerous professional opportunities and attracts many ...

  • Accommodation in Bern
    Accommodation in Bern

    Bern, the capital of Switzerland, is the country's fifth-largest city. It has long attracted expatriates from ...

  • Work permits for Switzerland
    Work permits for Switzerland

    If you plan to work in Switzerland for an extended period, you'll need a work permit, even if you're a ...

  • Buying property in Zurich
    Buying property in Zurich

    As an expatriate, the prospect of investing in real estate can be quite enticing. Some countries have especially ...

  • Marriage in Switzerland
    Marriage in Switzerland

    How do I get married in Switzerland? What are the requirements for foreign nationals? What's the cost? If you're ...

  • Accommodation in Geneva
    Accommodation in Geneva

    If you're considering moving to Geneva, finding accommodation will likely be a significant concern. How can ...

  • Accommodation in Zurich
    Accommodation in Zurich

    Despite its high cost of living, Zurich is a fantastic place to reside. However, the population's purchasing ...

  • Finding work in Switzerland
    Finding work in Switzerland

    Switzerland's stable economy and high standard of living make it an appealing destination for foreign workers. ...

All of Berne's guide articles