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Peak Performance: Exploring Zurich’s Finance and Scenery for High-Net-Worth Professionals

Welcome to the fourth instalment of our series exploring life in our global offices!

Today, we journey to Zurich, Switzerland, a city renowned for its picturesque scenery, exceptional work-life balance, and high net-worth clients. Our Zurich office, led by consultant Luke Handley, provides a unique blend of culturally diverse experiences, stunning views, and competitive yet healthy work culture, making it an incredible backdrop for career growth and personal fulfilment.

In this blog, we’ll introduce you to Luke Handley, who will share his insights on navigating the challenges of relocating to Zurich, uncovering hidden gems, and making the most of the endless opportunities that Zurich has to offer.

Join us as we delve into the unparalleled work-life balance, networking potential, and career growth awaiting you in the scenic city of Zurich.

The Zurich Experience: Travel, Culture, and Quirks

Zurich offers an unparalleled experience when it comes to striking the perfect balance between work, life, and play. This picturesque city is known for its efficient transport system, making travel via train, bus, or boat easy and convenient.
As Luke Handley shares, the city is culturally diverse, with 35% of its population being international, and is generally English-speaking. The city is mainly German-speaking, but it is split and surrounded by two different cultures: French and Italian, each with its unique quirks and traditions.
Swiss culture is itself also very quirky, with traditions like sächsilüüte, a massive firework display to end winter and a snowman outside the opera house, where however long it takes to burn is how long summer will supposedly last. Zurich also has vibrant events like the four-day carnival and massive techno street parades where 45 lorries with techno DJs on shut down the city.
Moving to an established deVere office means you get the opportunity to draw on the similar experiences of those who journeyed before you. This blog series’ aims to bridge some of these insights to you, in order to give you a taste of not only life with deVere – but life abroad. Baring this in mind, Luke shares his top three favourite places to visit and spend time in Zurich.
First, there’s Zermatt, a small village where the Toblerone is based off, offering the best skiing up in the mountains, with hiking trails, and brilliant food. Second, the Wine Region is a place where you walk through 7 or 8 vineyards, wine tasting as you go, offering a unique experience. And finally, Bahnhoffstrasse in Zurich, a mesmerising street where you can find top designer shops and luxury living items.
Whilst these are all incredible experiences, Switzerland stands out best for its peaceful serenity, so it comes as no surprise that Luke’s hidden gem is swimming in the lake at klontalersee, having barbecues, and taking in the stunning views.

Navigating the Zurich Life: Challenges, Misconceptions, and Living Tips

Relocating to Zurich can be both exciting and challenging. In this section, we’ll address some of the biggest challenges and misconceptions about living in Zurich, as shared by our consultant Luke, and provide practical tips to help newcomers adjust to life in this scenic city.
One of the challenges that newcomers might face is finding a base in Zurich, as the cost of living is higher than other cities. However, Luke suggests that there is a way around this by seeking to house share through someone like WG Zimmer, and live slightly further out of the city and commute 20/30 minutes into the office via a highly efficient train system – paying around 800-1000 CHF (£600-£800) a month instead of the city prices.
This is another key consideration about the city of Zurich. Although there may be a higher cost of living, it is certainly reflected in the standard of living – with clean and safe streets, as well as efficient public transport which enables you to navigate with ease.

Zurich is home to a vibrant arts and culture scene, with numerous museums, galleries, and exhibitions.

Many people assume that Zurich is a non-English speaking city. However, Luke says that the city is generally English speaking, and it’s easy to get around with the widespread use of smartphones, making translation a breeze.
As previously mentioned, navigating the city as a foreigner is also easier than one might think. Zurich is very efficient and organised, and replacements and rebates are readily available for anything you might need.
When drawing from Luke for this edition there was a clear emphasis on pulling down the major misconception that Zurich is perceived as a city that is boring and lacks excitement. This couldn’t be further from the truth.
As mentioned earlier, the city also hosts a range of festivals and events throughout the year, such as the Street Parade, one of the largest techno parties in the world, which takes over the city’s streets every August.
And while Zurich is undoubtedly famous for its chocolate, there is so much more to the city’s culinary scene than just sweet treats (although we won’t judge if you decide to indulge in some Swiss chocolate while you’re here!).

“They do it unapologetically their way”

As with every office, we like to emphasise the work-life balance of our team, and the unique and expansive climate in Switzerland allows for a range of attractive experiences. In the winter, you can hit the slopes and ski on the weekends, while in the summer, you can enjoy paddleboarding, boating, and lake days with colleagues.
The team building exercises, which take place twice a year, offer a chance to bond and connect with colleagues while enjoying the stunning Swiss scenery. One takes place in the mountains, where you can ski and snowboard, and the other on the lake, where you can participate in water sports and enjoy the sun.
The climate in Zurich is diverse, with proper seasons that offer a range of weather conditions. In the winter, temperatures can drop well below freezing, but this is perfect for those who love winter sports. In the summer, the temperature can rise to boiling point, making it ideal for outdoor activities and lake days.
Zurich’s location as the epicentre of Europe also offers the opportunity to explore beyond Switzerland. You can take a train to France or London instead of flying, enjoying the journey as much as the destination.
The expanding Zurich office is a close-knit family. The team spends a lot of time together in and out of work, constantly helping and motivating each other. The office has a competitive but healthy culture that encourages individuals to push themselves and strive for success. The earning potential is also one of the largest, with high-net-worth clients living or based in Zurich. The average earnings exceed CHF 200,000 per year, making Zurich an attractive location for those seeking high salaries.
In addition to the team building exercises, the office offers multiple training sessions a week to help individuals develop and grow professionally.
Zurich offers an abundance of professional and personal opportunities for those who choose to embrace its diverse atmosphere. With our supportive and collaborative team environment, we are confident that you will find success, growth, and fulfilment in this picturesque city.
We encourage you to consider the incredible potential that awaits you in Zurich. By adopting the right mindset, adaptability, and enthusiasm, you will be well-equipped to thrive and make the most of your time in this dynamic city.

Are you ready to embark on an unforgettable journey and join our Zurich office?

We invite you to apply now and take the first step towards an exciting new chapter in your career.

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