Must be a very special place you're looking at! Are you sure it's in Switzerland? I've lived here for years. I'm a permanent year-round resident, contribute my fair share of taxes to the local Commune, speak the language reasonably well, frequent the local shops/restaurants, have excellent relations with my neighbours and know enough people in the village that I often get greeted in the street. Despite all that I'm nowhere near being thought of as "local". Having said all that, I do feel more a part of a community than I've ever done in the UK so I'm not complaining. Good luck!