I have been staying in Bern for almost 2 years now, I am a Artist/Filmmaker wanted to look for a right community with creative people. People told me to move to Zurich, cos this is where the "actions" are, people is faster, and more responsive, I wonder how people in this forum think about this few cities in Switzerland.

As I know, Zürich and Bern are always a opposing each other, people in other canton general DON'T have a good impression about Zuricher(why?). Bern people is suppose to be "nice" but the "typish" slow-swiss. Zuricher usually laugh about the way people speak in Bern. Geneva (French speaking) is not really Switzerland (?!), Basel... I dont know.

How would you compare this few city, in the area of life, entertainment, people, work, art and culture?

Hi

I've lived just South of Zurich for 5 years ( Zug) and I know a few people in Zurich, including a guy who makes films. Much of it seems to be publicly funded and he appears to be very happy with the level of interest in the arts both funding and attendance. Zurich itself is lively comparatively speaking. Don't expect to hear much French though which is a pity as my French is way better than my Schweitzer Deutsch.

cheers

Eileen

The best by far is Zurich. We lived in Geneva for 6 years and I did not like it there. I found that it was more like being in France than really Switzerland. There was not alot to do and the people were not what I desired either. I do not think I could ever live in Bern. I have been there enough to get a general impression and it is definitley not for me. We live in Basel and we love it here, but Zurich is by far to me the best Switzeland has in the way of Big Cities. There is a lot to do and it has a real city feel. Hope you find what you are looking for. All the best.

Hi,

I have lived in Basel so I am a bit biased.....for example, still feeling very disappointed about that Basel lost in the football...to of all people GC !!! I prefer Basel to live in. I like visiting Berne as it is pretty but feels quite quaint. As people say in Basel...Zurich has a lake. As long as I don't have to be Zurich too often I enjoy being at the lake. However, I find the people a bit humourless. Maybe it is because it is mainly bankers and financial people...the gnomes of Zurich.

Have fun

Martin

I experienced life both in Wädenswil (part of canton Zürich) and working in Zürich. Now I live in Basel. Both are quite different, here are my personal impressions.

Zürich people are much faster paced. They all seem to be on a mission to get somewhere - one can sense the rat-race. They are business-like and keep a professional distance. Making acquaintences and friends takes time. People are generally fit. Truly influenced by banks and insurance types. A bit posh.

Basel itself is more an artsy community, I think. Larger student population, slower pace, less attention to personal hygene and fitness. People making the higher income live outside the city as city taxes eat you alive - much higher than Zürich. This influences who you see on the public transportation.

Both towns have great public tansport infrastructure. Basel has the Rhein, Zürich the lake. Both have nice old-towns, plenty of shopping, and good art cultures.

Hard to say which I like better because both towns are so different, but I definitely miss the lake.

Good luck, hope this helps!

Depends on what it is you're looking for professionally. Zurich certainly has the biggest film scene. If you're looking to tap financing, Zurich or Basel are probably smartest picks.

You may take into consideration that if the cultural life is more developped in Basel and Zurich, there is more concurrence among artists there as well and the expectations towards culture are higher there than in Berne....not to speak about the costs, much more important in Zurich than Basel and then Berne.

FMX