Any views on which towns along Lake Zurich get the most sun? I am keen on the western side, in particular Adliswil, but have read that it doesn't get much sun in the winter as it is in the shadow of the mountains. I'll have three kids under five (two boys, one girl) when we move so it's important that I can let them play in the yard and preferably a yard that it is the sun. I assume the eastern shore would have more sun but I have a feel I will prefer to live on the west side. Also any other local information on the weather/winds on Lake Zurich that you have experienced from living there would be helpful rather than me relying on stats from a climate website...

The (North)eastern side isn't called Goldcoast for nothing... in the evening sun it has a golden glow and looks absolutely beautiful. Unfortunately this prime location comes at a price. The question is not whether you want to live there, but whether you can afford it

If you can not afford to live on the eastern side, and sun is important to you, it might be an idea look at other options away from Lake Zürich? For example in Uster, near the Greifensee.

I've never lived in Adliswil myself but I do have some friends there, and it gets dark quite early, especially in winter. For me, it would be too depressing, but some people don't mind.

Maybe there are other members who actually live there and can give a better insight.

From the darker, SW coast!

When you are actually living on the Gold coast, you can only look across to the darker coast.

Towns on the SW coast (also called the Silver coast but not by the locals), get plenty of sun.

They get the added benefit of being nearer to the mountains so when the fog hits in October/November (and it hits both sides of the lake), it doesn't take long to get above it.

Despite the fact that the western side gets less sun, there are still a lot of properties in various towns down the lake which have two balconies, so that you do get sun for as long as possible. However, if you want the best possibility of getting sun, then have a look at the areas which have the incline behind them, some distance away, or at places like Wollerau or Freienbach which to some extent, offer properties facing Zurich centre.

On Lake Zurich, the places that get most sun are the more expensive ones. That applies to the entire East bank ("Gold Coast"), and to more exposed places on the West bank. For more sun, the western slopes of the Albis range (Aeugst, Bonstetten) are the nearest "cheapish" option.

Adliswil and most of the Sihl valley are quite dark. In addition, the fog seems more persistent in Adliswil than even on Lake Zurich.

But not between them as it's like the dark side of the moon.

Probably right.
I think the gold coast is heavily over rated. They may have a ton of wealthy people, but for schools, connections by train and car, value for money property and reasonable tax rates, Rüschlikon, Kilchberg and Thalwil are great locations. In one of these towns there must be property with sun for most of the day. Modern buildings have huuge windows and are really bright inside, so the issue with constant sunshine becomes less of an issue

Much more of the lake side is accessible on the non-Gold coast side as well with lots of footpath/cycleway and swimming areas.

Settled then, despite a few hours less of sunshine per year, nothing else speaks for the eastern side of the lake

We live in Adliswil and I can confrm that there is a bit less sunlight. The sun disappears at about 15:15 behind the Albis now.

Living in Adliswil now, and the sun has been 'down' for about 45 minutes now. Oh and btw, the longest night is still not for another month... This is probably not what you'd be looking for. However, go up the Felsenegg and the afternoon sun is amazing (between about 1-4), and there are plenty of nature trails and open areas for the kids to explore. The rental prices here are soo much better than Zurich proper, btw... Good luck!

I bought a place in the Gold coast. It has quite good schools, a lot of sun, a beautiful golden colour on the lake at dawn (I have a gorgeous view from my work place too), but it's impossible to find a house with a garden at a reasonable price. It is possible, though to get a groundfloor apartment with enough garden, but prices are still quite high.

It depends on your wallet thickness...

Does it really need to be next to the lake?