Hi, I'm looking for a village which has the basic amenities (grocery store, a few restaurants, walkable pedestrian area a big +) and want to get your opinions on which town along Zurichsee offers this... along with a 30 min or less commute by public transportation to downtown ZH?

Wädenswil

http://www.waedenswil.ch/

Kilchberg is very nice in my view

The best village along the Zürichsee is the one in which you can actually find housing.

Seriously. Given the housing crunch, and that the entire lakside is very desireable, don't limit your search.

All the towns are nice, all have the basic amenities, all are commutable into Zürich city. If you have children in the international schools that might affect your choice. There are rather large tax differences between the gold coast, the silver coast and the rest of the towns - but if you are on Quellensteuer that won't affect you much. You may see a price difference depending on the type of housing you are looking for, with the gold coast being the highest... but outside the luxury market the price difference isn't too great.

Go wherever you can find a roof over your head that meets your family's needs at a price you can afford.

I agree and Richterswil. Also Wollerau if you have the money.

Thanks for all of your suggestions...

and if I can make a rant... (probably not a new one either...)


why does the SBB & seestrasse (busy road) follow the lake?!?

I guess if you want the lake you put up with the noise....

Taking the train along the lake I've often wondered the same thing, high value residential areas put under train tracks, weird stuff.

Because that is the flat bit! If you tried to make a railway line further up the hill it is going to be all little bridges, cuttings and dams. Who wants to live down by the lake anyway? All foggy in autumn and sometimes it floods the area near the lake in spring. (Well it did once and I'm taking no chances. Flee to the hills guys).

Pfäffikon SZ is OK. There are a few non-stop trains to the ZH main station - 23 min. A big shopping center - Seedamm Center in the village. Nice walk to the lake. Quite a few restaurants in the area (some of them very good but pricey). Very low taxes (try comparis.ch). A big minus - the rent costs are high - comparable to the city of Zurich.

You may be on a Quellensteuer (tax deducted at source) - but if your salary exceeds 120'000 CHF, you will have to file the "normal" tax return - and then it can make a huge difference where you live in terms of the final tax bill..

And the area along the lake was swamplands with thousands of mosqitous buzzing arround. Only after the land was reclaimed, people wanted to live there.

I know sb living in Pfäffikon paying rent 2,000 which is a real bargain. No bad intention for saying this. But this is true that these area(Pfäffikon, Wollerau and surrounding area in canton Schwyz) are in fact low tax. Especially Pfäffikon with direct train to Zürich and airport, shopping mall which open until late -Seedamm Centre. Good train connection. But that town isn't that attractive, I'd rather say it is a very practical place.

Back to their flat, it is old but with 3 bedrooms(not too big but it is good enough), seperate living room, kitchen, but one bathroom and one toilet(tiny but they save a lot. Low tax, low rent!

With the saving, they make a nice holiday!!!

In Pfäffikon, you can find a relatively cheap flat if you are willing to sacrifice little bit of luxury.


Also I know sb living in Zürich paying rent over 4000 a month and pay over 40% tax. So cannot say it all fits to the formular. Low tax = high rent / high tax = low rent. It all depends on what you look for.

I also agree. Wädenswil and Richterswil. Good transportation and lots of shops(especially Wädenswil!!!) ya Wollerau is bit boring not great transportation compare to the other two places. But here in CH most(?) of people drive so it won't be big trouble. In terms of taxation, Wollerau gets few more brownie.

Having lived in both Waedenswil and Richterswil I would say Waedi is a little more convinient, more shops, a few more trains, hallenbad etc.

But Richterswil is more cosy, has a really nice unspoiled town center.

I am sure you will be happy with either.

If you can afford the rent:

Zollikon, Kuesnacht, up to Meilen / Männedorf.

I rather like the gold coast over the other side of the lake. It's much more sunnier.

Hands down Thalwil.
It's where 2 train lines converge thus there's a train into Zurich just about every 5 to 10 minutes. Very nice grassy beach with restaurant right on the lake. 10 minute drive into Zurich either via Autobahn or Seestrasse. 2 Migros (one in town center, other at the autobahn entry) Coop, and 2 Denners. 3 Thai restaurants, one Chinese, numerous Italian, 2 Kebab places. Park in Gruene nearby, beautiful large park overlooking the lake with informal restaurant. A new Coop Hobby Center is under construction and will open in Summer. Nice forest behind the village for jogging, biking, etc. Has one British style pub, and a Starbucks. Has a Weber BBQ reseller with all the accessories. 5 different banks on the main strip, nice deli, numerous cash machines. Great Indian restaurant in neighboring Horgen. 2 Fitness clubs. Low tax rate. I lived there for 7 years so I know of what I speak.

Good luck finding a flat, though.

it's only logical.
population settled along the lake >> roads and rails go where people live.

aww, im kinda disappointed, I thought there was going to be actual voting with a poll?

can op edit one in?

yes, wollerau is really nice

This is the first time I've heard about Wollerau...

what do you guys like about it? thanks!