The UBS list is out again with 3 cities being listed as more expensive to live in than Zurich......



I hear Kiev's nice at this time of year for shopping

Thanks for that - now I have something for the next time someone tells me that Sydney is just as expensive as Zurich....

That survey does exclude rent prices however... If these were included Tokyo, London and New York would shoot way up the list..

I think rent anywhere in Switzerland (as compared to other EU cities) is very high for the same standard of living. Other cities what you pay for a fully furnished apartment you pay here for an unfurnished one. What do others think ?

I disagree; whilst initially rents did upset me, if you consider the real cost and also the comparitive real cost of renting in Paris, London, Munich, Milan etc - it's not that different.

They make this things up based on some sort of index. Does anyone have the time to hit their site and see what it is? I'd be curious. The Economist rankings include the 'how'...something like "a family of four, one car (E320, 20k km/y), 2.5 big macs a week" etc...

I with Lob on this.

I only have experience of the UK, so I'll use that as an example.

Rents are reasonable compared to UK cities, especially London. Also, there is council tax in the UK which effectively adds CHF 300 - CHF 1000.

The Nebenkosen also includes some stuff that would be extra in the UK.

Like for like, it aint that bad here in der Schweiz

True, Zürich is probably more expensive than Sydney, but overall much, much more value for money.

"cost of a basket of 115 good and services weighted in favour of Western European consumer habits (excluding rents)."

it is what it is.

Rents here in my humble opinion are very reasonable. I staudies and lived in London for quite a few years, and it is tremendously more expensive, espcecially if you try to compare places of an equal standard.

I also lived in Denver, spent a lot of time in Boston with my Girlfriend, and in Amsterdam. Denver was reasonable, Boston wa son a par with Zurich, and Amsterdam the biggest rip off ever - actually similar to London outskirts.

I think u should also put in Hong Kong in ur list if rent is included, you just cant believe how expensive the HK apartments are.. phfffff