As far as I know, this does not apply to you since you're not EU/EFTA citizens. Any restrictions to the European freedom of movement of people do not concern you. However, one could hypothesize that a possible (and unlikely) victory might increase the anti-immigrant sentiment in the country.

I think that virtually everyone participating in this thread has told you already the same thing: you don't seem to know (rural) Switzerland very well and there's a multitude of problems, possible issues and concerns that you should be aware of already. Not only rural Europe is fundamentally different than American one, when it comes to mentality, culture, traditions, politics and local life, rural Swiss is a bit different than your average European village.

I wouldn't spend a minute trying to get any information from local Migrationamts until you know that this is a country you want to spend you retirement in.

You killing OP's dreams and throwing water on my mountain goat shed!

Was watching this last night, in German



Get an idea of dorf life

The kids are not aware of how resourceful is people that knows how to live in rural areas.

When I was trying to move from a non-EU country to CH to find a job, I got LOADS of negative, "it's impossbile" comments. Yes I know my situation is totally different as I was mid-thirties and looking to work here as opposed to retiring, but 10 years from the moment I decided I wanted to move here have passed, and I have a great job, at a great company, beautiful apartment and a C permit after 5 years of L/B permit.

All the comments here are indeed totally valid, correct and true, but wanted to throw a little light into this thread for the OP's sake. Everyone needs to try their best to their content, before giving up on something

To add my 2 cents on the language part: I wonder if the OP knows learning high German (which is what you will be taught if you start studying it in the US) will not exactly help them understand the language once they get here? Swiss German is pretty different from high German, each Canton has a different dialect and the more you go into the mountains, the stronger the accent and they will run into trouble even communicating the easiest things with their Swiss locals...

Anyway, researching for all possibilities is part of the enjoyment and fun of pursuing a dream. I wish the OP couple all the very best

ps. Funny so many people recommend Portugal. Must be because of that "we retired before 40 in Portugal" youtube channel posted in another retirement thread

portugal is a well known retirement destination that tries to attract foreign retirees through incentives (golden visa) as well as having other attractive attributes: low cost of living, good healthcare system, friendly to foreigners.

it's not that people suggest PT because there is a youtube channel where people retired early rather that having done their research, that particular couple retired to portugal for some of the reasons above and then created a video about it on youtube.

however, for americans, there are other retirement destination countries much closer to home...

My aunt and uncle moved to Portugal in 2018 after my uncle retired, I was amazed how nice the property they got on the Algarve is (admittedly a good 15 miles from the sea).

Two villas (one just for guests!), with a big swimming pool, lots of land, about £500k / 600K CHF / 600K USD - so not miles above the OPs budget. Pretty much no anti-immigrant sentiment as the local know that rich foreigners are absolutely crucial for the economy. Local restaurants as cheap as chips.

Compared to a life "being resourceful" in the mountains, and living off Migros Budget, I know which I'd go for.

I have two gas generators, a photovoltaic generator, three chain saws, two 4x4s, and god knows what else.

And enough tools and spares to keep my Guzzis and Ducatis running until I croak!

Tom

Entrada, bless your heart. I am American. My husband and I lived in Lausanne for 10 years. We are multi-millionaires. We have retired . . .to France.


Unless you are FILTHY rich, it will not happen for you. Start looking at other countries that are much more amenable to newcomers on a fixed income. Switzerland is great. We loved it. But it is not the place to retire.



However, having said that, I do know of a mountain chalet for sale in Morgins that has been on the market for over 5 years. It is on a slope, in the middle of nowhere and less than 500k francs suisse. No one there speaks German, sadly. You will have to learn French.

Out of interest why leave Switzerland if you are a multimillionaire? Wealth tax? Because multi means 2-3m? Lifestyle?

Although not mentioned one important factor for me would be how to cope if you sadly lost your other half..
Would you be happy living far away from family and friends and probably not knowing a soul whilst stuck in the middle of nowhere with no support.
As a couple in their mid 60s a very important consideration...

I guess it depends on the lifestyle you want to live & your circumstances.

If you are single, buy a small place cash, don't have car etc, use local transport, cook for yourself and enjoy a simple life I am sure you don't need to be that rich to stay in Switzerland.

None of the above. I am a vigneronne. Vignobles for sale in Switzerland are very few and far between. Lots off choices in France.

Family and friends all live here, actually.

Except for daughter who moved to AUS.

Tom

Wealth tax is a few 0/00, so even for a 1m house, we are talking several CHF 100s/year, several orders of magnitude lower compared to US property taxes.

Tom

Quite it a bit of wine up here in Frick - although I'm not sure it's of the provenance you'd be looking for

As sad as it would be, have you seen the hot ladies on offer in Swiss Dorfs?

You seriously need to get out more and meet the mountain folk. There's more drinking, dancing, singing and carousing going on in those alphuts than meets the eye.

When did I say the opposite? I am in the mountains a lot. OP is approaching 70 so he could be a toy boy to those ladies He can dance and drink the night away with them

He's married. Hopefully, happily.