Used to live in Zuerich, and would jump at an opportunity to return.
The swiss are fine, I dunno why people give them a bad rep- maybe if you’re stuck in the financial/service nonsense world that many ex-pats end up in Switzerland for, that would be pretty dull, but ordinary people are just like ordinary people everywhere else- some pretty cool, others not. Wherever you end up, learn to speak with locals in their local language (apologies if this is obvious, but most people I met complaining about the swiss were american or english, and had simply tired to transplant their life into swiss context). And if you’re single, Zuerich is full of pretty young things (although mainly the girls- guys not so hot seemingly).
Pros- Great climate and landscape (ski/board/climb all winter, ride/climb swim all summer), clean cities, safe, cosmopolitan (european, SE asian, S American), good nightlife (well clubs, not so great for live music), excellent transport (ie go out, go home at 3, pick up skis, ride to station, get on train(s), sleep, get out of train, ski all day, train home…). Excellent academic stuff, if that’s relevant.
Cons- officially is not so great for immigration, healthcare etc unless you’re loaded, or young free and single with no problems, in which case that doesn’t matter so much. Takes 10 years to get naturalised citizenship rights (correct me if I’m wrong).
Other- living expenses worked out roughly the same as the UK a few years back, the CHF is pretty strong I’d imagine at the moment, so it might be expensive. Getting somewhere to stay can be reasonable or very expensive, but the quality of places is good or better.
I got the impression that Zuerich was the most interesting city to live in though, Basel a bit to German, Bern a bit too small (both nice though) Luzern great location, but not too much happening, Geneve pretty decent, but never spent much time there.
I’d go again.
