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Realistically (as I revive a yr old thread ) what does it take to retire here as an expat? I can still work, as in my 50s (we are), yet speak only bit of German & g/f some French. I visited in '81 & loved it as a young guy. But nowdays as the world has changed alot, I'd consider living permanently there. Ok, I'll await some serious advice though I know this wouldn't be easy.
I think all it takes is a ton of cash.
Lots of rich celebs over the years have chosen Switzerland to live,
Shania Twain for example, money is no problem for her....net worth approx $400 million USD.
Realistically (as I revive a yr old thread ) what does it take to retire here as an expat? I can still work, as in my 50s (we are), yet speak only bit of German & g/f some French. I visited in '81 & loved it as a young guy. But nowdays as the world has changed alot, I'd consider living permanently there. Ok, I'll await some serious advice though I know this wouldn't be easy.
The first thing I would check and potential obstacle would be their immigration policy. It's not like you can just go there and live/retire. Switzerland is not part of the EU so even a passport from one of the EU member countries will do you any good.
True to you both. Never thought there'd not be huge impediments. As far as I see, I'd need many yrs left (like 10 plus) to achieve financial status of their ilk. But here's my ?, how do immigrants go w/ no-job, clothes-on-back folks get in -- yet USA folk have a hard time? If Swiss law allows those devoid of income/savings & thus a drain on Swiss resources (I know, liberal politics is voting the politicians in -- thus allowing such a drain on Swiss society), then why would it not rather let self-supporting people in
It makes zero sense to me but the folks voting these people into office, have nothing to their names & so have zero to lose voting to let ANYONE, & even more fiscal drains, in as long as THEIR own self-serving needs are met. I call bs, if so.
To be honest I'm not sure where Switzerland stands in letting refugees in, I would guess that here, too they are more on the strict side. Overall I agree with the sentiment of letting refugees in (which is OK if there us a valid need but make it sooo difficult for people who could sustain themselves. But something that is an issue with immigration throughout most of the world I'd argue.
In any case, back to Switzerland the few people I know either got through a job offer and staying there long enough or by marrying a swiss national.
To be honest I'm sure where Switzerland stand in letting refugees in, I would guess that here, too they are more on the strict side. Overall I agree with the sentiment of letting refugees in (which is OK if there us a valid need but make it sooo difficult for people who could sustain themselves. But something that is an issue with immigration throughout most of the world I'd argue.
In any case, back to Switzerland the few people I know either got through a job offer and staying there long enough or by marrying a swiss national.
No, re immigrants, thus -- as as long as refugee status is claimed, it is a free for all, as I know this due to a good friend who lives there now (but will relocate due to job soon). It always takes $ to do anything worthwhile & so the Swiss understand this.
But in some cases those left-leaning, bring-anyone-in Swiss (& I mean ANYONE) folks are ruining a once great nation. In my visit/rip in '81 (before most here were born) I saw nothing but US & Canada hockey players w/ me, & the rest were Swiss locals or Frenchies playing us in hockey games.
I'm unsure whether this flavor will ever be equalled & it shows the demise of the world -- & society in general.
I'm unsure whether this flavor will ever be equalled & it shows the demise of the world -- & society in general.
You kind lost me here.
But the last time I was in Switzerland was around 2013 or 2014 I believe. Zurich to be precise. Quite frankly I did see anything which would see alarming.
In any case good luck to you. If I had then money I would also consider a place like Lausanne Switzerland.
As an alternative you can consider Austria. Salzburg is quite nice, too.
You kind lost me here.
But the last time I was in Switzerland was around 2013 or 2014 I believe. Zurich to be precise. Quite frankly I did see anything which would see alarming.
In any case good luck to you. If I had then money I would also consider a place like Lausanne Switzerland.
As an alternative you can consider Austria. Salzburg is quite nice, too.
By flavor I mean general aura & good-time feeling. It was majestic then but not so now. I think there's no luster anywhere in Europe, as was not the case just 30 yrs ago as luster prevailed. I was there in '81 & never equalled the fun of those days since, period -- anywhere even in the USA as well, so that's for sure.
By flavor I mean general aura & good-time feeling. It was majestic then but not so now. I think there's no luster anywhere in Europe, as was not the case just 30 yrs ago as luster prevailed. I was there in '81 & never equalled the fun of those days since, period -- anywhere even in the USA as well, so that's for sure.
Got it.
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) what does it take to retire here as an expat? I can still work, as in my 50s (we are), yet speak only bit of German & g/f some French. I visited in '81 & loved it as a young guy. But nowdays as the world has changed alot, I'd consider living permanently there. Ok, I'll await some serious advice though I know this wouldn't be easy. 
