People who want Swiss quality of life at slightly lower prices than Zurich or Geneva, a genuinely medieval old city on a bend of the Aare river, proximity to the Bernese Alps, and a capital city that functions without any of the self-importance that usually comes with the designation.
Bern is the capital of Switzerland and almost nobody visits it. This is the city's greatest gift to itself. The medieval arcaded streets — the Lauben — have been covered walkways since the 12th century and you can walk the entire old city in any weather without getting wet. The bears in the bear park are real. The clocks are extraordinary. Everything costs what you'd expect Switzerland to cost.
Bern sits in the expensive tier — costs are high and you'll need a solid income to live comfortably. Winters are grey and several months long — factor that into your decision. Internet is world-class — fast and reliable throughout the city. The city is highly walkable and you can live here without a car. There is genuine depth to explore beyond the obvious.
Binary signals — not scores.
People who want Swiss quality of life at slightly lower prices than Zurich or Geneva, a genuinely medieval old city on a bend of the Aare river, proximity to the Bernese Alps, and a capital city that functions without any of the self-importance that usually comes with the designation.
Swimming in the Aare river in summer is a Bernese institution — the current carries you from the Marzili baths back to the old city in about 20 minutes. Locals do it in suits during lunch breaks. The Rosengarten park above the city has the best view of the old town and is almost always empty.
These are the numbers. But numbers don't move to a new city — you do.
Find Your City →Free · No signup · 3 to 5 minutes