The truth about Switzerland? I have had a summer︅ Lakeside place there for over 30 years. If you have the assets (at least $2︆ million or an income of $200,000 a year, you can live like a middle-class Swiss︇ person. The advantage is that everything is on time, reliable & always works-Like What? Phones,︈ elevators, trains, planes, wi-fi, and vending machines. It is very safe. Food is exceptionally clean︉ & healthy. Medical/dental care is expensive but the best in the world. The Govt stays︊ out of your hair. Politics is a non-issue, Nobody even cares or knows the name︋ of the president. There are no oppressed minorities although "guest workers" who get a permit︌ to stay for only a few years can save money to take back home, they︍ are not going to live as well as even poor Swiss. Privacy is respected. Prostitution︎ and gambling is legal- just like in Las Vegas. And there is a criminal underworld️ running a lot of that sort of thing.
Disadvantages?Almost Everything is twice the price vs. across the borders in Italy, France, and Austria. Sugar, Electronics, Not. If you don't respect local customs & laws you can get into trouble with huge fines. How? For stuff like being too noisy & disturbing your neighbors, Being Drunk & disorderly- can get you prison time and deportation, speeding, going through red lights, littering, and even making illegal U-turns, I learned to be very low profile, and law observant the hard way when I jaywalked across an empty street.
Bank secrecy is no more . I don't see how︀ the banks survive. Very high charges? I deposited CHF20,000 and 4 years later, I got︁ back CHF 16,000 after charges and negative interest. They certainly have cut back on staff,︂ and have downsized. Getting away from dependence on Swiss banks is one reason I got︃ into Bitcoin & ETH.
That's my 2c for today. Peter Taradash a/k/a "Grandpa 85"