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Living and working in Bern

By The Agences-Placement editorial team·Jobs··1 min read

Bern, the federal capital, combines stability (administration), precision industry (Biel watchmaking) and remarkable quality of life at the heart of the Swiss Plateau.

Living and working in Bern

The canton

  • Population: 1.05 million
  • Median salary: CHF 6,800/month
  • Unemployment rate: 1.8%
  • Bilingualism: majority DE, FR zones (Bernese Jura, Biel)

Economy

  • Federal administration: 35,000 Confederation jobs
  • Industry: Swisscom (HQ), Swiss Post, SBB, RUAG
  • Biel watchmaking: Rolex, Omega, Mido
  • MedTech: Synthes, Belimo (Solothurn nearby)
  • Research: UniBE, Inselspital

Housing

  • 3.5-room city rent: CHF 1,700-2,300/month
  • Periphery: CHF 1,300-1,800
  • Purchase: CHF 800K-1.5M
  • Less tight market than Zurich/Geneva

Schools

  • Cantonal system: mainly DE, bilingual schools in Biel and Bernese Jura
  • UniBE: medicine, law, sciences
  • HEP Bern: teacher training
  • International: ISBerne

Transport

  • CH nerve centre: Geneva 1h45, Zurich 1h, Basel 1h
  • Bus + tram + S-Bahn
  • Bern-Belp airport: regional, European flights

Practical life

  • UNESCO old town
  • Aare: summer river swimming
  • Bernese: strict social convention (quiet, punctuality)
  • Sports: Alps 1h, Jura 30 min

Tips

  • FR/DE bilingualism = major asset for Confederation
  • Stelle.admin.ch: for federal positions
  • Bernese Swiss German (Bärndütsch): specific dialect
  • Quality of life: excellent for families, quiet, sport

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