Along with other countries, it is simply not part of the European Union - an artificial economic and political construct. The EU and Europe are not the same thing.
There is indeed no "European way of life" though. Europe is a continent with dozens of different states each with a different culture and history.
Edit - crossed with Belgianmum.
Every one* damn phone
And yes, that is why I insisted on the "not" in Europe. In practice it has very little to do with life in European countries (political, work, economy, shopping, etc...).
In fact, as an individual born in Europe, speaking numerous European languages and living geographically "almost" in the center of Europe, I'd say that life in Switzerland is like living in Schmoulblakjakrut, an imaginary country, far, far away from the rest.
Bear in mind, I was replying to the OP and I understand his context very well. I just have on top of his context, the experience of Switzerland.
Last comment in response to Samarie13 - anyway enjoy your discussions over what constitutes European etc... enjoy
When I cross the borders of Schmoulblakjakrut, I do feel "in Europe". Even if there's a local culture, there's some kind of bond that I am perceiving each time. When I come back to Schmoulblakjakrut, that feeling fade rather quickly.
Which is why I reminded to be carefully considering switzerland like "in Europe", as many other European countries. In fact, if you read again the OP, you'll see that there was some implied similarities between European countries and Switzerland.
The divorce rates around Lac Leman are some of the highest in the country, probably because it's so boring. Not sure what's meant by Fambly values.
You should leave rainy, over taxed Manchester and come to perfect Switzerland; it's all we do after shagging our neighbours.
- Employed by Swiss company
- Establish a business (May not be available to you any more because of BREXIT - right to establish business is for CH/EU/C Permit holders)
- Be in a position to live of investment or royalty income alone
- Marry a Swiss
What now exists in Britain much less than it used to in Britain when speaking very loosely is a general respect for your neighbour or fellow man. Living standards continue to decrease, public transport is dire, social disorder is rife and society is getting increasingly morally corrupt with ever passing year, fuelled by our horrendous celebrity culture and dreadul tabloid newspapers. It's no longer a place I would like to bring up a potential future family.
"Ass" is American English.
In my opinion, Switzerland is not the typically thought of "continental european" life and is more like a parallel, alternate european continental life that didn't have the social and economic changes brought about by the world wars. It is the most "American" of european countries, even compared to UK or Ireland.
A family-values type of life comes at a slower pace and unless you can afford it in a place like London (which very much has a "european" type of life) then Denmark or Holland are good choices, well ahead of Switzerland IMO.
If you want a better life than in Manchester, and not picking perhaps unaffordable London (i.e., to live in an area that has all that you want) I would go for e.g., Brighton or some place like Bath, or then Cornwall area. Big cities always come at a cost and when you go from 4 million + Manchester region to e.g., 115k pop. Bruges, or 300k Zurich, it is easy to be attracted to it. Even in Netherlands, one of the most densely populated countries in the world, only in Amsterdam are you in a city of 800k. Otherwise, you will be in places smaller, more "local" and therefore it breeds the type of "european" life many characterize (e.g., Utrecht, Maastricht).
The "continental european" lifestyle and so on, is actually related to much smaller cities that you visit, and then compare to the huge UK cities. All of what you seek with regard to that type of life, is available in the UK. Unless you are looking for a genuinely new shot at a different urban life and culture in which case it's Berlin/Amsterdam/Copenhagen, etc.,. I would recommend.
All IMO!!