Escape from the city: How is the high cost of housing transforming Swiss villages?

High housing prices and a lack of livable homes are increasingly forcing people to leave major cities such as Zurich, Bern and Basel. This exodus from metropolises is becoming more and more noticeable, as data from the Federal Statistical Office confirms. People are moving to the countryside, and this trend is only increasing. Philipp Koch, a lecturer at the Zurich University of Applied Sciences, notes that although cities continue to grow, since the 1960s the main population increase has been in areas where urban life intersects with rural landscapes. This population movement indicates a change in the preferences of people seeking more space and a better quality of life away from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Today's urban migration is not affecting the picturesque mountain villages and alpine valleys that continue to suffer from depopulation. These secluded corners of Switzerland, once full of life, are gradually emptying out, and local authorities are forced to find new ways to attract people to them. In an attempt to counter this trend, many small municipalities are offering tempting conditions for new residents, combining a high quality of life with low taxes and other attractive incentives.

Village revitalisation and resident resentment

One of the most famous examples was the village of Albinen in the canton of Valais, which attracted attention a few years ago thanks to a unique initiative. In a bid to revitalise the village, which was dominated by an ageing population and on the verge of extinction, the authorities offered generous financial support: CHF 25,000 for singles, CHF 50,000 for couples and a further CHF 10,000 for each child. Initially, the offer generated huge interest and many people rushed to apply for the move. However, despite the tempting terms, many soon realised that life in the mountains required special stamina and the ability to adapt to the harsh conditions. Over time, enthusiasm waned, and the challenge of maintaining life in these remote places became relevant again.

‘Five years ago, I left St Gallen and moved to Ardès, in the canton of Graubünden, at the call of love,’ Stephanie shares her memories. ‘Here, surrounded by majestic mountains, I feel closer to nature and sleep much better. However, despite all the benefits of living in the countryside, I can't help but miss the colourful bars, trendy restaurants and, of course, my family. Over time, I'm learning to find a new dimension to my life by adapting to the rural way of life.’

Meanwhile, the influx of city dwellers into the countryside is causing mixed feelings among the locals, for whom quiet corners were for many years a bastion of tranquillity and seclusion. They are alarmed by the changes the newcomers bring with them: increased traffic on once serene roads, soaring rents, and, just as importantly, the newcomers' lack of desire to integrate into local life. Many of them use the countryside merely as a ‘hostel’, continuing to work in the city and showing no interest in creating a connection with the rural community. For those who have spent their entire lives in these areas, this development may seem a threat to their familiar way of life, which is valued for its tranquillity and simplicity.