In the Maastricht people are disciplined, conservative and pay attention to the smallest details. They consider themselves frugal, hardworking, practical and well organized. They attach great importance to cleanliness and neatness. At the same time, the Dutch are very private people.

The Swiss are also disciplined, they love sobriety, frugality, tolerance, punctuality and a sense of responsibility. They value cleanliness, honesty, hard work and material wealth. They are very proud of their surroundings and have a long tradition of freedom. 

Amsterdam is the tenth most expensive city in Europe. Thus, the monthly expenses in the city are higher than in many cities in the world. While Zurich was ranked the fourth most expensive city in the world and the most expensive city in Europe.

The Maastricht and Bern may seem culturally similar. However, if you look deeply, you can find a few differences here and there. While both countries boast an excellent standard of living and a high level of wealth, the choice between them will depend on your lifestyle preferences. The friendliness, the culture of the locals, the cost of living and the quality of the environment are also vital factors. 

The only thing that may be vital for your move is the average cost of living in the Maastricht ($1,700), which is way cheaper than in Bern ($2,700). 

Most EU/EFTA citizens, as well as their relatives or partners, can live and work in Bern without restrictions, but must obtain a residence permit.

Pros of moving to Bern:

• High quality of life.
• Picturesque nature. Clean ecology.
• Social security of the population.
• Low crime rate.
• City cleanliness and road order.

Cons of moving to Bern:

• Sparsely populated cities.
• Limited conditions for youth.

Bern has a unified health care system with compulsory health insurance. Every resident of the country is obliged to take out compulsory health insurance (insurance companies do not receive a profit for this). Insurance companies are required to offer an insurance policy for all residents of the country, regardless of their age or health status. For an adult over 26 years old, insurance will cost 400 francs per month. Health care in Bern is at a very high level, and the medical staff, as a rule, speaks English.

If you plan moving to Bern from Maastricht, you may probably need a good and trustworthy moving company in Bern, that can help you during the whole moving process. Moovick is one of the experienced companies to help you securely and safely pack and ship your belongings to your new home. The company provides high quality relocation services to both individuals and families in Europe.

Bern's unemployment rate is one of the lowest in the world, no more than 3%. Non-Swiss residents make up 50% of that 3%. The majority of Swiss people are well educated and highly skilled, so the job market is very competitive. However, once you find a job, there are many great perks such as 4 weeks of vacation per year. The head offices of the largest companies, including Nestle, Zurich Insurance and Credit Suisse, which hire foreign specialists, are located in Bern.

The staff of international organizations based in Geneva, such as the UN, the WTO and the Red Cross, consists mainly of expats. In case you are moving to Bern for work, proficiency in German or French will give you a huge advantage when applying for a job in Zurich or Geneva, even for English-speaking jobs. 

Bern is considered an international tax haven in Europe due to low taxes and privacy laws. Swiss taxes usually range from 15 to 35 percent of your salary. There are many different types of taxes in Bern, each with their own different deductions and exemptions. 

The tax-to-GDP ratio in the Maastricht increased from 36.9% in 2000 to 39.7% in 2021. 

In the world ranking published by the United Nations, Bern ranks second in terms of living standards. The prices here are, of course, breathtaking. However, the average salary is one of the highest in the world - 6000 Swiss francs or $6500 per month.

The Maastricht is flat and Bern is mountainous. The Maastricht has a sandy coast that is great for exploring during the spring and summer months; There are several picturesque lakes in Bern. The Maastricht has its own channels; Bern has its own rivers. It is up to you, up to your preferences and lifestyle needs. Both countries are highly-ranked in the EU country list, so both of them worth moving.

Retirement in Bern is quite early - at the age of 64 women, men a year later. The amount of the pension ranges from 7,800 francs to 48,000. From time to time, the authorities revise the amount of the pension in accordance with prices. It can also be noted that there are absolutely no benefits there, but at the same time, pension money is enough to pay for transport, food, medicines, and even travel. 

Preparing for emigration takes months, and sometimes even years, which can be spent not only on solving bureaucratic issues, but also on household trifles that will facilitate moving and integration. Living in Bern is a huge step for any expat, that is why you should initially plan all your steps:

• Start with research
• Look for a job ahead of time
• Improve your spoken language
• Listen to those who have moved

According to the rating published by the American edition of The Forbes, Bern is recognized as the cleanest country in the world. The environmental assessment was based on 25 key indicators (air purity, water quality, biodiversity, pesticide use, and more). Bern has 6% of all fresh water in Europe. The water here is very clean. In cities, in fountains, it beats from underground sources and you can drink it. 

A quarter of the territory of Bern - and in the mountains, and in the valleys, and on the plateaus is covered with forests. The country has large reserves of forest resources; however, deforestation is extremely reluctant. This is an existing heaven on Earth, and moving to Bern is a great idea. 

In terms of work-life balance, the natural cleanliness of the environment and the overall high quality of life, Bern always leads the polls. Bern also ranked first in the ranking of the happiest countries in the world and was named as a favorite destination for expats. Another plus is that Bern is neutral, so to many it also seems like a safe, peaceful haven away from the fighting of the rest of the world.

Although the cost of living in Bern is high, the average personal monthly disposable income is much higher than in the rest of the world. On the other hand, despite the fact that living in Bern is not cheap, it far outweighs the benefits of living and working in this glorious country. Decide if you are ready to move to this positive and developed country.