Quality of Life in Lugano, Switzerland

Lugano is a great place to raise kids or to grow old. It is probably fun to go to school here too. The weather is very good most of the year, it connects to northern Italy pretty easily, property is cheaper than northern Switzerland to rent, and commute times are very reasonable. If you are 20-30 you will spend most of your time trying to escape Lugano at the weekends. The clubs are full of 16-17 year-olds, who probably support those establishments by spending their parents’ money there. Perhaps only the clubs seven, auberge and Morandi have adults in them, and these clubs are relatively basic in appeal.

In the spring and summer there is more activity in Lugano and it is possible to live and spend some weekends there having fun or taking part in the activities. In the winter it verges on desolate as a place of energy, life and fun, noticeably so from cities such as Zurich where there is a palpable sense of energy in contrast.

A large part of this seems to be the fact that it hosts many “frontalieri” (Italian workers who cross the border and return home at weekends). It could also be because prices are high for drinks (a temporary outdoor bar during the summer with lower priced drinks in the centre was shut down several years ago after lobbying by the traditional long-standing bars in the centre). It may also have something to do with the lack of youth culture in Lugano. There is some art and creativity coming from La Foce, but that is mostly it. The city also has three universities, yet largely lacks a student feel. Again this is probably because the city has little to offer in terms of affordable fun and youth culture / collaborative events. Exhibitions in general are also quite poor. On the bright side some of these things seem to be gradually improving.