Living in Switzerland, you quickly realize that even in a country where everything is supposed to run smoothly, some very basic things are still surprisingly difficult.
Finding an apartment can feel like applying for a job, with dozens of applicants, tenant interviews, strict criteria, and long waiting times.
Finding work can also be harder than expected. Salaries are high, but that attracts workers from across Europe, making the job market very competitive. Even qualified people can spend months, or longer, between roles.
Everyday logistics, like limited opening hours, 2 week wait to receive a letter to log in to an online portal to book a mandatory appointment or everything being shut on Sundays, can make simple errands more complicated than they should be.
None of this is dramatic. It just becomes part of daily life, but it is the kind of friction you would not expect in such a developed country.
How about you? What “basic” things are surprisingly difficult where you live, and do you think these issues are actually universal?