For an elderly couple (62/55), well-off, frugal lifestyle, low profile
| Factor | Merano (IT) | Chur (CH) |
|---|---|---|
| Crime Index | ~25 (Bolzano area) | 40.11 |
| Safety Scale | ~75 | 59.89 |
| Violent Crime | Very rare | Very rare |
| Property Crime | Below IT average | Moderate for CH |
Winner: Merano - South Tyrol has crime rates 13.5% below Italy's national average, while Chur surprisingly has higher crime indices than major Swiss cities like Zurich (22.9).
- Predominantly German-speaking (up to 90% in surrounding areas) - blends Austrian/Italian cultures
- Quieter, spa-town atmosphere with wealthy retirees being common
- Less scrutiny than Switzerland regarding finances
- Cash-friendly culture typical of Italy
- Wealthy foreigners are unremarkable in this area
- Switzerland's strict privacy laws and banking discretion
- Less bureaucratic interest in residents' affairs
- Small cantonal capital (37k people) - genuine small-town feel
- Strong rule of law and predictable governance
| Factor | Merano | Chur |
|---|---|---|
| Quality | Excellent | World-class |
| Life Expectancy | 82.7 years (province avg) | ~84 years |
| Specialists | 26 per 10,000 people | High availability |
| Monthly Cost | Low with residency | ~CHF 450/person (~EUR 470) |
| Emergency Services | Good | Excellent |
Notes:
- Italian healthcare is affordable with EU residency
- Swiss healthcare premiums are mandatory and rising (~6% annually)
- Both locations have excellent facilities for elderly care
| Expense | Merano (EUR/month) | Chur (CHF/month) |
|---|---|---|
| Rent (2BR apartment) | 800 - 1,200 | 1,800 - 2,500 |
| Utilities | 150 - 200 | 200 - 300 |
| Groceries | 400 - 500 | 800 - 1,000 |
| Healthcare | 100 - 200 | 900 - 1,000 (2 persons) |
| Transportation | 100 - 150 | 150 - 200 |
| Total (couple) | 1,500 - 2,500 | 4,000 - 5,500 |
For frugal living, Merano is significantly more affordable.
- German: Primary language (70-90% in surrounding areas)
- Italian: Official, widely spoken in town center
- Integration: Relatively easy for German/Italian speakers
- Culture: Blend of Austrian efficiency and Italian warmth
- German: Primary (Swiss German dialect)
- Romansh: Minority language in canton
- Integration: Swiss reserve, takes time to build relationships
- Culture: Traditional, conservative Alpine community
- EU citizens: Straightforward registration
- Non-EU: Elective residency visa available for retirees with sufficient income
- Tax residency: Becomes applicable after 183 days
- Financial reporting: Less stringent than Switzerland
- EU citizens: B permit relatively straightforward
- Non-EU: Must be 55+, prove strong ties to Switzerland, demonstrate sufficient funds
- Tax residency: Cantonal variations, Graubunden is moderate
- Financial reporting: Strict, automatic information exchange
| Criteria | Better Choice |
|---|---|
| Safety (crime rates) | Merano |
| Cost of living | Merano |
| Healthcare affordability | Merano |
| Healthcare quality | Tie |
| Privacy/discretion | Tie |
| Low profile lifestyle | Merano |
| Financial privacy | Chur |
| Regulatory stability | Chur |
Merano is the better choice for your specific profile:
- Safer - Lower crime index than Chur despite Italy's reputation
- Much more affordable - 40-50% lower cost of living
- Better for blending in - Wealthy retirees are common and unremarkable
- Healthcare - Excellent quality at fraction of Swiss costs
- Lifestyle - German-speaking with Italian flexibility and warmth
Chur only makes sense if:
- Swiss residency/banking is specifically valuable to you
- You have existing strong ties to Graubunden
- Regulatory/political stability is paramount concern
- Numbeo Crime Comparison: Zurich vs Chur
- Bolzano Province Quality of Life - Expiter
- Merano Expat Guide - Magic Towns
- Switzerland Crime Statistics - Numbeo
- Retiring in Switzerland - Expatica
- Italy Crime Statistics - Numbeo
Report generated: January 2026