Best city for IB : Madrid vs Milan vs Dubai vs Sydney vs (Zurich)
Currently working in advisory in Paris, I was looking for the best city to live considering different criteria such as safety, cleanliness, air/water quality, cost and quality of housing, not crowded, quality of healthcare, happiness of expats, wages and/or cost of living, quality of services and bureaucracy, climate, and career opportunities in corporate finance (especially M&A and IB).
I would avoid North America for high competition and quality of life (especially healthcare), Asia (not fluent in Chinese or Japanese), Scandinavian countries (distant culture, dark and long winters), UK/Ireland (quality of life and safety), Germany (not fluent in German), Belgium/Luxembourg (a bit boring) and Netherlands (climate, healthcare, too crowded). I think Zurich would be the best place but it is impossible to get a job there: too competitive if not attended any Swiss university or target school (like LSE), no German...
Given I can speak fluently Italian, French, Spanish and English (no German) and after doing some research, I’m currently considering Madrid, Milan, Dubai and Sydney. Which city should I focus on for working in IB ? My ultimate goal is to improve my chances of eventually relocating to Switzerland, while also enjoying life, savings and improving my career.
Pick your priority
Women: Milan
Salary: Dubai
Career Progression: Zurich ..... Sydney
Free time: Madrid
I should rule out Dubai then and focus on the others
Madrid is a fantastic place to live but IB scene isn't fantastic. Zurich is probably the best out of all of these given what you're looking for but very difficult to A) move and B) integrate with culture. Dubai is probably your best option overall weighted by the probability that you can actually move there but it's not for everyone. I love Sydney but everyone there feels isolated geographically so you probably will feel this too.
You think that Milan would be the best one given the closeness to Zurich as well? Honestly I do not really like the city in this sense Madrid is years ahead of Milan, but IB scene is not that strong in Madrid. I see what you mean about Sydney and Dubai, thanks mate !
London is the only possible answer as a European
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