Olten, Switzerland

Capital City

With just 18,362 residents, Olten is a small Swiss town that lacks the glamour of Zurich or Geneva. The population has been stagnant for decades, and the town's railway hub status is a double-edged sword - it provides convenient transit but also heavy bureaucracy. Olten's tax burden is heavy, though crime remains low. While the town offers easy access to nature, the climate is not as mild as the south. Overall, Olten is a practical, no-frills option for those seeking an affordable Swiss base with decent connectivity, but it lacks the cultural and economic vibrancy of the country's larger cities.