david927
I'm American and I've lived in Zurich for many years and visited Munich quite a bit.

Hands down: Zurich.

One of the most stunning places in the world. Expensive, to be sure, but what you get for your money makes it worth it.

Negatives: Don't expect to make friends, so try to find other expats. And you'll always be a second-class citizen if you're not Swiss (with the right name), learn to live with it. Rains a lot.

Positives: Everything else. Clean, safe, perfect hiking and skiing (and even swimming in summer), the public transportation couldn't be better, etc.

ksaj
I've worked in both places. Zurich, at least to me, is very conservative. The nightlife is pretty dull. Munich is a whole lot more relaxed and fun.

They both have pedestrian area shopping, and excellent transit. And they're both great for food.

I don't know anything about living there, though. But if I was choosing, it would be Munich hands down. So much friendlier.

Zurich isn't just a little bit more expensive. I was pretty blown away at how much everything there costs.

rurban
None of them for long term. Both are amongst the most expensive European towns, and not really attractive enough to live in long term.

Most other European towns would qualify much more favorable.

ianpurton
Munich has a great surf and skate culture with a new wave opening soon. https://surftown.de/en

There a lot of trails if gravel biking is your thing and plenty of sailing opportunities on the big lakes.

So like any city its more about what you make of it.

chaoskanzlerin
Having lived in Munich my entire life, I feel comfortable characterizing it as somewhere inbetween Zurich and Vienna. Transit is amazing in all three cities, the Alps are nearby in all three cities, although Vienna is rather "liberal" while Zurich is rather "conservative". Likewise, cost-of-living is Vienna < Munich < Zurich.

If you like weekend / multi-day hikes, I really strongly recommend checking out the Alpenvereinshütten. No such thing as camping on longer hikes when there's a (very affordable) mountain cabin with warm food on your way.

aborsy
I think Munich will follow the path of big cities such as Paris, and decline.