In response to spuds...
1. Health insurance is not what's gonna make the big difference.. every canton's prices are different.. ok. In Geneva I was paying 230CHF a month.. big deal so even if Zurich is half price it's not 120 CHF that's gonna make you go broke. I understand the job is for Zurich TWR/APP but if you want to work in Geneva just call Skyguide they always need people. The guys there have been bugging me to come back ever since I left.
2. I know there are many expats working in both Geneva and Zurich. I can give you all their names and numbers if you wish to contact them. As for being busy, the point was.. if you can't speak the lingo don't bother cuz you ain't gonna validate.
3. Yes I agree.. I have done it twice now.. I left Canada to work in Geneva and then left Geneva to work further to the east.. Not easy for sure. You are also right, you only will know how it is once you get there but take people's advice if you have the luxury to do so. I have seen too many people try and work in Switzerland saying "i'll learn the language" and it NEVER works out. French is my first language and I could not imagine someone trying to work in that environment without having my level of french.