http://www.impulsmittelschule.ch/deu...2_47973483.pdf
It mentions two more factors: how idyllic is the area and closeness to higher level schools.
Another interesting article on the quality of schools
Ivank, thanks a million for the 1st link.Really informative. Will help me a lot. Havent read the second one yet.
Fair enough but if there is support available, I'd be taking advantage of it.
Bear in mind that a lot of apartment buildings have shared laundry facilities and (apparently sometimes fiercely fought over) washing slots. With three kids this would be a factor for me.
Some apartments have their own/permissions to install your own, houses obviously do too.
I cant share it - my washing machine here never stops.There will be no time left for the neighbours Not considering sharing it at all.The concept is so newto me.Cant even imagine. Im sure there will be many more surprises
Everywhere's more or less like Dalkey in terms of safety. This place makes ya soft.
Don't hate on flat life before you've begun, as generally build quality is exceptional and it's very done here to live on top of each other, where public transport and facilities are always nearby and brilliant. A house for most people is a huge deal; unless your budget is massive I'd suggest looking into appartments, where your family will be in close proximity to others, and most likely there'll be some English speakers nearby. Your mileage may vary.
You won't make a mistake wherever you live here, but I'd go for somewhere near / in the city rather than an hour away in some field next to a motorway. Good luck.
Dunno about schools, I work in Adliswil and live nearby. If you can, I would live in Thalwil. O lot nicer than Adliswil (IMO).
Nicer taxes indeed. And a lake view.
Just a note on flat living, I leave in one with 3 children. We came from a massive house in Australia with a baby, 2 and 4 year old. we survived!
They are now 7,9 and 10 and we are still in the same flat. we have our own laundry room. It is mostly the older apartment blocks that have a shared laundry IMO, there are plenty with their own (although probably in your caller - which is normal)
yes you can flush the toilet after 10pm!!! no matter what people say!
I big bonus about flat living in not feeling so isolated, my children all go to the local school and many of their friends live in and around our apartment block, they all often play outside in the communal area. Often when they are bored they will just go out side and find another child to play with - without having to wonder out of site.
I have found that many of the children who live in houses, either have to come towards our play area (because thats where the fun is ) or have more formal arranged playdates.
I am imagining that you will not want your children out of your site until your used to the area (switzerland) believe me it took forever for me to get used to how independent the kids are here!
Just my opinion on flats thou, a house is also good but I guess it depends on who lives in your street and how old the house is.
Good luck!
One thing that foreigners frequently overlook in searching for home in Switzerland, is so-called "Steuerfuss", the "community" part of income tax. Communities with lower income tax attract people with higher regular income, and therefore the whole feeling of living there may differ. Having lived in Küsnacht for 15 years and relocated to Zurich Witikon 3 years ago, I really do feel the difference, not only because it's not walking distance to the lake anymore. Allright, the infrastructure is *almost* as good maintained, but... The flavor of excellence is not there anymore. On the other side, it's more casual here, and lots of teachers/professors/scientists from University and ETH live in Witikon, this brings a bit of Uni-Campus feeling, which I enjoy.
We relocated with a 5 and 2 year-old from New York in January, and lived in Horgen for the 1st 7 months, and recently moved to Kilchberg (just next to Adliswil) - both of which i would highly recommend as places to live, especially for ex-pats.
Near plenty of green spaces, both have their own 'Badi'(beach area) by the lake, and close proximity to Zurich centre.
Choice of school should also be a factor in where you choose to live. Do you envisage them going to local or International school? My eldest is in the Zurich International Lower School in Wadenswil which is about a 20-25 mins car/bus ride from Kilchberg.
You can also try Comparis.ch to check out houses (some cross-over with Homegate but worth being on both)
We decided to send kids to public schools.
Looking at Stallikon now.How remote is it?Am I mad even considering such a small village?
It's a countryside area for farming. Not that remote, there's one public transport connection to Zurich after all: a regular bus thru Uetlibergtunnel to Wiedikon. But personally I wouldn't be comfortable there without a car.
Rents are cheaper and you can probably easily rent an entire house there instead of an apartment in the city
We are going to buy a car.Thats the plan.Just thinking about kids.Will it be mostly German speaking area and no expats?
You are right - you can get a house for a price of the apartment.School seems to be good if you are to believe the chart posted here at the end of page 1.
Any area will be like that, except maybe right in the center of Zurich. This is a German speaking canton and foreigners, especially english speaking, are a small part of population. It's not necessarily a bad thing for little kids - if everyone around them speaks German, they'll pick it up faster.
Adliswil has tons of English speaking families, it has improved dramatically in the 10 yrs I have been here. Great infrastructure, all the shops you need, nature and 15 from centre of Zurich. We live close by and I often take classes or pop to the shop on adliswil and hear lots of English. I hear mixed feedback on the schools but I understand they are improving. I would live in adliswil over stallikon due to proximity to the city. Check the Expat mom in Switzerland FB page for more details on towns and personal recommendations.
Thank you!Thank you!! You are really helping!
What about Horgen?Another place we looked at.
I live in Adliswil since 9 years and I find it great. It offers good life environment and is cheaper than ZH or Thalwil. We have family and older child attends the Dietlimos Kindergarten. The school is well organized and definitely offers quite a lot for working parents. Which is not so obvious in more remote from ZH places.
I like Adliswil o lot. Not as nice (and expensive) as Thalwil, but still very green and with excellent connections to the city.
Don't know about the schools though, too old for them.