There are idiots all over the place. Deleting mildly questionable posts (in this case, successfully editing following comments as well), IMHO shows that censorship can have drawbacks - suggestion: delete the thread entirely and/or shoot somebody
Thanks all for your responses! I see it may be difficult to start in Lugano w/o Italian, but it also seems to be survivable ;-).
We are EU nationals and I first time hear that my contract determines the canton where I have to live (I guess, that may be the case for nonEU immigrants?).
Quite easily. His wife does everything.
When we first moved here my girlfriend was shocked to meet someone who’d been here 5 years and barely spoke a word of German. She’s been here nearly 12 years now and despite multiple efforts to learn, she doesn’t speak much (but understands a surprising amount). The office language is English and I deal with all officialdom, all our friends are native English speakers or are so good it’s hard to tell the difference, so there’s been no pressing need.
That place that Tom recommended looks quite dodgy, wouldn't be surprised if some take few shots before brave enough to go there
Now you owe me 20 beers rather than just the one.
Tom
i see we have lots in common
no problems, i heard Taxis are expensive here
just pretend italian doesnt exist and ignore people who refuse to speak english with you. works for me.
Yes it's for non-EU. With an EU passport you can settle in any canton.
A lot to recommend in Lugano; I've thought of buying a pad for retirement thereabouts myself! Beware the taxes are relatively higher. But the costs are much lower, particular for rent or buying property. The schooling system is also I believe a little different, Eg getting into gymnasium is not quite as competitive as it is north of the alps. The weather is certainly also waaaaay better out of summer.
There is no gymnasium in Ticino.
Tom
I'm not sure how the system works. I was told 30% go to non-vocational secondary school versus 20% going to gymnasium in Zucchini-land. That's all I know!
Yes, somehow get by with English and some French. I've picked up a bit over the years so can order in restaurants, go shopping etc, but that's about it! For all the official stuff I let my dear wife handle it!!
Isn't a Liceo Cantonale the equivalent of the Gymnasium? In which case, there are 5, 2 in Lugano and one each in Mendrisio, Bellinzona, and Locarno.
https://www.gymnasium.ch/de/tessin.html
Thanks! This worked for me with German in Zurich, but we are mainly concerned about schools and our kid's adaptation.
Liceo is after secondary school, and combines all into one, unlike the German parts where there are at least three different types.
Tom
Getting into, sure, because there is no pre-selection, but staying in is not especially with the last changes to the system. I read once that students at university north of the alps perform better than their peers after the language barrier of the first year is overcome.
While the Lugano region may have a lot of things going for it, like better weather, I am not sure that I would choose to settle here unless you are willing to learn the language as your child's integration will be much easier if you can communicate in Italian.
Is this is just a move for a few years or long term?
We are willing to learn Italian and the move is rather long-term.