From Austin, Texas to Baden/Zurich

Hello Everyone,

I am in the process of relocating to Baden for an open ended job that is supposed to begin March 1st 2008. I will be joining Alstom Power as a mid-level executive, assuming that my work visa is approved in a reasonable amount of time.

I am nervous that I will not be able to start my new job on time since the company HR person has not begun my permit application process as of January 20th 2008.

I have one friend in Zurich, but do not speak much German or French, so I hope that I will be able to make friends without much language expertise. I am looking forward to learning German, but I am afraid that I will never be as fluent at German or French as most Swiss are at English.

This forum has tons of information and I look forward to relying on all of your collective wisdom as my relocation and work adventure progresses.

Best regards and warm wishes!

Hey,

My boyfriend (Stephanwolf on the forum) and I are from Austin. We would love to meet up some time when you get here. Contact us when you have a free minuet.

Darkphoenix

Hello there,

I have also signed & returned my job contract to Alstom Power Baden CH and been waiting , with a little nervous, for the required work permit.

I supposed to start up on 1st of March, such as you do and sent my docs on 17th of January.

I have a friend working in Alstom and she told me that she knew some guys received work permit lately than they had supposed to, but Alstom compensated the lateness. Basicly what i have been told was, "it generally takes 5 weeks and do not worry about being late "

I hope we both can start up working on 1 st of March

As you might have seen the city of baden, it seems a quite, nice, and a little bit cold (weather) where we shall quickly get used to.....

regards

bye

Hello to everybody and more to those starting at Alstom. My boyfriend was working there for 5 years and i can remember that his permit also kind of delayed. But you should not worry..beurocracy is kind of heavy here so...see it a s an opportunity if you are of course able to do so to come to CH and have some pre work holidays and see all the nice things. Baden is a nice small town pretty close to Zürich - I lived there for a year or so and it was great. Also most people in Alstom speak English and you might never need german but it is good to learn some basic for everyday life.

if you have any questions you may contact me

cheers.

H ello there,

I am from Dallas, Texas, and I always enjoy meeting

Texans. Welcome to the Zürich/Baden area....

We can get you some tips on German and where

to find things.

Take care,

Grant

Hi there! Welcome to Switzerland! I'm Swiss, but looking to make some new international friends here in the forum. Many years ago I spend 3 months in Houston. I went to a language school to improve my English.

I have found the Swiss permit system to be responsive. If you are associated with a major employer, as you are, things will get done on time. Business makes the wheels turn in this country. (Perhaps you already have your permit?) So...never fear.

Hi,

I am from Portugal and I am moving to zurich in 1st April. I lived in Austin for almost 4 months and I loved it!!!

I hope I love zurich the same way!

Hi everybody.

I will be in Baden too around March. I hope it will be a good expeience, and a good night life to change from work, as I saw the city very quiete.

C u soon

Sadly there will be no comparison between the night life in Spain (whichI prefer) to night life in Baden. . . even in Zurich. Be prepared for a culture shock. Check the events calander and join us for a drink in Zurich

Hey Man,

I know it's gonna be a lot different. Now that I'm leaving Granada, I appreciate it more!

I hope I am gonna find some things to do in Baden and some guys to hang out with.

I think I'll be there for 3 month before being sent abroad and do make some short returns to the office there.

Will keep in touch man.

And if you know anyone who want to share a flat, let me know.

Thanks, C u ;-)

hi there

Get prepared for a quite city (Baden) if you dont get used to live with....

I would like to prefer focusing on my work trying to save some $.....

Of course i will hang out once in a week at least, better than nothing...

Otherwise it would not be like living...

By the way Zurich also seemed very quite to me that also explains

"I could not see anyone on the road after 10pm in Baden"

It is quite different from the meditterranean countries night life!!!! No big surprise

Yeah I went there once, for the interview. Baden a tuesday night at 8pm, not even a cat on the street :-)

Yeah I'll try to focus on work and save some cash, you are right.

Is there facilities to do sports? Gym ? Or does it close very early?

Thanks.

Aiden,

A quick question with regards to relocation.

What type of a relocation package did Alstom provided for you for your move form US to Baden ?

Regards,

Mark...

Hey Mark,

This is what they proposed me:

Alstom reimburses the employee for the relocation expenses form the former place of residence to the new place of residence in Switzerland, however, for no more than CHF 6'000 (excl. VAT). The expenses shall be reimbursed against the production of invoice.

Thierry

Relocation expenses is a very broad term. Is it not more specific? Is the cost of an air ticket included in that? Is shipping of personal effects included or can you only bring with you what fall into your baggage allowance? The 6,000 chf couldn't possibly include the cost of shipping furniture overseas. Is it supposed to cover the cost of buying furniture here? Does it include the costs of temporary housing while you look for an apartment?

Padre Island state park cries for you, as well as the gleaming lights of the refineries crossing to Galveston.....but Baden says "Gruuezi-wooh"

Welcome to Switzerland, go slow with the deserts if you love your teeth.

Thierry,

Thank you for the feedback. I am guessing you were transferred to Baden form a city in Europe not US. Is that correct ?

The amount you have listed seems very small for a family moving from US to Baden specially when you consider shipping potentially the furniture and cars.

Any other feedback would greatly be appreciated.

Thanks,

Mark...

Shipping cars??? ROFL

What parallel universe are you living in Mark?

Which company actually anticipates and/or makes allowances for intercontinental transferees shipping car s , never mind even one?

Hey,

Yeah I came from Spain to Switzerland.

6000 CHF Includes the flight ticket, shipping of some goods...

Probably the amount of 6000 CHF is only for young graduates unmarried like me. Concerning family and coming from the US, you should probably ask them directly, I don't know if the amount will be higher.

Good luck.

See you.

Thierry