Only regret is that we also have a dog.
When I think about moving to UK or France I can't find any decent reasons for doing so.
I moved here just over 3 years ago met my missus and we now have a son and mortgage.
I'm a trailing spouse. I wouldn't say *regret* though I have had occasions when I've felt frustrated with certain aspects of life here. But NO place is perfect and there were things that annoyed me back home as well. Otherwise, I would say I'm mostly happy here, I love the country and have made some wonderful friends.
I had a bumpy start like many of us and so I regreted it many times when in the middle of the adaptation problems, loneliness of a first immigrant experience, cultural shock etc, etc etc.
After that period passed by there are only 2 thing I regret greatly about moving to Switzerland.
I regret not moving earlier. It would have been great to move here just fresh out of school and enjoy all that I am enjoying now, only younger. I regret not moving back at the very beginning. If I had do that when I was unhappy at the beginning I'd be back home today with no regrets. I decided to stay and as I adapted myself very well to the Swiss life, now I am in the "limbus" area of the immigrant. So when I am back home I feel like a foreigner, and I know I'll allways be a foreigner here. That said. In fact I don't regret now to have moved to Switzerland nor having moved from Geneva to Zürich last year.
I am happy here and feel good.
There will allways be this feeling that this society is cold, superficial and selfish in comparison with I had experienced before.
But I have here what I didn't had back there. A peaceful life, and enough time and resources to fulfill my life as I wish.
Wow, almost 4 months since we moved from the UK. I love it here and my wife does too. It's been more of an emotional adjustment for her than me even though she's the one who speaks fluent German and me only a little. On the other hand it's her first real international move since a child and I've lived most of my adult life in various countries. Switzerland works for me because they are very systematic. Could never wrap my head around the UK, too chaotic. The weather here compared to the UK is simply perfect. But then, I've been called Mr. Spock with regards to my lack of emotionality.
I echo those sentiments. It's not so much the country. It's how you feel inside and what you do with your life that matters.
I'm a trailing spouse too - although I think I'm in the minority of trailing spouses, in that I'm a guy and the missus works. I've been here a year. It's been a roller-coaster ride. Some days are better than others. I just find keeping yourself busy one way or another and setting goals for yourself stops me getting depressed and thinking about my old life in the UK.
Exercise is also good for getting through the days. What a place to get exercise, just taking a walk and looking at the wonderful scenery. Sure beats the suburbs for London.
Still no regrets although I have made a few real bad decisions since I have been here, but that's life experience and only makes me stronger.
new beginnings are always daunting, always exciting (except when someone deletes your tetris top score on a gameboy )
there're many swedes working and living in the Baden area (ABB is sorta half swedish) and quite a few EF folks too, I'm sure you'll make lots of friends in no time, that'll really help you settle in. I'm in the Baden myself, feel free to drop me a message, if you've any questions about what's in and around Baden. i was in Germany for 2 years, before moving here 6 months ago, and thought the swiss were like the germans... (i hear chuckles) ... and I'm still learning about life here. it gets better everyday
i know exactly what you mean...
excuse me, i have to go write in my journal now...
I have the odd moment of absolutely hating things here. I had a few mishaps when I first came here which made me feel very unsafe and scared. And sometimes those feelings pop up again to say hello. I have good friends here, a better job and a great boyfriend and for the most part they're the only things I want to stay for. But I'm still waiting for the day when they're not enough.
I find it weird, that when I'm here sometimes I cant wait to go home for a visit. Then when I'm at home, I cant wait to leave but not necessarily come back here. I'm hoping that once I learn the language properly I wont feel so unsure but meh who knows. And hello homesickness
When I feel homesick I call my Dad who is always complaining about UK weather, UK taxes, the government, the youth of today and the petrol prices. After 30 mins of that I really feel much better
been there. Sometimes nothing better than a good cry to make things better, then try again the next day.
The times were:
1. Last week, when I had a toothache and met some crook dentists
2. Last year, when I had my knee operation and had no one to bring me home from hospital (wife could not yet drive and with 2 small kids at home)
3. 2 years back, when my son needed to go to hospital in am ambulance
4. Everytime my family visits me and esp on the day they leave (esp my mother)
5. Upon hearing that some stupid kid at school bullies/hits my son in playgroup, and I taught him not to hit back, and we parent cannot, should not interfere (let them learn themselves, was the swiss teacher's response)
6. Ugly neighbours (you all know the stories)
7. Whenever I see my tax bill...
HAT
A big YES from me I'm afraid.
I'm one of the trailing spouses (great phrase whoever thought of it) I won't bludgeon people with all the specific reasons but I just do not think it is as good as England overall. I think it has a lot to do with employment opportunities and flexibility.Or lack of both.
Has anyone done a poll to find out the status of people when they move here? I get the impression it really is for single people with a job already lined up.
Yep the cry is a release, but after you have to move on.
Sometimes I call my family just to chat to and yes similar things, they always have things to complain about.
This is a good place to chat with others in a similar situation.
It was always my dream to live in Europe, so when I met and married my darling Swiss husband, I really was thrilled to be able to live out my adventure in Europe.
The first year was fantastic and was really an exciting time. The language part bothered me somewhat, so I made an effort to learn and study the language (first high-German and now Swiss-German). I am really happy about my level of language progression, especially considering that one really has to learn two languages at the same time.
I guess the thrill part finally came to an end about 6 months ago and I have been in a funk ever since. Somewhere around my two year anniversary here, I took an inventory of my life and realized that I still do not have any real friendships, despite what I considered a significant effort to make friends.
Now I guess I sort of gave up. I go through the motions of life, get plenty of fresh air and exercise, plan our next vacation, work from home part-time and wonder if I am ever going to be happy again.
I have never given up easily, but I do sort of feel like I have thrown in the towel. So, do I regret moving to Switzerland? No, not really. Just wish it was a little more easy to connect with people, since that is where I seem to draw most of my joy in life from.
“Life is not easy for any of us. But what of that? We must have perseverance and above all confidence in ourselves. We must believe that we are gifted for something, and that this thing, at whatever cost, must be attained.”
Regrets, Ive had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.
I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.
Yes, there were times, Im sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.
I could never regret moving here. But I have been waiting 3 months now for my family to join me, and they still haven't sold our home in SA so it will at least be another 4 months till they do come, and that drives me crazy - not having my loved ones with me. But the country - no ways! I still have a thrill when I leave my umbrella outside the shop & it is still there when I come out again an hour later, I simply love it! Those who know SA will relate to this.