I apologize if this is not the right forum here, but I have received a lot of help here and I'm wondering whether you might be able to advise me again.
Long story short: we are a family of three, looking to settle down. My husband has a job in NYC that pays US $75,000, I have a job offer in Basel for 85,000 CHF. For some time at least, we'll be on one income in either place, and I know we won't be very well off. However, which one is the better option, purely from the perspective of salary?
Our toddler will be 20 months by the time we'd move to either place.
Of course we have other considerations - I would love this job - but I keep hearing (and researching about) how expensive Switzerland is, and it has me worried.
You will get more from 75K USD in NYC than with 85K CHF in Switzerland. Of course it all depends on your lifestyle
Cost wise, it is six of one half a dozen of another. They're going to be relatively similar.
You'll have a better quality of life, unless you're really into the nightlife and city neighborhoods in NY. You won't have the vibrancy here that you do in NY.
In Basel, you can live very close to work and have a short commute that's nothing compared to the stress of NYC.
Personally, I'd say come and try it out, see how you like it. Life is too short to wonder what if, and if you're US citizens, you can easily find a job in NYC again - but the opportunity to come to Europe or Switzerland may not come as easy a second time.
As far as housing costs are concerned, take a look at www.homegate.ch to get an idea of renting in Basel. Taxes in Basel Stadt are about the same as US federal taxes, Basel Land is cheaper but housing costs more.
would you still have any costs in the US?
85,000 CHF isn't a lot, and you would need to be really carefull with your money, try to get your employer to pay things like relocation, healthcare (for all your family) and put you up in an apartment for the first few months.
Depends on where you live in NYC....if you live in the outer boroughs, USD 75 k will go farther than 85k in Basel. Rent for value will be cheaper in Basel than in most places in Manhattan (but worse than in Queens), everything else will be more expensive in Basel. For 75K, for a family of 3, you will have difficulty doing most of the fun things NYC has to offer. Of course, in NYC you get great diversity of life.
i moved here from nyc and lived there most of my life. although it's expensive here, living in nyc can be really expensive too. where in ny would you live? i'm gonna assume you'd live in manhattan well, no way on 75,000 unless you're in a studio, honestly. if you are in brooklyn or queens you could get by but get ready to commute for about 40 minutes or so by subway, not really too bad but reality. if you can live on long island, you can have a house or condo there outside of the city it's nice, but the commute is a bit longer or you'll really just need a car.
you can also look into someplace more uptown in nyc like washington heights or the bronx, it'll be cheaper and quieter but still a commute on the subway. switzerland is expensive too though but if you can cut corners it is definitely easier of a life and more relaxing, if somewhat boring at times.
Thank you to everyone who has replied so far. It's very helpful.
bigblue, I asked whether the employer could help me with healthcare but they can't. Some relocation help, for which I'm grateful.
No, we wouldn't have any US costs if we were to move to Basel.
Right now, our participation in fun events, nightlife and such is limited because of the baby. A life of pinching pennies will nonetheless be hard, even though we are not by any means spoiled or extravagant.
not having any costs back home will help, but after rent healthcare will probably be your biggest bill, will your other half be working too? we pay just short of 500chf per month for our healthcare (me, my wife and 9yr old son) even if you can get your employer to pay just your healthcare it would help.
another thing to bare in mind is flights back home, it ok for us brits, but for you guys its going to cost a small fortune should you wish (or need) to get back home in a hurry.
My husband and I live very simple lives as he's a bit of a home-body and I gave up my party girl ways a few years back, we do "alright" here in Basel on about half of what you are anticipating.
However, as part of our simple lifestyle, we only do dinner out maybe once a month, likewise with movies and such. We do not have money currently for "extras" simply on his salary alone but it is enough to live... depending upon your own lifestyle.
Among the things to consider also is that the public transit system here is really fantastic so while you honestly "need" a personal vehicle in many areas of the US, owning a car is not such a necessity here. Not having to pay car payments or auto insurance goes a long way toward keeping some of that salary in your pocket.
In addition to the public transport system though, many areas of interest (as well as less interesting places like the grocery store) are available in walking distance... it is not so unusual to see folks walking (or bicycle riding) to their destination at virtually all hours here.
All in all, the life we live here on 40k CHF a year is not so different than the life I lived in Savannah for 30k USD, it balances itself out fairly well.
Thanks!
This is what I am anticipating also, for the two of us. I know having a kid will add to our costs, though... especially as I would like for my husband to have a break from being the primary caregiver once in a while, but I know that childcare is extremely expensive in Basel.
I forgot to say: my husband would look for work if we get a B permit instead of an L right away (I hear it's much harder to bet on that for non-EU people, even though my contract would be for three years). Even in that case, it's a big unknown whether he'll actually manage to find a job in a reasonable time frame (he doesn't speak German of any kind).
I've been recently approached by someone who is looking for a babysitter who speaks English as native language... I've not babysat kids (for pay) since I was in high school and of course never over here so I have very little clue what the going rate is or what is required.
There is a "family matters" section on the forum with some helpful links to cover some of that stuff, hopefully it proves useful for you.
I'm not sure what all the different permit levels are ( ) or what the coinciding limitations are ( ) as my husband is a Swiss citizen from Basel, that apparently was enough for me to get a B permit right off.
I've been searching some of the "known" job sites for jobs where it isn't necessary to speak German and as yet, have only found ones listed for English speaking folks who also speak German... perhaps I am not looking in the right spot. My own background is in "retail" optics (I worked for LensCrafters for 15yrs) which seems to be fairly useless until I can learn German. Hopefully things go more easily for your hubby.
There is also a languages section of the forum that seems to have useful links and pointers, that should help you both quite a bit also.
All in all, although I would have to agree with others that you will wind up wanting more family income than that for living in Switzerland, if you do not get wild, it should suit (barring unexpected expenses) while you're getting your feet under you.
have you been to basel? has your husband? any chance of a long weekend or something provided by your prospective employer to recon and see if you would like it?
international assignemnts are not for everyone but if you and your husband are open to this sort of experience it can be rewarding.
The Op is already in France, not sure if NYC or Basel is the Int'l assignment?
I used to live in NYC, now I live in France (I am a non-EU citizen).
Both of us have been to Basel, but for a day only.
Basel seems nice, quite small, definitely smaller than we're used to. I think we could like it. We certainly both love NYC, but are unsure of how it would be with a kid, and if we both had jobs we'd be working long hours (NYC). We also both get the impression that Swiss public schools are higher quality than American public schools on average, but our child is still quite small and we'd have to survive the preschool years and associated fees (expensive in both places, though it appears that it's even more expensive in Switzerland).
One thing is certain: I have to move either back to NYC or to Basel, as my contract in France expires soon.
You have to consider following costs,
Healthcare
Lifestyle
Income-tax
n
Language (do you know German?)
and cost of your child education, as it is very expensive for non- German people.
cheers
No it isn't, you just send your chiild to the local school, which you have already paid for with your income tax.
This is a decision that will be difficult for much input here....in both NYC and Basel, you will get by on the money you are making, you won't be poor but you won't be able to live lavishly. After that, it comes down to a lifestyle (and career choice), there is no reason a move to Basel needs to be considered a permanent thing....your child is quite far out from school age at this stage.
Personally, I'd say come and try it out, see how you like it. Life is too short to wonder what if, and if you're US citizens, you can easily find a job in NYC again - but the opportunity to come to Europe or Switzerland may not come as easy a second time.
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indeed a very true statement...
Sorry, I didn't notice that you were in France. You could also live just over the border in France, which would help if you speak French already.
I would do a proper assessment of living costs for your family, since 85k could be tight for Switzerland. I am not going against the other replies. But it would be a shame to leap into it and then be stressed due to finances. Health care is a biggie. I have no idea about rents in Basel, but you could quickly look that up. Groceries would be slightly higher than NYC. Eating out will be 2-3x, but from what I read you wouldn't be doing that regularly. There are also other insurances that would require (could someone else help here).
Other than that, since you've visited Basel you would realise it is a sleepy town compared to the dynamic, thriving, crazy megalopolis that is NYC.
Cheers