I would very much appreciate the feedback from the people who live in the French part of Switzerland? If someone is a fluent French speaker and knows the French culture very well, how is it to live in the French part? Any major complaints? How is the emplyment market as compared to the Zurcih area?
Why don't you have a read around the forum and get the gist of what people living in the West have to say, rather than repeatedly demanding that people waste their time answering inane questions?
In fact we lived in Geneva for a few months before we moved to Zurich and the French part of Switzerland was our original destination and we were very happy there. We NEVER complained about the Swiss French, not once did we feel unhappy with them. We have been to Geneva many many times before coming to Switzernad and we always had good experinces. The unhappiness and isolation started immediatelly when we arrived in Zurich.
Flower there is always a big difference between living or visiting a place. Surely work will be one of the first considerations when seeking a new location. Perhaps if you concentrate on the job market in the French part you can begin to narrow down what areas you'd like to live.
It's crap. The French part of Switzerland has nowhere near the climate of the German area. There are no, as far as I can tell, jobs available at all in any sector. Crime is rife and tanks regularly patrol the streets during lockdowns initiated by the cantons.
Women are not allowed outside, you are limited to 1 child per family. Rape and pillage is an everyday occurence. Taxes are 94%.
So if you speak fluent French and love the French-speaking part of Switzerland, and lived there and identified with the culture so much... why on earth were you so silly as to move to the German speaking part that you have nothing in common with in the first place? Does not compute.
Why don't you rent an apartment for a month or two? See for yourself. There is no point in theorise in a forum - especially as all made experiences are in fact individual
I agree with Oldhand, check the job market. If unemployed, you might be dissappointed with some level of chaos, since one notices more, well, at least compared to ZU, everything seemed uber efficient there. If you are after chaotic, unpredictable, exciting and quite spontaneous, you might like it here. If you are tolerant of the occassional inconvenience and higher level of crime, trade that for the ZU security and boredom you say you epxerience there.
I just hear on the radio canton GE has the highest rate of unemployment in Switzerland. That said, I also know if you have worked ton on your career and have the right degrees, it might actually be the oposite for you, some jobs are specifically available here.
Also, realize, that your feelings might stem from the fact it was not you who chose to live in ZU, that really makes one romanticise about, you know, the grass on the other part of the fence...etc. Good luck and I am sorry you feel unhappy in that part of Switzerand. No matter who's fault it is, it's irrevelant, it is good to take responsibility to change how happy you are..There are many great things about Suisse Romandie, ton of internationals, exciting events, etc. Get on www.glocals.ch they cater to social life of foreigners in our area and are very active.
I feel certain, when reading your posts, that the unhappiness and isolation began before you arrived. You painted a picture in your Mind's Eye of how terrible it would be in Zurich and it's stuck.
I know a few people like that and it's amazing how intolerant they are and how they cannot see the good things.
Now even if it's as bad as MikeB suggests, I think you must go as it's the only way you'll be happy. glocals.com will also be very supportive and have great answers to all of your questions.
Good luck and do post back how much better it is when you arrive