I'm coming from living near NYC area. I'm a typical girl; I shop a lot, get my nails done and go out which is the capital of all those things. That said I'm fully aware and accepting that it will be a big change as well. I have been to Switzerland numerous of times.. loved it everytime, and I'm not moving to do the same things I do here. I was so excited at first now i'm so confused. Do people sometimes over re-act on how Switzerland isn't that great or am I crazy moving from NYC? And heads up before people tell me to stay, worst worst case if i'm that miserable I can come home whenever. And I do plan on traveling to Spain, France and Italy during my stay but majority of the time I will be in Switzerland. One of the hardest decisions ever!!
If you're a NYC type of shopping girl, I'd plan a few shopping trips a year back to NYC. If you like shopping, you'll find Switzerland quite depressing. Selection is bad, everything is overpriced (especially compared to the US) and service is mostly mediocre. I would combine shopping and travel, like many of us. Fly with empty bags and come back with them full.
Also, I'm not sure if you realize that Zurich, the largest city in Switzerland, has only about 350,000 people in it. Switzerland is very much a village atmosphere. Even parts of Zurich are dead quiet on the weekend.
I wish you the best.
Dan
Dan
I think you forgot to add that you were being sarcastic. Many people won't get that....
Dan
I think much of the negativity you see is from people that maybe didn't really want to move here. When I talk with people in person, those are the people who complain about everything. On the other hand, we wanted to move abroad and this opportunity came up so we were super excited and look at the challenges and frustrations as just part of it. People we met who were excited to move here feel the same. So much of it is in your own expectations and outlook.
You said you've visited several times and loved it so I think that's a good indication that you know more or less where you are moving - it's not like you are arriving somewhere you've never even seen.
If I were you, I'd jump at the chance to experience life here.
And there is shopping everywhere! It is more expensive but you will probably be making more money so it will "almost" even out. And other nearby countries make great shopping vacations too.
We have enjoyed every minute of living here and I would never have wished for something different. We travel all over Switzerland on the weekends and have taken multiple trips to Germany, Spain, Italy and England. It's in the center and it's so easy to get around.
If you have specific questions that are worrying you feel free to PM me!
Now we have shopping - a real hobby - also known as consumerism - and plenty of money to follow it in all its glory.
It's called 'improving life' or 'modern living' or better still 'Lifestyle'.
If you get to Zurich in time you'll see Switzerland's greatest cultural event, one proclaimed all over as leading in its field - it's called 'The Street Parade' a festival very similar to the one in Brazil except for the costumes, talent, live music, lovely and handsome people, and beautiful decor. Don't miss it - if you get here in time you'll quickly get pixxed and you'll get to see a lot of naked arxxx. (And arxxholes).
After all, people are still moving here and when I was leaving London, evryone was queueing up to come stay with us...
Tom
Except the speed limits are higher here.
Tom
We can give you our opinions, but ultimately Switzerland will be what you make of it. You have some knowledge of the country so you’re not coming here blind and yes you can go back if it doesn’t work out. But you won’t know until you try.
Most people are here/still here because they want to be. Others on the forum can’t wait until they can go home again, wherever that may be. As Bozza said, every place has its pros and cons. In the end only you can decide if Switzerland is the right place for you.
I grew up in Toronto, Canada (a.ka. mini New York) and Switzerland life, culture and experience is going to be more than just a change of lifestyle, it will change you forever in a good way; the Swiss will make you a better person, you will learn to think more of others than of yourself. How so, well they have a sense of community, and they are a rule based society. So when they say no laundry on Sundays, that doesn't mean oh well I have an emergency cause I have nothing to wear and a big date to go on so it's o.k. No it's not. The rules must be respected always no matter how absurd.
When I moved here with my family 2 years ago it was a huge transition, life is so much more different, people were constantly telling me what to do particularly with my child, I was getting dirty looks some of the times and not understanding why, and the customer service made me want to stay away from shopping forever ( sales girls getting angry with me and telling me to put the clothes properly back on the hanger!) I was feeling like I had no business being here.
But then something happened; I started to stop thinking like I was still back home and started to embrace the culture here, and instead of expecting the Swiss to understand me and accept that I am not from here, I started to understand them and changed myself to integrate into their culture.
All of a sudden I no longer felt like I was being told what to do with my children but I felt like the older people were helping me with my children, I no longer felt like it was my right to just try on clothes in a store and leave a mess behind for someone else to pick up, I started to pick up after myself. I no longer resented walking to a recycling station wondering why don't they have a pick up service every week like in Canada, and the list goes on and on..
As always no matter where you live, life is what you make of it, and thinking positively will serve you well.
Switzerland is a beautiful Country, and I have never regretted our decision to come here even on the tough days.
All the best,
When you get through the cycle you'll realise that Switzerland is a pretty cool place to live. Here you're in the centre of Europe with great rail, road, and air links to the furthest reaches of the continent. Additionally, major international airports, excluding Zürich and Geneva, lie close to the Swiss border: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Frankfurt, etc.
I find my life here to be relaxing; no one makes obnoxious amounts of noise around where I live, people are generally very friendly (everyone smiles all the time), there are loads of nice bars in town, etc. Sure, alcohol is more expensive: just drink it slower. One of my friends manages to take up to an hour to drink a single Martini.
Some people say they don't feel customer service is very good in Switzerland. I have to disagree. My impression of American shopping is that the sales attendants almost want to become your best friend; Swiss sales attendants retain a polite and formal composure which I personally find more appropriate.
From observing many adult immigrants (notably my parents and their Anglophone friends), however, I think language-learning is key to your quality of life in Switzerland. Sure, all the major services like banking, telephony, etc can be dealt with in English; foreigners who learn the local language tend, in my experience, to lead happier lives.
Be warned though, the food here is quite appalling. I often wonder what they actually do in all those culinary schools, as it obviously isn't learning to cook!
Just don't violate them by more than 5kph (that's 3mph for the OP).
Dan
Dan
Tom
Tom