As I contemplate a move to Switzerland, I am trying to decide where best to live. I am in the middle of building a financial model comparing the three Cantons above but don't want to focus solely on financial aspects. I would like some ideas about where we should live.
I would work in Zurich and my husband would work in Zug. Both our jobs could require us to travel. Traditionally, we put a high premium on short commutes. In the UK a reasonable commute is an hour which is what my husband has where mine is 30 minutes door to door (Wimbledon - South Bank in London). We also tend to prefer to live within walking distance to shops and other ammenities. Despite being American, the idea of needing to have two cars is for me a nightmare so good public transport connections are required.
I prefer an urban environment but now that we have a daughter who is 3 years old, we have become increasingly more suburban. We don't get out much really so maybe needing to be in a city is really just a remnant of my former childless life. That said, Wimbledon is about as suburban as I like to tolerate.
We would prefer to have a garden and if possible a house. My husband likes to ski but I hate snow and cold so have no interest at all. Clearly we have competing requirements on that one.
So, I know that some of these things are in conflict so would appreciate hearing the advantages and disadvantages of these three places.
The Zurich suburb of Thalwil might be the best option: It's a very short train ride into Zurich, a slightly longer (but still pretty short) train ride into Zug, and isn't a bad place at all, although, perhaps, a little expensive.
Avoid Canton Schwyz like a hideous tentacled slime monster - it is populated by near savages, and smells of cow.
When you've found a place you like, use the online timetable here to work out commuting times to your respective places of work.
I am currently too busy to discuss the advantages and disadvantages of these three places with you, but I am reasonably sure the answer will be Zug.
Edit: or as DB says above, something closer to Zurich; Thalwil being the foremost choice. I would be extremely surprised if you end up choosing Schwyz.
If you use the search function on the top right corner, you will find plenty of discussions on the different areas to live in both Zurich as well as Zug. Schwyz is not suburban anymore, I would call it rural.
I live in the city of Zurich, but the residential areas are not extremely "urban" to my definition (a lot of green, most houses just two stories).
The train from Zug to Zürich takes less than 30 min. according to sbb.ch, so this is easily within commuting range and public transport is excellent in Switzerland (and available pretty much everywhere... even the most remote mountain villages have a bus line). Shopping is usually close to the residential areas, I can walk to four different supermarkets within ten minutes and I am not an exception.
I believe you will find good places to your "semi suburban" taste, just come here form some days and have a look at the areas...
The taxes may be lower but if you want a bit (a bit) of life, then zurich is your better bet (in my humble opinion). zug is very pretty but there doesn't seem to be much going on there. wollishofen has loads of families, is on the lake, very near central zurich and on the right side of town for the commute to zug.
I lived there 7 years (14 yrs ago). Excellent location, beautiful views and lakeside beach, excellent shopping, and 15 minutes train into Zurich, 20 into Zug. It is where 2 train lines diverge, meaning every 15 minutes there is a train.
I have another suggestion. From your post I hear high-stress, family-threatening issues with the justification being large incomes and high flying careers.
Why don't you just chill out and spend a year in Switzerland with your child, not working (I assume your husband can provide, with 120K+ you can live quite comfortably here if you try). Spend the time with your child enjoying and exploring this breathtaking paradise. Learn German. Go skiing, biking, hiking. Rebalance your life.
Having spent a year in Switzerland learning a foreign language will be a big plus for you in the long run. Check out of the rat race for bit and realize what life is really all about.
These are the sort of things you will be glad you did when you look back on your life.
I already speak German and French and quite a bit of Spanish. Plus I like working! If I were to have another baby this would be nice but with the little one going to school soon, now is not the time for a career break. Thanks for the advice nevertheless.
I have a great life. Travelled to dozens of countries with friends all over the world and have lived in 3 countries and worked significant amounts of time in several others. It is a bit of a habit really...
hmmm...We live in downtown Zurich in a very urban loft. While we like it, we have been considering Zug and Schwyz as we would like to live in a house on or near a lake (the taxes are also nice).
Maybe I will find a BIG place and invite Morg to come live with us!
Living in Zug in a village just above the infamous fog; commuted to Zurich when I was working there; time in about 50minutes; return home 40minutes (better connection). bus + train, left the car with the wife.
Also have young Children.
Availailability of places to live speaks for itself; in Zug you will find *very* difficult to find something; in Zurich less so; Schwyz not really an option as already mentioned...
I did the move from Wimbledon to Zug 7 years back. Zug offers a similar lifestyle to Wimbledon, everything is within walking distance for me, there are a few local restaurants and Zug has everything I need.
We got a much bigger place for our money compared to an equivalent area Wimbledon or Zurich and more outdoor space too.
WOW! I'm thrilled to read this. We are also moving from the Wimbledon area to Zug and had serious concerns about finding anything even vaguely comparable within a similar budget. You couldn't have said anything more reassuring if you'd tried. Maybe I should change my user name to 'a little less scared!'...
I have another suggestion. From your post I hear high-stress, family-threatening issues with the justification being large incomes and high flying careers.
Why don't you just chill out and spend a year in Switzerland with your child, not working (I assume your husband can provide, with 120K+ you can live quite comfortably here if you try). Spend the time with your child enjoying and exploring this breathtaking paradise. Learn German. Go skiing, biking, hiking. Rebalance your life.
Having spent a year in Switzerland learning a foreign language will be a big plus for you in the long run. Check out of the rat race for bit and realize what life is really all about.
These are the sort of things you will be glad you did when you look back on your life.