I prefer the Nike approach to doing something new.
dave
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| We just returned from our first trip to Switzerland and are reviewing all of our findings. In thanks for all of the help provided by this great community of ex-pats and natives, I would like to share the due diligence outline that I had put together for our initial assessment. This outline is the by-product of many moves and hopefully will be helpful to anyone considering a move to Switzerland or anywhere else.
I have read many posts throughout this web-site in regards to cost of living and the like. For those coming from the US I can give a general idea of the cost vs. the US Dollar. (Take into consideration that the $ is at a 15 year low against almost every major foreign currency. The current exchange rate vs. the Swiss Franc is......$1.00 will get you 1.20CHF). What will that get you in "real" goods? Essentially, everything will cost DOUBLE what it costs in the US. Some examples of common every day expenses.....Gasoline 1.72 CHF per liter of gasoline or 6.50 CHF ($5.20) per gallon, a cup of Starbucks coffee 6.00 CHF ($4.85), Big Mac Value Meal 13.00 CHF ($10.40), Dinner for 2...50.00 to 80.00 CHF ($40 to $70), Haircut for man 40.00 CHF, for woman 60.00CHF. Groceries are along the same lines with cleaning products, detergents, soaps being more than double in price. Produce and Meats are expensive but of a very high quality. Some better prices on produce can be had at local street markets that every town has once or twice a week.
A quick note on eating out. Almost every grocery store has a restaurant. The food is very fresh, good and as reasonably priced as you are going to find. For those of you from the US, compare with Whole Foods or Wild Oats. It's like a Whole Foods on steroids !!! Very Cool !!!
As far as I can tell, Medical care is some of the best in the world but pay close attention to whatever insurance you decide on because annual deductibles can be very high (over 1,000 CHF).
If you have a pet, be prepared for sticker shock on the price of food and pet products in general.
I have read several threads in regards to housing and related costs. This is a very subjective area for analysis. We have always looked at the cost of housing in terms of PRICE PER SQ. FT. (Swiss residences are measured in sq. meters (m2). Conversion of a sq. meter = 10.76 sq. ft.). We found costs to be higher per M2 than described in many of the threads. Our search was from Geneva to Vevey and we found that the cost per M2 was between 23.00 CHF and 29.00 CHF or about $2.50 per sq. ft. I know there are areas that are less and areas that are more but this is a good range for a family seeking living conditions that are similar to middle class in the US. You can spend less and live in a very nice apartment but you will give up square footage. Make sure your furniture will fit as bedding, couches and tables tend to be larger in the US and may not fit in smaller living spaces. A couple of very important items to consider in the area of Housing....There are typically, NO CLOSETS and NO LIGHT FIXTURES (maybe a light bulb hanging from the ceiling, that's it) in the apt. or rental house. Add to your budget for these items. We went to IKEA and found self constructed closets for 400CHF to 1000CHF and ceiling light and lamp prices run the gammit.
If this is your first relocation move, here are a couple of tips...... Look at the move as if you were starting a business. Try and think of everything you do in your life on a daily, weekly, monthly, and annual basis. Focus on all of the small things (where you get your dry cleaning done, where you get your car fixed, etc...) The things that you take for granted in your every day life are the things that are the hardest to replace when you move. Put a budget together. Focus on all RECURRING COSTS vs. FIXED COSTS. The recurring costs will kill a budget in the first year. I can guarantee you that. Write it all down. Put levels of importance on certain things. Remember, you are going to HAVE TO give up some things. Be open to a new way of life.
In general on the economy....... Eventhough prices are higher than we are accustomed to, they are normal for the Swiss and they seem to live a very well balanced life. You don't see the areas of poverty or wealth that you see in the US. There is more of a wide ranging middle class that seems to include much of the general population. Certain things are less expensive in the US but, in turn, the people who work those jobs get paid less and can only afford less. The Swiss seem to make enough money for the majority to participate in the economy on a middle class level. There is something to be said for that type of balance.
As for general observations of the Swiss lifestyle and friendliness..... We look at it as we always have. This has been kinda' like our credo, if-you-will, when we move to a new place.......It is our resposibility to adapt to the culture and lifestyle while striving to be respectful and change our life to fit the culture and environs including trying to learn the language as quickly as possible. Look at EVERYTHING as an Adventure, even the difficult times. Look forward to all of the new and rewarding experiences.
Remember, I am just moving myself so I may not be able to answer a lot of questions.
Enough rambling........here is the Outline (in the next post).
Good luck to those of you considering a move or in the process.
Enjoy, Be Diligent,
mick c | |
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