I can't say Winti is specifically English, but having lived in the city for 2 years, and now in a village nearby for a further year, I can tell you that it's an easy place to get around with limited German. (Mine is rubbish!) Plus there are a few groups and classes in the city to help you learn the language. (I keep meaning to knuckle down and learn properly.)

For parents, the Mums and Tots groups that Julie Hawkins runs are an excellent way to meet fellow English-speakers. Julie's a great person to know, since she's lived in Winti for over a decade and is a fund of information. She had twins this summer, so I'm not sure if she's running the groups again yet, but if you get in touch with her, she will be able to connect you with something.

Since there are so many English-speakers and foreigners who speak English in Winterthur, perhaps your wife would be able to set herself up as a hairdresser catering to the Foreign Johnny crowd. I'd certainly love to be able to get a haircut in English as it's nerve-wracking in German!

We lived in the Neuwiesenstrasse area and found it great - very cosmopolitan and close to the city centre. But I know that in Hegi and Oberwinterthur there is a big ex-pat community. I'd suggest spending some time visiting various areas to see which ones you would like to live in.

One strong word of advice: make sure your kids are speaking good German before they start Kindergarten. My daughter has hardly any German and is struggling and not enjoying Kindy at all. Also, it seems that nurseries bring kids up to speed with all the skills they are expected to have in Kindy like sitting still and listening to teacher. Again, having not been to nursery, my daughter is struggling. It seems that although it's called Kindergarten, it isn't about playing and having fun!