I come from Alabama, which is about as different as it comes to Switzerland. There is so much culture here - and access to it in different countries - it is breath taking. Life in Alabama involves getting drunk, and watching cars drive around in circles. Culture is what is found at the bottom of a moonshine barrel. Here in Switzerland you have castles, interlaken, good symphonies, theater, holiday markets, the list could go on.

Of course that is not my reason for moving here. My reason for being here is to be with my Fiance, who I could not bear to uproot from her career - she is involved in museums, and living history, which dominates a good portion of her interests. There is nothing really comparable in the states.

I just got back a month or so from my last visit, I will be moving in March. We have a friend at the canton office, and everything should be relatively painless.

My main reason for posting this is that I read a post from another poster from America, about how he hates everything about this place and is moving to Taiwan.

Well, I love the people here. Everyone is very friendly (like where I come from). Minus the kids, but they are kids. I don't care much for big cities, I love the little villages that time forgot - we live in one. I don't care for parties, big modern to-do's. I love the quiet life. I like the fact that I can pretty much walk anywhere. I actually like that stores aren't open 24/7 all over the place, and most things are closed on Sunday (and if open Sunday, closed Monday). I don't care about convenience, America is dominated by the culture of lazy. It makes you plan better, and not take things for granted. I love your school systems, and if I am to raise a child, it would be in a Steiner School.

Now I am probably not going to like all the mountains of paperwork and waiting I will need to do for the permit. But nothing worthwhile is ever easy.

No place is perfect, and part of this is just Euphora. But some folks actually love the quiet, close community feel, and quality over quantity.

great post, except for the part where you imply that there is something wrong with getting drunk and watching cars drive around in circles.

There is! One should be getting drunk, and watching Alabama VS Auburn in the Ironbowl, or another Alabama Football game! Gah!

Nothing wrong with Nascar, or Indy Car as an addition. But that's pretty much the only thing here. Unless you like to hunt, hike. The former not so much, the latter yes.

I love it here too. It does get disheartening reading the bitching and knowing that people are so unhappy here, especially about things that I don't see at all. Sometimes I think I live in a different universe. Except I get it.

We just got back from a few years in South America. Most people I met there loved it there, loved everything about it and would never think of leaving. But as much as I enjoyed my time there, I knew it just wasn't for me.

So I try not to get upset or defensive when people complain. Everyone has to find their place in the world and Switzerland isn't for everyone.

Of course, you're in the honeymoon phase... Watch out for the other stages of culture shock.

Oh, and I'm with you on the NASCAR thing. I prefer Formula 1. They at least have to make turns!

Everyone is different. Some people like partying, a vibrant night life. Me I am one of those folks that can enjoy watching the grass grow. I like serenity.

Plus I like the train system a whole lot. But as far as culture shock, there will be a bit of that. There will also be a bit of a let down as time goes by. Still, i'd rather be in Switzerland, for many reasons, than anywhere else.

Would you feel the same if you were from NYC or San Fran?

Not sure. That's like asking if I would love seaworld if I was a killer whale. Can't really answer it.

Man, this is EXACTLY why I want to move away from Australia. Thanks for your positive story about the move, I am considering doing the same as I have swiss citizenship.

It sounds like the US is pretty similar to Australia in that regard. Unfortunately we are becoming more "americanised", and don't have our own culture. Some people say we are just becoming another state of the US. The friendly, laid back culture of Australia is long gone, most people don't even know their neighbours anymore.

Like yourself, I am also not into parties and clubs... I prefer the quiet life and nature. I think I would love switzerland.

I am visiting in September, if I love it over there i'll be moving sometime next year.

if watching grass is your idea of excitement, and you like shops being closed all the time, then yes, switzerland is probably the place for you!

Well I just love nature, as does my fiance. She's backpacked across most of europe, taking the pilgrim roads. I hope to be able to do that before I get too old.

I hear US is a lot like Australia. What I mainly get tired of is the television. Here, 24/7 its fear mongering. I don't plan to own a tv in Switzerland anyways.

Good idea to visit though, i've been there a few times now. Most recently from November through December. In June I got to see a Shakespeare play "Much ado about nothing," in Chateau Chillon. Along with a living history event in Gruyere. Wonderful country.

The only thing I don't like are the teenage girls wearing those black jackets with square patches on them that makes it look like they have a fishnet over them. For some reason every time I see one I think I am in Russia in the 1980's.

Hey, steady on, you can BBC TV here you know.

I agree with your post 100%. Sadly, this will not be a record length thread as there's not much more to add...

It's not that there are laws in the US that you have to own a TV and have it switched on continually

However, I am glad you're so excited about your move and I guess you will be happy here. That your fiance is an insider will also be a big help.

Don't worry about the paper work -if you managed US paperwork, you'll feel like heaven here... Have you ever tried to enroll a kid in school in the US It took me forever to fill out the forms... Here it's ONE page Just to make an example

I only really watch the discovery channel and history channel. But I had a roommate at one time, and the tv was on all the time. But that is just me nitpicking. It kind of is the mentality it seems in the states, on the news, and what not. Sometimes I feel like I am surrounded by five million chicken littles here.

Well I am not too worried about the paperwork. The good part, and the bad part of it is all the cantons appear to be different. I wasn't told that I needed a FBI background check to get a work permit in Soluthurn. Found that out here. Pretty much I was told I just needed an affidavit on me being single (Bern Embassy), Birth Certificate no older than 6 months (got that, and translated into German), Marriage certificate,and of course my passport. Not sure if it will be needed in the end, but the good news is I have time, so I am going to order the FBI thing on monday just in case.

Just to note, I don't mean to sound like I am hating on America. It has a lot of wonderful aspects to it, but me and it just don't mesh. I kind of like the America I grew up in. But times change.

This pretty much sums up my feelings about Oz. I would find our life considerably worse living back there. Too much of our pay packet went towards the mortgage each month. I guess people think that is normal there. I've been outside Australia for most of my adult life, 9 years in Switzerland. We re-evaluated our stay here recently when looking at schools for our son and here still wins.

So we don't have a huge house (with bedrooms we don't use), no second car (glad we don't need one!), no big screen TV, but we walk to work and those mountain views are amazing!

I'm from south Mississippi! Welcome! (Note to all: Southerners are taking over EF, please start using the word y'all)

I completely agree with you- I'm a country girl- people have to realize that greater New Orleans (for example) is the size of Zurich, so anything bigger than that overwhelms me. I live outside of Zurich just far enough away to see a few farms when I go walking. I love the trains and I love how low-key Switzerland is.

So, welcome again!

Yup, there is an obsession with real estate in Australia, everyone has to own a house, thus pushing up the prices to unaffordable levels.

There is this mentality of "the great australian dream" to own a house on some land. However now that every man and his dog is doing it, that "dream" will soon be over.

Australia is now one of the most expensive places in the world for real estate.

How nice, a thread where people want to be here and don't mind the differences. Good luck and have a great adventure.

This thread is making me laugh. I will not spoil the fun for OP as I think he's still wearing major pink shades. Coincidentally, he's in my geographic vicinity...so I'm curious to what he's got to say in 6 month from now.

I get you. I still think the US is the best place for me in a lot of ways, but I wanted something different and living in CH has provided that. I kinda like the prudent mentality of German speakers, compared to the sometimes gung-ho mentality of America. There are advantages to both mentalities, so I guess it's a matter of personal preference.

It's not all cowbells and Heidi out here though, but it seems you know that, but wanna make sure you aren't suffering from 'grass is greener' syndrome. Just wait until you get your first passive aggressive note, which is fun, or deal with nosy and antagonistic neighbors, which is not so fun. CH will sometimes feel a bit overrated, like SEC football.

<sorry had to get that dig in >