Hi All,

I will be moving to Zurich in April/May 2007. I am basically from India.
Can someone be patient enough to answer my questions. Thanks!.

> Would like to know if Indian foods, spieces and Indian restaurants are available at resonable prices.

> What is the staple food in Swizz, how popular is rice there.

> We in india eat lots of vegetables, spices. How expencive are vegetables.

> What is the price of a KG of Chicken / beef / egg.

> Are the rented apartments fully furnished like in US. Along with washing machine, kitchen, basic vessels etc.

> Any website which can be used to search for Vacent Apartments. How do I go about this.

> What is the average temperature in Zurich in Winters/Summers.

> What would they charge for GYM per month.

Thanks in advance.

Regards,
David

I would suggest you read through the various threads, which contain the answers to many of your questions.

Also, "Living and Working in Switzerland" by David Hampshire is a fairly comprehensive book on the subject, which I personally found very helpful.

A simple answer to your food questions is, there are many Indians, and indeed (some) Indian restaurants in Zurich (and probably elsewhere), and they manage to find ingredients. Hey, if this is the main problem you encounter in Switzerland, then you are indeed a fortunate person.

Now, finding an apartment ... that can truly be a nightmare.

Thanks for your response.
Will get the book and see.

I also got some info regd apartments:
www.comparis.ch
www.homegate.ch
But I dont know German.

well, I think you definitely need to do some research, get some extra info, and be very flexible.... !!! Switzerland is NOT at all cosmopolite as London or England, it is a very nice place but it will not adapt much to your needs, even in a city as large as Zurich. As for your questions:

Would like to know if Indian foods, spieces and Indian restaurants are available at resonable prices.
I am not sure about Zurich in particular, but cost of living in Switzerland is very much higher than in the rest of Europe, and Zurich is perhaps its most expensive city. Restaurants are expensive (expect to pay 50 CHF per person or more for a good meal out, a pizza will set you back at least 30 or 35). Indian is a type of exotic food - this is a good site on restaurants, but it is in German/french.. http://www.resto-rang.ch/index.cfm?canton=ZH

> What is the staple food in Swizz, how popular is rice there.
Staple is usually potatoes with all traditional local meals, with a lot of cheese. However, bread and pasta are everywhere as well. Rice is a common side dish, but only with some types of meals - you find it easily but is not ubiquitous.

> We in india eat lots of vegetables, spices. How expencive are vegetables.
quite expensive. lets say about 5 CHF per kilo for basic seasonal stuff in a supermarket, more for specialties

> What is the price of a KG of Chicken / beef / egg.
check out www.leshop.ch it is the site of the main supermarket chain here. chicken breasts go from 20 CHF/KG to 50 CHF/kg for bio stuff. Beef ground is as low as 18CHF/kg, but goes quickly up if you buy whole pieces (50 to 80 CHF/KG). Eggs, 6 for 3 to 5 CHF.

> Are the rented apartments fully furnished like in US. Along with washing machine, kitchen, basic vessels etc.
usually apartments are not furnished. you can find furnished but more expensive. unfurnished usually include some kitchen appliances.

> Any website which can be used to search for Vacent Apartments. How do I go about this.
you have these

> What is the average temperature in Zurich in Winters/Summers.
you can find this easily on the web

> What would they charge for GYM per month.
Gyms are at about 1200 CHF or more a year, usually contracts run for a long time. they are not as frequent as in UK.

I strongly suggest you learn how to search information on the web... all this above is freely available as info anywhere on internet!!!

Thanks lilith for your response.
Yes, I did find some info on the net. But info about price of some basic comodities is not easily available.

Btw, I discovered that the websites also have pages in english. As of now my prime concern of finding an apartment looks possible.

Thanks again.
David