Hi everyone and apologies for this thread .. I am aware that salary and cost of living questions are the most recurring themes here.

I've read numerous threads on this forum but most are also a few years old hence this post.

I was offered a position as PM in Zurich for CHF135k. Question is - is this sufficient to allow a family of 3 to live comfortable in Zurich? Or should I reconsider moving here? We currently live in a 3bedroom house in London.

We don't have super high expectations and don't have to live right in the centre of Zurich. Thinking of maybe Oerlikon area? 3 bedroom apartment would do nicely.

Also - couple of detailed questions regarind some cost of living assumptions CHF1000 for food per month - too low?
CHF500 for healthcare for 2 adults + 1 child?
CHF500 for utilities (gas/water/electricity)?

how much do I need to on average pay monthly for TV, Internet and mobile phone?

thanks a lot !

Yes you will be fine

Mods the question is answered. Please close thread

Utilities will be less than 500 a month, they are usually inlcuded in the rent. unless the oil price will skyrocket again and there will be additional bill for the heating after the year end.
135K should be ok, but I would advise to live outside of Zurich where rent is a bit lower.
And yes, there were lots of threads on the same topic.

Many families live on 70k a year.

Accomodation wise, you will get your answers on homegate.ch
Zero in on the areas that you want to live in and do a comparison of the apartments prices there.

With regards to health care, check out comparis.ch
Its a gem for you to compare prices of health care, insurance etc.

TV, internet, mobile phones - check out the prices of mobile providers. The big players are cablecome, Swiss com, Orange.

Food cost wise, it is difficult for anyone to tell you if its enough. Most people have different needs. There are really loads of threads on here discussing that. Migros and Coop are your big players here like Tescos and Sainsburys. Go on their website, have a look at the prices to give you an idea.

Do more research on your needs on those sites to get an idea and come back if you have a specific question, which I am sure people will be glad to answer. Good luck.

A lot of clients ask me this question. No matter how much they have read and heard, they still want some reassurance. Rent will be the biggest chunk of your salary. If you are able to find a place for a reasonable amount of money, you will be fine. In your shoes I would consider looking outside of Zürich and be willing to commute a little longer. It depends on the work location. Utilities vary a lot depending on the heating system, age of the builing, whether it has been renovated (i.e new windows) and whether there is an actual calculation in place and not just a figure applied based on square meters used to determine your heating costs.

There are so many lifestyle variables that will determine just how comfortable you will be. Shop in Germany and you will save 30% on your grocery costs, for example.

The last questions about cost of living in Zurich and how well one might live there on a certain salary are a few years old? I find that hard to believe since that kind of question comes up here several times a week. I really get the feeling we get spammed by recruiters looking for answers for their clients.

You'll be fine. Many things here are more expensive than the UK but you'll find (as I have) that you end up spending a similar amount as you adjust your life around what the country offers.

And just think, if you took the AM job as well you could earn double.

what is PM?

I make double what you do and have no family to speak of, and I must say that I barely get by.

I am guessing project manager/ment

There are definitely those earning well below 100K a year and I know they are managing. They do without certain items (for example, a car), they have reasonable rents but are not necessarily living in shoe boxes. You have to know where to look and as I said, the rent is the biggest chunk, if you get that under control, you will be okay.

A nice kitchen is also an incentive for many to cook and eat at home rather than go out.

Well then you have a problem, a big problem.

Prime Minister maybe

I don't need anybody to judge my lifestyle.

Well, we need to.

I wasn't judging. But you really expect anyone to have any sympathy for a single person who can't manage on 270K+ a year?

Where is that puke emoticon????

I think he was joking. Also, it costs money to run the world's only Heroin Hottub.

Is that all? I had you figured for a mid-range earner

When you say I have a big problem, that's passing judgment.