Hello (or Moi as in Finland) to all!

I am about to move in to Zurich within the next couple of months as I get my stuff in Finland sorted out. I have been following up the discussions in this forum for some time and must say that the quality level is very high compared to some other similar sites. Therefore I would like to ask some consultancy concerning the basics from you:

1. Salary: the contract says 14 000 CHF/month as NET income, is that ok salary level in "Zurich" terms, or more from the lower side?
2. I am moving in with my wife and son (2 years old), so I need to take care of all the possible insurances needed, any advice on that front?
3. Housing: my company organizes the move etc., but need to look for a place to live. So what would you reckon as good "family" areas in Zurich (want to live close to center, such as Seefeld or Altestatte, etc.)
4. Check list: by this I mean top10 hints to check through carefully when oving in there.

Thanks in advance for your consultancy.

Cheers,
Marius

Hi. Re 3. Housing: Seefeld (Kreis 8) is certainly nice (next to lake), but not that many families as housing is not just expensive but hard to find there. Lots of english-speaking families in the very attractive "neighbourhood" next to it: Hirslanden, Hottingen (Kreis 7). This is close to the woods and lake and you're practically in the city centre - so best of all worlds. Both areas are more expensive than Altstetten (Kreis 9), which is on the other side of the city. On 14K/month you probably won't have a problem finding somewhere to live - however, that's also down to your expectations: villa, mansion, or will an appartment be enough?

1) 14k net is very good. Of course we don't know what you do, but you must be very good at it!
2) It's easy enough to sort out and I'm sure your HR dpt. can help you out there. Otherwise there are companies that do this free od charge as they get a kick back from the companies that they refer people to. One such company that i use is http://www.awd.ch/ and they certainly work for me, everything from financial advice to health insurance.
3)Seefeld is a bit pokey to be honest, why not look on the otherside of the lake, in Kilchberg or Thalwil? Check www.homegate.ch
4)Check, got wife, got kid, got wallet, got toothbrush...

14k is good. but - first remark - it is very unusual (for me at least) to see a "net" salary figure quoted. Make sure you know what that net means - net of social security, net of pension fund, net of taxes... net of exactly what...

Thanks for prompt replies! Good to hear that the salary seems to be on right level then. Thanks also to gooner for excellent check-list, I knew that my list was missing the toothbrush .

I will certainly browse through homegate.ch and the areas you pointed, thanks for that. Looking for a apartment with 3-4 bedrooms, not a house nor mansion (too much to worry).

Marius

14 k CHF/month, net salary. All deductions done (including AVS, AC, Pension fund and tax at source)....? At least that's how I understand it. Sounds ok to you? Marius

Is that the exact wording on the contract? Most contracts (if not all) I've seen here are based on a gross yearly figure rather than a net monthly one, that's why I ask.

Naturally I have gross yeraly and monthly figures also, and net yearly figure as well. But wanted to check with the most important one, which is what I see on my account every month.

marius

My point was that the company only guarantees your gross salary, not your net salary, and it won't adjust for changes in tax rates or any other circumstance that could affect your net (like your for instance your wife getting a job and your tax rate going up).

But 14k net is good.

Naturally and I understand the circumstances, especially if my wife will also start working. But just wanted to know whether this ballpark net income is considered ok. And that you answered, thank you for that.

If you both start working, then it really might be a good idea to check out how much tax you will have to pay.
If we would have known how much we have to pay, I am not sure that I would have gone for a fulltime (100%) job.

Considering the average gross salary in Switzerland is around 5'600 per month, 14K NET is, to say it diplomatically, one kick-ass package. We don't know what it is you will be doing, but for that amount of cabbage I'd like to be doing it as well.

I have lived 5 yrs in Finland and now I am in switzerland. I know both markets. 14K "net" sounds too good to be true, unless you are in a high-end contract position with a bank.

What does original poster do?

14k net monthly might be average for a top-end multi-million-budget contract IT project manager, but it's damn good for a train driver...