We may relocate to Lausanne. We would prefer to live in the German speaking part of CH. Which town is closest to Lausanne?

The nearest bilingual towns are probably Fribourg/Frieiburg and Bienne/Biel. Both are about an hour by train from Lausanne. Berne is well on the other side of the linguistic divide and is a little further.
Others living along the Lac Léman will probably agree with me that the quality of life here is such that you might want to consider learning French, if this is the main factor for not wanting to live here although working here!

There certainly are plenty of allophone students here in Lausanne who seem to do just fine. Many of them work in the local cafés, so it shouldn't be hard to get by on English and German. On the other hand french really isn't that hard to learn once you get over the differences in orthography, and figure out how to pronounce the "r".

Thanks. My concern is mainly for my children. I have a two year old and one on the way. My wife and I speak German, but not French. I think the German speaking part of Switzerland would be easier for all concerned. Has anyone else had this issue?

I doubt that you would have any problems really communicating. There are lots of English and German speaking doctors in Lausanne, especially German speaking. Or are you worried about things like the grocery store? I really don't think you would have any real problems.

My wife and I have a 4-year-old, and a 15-month-old.

there is one small and very picturesque town 1 hour by car from Lausanne, where both French and German spoken - this is Murten=Morat(hope orthography is correct) it is a lovely cosy place Fribourg and Bienne are a bit more farther

absolutely right almost all doctors speak as minimum 2 languages French and German and about other places like shops and groceries there is always one person who speaks German or French or English etc.... don't worry languages- it is not a problem at all

the kids won't have a problem as they are small enough to learn......

Don't worry...

Thank you. I just seems counterintuitive to send my children to school in a language I can't speak. At 43, the prospects of learning aren't great. Does it present problems? I understand the American School in Lausanne can be cost prohibitive?

i think that Fribourg is the nearest one . but i think its a little boring place. Lausanne is better , more life !!!

You will learn the language with your kids but sure before they go to school you have enough time to learn it a bit meet other moms and talk to them. there are lots of opportunities and 43 is not the age when we are already tired to discover new things

I'd say that if you don't move in the french area, you will deprive your children of gaining a second mother tongue in the process.
By going to the local schools, they will learn French as natives. You will keep speaking German at home - presto! bilingual kids! really, it is that easy.
why, oh why! would you inflict on your children at that young age the seclusivness of private schools?

As for the worry of sending kids to a school if you don't speak the language - well, that is what expats do often, sooner or later. not to mention that by the time your 2 yrs old will be in school, you WILL be speaking enough french to understand the basics, and the rest will follow.

Don't shortchange yourself. Remember it is your choice to decide you can or cannot learn a language. Many learn later in life.