Hi I'm a newbie, just registered today. I'm thinking about relocating as I work for a company with HQ in Switzerland but before making up my mind or pursuing this avenue I obviously want to investigate the practicalities first as it's such a bit step. I currently live in the South East of England in one of the most expensive areas in the UK so I don't think there would be that much of a shock or big increase of cost of living. Over the last few years I have spent a fair amount of time in Switzlerand and from what I can gather it's mostly food that's higher and everything else kind of balances out and the salaries over there are much higher and taxes lower so I think I may be better off. What I'm struggling to find out is average rental of apartments as it all seems to vary so much. I'd either live in Schaffhausen area or Zurich. I realize Zurich would probably be much more expensive but I think I'd prefer it as it's much livelier. I've spend many a "bored" Sunday wandering the streets of Schaff not knowing what to do with myself on one of my trips, as lovely and beautiful as it is, I think I might get a bit lonely. I'd be looking for a 1-2 bedroomed apartment preferably with a balcony or little garden. Any advice on what I'd be looking to pay would be very much appreciated. Also when you see the prices on the websites, what does it actually include and what would I have to consider to pay in addition?

Thanks and Greets

Usually the rental in and around Zürich city starts from 1300 for 2 room apartment (1 bedroom + 1 living room). The prices will then go up or down depending upon furnished condition, how new or old the apartment is, accessibility, etc
I have found myself an apartment at Effretikon for 1400 - 3.5 rooms (2 bedroom). Yeah, you are totally right about Sundays.. if I find an answer, I will tell u
When are you moving here?

Enjoy

I've been asked to seiously think about relocating to Switzerland. I have been with my company for nearly 7 years and travel over to Switzerland a few times a year so I know the area pretty well and have made good friends with some of my Swiss collagues so it wouldn't be too difficult for me to settle in. That said, it's still a huge step and a really difficult decision for me. I would be coming alone, I'm single right now so no complications there. I would be leaving behind an adult daughter which is really hard for me but I have her blessing, in fact she says I should go. I'm still finding it really hard to make the decision. I haven't had a concrete offer yet but it looks like that's coming very soon. I live in the South East of England in what is probably one of the most expensive areas outside of London and I don't own my home. I would be based in the Schaffhausen area and will be spending 3 weeks there in March so will be trying to find out as much as I can when I'm over so if I'm asked to make my decision at least I've researched as much as possible. I quite fancy the idea of getting out of the UK right now, especially with the rising taxes. I really oppose having to pay back to the economy because we over- borrowed during the last government. I did not over-borrow, I paid my bills and did not get into debt. If I couldn't afford it I didn't have it - oh my goodness I'm even sounding Swiss now I know rents are high and the cost of living is higher but I can see the gap is closing and it's not so bad if you have more disposable income to start with I guess. My biggest reservations are leaving family and friends, my social life and my health. I haven't been in great health these last few years, I have a chronic pain condition, and I'm really concerned about that side of things more than anything. My companies pays an additional allowance for health insurance so financially I don't think it will be a great impact as the allowance should cover it.

Any tips or advice would be greatly received.

One important point is whether you can speak German and ideally Swiss German. If you do not, do not underestimate how difficult it can be living as a single person in a foreign country. Think, for instance, if you became ill in the midle of the night.There is often a misunderstanding that "everyone" speaks English here. They do not.

A second point is this: Are you willing to move to Switzerland and live the Swiss way...or will you want to be an Englishman abroad? In general, those who are willing to adopt to Swiss ways settle in better.

Before you make your decision I would recommend that you take a two week holiday and stay where you might want to live: Have a dry run - try to find accomodation, a doctor, dentist. Try buying something for a minor aliment in a chemist. Go shopping for food, clothes.

Finally I would recommend you read a good book on living and working in Switzerland.

I hope this helps.

Regards

Sounds like you are ready for a new life. But defo come over for a long holiday and get a feel for the area - being here for a day or two on business is very different. Do you have a house to sell in UK? Could you rent it out before making a final decision. Why not come on a trial basis, for a year perhpas, with the possibility of extending?

Indeed.

They speak Italian!

Tom

It is a big move. Check out the social events calendar. There are many ranging from Pub nights to skiing to hiking to other activities.

Good Luck on the decision!

It doesn't have to be an all or nothing decision.

Sounds like your company values you, so if, after a year or two, you decided it isn't for you, I suspect you could transfer back again.

Totally understand the points about the economy in the UK. It's not a great place to be at the moment.

As for leaving friends and family behind, you'll probably find they all want to come and visit you here -- and will probably tell you how lucky you are to be here.

Main thing is to be committed to the move if you decide to come. Start to learn German, and read a few books about the place.

Do it!

Whichever way you decide I wish you the best of luck, but please think of paragraphs when posting to the forum. There's no rule to say you must use them, but it makes posts a lot easier to read, and people will often click away when presented with a wall of text.

Again, best of luck.

Reading between the lines, it seems that because of dissatisfaction (even disillusionment) of your present situation, you may have already half made your mind up, and are just seeking a bit of positive reassurance - which is natural.

Switzerland is only an hour-and-a half plane ride away, for either-way family visits, and Stavros won't nick too much of your hard-earned.

With the mandatory private health insurance (partly funded by your employer), you will receive good, hassle free and prompt medical care, when needed, even with standard cover. Not necessarily any higher standard than UK (although may be in some cases), but normally no waiting. In my experience a high percentage of professionals (doctors, in this case), do have a working knowledge of English.

However, as previously stated, not everyone (of a certain age) speak English - more younger Swiss seem to, though. If you are serious to come, a grounding in German would be beneficial. The Göthe (or Goethe) Institute in London (Exhibition Rd., opposite Science Museum.) offers courses in German (High or "German" German), but it will help.

Finally, something I've tried to live by, when faced with similar choices (whilst at the same time applying a modicum of common sense), is the following saying (especially if time seems it's racing by):

"It's better to regret something you've done; than something you haven't."

Umm, I've never known anyone in Switzerland to have their health insurance partlially funded by their employer.

Tom

It is open for negotiation.

To the OP
I agree with the rest of the posts. Get ready for a new life, without leaving your former life behind you completely. My advice really is to learn German as soon as possible, preferably today . The more you are fluent in the local language, the better you will be integrating into your new environment, the easier you can make life there the way YOU want it to be. It is what we did, and I dragged my wife (who was more enthousiastic about the move than I) and 3 kids with me.

However, here is just another viewpoint:
Think about all the reasons why immigrants in the UK have a hard time, and then what you think they should do to be better integrated. Now put yourself in that immigrants' position, and do all things right the first time when you come into Switzerland.

KR,
Henk

Indirect contribution, made by the OP's employer, probably as an allowance in his salary, to offset against his premiums. But until the OP can answer definitively, I can only speculate.

Thank you all for your valuable input. I have basic High German already, I can get around, eat, shop, buy tickets etc. and I've already started home studying Oxford German, the CD is on in the car on the way and home from work and I'm going to start setting some Sunday time aside to get myself up to speed and then enrol in a Business German course. If I do move over the first thing I would do is enroll in School. I am a firm believer that if you move to a country you have to adapt to the culture and learn the language.

I'm not unhappy here, my life is fine, I love my job and have great friends. This is an opportunity that is presenting itself to me but I don't want to jump in feet first, I would go in with my eyes wide open. I'm over for a 3 week stay soon and won't be coming home for weekends so am really going to get out there and check out the facts, housing, cost of living, taxes etc.

I've heard there's an English speaking ex-pats group in the town I'll be visting so I'm going to try to get hold of them to see if they would mind if I joined them one evening. I already met some of them last year when I was out with colleagues watching the World Cup Final in a pub, so hopefully they won't mind me getting in touch.

All positive things above said, it's still scary but I guess it's better to regret what you have done rather than what you didn't do (I hope).

Many thanks again.

Sounds like you are well organized and informed in advance of coming over.

All the best with your move. I am sure you are going to do just fine here.

I'm moving to Schaffhausen in the summer, I'm very familiar with the area as I've been working for the company for 7 years and now relocating. I think I'm spending hours a day on Homegate and Immoscout, it's a minefield. There's not much availability in my 2 favoured areas (Aldstadt and Breite) and I think I need to widen my search but just don't know where to start.

Any recommended areas for a British expat would be greatly welcomed. I don't mind crossing the water to the Canton of Zurich but haven't really looked around.

Many thanks.

Emmersberg, Buchthalen and Gruben are nice areas in Schaffhausen. Feuerthalen, Flurlingen (both just across the Rhein) are also good but rents will be higher as taxes are lower.

Thank you, I'll add these 3 to my searches. It's good to see there's so much availability in the City, makes it harder in some ways but it's better this way and at least I know it shouldn't be too difficult to find my new home. I've been offered the services of a relocation agent and not sure whether to do that or organize it myself.

If it has been offered to you, and I assume you mean your employer will pay for this, why not use the services of a relocation agent? Someone who knows the region can make the process that much easier for you. A good agent does not just find you a place, they negotiate on your behalf, see you through the rental application process including the move in inspection, and follow up.

Be sure to clarify whether this service will be part of a relocation allowance and therefore taxable to you.