Hi - I have been an infrequent visitor to EF and some members have already very kindly helped me with some enquiries. Anyway I moved here from Scotland (Edinburgh but originally from Aberdeen) in November to join Mr Scotland who is working in Zurich - he has a 5 year permit so we are planning on settling here with our dog George. No no-one here apart from some lovely ladies I met at German class and friendly British lady in the village I live in. Living between Zurich and Winterthur. Was/am a marketing director by profession and still work one week per month in Edinburgh until the end of the year, as a marketing consultant, but would love to find full time work here.

Loving Switzerland and have been on lots of travel already. Off to Meringuey tomorrow .....

Greetings to you Miss S. and to Mr. S and to George S.

Welcome to the forum!

Hello & Welcome!!

I too am a fellow scot, from Ayrshire, and have been here since November last year. Hope you are doing well and enjoying the warm weather!! I joined one of the many Meet Up groups, the Coffee, Cocktails and Culture one and I have to say it was a laugh and a great way of meeting new friends. Just Google it and have a look.

Bye C

Thank you for such quick hellos -

Thank you claire1978. I wouldn't say I'm shy but for some reason I've been a bit well - shy - about doing that but 7 months is too long not to have so I will. Thanks for your recommendation. Loving the sound of coffee, cocktails and culture!

You must join and come along. They have just started and there are lots of events on the calander, have a look and come along!! C

Hello Mrs. S.

Its nice to see someone whos just settled in. Im new to the forum. I will be moving to Zurich (from Mumbai) as my husband has been transferred to Switzerland. I am slightly apprehensive. I suppose its natural. I would also like to start working after a few months of settling in . I have a thriving career as a Communications Professional back home and wouldnt want to waste it. Are you having an easy time finding full time work there?

Also youve mentioned that you dont live right in the city of Zurich. Is it more economical staying a little away and commuting there? I would consider it as well then

And I am thinking of taking up German Classes as well. Dont think my school Deutsch really passes muster

Cheers,

CHange

Hi there - well welcome. I know what you mean about being aprehensive - me too but I love it. Because I was giving up work and we were moving from two salaries to one we decided to move slightly outside of the city. This was entirely about size of apartment for our budget as we do like a bit of space. Rent is so expensive in Zurich. We weighed this up against access to all the things a city can offer and chose to live about 30 mins train from central Zurich in a gorgeous town that has all the amenities and is set in amazing countryside. We really do look out onto rolling fields, swiss houses and hear cow bells all day long. The one thing I find is that the town I live in very few people speak English but they are freindly and I get by.

I gave up a job as a marketing director but have continued to work one week per month for a UK client in a freelance capacity but this is not ideal. Other family priorities has meant that I have not focussed on finding work. However, it is quite difficult. I do find communications work hard to come by here as competition is tough and almost all posts require a second language which I don't have - even if the main businesss language being sought is English. My marketing comms work has been entirely within one industry sector so this is also a bit of a challenge in transferring the key comms skills to a new industry sector. Jobs do come up but they are not in regular supply - but you could join some agencies. Check out www.jobs.ch/en which is a great jobs website.

Finally, I have taken semi intensive German classes of 15 weeks at Bellingua which is a school in the city centre - really close to main station. Semi intensive is 4 hours on two days per week. I really recommend it though foreign language is not my forte and I am still struggling to speak but can now understand and read so much more. Also I met some great ladies. I am on a break over summer but intend to start back again on the second level from September.

You'll love it. Get in touch when you arrive! I'd happily meet up. Good luck.

Catriona

Thanks Catriona, its really comforting to read that Im not alone. We too will be moving from two salaries to one so we do have to consider staying slightly away. Ive also heard that house hunting takes a while. So Id better get cracking on that.

It was nice to discover alot of expat womens clubs - be it book clubs or coffee and conversation clubs, which I think will be fun to join. I will definitely catch up with you once Im there. have a good holiday!

Cheers

Sasha

Hi..and welcome to another Scot!

I've done your places the other way round....from Edinburgh, but moved here from Aberdeen. We're loving it here. Originally gave it two years to see how we found it, and it's now been three and half and we aren't thinking of moving anywhere in the near future.

So much to see.....so much to do....and not enough time to do it in!

Hope you enjoy your time here as much as we do.

Shona.

Hi Mrs.Scotland,

Welcome(ish) to Switzerland! My husband and I (and daughter and dog) are in the process of buying a house in Rorbas, so hey - add one English speaker to the list! Once we're settled in, it would be great to meet for a coffee and a chat and you could fill us in on the neighborhood. We lived in Winterthur for 3 years, and currently in the Züri-Oberland for 2 years, so we'll will be entirely new to the area. Be nice to get an inside scoop!

Thanks for responding Oscarsmumm and designlvr - I have emailed you both - good to hear from you. Oscarsmum - hope you got along ok with the Doric - easier to learn/understand than German or not? Hmm. And is that the Aberdeen and District Pipe Band I spy in your picture.

Bye for now
Thanks again
Catriona

Hi again, we are settled in our place in Rorbas and if you are still around and interested in a coffee let me know.
cheers!

Welcome!

We moved over here from Fife in Nov/dec last year. We've been a wee bit restricted due do later stages of pregnancy, weather (and money!), but we'll be exploring soon!

I'm from Falkirk :-) Seems like there are lots of Scots over here!

Hi there - I am just up the road from you in Lufingen - originally from Cumbria, although Scottish in blood! Been here 11 years, and always love meeting up with fellow Brits. You are more than welcome to call in for a coffee sometime.

Yes we get everywhere

Been here almost 12 years so far, no plans to move back to UK