Hi everyone! Just wanted to drop a quick note introducing myself.

I am 35, married and have two little girls ages 6 and 21 months. My husband recently has been promoted within his company and it requires us to move to Europe. Currently we are looking at the Schaffhausen area but are looking at England as well. None of us currently speak German but I am hoping to learn at least enough to get by before moving if it is indeed Switzerland that we end up in.

I have a gazillion questions but I realize that this is not the area for that and will continue to do some searching around.

With that being said, I look forward to learning more about Switzerland and all that it has to offer. And hopefully meeting some new friends as well.

Oh and on a second note, if anyone in the area is willing to help me and my girls at least, learn German it would be greatly appreciated!!! Maybe my English for your German perhaps?!

Wow, welcome to the forum.
I am graduate of Dunwoody High School, just outside of Atlanta.
Been here in Switzerland over 20 years.
Get ready for a huge adventure!

schaffhausen is brilliant, everything a family could want, plenty to do and lots of english speakers too. we have just had a large influx of americans working for a big international company based here. and it has character without being too big and impersonal like some of the bigger cities.....

having moved from england, i wouldnt be recommending any one to move there at present..........

Depends where in ENgland. I love Shaffhaussen too and with the age of your children, I see it as a wonderful chance to expose them to a second language.

HOwever, I know that the are I lived in, in the UK ( where severel families seem to have lived before/after Swiss contracts, was fantastic as well, with super schools (TASIS and AIS) very closeby.

I'm assuming since you've been there for over 20 years you like it there.
I have to admit that I'm extremely nervous about this move. Especially with two little ones in tow.

My husband and I plan on coming over there around the end of February to look around. Maybe we could meet up?

You are fortunate...the younger the better. Your timing couldn't be more perfect.

If you make the move to Switzerland, you run the risk of having 2 pre-teen kids making fun of your German as they speak 3 languages fluently, while learning a fourth, while blowing you off the ski slopes at the same time.

That is where I am now.

We were looking at the Birmingham area but his boss, who currently lives in the UK, said that that wasn't a good area and the schools weren't too good there. What area's do you think would be good? Honestly, I don't know a thing about the UK or Switzerland. Really nervous about Switzerland because I don't know the language even though I can learn. Just nervous about learning a language as well as every thing else. England just seemed to resemble more of what I'm used to in regards to housing and shopping. I don't know, guess we'll figure it all out when we go for a visit.

I'm just glad that his boss understands that if I'm not comfortable with where we end up then it's going to make my husbands ability to do his job near impossible.

As my husband would say, 'Happy Wife, Happy Life!'

Okay, that's another thing to add to my Con's list for Switzerland than!!

Welcome to the Forum, Yolanda! My family and I are moving from Florida to Schaffhausen in a few weeks and are really excited about it. Like you, we don't speak any German (yet) but are excited for the opportunity to learn, especially for the kids (boys--6 and 4). If you and your hubby do decide to settle in Schaffhausen, PM me and we can get together :-) Good luck in making your decision!!!

Hi Yolanda, welcome! I moved here almost five years ago with a 9-month-old and a 4-year-old, from Atlanta. If you do come, please feel free to drop me a note, and I would be happy to meet for coffee.

Is your husband working for AGCO?

Welcome, Miss Yolanda

M German is better than my daughters', as is my French and English, but their Italian is better than mine.

And I am still the better skier!

Tom

welcome yolanda. your kids are going to have a great time here.

Hi Yolanda

I moved here in September from England. The language has not been much of a barrier at all and you'll soon pick it up. There's some good language schools in Schaffhausen. It's a fantastic place for children to grow up. Mine's grown up now and living in England.

If it's a choice between England and Switzerland, go for Switzerland. Life in England is not that great right now, low salaries, high taxes, high crime, high unemployment, a totally messed up cooalition government.

I found the move really scary and have days when I think "Oh my God what have I done" but I'm having a great time here. I've made lots of friends, some ex-pats and some locals, everyone has been really warm and friendly and I've had loads of help.

Maybe we'll meet you soon.

Good luck.

By the way, which company is your husband working for? Or aren't you allowed to say.

Someone else from DeKalb county eh? I'm a graduate of Lakeside High School.

Hello Yolanda.

Your thread made me smile. I too use the Happy wife phrase! Too true.

I was living in the UK until 2003 and have family north of Birmingham. I then lived in Schaffhausen from 03 to end 06. Canada from 07 to now and am moving to Atlanta this year!

How weird is that?

I left CH when the kids were 6 and 7 though, so slightly different though have experienced the International school system as well as the canadian system.

With schooling IN THE UK, and this is the big difference with NAmerica, is that schools can be full to capacity. So even if you move into an area with great schools, if that school is full, you will not be accepted into it. Prices are higher in good school areas obviously though and there is a definite premium on good school areas. Your boss is wrong though, there are some great schools in the area. Depends too if you are having school costs covered by the company. Fee paying schools in Schaffhausen or the UK will be fine.

Both would be an experience for you. I loved my time in Schaffhausen. it depends how long you will be there for too. Bear that in mind! If it's long term, then local schooling would be good.

Being in the heart of Europe was/is fabulous. Birmingham less so, but don't underestimate the beauty of the UK. Again, depends on how long you are there for.

Any tips for Atlanta?!
Hope that helps
Heidi

Keep you husband out of "Porters"

Hey! Sorry for the late response. Just now logged back on. My husband works for a company called Wheelabrator. You may know them as Disa or George Fischer (I guess is what it's known as here,).