Hi everyone!

Excited to officially be part of EF as I browsed so much before I came 5 weeks ago, and am reminded today what a great site it is (information, cool people, funny posts!). Have been hit this week by the reality that we're here in this great place but none of our family and friends are, so it's time to change that. ;-) Really lucky to have a couple of great friends here via work and my daughter has settled right in at the international school, but extroverted me is looking for more things to do socially.

Maybe my situation is a little unusual as an in-pat? I'm a single mom of a 14 year old daughter who wanted to come with me on the big adventure when I suggested the move for my job with ABB. Love her sense of adventure!

We both love hiking, biking, long walks on the beach.... (couldn't resist since now it sounds like a personal ad...)

Riley (daughter) is crazy about horses, alternative bands, books, and crime shows (think NCIS and White Collar).

I'd love to find tennis players for intermediate level play, running partners, travel partners, and friends who like to sit on the balcony with a bottle of wine while the kids hang out.

I'm looking for a bit of help with cleaning, grocery shopping, and a university student or other who could stay with Riley when I travel for work. Any suggestions?

Lovely daughter just asked if the post is supposed to be this long. Thanks for reading through and look forward to hearing from some of you!

Michelle

Hello Michelle and Riley, welcome to the forum.

I'm not in your part of the country I'm afraid, but still wanted to say hello and hope you enjoy your new life here.

Welcome to EF and 8304!

Not much beach in these areas, but one will find lots of forests and hiking trails to cover the long hike portion.

There are a couple of maneges "north" of Wallisellen, and also a big one near the new fire station, which is south westish.

You will need to define "alternative" as that can range from what they call it on the radio to things a 14 yo likely should not listen to yet

Main two answers: Amazon & http://english.books.ch aka the Orell Fussli in the middle of Bahnhofstrasse in Zurich

I'd love to find tennis players for intermediate level play, running partners, travel partners, and friends who like to sit on the balcony with a bottle of wine while the kids hang out.

Cleaning wise, throw an ad in the wanted section of the forum and somebody will help you out.

Wallisellen has great shopping locations depending on where you live, but primarily at the train station (coop till 2000) and Glattzentrum (open till 2100 during the week) of course.

I do not know of any other expattish families in the neighborhood with kids the age of Riley, who cold help you out with the latter though, but as there are lots of families it should not be tricky to find a suitable and nice few folks to help out with it. The "problem" (not a real real one, just something to arrange) you have with your daughter is the prime reason why I for instance do not have cats, as shen you travel somebody has to at least take an eye on them, at least a daughter is easier, just donate some cash and all should be fine if you trust them enough, cats though will make a huge mess (then again, teenage daughters

Where are you from in NC? I too am a Tarheel. Born and bred in Charlotte, as was my father (real locals are far and few between these days with the banking ). Welcome to Switzerland. We arrived from CT in July.

Welcome Michelle!

Like Mistrale, my wife and I also hail from Charlotte NC.

If you ever need anything just holler.

BTW Go Heels

Raleigh, NC guy here now in Basel and loving it. Welcome.

Hi there and welcome to the forum. I work in Wallisellen, let me know if you need help with anything.

Welcome
We moved to Zurich from Raleigh in Dec 2010 - my husband is an ABB-er also. I miss the beach but love the hiking here!
Sue

Thanks all for the warm welcome and advice! Good to know there's fellow tar heelers around and I appreciate the offers of help if ever needed...really appreciate it. I extend the same offer!

I'm originally a yankee from Vermont...any others around from the Green Mountain state?

I know most of us came for the new experiences, culture, etc, but it's damn good to hear from people from home.

Look forward to getting out to an event soon!