I live in southern California. We're preparing for a move to somewhere around Lausanne/Vevey for my wife's work. Probably we're moving June '08. I'll be a stay at home dad. I'm excited about learning from the expat and local community. I'm eager in finding others of you in a similar situation (and hoping I will find some other stay at home dads too).
My European experience is: as a teen I went skiing in Wengen for a week and I had a blast. Also I lived with a family in a London suburb for a semester in college. I love Barcelona and have travelled around europe a little. I found your forum searching Google and have been reading it for a couple weeks. I'm not used to posting to a forum so please be patient and redirect me if I'm mucking something up. Although I'm a "noob" so far this looks to be a fantastic resource, and am grateful in finding you people.

You will find a wealth of information here. I sure you will love your new life here.
Where in California are you? Spent my Silver Wedding Anniversary touring San Francisco, Carmel, LA , San Diego and LOVED it. The month went too quickly!!!

Hi and welcome yes this forum is brilliant really useful for information

Yo,hi aquarian from this southern Californian native!


Many of my Swiss friends,specially my old musician friends,try really hard to bring back our friendly,warm open,positive vibes to Switzerland...So show 'em our great,healthy vibz aquarian.


You and your wife are truly blessed;and living my dream.

Take care & Tschüß,

Hey thanks! Silver anniversary?!..cool! I'm from Los Angeles.

Welcome to the forum! We moved from Carpinteria to Switzerland in 2006. I don't live near Vaud, but you will find lots of useful information here on the forum. Good luck with your move!

Hi

I hope that your move goes through. Living by a lake is almost the same as living by the sea except the beaches are not so good!

If you are looking for an English speaking church you would be most welcome at ours - www.lausanne-english-church.com It has quite an international flavor.

Cheers

Alan

Thank you everyone for your kind messages. It's so great to know that there are such nice people where we are headed.I'm looking forward to learning more from you wonderful people.
-Aquarian

Hey aquarian!!

I'm from los Angeles too (silverlake area)!!...I moved to Lugano last august....I LOVE Switzerland.....maybe you will miss the 24 h convenience and the variety of etnic food choices, but the views, the travels, the experiences are well worth it...WELCOME!

when i came here in august, my living expenses were definitely doubled (food in restaurants, groceries, household supplies) the price in America....just be prepared...my friends who moved here from San diego, went to costco and bought everything they could bring with them (they had a container) and they saved a lot of money...*they had extra room and even brought over 2 years worth of laundry detergent and toilet paper!!! not a bad idea (if you have the space)!!

Shishilii:

Thanks for greetings and the tips. I'll tell them at Costco you sent me

We're still ironing out several hurdles to coming out there.

In the meantime I'm wondering how California transplants feel about the weather there in March? I know; 'nice loaded question.' But I went biking at 6 am in my shorts and t-shirt yesterday so what can I say-it's playing on my head.

Cheers

Hi,
I just moved to Zurich, so it's much different that where you are moving to, but to be honest I really hate the weather. coming from Southern CA it's hard to live anywhere where it's cold and rainy most of the time. But then again, I think your area has better weather. I miss wearing shorts all the time, biking, running on the beach, the palm trees....
Anyway, at least where you are moving it's going to be sunnier, and summer is just around the corner, I hope. Are you moving here for good?
Good Luck!
Elizabeth