Hi,
I've been perusing the forums for a few weeks and feel like I need to introduce myself. My husband and I might be moving to Luzern with our two year old. I'm a bit nervous about it for obvious reasons. I've never lived anywhere but on the East Coast of the US.
I'm especially nervous about being lonely while being at home with my son. I know there is lots to do in Luzern and I'll have a blast exploring the area and the country and hopefully lots of Europe.
Anyway, if anyone has any suggestions on how to make the potential move as easy as possible I'd appreciate it!

Thanks

I have found lots of info on the forums, but I haven't seen a lot about Luzern. Lots about Zurich and Basel. So any info particular to Luzern would be great!

Luzern is a nice area to live, and there a lot of us expats in the area.

I work just outside of Luzern. There are many nice places to live in and
around Luzern.

Will your husband be working in Luzern city?

Thanks for the reply. Yes, he would be in Luzern City so we would like to live in the city. I know if might cost a bit more, but assuming it is not astromically more it would be our preference.
I did some exploring on homegate.ch and comparis.ch to get an idea of housing prices, but its so hard to tell about the type of flat over the Internet. We are expecting to pay around 3000 for a 4 room apt. That seemsto be about average, but I could be totally off!

Hop onto a plane and come and have a look. Lucerne is nothing to be worried about

And don't forget that Switzerland is much more compact than the US. Your definition and sense of space probably includes everything from Basel to Airolo as being within the city of Lucerne.

If you want to see how others in the area are getting along with a move head here: http://corettaandgeno.blogspot.com/

You can save quite a bit by living outside the city. The transportation
is wonderful so you don't need a car.

3000 for a 4 room apartment sounds a bit high to me, but I don't
know the rental market in Luzern city.

I agree 3000 is a bit high. When renting we paid 2000 for 4.5 rooms plus locked garage, including nebenkosts (heat, hot water, cable, garbage, etc., not including telephone and electricity). We're just outside of Luzern (10 minutes by bus or train).

A car is not necessary, and if you want to live directly in Luzern city I would look into www.mobility.ch for the rare occasions you need a vehicle. Luzern itself sometimes resembles a parking lot, and the newest construction isn't helping. You can get a yearly transportation pass which will take care of all your local transportation needs.

Luzern is smaller than Zurich and doesn't have the English-speaking population of Zug, but there are still plenty of people in the shops who do speak English.

Thanks! I'm glad to hear that 3000 is a bit high. We probably would use mobilty and not have our own car.
I really appreciate the feedback and any tips or advice! Thanks!

I work in Luzern, and agree with everyone about the transport and living statements. One thing is you should look into is the tax situation, each city and each canton has different tax rates. Luzern is not far from Zug canton, and you may find not only the apartment rent being cheaper, but the year end taxes as well. Luzern is actually quite small, in my opinion. Being in say Rotkreuz, Zug, or Baar, and Baar only being 20 minutes away by train, would put you closer to more towns, and closer to Zurich, and cheaper over all. Google SBB timetable, and an english page will come up that will show you travel times and how much it will cost you.
I wouldn't worry about feeling alone, this part of Switzerland is unlike any other country except maybe the UK, when concerning english speakers and foreigners. I have lived in Paris, France elsewhere, and Portugal, and you will never hear so much english as you will where you are heading.
I personally love the east coast, and even though the architecture and the culture are different, I think you will find places like Luzern and Zug to be quite interesting.

Have the rules changed? It used to be that Americans with a B permit had to live in the canton where the permit was issued. I am assuming both spouses are American.

Luzern is a bigger town than Zug with a lot more to do. Depending on your interests of course!
The taxes are a bit higher but this is offset by the rents being lower.
Most shop workers in central Switzerland have limited English (Luzern or Zug for example). But with limited German or better you will usually get by. The expat community in Zug is larger so you will find more English speaking mums in the area.
Hope this helps - good luck!

A bit late but anyway, welcome to your way to Luzern!
It is indeed a small town, especially by U.S. standards, but a very nice one and I agree your budget should allow for the apartment you're looking for. Also previous comments about easy transportation indeed seconded.

As to the moving recommendations, I'm sure your fellow Americans can be more helpful , but should you have any questions about life in Luzern, will be happy to help if I can.
Meanwhile, good luck with the move and I hope you will enjoy your time here!

Thanks! We are still waiting to hear confirmation on the job. I am really hoping it comes through, but a bit nervous as well. Not so much on moving to Luzern, but overseas in general.
Is Luzern a good area for a young family? I'm concerned about meeting other moms and finding enough things to do with my son. Would you recommend living in Luzern or outside the city? Other have mentioned living in Zug...what would you consider the pros and cons?

Thanks!!!

Luzern is in my humble opinion a great place for a family. Safe, small, but still plenty to do. I would consider living in one of the better "suburban" towns of Meggen, Horw etc. where the tax rate is low and quality of life is great, right at the lake too, the kids will love it.
The people in Luzern are generally much friendlier and approachable than say Zürich, but that's maybe because I'm from Luzern and living here in ZH..
Anyway, not much to worry about I'd say!

Can't really comment first hand since we have no children, but just from looking on I'd say there are quite a few playgrounds where moms meet up, oh and also the International Women's Club of Luzern has moms & tots events in English, so I'm quite convinced you should be able to find good company

As to the choice of where to live in/around Luzern, it really depends on what you're looking for. Compared to the East Coast towns, sorry I'm not too familiar with New England but thinking further south, I'd say Luzern reminds me of Wilmington, NC, and to some extent also the feel of Charleston, SC, although the architecture and climate are obviously different. If it's town life, you're after, it's got to be Luzern because even Zug is too small really (although indeed a town and a very nice!), but if you're looking for more peace and quiet, then I would second Simon CH in saying Horw or Meggen (the latter being my personal favourite among these), perhaps also Stansstad or Küssnacht am Rigi which are all really small communities around the lake, within easy reach of Luzern and well connected with local public transportation. However, obviously the number of foreigners is bigger in the towns, so unless you speak German, it will probably be more difficult to make contact in these smaller places (this is not to say there aren't any expats or English-speakers, just fewer).

Welcome to the Forum. They are a very informed and helpful bunch. I'm heading over too in June, and nervous as well. I'll be on my own though so even scarier! Luzern is lovely, I'm sure you'll really like being there. Have you been to Switzerland before? You should love it!
Good luck with the move.

Lots and lots of expats here, more than most people would really think. I work in central Luzern and virtually everyone will speak English if you are polite and apologise for not being able to speak German well!

Think about joining the SASL (Swiss American Society of Luzern) which is open to all nationalities and if both good for you and your husband for social events. very family orientated.

Luzern is a lovely city and can be as quiet as you like but with still plenty of bars and nightlife to keep you interested.

Also try not to get into the Swiss mentality of not being about to go more than 20 kms without thinking that they are on a expedition. Switzerland is a small country and its easy to go anywhere for a day trip.

hello tanager..i really liked your avtaar..welcome to the forum...

Wow!!! Thanks for those really useful websites!! The women's club and the swiss american club look fantastic!! That was exactly what I was looking for. Seeing those really puts my mind at ease that I will not be alone. That is the only fear I had.

We are hoping to get confirmation on the job this week and then see how the permit application process goes. I'm nervous about that after seeing some threads on other boards here. We are really hoping this all works out. We're really excited about the possibility of living in Luzern. It looks like such a fantastic place!!!

Thanks all for the very helpful replies, info, and links!!!

Obviously, I can't comment on Luzern, being in Basel, but I have found people sooo friendly and helpful to new people settling in. The groups I have joined have been really welcoming and friendly and willing to help with (just about!) anything.

Just like the people who genuinely want to help people on here and post helpful replies, you will find a lot of these people in real life when you arrive.