So I am 27, single and have been working in Switzerland since almost three years. Everything is not bad I must say. A great country with amazing scenery, good transport system and pretty well salary too. I do speak German aand understand Swiss German as the days go. But still deep inside I do realise that I will sooner or later leave this country. Also careerwise it is expected actually that I go out to see the world as it is the norm in a large company I am working in...

So my question is....if you have a choice to go to anywhere in the world as expat and start everything new, where would you go? Let's say not the country you originally from or you have family/friends there or something like that. Just an objective choice, is there a country at all that can match Switzerland in terms of living standard, salary and maybe the ease of integration? As an Asian I am thinking about Singapore (not where I come from), but would appreciate any expat views here...Many thanks!

p/s: to Moderator, please move it to other section if it is deemed not suitable as daily life. I just hope for a comparison of Switzerland with other countrries...

Well... about 4 years ago on a fluke I interviewed for a job in NZ, and I didn't take it when it was offered. I keep kicking myself in the ass for that, because I really love the country. But I'm glad that fate worked out differently because NZ is really hurting economically.

If you're asking about the quality and career, I would pick Canada. But if you're asking about where I'd like to go and just "be" without having to worry about finances, then I would pick Cambodia or Thailand for my spiritual health, or NZ or Uruguay if that wasn't a factor.

Just my preferences.

Being Asian ( not from SG ), I'd choose SG or Beijing ( great food in both places ).

Where Europe is concerned, I like Graz, AT with convenient access to other Central European attractions.

Workwise I would be very tempted to go to Vancouver in Canada, for quality of living and intergration.
As a free spirit and an impulsive nature I would love to just go and live in Italy for a year or two travelling around and soaking up the lifestyle and culture.

I would recommend Belgium. There is absolutely nothing to recommend about the place but I loved it there. Antwerp has nothing to offer on paper but in reality it was full of culture and full of great people.

I met several people who went there for a quick job and stayed 25-30 years and I can understand why. I would go back, in fact when I arrived in Zurich 6 years ago I tried everything I could to go back.

Recently, I was thinking of Hong Kong. I heard Singapore is really booming right now. Having problems retaining staff who are being poached and getting 30%+ payrises...

I'll give my top 5 and you should take them from me regardless of the above choices:

-Australia
-Singapore
-Argentina
-Beijing

Ok that was 4...


5 you must absolutely avoid:

-Cardiff Wales
-Mexico
-Zimbabwe
-Osaka, Japan
-Somalia or the unruly Somali waters

Norway.

Perhaps Italy.

Tom

Hmm coming from the Northern United States I'd give everything to dodge the snow...Italy on the hand sounds like a place to live, I have family there but the mighty Italian language isn't on my agenda as of now

Well I've spent a lot of time in Norway for work, an average of two weeks/year since 2000, and I love eating whale!

Italy, well I DO speak it, five of my six motorcycles are Italian, mostly drink Italian wines, etc.

Tom

London, then somewhere in Asia for a year, then London, then somewhere in Europe for a year or two ...

London's my home, my base, so I always like to go back for a few months just to chill and update my life back there. Then the money gets low, so I need a job, and it seems to be relatively random where I end up.

I was only meant to be in Basel for a year, but I quickly extended that in my mind to 1.5 years (as I arrived in Jan 10 and thought it silly to leave just before Spring and Summer came), so I should be leaving in Sept/Oct this year. However, if we take up skiing (we tried it once, two months ago, and loved it) then I'll be here over Winter to do that. And then I'm back in the "well, it's silly to leave just before Spring...." again. This wasn't my plan at all! But here I am.

Right. Let's face it, Switzerland is a little conventional.

Top 10

New York - fantastic place to live, especially if single and no kids.
London - very cool, but weather can be a drag, and boring if from UK...
Berlin - trendy, can live real cheap. Great culture.
Hamburg - great nightlife, but rains a lot. Awesome atmosphere.
Paris - very French, but classy too. Need to speak the lingo...
Rome - if you can find a job, this is an open air museum. Stylish fashion scene.
San Fran - amazing atmosphere. Very relaxed. Can be foggy.
LA - great climate, but choked with cars. Laid back culture.
Sydney - great weather. Interesting place, but far from anywhere.
Singapore - booming, safe, efficient, but very humid (always)

Conclusion - horses for courses, but you've gotta live in the US for a while to experience the difference. Book that ticket to NY right now, and you will never regret it....

I like eating whale, shark, crocodile and everything else

Speaking the language plays a role indeed. One day i'll get a grip on that s of b italian language lol.

I am originally from the USA and have lived in Switz (VD) and UK (SE) for 26 years. My professional travels have taken me to 40 countries. It depends on what you want out of life, but for me if I could up sticks and move it would be to Chile in a heartbeat.

SG...Saint Gallen?

Evile is back lol

I meant to say halve evile?? hehe

Some days I miss my mod hat.

Where depends on for how long.
Hong Kong is great for a few years but for me, after seven years, the novelty of living on a rock in the middle of the South China Sea wore off. And yes I know Kowloon is on the mainland but I wouldn't want to live there. But if you want a non-stop 24 hour city lifestyle then Asia is hard to beat.

For me you can't beat Europe for diversity. If I had to choose outside CH it would be France - probably around Bordeaux or Avignon. I also love Gascony but it's a bit isolated.

What I like about Switzerland is that a one or two hour trip takes you to a different world. And Italy, France, Austria and Germany are all on your doorstep, plus you can get there by train when you feel the need to get away. In Asia you're talking about a three/four hour flight.

I have therefore been warned!