I would say that the salary is good for a 25 yr old single. But if you could negotiate for more then try. London has an amazing nightlife, free museums and art galleries and you could easily find cheap but very good restaurants. Public transport is quite manic, dirty and expensive but it is alright. Once you are tired of the fast paced life in London, you could always go back to Switzerland as it will always be there. Another plus is the international experience!

Look like u already answers your own question: Switzerland is so small and the world outside is so big!!! As you always have the chance to come back, there is no loss at all! with intl' experience, you even become more valuable when you come back.

As for the life style and quality, why not go to London for a weekend trip and feel it by yourself? It's so convenient and Swiss airline has seasonal offers.

And go to some forum for londoners, talk to them....

I personally like London a lot, it's a very mobile, vibrate city with lots of activities going on.

Life is to experience!

The point is that the OP hasn't confirmed his "status" in Switzerland. If he has a permanent residence permit, that's only good as long as he is a "permanent resident in Switzerland." If he's out of Switzerland after a certain amount of time, the permit can be revoked. Visas and B, L, and any other permit doesn't count either. The holder loses status when they leave the country. The best way for him to "try out" London for a good amount of time is if he has a Swiss passport. Then he can do dam well as he pleases.

If he doesn't have a Swiss passport, then he must decide "how important Switzerland is to him, and is it worth it to give up the status he has in the country." If he has the Swiss passport, then he should jump on the next plane, train, or whatever way he plans to get there and go for it. Like so many have stated "he can always come back."

The guy is 25.

Forget the tax saving. standard of living, quality of life BS!

Go for London... way more FUN for a 25 yr old.

When you are middle-aged head back to Switzerland . I know, I was 25 and am now middle aged.

After all, life is as good as you make it. Follow your immaterial intuition.

In the London I remember you had to share a flat to afford living close to the city and had to eat out every night because there was no real kitchen. No chance to ever be alone for one second, always people around who would tempt you start drinking on a Sunday afternoon, pushy girls you could hardly escape. Overall, probably the best time of my life.....

To the OP: dont even think about it - leave tomorrow. Money cant buy you happiness. At your age, London is the place to be, Lucerne isn't.

I dunno, I am way past young and it's hard trying to entertain folks here when the only thing open in downtown outside the train station on a Sunday is the Starbucks.... I'm old, but I'm not dead, yet, you know. Zurich is an international city...?

When I was 25, I was living in Sloane Sq. and life was awesome. I seriously wonder what 25yo do here for fun....

Follow your immaterial inclination and intuition. After all, life is as good as you make it. Go for the new one and prepare yourself strongly not to regret what ever comes next.

Good luck!

This is a very good point. However, as I was told when I left San Francisco, nothing is irreversible. There is always a way to come back (wherever "back" is) if he really wants to. Maybe he will never want to come back if he goes, maybe he will. And if he does, he can deal with that later.

And let's not forget that, while for some of us our current location is the "end point", the goal, for some other of us the country we currently live in (be it Switzerland or else) is just a temporary stop - definition of "temporary" somewhat flexible, and it doesn't take away the fact that we might really like this temporary stop, just not forever and ever.

For the time being, at 25, single, and if he can negotiate a higher salary, I would say without hesitation: GO!

Nicely put!

Depends by job , by company, by other opportunity, housing , family.

Personally, I've never heard someone close to your age complaining of a bad experience when living@ working in London temporary. It is indeed a great city to live....and you might not even want to come back...

Hello guys, I've been away for the weekend to clarify my ideas! I think I decided what to do, I will go to London! I am sure it will be a great experience. I will meet a lot of people, all those that I couldn't meet here and much more!

I am honestly a bit bored about Switzerland, I am not Swiss even if I've been living here since 16 years (C Permit). I don't really care about loosing my permit 'cause I know (I feel it) London won't be my last resort!

I appreciated all your comments, I followed your discussions during these days. In the meanwhile I had the chance to talk with my new company, I negotiated the contract and according to my experience the salary for the first year will be £50k + package. The package includes a 1 year fully paid 2 rooms flat in the Kensigton area.

I will keep my car for the numerous weekend trips I will do outside the city and I will buy I good bike (as someone suggested) for my daily work commute!

I am really happy about this opportunity that I can't wait for this new great experience!

Now I need advices on the important things I should consider before and after my move to London..

The rent package could be worth around £15-20k, so you've landed a great deal.

Wow, that changes everything. The rent alone is worth maybe up to half of your salary. You've become quite a good catch. Can I introduce you to my sister???

Congratulations and enjoy London (I lived in South Ken for 10 years in my 20s and 30s and loved it).

that's a really good deal - the accommodation probably is worth 30k alone and takes away the biggest expense of being in london. kensington wouldn't be my first choice, but maybe a good choice for someone coming from switzerland since it is a bit more refined than the grimy centre and so you will be in for less of a shock when you arrive

Really, really great deal. Congratulations!

I hope you have a total blast in London!

great negotiating skills - you will love London!

Wow your packages sounds great. I was going to add, not that it is worth it now, but when i graduated and moved to London 12 years ago i was on £14k pa. I survived. Infact i did more than survive, it had the most wonderful 8 years of my life living in London, out every weekend having fun in such a friendly, vibrant, fun and culturally rich city.

You can live quite cheaply in London if you are smart about it. You won't need my tips though, you will be living a great life on your new package. Goodluck!

I think you should not only consider the wage and the place to live.
If I had to make the dicision it would also be based on the job content and the possibilities to learn and grow.

You can make a descent amount of money in a place you like, but when you are stuck with the same job for years with no possibilities to learn or grow, in my opinion, you should reconsider the situation.

And also, bit of a cliche, you should listen to your heart.
If you like Switzerland why leave? It is a nice country with a high standard of living.

No matter what everybody says in here, you got to make the decision yourself, based on your own standards and values.