So I have been offered a position in Schaffhausen for my company and my girlfriend and I are still discussing if I should accept it or not.

The first big hurdle is Finances, as i'm sure it was for many people/couples in the same or similar situation. I have been doing countless (seemingly) hours of research on if my salary would be enough to provide for both of us (we are both US citizens, she is a teacher). But I have another concern.

If we do determine my salary will be enough for both of us, my concern is what will she do while we are there? We have been looking into teaching positions at the international schools but so far have not found any information that explains what is needed to work there. So, assuming she will not be able to find employment right away, what types of things can she do to fill her days? What have other people done in a similar situation? Was there additional strain on the relationship? I understand that everyone's situation is different, but I am curious to hear other people views and experiences...

Thank you for your time

Hi
Welcome to the forum

It all depends on the salary, a number would help here.

Regarding jobs it all depends on qualifications, experience and...luck

Thanks and welcome to Switzerland

UKtoSwiss: I didn't want to include the salary as I have been reading the Forum and people seem to get upset when people ask questions based on salary. Per annum my gross income would be between CHF100k and CHF115k. Now I have looked all over the internet, build an budget, estimated expenses, reviewed tax laws, used homegate.ch to see what places and taxes would cost, and it looks like that will be enough to support us, not lavishly but comfortably.

I'm just worried that if we get over there and she can't find a job, or something to movtivate her to get up everyday, that she will get bored and fustrated...which could cause some serious problems in our relationship

I think your biggest hurdle will be finding a way for your girlfriend to stay unless she also finds a job before she comes here. That is unless she already has an EU passport or you are intending to get married.

Unfortunately, I think your biggest problem will be finding a way for your girlfriend to stay here if she doesn't find a job (after the 3 months tourist visa expires). My husband and I got married a bit earler than planned due to this consideration. Good luck!

Sorry Tildaoz, posted at the same time. Great minds...

Hello
You will live quite ok, this is roughly what I have and is fine. Not extravagant but fine.

For your girlfriend it all depends what kind of person she is and if working is really that important (for many people it isn't). And what other interests she has (hobbies)

Good luck

Empress and Tildaoz, that is a concern I have raised with my potential employer as well and it is definately a concern. But, being that I am a glass half full kind of person, I am thinking that she will be able to stay.

As for job, she is a teacher here in the US. She has been teaching for about 5 years and has several degrees. I have been trying to located someone associated with the International School in Schaffhausen for about a week now. Either a current Teacher, Adminstrator or a parent of a current student that could provide some additional information about the hiring process (so far I have been very unsucessful). She is definately the type of person who won't be able to just sit home, or do things just to keep busy. She enjoys working and keeping busy with a purpose...

Thank you everyone for all of your comments so far.

I don't think the salary will be an issue. We live on much MUCH less than that.

The bigger concern in my mind is for your girlfriend. If she is not going to be happy not working, then she will likely have a hard time here. A lot of people find sporadic hours teaching english, etc, but most of the trailing spouses I know have had to give up their careers to be here. It can be super discouraging and hard on the marriage. Being here and my not being able to work in my profession has been the hardest thing we have faced as a couple, and that I have faced personally. I don't regret it, but I couldn't stay here indefinitely like this.

There are a couple good threads for you and your girlfriend to read.

Search trailing spouse in the top right hand corner and you'll see both new and old thoughts from a lot of people who've lived this.

Thank you Kristanez

Positive thinking wont help here. She has to obey some rules to be able to stay. She can come as a student for one. Or find a job. Otherwise once the tourist period has run out then she has to leave. Simples

Marry her, get her a permit and she should be able to find a job here teaching English or teaching at an international school.

Gata, The position, should I accept wouldn't start for a few months. I am being positive about her being able to find an employer who would help her get a work visa, or the Swiss Government allowing her to stay with me as we have been in a relationship for several years and living together for a few (i know this is unlikey, but hey one can hope)

The saddest part, I was planning on popping the big question this fall but now I feel like if I ask, before this is settled one way or the other, it will always seem like I asked just so she could come with me (unfortunate)

Which means that you love her and want to be with her forever. Sounds pretty romantic to me. Good luck

There's no time like the present... Get on with it, you know you want to.

If you were planning on asking her anyway, ask her! As I mentioned earlier, my husband and I got married a bit earlier than planned in order for me to stay here (I had quit my horrible job here and couldn't find another one right away). I never felt that it was less romantic that we got married earlier for this reason, only wildly happy that we could stay together and start a new life together.

If your girlfriend has a teaching degree, then she shouldn't have a problem getting a job at an international school. It is just a question of when they are hiring.

Good luck with your search and your life together, whatever you choose to do

Just out of curiosity, if anyone knows, does engaged = married in regard to immigration laws in Switzerland?

I would just do a quickie wedding to get the paperwork and plan a 'proper' wedding with family and guests at your own pace..... if you were going to get married anyway.....

I don't think engaged counts.

yes. accept it. schaffhausen is the best place in the whole of switzerland!

I looked once, engaged doesn't count. Sorry