I love how EF'ers get off the hook and start ripping each other to shreads (in addition to the OP) as soon a "My Salary is XXX - Is it enough to survive in CH? or CH is too expensive. I can't survive" topic comes up.

Although highly entertaining for the most part my personal opinion is that I need to get paid more because nothing is enough to keep me satisfied anywhere in the world. The more money I make the more my lifestyle changes.

To help the OP I would recommend to that he seriously consider various factors such as career aspirations in the future, how long he wants to stay here, future lifestyle changes vs current etc... For the short haul when you move countries (or your comfort zone) for a very short time without a significant change in your yearly pay then you are wasting your time. Of course if your intention is to experience the culture, meet new people, enjoy the sights and do all the things that single people with no strong fiscal committments do then you can take the plunge and figure out how long you want to swim.

p.s. I just got a meager pay raise a few months ago and also heard that the new RangeRover Evoque is unbelievable. I am seriously thinking about buying it. Opinions?

In a word...yes it certainly does....

Dear Porsch,

Please insert customary Bunny picture here.

Me too. If I still had hair, I'd have gone all cumulonimbus...

Attached Thumbnails

 

Basically the EF falls into 2 camps on this. There are those who prefer a relative lifestyle of luxury who will say 70,000 is possible but he will have to make economies in places. There are the others who will go on about how half that amount is perfectly adequate to feed a family of five - and how dare you have any kind of aspirations.

Personally I think the OP will be able to live on the amount stated, but it won't afford him a like-for-like substitute for his Edinburgh lifestyle. A move to Basel on that money will be for the experience of living in CH and not for the financial gain.

Cheers,
Nick

__________________

That's what I thought some nearly seven years ago as well. The trick is that once you are here and you know the place, industry, jobs and salaries... you are suddenly much more likely to find a better offer later on. So it is not only some investment into a personal experience - it can be a fairly good investment careerwise as well.

Are you kidding? Do you even know how much rent you have to pay for a 5 bedroom house in Vaud? What are you basing your statement on? It amazes me how quick people make statements without having enough information to support them...

Suggest you Google "sarcasm". The clue was in the hot and cold running maids.

Cheers,
Nick

Sorry! I guess I have to get used to identify sarcasm in writing...

Hot running maids I understand.

Cold ones?

In which case the OP is advised to have a game plan in place - i.e. have an idea of how he will utilise the experience he gains in Basel.

Cheers,
Nick

It really depends on youself! My flat mate earns around CHF 3'800 gross/mounth and he he drives a small economic car (three years old) go out clubbing 1-2 a week and enjoys eating out with friends. You just have to become a smart shopper like he is and you should be good. Without a car I do not see any issues at all.

all depends on your circumstances and qualifications, but as as single guy it certainly wouldn't be enough for me

Errrmmmm, - that's FOUR words ;-)

Pbpbpbpbpt!




Given his lifestyle description, I too would agree that it would be a bit of a change making "only" 70k/yr here in Basel.

HOWEVER... who couldn't use a bit of a change while in their 20s? I've done it a few times and lived through it, he'll be okay. Sure the language was still some semblance of "English" (although not "the Queen's English" to be sure ) but there are plenty of folks in Basel who have some understanding of English anyhow, it's not so bad.

If you like to dine out for the social nature of it, learn to cook (if you don't already know how) and invite some folks over to eat rather than dining out. The experience is still good and actually probably better, no waiting (what feels like 3yrs) for the waitress to come with the bill and you can smoke if you want to. To me that's the major downfall in the expense line up as rent doesn't "have" to be high, depending upon one's tastes but 40chf per entree surely adds up, and that's for the "reasonable" places, heaven forbid he has to pay for a date to eat as well.

Resign yourself to the idea that buying a steak to cook at home will cost the same as you used to pay for a steak dinner out and instead make a (very nice) pot roast which you can enjoy for a couple of meals and you'll be fine.

So far as clothes shopping goes... lol.
As much as I am a clothes horse, there simply isn't SPACE in the apartments here for giving leeway to those habits, at least typically not in the rent ranges being discussed. (If we had more space, my hubby wouldn't get a chance to spend money on games, it would already be gone on shoes )

__________________
The Joys of Opticianry

here are some other tips to help save money:

Only use the loo at work. Not only will you save money on toilet paper, but you'll also be getting paid.

DON'T waste money on expensive iPods. Simply think of your favourite tune and I hum it. If you want to "switch I tracks", simply think of another song you like and hum that instead.

Save money at Christmas by returning last year's cards to the sender with the simple inscription "Same to you".

SHOES last twice as long if only worn every other day.

Don't buy VIZ magazine, but read posts on here instead.

Hats Off Dude!!! Totally hilarious!!!

Nah, just take the TP home with you. You earned it!

That would assume you could afford two pairs of shoes.

Or can go into work barefoot