Hi,

My husband has got recently got a new job in zurich and we are moving from geneva. We are looking to move to either schwyz or zug, would like an insight on to which is better to live in. Also in geneva they have a BIPE office to register your child for a place in a state nursery, is it the same in schwyz and zug? i also need an english speaking gynecologist and pediatrician can anyone recommend any? what are the hospitals like and any good ones to look out for?
Also how important is it to learn german, can you get by with english?

Look forward to hearing your answers!

Thanks!

In Steuerparadis SZ (the Höfe region):

Gynecologist:

http://beatricehung.gyndoc.ch/

Speaks English quite well, but would prefer to do consultations in German if you are comfortable doing so. Mother tongue Chinese, so that's always a possiblity, too. Very nice lady, quite thorough.

Call early for a routine appointment for first time patients. As with most GYNs in the area you are likely to have a 3 month or so wait. Emergencies seen very quickly, though. If needed, have your family doctor refer you.

Family practitioners... I'll PM you. I have seen two doctors in the area, both with excellent English. My concerns really lie with the Swiss system re: general practice than with the individuals, but I'd prefer to discuss this privately.

I have been to two hospitals in the region and lived to tell the tale; just be sure that you chose private or semi-private insurance if you want to be seen by an Oberarzt or Chefarzt. Generalabteilung will only get you seen by junior staff; in these small regional hospitals that might or might not be appropriate for your needs.

Another possibility is to take the supplemental insurance that allows you to go to a hospital in another canton; from what posters have said on other threads the private vs. general issue does not have such an impact in, say, larger cantons like ZH. All-CH coverage is generally a less expensive option private hospitalization.

In my area, German is a must. You don't need to be fluent, barely functional is good enough. But you must make the effort - there is a lot anti-Auslander feeling, you need to show that you are trying to be one of the 'good ones'. Actually, Swiss German is what you should be aiming for, but you'll be excused if you speak High German with an English accent.

I'm afraid I can't help on the pediatrician or child care front.

There are lots of thread on the pros and cons of ZH, SZ and ZG - take a browse through a few of them to get a good idea.

Good luck with your move!

thanks for your reply!

Hi there, tax-wise it is cheaper in Zug. If you need some city live you are better off in Zürich. If you look for a good englisch-speaking doctor in Zürich (centrally located near Bahnhofstr.) with long opening times and experience with kids: krichenbauer healthcentre, Dr Robert Krichenbauer,Fraumünsterstr.13,8001 Zürich. The children department of the university hospital is excellent for any specific stuff and the yll speak very good english.
I hope everything works out for you!

Hi there, tax-wise it is cheaper in Zug. If you need some city live you are better off in Zürich. If you look for a good englisch-speaking doctor in Zürich (centrally located near Bahnhofstr.) with long opening times and experience with kids: krichenbauer healthcentre, Dr Robert Krichenbauer,Fraumünsterstr.13,8001 Zürich. The children department of the university hospital is excellent for any specific stuff and the yll speak very good english.
I hope everything works out for you

Thanks, we are looking at the hofe area in sz. We saw an apartment in Bach. Does anyone know anything about the Bach area?

Höfe is lovely, we've lived in the area for 8 years now. I'm down the road and up the hill from Bäch, know the village well.

The whole Höfe area used to be more village-like - but with growth comes the inevitable. Most of the communities are losing their village identity or farming roots and turning into Zürich bedroom suburbs. Whether that is good or bad depends on your outlook.

If you need the bright lights of the city, this may not be the area for you.

If you like a quieter life, and asuming you can find housing to suit your needs, the Höfe area is a good choice. *

If tax rates are an issue, the Höfe area is as good as it gets.**

Infrastructure is good if you are communing into Zürich city, although my husband, who goes in before the first train, finds it easier to drive. His morning drive is ca.30 minutes.

I am a 10 minute walk to the train, or an easy stroll into town for most of what I need. I don't drive that often, but nonetheless having two cars is essential, given the kinds of running around I need to do. You will need to assess your own needs carefully. If you think that you will need a car/cars, make sure that you have parking available.

I rarely go into ZH city these days; if I can't find what I need in the Dorf, I prefer to go into Einsiedeln or Rapperswil.

The Etzel and Rossberg offer great hikes, in Bäch you are right on the lake - and for a day in the mountains you are spoiled for choice within a 45 minute radius.

You will find that you need German. Not much, mind - a friendly approach and a respectful attitude makes up for most faulty grammar or lack of vocabulary.

It is a very nice area. We will be sorry to leave.



----

* Unless you are a crazy furriner with too many dogs, that is... But I suspect that is not necessarily a Höfe issue.

** Unless you are an American.

Hi
Can't help but recommend Aargau. The Baden area is great. My kids' pediatrician is Norwegian - always speaks English with me (Bjönness). GYN can also speak English (Enz Kuhn). I think you could get by really well with little or no German. Commute to ZRH door-to-door is usually 50min -1 hr from most Baden-area towns. ZIS also has a primary school is Baden. As for hospitals . Hirslanden Aarau is not far from Baden.

Thanks, but we managed to get the place in Bach. We should be moving there shortly. Now I just need to find an English speaking doctor in the same area as I am pregnant. Please let me me know if you know of someone who speaks English. Thank you.