I hope that is a joke?

What makes you think that the OP comes from the states?

For fear of offending I will say yes

Good. Ignoring the net or gross bit, there are many people in Switzerland working as expats for major multinational businesses who have been ASKED to come here by their businesses (thats an important bit) that will earn those kind of packages....and not at particularly senior levels. If businesses need people to uproot families and lives to come here, that costs....and increasing salaries by 40/50% to incentivise people isn't uncommon

In general, over the past couple of pages, I'm sad to say that the tone of this thread leaves a nasty taste in the mouth. The OP was naive, insensitive and a bit lazy not to do his homework, but some of the answers here are tinged with a level of jealousy and spite that we don't normally see here

I'm sorry you feel that way but as you say he was lazy! So please get off trigger

Wasn't directed at you.....just a general feeling

Then why quote me and not any of the others?

Your bit was the "how much do CFOs get paid" and i saved paper by adding on the general comment. But i will happily modify to clarify

No need.

All,

Thanks for all the comments. Needless to say this was a great way for me to get acquainted with English Forum.

To answer few of the questions raised by many:

- I am coming from Tokyo, Japan
- I know the salary is net as HR told me that I wouldnt be worse off compared to my net pay in Japan
- Tokyo cost of living is higher than Zurich from my research!
- I am not a CEO
- International school was the initial thought as we may have to relocate after 3 years and my son started international school in Tokyo last year
- Point taken re 2 cars

Personally I thank everyone for their inputs as I agree to a point that I was naive in my post without checking the forum search first! BUT I must say some of the comments would turn ppl away from this forum. Me being thick skinned is taken all being said in good humor.

Be sure that there will be more posts from me and to annoy the few who are already annoyed I wont use the search function!!

Glad that my posts have entertained ppl!

Nice to see you take the feedback and the banter positively.

Do not worry. even if your first impression was not that great, the guys on the forum are not that bad.. soon, once you have settled down, some of the same people might turn out to be good friends.

It would be a good time to head to the introductions section and tell us something more about yourself

I do not want to throw gas to the fire but we will see that is the how things work here.

When i arrived (manager level) and i need some info (not in English forum but daily taks) people expect you to do a own research first.

As i have proven, that is good but not effective. That is why they are hiring so many expat.

The forum is only the mirror of being switzerland. In many cases it makes sense to do a full research and then ask as it is the way people here think.

The problem with a research is you need a full criteria discussion.

For me it was impossible to know if 100k is good for my lifestyle.
I believe a discussion with a presentation is much better than a research on crap information.

Because cost of life today is not equal 4 years ago (some posts are old or not recent).

For example, try to research how much costs a house in central zurich with maximum 2 years, cleaning included and people will point you to homegate.
In my culture, pointing a site is no help at all.
But here they make a lot (in my work they point help stuff..for example..help with office, they point the help (f1) key).

Ridiculous...i think that is why they hire fresh people with new mind limits.

But in a forum i understand that nobody wants to repeat the same guidelines in 1000 posts (because everybody asks the same).

One thing is true here: you do not need a car so often. I have friends (families) without cars being here for 7 years.

Others only rent for the weekends (no bother for revisions, insurance etc).

I hope this helps.

Detroit, now there's a placed which deserves a "I've been Detroited" thread...

I lived in Japan for 6 years and then we moved back here and I can tell you that not everything is more expensive in Tokyo. In fact, many things are less expensive there than here.

Some companies have a policy regarding International school and if they will make a contribution it may only be for a child who is older than 6. If you know your stay is limited from the start, my professional recommendation is to place your son in an international school if you think the next destination will also be a destination where the language is not English and then what will you do?

I am assuming it is the same employer transferring you from Japan to Switzerland. In Japan, sending your child to local school would not be an option,(though I knew a few expat families who did as one parent was
Japanese) but just because others do so here does not mean it is the right choice for your situation.

Before you agree to anything, insist your employer provide you with an orientation visit and ask for detailed information regarding your relocation package. If they have an arrangement with a local relocation firm to assist you, this is a big plus and I think you will find you and your wife will be able to have most if not all of your questions answered and you can then make an informed decision about relocating, particularly with regards to your concerns about schooling.

It is practically impossible to negotiate your relocation package after you have signed a contract so what you need is accurate information in advance so you can negotiate the best possible deal.

One quick example about something that is far less expensive in Tokyo than here is drycleaning, and particularly shirts. You are looking at approximately 4 chf per shirt for to have a shirt laundered.

__________________

I've given the OP some green as I don't agree that unfamiliarity with a forum deserves sh1tty reputation. A bit of sarcasm is fine but there's no need to be nasty.

lets get him out of the red and actually show EF is Tiger-friendly.....!

Done. Problem fixed.

Seems to me you havent been reading enough of these types of threads!

@tiger1234.... your last post makes nice amends for your first. Good luck in Swizerland! Dont believe the people who automatically say you cannot be happy here! No basis in that, its simply up to you.

The international schooling fees for two children will most likely be a bigger expense than your housing. Are you currently paying the fees out of your own pocket?

If your company wants to move you here, then move you again three years later, it would be reasonable to ask for schooling fees to be covered by the company. If they agree, that would make a monumental difference in evaluating whether or not this move is feasible for you and your family.

Unless you have that in writing, that's about as good as "the bloke down the pub told me so!"

Another thing is some understanding of what "net" means. Is that after taxes? After compulsory insurance, and if so, compulsory insurance for you or for your wife and kids as well? How about complementary insurance? How about relocation benefits such as moving costs (these are taxable in Switzerland and will appear on your salary slip with their full cost as a "benefit in kind", added to your salary, and tax paid on that sum, so your first month's net payout can be surprisingly small)?

Otherwise, good luck. You're still going to earn a salary that will allow you and your folks to have a very comfortable life. Just don't blow it all on rent, even if that estate agent tells you that 1/3 of gross salary is what you can afford .

There are a lot of people in Switzerland who are struggling to make ends meet. I would love to be making as much as you because it would solve a few issues in my life.

Although your question may be valid, it's also invokes jealousy and wishful thinking on many an expat part.

I think the snarky comments are just as fair as the well-meant comments in regards to your question.