Hi all

I have been living in Australia for nearly 12 years. I spent 28 years of my life in Switzerland, I fell in love with AUS and was employer sponsored... it has not been easy but AUS is still the love of my life. I am sure I will return again when the time is right.

Is anyone going through a similar situation? Any Swiss/Aussies moving back?

I move back because:
- I need a change of scenery
- professionally not satisfied / higher income in CH
- family in CH (I am a single child)

I worry that...
- I miss the open spaces
- loose my independence once back around family
- miss my Aussie friends

I hope I will be able to meet Aussies in the Bern area, I would like to mingle with English speaking people, not used to the Swiss way of things anymore I might try to get a job at a hotel/tourism industry to start with... for the winter season.

Not sure if I will move all my stuff or "try before I buy" (come over for a few months, then return to AUS...) I somehow feel so torn between the two countries, had a tough couple of years and feel uncertain if I make the right decision.

Anyone out there with some advice?

Cheers
Karin

This thread might be useful: https://www.englishforum.ch/introduc...ng-zurich.html

I shall bring some Tim Tam's with me!!! I will make sure there is some space in my bags...

And vegemite...

I will arrive sometime in January, my project is still "under construction". So much to organise

Karin, make sure you have a firm "Plan B" should you decide to move back to Australia at any point in time.

It is very easy to feel guilty about being on the opposite side of the world from your family, but in the end, you might find that you miss life on the other side. Or maybe you'll love your life in Switzerland and never want to leave!

Ideally, come over and test the waters for the right opportunity - with Plan B. Good luck!

And January is not the best time; freezing cold winter in CH and boiling hot, mid summer weather in Oz.

But then maybe you will be looking forward to enjoy some winter sports!

You will definitely miss the open sky and sense of openess and warmer people.......not everything in Switzerland is perfect. I on the contrary would love to live in Australia (if I had the opportunity)

To avoid getting sucked into dependence, I would try to keep a certain distance to your family (unless they need your daily help that is). Move a few towns over from where they are, like 45 minutes away from them or so, might be good to keep the ties close enough yet loose enough.

All the best!

Thank you for all your help guys.

I actually look forward to spending some time in the cold weather. As much as I love Australia I also still feel like a foreigner as people constantly ask where I'm from (due to my accent). I have plenty of friends here and will miss them but I return to Switzerland every year and find it very difficult to leave again. Obviously my family are my support network too.

I will need to take a risk.... I was hoping to spend a few months in Switzerland but I am worried I won't find a job.... I just need some casual work.

In an ideal world I would spend 6 months in AUS and 6 in CH.

Thanks again 😊

One step in the right direction you have already made. No illusions about it being straightforward. You are not coming back to the 'same' country. Some things have changed and so have you.
You dislike folk asking where you are from? So do I (after forty years of it) but you may find that you have now an Aussie tinge to your Swiss German (or French, Italian) and the language usage and vocabulary has 'progressed'.
I agree with having a plan B.
Hope all goes well. Read the Complaints Corner on here. Native Swiss you may be, but I bet some of the same things will drive you bananas at first too.
I love it though (British) and hope you re-integrate successfully.

__________________
Longbyt

I would find a job before moving, timing is everything so either November for the ski season or come in Spring. Search here for some contacts or advice. https://www.facebook.com/groups/382763515136145/

Thank you everyone.

I was going to store my stuff in Australia, go to Switzerland temporarily. But financially this is bad as I have to return Australia again to sell my goods if I decide to stay. Maybe I should just take the plunge and see how I go. I have family and used to work over there so should be able to settle back in.

Alternatively I can work one season in CH and one in AUS, tourism industry.

I will miss my friends and the open spaces

But I need more stability.

Hi Karin
I'm an Aussie in the Jungfrau region. My husband lived in Switzerland until 7yrs old, then lived in Australia until 18yrs when he came back to Switzerland and did his chef apprenticeship. We have done Winter and Summer seasons in hospitality over the last 20 years. We brought our kids here for a year 4 years ago and only went back to Australia as I had a year to go to become a midwife. If not for that we would have stayed longer as we were loving skiing/snowboarding. We have come back again and have been here for 10mths so far. We are thinking of doing Winters here and then going home for 8 mths. Luckily for my husband he finds that quite easy to do for work. I can work easily back home but it will be a while before I will apply for registration in Switzerland to be a midwife as the German I learnt 20 years ago is long forgotten. Maybe my kids will teach me! I definitely think you will enjoy coming back and maybe you will be able to do half a year each spot. Just have to find the right jobs. Once you get a Winter season job I see no reason why you couldn't line it up again for the following year but most jobs will be filled to start in December. Never say never, my hubby asked around in December and someone had an injury so he took over their job for a month and then they wanted him to stay! Good luck!

Hi Karin,

I am neither Aussie or Swiss by birth but can relate to what you are going through. I spent 3 years in Australia and now in Switzerland since 5 years. I literally feel that we would not pick two different places to compare.

I loved Australia for its water life, food, open skies, nightlife and most importantly sun. It is one of the best countries if you love sun & ocean water which I miss the most here. Yes, there were those odd instances for racial abuse against outsiders.

However, I must admit my Australia experience is from 12 years ago when I was into my early 20s and single. Now I am married and have a young daughter. I love the nature beauty, lakes and above all stability & safety in this country. The beauty of Switzerland is the financial part and open borders within Europe. One does make enough money here to afford luxury vacations to travel when they feel bored. Italy / Spain / France are few hours drive away.

One negative thing might be the time of your move. Late September to early December is the most depressing time for me in Switzerland. It is neither hot or cold. But trust me the other months especially the short summer in this country is definitely worth it.

So, I am very happy with my choice to live here and go back to Australia once in couple of years.

Regards.