It's nice to meet you all! I am very impressed with the helpful and friendly exchanges that I've read in the bit of time spent wandering about. It is daunting to be a transplant in an entirely different country, and for me it is the first time. I expect to sign-up for a couple of the social gatherings, as it would be nice to meet up in these informal but structured gatherings.

I hail from the northern half of California, specifically Oakland-Berkeley-San Francisco, although I grew up in the Central Valley, the industrial bread basket (amongst other things). I am on leave from my own work which is based in the nonprofit sector. As a nice balance, my partner is in the for-profit sector, which has allowed us to be here.

We have a wonderful temporary home on the Limmat, overlooking the Linderhof !! For March and April, we have been dividing our time between southern Germany and here until mid-May, when his work will be fully transferred to CH.

I hope to learn some German, contribute in some way to good civic spirit, have lots of laughs amidst all my embarassing moments, and learn/discover what I can about CH and the surrounding environs.

Here's to a great Spring, and cheers (and cheese) to you all!

Welcome SayCheese! I am also from California and am also a newbie. I am originally from the LA area, but had been living in the Bay Area before moving to Zurich in March. My field is also the nonprofit sector. I recently received a Masters in Public Policy from UC Berkeley. I came here with my husband, who transferred for work. We live in Old Town, right off Niederdorfstrasse. It sounds like you and I have a lot in common! We should get together. Send me a PM if you're interested in meeting up for coffee or something.

Simone

you look like you've got the wrong trousers

I feel like I have the wrong trousers, shoes, jacket... (but I'll cope just fine!)
In the fashion regard, I will probably always stand out as a non-ZH'er. You know, in Berkely-SF, anything goes!

Simone -- I will definitely PM you to try to hook up!

Thanks!
Shari

Hi and welcome...nice to have another Berkeley-ite here!
Jack

Hi. Fellow American. From Oregon but went to UCSC for undergrad. I love the bay area but love it here too.

I grew up in Menlo Park, went to Cal, and have been living in Sausalito the past several years. Fiancee and I are now living in Zurich. Plan on staying until end of this year and living in Zurich West/Technopark area. Would love to get together with some fellow expats. Any plans for a group get together in the works? We need to take advantage of this weather!

fduvall

Hi,

I'm not from CA (New Yorker here), but welcome! Hope you settle in comfortably and enjoy all that CH has to offer!

Best wishes,

~T