Im moving to the big smoke (Bern) in April but Im keen on meeting up in Biel for a drink. I'm quite partial to that lakeside place that brews its own beer.

That'd be the Lago Lodge, if I'm not mistaken - nice place, good choice!

No, none! And would definitely like to catch up!
I had Friday Night Drinks with the Zürich bunch the other night seeing as I am housesitting here.. they were a fun bunch and it wasnt as awkward as I was worried it might be (especially un-awkward after a few drinks of course!!)

Hope to see you all sooooon!

Hello Eva, great to hear from you, there really seems to be quite a community of EF members in and around Bienne, apologies for not replying sooner.

As for a meet up I am going to put out a suggestion of Sunday afternoon (28th Feb) as a potential meet up date. I will PM everybody in this thread and try to get the date on the EF calander if most people are okay with this date.

I know what you mean about exposing Corvine to more English speaking, it is the same for my Lily, she is just over two and half years old, she speaks French mostly with wife during the day and her cousins are French speaking too, when I am home my wife and I speak English, but Lily tends to understand what we say but nearly always responds in French.

Anyway, I hope with a meet up we can introduce the kids maybe. Ibis21 also has a 1 and 4 year old I hope they could join too...

So if lago lodge is open on Sunday afternoon how is everybody fixed for a lazy Sunday afternoon drink on the 28th?

Spread the word!

Sounds good That weekend is Luke's little sisters birthday, but they have decided to go to Italy for it and we just can't afford to do that. So unless their plans change to something more affordable we'll (well me at least, haven't checked with him) be free!
I feel bad for you that the responsibility of organising things seems to have fallen on you just because this is your introduction.. I hope youre okay with it! :S

I really don't mind the trying to organise a date for a meet up, if anything I'm enjoying it, there is great bunch of people around here and getting everyone together for drink and a laugh is a nice goal to have.

I've reserved that date, so we (me, hubby, Corvin) should be there unless something crops up. Looking forward to a relaxed arvo and thanks for organising it...

Hi Guys,

I may get relocated to Switzerland by my employer from Hungary, am trying to find the location for myself and my family (wife and a son 4,5). Should be in the middle of the country due to the travelling required by the job, currently I am evaluating Bienne and Bern. What I am looking for is
possibly English kindergarten for my son
English learning opportunity for my wife
reliable medical services
affordable furnished apartments to rent
good train infrastructure
possibly low taxation
night life not necessary, good restaurant appreciated

If you can give me some hints, I would really appreciate.
I would also be looking for meeting up with people, but first I will have to get my family's English going...

Thank you.

Hi majkportnoj

I can't speak much for Bern and I can say little about Bienne, but I'll try and help if I can. Bern might be a little more central for you if you have to travel all over the place but I'm sure you've already seen that on a map! The train infrastructure is excellent, I can't speak for Hungary but comparing it to the UK is like moving from a square wheel to a round one...

For creche, kindergarten or finding people to look after kids it seems the earlier you are on a list the better, we have personally found child care difficult to come by, but some are luckier than others.

Furnished apartments must exist but I've heard they are rare, try www.immostreet.ch, www.immoscout24.ch, www.annonz.ch or similar sites

Good luck, I hope it all works out well for you...

Jonjon,

thanks a lot, I appreciate.
If you have anything on child care, I would really appreciate if you could share.

Thank you for your help.
majkportnoj

Lago Lodge sounds good for me, let me know for the next beer party.
I am 40+, scientist with russian, american, german and whatever roots

Ah.. you missed it
Next time Really nice bunch of people!

Have you lived in Russia/do you speak Russian?
If so, dont tell my partner, he probably wont stop asking you questions about it! I think he thinks he was born in the wrong country and will always wish he was Russian!

Hurro,

Nice to meet everyone last night, had a good time chatting and drinking the delicious beer. Have a great week, the sun is out!

Raaaabert

Firstly,

Thanks to everyone who made it to the the Lago Lodge yesterday, I agree with Lucy, it was great to meet such a bunch of nice people and there will surely be another meet up soon (see you there ArizonaWeird)

Secondly I wasn't the best at letting anyone know who and where we were in the lodge, so if anyone arrived and couldn't find any EF members and left, my biggest apologies, next time there will be balloons, neon flashing signs, or a man on a soap box, but it will be be better prepared next time!

Majkportnoj, I will PM you some details about official offices and organisations we know of around here that may help, my wife just finished training to be a day nanny so I will quiz her for what she knows.

Lucy, next time we're at the lodge we'll buy your fella vodka instead of beer!

Thanks again all.

Haha He is still Australian.. so beer is still good
I just had to meet a Russian family regarding nannying once, and seeing as he was my driver that day he came too - and when they asked if either of us had any questions he was all "I just want to hear more about Russia!!"

Thanks so much for organising it Jonjon! See you all soon!

Jonjon,

glad to hear you had a great party - good to hear that you guys there take so much care about each other.
I really appreciate your help and all the efforts and info.
My process slowed down now, I hope in the coming 2 weeks I can really find out whether to move the family camp or not.
I will of course let you know.
Thank you so much.

Majkportnoj

WOWEEE


See what one misses when offline for a long time I am so glad to read that you managed a meet up and i am sorry for not having kept my promise to help with that.

I would defo be interested in joining you all at a get together ( if you allow Swissies in as well that is )

And would gladly host a meet at my place/garden in Brügg.

It's also where I started the english speaking moms and tots group in 08, which has now been taken over by a mum with a younger kid and i know they already had a successful gathering and I am certain there are more to come.

Also,for those who would be interested, in Biel there is also an English Club ( the oldest of its kind in CH) we got our website up and running again ,in regards to the club you can ask me anything you want to know, I am a committee member there

www.englishclubbiel.ch

And as a long term voluntary shoehorn to expats in CH ,feel free to fire away any questions you might have, particularly regarding life in Biel/Bienne.


cheerio and i hope to meet up soon!

Sylv aka EE

Of cooouuurse There were a few Swissies last time too so you wont even be the only one

Hope to see you all again sooon!

Now you former avatar makes perfect sense to me...