Can anybody really explain what is so fascinating about switzerland that they are so desperate to come here to live, with so many restrictions for the foreigner about working here and obtaining accomodation,language problems, insurance problems etc,
All I seem to read here on this forum,is, the problems that they have, and yet they are still desperate to come here.

I'm not talking about people who have married or got family here that is understandable, or people who have been transfered through their firms.

Is it some sort of survival test,? I really don't understand it.

money perhaps?

I truly hope not, as life is not at all just money.

I've changed your title so people might read the thread

I actually think it's not that popular in the greater scheme of things. You go to any European country or non-Redneck US city and you'll find foreigners aplomb.

It's just that on this forum, we see a lot of the negative gripes. Nobody ever visits and goes "yay, it was easy!"

Too true, to be honest, I have never found it difficult here. Awkward ? Definitely.
You have the same relocating to most countries. I went through a lot of crap with the local Mairie when I moved to Savoie back in the early 90's, lots of bureaucracy & Les Francais are just as bad, if not worse (in rural areas) than your average Schweizer. At least here, the paperwork is semi organised.

Yay, it was easy....!

I was amazed, in the end, how easy it was just to up and move country.

The key selling point for me was the quality of life: http://www.mercerhr.com/referencecon...ontent=1173105

But just the atmosphere when you first arrive here, the way people always help women with prams to get of buses, how people press the buttons on bus doors so that complete strangers don't miss their bus.

Key moments for me were:
- witnessing a lone old woman (80-ish) reprimanding a group of teenage yobs for their behaviour and actually getting an apology from them.
- seeing kindergarten children walking to school on their own in the mornings
- noticing that after about 10 at night all the flats in the street go dark and quiet, and the absence of drunkards coming home from the pub at 11.30pm singing.

It all helps to show that the grass can sometimes be greener on the other side...

True, but there are many swiss signs saying "Keep Off The Grass"

dave

I don't think people are 'desperate' to come or stay on in CH. If you are already here, it is worth trying to fight and keep fighting as it is going to be starting again in any new place.

And there are forums for many countries like this one e.g US, Canada, etc.

www.britishexpats.com (too Brit oriented but some info is good); it has 5-6 forums.

Looking as this in a really positive way: it's not that Switzerland is so good, it's that everywhere else is so crap...

Errr, people aren't exactly 'desperate' to come to Switzerland. Except for Asylum seekers and economic migrants - but lots of other European countries have proved a big attraction for them too.

But Switzerland is a very beautiful country, in a good (centre of Europe) location with relatively high salaries and low taxes. If one was seeking to move somewhere 'comfortable' with a good standard of living, Switzerland would certainly be on their list.

And I'd say most of the expats on this group did come here either through their career (were transferred or had a good job offer) or else through a Swiss partner.

actually that is the negative way. everywhere else is so crap ? really ?

get real.

I remember at touchy-feely exit interview when leaving a job, they always ask whether you are leaving because of a "push" factor or a "pull" factor. I think it could be either, but my guess its a pull factor to switzerland in the majority of cases...

dave

for me it was a combination .. desire for new horizons (professionally), coupled with serious dissafection with the UK & a chance to experience a different country & culture. Tax benefits were also attractive, but not a key deciding point I may add.

It probably attracts as many as it puts off to be fair. If you are a more steady type of person you look up to it whilst the more bohemian types tend to see the place as hell on Earth.

And you have hit the nail on the head!

...and many feel trapped here by their high salary, and perceived standard of living while they remain miserable and lonely. Read "The Alchemist".

dave

That's a really, really good point as well.

I was quite the bohemian type actually back in my days in Geneva, it's since moving to the UK that I've become a bit more steady, figure that one out

Never read "The Alchemist", but it seems it is the kind of vaccuous new-age bullshit that would get me very, very angry...

Nah its actually quite a sweet fable, rather than "Feel the Fear and do it anyway" bollox. It reminded me of some of the Oscar Wilde short stories. There are plenty of "messages" if you want to pick up on them, but its a pleasant read in any case.

dave

One of my accointances had this to say about it...


He tends to be a bit grumpy at times, mind you...