UK to Switzerland - anyone done it?

[LondonPM1]

I've done it. 125K is about a low-average salary. Yes, rents are high and eating out is very expensive. But daily living isn't any worse than London. Groceries are not that expensive and public transport is both excellent and relatively cheap. The quality of life there is outstanding, and Zurich is absolutely beautiful. I'd go back in a heartbeat. My advice is just to take the job. Once you've been there for 6 months or so, you'll get other offers.

some solid info here

can i ask Why did you leave - did you make full use of the rav?

[Katalyst]

some solid info here

can i ask Why did you leave - did you make full use of the rav?

My family was still back in London, and I was simply tired of commuting every weekend. I never made use of the RAV. I never knew anyone who did for more than a few weeks - maybe because the unemployment rate there was around 3.5% at the time. The folks at the RAV are pretty efficient at finding people jobs in their field which, if refused, causes you to lose your payments.

[oliverson]

Never worked there but recently returned from a holiday. It's a lovely place and the scenery is fantastic but man, eating out costs are astronomical and tbh, what you got and the service was pretty average. Sick of paying 30 CHF for a crappy pizza and 25 CHF for half a bottle of house wine I decided to have a McDonalds one day. Happy meal and an extra burger was 19 CHF (£16). I mean, that's double London prices. I was pursuing an opportunity out there myself but really, the costs would mean I'd be relatively poor, even on a decent rate.

[Old Greg]

Never worked there but recently returned from a holiday. It's a lovely place and the scenery is fantastic but man, eating out costs are astronomical and tbh, what you got and the service was pretty average. Sick of paying 30 CHF for a crappy pizza and 25 CHF for half a bottle of house wine I decided to have a McDonalds one day. Happy meal and an extra burger was 19 CHF (£16). I mean, that's double London prices. I was pursuing an opportunity out there myself but really, the costs would mean I'd be relatively poor, even on a decent rate.

I had a lovely holiday in Zurich a few years back. Mrs OG was there for a conference whcih paid some of the bills and I hung out with baby YG1 in the day. Great place.

It wasn't quite as bad for costs then for the UK tourist. GBP has depreciated by 20% against CHF since early 2016 for reasons I won't mention.

[BlasterBates]

Never worked there but recently returned from a holiday. It's a lovely place and the scenery is fantastic but man, eating out costs are astronomical and tbh, what you got and the service was pretty average. Sick of paying 30 CHF for a crappy pizza and 25 CHF for half a bottle of house wine I decided to have a McDonalds one day. Happy meal and an extra burger was 19 CHF (£16). I mean, that's double London prices. I was pursuing an opportunity out there myself but really, the costs would mean I'd be relatively poor, even on a decent rate.

Atually if you live out in the suburbs it isn't expensive, prices drop considerably. It was a bit more expensive than elsewhere. For example the garage mechanic near where I lived was a fraction of the price of the fancy dealer on the main road into town. Switzerland is like two countries in one. There is a "swanky" expensive Switzerland and then there is cheap Switzerland, you just need to know where to go.

[Katalyst]

Never worked there but recently returned from a holiday. It's a lovely place and the scenery is fantastic but man, eating out costs are astronomical and tbh, what you got and the service was pretty average. Sick of paying 30 CHF for a crappy pizza and 25 CHF for half a bottle of house wine I decided to have a McDonalds one day. Happy meal and an extra burger was 19 CHF (£16). I mean, that's double London prices. I was pursuing an opportunity out there myself but really, the costs would mean I'd be relatively poor, even on a decent rate.

Of course if your priority is to go out to restaurants often, then it'll seem expensive. But you can do a lot of things there that cost very little. The water in lake Zurich is pristine enough to swim in. People get together by the lake in many "beaches" there and picnic. Skiing is a 45 minute train ride away. If you really want to go out and eat, a 1h30 minute train ride gets to to France. Also factor in the lifestyle .. there is virtually NO crime in Zurich. You can walk outside at 2 AM and nobody is going to bother you.

[PCTNN]

There is a "swanky" expensive Switzerland and then there is cheap Switzerland, you just need to know where to go.

Go south until you reach Italy. That's your cheap Switzerland.

[oliverson]

Go south until you reach Italy. That's your cheap Switzerland.

We also did that. Stayed at a 5 star hotel overlooking the Matterhorn from the Italian side (vs Zermatt which isn't car friendly). Fantastic until the wine list came along - € 2k for a bottle, €1.2k. Frantically searching for something under €300, eventually finding a sub €100. Result. But what a place. I couldn't recommend the hotel enough Hermitage Hotel & Spa, Boutique Hotel in Breuil-Cervinia, Italy – Relais & Chateaux

[NotAllThere]

Go south until you reach Italy. That's your cheap Switzerland.

No no. Go east into Austria, then south until you reach Italy. That's the knock-off Switzerland. They even speak German.

[Old Greg]

No no. Go east into Austria, then south until you reach Italy. That's the knock-off Switzerland. They even speak German.

And eat strudel.