jsm66

Hi All,

Some background ..
I emigrated to Oz in 2006 and then came back in 2007 to deal with some property issues and the fact that the IT market dried up in Melbourne/Sydney... cheaper Indians I guess.
Now we have been in UK and I am working in Switzerland just recently having gotten my 5yr residence permit.
The Oz permit is still there ( spousal visa ) .. but the decision is getting tougher day by day.
Zurich is probably the best place to be in "Europe" in terms of job security, taxes, lifstyle blah blah blah... even though I really miss Victoria !!
Kidswise we now have 2 .. it gets tougher when the education system in Zurich is great .. and I mean state education ..

Anyone in the same boat??

Budawang

I was in a similar situation a long time ago so can't be of much help. Both countries are safe havens in these times of economic stress. The bigger picture is the decline of the west and the rise of Asia. Obviously, Australia is well positioned to benefit from this epic shift in world power. However, the Swiss were smart enough not to become mired in a declining Europe and can adapt and prosper in these changing times. Tough choice. I sometimes wonder how my life would have turned out if I had stayed in Switzerland.

Centurion

Zurich > Australia. I'd love to be in a position to live there rather than here.

ozzieeagle

One of my sons football Teammates parents are mixed UK/Swiss, they have happily chosen OZ as their permanent home.

The Flintstones

Zurich has worse weather than UK, case closed.

Amazulu

Australia. Zurich and Switzerland are nice but the Swiss (apart from a few exceptions) are the most miserable, anal, unfriendly people I have ever met.

DadAgain

ahhh That'll be the effect of all those extra annual leave days and the additional public holidays those Europeans have. If they reduced their number of days off in line with the minimal Australian standards they'd no doubt all be much happier?!

DadAgain

Zurich is hardly ever uncomfortably hot. Much of Australia is often uncomfortably hot. Ergo Switzerland has better weather...

case re-opened.

Amazulu

I don't think the Swiss will ever be happy.

renth

Plus who are the Swiss? there a mix of languages and I'm hazarding a guess that they all hate each other.

DeadVim

I have an Aussie friend who is moving to Switzerland, Christ knows why.

Phil Collins lives there, 'nuff said.

Amazulu

Until recently a friend of ours lived in Basle. She says the Swiss are the richest, healthiest, best educated, cultured people in the world, yet they are all miserable, unhappy and moan constantly. She now lives in Germany and reckons they are a hugely more friendlier and happier people than the Swiss. Go figure.

JAJ

Switzerland is probably one of the best countries in Europe to live in, if not the best. However, it's not that easy to become a Swiss citizen (possible, but not quick or simple) and staying a foreigner for the rest of your life may not be what you want. Same goes for your children.

Sherlock Holmes

Which country makes the best cheese? That should put some holes in the argument.

The Flintstones

Zurich is a city, not a country. and is uncomfortably cold all year round