It was even over 40 in my pool! We had to keep adding water to cool it down.

Lets be honest, be it 38.4 or 43.1 that is is damn hot.

Temps quite a bit lower than that are also hot as hell to many people.

The extreme UV is a problem many dont even consider.

I wish people had been far more blunt about how limiting summer and the extreme heat and UV here can be.

I disagree. It's all perspective I suppose and up to the individual. Me I like high 30's but over 40 that is getting too hot.
I guess for the op if they are knowingly heat adverse then yes, high 30s is hot.

Ok yeah I can see why you would want to move and agree that for my girls the language probably won't be an issue once they start school, I have been enjoying learning a new language but makes it difficult for me to to return to work when they don't need me as much. Thanks for your comments.

Thats one of my main concerns that my parents and inaws are going to miss out on them growing up although we get only got to visit or them to visit for a week at a time last year, collectively we saw each other for about a month which is something we would be able to afford to do if we made the move.
It would be a permanent move, we want to get some stability for the girls as my eldest daughter is 4 and I want her to stay in the school she will first go into ideally!

I suppose we are a little spoilt for choice, we would be financially better off moving to Aus, Zurich is also very expensive and for what we pay for an apartment here we could afford a house in Perth.
I did enjoy suburban living in England, city living is new to me having come from a small town and although Zurich has alot to offer socially it's a bit hard to take advantage with small children and limited childcare options. We spend most day at the lake when the sun shines and I so miss having a car to use everyday!

Ok I get it's hot out there! We got highs of 34.0 in Zurich last summer and my husband found it hard to sit in the sun but enjoyed the heat in the shade, humidity not so much! I on the other hand would enjoy it even though I understand it must be limiting, especially if you have to work!

Thanks for all for your comments has given me a good place to start!

Think of it like this. At certain times in Perth, it is too hot to go out or do much at all. But here in CH in the winter, sometimes it is too cold to go out and do much at all e.g. February this year when we had those 2 weeks of -15 to -20. Eventually you get sick of the long spells of hot, or cold and want more moderate temperatures. Spring and autumn in Perth are glorious. Cooler temperatures, HUGE blue sky. End of the day, it's all the same, just different extremes of temperature!

Yeah that was the coldest Ive ever felt! We were literally stuck indoors the whole time because it was so painful to go out!
I think I would prefer a hotter summer and warmer winter and how you have described spring and autumn sounds lovely. I think my other half would get used to the heat if we decided to go, its not like it will be unexpected!
We get to find out the final package being offered today so will be able to start making decisions, the job offer is much more attractive and would be an excellent career move for my husband, open even more doors and secure our future which is the most prominent reason we are considering it.

Where in CH do you live dmarkd?

The thing about the heat, especially over in Perth is that it's very dry which lots of people prefer to the humid heat, I'm different in that I can't cope with the dry heat. Your husband will also be spending much of his time in an air conditioned office so whilst he'll be wearing a jacket during the day, it will be harder to acclimatise to the real temp. Not a problem if you can afford to be running the air con a lot at home but the going outside thing can seem worse than it actually is iyswim.

I know it varies greatly between household but any guide as to how much living expenses to expect per month for a family of four, just to run and upkeep a family home?

Actually I just found a great site with all that info on!

Kt. Schwyz, at 900m. Hence the extreme cold this February!

Yes,its called Be.

Wow yeah I bet you really felt it up there !

Haha yeah BE is very good! I think if we do go it will become my best friend! I only just discovered the English forum.ch and wish I'd found it sooner like before we made the move to Zurich!