Should I move to Switzerland?

[75th]

Seriously thinking about it. Im confident I could easily get a job through people I know at one of the firms based out of there (UBS, Credit Suisse, etc). I know itll be a bitch getting in there (as far as employment, citizenship, etc), but it seems like it may be worth the trouble. I could take a few months and learn German as well.

Anybody know anyone who has done the whole expat thing?

 

[FriendlyCanadian]

yes

I read nothing

but yes why not.

 

[75th]

yes

I read nothing

but yes why not.

Good man.

 

[AAP]

It's probably easier than landing in the UK.

 

[75th]

It's probably easier than landing in the UK.

Thats what I hear...plus I wouldnt want to move to the UK anyway.

 

[LoneTree]

I have been there twice.
It is a small, beautiful country. Very nice people. Low crime. The whole country is like a big subrubia.
Prices are VERY high because the cartels keep the prices of commodities artificially high. The salary that may look big on paper does not go that far. Your life would be better there, but less affluent. Don't expect to live in a house as big as you live in here (population is also more concentrated).
About 70% people (in the heartland) speak German, but language in Geneva is French and Italian in the south.

 

[75th]

I have been there twice.
It is a small, beautiful country. Very nice people. Low crime. The whole country is like a big subrubia.
Prices are VERY high because the cartels keep the prices of commodities artificially high. The salary that may look big on paper does not go that far. Your life would be better there, but less affluent. Don't expect to live in a house as big as you live in here (population is also more concentrated).
About 70% people (in the heartland) speak German, but language in Geneva is French and Italian in the south.

Ya Ive read up on all of that. I do like the idea of low crime, low taxes, and a (much) higher standard of living...and I wouldnt mind if my dollar (or Franc) doesnt go as far.

I would be looking at Zurich...I dont think my wife could survive in one of the smaller cantons.

 

[EnderJE]

What about Denmark? I've heard that's a great place to live.

 

[75th]

What about Denmark? I've heard that's a great place to live.

Eh, dont like the fact that its a monarchy and they have basically a welfare state type system.

Also job opportunities in my field seem relatively non-existant.

 

[SC4EVA]

I say do it!

 

[Raptorex]

Seriously thinking about it. Im confident I could easily get a job through people I know at one of the firms based out of there (UBS, Credit Suisse, etc). I know itll be a bitch getting in there (as far as employment, citizenship, etc), but it seems like it may be worth the trouble. I could take a few months and learn German as well.

Anybody know anyone who has done the whole expat thing?

It is next to impossible to gain citizenship there (unless you marry), however you could easily work there. I'll probably work in Geneva at some point. We could hang...lol

 

[needtogetarmy]

Denmark is a better country. It is one of the few European countries that is not flooded with Arab immigrants.

My wife and I have been considering moving out of the US for a few years. We are looking at Germany.

 

[75th]

It is next to impossible to gain citizenship there (unless you marry), however you could easily work there. I'll probably work in Geneva at some point. We could hang...lol

In your dreams, faggot.

 

[75th]

Denmark is a better country. It is one of the few European countries that is not flooded with Arab immigrants.

My wife and I have been considering moving out of the US for a few years. We are looking at Germany.

I was also looking at Germany as well. Austria seems interesting too.

The lack of alcatrazes is a good selling point. Do you think they have a lot of Mexican illegals there too? I'm not sure what kinds of boats they can build these days.

 

[Raptorex]

In your dreams, faggot.

How are you AMBAC recommendations going bro!~

 

[75th]

How are you AMBAC recommendations going bro!~

I told you shitface that I bought and sold that for a profit after a day.

Right now I'm busy losing all my gains from Visa and my May 80 calls on my June 85 calls.

 

[-SD-]

You could take a page from the liberals playbook and declare you are moving out of the country if obama gets elected, then not actually do it. lol

 

[Raptorex]

I told you shitface that I bought and sold that for a profit after a day.

Right now I'm busy losing all my gains from Visa and my May 80 calls on my June 85 calls.

LOL, just busting balls.

I have been doing well with MIC check it out.

 

[Razorguns]

Seriously thinking about it. Im confident I could easily get a job through people I know at one of the firms based out of there (UBS, Credit Suisse, etc). I know itll be a bitch getting in there (as far as employment, citizenship, etc), but it seems like it may be worth the trouble. I could take a few months and learn German as well.

Anybody know anyone who has done the whole expat thing?

Do you like being away from friends, family, hometown, american way of life, etc.?

Most I know who go away for financial reasons - eventually come back. After the "newness" wears off - they find themselves living the same middle class lifestyle they lead back home. (Except hotter chicks around).

r

 

[GoldenDelicious]

i say do it. at worst, itll be an awesome, awesome life experience

also i like yoru attitude regarding money. as long as your standard of living goes up, the numbers mean nothing

 

[jerseyrugger76]

Good luck. The Swiss all speak German, French, and Italian. In order to be effective in an office setting there (particularly in finance), you should be prepared to do business in all three.

 

[ceo]

but...you're married.

 

[calveless wonder]

dude, if you can do it..fuck yeah!!! Those are great firms (i'm assuming you work in investment banking now?)

it's a personal dream of mine to move to europe and learn the language,although i don't know logistically (jobwise) if it'd ever work.

 

[Raptorex]

I told you shitface that I bought and sold that for a profit after a day.

Right now I'm busy losing all my gains from Visa and my May 80 calls on my June 85 calls.

I think you might be screwed on the June 85 calls, I'm betting that it will close around 82.

the S&P May 20 downgrade did you no favors.

 

[75th]

Do you like being away from friends, family, hometown, american way of life, etc.?

Most I know who go away for financial reasons - eventually come back. After the "newness" wears off - they find themselves living the same middle class lifestyle they lead back home. (Except hotter chicks around).

r

I've never had an issue packing up and moving away from friends...I guess because, believe it or not, I've never had an issue making new ones.

I could always make my way back to visit if it bothered me...my family will all be situated on the east coast anyway within a year.

 

[75th]

i say do it. at worst, itll be an awesome, awesome life experience

also i like yoru attitude regarding money. as long as your standard of living goes up, the numbers mean nothing

Indeed. If I can't buy another Panerai who cares as long as I'm in an exponentially better location regarding health care, crime, education, etc.

Also for the kids were eventually going to have...I want to make sure they have the best of everything imaginable. That's really the only reason I go to work every day.

 

[75th]

dude, if you can do it..fuck yeah!!! Those are great firms (i'm assuming you work in investment banking now?)

it's a personal dream of mine to move to europe and learn the language,although i don't know logistically (jobwise) if it'd ever work.

Not IBanking, but investments nonetheless. I work for one of the biggest firms now, but I'm not sure of their presence in that area.

 

[Logician]

If you are a "typical American guy", you may not be very happy in Switzerland. It is too quite and serene. Crime is like zero, people leave doors open, wallet can be left outside (yeah really), everything has a high quality and standart and IMO it is a great country to live in. But on the other hand, you have to live in small spaces (both work/office) unless you are paid extremely good, live a low profile life. Its does not have a night life as you know, everywhere closes at 5 PM. And when I say everywhere, I don't only mean stores, even starbucks closes at 6 PM. and everybody sleeps at 11.00 PM. If you open TV's volume a little more or throw a party or smt. after 10.00 PM, neigbours will be calling Police. Your entertainment will be hiking, cycling and skying which they do in masses.

So whether you like it or not depends your way of living. If you like traditional active American life with big cars, big spaces, big fun, Switzerland will look like a cemetery to you. But if you like serenity, peace, nature, high quality of life in a routine, you can't find anywhere better than Switzerland.

If you ask me take a few day of vacation there before making a decision.

 

[pappad]

I spent the day in Zurich on my way to Africa! I liked it but it seemd old, dirty and a little depressing. I guess if you lived there you would get used to it.

 

[75th]

Logician, thanks for the feedback. Based upon what I've read your assesment seems spot on. I think the main challenge would be my wife adjusting. She's rather materialistic.

We have our tickets bought to visit there in October, so well see.

 

[Raptorex]

I was interested and found a nice summary of the various permits and their restrictions.

http://www.littlerglobal.com/index.cfm?event=WorkingAndResiding&country=76

 

[calveless wonder]

If you are a "typical American guy", you may not be very happy in Switzerland. It is too quite and serene. Crime is like zero, people leave doors open, wallet can be left outside (yeah really), everything has a high quality and standart and IMO it is a great country to live in. But on the other hand, you have to live in small spaces (both work/office) unless you are paid extremely good, live a low profile life. Its does not have a night life as you know, everywhere closes at 5 PM. And when I say everywhere, I don't only mean stores, even starbucks closes at 6 PM. and everybody sleeps at 11.00 PM. If you open TV's volume a little more or throw a party or smt. after 10.00 PM, neigbours will be calling Police. Your entertainment will be hiking, cycling and skying which they do in masses.

So whether you like it or not depends your way of living. If you like traditional active American life with big cars, big spaces, big fun, Switzerland will look like a cemetery to you. But if you like serenity, peace, nature, high quality of life in a routine, you can't find anywhere better than Switzerland.

If you ask me take a few day of vacation there before making a decision.

wow, that sucks! i couldn't tolerate that.

move me to the netherlands, germany or italy

 

[Mr. dB]

Seriously thinking about it. Im confident I could easily get a job through people I know at one of the firms based out of there (UBS, Credit Suisse, etc). I know itll be a bitch getting in there (as far as employment, citizenship, etc), but it seems like it may be worth the trouble. I could take a few months and learn German as well.

Anybody know anyone who has done the whole expat thing?

You might need French and Italian too.

 

[needtogetarmy]

The Netherlands is a pure shit-hole right now. Most of the major cities have no-go areas for the domestic population - the cops do not even go there. It is worse than some places in the US.

 

[calveless wonder]

The Netherlands is a pure shit-hole right now. Most of the major cities have no-go areas for the domestic population - the cops do not even go there. It is worse than some places in the US.

where?

i've been to amsterdam a few times and it was pretty nice. minus the weather
only annoying thing is all the arabs and africans trying to sell you coke and XTC everywhere you walk

 

[75th]

The Netherlands is a pure shit-hole right now. Most of the major cities have no-go areas for the domestic population - the cops do not even go there. It is worse than some places in the US.

Indeed. The less alcatrazes the better, probably. That's honestly one of the main reason why im not looking at France a little closer.

Why move there if in 20 years the (then) majority turns it to shit.

Plus French are lazy.

 

[75th]

You might need French and Italian too.

Maybe, but from what I hear from folks who live there...depending on where exactly you live you can do more than enough with German.

Although being a master of 4 languages would be awesome and help me score chicks before I remember I'm married.

 

[calveless wonder]

Indeed. The less alcatrazes the better, probably. That's honestly one of the main reason why im not looking at France a little closer.

Why move there if in 20 years the (then) majority turns it to shit.

Plus French are lazy.

lolololololol

 

[the_alcatraz]

Indeed. The less alcatrazes the better, probably. That's honestly one of the main reason why im not looking at France a little closer.

Why move there if in 20 years the (then) majority turns it to shit.

Plus French are lazy.

LOL

I love you too bro

 

[75th]

lolololololol

Its funny because its racist.

 

[jnevin]

 

[75th]

Looks like you before a haircut.

 

[jnevin]

Looks like you before a haircut.

I won't be yeller until the liver disease sets in.

 

[75th]

I won't be yeller until the liver disease sets in.

Good man.

 

[jnevin]

Good man.

I try to take care of myself.

 

[_Yossarian_]

nice dream bro, but I wouldnt get too excited.
Ill type out a longer response tomorrow(heading off to bed), but nearly impossible to get residency/work permit for non-citizen, even with corp. sponsorship....been there, tried that.

 

[chris350]

Do you like being away from friends, family, hometown, american way of life, etc.?

Most I know who go away for financial reasons - eventually come back. After the "newness" wears off - they find themselves living the same middle class lifestyle they lead back home. (Except hotter chicks around).

r

lol Los angeles is about the furthest thing from an american way of life you can think of

 

[Bikini Mod]

I tried to leave the US but had to return. My sister left last year. She says that she will NEVER return to the United States for many reasons, but that is neither here nor there. I will leave the US as soon as I am able.

If you can leave materialism behind then you will LOVE IT. If you can not, then you will be miserable.

 

[Mavafanculo]

75th

If you will post less, then yes. please move.

If you'll post the same, then I dont care.

carry on.

wootool says hi.

 

[75th]

75th

If you will post less, then yes. please move.

If you'll post the same, then I dont care.

carry on.

wootool says hi.

Racist.

 

[75th]

nice dream bro, but I wouldnt get too excited.
Ill type out a longer response tomorrow(heading off to bed), but nearly impossible to get residency/work permit for non-citizen, even with corp. sponsorship....been there, tried that.

That would be cool broheim. I look forward to your feedback.

 

[Raptorex]

75th

If you will post less, then yes. please move.

If you'll post the same, then I dont care.

carry on.

wootool says hi.

+1

 

[75th]

+1

Wootool?

 

[jackangel]

lol at alcatrazes

 

[Mr. dB]

I won't be yeller until the liver disease sets in.

He looks gray to me.

 

[Hengst]

I actually lived in Zurich for 6 years. I loved it; was the best place I've ever lived. Beautiful, clean, safe. I mean there are NO slums. NO bad neighborhoods and I had NO fear.

It is not a socialist country and the tax rate is low compared to the rest of Europe. It is a bit of a police state but that is not a bad thing as there is something about the social compact that really allowed me to thrive.

The people can be stand-offish. It is possible to work next to some one for years and NEVER learn their first name. (Now that I think about it I never learned my landlords first name, she was always Frau Meier). But once you speak German doors open and I'd never felt more welcome. Discretion comes to mind. Logicians comments are also spot on.

Don't expect any namby-pamby PEE CEE crap their either. Politically they have a parliment and a coalition government, but the largest political party BY FAR is the SVP - Swiss Peoples Party - a <cough cough> Nationalist party. They caused an uproar recently when they won the last elections and threw the 'multi-cult liberals' out on their asses. God, I wish I was there then. Google 'em.

Any way, It was a real eye opener for me and truely helped make me who I am today. PM me for more.

 

[75th]

Hengst, as always you're the man. I'll hit you up later.