I am currently planning a move to Switzerland with my husband who is Austrian but has been living in the states for about 5 years now. I have been reading online forums ever since we have made the decision to move. I don't want to be completely uninformed, I need to avoid that experience as I have had a horrible situation on my hands because of it in the past. My question for this forum is, would it just be better to move to Austria? I have heard that it can be very difficult to adjust to the Swiss lifestyle and make new friends. It is very important for me to assimilate, I believe it would be easier for me to be happy this way. Also, I have heard that Switzerland can be a very boring, cold and dull place. What say you Austrians???? How is Austria in comparison?
Both countries are beatyfull and nice, so are the people. Many things are similar, especially quality of live. I'm American, visited both many times, even lived there..
I kinda prefer Switzerland. They just have more to offer..: more cultures, more languages, more climates and..- you just make more money too.
Either one is nice, but I truly belive that Switzerland is probably your best choice, especailly looking at your concerns..
To me, Switerland is the best! If you care,- read up Switzerlands history! Amazing! Our US foundation is based on theirs!
It is important to know that in both culters it is not really common to talk to strangers. Nothing wrong with it though.. You have to approach the people first!!! They will respond mostly the same way back..
both are really great countries.
American, forever but there are other nice places..
In some ways I kinda agree with the above..
You can't go wrong with either or.
Don't pay too much attention to harsh critics on here.. Unhappy people are unhappy anywhere!
I was born and raised in Switzerland, live now here in the US. I always enjoyed visiting Austria. Sure the Swiss or Austrians have their ways, but really, they are good people. Just keep in mind that if you are from a big town that it might be different in a little town
over there.
I would move to Austria or Switzerland anytime!
I appreciate both of your post and found both of your points of view very useful. I like the comment of "unhappy people are unhappy anywhere!" I'll be sure to keep that in mind and try to be really positive wherever I end up. I will email soon Swiss Guy for more info. Thank you for making yourself available!
If you must come to this part of the world, go to a nice, big cosmopolitan German city instead. Austria and Switzerland are small countries in every sense of the word. There is no doubt that you can have a comfortable life here (if you have jobs), but give up any dream of assimilation...it's not like the US in that sense. My experience is with Switzerland. Unlike the other two people who replied to your thread, I actually live here.
There are times when I find it excrutiatingly dull and lonely. The winters here are very long, cold and grey. Very grey. On the whole (of course there are exceptions), I find Swiss people rather cold, superior and unfriendly. Customer service is often rude.
If you have a job and a husband then I expect you will be alright, though. Whatever anyone says, I truly believe that people, however rich or poor they are, come to Switz purely for economic reasons - if I didn't have a job, then I would not stay here.
Are you crazy? Switzerland is the worst choice in europe. I've lived there since 4 years. The people there don't like anyone who's not swiss, Europeans included. The swiss are selfish, anti-social, closed-minded, racist, and only care about money. Plus unless you work in a bank you won't find the swiss industries very rewarding, Switzerland is a VERY expensive country and the place blows if you go there as a foreigner.
Austria is a beautiful place, it offers much more than switzerland for a lower price, and people are open-minded and infintiely more tolerant in Austria than in switzerland, land of closed-minded bankers and rude idiots.
I was married to a Swiss person.
All he cared about was money. He was a total loser in the US for many years, robbed people here and then ran to Switzerland when he was indicted. His parents tried to steal the money also until they were almost arrested for aiding and abetting all the while claiming they were christian. Now, their son, a total fraud is working for a big bank in Switzerland and probably defrauding others. In my experience, all they care about is money and status. They act as if they are moral, but are willing to give up all scruples for financial gain. I agree with the above poster that they are antisocial, but antisocial in the psychopathic sense since they lack feelings and only care about money and status. They also hate foreigners and will only talk to you if they have social or financial gain.
