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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Zurich or Copenhagen?

46 replies

Chamonix1 · 26/01/2017 18:34

Posting for traffic. Really didn't know where to put this!
Husband has been offered a job and has the choice between Zurich and Copenhagen.
We've not been to either!
Has anyone been to either of this cities or even better lived in either? What's the pros/cons.
Where would you choose based on those?
We have a 4 year old girl, I would most likely not be working, hopefully studying as have yet to get any qualifications Blush---- we are also thinking about trying for another sooner rather than later.
Husband doesn't have to take the job, but we are keen to explore our options.
Thanks in advance.

OP posts:
SallyInSweden · 26/01/2017 22:09

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Montereydreaming · 26/01/2017 22:13

I'd choose Zurich. Closer to lots of other places in Europe.

TulipsInAJug · 26/01/2017 22:17

Never been to Copenhagen but I was stunned by how beautiful Zurich was, the nicest part of Switzerland in my opinion and also one of the prettiest cities I've ever visited.

I imagine the climate is better in Zurich, warmer summers? That would be a big factor for me.

Viviene · 26/01/2017 22:32

Copenhagen for me every time. I could move to tomorrow!
Denmark is beautiful, so much to explore!

ChipmunkSundays · 26/01/2017 22:48

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badg3r · 26/01/2017 23:40

I have lived in Switzerland and know Zurich a bit. If you are paid in CHF it is not expensive compared to the uk. It can be quite cliquey but there are good expat groups. The scenery is beautiful but the arts scene isn't so great and it is extremely conservative. I found that though many of the people my age were very nice, they were extremely conservative and had a relationship with money that I couldn't relate to (ie they all grew up with loads!). It is a very nice place but I did feel like a square peg in a round hole quite often. Copenhagen on the other hand, only been there on holiday but loved it, much more left and liberal which suits my personality.

redexpat · 26/01/2017 23:43

Are you an outdoorsy person? If yes Switzerland.
What plans to study do you have?

MojoMoon · 26/01/2017 23:50

It's really hard to get a job in Switzerland if you aren't Swiss

It's pretty backward on gender equality. Hard for mothers to work because of school hours and the shame of being a rabenmutter.

Expensive.
Smug
Clean
Low crime
Low tax
Skiing nearby
Nice lake
Monocultural.
A bit racist.
What was the last good band or film or cultural event to come from Switzerland?

justilou · 27/01/2017 00:51

I relocated from Australia to the Netherlands (was there eight years and have just moved back). If your husband's work will cover the cost of an International School, you will meet lots of people in the same position as yourself. They are wonderful communities and will not let you be lonely. I have friends for life from all around the world because of this. Good luck!!!

Klaphat · 27/01/2017 00:58

I live in Copenhagen and would vote for Zurich. There are a lot of unhappy foreigners here, sticking to exclusively expat friendships because it is so difficult to make any kind of inroads into Danish circles. I am not in that position (have the benefit of a Danish husband and being decent at the language) but I still would choose to go just about anywhere else if I had a chance to do it again.

HoHumming · 27/01/2017 01:07

When considering Zurich, look at the school differences. If your DH's employer, will cover International school fees, then I think Zurich would be a good option. If you are going to use a state school, and many argue that your daughter would benefit greatly by being immersed in Swiss German, but the state school was the thing that turned me off relocating there.

Look at the expat forums about schooling in Zurich, many expats seem to be very unhappy with how issues such as bullying are dealt with.

Ingelise · 27/01/2017 05:50

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toomuchtooold · 27/01/2017 06:07

If you do end up in Zurich and want to meet up or if you want any help or advice, PM me - I have twin girls the age of your DD and I live about half an hour's drive from Zurich.

SallyInSweden · 27/01/2017 07:02

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Message withdrawn at poster's request.

toomuchtooold · 27/01/2017 08:30

Sally there are of course plenty of women, even women with children, working in Switzerland (I used to be one of them) but it has historically had very low levels of economic participation for mothers, and I think it's worth pointing that out, as it may come as a bit of a surprise. Wraparound care is available, in the cities at least - it costs about the same proportion of your wages as in the UK. But there's no state provision till aged 5 (or 6 or 7, possibly, my DH started school at 7), and after that there's often no school meals and irregular hours, so you still need after/around school care which costs about CHF 1500/month according to our friends who do it. Tax is levied on the whole family so the marginal tax rate for the "second" earner is painful. And statutory maternity leave is very short, 15 weeks I think. It's all doable but it's good to know about in advance.

seefeld · 28/01/2017 09:43

I've never been to Copenhagen but I do live in Zurich. It's a wonderful place! The weather is great - proper seasons and it's not as damp as the uk so even when it's cold in the winters it doesn't feel that cold. Beautiful Christmas markets, great food - loads of melted cheese! The summers are generally amazing and I love being able to swim in the lake and river and hang out at the badis.

In terms of culture, loads of bands and comedians tour here and I've found I've always been able to get tickets. There's the film festival too for cinema. Regular food festivals.

It is expensive but you get used to it. I tend to do clothes shopping for me and DS in the uk as it's cheaper but now loads of places deliver here and include taxes.

I find it very family friendly. Loads of well kept playgrounds and the community centres offer lots of activities for kids. Easy to travel round, everything runs on time.

caffelatte100 · 01/02/2017 20:53

You've actually got an amazing choice, two of the best cities in Europe in my opinion. I live in one right now and have for 10 years. I am from the other country with lots of family there, regular visits and have also been to high school for a few months so I feel in a really good position to comment. Here are a few of my thoughts about it.

Funny how people who've been on holiday just say that Zurich is expensive and give the cost of a coffee etc. There's so much more to it than that! When you live in a place and are paid an equivalent good local salary, cost of bills, rent/mortgage, health insurance and TAX come into play. The different tax levels of these two countries are massively different and I think you should look into it. I think you could probably save more in Zurich if you are careful. Mortgages are so low, less than 2% that buying there seems a good option. But that might be after a while. You can also live in a place with particularly low taxes (though then cost of housing is more more).

If you are not in a rush to work, then Zurich might work well. Many more women/mums in DK work than in Switzerland, it's actually the norm and you may meet more mums in Zurich and also be more acceptable to stay at home. That said, plenty of mums in CH work but you just need to check the school offers more care (not all do).

There's something cool and fun about Copenhagen, love the dress sense of the scandinavians generally, but Zurich's not too bad either even though it's more conservative. I think you could have a great time in either; arts and cultural events are better in Copenhagen. It's more liberal and laid back in Copenhagen.

I love the way that Switzerland is so functional, like the public transport connections are timed so perfectly! It all has a certain smoothness to it. Everything works so well and is so clean and perfect that it seems surreal.

The weather in Zurich wins, swimming in the lakes in summer while looking at snow filled peaks is nothing short of magical. Imagine how good a skier your child will be, and you too! In an hour and a quarter you are in the mountains (even less!!). A lot of people have second homes in the mountains and ski every single weekend.

Both countries have great homes, are comfortable and warm etc.. with a high quality of workmanship. Denmark is more stylish with the interiors though!!

Both are quite racist countries, I find that the Danes can be quite outspoken about it, sometimes I am very shocked by what they openly admit to, without a thought. Danish people are generally friendlier and more fun if I had to generalise (loads of exceptions of course).

Schooling, both begin late, more like 7. Thereafter, Swiss schooling can be HARD, plenty of exams, tests and high standards, quite competitive, not like all the playing in forests in the early days! Seems a bit more child centre red in Denmark. It's possible to send your children to English lessons in reading and writing alongside local schooling. There are plenty of classes around Zurich, but not sure about Denmark, (I think not but could be wrong here).

It sounds like you have a tough choice, book mini breaks to both and see what you think. Do the salary calculations really carefully, there's loads of advice out there if you look.
What would I choose? As a single lady, or without kids, or if I were younger - Copenhagen - it's more interesting and fun. Now I have kids, it would be Zurich.

Great choice, good luck and let us know about the decision you come to.

LaurieMarlow · 01/02/2017 21:00

Copenhagen is an infinitely cooler city than Zurich (but stuffy/staid). So for that reason alone.

HoHumming · 01/02/2017 22:13

We looked into ski-ing as an extra activity. The cost of it meant it was not something we could have done at all let alone frequently on a salary of 135K! Check out the expat forums to see how costs/lifestyle compare.

Chamonix1 · 08/02/2017 13:06

Well, the decision has been made for us. Copenhagen it is.
Just as I had got my head around going to Zurich

OP posts:
HarlowHepburn · 08/02/2017 13:45

Congratulations! I'm sure you'll love it, I've lived there before and would go back in a heartbeat if I could.

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