Dubai, Singapore or Switzerland?

[mumster79]

Very grateful for some Expat opinions.

Which would you choose and why? We thought we were decided but now it's up in the air again.

Any strong preferences?

Singapore because I lived there for nearly a decade and i miss it. Not overly keen on Dubai, lived there, not in a rush to go back. Switzerland I don't know but I guess it depends which city.

Also depends on the expat package, whether you have dcs, how old
They are, how long for, whether you need to be able to get back to the uk frequently, whether you speak languages (Switzerland) etc

Only lived in Switzerland, but have visited all three.
Switzerland is dullsville IMO.
Dubai - okay
Singapore - by far the best option. Great base to explore Asia, fab food, clean, decent weather, no language problems. However, it's expensive and some schools have waiting lists.

We're in Switzerland, as name suggests. Very happy here, so much to do, weather IMHO is great as we have 4 distinct seasons. DCs very settled. Centre of Europe so we travel a lot. Italy, Germany and France are all possible as day trips.

Used to live in Dubai but only for 18 months, was never really settled, couldn't cope with the heat and found it very very boring. Never been to Singapore.

V interesting. We've done the expat scene for 12 years, but now feel we need to give our 4 dc's a home. So favoring Switzerland, but that however ranks #3 on the spreadsheet (obviously)...

There are some things that a spreadsheet can't account for...!

We lived in Dubai for two years but found the heat made us feel claustrophobic and I found the general (lack of) expat culture shallow and slightly depressing. I'd never go back. Dh was happier but he worked out there and it gave him some distraction

For a few years, I'd go to Singapore, as it's such a different experience. But if you want to settle, as you say, then Switzerland is a lovely country to bring up children. Lot of freedom and independence encouraged from early age, safe and organised - and of course also easier to get back to UK, if you have family there.

Would singapore be long term enough to be a home though? In my experiences, contracts there are short term because it's so expensive, and in a down turn, expats in expensive locations are normally the first to be pulled....

You need to really research to see if Switzerland is right for you. The different language areas of Switzerland are very different culturally. Some can adapt to this others cannot. We have been here 10years now with a child in local schooling but our plan is to return to the UK. Really research whether this type of schooling is right for you. There is a yahoo group called swiss schooling.

I would say Singapore - have only visited Singapore and Dubai but have lived in Switzerland agree with previous poster that whilst Switzerland is undoubtedly beautiful, it is rather dull compared with UK and I was in a city (Geneva).

I found Singapore to be a very vibrant and positive place and much more interesting than Dubai (think malls, er more malls and .. malls?)

I understand your reasoning for wanting to give your DC a home. I grew up in Switzerland and had an idillic childhood but as an adult? I would die a slow death. Went back last summer with my little family and could not for a minute contemplate living there. Beyond dull.
Singapore is a very good place to settle with a family. Lots of long term expats and through train schools with a relatively stable population. The mindset in Singaporeans is very "Swiss" in many ways.
Dubai no way. Maybe a purely opportunistic 2 year stint if the money was too insane to refuse and there was no job elsewhere.

Singapore for me - not so keen on the sterility of it but love how close it is to kuala lumpur, Bali, Borneo etc.

Offers the best of both worlds I think, great employment and proximity to adventure

We live in Switzerland since over 5 years and we are very happy here. Overall you get a good quality of life. Don't expect much about city life, but here you must rather enjoy the outdoors. There are many things to do in terms of mountain sport (skiing/climbing/hiking, etc) and in summer it is also nice to swim in the lakes.

The children enjoy a lot of freedom, many walk to school by themselves and play outside without adult supervision from an early age. Many playgrounds are strategically located within the neighbourhood so you can check what they are up to from your balcony or window, thou.

Public transport is very good. You could actually survive without a car if you want to. Many commuter routes are well planned so that you have the minimal waiting time even if you need to change trains.

On the other hand it might take some time to get used to the language and customs. The school system is tough and there is a small ratio of children who make it to Kantoonschule (grammar school)

If you speak the language well enough then Switzerland.

Which one?

Ottilia hits the nail on the head. Switzerland has 4 languages, regionally spread. Swiss German, French, Italian and Romanesch. The German speaking area speaks Swiss German but the official language is high German. The two languages are distant cousins-a bit like Spanish and Italian. To get around this you need to live in a very cosmopolitan area where you have access to High german as well as english. If you have children and want to live in a house rather than a garden, then this will be very expensive and hard to find in such an area. If you choose to live in a village location in order to have a house then you will find it a challenge to integrate because of the language and because the Swiss Germans in particular are reserved and hold back on making new friendships.

a house with a garden rather than an apartment

Swiss German is impossible for anyone not born and bred there. High German make locals switch to English, most Swiss on the German speaking part prefer English to High German.

The French part is easier. People are generaly friendlier and more easy going.

Switzerland is hard work.

Otilla dont agree. I learned some bernese age 6-7 out of necessity but was taught high german in school. its schizophrenic yes, a foreigner is a foreigner is foreigner and they's more readily speak english than high german to you.

French part is definitely less xenophobic schizophrenic but only slightly less dull.

mumster79
why is Switzerland only N.3 on the spredsheet? taxes/cost of life purely?

6 or 7 is still young.
Your average expat with their high German has no chance.

mmmmm yes all things being equal life is much nicer in Singapore. Low tax, same square dull mentality but lots of sunshine and 3rd world advantages like cheap live in help etc... lets not kid ourselves about that.