What to take to Switzerland?

[jelliedeel]

Soon to be moving there and I'm wondering what to bring with us. Everything seems expensive there so is it a good idea to buy things before we travel....like children's clothes?
Does anyone know of good storage and removal companies with their storage based there, as i think we'll be in temporary accommodation at first?

Yes, noise like that is not normal.

Which areas are you interested in moving to?

I don't have any experience of CH but just wanted to say that my SIL had similar issues when she first moved to Germany - none of them spoke any German, they were getting demoralised stuck in temp accommodation and they didn't know a soul other than someone at my BIL's new job. 5 years on and they have an amazing life out there - lovely new-build house, a BRILLIANT network of friends and neighbours, fantastic schools and the kids are totally fluent in German. In retrospect I don't know how they did it (must have been terrifying with a 2.5yr old and 8mth old!!) but they're also glad they did. Chin up OP and keep us posted!

Yes, we have a great life now. But it took a year for me to feel happy. I moved with a 13 day old and 2.5 year old. I agree with Laquita, it's very hard at first and the culture is very different. There's so much to learn about how to manage, everything seems so expensive. Then the language differences, German is hard anyway and in CH it's not the language you hear in the street. SO it just isn't easy....

I'm near Zurich and there are a few Facebook groups which are really helpful for local info - English speaking mums in Switzerland and Moms of Zurich and Baden. There are also a few meet up groups for families in Zurich - I go to a few in our Kanton and met a few English mums and had lots of help, advice and support.

Why do they have to leave their school? That really, really sucks .
I also got a lot of help and advice through other expat families my husband works with - does he know anyone else he can put you in contact with?

caffelatte - I'm quite astounded at your children's ages when you moved.You deserve more than a medal for your bravery and adaptability skills!
It is heartening to hear that things improve to the extent that people are happy with their move.

My DC are now at a school where they are tutored exclusively with other foreign kids who have no knowledge of German. I was gutted that they had to leave the first school (a very good local one,300m away) but also the problem was the complete lack of consultation or information about the planned move.

Thanks for the extra links to groups. I will join and probably be quite reliant on those as we will most likely not move to a traditional expat area.

I am just about getting used to food prices and will now buy most things without grumbling about how much cheaper it is in the UK. I can learn to live without all the luxuries that I took for granted ...substitutes are mostly available.

Moving rooms, so less sleep deprivation and the prospect of HRT is keeping me going now.