Moving to Switzerland. Vevey or Pully?

[Glasshalffullofwine]

Husband accepted a job in Lausanne and we’re moving out this summer. Yey!

I’m looking at Vevey for Haut-Lac, or Pully for College Champittet. DH will be commuting to Lausanne.

I’d prefer to get around oh foot, or electric bike (in all but crazy weather), or train.

Pully will be the most convenient for us all, but I really like the dual language aspect of Haut-Lac, and the smaller feel of Vevey.

For DH, is it easy to commute from Vevey to Lausanne? Running, cycling or public transport (I guess we can use a car but least preferable).

For me & getting my two little ones for school, is Vevey to Haut-Lac walkable, a safe cycle, or is it really a car thing? I will be going out in a couple of weeks, but I’m keen for som local knowledge. DH described a big hill from Vevey up to Haut-Lac school, is this really steep & dangerous , or just a longer walk with kids and a pavement?

I drive but I don’t want to have to rely on it as a daily option (environment, driving in new country etc). Not keen on the school buses either at this age (also the prices, wow ).

Love to know if any of the Swiss Mumsnetters can shed some light on the above? I’ve already checked and joined the other usual expat forums.

(So funny to see these towns pop up - I haven't been on mumsnet for AGES and just happened to browse the Living Overseas section and saw your post... I live VERY close by.)

Pully is lovely, Vevey is lovely. If you live in Pully you might not venture to Vevey much as it's so close to Lausanne which is definitely bigger and buzzier. But Vevey has it's own unique vibe going on too.

And of course depends which school you go for. I assume the company is paying?

Haut-Lac is more international (ie follows the IB), definitely not walking distance from Vevey. It's not dangerous, but it's not the nicest of walks (along dual carriageways) and yes some bits are steep, but then lots of hills in this area generally, so you'll need to get used to that). You could do it by e-bike if you're living down in Vevey but I'm sure you'd soon surrender and get a car. Driving is easy here btw.

Champittet is Swiss curriculum with some English and is probably more realistic to bike to if you live in Pully. But may be a tricker curriculum to integrate in to. How old are your kids?

The train from Vevey to Lausanne is about 10-15 mins so very easy to commute between the two, but it would really make more sense to live closer to the school. School buses are normal for the private school, with kids as young as 3 getting on the bus.

Other villages to look at are Chexbres, Cully, Blonay, St Legier (where HL is), Chernex, La Tour de Peilz, Lutry, Mont-sur-Lausanne, Jogngy, Chardonne, Corseaux...

And if you're set on international schools, ISL has a great reputation too. Can't give first hand experience as my kids are in the local system.

Aside from all that, we love it here, it's a great lifestyle and the weather is underated - 4 distinct seasons with fun things to do in each, beautiful scenery all around, easy access to the rest of Europe, high standard of living. Wherever you pick you won't go wrong!

Thanks so much for your reply. Its great to hear that you’re happy there. I’m so excited about exploring the beautiful area at the weekends, and possibly camping all over Europe.

Also, I’m relieved to hear about the easy driving situation.

After speaking to you, I’ve actually just decided on balance to send kids to Champittet as it has less extra’s than the other schools (not covered!) and the pupils are more local. Also, I love the school’s French focus, and the music on offer. It maybe doesn’t have the same expat adult- friend offerings as the other schools, but they do put social things on for parents and I’m hoping that these things will come with time.

My kids are very young, one in nursery & one’s just started school, so they’re at a good age as any to integrate. How did your family find all of that?

Do you speak French/did you, before you came out? I speak terribly rusty, GCSE French so I’m currently doing the Duolingo/Netflix French/thing & booking myself lessons before we go. We do have lessons when we get there as well. I’ve a feeling that my children will pick it up really quickly, and I can just see them babbling away & me not having a clue. 🤣

One other question, is there anything I should buy, clothing wise before we go out? We’re at the end of the sales here & everything is so cheap. I’ve just picked up a snowsuit for one of my kid’s , anything else you can think of for Swiss life/weekends?

Are you set on private and have you considered the local system? Champitett is basically Swiss curriculum (with some English language instruction) with a price tag.

All local schools are a high standard and Pully is meant to be super good and I’m sure has a very international mix (we certainly do at one of the villages I mention above - and better facilities actually than the private/international schools).

So don’t discount local if you’re staying longer term or permanently - you’ll save yourself a fortune too.

But if it’s a shorter term move, I would lean towards more international. The Swiss system is notorious for a slow start for the first few years so if you were to, say, go back to the UK in mid-primary your kids would most likely be quite far behind in reading and maths. So somewhere with an international curriculum would be better.

you can buy everything here so no NEED to stock up, though it might be cheaper in the UK. That being said I think the quality is better in CH and winter stuff is proper winter stuff, not fashion stuff if that makes sense. Snow boots needed. And waterproof gloves (ski gloves) for snowball fights.

expect the language to take a bit longer than you think (inc for the kids). Mine were similar ages when we arrived 7 yes ago and knew no French but are now fluent. But it deffo takes closer to a year so quite frankly ignore those who say “oh they’ll be fluent in 6 months”. Yes they’ll be able to communicate and have perfect little accents but unlikely to be fluent….And if they are over about 9/10 it’ll take much longer.

My French is ok. I can understand more than I can speak. Shamefully it’s easy to get away without really needing it as English is very widely spoken, especially in Lausanne.

Oh and make sure the package is decent. It’s not somewhere to be scrimping and saving.

If you are on Facebook join International mothers living in Switzerland- it’s a friendly helpful group.

Thanks for all the information. Ok, so maybe some ski gloves in the sale & then I’ll just wait until I get there for me. Its been -6 recently in the UK & I’m well aware that my “winter boots” don’t cut the mustard.

Its definitely not the easiest learning a new language is it!? I lived abroad ten years ago somewhere else in Europe, & learned a lot through language school & immersion, but I did get teased a lot about my accent. Never mind. Having hated secondary school languages, I learned that I really enjoyed the challenge of a new language, so hopefully, I’ll be ok in Switzerland ….eventually. I’ll let you know. I hear you on the widely spoken English issue. It does make it even harder to learn and practice, when everyone responds perfectly in your native tongue.

Re a new country, I just remember how tired I used to find it, and I had a new empathy for children learning to talk. Good preparation for this move. I’m not expecting miracles to happen with my kids re languages.

Re schools, I’m happier with the school, but its good to know that we have alternatives. You never know do you, and I’m a fierce state school advocate in the UK. The grass often isn’t greener is it!

Ahh thanks! Nope, I’m not on that one. Joining now. Thanks

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I'd second what Suisse says about schools. International school might be a good idea if you're on a short-term contract. If not then I'd take a look at the local school when you find somewhere to live. Loads of Swiss parents could easily afford private school but they choose public - I believe less than 5% are in private schools. Private is often seen as a back up if your child has problems in the public schools. The facilities usually aren't as good and the class sizes are similar. The integration programmes in the state schools in Vaud have an excellent reputation. Playing out with local friends really helps language learning too, which is easier if you're at the local school.

All the advice is perfect above. Welcome!

Mine went to Champittet when they were the same age as yours. When we decided permanently, a couple of years later, we switched to the local Swiss system and everyone is very happy and successful - and off to uni soon.

Enjoy your move!