" I''ve always wondered what it took to live in Switzerland. Recent articles in the Tages Anzeiger indicate that Zürich is one of the top 3 most expensive cities in the world. How much does it cost to live here, really? I''m too disorganized to answer this question personally (it''s a shame, I know; I live here myself). However, I know a thrifty-minded family who moved to Switzerland from the States a couple of years ago, and they''ve been tracking a budget ever since they got here. The short answer from them is that it costs about $29,000 a year. Here is what they tell me. (They were a bit embarrassed at first, but were kind enough to share this info after they heard how helpful it might be, as long as they could remain anonymous.) Average costs per month ------------------------------ Rent...............................1750 (the killer) Food................................490 Hlth ins. (premiums)......400 Transportation................340 Entertainment/hobby......220 Office/Books..................205 House..............................200 Medicine, doctor..............80 Clothes.............................60 Cleaning/toiletries...........60 Phone...............................60 Utilities............................60 ----------------------------- Total.............................3925 (Numbers in sfr.) (Averages are based on 13 months of actual data; numbers rounded to nearest 5) 3925 x 12 = 47,100 sfr. 47,100 / 1.6 = $29,438 Notes -------- Rent: based on 4.5 room apt. in Zürich suburb. (If you''re looking to cut costs out of this budget, here is where to do it if you can make do with something smaller). Food: means food only (toiletries, etc. separated out). Assumes food-buying trip to Germany about 1x per month. Hlth insurance premiums: ""Grundversicherung"", 5 people. Transportation: includes all related operating expenses for 1 personal auto; the father commutes on train. Entertainment/hobby: includes gifts, birthday presents, eating out. Hobby means lightweight crafts at home. Also covers some daytripping expenses (entry fees, etc.). Office/Books: includes film & development (special mention, because it''s so expensive) House: means ""furnishings"", e.g., furniture, plants, carpets, picture frames, etc. (This family had to furnish own apartment). Furniture mostly from ""Brockenhauses""; some from neighbors and friends. Medicine, doctor: doctor primarily related to pregnancy visits. Category stated as net out-of-pocket (gross expenses less reimbursements) Clothes: kids clothes are easy to find at Brockenhaus. (Adult clothes? They haven''t gotten that far yet.) Cleaning/toiletries: includes 1 kid in diapers. --------------- Family size: 2 adults, 3 children (6 yrs. old and under) Entertainment expenses tend to be higher in the summer, due to daytripping around Switzerland (daytrips include approx. 3 overnighters). No big vacations (what for? this is Switzerland, you''re already there!). (but note Entertainment for daytripping). No payroll deductions included here; also no savings category. (Look at your pay stub and bank account for these.) Yves (tracking money stories since September 1836. The year the first paddle-steamer began plying the Vierwaldstättersee). "

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