" My husband and I are planning to move out to Switzerland in the summer. Unfortunately, my company is not footing the bill to find an apartment for us. So, we are going to try this on a budget! My first issue is that we can live anywhere in Switzerland, but we''ve only seen Luzern, Zurich, and Lugano (and the country in between on the rail lines). Zurich and Luzern seem a bit on the crowded side and Lugano is out as we are learning German - not Italian. Anyway, coming from Colorado, we would really like to see mountains where we live and have hiking trails nearby. Any suggestions on the best places to go? Next, how does the whole apartment search go? I''ve been looking on Immopool on the Web and have found several places, but it''s all preliminary and I really don''t want to secure something sight unseen. So, the thought is to live in a hotel for 2 weeks while we look and then make the move (my company would pay for the transition time in the hotel). Sounds like a plan, but how realistic would it be for us to apartment search and move in 2 weeks? Also, is there anybody that helps you find apartments (without costing an arm and a leg) or is it easier to do it yourself? Finally, we are not planning on moving any furniture out to Switzerland. We were just going to buy minimal functional furniture in Switzerland (bed, table, couch, dresser). Is there a good place to purchase this stuff in Switzerland? About how much does it cost? How do you get rid of it when you move? Sorry so many questions! We would appreciate any advice you have! -- Also, what''s the general feeling about living out there? Do you like it, or wish you''d never moved????? Thanks!! Jen "

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" Hi Jen, we just moved back to Switzerland after 5 years in the US. We are from Lugano, so...too bad you are not choosing our city! ;-) Anyway, as far as the initial residence try the Residence chain called UTORING (www.utoring.ch. They have good accomodations, however they are mailnly located in Ticino (italian speaking area). They are nice and comfortable. Depending on your interest in city life, I would choose Zurich, perhaps Basel. On the downside, extremely high prices (anything below 2500-3000 Francs per month is a dump, traffic and no mountains. An area which could suit country/mountain life for you could be either the Graubunden region (east Switzerland) in the city of Chur for example...or the mountain region between Luzern and Bern (generally speaking the Interlaken region). Bear in mind, however, that both regions have tourist villages and others that are not. The non tourist ones could be very very hard to live in for foreigners. It all depends on the activity you plan to do there. As far as apartment search, at least in cities, the local newspaper is usually the best source, but may require time and dedication. We got lucky and found the perfect stuff in 48 hours! Have fun! "

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" The most important thing about living in Switzerland as a foreigner is that you can only live in the Canton that you are permitted to. Your work permit is issued by the Canton that your company has applied to. Immopool is a good place to start. The price quoted is normally the base rent. You need to add to that the car space, heating, cable TV. Expect to pay Sfr1500-2000 for a 1br apartment in Zurich City. If you move outsde the city limits then it will get chaper. Three months notice is standard for moving out. Furniture is normally bought from IKEA or the brokenhaus. Check noticeboards in supermarkets also. Expats are coming and going all the time so furniture is always for sale. Also, the Swiss have a strange attitude towrd ""normal wear and tear"". Be very careful with the walls and floors and be very thorough with the Protokol (damage list) when you move in. The house must be in the EXACT condition it was when you moved in. No exceptions. I know people who have lost thosands here. But it is a beautiful country and summer is the bst time to be here. Cheers, Phil. "

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" Thanks for the info Marcello! I have another question about finding places to live in Switzerland. Since I don''t have a service to help me find a place to live, I am concerned about the language barrier - if there is one. I have taken some classes in German, but I am not good at constructing sentences yet or engaging in conversation (beyond the normal hellos, goodbyes, and can I have a beer!) - I was hoping to learn a lot more German by living in Switzerland... Anyway, I am concerned that this barrier may make life difficult on the apartment search. Do you have any information about this? Thanks, Jen "

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" Thanks Phil! I was wondering about the Canton issue. The job I am coming out for will be a traveling position, all through Europe, but based in Switzerland. I would be working out of my home and there is no company base in the country. From that I was guessing that I could live anywhere in the country. But, it sounds like I have to commit to a canton and then have my company apply for a visa to that canton. Is that correct? Also, do you know if you''re allowed to stay in Switzerland while your visa is being processed? In other words, if I go out to Switzerland and find the canton I want to live in, then have my company apply for the visa, can I stay out there or do I have to come back? I have a friend from Australia who just got his visa to work in the US and he''s not allowed to be here during a specific period while they work on the visa. I''m just wondering if it''s the same in Switzerland. Also, if there are any resources that you know of that I can read which will help me understand this issue, that would be great too! Thanks again for your help! Jen "

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" Jen, in Zurich, in big cities, and in tourist regions youwill have no problem with English. Most people do speak English in the German speaking part of the country. As far as visas, well, when you get into the country you can usually stay for up to 3 months. Even though there is no real border control/immigration such as in the US, the city government is very good in checking out what is going on in the city. If you stay at an hotel or residence service, you have no obligations...however, the moment you get a place for rent, I strongly advise you to announce yourself at the local City Hall, just telling that you have this place as a second residence. If you do not do that, sooner or later someone will tell the police, or the police will find out, that you are renting without being registered. You will face immediate expulsion. In any event, without the residence/work permit as a foreigner it will be impossible for you to hook up a phone line, buy a car etc. etc. Also, the residence permit needs to be applied to at the local branch of the Foreign Police Service. They usually issue yearly permits (calld B permits) stating your activity in that particular canton and purpose for residing there. B permits are valid ONLY in that canton, and every change of address needs to be notified. After 5 years of B permits, you are issued a C permit, which is basically the equivalent of a US Green Card. During the time the Visa is processed, you can stay in Switzerland since you are a tourist at that time....but remember not to overstay the 3 months unless you have announced yourself at the City Hall. City Hall will let you know how long you can stay and will ask you why you wanna stay. Just say tourism, as they have nothing to do with the permit issue. Good Luck "

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" Jen, in Zurich, in big cities, and in tourist regions youwill have no problem with English. Most people do speak English in the German speaking part of the country. As far as visas, well, when you get into the country you can usually stay for up to 3 months. Even though there is no real border control/immigration such as in the US, the city government is very good in checking out what is going on in the city. If you stay at an hotel or residence service, you have no obligations...however, the moment you get a place for rent, I strongly advise you to announce yourself at the local City Hall, just telling that you have this place as a second residence. If you do not do that, sooner or later someone will tell the police, or the police will find out, that you are renting without being registered. You will face immediate expulsion. In any event, without the residence/work permit as a foreigner it will be impossible for you to hook up a phone line, buy a car etc. etc. Also, the residence permit needs to be applied to at the local branch of the Foreign Police Service. They usually issue yearly permits (calld B permits) stating your activity in that particular canton and purpose for residing there. B permits are valid ONLY in that canton, and every change of address needs to be notified. After 5 years of B permits, you are issued a C permit, which is basically the equivalent of a US Green Card. During the time the Visa is processed, you can stay in Switzerland since you are a tourist at that time....but remember not to overstay the 3 months unless you have announced yourself at the City Hall. City Hall will let you know how long you can stay and will ask you why you wanna stay. Just say tourism, as they have nothing to do with the permit issue. Good Luck "

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" Jen, You really need to be sure that your company knows what they are doing or they have engaged someone who does. To rent on a tourist visa is not impossible but risky. To do it by the book you must apply to your local Swiss emabassy for an entry permit. Once you have done this then your company can start the ball rolling. This can take up to six weeks but once complete you must pick up the visa from where you applied. This implies that you must leave Switzerland if you are already there. You really need to make sure that the people who are handling this on your behalf know what they are doing. If they do, then you will have no problems. Cheers, Phil. "

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" Hello I''ve just read through the chain of correspondence following your questions and can imagine you are quite confused now!! There is an EXCELLENT small company in Zug who specialise in helping people like you. Have a look at www.leconcierge.ch. They charge for their services by the hour, have good connections and will provide you with references before you decide to go ahead with them. They certainly didn''t waste our time or money. They will help you with everything from finding a place to live (they''ll send you videos and photos if you can''t get there to have a look yourself), they''ll give you all the info you need about schools, clubs, locations etc and they even gave my husband a conversion sheet of pounds to kilos. I''m not sure how many people are working there but we dealt with Nicki and she was just lovely - very kind and reassuring and certainly knows what she is doing. I hope this helps and puts your mind at rest Louise smith Zug "

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