Anyone out there? i know its a Sunday morning and people are relaxing/sleeping unfortunately i''m in work today so plenty of time for the internet:)

Simo
simo79, May 3, 2009 @ 13:19

How many children do you have? And will your wife be working? What type of lifestyle are you used to?
Prin, May 3, 2009 @ 13:19

Hi Prin,

Thanks for replying.  We have one 21 month boy.  To start with my partner won't be working.  We don't get out too much as we have a young child but we do like to take him for days out to parks, farms etc.  I know its hard to say when it comes to cost of living but i really don't know how far 120K will go.  I understand that the taxed in CH are less than the UK and with healthcare insurance thrown in that should save us some money.  We do pretty well currently in UK and i don't want to take the wrond salary and end up skint in Switzerland;)

Simo
simo79, May 3, 2009 @ 13:26

I am probably not the best person to be talking to about this, however I think that if you are the sole person that is working, it wont be nearly enough. I know there are people, even families that make less than that, but to lead a nice lifestyle good luck. The cost of everything here is exaggerated. You can email me and I will let you know what we tend to spend a month and go from there I guess. Best of luck!
Prin, May 3, 2009 @ 13:35

Thanks Prin, i've dropped you an email.

Does anyone else have anything to add?  I have read quite a few websites and some articles state that the cost of food for example is similar to the UK (since its expernsive here as well)

We lead a pretty average life, one foreign holiday a year, go for days out with our little boy.  We don't tend to spend a vast amount of money on things like gadgets and we already have all of the furniture we need  (so far) which will be brought across.  I've had a look at the michael page.ch website, this gives a salary review, it seems 120K is above average but i still think i may try to negociate it up.  As yet it is early days and there will be another interview to get through, also i don't know the full package which is on offer.

Please post your opinions

Thanks

Simo
simo79, May 3, 2009 @ 14:32

Good Morning Simo,

I read your cry for help and had a look on the net, you could go to this link:http://switzerland.isyours.com/f/immigration/programmes/affaire/salaire.html

Unfortunately it seems to be only in french, but I guess it's understandable :-)

You will see that the wages they are offering you is quite all right, specially with health-insurance included.If it's a private insurance, that's as good as another 1'500 CHF a month. Switzerland is famous for all the rich inhabitants, but those are not the working ones ;-)

Life is also much cheaper in Biel than in Geneva.

Hope I gave you a answer,

Good luck, Lisbeth
Lisbeth68, May 3, 2009 @ 15:34

Thanks Lisbeth,

That is a little bit more positive, i was starting to worry a bit.  As i mentioned, i don't know what the full package is, or even if i'll get it although i really hope i do.  I'll take a look at the salary tool, my knowledge of French is non existant so it will be worth a laugh at least:)

Simo
simo79, May 3, 2009 @ 15:55

Hi Simo,

Sounds pretty good to me!  You have the second most expensive healthcare in the world after the U.S. so I wouldn't underestimate the value of the health insurance.

Without complicating your question further, we only live part-time in Switzerland find that it is cheaper than Australia, and my understanding is that the UK is a lot more expensive than Australia.

One small bit of advice, I wouldn't rush into buying a car as the transport is so good in Switzerland and if you live fairly close in a car can be more for extras and not essential (but a long time since I had to take a toddler on public transport too!).

Tom
tnielsen, May 3, 2009 @ 16:13

P.S.  Sorry, I meant to say too, Switzerland is very expensive to travel in - hotels, restaurants, etc but it's a lot more reasonable for actual living costs like local taxes, utilities, supermarkets, etc. 
tnielsen, May 3, 2009 @ 16:17

Thanks TNielson

There is so much to find out

Simo
simo79, May 3, 2009 @ 16:57

Quick update folks,

I have just find out that i've made second interview stage so fingers crossed i may get to Switzerland yet:)

Simo
simo79, May 14, 2009 @ 18:03

Hi



120K is definately enough for a family to live a very comfortable life in Switzerland, especially with the health insurance thrown in, you should have no worries.
DJ_Symcard, May 15, 2009 @ 05:39

The main issue for expats with kids are the school fees for english only speaking kids. It can be around 25,000 CHF per year. (Please correct me if I'm wrong). But once you sorted the school fees, the rent and health insurance you should not have any other bad surprise. 120k can be enough if they take care of the relocation and school fees. At the moment I thin this is not the best market trend anyway. good luck
Antoinf, May 15, 2009 @ 10:30

21 months, no school issue sorry! :D:hehe:
Antoinf, May 15, 2009 @ 11:13

Thanks guys for all of your input.  Hopefully i will be sucessful with the second interview!!  I understand that the package on offer will be very good and i think it includes all insurances and school but i will only find out the full details if i'm offered the job.

Fingers crossed!!

Simo
simo79, May 15, 2009 @ 20:40

Hey good people,

I had the second interview this morning and it seemed to go well so fingers crossed i might get there yet!!

Simo
simo79, May 19, 2009 @ 16:53

Hi Simo



Don't you worry, 120k is enough for a ok life with usual small luxuries. With some 10 k a month plus healthcare paid you're good off. A low salary here is around 4k, average maybe 5.5k and everything over 8k is good.

I have lived in the UK recently and the food prices and transport are about the same. And it is true, Bienne is not the most expensive region. Consider living in Bern if you want a good quality city. It is in the top ten worldwide (1. zürich, 2 gva, 9. bern). It is roughly 30 minutes by train. Or smaller towns like Aarberg and Lyss if you don't want to stay in Bienne.



Best of luck



Andrej
and70, May 19, 2009 @ 17:48

Hi Simo,

On www.comparis.ch (then click "Quellensteuer" on the left hand side and enter your information) you can calculate exactly how much you'll be left over with at the end of the month.

In your case, with a wife (not working) and child, your cantonal tax deductions will amount to about 12.5%. Then there are further deductions for AVS (mandatory pension contribution) 5.05%, Invalidity Insurance 1%, and maternity insurance 0.02%.

All in all, your monthly salary will be about 8,200CHF or 7,550CHF depending on whether you get paid 12 or 13 months.

Hope that helps!
Cpt_Numpty, May 20, 2009 @ 18:16

Thanks Cpt Numpty that was very useful and Lokum too,

All i need now is to be offered the job, fingers crossed, hopefully i will hear by the end of the week.

Simo
simo79, May 20, 2009 @ 20:24