It sounds ridiculous. You will be fine.

Can't believe now people also consider this factor before moving to a new place. Don't come to switzerland. ;) Africans and indians see everything ***********, Last time an indian had problem with my swimming trunk and called me racist, Just kidding, Believe me non-white people are more racist, Anyways racism germ is in our mind. it depends on you how you see things,  Swiss people are really nice you wont find any stupid thing in switzerland. Beside this, rather than racism you have to consider many other things, like your living cost because germany is less expensive than switzerland to live

Have to say that it is an important factor to consider when moving to a new country. Especially if you have children so I do understand your concerns Poonam. It is not a matter of racism being in our minds as Brad H says, for example I would not be comfortable living in a place in the deep South of America where all my neighbours are wearing white sheets lol!!! 

Poona, I think that Zurich is like any other town and there will be good people and ignorant people. I don't think fear of racism should stop you moving to Zurich. I would suggest you research the potential schools thoroughly as i am sure that there are schools which have kids from different cultures. Speak to the headmister or headmistress to get a feel of how things work at the schools. I have never lived in Zurich so would not be able to advise you re schools but the internet would be a very useful source of information.

Also you might try contacting parents on the Zurich glocals scene for more info.

Switzerland is a beautiful country and very children friendly due to the variety of outdoor activities, such as skiing, hiking, etc.

So good luck.

If you’ve been able to live happily in all the places you’ve mentioned, I’d say you’ll have no difficulty in Zurich.  Racism exists wherever you go and is not necessarily confined to skin colour – it can be ethnic, religious, or merely a misconception based on an old wife’s tale.

Zurich is a multiracial and comfrotable place to live but high standards come at a cost, so you might find Germany the easier option, especially if the length of your stay and the children’s future education are also important factors.

Good luck, R.

People are people...

Their are racist A.. holes form all walks of life, color, creed, culture, just get over it...  Do not make this a criteria for coming to another country otherwise you might as well live between 4 walls and never go out.

And quite frankly, Switzerland is very tolerant and open in general, you could do much worse ...

Good day to you .

Hi Poonam

Thanks for your post and I would rather ask if your German husband might have a problem in Zurich.

I am German, too have clients in the German speaking part of Switzerland and have not been facing any problem yet. But Germans might not be the most appreciated people in Zurich.

It can be helpful to at least understand some Swiss German. But the glocals Zurich members should know better.

One of the main political parties, the right-wing SVP, ran some xenophocic campaigns during the last years.

Poonam,

It would be interesting to have more replies from "dark" skinned people.

I won't comment but I have never seen a "black" person during my time working up the Old town in Geneva, the lawyers quarter as opposed to what you can see in the City in London. Nor was there a single "black" person working in my firm.

Thanks for yoir replies!!

Belive me I have never thought of this before and I have lived and worked in different countries for last 17 years. My Italian girlfreind whose got a Swiss boyfreind told me to be careful and told me few racisist incidence! 

I see few people dont understand my concern....but when you have kids you have to take care of everything! I wouldnt like my little one to be teased in the school because of his colour. As this is a forum i asked for helpful suggestions because dont want to take a decission depending on my freinds recommendation. 

We have considered all the other facts...cost of living etc...we are not amateurs when living in different country :-)

Yep! Would have to agree with you. 

Hi - Im sure you will be ok - Racism is all over the world. If it was that bad I wouldnt be in this country any more. I am originally from South Africa, but I still feel more comfortable in Switzerland than anywhere else in the world. As Brad H. already mentioned I think non-whites are racists as well. This is just human, come to Switzerland and you will love it. Well I live around Basel and I dont have problems because of my dark skin. And my kids went to school in Switzerland and they are doing well.

So Switzerland is ok.

Poonam - In Italy you would have more problems than in Switzerland, so forget what your Italian girlfriend told you. Im serious I wouldnt want to go and live in Italy and the worse part is if something would happen to you in Italy nobody would know who did it.

Years ago there was a darkskinned child killed in Italy(well this can happen anywhere), but not a single person saw or heard about it.

So come to Switzerland not Italy.

I am an Indian and we lived in Geneva for almost 9 years....just moved to the US  a few months back. My daughter practically grew up all her life in Geneva and she missssssesss it sooo much. We loved living in Switzerland.. It's a beautiful country , the big cities are very cosmopolitan and multicultural.....As a part of my job I use to traveI 50% of my time outside of switzerland and on long trips...Never ever did my family had had saftey or other issues.

BTW, Before moving to Switzerland, I lived 5 years in Germany ( Koln) also.....we enjoyed living there as well.......but certainly our Swiss experience has been very memorable.

Thanks Drothy!! Really helpful feedback :-)

Hello, happy to chat with a fellow world traveller!

In my opinion if you have managed living in so many countries you will be fine anywhere. However compared to London, NYC, Paris or Sydney, that I know, you may be surprised by the lack of "colors".

There are always intolerant racism incidents everywhere in the world, but you may want to enquire about something much more sutle, what the Americans and the Swiss themselves call "mobbing". The act of politely but consistently putting "outlanders" aside social interactions, which obviously can be damageable to kids. 

I do not know Germany at all so could not compare. But I am seriously considering moving out because of that "mobbing" attitude.

Incidently, many outloanders are here, on this international web site, because as I have been told by people living here for years this is where your social life will be...

Hope this help, good luck!

No advise here, just a comment that its good to see positive opinions on the multi cultural attitude in Switzerland. Restores a little faith in humanity. I hope you do decide to move here, and can enjoy a family style welcome we have all experienced here. 

Mmm...rather SHE ! 

She mentioned few incident which happened with

her and her freinds.  Anyway thanks to everyones post it seems its not that bad as I imagined. If we do meet some kind of crappy people our luck! Thanks everyone!!

Hi Poonam i am from India and living close to zurich from 5 years and in zurich i always feel good and comfortable. So for good foreign crowd , switzerland is always a good place to live :)

let me know if you need some more info.

Cheers

pinku

I’m sorry to hear that your friend had some unpleasant encounters in Switzerland. However, speaking from my own experience I’ve been very fortunate to meet and befriend people of many different cultures and nationalities during the twelve years I’ve lived here.

Yes, wherever you go, there will always be people who are intolerant, ignorant and judgemental but I would say that most people who come here with their families (as backed up by a lot of the comments on this post) definitely enjoy and benefit greatly from the experience. Hopefully you’ll be treated the same way that Indians are famous for giving people of other nationalities.

All the best and here's hoping you choose Switzerland. 

Swiss are not the racists, or if they might be, they keep it too themselves, except at votations. Its foreigners who are racist aganst the other foreign groups and that is everywhere, poor immigrants protecting ther piece of pie or other, i dont know. but overall swizerland is very safe and non violent compared to every country i know. i loveit here, its not Los Angeles with street rage, freeway shootings, bars on many homes and everyone has guns, etc.