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Swiss Dreams, American Prices? Our $2,883 Apartment Reality

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From Chicago to Zurich: One Couple’s Transatlantic Move and the Surprising Realities of Life in Switzerland

Mary and Sébastien Braun’s journey from the bustling streets of Chicago to the picturesque landscapes of Switzerland is a captivating tale of career opportunities, cultural adaptation, and the unexpected challenges of relocating across the Atlantic. Their story highlights the complexities and rewards of international moves, offering a compelling glimpse into the realities of living and working in a new country, particularly in a high-cost-of-living nation like Switzerland. From navigating visa processes and finding suitable housing to adjusting to a new career and cultural landscape, their experience provides valuable insights for anyone considering a similar transition.

Key Takeaways: A Swiss Adventure

  • High cost of living in Switzerland: The Brauns experienced a significant increase in housing costs, paying anywhere from **$4,253 to $5,580 USD** per month for temporary housing in Zurich. Even after finding a more permanent apartment, their rent remained substantial.
  • Career challenges and remote work: Mary’s remote work situation became precarious, ultimately resulting in job loss due to her employer’s reluctance to accommodate remote work. This underscores the importance of considering workplace flexibility before relocating.
  • Unexpected benefits of relocation: Despite financial and career challenges, the couple found increased personal safety and the potential for raising their daughter in a bilingual environment to be overwhelmingly positive.
  • The allure and challenges of Swiss life: The Brauns highlight the beauty and security of life in Switzerland but also acknowledge missing aspects of American life, like readily-available online shopping and longer store hours.
  • Tax implications of international moves: The complexities of Swiss taxation, involving federal, canton, and municipal levels, further illustrate the additional planning necessary for international relocation.

The Decision to Move: From Chicago to Switzerland

Mary and Sébastien, initially residing in Chicago, began seriously considering a move to Europe following Sébastien’s enrollment in an executive MBA program in Lausanne, Switzerland. This, coupled with pandemic-related travel restrictions preventing Sébastien from seeing family in France, accelerated their plans. While a transfer within Sébastien’s company (ZF Group) initially led to offers in Germany and Belgium, the eventual option in Bern, Switzerland, although initially unappealing to Mary, proved advantageous due to Zurich’s proximity. **”He really thought it was the best career opportunity for him, and at the time, the company that I worked for was willing to let me go and work remotely for them from Switzerland,”** Mary stated, explaining the decision to leave what they called their “really cute” apartment in Chicago. Thus began their journey of obtaining Swiss visas and eventually starting over across the Atlantic.

The Complexities of Visa Acquisition and Relocating

The process of moving to Switzerland involved a significant amount of preparation and waiting. This included attending to the intricacies of Swiss visa requirements and spending time living with Mary’s parents while they waited for the visa approvals to go through, an extended waiting period that took almost nine months. The added time allowed them time to adjust to their emotional state, something that they said was a benefit and likely helped for a smoother transition process to their new country.

Life in Switzerland: Housing, Costs, and Career Adjustments

Upon arriving in Switzerland in September 2022, the Brauns initially occupied temporary housing in Zurich, facing rent costs ranging from 3,880 to 5,090 Swiss francs ($4,253 to $5,580 USD). While they soon found a more permanent 2-bedroom apartment in the Enge neighborhood for 4,120 francs ($4,516), their housing expenses remained considerably higher than in Chicago. The move to the Enge neighborhood was only temporary, as they decided to look for a bigger apartment after Mary became pregnant and due to an impending rent increase on their current home.

Uitikon, Maternity Leave, and Career Crossroads

After moving to a larger apartment in Uitikon, a town outside Zurich, Mary learned she was pregnant, further complicating the situation, as their new home was on the fourth floor of a building with no elevator. Their decision to move to Uitikon did come with benefits, however, such as paying less in taxes. However, a reduced commute wasn’t as beneficial to them. Uitikon’s lack of convenient public transportation posed challenges, especially when Mary went on maternity leave. This situation led to a workplace conflict with her employer, who was not receptive to fully remote work, ultimately resulting in Mary’s job loss. **”I appreciated that [my boss] was very honest with me, but it was a bummer because I kind of had to choose between my career or my family,”** she reflects.

Finding Stability, Fribourg, and the Future

The experience led to the family’s relocation to a town near Fribourg, where rent decreased to 2,630 francs ($2,883), and the surrounding environment proved much more conducive to their day-to-day family dynamic. The affordability of housing combined with Sébastien finding a higher-paying position helped to alleviate the financial burden created by Mary’s job loss although it did not fully cancel it out. **”We were able to save a huge chunk of change and Sébastien was making more money.”** The move also provided the benefit of immersing their daughter in a French-speaking environment, enhancing the possibilities of her becoming bilingual. Mary also felt happier living in an area where she could more readily improve her own French abilities.

The Unexpected Gains: Safety, Culture, and a New Perspective

Despite the financial adjustments and career upheaval, the Brauns emphasize the remarkable safety and sense of security they experience in Switzerland. **”The safety level is so different here that honestly, as a woman, I just feel safer doing things that I would probably think twice about doing in the U.S.,”** Mary confirms. This enhanced sense of safety, coupled with a beautiful environment and the opportunity to immerse their daughter in both Swiss and American cultures has been a resounding positive for the couple. Though they acknowledge missing aspects of American life, such as the vibrant social scene, ready access to online shopping and convenience, and extended store hours, they see the increased sense of wellbeing as a well needed change of pace.

Looking Ahead: Balancing Cultures and Career Aspirations

While the Brauns currently have no immediate plans to return to the United States as they wish to see their daughter develop in a bilingual environment, the uncertain political landscape of the US has also played a role in their decision to focus on life abroad. Mary intends to improve her French language skills to revitalize her career prospects when the time comes. The family anticipates another future move to be closer to Sébastien’s family in France but it isn’t currently a feasible or likely option for them. **”To have the ability to have help and have someone to rely on and watch our daughter is amazing,”** Braun says. **”To have her grow up in one of her cultures, I think, would be really cool for us.”

The Brauns’ story provides a compelling illustration of the multifaceted nature of international relocation, showcasing both its challenges and rewarding aspects. Their experience of adjusting to Swiss life offers valuable lessons for those contemplating their own transatlantic move, emphasizing the importance of comprehensive planning, realistic expectations, and a willingness to embrace unexpected twists and turns.

Article Reference

Sarah Thompson
Sarah Thompson
Sarah Thompson is a seasoned journalist with over a decade of experience in breaking news and current affairs.

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