Hello! I got very lucky and cleared the Google interviews. Now I'm in the team match phase and need to decide between London and Zurich. We are a family of three and I'd be coming in as an L4 SWE. None of us speak German. In Switzerland, we would not need a visa, in the UK we do. In the case of London, I'm worried about the commute time and the quality of schools and housing. It also seems that the TC in London is not as good as in Zurich. As for Zurich, I'm worried about the language barrier and loneliness. Tbh, I am not excited at all about moving. Just thinking about it makes my stomach hurt. Am I being silly? Anyway, given the two cities, which one would you pick and why? TC: idk yet - will share it once I get the offer #engineering #swe
I lived in both places. They are both expensive. Possibly rent is cheaper in Zurich while property prices are cheaper in London, if you consider comparable districts. Zurich is much cleaner, schools are better, crime doesn't exist. You don't have ignorant brexiters on benefits looking at you as the immigrant stealing the job of their uneducated children. It is also much more boring and limited. The two main things to do are sport and nature. Restaurants and coffee places offering are limited. Museums and cultural events in general are non existent in Zurich, compared to London. Swiss German is not an issue as most speak English and it is full of expats. Commuting in Zurich is a pleasant and short experience compared to London. What is the TC for the two locations? What is your lifestyle? How old is your kid? Do you want to stay there forever? Are you in Europe now? These are all questions that can help to make the right choice.
Thanks for the insights. I don't know the numbers yet but it should be something around 200K CHF in Zurich and 120K GBP in London. My kid is 4yo. Not sure about staying forever - I am seeing it as an experience of a few years.
In terms of lifestyle, we like to go for walks, parks, eat out, travel. I'd say we are on the boring side :D
I also lived in both. For a family I absolutely vote for Zurich. Also consider long term taxation prospects. It's very different.
Right. I forgot about taxes. Actually better I don't think about it, otherwise I will cry again. In the UK there is mentality that it is fine to underpay the working class and let the middle class pay for their benefits (instead of forcing corporations to provide liveable wages).
Precisely.
No family here but if it were me I’d go for London simply for the cosmopolitan city and English language. I like pubs as well so…
Google will pay significantly more in Zurich. In general, London is good if you are young or single or interested in culture/events/food etc If you don't go out that much, care more about savings or are more into nature/skiing etc. then Zurich would be better.
TC or GTFO
Someone has to explain me this fetish for knowing other people TC on Blind.
It brings context for their situation
Have been shopping around at house prices in Zurich commutable cities, and it's pretty crazy (like US SF crazy). Renting seems fine, but it seems like affording to actuay buy something should take way too long, or am I missing anything? For example, I can buy a great 4bd detached house in a town I can commute to London, but that does not seem to be the case with Zurich
Which zone are you talking about in London? 4 and beyond? Budget? Because if you tollerate the same commute time that people have in London you could pick almost any location in Switzerland - including South of Gottardo.
Talking about commuter towns, that is up to 1h commute door to door. Current busget is 800k £, may increase if I get to E6. Similar busget could maybe get me something decent south London (zone 4ish). So yeah, Im ok with up to 1h door to door.
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Imo, if you have a family, Zurich is wayy wayy better than any other EU cities my many folds. For all the good reasons. Btw, what's your current TC/company and YOE?. Thanks
Thanks for your input. I can't talk about the current company as it's quite small. YOE: 8
Cool, no issues. Moving from India?.