Things You Need to Know About Your Move to Switzerland

Written by Jason Lowder

Before moving to the land of neutrality, chocolate and Cuckoo clocks, there are a few things you need to know about Switzerland. Some of these things might be splendid, some unusual, and a few you should probably watch out for or keep in mind.

Moving is made of two components: the excitement and the hard work.  Let Schumacher Cargo Logistics handle all the hard work for your move to Switzerland, allowing you to focus solely on the excitement!

Things To Know Before Moving to Switzerland:

• Switzerland has one of the best economies in the world–700 years of neutrality and the world’s most recognizable banks will do that. With that stable economy comes a great quality of living(high cost), well paying jobs, and a strong openness for foreign residents and workers.
• You’ve got Mountains and Mediterranean Climates! A gorgeous repository of mountains and lakes, Switzerland’s close proximity to the Mediterranean also gives it a very temperate climate that makes summer and spring unforgettable.
• Finding a job in Switzerland is competitive as an outsider. If you’re looking to make the move try and find work before you go, either with some of the larger Swiss companies or with American companies that have offices in Switzerland, they might be able to help you transfer.
• You can also take advantage of Switzerland’s three-month grace period for foreigners. This period allows non-residents to stay in the country for three months while they try and find permanent work.
• Income taxes are lower in Switzerland but that’s because the costs of living in Switzerland are so high.
• Leave the guns at home. Switzerland does not feature much of the same second amendment fervor we have in America which possibly has something to do with the fact that they are a neutral country…either way, leave the guns back in the states.
• Baby names for Swiss residents have to be taken from a pre-approved list. Don’t expect to be able to pop your baby out and name him Apple Pie Asterisk. If you do, you’ll have to request official permission from your embassy which will be a long and tedious process.

Written by Mark Neville

Amsterdam is more than just canals and “coffee shops.” With their super-friendly, laid back community, incredible food and history, and their high quality of life, Amsterdam is becoming a major attraction for American expats looking for a European getaway.

But what should you do first upon your arrival?  We’ve compiled a list of the few absolute musts that should be at the top of your agenda.

Need help making the move? We can help move your household items to Amsterdam so all you’ll have to worry about are getting your feet into a pair of clogs.

Top 5 Things to Do When You Move to Amsterdam:

Get a Bicycle:

Amsterdam is one of the world’s greatest biking cities. Having a bike opens up the city; not only making it easier, faster, and cheaper to get around but it also functions as a great tour. With all sorts of different bike paths, you’ll be able to give yourself your own bicycling tour of your new city.

Museum Tour:

Amsterdam is renowned for having some of the best museums in the world and some of the best artists in the world. First and foremost you’ll have to check out the Rijksmuseum, then the Van Gogh museum, then follow that up with the Rembrandt House Museum. On a more somber but equally important note, you’ll have to visit the Anne Frank house and see the famous/infamous attic.

Tour the Canals:

Other than its “coffee shops,” Amsterdam is best known for its canals. Amsterdam can go toe to toe with Venice in a gondola-off any day. Even though it might seem a bit “touristy” remember that you are still technically a tourist…and why not get the “touristy” stuff out of the way early.

Eat!:

This item is very simple: taste the local cuisine of the Netherlands. From delectable pastries to sausages and cheeses to their vast ends of the various minority cultures that have settled in Amsterdam, their cuisine is one of adventure.

Coffee Shops:

You simply have to finish Amsterdam’s notorious coffee shops at least once (if only to see what all the fuss is about). Returning home to America and telling your friends you never visited a coffee shop would be like coming back from Paris and saying you never saw the Eiffel Tower.

Written by Alex Bach

Norway is one of the most fascinating countries in the world: they convert their garbage into fuel and even import garbage from other countries.

In summer you can schedule a midnight tee-time since the sun does not set. Also the country is considered a kingdom and they’ve even knighted a penguin. And with an excellent cost of living, moving to Norway is one of the best decisions you can make for a quality expat experience.

Economy:

Norway has an excellent economy at the moment. It would have been even better had the financial collapse not decimated the country’s retirement fund, but they’re still very well off. Most jobs offer very competitive living wages…much more than their US equivalents. The country offers free healthcare and college tuition for their residents as well.

On top of that, the US dollar to Norwegian Krone is trading very favorably to the US; approximately $0.17 to 1 Krone. As such, the US dollar will help make up for the higher cost of living.

Rent:

Rent is very affordable in Norway.  Even their most expensive 1-bedroom apartments in the city center are cheaper than in your average American city: approximately $1,600 a month, which would be hard to put you into a studio in Manhattan! And while the city can be a bit competitively priced to other American cities, the suburbs offer much cheaper solutions.

Transportation:

Norway’s public transportation system makes it very easy to get around the country. They have long-distance buses that can carry you from city to city, as well as the more traditional trains and planes. A local ticket will typically cost around $5.50 USD. Gas in Norway is about 14.74 Kroners per liter, or about $2.46 USD.

And if you want to bring your car with you, Schumacher can assist with that major move as well. Find out how we can ship your car to Norway.

Food:

Due to certain shipping restrictions, getting quality groceries in Norway is not always an easy or a cheap thing. US citizens accustomed to grocery stores like Trader Joes and Whole Foods will be in for a rough surprise. So while it might cost a bit more to find quality produce and foreign items (kiwis, tea, lemons), you can still get your staples like milk for fairly cheap.

Written by Mark Neville

Singapore is fast becoming one of the biggest financial hubs of Asia, joining the ranks of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Tokyo. As such, a lot of westerners from the US are making the move to Singapore. As this is a big move it’s important to figure out some of the associated hurdles before you make the trip.

Housing:

Be forewarned: Rent in Singapore is not cheap! While you’ll be privy to some of the newest, coolest, and stylish condos in Singapore, they all come with a pretty hefty price tag. If you have company-sponsored residence, you’re in luck, if not you’ll need to do some serious financial planning. A one-bedroom apartment outside of the city center will still cost you about $2100 Singapore dollars per month.

Transportation:

Singapore is one of the most expensive places to drive in the world. With very high congestion, gas prices, tolls, as well the costs of the car itself, if you can get around without a car we highly recommend it. (For example, with all of the fees, a 30k car in America could cost about 60k in Singapore.)

If you do need a car it’s much more economical to ship yours from home versus buying a new one. Luckily this is another area where Schumacher Cargo can help you out. Find out how we can ship your car to Singapore.

Luckily, public transportation in Singapore is top notch so if you can’t afford to import your vehicle, or just simply don’t want the hassle you won’t have to worry about getting around.

Pets:

Whenever you’re moving to any new country you should check the pet allowance beforehand. Singapore is no exception. Only certain animals and breeds will be allowed to enter Singapore and that’s after having met the veterinary and import requirements. Additionally, depending on where you live, you might meet further restrictions; many of the high rise condos only allow small dogs.

With these major aspects hammered out, you’ll be able to spend the rest of your planning figuring out what you’ll see first.

Written by Mark Neville

Here at Schumacher Cargo we’re all about helping others get out and experience the wealth of culture and geography the world has to offer. As such, living abroad is one of our favorite ways to immerse yourself in all the wonder this earth has to offer. And one of our favorite destinations is Italy. But just how much are you going to need to live there after you’ve made the move overseas to Italy from the States? Let’s explore the cost of living in this historic and diverse country

Housing:

Of course, the price you pay on housing will change depending on where you live. Cities and densely populated areas like Campania are going to be more expensive. In general, for people already living in Italy, about fifty percent of monthly salaries are spent on rent. On average, a 1-bedroom apartment in the city centre can cost anywhere from 350-600 Euros. Those prices lower as you move outside of the centre and will lower if you share with roommates.

Utilities:

Utilities are unfortunately one of the more increasingly expensive facets of living in Italy. Combined, your monthly price for water, gas, electricity, and heating could be around 180 Euros a month. Tack on another 20 Euros or so for your phone and internet.

Transportation:

Luckily transportation won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Train passes start at 1.50 Euros and only 35 Euros for a month pass. Gas is about 1.78 Euros per liter. It’s perfect for a moped, though that might get a little expensive if you plan on doing a lot of driving…which you shouldn’t.

Groceries:

As Italy is probably most renowned for their food, this is one area where you will probably try and dedicate as much of your budget as possible outside of traveling the countryside and visiting historic museums. The average single person spends about 40-50 Euros a week on food. What’s great is that, with the market food being so fresh, you’ll be able to experience fantastic Italian cuisine without having to shell out the big bucks at restaurants.

There you have it! With these costs in mind, you can start preparing for your Italian adventure.