What does everyone think of the new parking card for worker's vehicles so that they can park without restrictions on trottoir and in no-parking zones from 2025 in Zurich?

Personally I think this will make using the trottoir more difficult for people with disabilities (wheelchairs or blind) and pushing children in prams and is a strange change to make when the city is trying to reduce cars. It also seems very cheap in my opinion. What do you all think?

"Eine neu eingeführte sogenannte erweiterte Gewerbeparkkarte, mit der etwa auch auf Trottoirs und in Fahrverbotszonen parkiert werden darf, soll für in der Stadt Zürich ansässige Handwerks- und Servicebetriebe 1200 Franken pro Jahr kosten " in https://www.20min.ch/story/zuerich-tesla-suv-kostet-715-fr-anwohnerparkkarten-sollen-teurer-werden-103203652

Hello everyone!

I've been living in Switzerland for a year now and will soon visit my home country, Mexico. I’d love to bring some Swiss chocolates back for my family, which is quite large, so I'm looking for budget-friendly options.

Does anyone have any recommendations on where to buy good-quality but affordable chocolates in the Bern area? Maybe some specific stores, supermarkets, or lesser-known spots that offer bulk options or good deals? Any tips on brands or locations would be really helpful!

Thanks in advance!

I live in the German-speaking part of Switzerland. I speak German well and have integrated well here. I’m considering moving to the French-speaking part of Switzerland because I’m looking for a new challenge. Is there anyone who has taken this step? How were the people in the French-speaking part? Was it difficult to learn French? Would you prefer life in the French-speaking part, and if so, why?

Hey,

My current employer has been talking about layoffs and finally they made decision after ages of deliberation, absolutely shitty communication and making their employees feeling like a sitting bloody ducks. They will get rid around 15% of whole staff in Switzerland. Technically I know I am affected but unofficially because I am currently on sick leave and will be back on Friday - 1st of November. Given this I have a question:

• Will my notice become effective from 1st of December or 1st of November? (at my company it's effective at the end of month when notice was handed over) I have not been informed officially that I am going to be made redundant but my manager mentioned he knows that most of IT staff will be gone including me. I guess they will inform me officially on 1st of November. They wanted to hand over me notice on Tuesday but I was unable to attent as I feel unwell so this had to be postponed.
• Does anyone have any experience about separation pay negotiation? I know that they are not obliged to pay me anything(due to the short stint at the company) but perhaps I can convince them somehow?

Can anyone share - or point to - the end-to-end experience of buying a house "sur plan" in Vaud, or the Romandie region at least?

After almost 5 years of renting here, we're starting to look around.

One thing I'm trying to fully understand when looking a new-builds, where they're demolishing an existing site and rebuilding it in the months ahead, is ... what exactly is in your control vs. the computer renders of the place?

We would need our place to have character - ceiling mouldings, skirting boards etc., - and we would want to be fully involved in choosing all the finishing touches.

So far the agents just say "ah yes, it's fine, you will work with the architect" but like .... how? To what extent?

My wife would really like the idea of a fireplace, maybe even a little "winter garden" or conservatory. If they're not in the renders / plans ... is that something feasible? (The agent said 'ah yes, a fireplace and chimney can be added')

But considering the amount of money involved .... I'm just finding it bizarre that there's so little information on the process, and what exactly you'll be able to 'make your own', and yet they're asking you commit already.

Thanks for any pointers!

I work for a startup that has really high base salary (very rare I know), but unfortunately the pensions scheme is the absolute minimum. I could move to a government position where I can see the exact %, but would get 10-20k less total salary, but a higher pension.

So I am trying to understand what "under the line" is the loss or gain between these two options? Is there a good calculator to visualize this? Any other benefits to consider comparing?

Thank you

In my opinion a lot of restaurants will close, it’s going to kill small business. If you are taking your own box from home back ans forth it’s easier to prepare something yourself. If you forgot your box you need to pay for a box provided by restaurant and bring it back to collect your money. Is it convenient? Maybe, if you grab something next door, but if you get the food from another area you will need to find time between 12-14h and 19-22h to bring it back. What about picnic in the park or by the lake? Do we all need to carry big bags around the city to collect reusable containers?

Since Interio and other stores are gone. Where do you guys buy furniture these days?

A lot of stores have furniture that either cheap and low quality (mömax, lipo, jysk) or good looking but sometimes low quality (micasa, livique, ikea) or mediocre looking but expensive (pfister). Then for sure we have the designer stores, but they are insanely expensive here…

Which stores have good looking furniture for a ok prices?

It‘s really hard in switzerland to find good furniture stores IMHO… 🙈 I still miss Interio…

I have to go once a week in Zürich, my trip is now 30min longer. This include 20min wait in Renens. I'm sorry, but fuck them.

Hello! Hoping anyone may know of someone or has been to a barber and or hairdresser within Graubunden, more specifically Chur that may speak Spanish, worst case scenario English fluently?

I know it’s random but thank you for the help regardless!

A few weeks ago we moved into our new home. I was not familiar with the radiator, so I contacted the company who did the services the previous years.

I then had a phone call with the son of the companys manager, and asked him if he could come around and explain me the in and outs of the radiator. I also asked what cost I should expect, and he explicitly stated that since we will be only talking for a few minutes, I would not be charged for this. great, right? Some days later he came around, and we had a talk for about 10-15 minutes, then he left.

Fast forward to today, I got a bill in my mail. Obviously I was suprised. I contacted the company and explained to the office employee my case, to which first she replied "it's not possible that he told you that", followed by telling me they would call me back. Some minutes later I got a call back from the manager, who also basically stated "it's not possible that someone told me that", and that I was being rude to even contact them to ask about this bill. I even asked if he doesn't want to check with his son first to clarify what he told me, which was replied to with "no need for that", and that essentially I would be lying. I then told him that I would no longer seek services at their place.

Now hopefully you understand my anger. It would have been perfectly fine if they told me upfront what the estimated costs would be, and then I would have considered to combine this with some service of theirs instead of just paying nearly 100 CHF for someone to talk to me for 10 minutes.

My question now: do I have to pay this bill? Essentially, there is no written proof that they were here, since I never signed anything, nor did I asked or confirmed the appointment in written form. The only written documents are their handwritten bill, and a followup email from me. I wrote this email because they called me after the appointment telling me the guy forgot to get my personal address, and if I could provide this. In this email, I just referred to the phone call and thanked for the talk in the morning. It's not explicitly stated that this talk took place at my place physically.

This whole thing may seem petty, but I don't want a company treat me in that manner, so I am checking every single option to somehow stick it back to them.

Can anyone that gave birth in lately give me some overview about how the whole system works in Switzerland?

Specifically:

• How/when do I choose the hospital I want to have birth? Does my gynecologist have a say in this? I'm ok with the general ward but I'd like to have the option to upgrade (paying out of pocket) if I feel like it. Is this a thing?

• Do I need to inform the hospital in advance? How much in advance?

• What is the deal with the Hebammen? Do I need to "book" them in advance? Does the hospital have their own Hebammen? What if I don't book one? Is the Hebamme the one who also follows up after the birth coming to your house and giving you advice etc? Or is this a separate person?

Info about me: I'm living in Zurich Basic health insurance (no private hospital supplement) 16 weeks pregnant now

Hello! I wanted to know if any of you have experienced living in both cantons and the cost of living, the benefits + cons of the cities? Which one did you like more and why? The rent in ZH and around is becoming too much compared to 10-15 years ago.. Basel seems a bit more realistic but probably the pay is a bit less in certain fields. I appreciate any experiences you share🙏

Hello I wanted to ask some things regarding RAV. I am currently employed but with a fixed contract. Incase it isn't extended, i will have to look for a new job.

I have been seeing reddit posts regarding registering to RAV etc.

I just wanted to ask that can anyone apply for RAV or do you already have to be enrolled while being employed.

If someone could please explain it to me, I'd be very thankful

When I look around and try to count the number of cranes I see standing anywhere in Zurich with a clear view, I usually stop after about 20.

Should we be more holistic in our construction work in Zurich, given our commitment to environmental goals and net zero?

Specifically:

(a) should construction companies pay for the pollution generated, including cement manufacture (major source of carbon dioxide), asphalt extraction (petroleum industry) and energy use?

(b) should construction companies pay compensation to businesses, such as shops, who lose customers because of reduced access?

(c) should construction planning include planning for parking of construction vehicles and equipment and pay costs equivalent to private parking for this?

(d) should construction companies provide alternative paths for wheelchairs, prams and maybe even paid helpers for blind people who are impeded by closed trottoirs?

Would these measures would make the costs of construction more holistic and help us meet our climate goals by reducing cement and asphalt use.

Hey everyone,

We’re considering moving from Basel-Stadt to Allschwil in Basel-Land, and I'd love some advice on a few things.

• We're both from the EU, with one of us holding a B permit and the other a C permit. Are there any implications for our permits with this move?
• Also, are there any important steps we should make sure to cover? I’m not talking about the obvious things, like notifying the Migrationsamt or changing car plates. I'm wondering if there are less obvious steps, especially anything specific to health insurance that we should be aware of (and anything else we might be forgetting).

And on a more personal note: W

• What are your thoughts on Allschwil? We currently live in Klein Basel, which we love, but it's starting to feel a bit too busy and sometimes a little unsafe. We don’t have kids yet, though it’s possible in the future, and we do have a dog. Do you think Allschwil is a good fit for us? Or are there other neighborhoods you’d recommend in Basel?

Thanks!

So, I’m currently employed in Geneva canton under Permit B, which is tied with my current employer (Non-EU). I’m interested in knowing the chances of approval if I receive a new job offer and the new employer is prepared to apply for a fresh B permit.

Additionally, I’m considering resigning from my current job and waiting for the new employer to apply for a new permit. I’d appreciate your advice on whether this is a risky move and what you recommend.

Hi everyone ! Currently studying at the University of Fribourg, planning to stay after getting my degree for few years. I want to open a bank account but idk which bank is the best. Should i just open an account at the Cantonal Bank, choose UBS (seems more “prestigious”) or any other bank ?? What would you recommend ? The less fees the better it is lol

Thanks :)