We are moving to the canton of Jura in Switzerland this weekend. I didn’t want to say to much about what was going on because I wasn’t sure how it would all work out. I didn’t want to talk about something that may not have even happened.
Now, I can talk about it because it is happening and it is happening fast.
Vilay got a job in Switzerland. We don’t have a car. So, we are going to live in the village where he is working until we get ourselves all worked out financially and can afford the expense of a car. We could buy a car almost immediately. However, we don’t want to pay the insurance or gas until we are more stable.
Life in our little Swiss village is calm and beautiful. We have all the cows and horses we could ever want to see. The children adore it. I thought they would be bored during our two days there while Vilay was dealing with his employer. They weren’t. Sweet Bear told me several times how much fun she was having and how pretty it was there.
Our apartment is huge compared to Strasbourg standards. We will have three bedrooms even if we have only one bed. I have….drum roll, please….a dishwasher!!! The Swiss apartments come equiped with stove, fridge, dishwasher and kitchen cabinets. So, we don’t need to buy a stove and fridge since we had sold ours before moving to America. I think we have our own laundry machine and laundry room, but I am not certain. We have a walk-in closet and more closet space in the hallway. There are even several hooks for the coats at the entrance to the apartment. We only need one month of rent for a deposit instead of two as it is required in France. Again, more money saved at a time that we really need it.
What I love the most about our apartment? The view is incredible from every singe window! We have several tall windows all through the apartment.
I don’t know where we will be in two years. Vilay has a five year work and residency permit which covers me as well. So, I can live and work in Switzerland under him. Until I am French I am not able to live in France and work in Switzerland. So, we will start translating all the documents I need to become French while living in Switzerland. We don’t need to translate the full 10 pages of my divorce decree from my first marriage. The tribunal in Strasbourg would have required it. We called the French consulute in Switzerland and they only require the page that states I am divorced. So, this saves us about 1000 Euros.
I, also, only need to take a written test to get my drivers license in Switzerland which I can later transfer to a French license. We are saved from the headache of trying to get my license in France after the big error the préfecture made.
So, Switzerland life will be a good start for us. We will actually save money in the beginning by living there. Of course, we will buy a house in France and work in Switzerland after we are stable. Well…we never really know what will happen. It is our plan for the moment.
I was not happy about moving out of France, again. Those of you that have been reading this blog know how hard that will be for me. The good thing is that France is only a hop and skip away from our village.
The people in our village are the friendliest people I have ever met. Everyone tells me bonjour and the children salut. Several stopped me to ask the children’s names and ages. The children were introduced to six wiggling puppies by a nice Swiss gentleman while on a walk. Really. I never thought the Swiss were so genuinely nice. I imagined them as very reserved and quiet. The Swiss in our village are warm and gentle.
I am happy to live in this village with my children. I think it will be a wonderful change from the stress of Strasbourg. The community is important in this village and we will be apart of that. The girls will start Swiss school next year. It is all very exciting and fast.
I don’t know how long it will take to get the internet in Switzerland. But, as soon as we have it I will start blogging about our life there. Until then I don’t know if I will make another post or not. So, hang on and stay tuned. I can only promise I will be back as soon as possible.
Pumpkin,
Finally cloud has move a way for sunshine into your life. Happy for you with all these positive changes.Keep on fighting.
Finally. Finally finally finally….I have been waiting for this post.
So so pleased things are starting to pick up for you. and it is so beautiful down there - you’ll probably miss the vibe of Strasbourg but there will be so many other good things to make up for it.
Good luck with the move…and bonne courage!
Sound so much like the impression I had when I first arrived in USA. Equipped kitchen and closet and friendly people. France is indeed hard for foreigners. Good luck and all the best!
I am excited and nervous about the move all at once…thanks for the support!
BeeEan,
I wanted to add that I do think the French are friendly, but more reserved…at least in Strasbourg. I will miss France very, very, very much. I didn’t think life in France was so hard for me as a foreigner.
Actually, I had a much easier time adjusting to France than my French husband did to America. I think it all depends on the person.
I love France as much as America and living in Switzerland won’t change that. I am happy that France is close to me still. We have decided we will take the train to buy food in France at least once a month because there doesn’t seem to be much of selection in Swiss groceries compared to French groceries. Oh…and no French bread!!!! The Swiss food worries me the most because I don’t see much in the grocery. I have no idea what they eat!!!
Good luck with everything! Sounds like things are looking up! I’m looking forward to “From My Swiss Window!”
~Danielle
Congratulations! I’m so happy to hear good news finally coming from this blog. You’ve waited a long time and you deserve it.
Pumpkin,
I’m so happy to hear this great news! What a relief that things are going better, and you are getting some breaks for a change!
I’ll have to admit I’m a little jealous, too. Many of my ancestors came from Switzerland, though from the German-speaking areas. I visited Geneva in 2005 and it was one of my favorite cities. Clean and friendly!
This is fabulous news! I can’t wait to see pictures :-)
Hi Pumpkin,
I’am SO HAPPY for you and your family ! Things are going to get better for you all.
You are going to be able to tell us about your new life and home.
Take care.
Yeah for happy news! I can *so* relate to very fast moves, but so far, we are loving Switzerland. I look forward to reading more about your move when you get your internet working.
All the best!
Wow! That’s great news! Congratulations! I am really happy for you guys.