The Cost of Living in Zurich

Even after living here almost six years, The Frau is still shocked by the price of certain items in Switzerland.

So, in honor of Zurich being rated the world’s most expensive place to live, she’d like to have a “No way! That costs what in Switzerland?” blog party.

Here are the Frau’s top ten “You’ve got to be kidding me” shopping moments:

1. CHF 12,90 ($13.99) for a small container of ice cream? Quite the champagne price for vanilla, don't you think?
2. CHF 39,90 ($43.27) for 116 Pampers…oh, wait, this is the SALE PRICE (Originally CHF 59,90–$64.96)?
3. CHF 39,90 ($43.27) for laundry detergent?
4. CHF 3 ($3.25) for a dinner roll that’s in a basket on the table even though my entrée costs CHF 29 ($31.44)?
5. CHF 5,90 ($6.39) for a miniscule bag of nacho chips?
6. CHF 1,19 ($1.29) a minute to call customer service for the honor of giving them my business?
7. CHF 1600 ($1,735) for a baby stroller?
8. CHF 500 ($542) for a USED baby stroller?
9. CHF 159 ($172) for a nursing pillow?
10. CHF 35 ($38) for two foot-long Subway sandwiches (no chips or drinks), but a real deal considering: CHF 35 ($38) for a club sandwich (side of veggies costs more).

Join the pricing party! Leave a comment about your best sticker-shocking moment in Switzerland. And long live border shopping.

Home Makeover, the Expat Edition!

Oh, what the Frau would do for a home makeover. As M gets bigger and bigger, her little Swiss apartment gets smaller and smaller. Well, there's a new show coming to North America--and it's going to feature expats living abroad who need their apartments or houses fixed up. Sadly, the Frau does not quality for the new home makeover show since she has been in Switzerland way past her expiration date. So she has been asked to recruit interested expats for a new home makeover show that will feature Americans and Canadians living abroad.

See if you qualify:

1. Are you American or Canadian?
2. Have you moved abroad in the last six months or plan on moving abroad soon?
3. Do you need help decorating? Are you trying to preserve the decor of your homeland or trying to incorporate a little local flair? Or do you just need help fitting your big American furniture in a tiny Euro flat?

Important note: The show is open to renters as well as homeowners.

If you’re interested in being on the show or want more information, please contact the Frau. Danke.

Study Fiction or Travel Writing in Zurich

The Frau always gets a bit excited about writing workshops, especially when they’re in Zurich and she’s in charge of organizing them.

Anyone want to second my enthusiasm? Because for the third time in two years, there will actually be something in Zurich other than bankers, lawyers, and ladies who lunch. (All kidding aside, Zurich is a beautiful city and worth seeing--here's a Zurich travel article written by yours truly that proves it.)

Anyhow, this spring, the Zurich Writers Workshop will feature two British authors: award-winning novelist Sam North (The Old Country) and Switzerland’s bestselling English-language author, Diccon Bewes (Swiss Watching). The workshop will take place May 18-20, 2012.

The workshop will be divided into two sections, fiction and travel writing/non-fiction. Participants will receive nine hours of instruction in their chosen area, an author reading and apéro at Zurich’s English-language bookstore, Orell Füssli The Bookshop, as well as the option to participate in a literary dinner at Europe’s oldest vegetarian restaurant, Hiltl.

Registration opened today. Space is limited to 15 participants in each section and is filled on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register at www.zurichwritersworkshop.com. Click here to sign up for the mailing list.

Hope to see you in Zurich this spring. And please spread the word!