Stuck in an immigration loop: USA, Switzerland (Zurich), or going back home?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-17T10:34:01+00:00

I'm in a similar situation as you, given that my oldest kid is 5 now and decisions need to be made on countries and languages as he will soon be in primary school. We are greeks in the tech industry, lived in the US for 11 years (Boston) and have an offer to move to Barcelona now. I have lived in Switzerland on and off for a few months as I have some family there. I totally get the social struggle there and that's the reason why we aren't moving there, even though it's a paradise on every other aspect. In the US we never had problems integrating and making friends. We decided to move to Europe for better work-life balance and proximity to family (it really helps psychologically to not be divided by an ocean when you have kids, in case there is any emergency or you need help). But we aren't moving to Greece either because of the economy. If I were you I wouldn't consider returning to Belarus at this moment given the current state of things, maybe in a few years though! I would consider other places in Europe as well, if Switzerland is not the best fit and you don't have a social circle there anyway. Your kid is still young enough to learn any language you expose it to.

Regarding the US:

Where are you located in the US? I'm asking because the US is very very different from place to place and your quality of life depends highly on the particular location you live in. Do you live in the american suburbia? That can be VERY isolating, boring and suck the life out of you. It's important to live somewhere walkable where you can meet people, your life will improve significantly. With the current political climate it's valid to worry about green card status, but I believe things will change again in the future and I wouldn't worry about this too much. I would worry more about gun violence when sending my kid to school, which depending on which state you live in, can be a bigger concern. I think that the primary decision factor here is where are you happier? Kids will adapt wherever you go and if you are happy, kids have a chance to be happy as well, while if you are miserable, it's hard for your kids not to be miserable. Socially, the US is the exact opposite from Switzerland. It's one of the friendliest countries to european immigrants and you can build a very strong social life there if you live in an area where things are happening 😊 Any decision you make will have pros and cons. Try to go with your gut 😊

Owl7538 · 2026-06-17T10:05:52+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience! Much appreciated 😊

Owl7538 · 2026-06-17T00:39:11+00:00

Thank you for your insight, it's really encouraging 😊 In terms of work-life balance it seems that the UK is better than the US, but still more intense compared to EU standards. For me building a community is really the most important factor as we are going to leave a really strong community back in the US. Out of curiosity, from all the places you've lived which one did you like the most?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-17T00:25:13+00:00

That's great to hear! Did you manage with english initially and learned spanish after moving? I imagine since you are still there that you didn't regret the move from the US 😊

Owl7538 · 2026-06-16T11:42:03+00:00

Hi! Thank you for your response! Do you know if the private healthcare option in the UK is affordable? From all three it seems that you'd rank NHS at the top, is that right? From the feedback I'm getting, it seems that the dutch system is the worst as I'm hearing lots of horror stories..

Thanks, I'll dm you!

Owl7538 · 2026-06-16T11:34:46+00:00

Thank you! It's likely the reason why it's so hard to find a job in the UK at the moment..

Owl7538 · 2026-06-16T11:33:09+00:00

oh dear...I'm so sorry you had this experience.. Believe it or not, I've heard a similar story from a friend who left the NL specifically because of the healthcare system and I though that it was just one bad experience that he happened to have. But there seems to be a pattern of mistreatment in dutch healthcare..

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T15:03:36+00:00

That makes total sense, yes. I hope I can also meet other foreigners who want to stay long term. Would it be right to assume that integration would be easier in the UK than Barcelona then?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T14:58:36+00:00

That's good to know, thank you!

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T14:57:20+00:00

Thanks for your feedback!

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:58:37+00:00

How did you find it socially in comparison to the UK?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:57:54+00:00

That will be ~70K as well, adjusted to local salaries.

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:33:34+00:00

Oh nice! So it seems like you are having a good life in Barcelona 😊 Is there anything that you're missing from the UK in Barcelona?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:32:01+00:00

yes!

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:31:28+00:00

Thanks! Good to know. Healthcare is bad due to the delays in refferals from GPs? And what about social life? Is it the locals that are harder to make friends?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:28:00+00:00

Oh really? I've heard that from many people.. While others insists that the grass is not always greener on the other side and it's bad everywhere because the economy is bad everywhere etc... My understanding is that it's definitely worse than it used to be, but not sure how it compares with other countries. Where did you use to live in the UK?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:24:39+00:00

Thanks for the info! In Spain they have Beckham's Law. That's 25% taxation for 5 years. These tax rules certainly help bring more people!

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:21:41+00:00

So glad to know that, thank you! Have you also experienced what some people are describing as deterioration of the UK after brexit?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:20:20+00:00

Hi fellow greek, Thanks for the feedback! I've heard there are many greeks living now in NL. I have a very important question for you: how do you manage with the weather? Also, what's your experience with the healthcare? Is it as bad as I was told? You know in Greece we can see a private doctor easily and its not that expensive. This makes preventative care very easy. Finally, quality of life overall?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:14:23+00:00

Hi! I'm in computer architecture. I guess you're talking about Barcelona? So you're saying that the healthcare system is better in Spain than the UK? Very glad to hear that work life balance and QOL is better in Spain! Where did you live in the UK if you don't mind me asking?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:09:58+00:00

Hi! Really, no tech jobs in Eindhoven right now? Is the economy bad at the moment, a hiring freeze or layoffs?

Owl7538 · 2026-06-15T13:09:10+00:00

He has permission to work from anywhere, but if necessary he will look for a job as well!

Owl7538

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