Anyone know owt about Neuchatel?

Anyone know owt about Neuchatel?

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Discussion

DJRC

Original Poster:

23,563 posts

243 months

Thursday 10th November 2011
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Strong possibility Im moving out to Neuchatel sometime soon. Anyone know owt about the place?

MogulBoy

2,989 posts

230 months

Friday 11th November 2011
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Lived there 2001-2007 and have fond memories and wouldn't rule out going back one day. French speaking of course but a reasonably Italian feel to it helped no doubt by the colours of the cantonal flag!

Feels a bit more provincial than some of the other more expat-overloaded areas of the country but all the better for that in many ways but it's big enough to have a decent Globus, multiple cinemas etc.

There is a fairly active international club if you want that sort of thing: thenic.ch

Well connected these days in all directions: certainly better than 10 years ago! One interesting feature is the 10kms+ of road tunnels that pass under the town meaning that you can get from one end to the other in no time if you need to.

The lakes (all three in the region) are great with much more in the way of public access along the shore than is the case where I live these days (La Cote).

Great views of Mt. Blanc (even though it's 130kms away!) and perhaps surprisingly of the Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau!

House prices/rent probably lower than many areas although you might find that taxes are on the high side although there are some cheaper communes (Auvernier, Hauterive etc.)

http://www.homegate.ch/finance/calculators/tax-cal...




DJRC

Original Poster:

23,563 posts

243 months

Friday 11th November 2011
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Thanks chap smile

Sortie 10

729 posts

259 months

Thursday 17th November 2011
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Our family have had a second home just across the border in Malbuisson, France for over 20 years. I love the relatively deserted roads for driving and cycling. Walking is fantastic - you can have a good day's exercise on mountains reaching 1600 - 1700m, with great views. Good mountain biking too (one of the earliest world championships was held in Metabief). Lot's of "undiscovered" villages to explore.
If you like skiing you are perfectly placed with good Alpine stations accessible and some quality cross-country nearby.
I find the border region of the French departements of Doubs/Jura & the Swiss cantons of Jura & Vaud enchanting & relaxing with some great people. Just wish I could find a way of earning a living in the area!

DJRC

Original Poster:

23,563 posts

243 months

Monday 12th December 2011
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Well its looking a done deal, heading there around Feb.

I had a brief look round the place last week or so...its a bit small isnt it? Lake is gorgeous, great views as someone said. Work is between Neu and Bern, need to suss the area out in general.

Need to find the cheap tax cantons now!

krallicious

4,312 posts

212 months

Monday 12th December 2011
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I used to live between Bern and Neuchatel up in the hills. Lovely part of Switzerland although it is a lot quieter than the Zurich area. Lots of places to go running/walking/cycling if that is your thing and you have some of the best cheese in the country on your doorstep!

F4ST

19 posts

237 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
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Hi DJRC,

AM living & working in the area, if you need any help feel free to ask :-)

Welcome in the area :-)


DJRC

Original Poster:

23,563 posts

243 months

Thursday 15th December 2011
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ta muchly. Just haggling about the cash now and Im trying to find the most tax friendly cantonsin there or Bern or anywhere else nearby.

smilerbaker

4,071 posts

222 months

Friday 16th December 2011
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unless your going to be earning mega money then I wouldn't worry too much about the tax rates, the money you'll save on tax would be eaten up with the higher rents and traveling expenses.

have you visited
http://www.englishforum.ch/
or
http://www.englishtalk.ch

there was an article on englishforum (iirc) recently that basically said unless your earning in the millions then living in one of the low tax kantons won't save you anything

DJRC

Original Poster:

23,563 posts

243 months

Friday 16th December 2011
quotequote all
When I refer to mumsnet in my other posts...I mean EF.

That was also complete cobblers that point notion. Just as it was complete cobblers when someone previously tried to use a cut off of 200k.

According to comparis, the tax take difference between say Zug and Neu was double. Rent doesnt appear to be too much cheaper in Neu or Bern than in Zurich...actually looks rather similar to me in fact, but without the wide choice of folks advertising a room on mumsnet that you get in Z.

So at the moment Im faced with adding the best part of 5% on my tax bill. Travel cost is basically free in CH as you claim the GA card back against your tax bill.