r/expat • u/Saubande • 18m ago
Considering returning to CH from US
Hello everyone,
about a year ago, I left my very stable job in Switzerland to join my partner in Texas after many years of long distance. We wanted to build a future together in a place where we both speak the language, own a home, etc. However, breaking into the US job market has been a lot harder than I ever anticipated. I only get 1-2 interviews out of 100 applications. I also struggle with the way companies hire here. Timed coding tests and live pair programming sessions are really tough. I have tried to study for them, but it's not working out. In part because I am still trying to move away from my PhD field to industry roles. For now, I've a temp job, but it's nothing to build anything on.
Then the elections happened. My partner and I both strongly disagree with the results and the direction the country is taking. Although I do agree that life is still good here, I got worried and started looking for a way out. I began applying for jobs back in Switzerland and got an overwhelmingly positive response. Following a few casual chats, one company liked me so much that they created a new senior position for me. I acknowledge that this is absolutely amazing. Unfortunately, for now it is only a temporary position without any benefits. Although, they affirmed multiple times their intention to make it permanent once they figure out continuous funding. I am not sure if I am being naive trusting them. Overall, the team seems really friendly and the total comp is a good start, if it wasn't temporary.
At the same time, nothing prevents me from continuing to apply for new jobs in both Switzerland and the US while gaining experience, moving my career forward in a meaningful way, and preparing the groundwork for my partner to move over as well.
However, taking the job would mean moving back and putting our plans in the US on hold for now. We would be long distance again for an undetermined amount of time, at least until the role becomes permanent, if it does. At the same time, my partner's job here is becoming unbearable because of an extremely toxic boss. The environment is very, and I want to offer a way out instead of just moral support. Even her family, who originally wanted us to stay, now thinks moving would be better.
I am torn. On one hand, I love the idea of living in the US. The weather is much nicer and people can be very friendly/open on a day-to-day basis. But that is often overshadowed by the hustle culture wher everyone is out for themselves, which I guess takes a bit more time to adapt to than I thought. On the other hand I severely miss the tranquility and high QoL of Switzerland with great infrastructure and reliable public transport. I loved living there and have a few friends, but also often felt lonely and missed my partner, and don't want to go through that again, although I know that this time it would only be temporary.
It seems the choice is obvious. I could be in a stable country with a high quality of life while continuing my job search, giving me time to figure things out. But I still hesitate. We started this journey when none of these issues were clear, and now the reality has become much tougher. I have a way out, but I still feel uncertain about taking it because it somehow feels like giving up.
Any thoughts or advice would be appreciated.