6 months in Zurich or Amsterdam?
 

I am trying to choose between 2 jobs at the moment, and it is between
Uetikon (20min from Zurich) on the right hand side of Zurich lake OR
Culembourg (15 minutes from utretch; 1 hour from Amsterdam)

One allows me free time during the day and the other allows me Fri, Sat, Sun off.
In your opinions, where would you go?

About me: I like shopping and markets and reading. Im from Sydney so im a city person, but i can also live in a country place. I will be taking a french course in the main city also and will be there from Dec to July.
thanks!

Tough choice.

Do you like hiking and skiing? Do you want to be in central Europe? Then, Uetikon is the way to go. You're close to the main train station in Zürich, close to the airport and close to the mountains.

Personally, I'd choose the Fri, Sat, Sun off destination so I would have time to explore.

Culemborg is quite a nice small town, not far from Utrecht. It is very central in the Netherlands. It is nothing like a city - I think you would find even AMsterdam nothing like the cities you are used to.
Utrecht is a small city with a good nightlife, lots of concerts of all types, lots of shops, and a good market. A lively student city. From Culemborg you can out to Amsterdam, Rotterdam, the Hague, Maastricht really easily. Plus loads of smaller towns to explore. You can go to Germany, Belgium etc.

But I would choose the job that gave me long weekends, to give me a chance to explore a bit more.

I tend to agree with schuler (but I´m biased) - you have a better access to all kinds of beautiful landscapes (except sea) around Zürich, as well as the city life in Zürich itself and a lot of small picturesque towns.

Just one question? Why French course in Zürich resp. Amsterdam??? Wouldn´t it make more sense to go to French-speaking areas?

I cant exactly be picky and choosy with the language of the area. It is as a Nanny, and the A'dam one is the one with the 3 day weekend and the mother is a french translator and they speak french & dutch.
I am leaning toward netherlands rather than the zurich one.

Can you tell me more about amsterdam and utretch from someone who's been there (or lives there?) are there a lot of bars/clubs etc or is it more a small town and you have to head into a'dam for all that. I wouldnt mind a coffee/bookshop as well :) especially in winter.

OMG, Amsterdam for sure.

Neither would be horrid. Zurich is a lovely place, but if you want more of a city experience go for Utrecht/Amsterdam. Use one (or more) of your three day weekends to visit Zurich.

Why would Amsterdam be more city than Zurich? I thought Zurich was supposed to be a large city?

Can anyone tell me what Utrecht is like in terms of size/shops etc? Big department stores, clubs etc? or just convenience stores and a library?

What places would be within reasonable reach if leaving friday morning and returning sunday night?
And where can i get train prices for intercountry travel? The netherlands rail only provides prices to the border.
thanks!

I live 20 minutes by train from Utrecht.

Utrecht itself is a lively city with lots of shopping, clubs, bars, music venues etc etc. It is also the centre of the train network so you can very easily get a train to most places. For a 3 day weekend you can go into Germany, Belgium, even a quickie to Paris if you can leave on Thursday night. Plus exploring Amsterdam, Maastricht, and the lovely small towns Holland has to offer.
Utrecht is a University city, very international, so you will doubtless find fellow Aussies there plus French English etc.
Culemborg is a nice small town. A bit boring for you maybe, but hey it's only for four days a week.

Oh and www.ns.nl. is the Dutch railways train site.

Agree with everything Hetismij said. Utrecht is a very pleasant small city, with canals like Amsterdam, but in Utrecht the bars and restaurants are right at the level of the canals; below street level. Its a university town, lots going on. Culemborg is small, not much to do, but in a pleasant area of the country. Between Utrecht and Amsterdam is the area around the Vecht river, with villages, lakes, lots of restaurants. A great area to visit in summer.
And Utrecht is Holland's transportation hub; easy access to anywhere.
With a three day weekend, I would go for the Dutch job.
I've only been to Zurich once, so not the best judge, but although pretty and pleasant, I found it quite boring.