Relocating from Switzerland to "anywhere" USA, desperately need help ASAP..
Jun 28th, 2002, 08:47 PM
#1
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Relocating from Switzerland to "anywhere" USA, desperately need help ASAP..
I am actually posting this on behalf of dear friends I've known for 25 years who will be relocating to the USA from Switzerland. The gentleman will be doing sales with Rolex and can literally choose his city. They have mixed feelings about the whole move but want to make it a memorable experience. Very liberal criteria which will work in most city. They are a couple who are in their upper 40's with no children moving to USA with them. Although they are avid skiers, (also love gardening) skiing is not a criteria. They will be living a middle class (maybe upper middle class) life here for 4-7 yrs. and speak perfect English.
They both smoke cigarettes which they feel may be a problem here and asked me if there are some states that are more "smoker friendly"...?? I am not a smoker so don't know much about this other than to say, California may not be for them. (where I live and they are NOT smoker friendly) I'd appreciate any suggestions. When I say "smoker friendly", I'm being realistic as I know our ordinances are far strickter than anywhere in Europe. I really need some suggestions as to what may be suitable (at least have smoking sections within restaurants....I won't ask for more than this). They are outgoing, fun and the nicest couple and have helped my husband and I so much. I'd like to now have a chance to help them. They're really open to any suggestions, sunny climate is preferred but not mandatory (afterall, who is more use to cold climate than the Swiss) HELP...I told them I'd call in a week or so with some suggestions. HELP! Connie
They both smoke cigarettes which they feel may be a problem here and asked me if there are some states that are more "smoker friendly"...?? I am not a smoker so don't know much about this other than to say, California may not be for them. (where I live and they are NOT smoker friendly) I'd appreciate any suggestions. When I say "smoker friendly", I'm being realistic as I know our ordinances are far strickter than anywhere in Europe. I really need some suggestions as to what may be suitable (at least have smoking sections within restaurants....I won't ask for more than this). They are outgoing, fun and the nicest couple and have helped my husband and I so much. I'd like to now have a chance to help them. They're really open to any suggestions, sunny climate is preferred but not mandatory (afterall, who is more use to cold climate than the Swiss) HELP...I told them I'd call in a week or so with some suggestions. HELP! Connie
Jun 28th, 2002, 08:59 PM
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I think they may like Seattle. I find that more people smoke in Pacific Northwest (maybe it's the cold, rainy days). The area is conducive to gardening. Whistler is an easy flight for skiing and there are other closer options as well. Only downside is that it's a long flight to Europe if they want to go home for visits.
Jun 28th, 2002, 09:39 PM
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It's not often I'm stumped...but I am now. I hear your plea and the
only beautiful places that come to mind are areas in Colorado, all of Utah and
the Lake Tahoe area. Unfortunatley, I'm not sure how smoker friendly they are
as it has been more than 7 years since I've been to any of these.(?) They are
beautiful, can't say much or know much about them....maybe their locals here
can offer more. You're right, Southern California would not be suitable...here
many (not me, mind you) treat smokers like they have some contagious
disease or a plague to the point of rudeness.
You're great to help your friends. Good Luck!
only beautiful places that come to mind are areas in Colorado, all of Utah and
the Lake Tahoe area. Unfortunatley, I'm not sure how smoker friendly they are
as it has been more than 7 years since I've been to any of these.(?) They are
beautiful, can't say much or know much about them....maybe their locals here
can offer more. You're right, Southern California would not be suitable...here
many (not me, mind you) treat smokers like they have some contagious
disease or a plague to the point of rudeness.
You're great to help your friends. Good Luck!
Jun 28th, 2002, 09:45 PM
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I guess we will all vote for whichever part of the country WE live in. I vote for Massachusetts - north of Boston area.
The smoking thing is a problem. More and more US cities are passing cougher anti-smoking laws. In many cities it is impossible to find a restaurant with a smoking section. However, New Hampshire (very close to northern Boston suburbs) still has quite a few restaurants in which one can smoke.
They would be close to culture in Boston, close to rural recreation and ski areas - although they would find northeast mountains more like hills compared to Switzerland. You get 4 distinct seasons of weather. Boston and New York seem to get more than their share of European visitors, many of whom react positively.
For anyone travelling on business, Boston has a large enough airport with good connections to most places - including flights home. For winter sun, Florida or Carribean are a 3-4 hour flight away.
We have actually developed friendships with two people who were in US for similar situations - working for European companies and here for a period of several years. Both missed their native countries (Denmark and Germany), but found enjoyed the Boston area. In both cases the wives (the husband was the one employed) were somewhat reluctant to leave at the end.
I wish your friends good luck on their transfer - it would be very hard to imagine making such a move, but also somewhat exciting.
The smoking thing is a problem. More and more US cities are passing cougher anti-smoking laws. In many cities it is impossible to find a restaurant with a smoking section. However, New Hampshire (very close to northern Boston suburbs) still has quite a few restaurants in which one can smoke.
They would be close to culture in Boston, close to rural recreation and ski areas - although they would find northeast mountains more like hills compared to Switzerland. You get 4 distinct seasons of weather. Boston and New York seem to get more than their share of European visitors, many of whom react positively.
For anyone travelling on business, Boston has a large enough airport with good connections to most places - including flights home. For winter sun, Florida or Carribean are a 3-4 hour flight away.
We have actually developed friendships with two people who were in US for similar situations - working for European companies and here for a period of several years. Both missed their native countries (Denmark and Germany), but found enjoyed the Boston area. In both cases the wives (the husband was the one employed) were somewhat reluctant to leave at the end.
I wish your friends good luck on their transfer - it would be very hard to imagine making such a move, but also somewhat exciting.
Jun 29th, 2002, 04:07 AM
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I live in Boston, but wouldn't recommend it for this couple. For outgoing smokers who want a sunny climate, I'd recommend the South, perhaps Atlanta or another of their larger cities. As smokers, they will definitely be ostracized among their socioeconomic peers in the Northeast.
Jun 29th, 2002, 07:19 AM
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Las Vegas would be the most smoke friendly and they actually wouldn't be all that far from Colorado and Mammoth (California) skiing. Gardening would be tough if they don't like cactus. Reno or Lake Tahoe might fit the bill. Still smoke friendly with all of the casinos, lots of good nearby skiing and I would imagine that gardening would be good for part of the year.
Jun 29th, 2002, 07:40 AM
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I'm not sure what xx is referring to re smoking in the northwest. It is not common among educated people anymore and not allowed in most places.
That said, I don't think this should be a criteria for them, as I think it is similar throughout the US among the people they will be associating with.
I also think that most people do not judge people by whether or not they smoke in the privacy of their home or in the open air. We have European neighbors who smoke and they are great.
I do agree with xx that they might like Seattle, as it is sophisticated, beautiful and in the midst of wonderful outdoor activities. Unless they want the sun, of course, in which case I'd stay south of the Bay area.
I hope they find a wonderful home.
That said, I don't think this should be a criteria for them, as I think it is similar throughout the US among the people they will be associating with.
I also think that most people do not judge people by whether or not they smoke in the privacy of their home or in the open air. We have European neighbors who smoke and they are great.
I do agree with xx that they might like Seattle, as it is sophisticated, beautiful and in the midst of wonderful outdoor activities. Unless they want the sun, of course, in which case I'd stay south of the Bay area.
I hope they find a wonderful home.
Jun 29th, 2002, 08:30 AM
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If they truly enjoy skiing and are accustomed to living in a mountainous area they might enjoy Denver. More sun than Seattle and at least a tad closer to home. I can't speak for the smoking issue though. I think they're probably going to have some problems no matter where they go. On the up side, maybe this will be greater motivation for them to quit.
Jun 29th, 2002, 08:39 AM
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Ok this may be an easy one, no I'm not suggesting someplace I live. How about western nc, say Asheville or the likes I mean you have mountains, skiing, and SMOKERS galore! North Carolina I believe is the tobbaco capital of the world! We were recently there and I was amazed at the plethoria of smokers! Just a suggestion!
Jun 29th, 2002, 01:00 PM
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That's funny. When I read the first message I immediately thought of Asheville N.C. It is often rated as one of the top climates to live in--very mild but still has the pretty fall colors. It is a beautiful area and right in the middle of tobacco country. Great Italian restaurant on the grounds of the Biltmore. By the way, I'm from Texas which seems very smoker friendly to me but the heat would probably kill them.
Jun 29th, 2002, 06:18 PM
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Thanks so much for all your help guys. You've come up with such good suggestions. I've decided that this is really too much for me to do so I'm going to forward information to them but let them take the initiative in chosing and narrowing things down. I really don't want the responsibilty of making the wrong "call". I will share all your thoughts with them though and again thanks so much.
Jun 29th, 2002, 07:05 PM
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I would say New York. One of the five boroughs, well actually Brooklyn, or Manhattan, the other ones suck. Anyways its not very smoker friendly but its o.k. (I wish they would ban smoking period). Anyways its a fun place. Skiing is 3 hours away, or Vermont is 2 hours away on a $50 JetBlue flight. And its very sunny during spring and summer, perfect during fall, and not too cold during winter.
