Lifestyle Management Lugano

Interesting news

2010-03-28T15:49:00.000+01:00

Lugano in November

2009-11-15T13:34:00.002Z

Parco Ciani , Lugano - Yesterday...

2009-03-01T23:21:00.002Z

Please check some of the locations available in the Lugano area.

For more information or to book a visit please contact us:

Luxurious triplex apartment with spectacular Lake View
http://www.homegate.ch/id=d,102909460

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Casa di Nucleo ristrutturata
http://www.homegate.ch/id=d,102922197

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Appartamento Centrale con vista Lago - Majestic
http://www.homegate.ch/id=d,102909463

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Sorengo - spazioso appartamento di 3.5 locali
http://www.homegate.ch/id=d,102939374

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Appartamento vista lago. Ideale come investimento
http://www.homegate.ch/id=d,102962028

Welcome to Paradise

2009-02-14T16:57:00.002Z

Lugano, Castagnola view from Paradiso. February 12, 2009

Old-age insurance - The three pillars of the Swiss pension system

2008-10-05T11:45:00.002+01:00

Old-age insurance in Switzerland is based on a system of three ‘insurance pillars’. This system often appears quite confusing at first. This section gives you an overview of the three pillars and some tips on how to optimize your pension plan.

Contributions to old-age insurance and entitlement benefits can consist of some or all of the following pillars:

the basic state old-age and survivors’ insurance scheme (AVS, 1st pillar)
an occupational benefit plan (PP, 2nd pillar)
an individual old-age insurance (3rd pillar).

(1) The first pillar: The basic state insurance scheme

The basic state old-age and survivors’ insurance scheme ( AHV – Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung) is obligatory for all employees, self-employed and unemployed over 20 years old.

Contributions to the basic scheme are split equally between employer and employees, and are directly deducted from your salary. At the time of writing, total contributions to the basic schemes amounted to 10.1% of gross salary for employees.

Men who have reached the age of 65 and women who have reached the age of 63 (64 as from 2005) are entitled to draw an AVS pension if they have contributed towards the scheme for at least one full year.

In 2004, pensions were CHF 1,055-2,110/month. The total pensions for a married couple could not exceed CHF 3,165.

The pension is calculated on the basis of the relative average income and the number of years the person has contributed. Income is made up of total earned income plus bonuses for child-rearing and care-taking. If you have not paid into the scheme for the full period a proportion of the full pension may be drawn.

The income which spouses have earned during their married life is split and 50% is credited to each spouse. The contribution made by spouses not employed outside the home is converted into income.

A full pension is paid if the person in question has contributed for the full period, i.e. has paid into the scheme for the same number of years as others born in the same year.

Early retirement

According to the circumstances, a pension may be received before reaching the official retirement age. The pension paid is reduced by between 3.4 and 6.8% for each year that the pension is drawn early. A pension can also be drawn 1 to 5 years after the retirement age before drawing a pension, which increases the amount by between 5.2 and 31.5%/year.

In certain circumstances, an individual may also be entitled to supplementary benefits. These are paid based on needs and depend on personal and economic circumstances.

Foreigners working in Switzerland

Switzerland has bilateral pension agreements with more than 20 countries, including all Western European countries. If you come from one of these countries, you will get your Swiss pension paid out irrespective of where you live. In this case, your pension entitlements cannot be transferred to another pension system after leaving Switzerland and aren’t refundable.

If you come from a country that doesn’t have any bilateral agreement, your contributions to the basic schemes will be refunded when you leave Switzerland.

If you only work in Switzerland for a few months, you might be exempted from contributions to the basic scheme, especially if your home country has a bilateral agreement with Switzerland.

A word of caution: As most Western European countries, Switzerland faces an increasing gap between total contributions and payouts in the statutory pension insurance. Benefits may well be reduced in the future, so don’t count on the basic pension scheme as the only source of income on retirement.

(2) The second pillar: Company pension funds

Company pension funds are the base of the occupational benefit plan ( Berufliche Vorsorge/BV(G) -Prévoyance Professionelle/PP), which is the second pillar of the pension system.

All employees with an annual income of between CHF 25,320 and CHF 75,960 are obliged to pay contributions to the scheme. The insurance scheme can be run by a company pension, state or private fund. Total contributions increase with age and amount to 7-18% of gross salary (2004). In addition, you may have to pay a few percent for additional premiums.

Men can withdraw a PP pension at the age of 65, women at the age of 63. Pensions are calculated as a percentage of your accumulated credit, which is made up of contributions and interest. You are entitled to a full pension if regularly payments into the fund have been made from the age of 25 until retirement. It is possible to draw a pension before reaching retirement age if the regulations of the pension fund allow this.

A lump-payment of your contributions and interest can only happen in the following cases:

If you leave Switzerland
If you become self-employed
When the total sum accrued is less than one year of payments

(3) The third pillar: Private pension insurance

The so-called individual occupational pension scheme (3rd pillar) subsidizes private pension savings by tax breaks. Contributions are deducted from taxable income and only taxed at the time of payment. Interest on contributions is not taxed.

The amount of pension paid depends on the chosen type of policy. There is a maximum amount of contributions that are deductible from income. This depends on salary and contributions to other insurance schemes. This form of pension insurance subsidy is only available to employees.

Advantages of Switzerland include:

2008-10-05T11:32:00.000+01:00

Political, social and economic stability
Multi-lingual, highly qualified and motivated workforce
First-class infrastructure, excellent banking facilities
Very attractive lifestyle and healthy environment
Efficient and reliable public services
Possible fiscal incentives for substantial investments
Favourable taxation system with moderate tax rates

To establish yourself or your business in Switzerland will require securing relationships with key partners such as government officials, bankers and corporate professionals.
Lifestyle Management can help you build a network of contacts and to become established in your new environment.

Relocate to Switzerland. A Tax Haven at the Heart of Europe By Peter Geiger.

2007-09-20T19:03:00.000+01:00

If you’re wealthy, you have any number of options about where to live, all of which have their own particular charm. Some places have a wonderful location; some have favorable tax laws; some have a welcoming and accommodating culture. But the fact of the matter is this: Switzerland is already what it would be like if wealthy people could design their own country. It has everything: beautiful countryside, sophisticated cities, any number of sport and recreation activities, political and economic stability, a pleasant and conservative culture, a very low crime rate, excellent public services and a centuries-long tradition of hospitality. The Swiss tradition of discretion and respectability is particularly important for the wealthy and famous individuals who choose to make Switzerland their home. And furthermore, Swiss tax and immigration laws allow for foreign-born wealthy people to keep a larger share of their own money while experiencing the many joys of living in Switzerland.
View over Berne - Switzerland's Capital CityThe financial advantages are important enough, but Switzerland is perhaps unique among countries for offering this sensitivity towards wealth in an incomparably refined setting.. .

Located at the heart of Europe, Switzerland offers living, business, travel and recreation opportunities that are second to none, and boasts a tradition of hospitality towards guests from all over the world. Travel to and within Switzerland is as easy as possible due to its renowned infrastructure – there’s a good reason why “runs like a Swiss train” is a metaphor for reliability and dependability. Every public service is top-of-the-line, from the municipal utilities, roads, schools and health care to the garbage collection and city sanitation. To foreigners, this is often the most surprising aspect of life in Switzerland – the amount of care that goes into maintaining the country’s impeccable appearance. Early each morning, teams of orange-clad workers fan out on city streets and leave them looking completely renewed.
Swiss cities span the entire spectrum, from cosmopolitan, global addresses like Geneva, Berne, Zürich and Lugano to traditional hamlets where winemakers still bring the grapes in by hand. In fact, a world-wide survey of living quality in cities (Mercer Human Resources 2004) ranks Zürich and Geneva as the best two cities in the world in which to live, and the Swiss capital, Berne, ties for fifth place overall... All of this versatility and opportunity is easily accessible within a remarkably compact border. It is difficult to find a place more than 90 minutes away from one of the three main airports – Geneva, Basel or Zürich – and the network of intra-city public transportation on buses and trams meshes seamlessly with the national rail system, which is unrivalled in Europe. Of course, if you wish to drive, the road and highway system is excellent as well. But transportation is only a minor part of the story. One has to have somewhere worthwhile to go, and this is where Switzerland truly shines.
If you are a skier, snowboarder, or enjoy any kind of alpine activity, then you already know about Switzerland as the absolute nexus of world-class skiing – other ski resorts are judged by how closely they simulate the Swiss experience. But the sheer variety of Swiss recreational opportunities often goes overlooked. Sailing, rowing and other water sports are extremely popular on the many pristine lakes and rivers, and the quality of competition can be quite high. Switzerland’s Team Alinghi is currently preparing to defend the America’s Cup sailing title they won in 2003. You would be hard-pressed to find another compact space with the variety of climates and locales that Switzerland has on offer – an hour’s drive will take you from the central lake district to the mountains; an hour in another direction can bring you to hiking trails, rally-driving tracks, horse trails, private airports for gliders or sailplanes, or just about any other resource or activity you can imagine. About the only thing Switzerland lacks is a tropical beach – but remember, the airport is probably less than an hour away! One more aspect that cannot really be quantified is the incredible natural beauty of the Swiss landscape – the mountains have their peculiar majesty, the lakes and rivers have a tranquil beauty, but what one really notices when traveling through the country (particularly by train) is the gently rolling farmland that simply has a different feel to it than the broad expanses of other neighboring countries. Whether you live in a city or a village, Swiss life is an exquisite, finely-wrought gem in a wonderful natural setting.. .
But there are more practical matters that recommend Switzerland as well. Businesses can benefit from a location in one of the world’s true international commerce hubs in Geneva or Zürich, and all the major business hubs of Europe – London, Paris, Milan – are within easy reach due to Switzerland’s central location and excellent transportation links. The available banking and finance options should go without saying – the Swiss banks have the world’s best reputation for dependability, security and discretion. Switzerland also represents one of the world’s leading concentrations of highly educated, highly skilled employees and business partners. Engineering and emerging high-tech industries are particularly well-represented, as are service-oriented and consulting firms. Language flexibility is a key aspect of Swiss life, and the Swiss pride themselves on being able to communicate with potential partners from anywhere in the world.
More spectacular views. Swiss commerce law puts a premium on innovation and unique services, and small businesses flourish alongside multinational corporations. But the business climate is not limited to corporations; rather the philosophy behind the attractive business setting also represents a model for how Switzerland treats private individuals. Switzerland values valuable citizens, and has written a tax code to allow for wealthy people to relocate and enjoy their independence relatively tax-free, without changing citizenship. Tax regulations vary between the different cantons, and details are dependent on one’s country of origin, but well-off individuals and families will almost always fare better under Swiss tax law than they would be in their home country. There are even certain Swiss firms that specialize in relocation tax law, and they can advise you about your personal situation, analyze what you would save if you relocated, organize every step of the move, secure the necessary residence permits and even negotiate with the Swiss authorities to find you a favorable tax package. Since cantons are in a sense competing with each other to attract the most desirable individuals, some locations offer particularly striking options for wealthy retirees. For example several cantons, including the canton of Berne, have no inheritance tax – thus wealthy citizens are free to pass their assets on to their family.
Lump-sum taxation is another unique and advantageous option for foreign-born individuals relocating to Switzerland, and is particularly interesting for EU citizens. Lump-sum is only an option for foreign citizens who will not be economically active in Switzerland, so it is well-suited for retirees, or for those whose business is outside of Switzerland. In a lump-sum taxation arrangement, an annual payment can be negotiated with the government based on your standard of living in Switzerland, rather than on the usual income-and-assets model. This allows for considerable financial privacy if you desire it, because it does not require disclosure of income or assets, and can also mean enormous annual savings, particularly for citizens of certain EU countries. Certain other countries (for example Germany and the United States) levy significant exit taxes on individuals who wish to relocate (whether to Switzerland or elsewhere), but the savings involved in a lump-sum or other Swiss tax ruling can easily make the move worthwhile. .
Taken altogether, the many attractive features of Switzerland mean that successful, financially independent individuals like entrepreneurs, sportsmen and artists can establish a new home in one of the most desirable locations in the world, and save their own money by doing it. Businesses can also benefit from relocating, and set themselves up in one of the most advantageous and business-friendly climates in the world. The move to Switzerland is not right for everybody, but it is probably more practical than you think. Details are highly personal and individualized, so it is best to discuss your situation with a firm specializing in relocation tax law. There are a number of good reasons to consider relocating to Switzerland. You will benefit from flat-tax arrangements available for qualifying foreigners. Their highly desirable political, social and economic stability. Switzerland enjoys very low crime rate. There is a first-class infrastructure and excellent banking facilities. You are sure of a very attractive lifestyle and healthy environment. Take advantage of efficient and reliable public services. Opportunities for personal tax rulings.

The new BMW M3

2007-08-12T12:14:00.000+01:00

Thru our partner Easy Cars, we have already one in order. It will be one the first five delivered in Ticino. Who wants it?

Description in Brief.

Fourth-generation of the BMW M3, all-new, unique high-performance sports car from BMW M GmbH with unprecedented design and technology, developed on the basis of the BMW 3 Series Coupé.
Unique character and supreme driving dynamics secure leading position in the market segment, unique combination of engine power and low weight ensured by intelligent lightweight technology, power-to-weight ratio 3.8 kg/hp.
First-ever BMW M3 with an eight-cylinder power unit, all-new V8 displacing 4.0 litres and developing maximum output of 309 kW/420 hp plus peak torque of 400 Nm/295 lb-ft at 3,900 rpm, maximum engine speed 8,400 rpm, optimum power and torque throughout the entire engine speed range.
Individual throttle butterflies, variable double-VANOS camshaft control, Brake Energy Regeneration, engine weight 15 kg/33 lb less than the six-cylinder in the former model.
Acceleration to 100 km/h in 4.8 seconds, top speed limited electronically to 250 km/h (155 mph), average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle 12.4 litres/100 kilometres (equal to 22.8 mpg Imp).
Manual six-speed gearbox with integrated, temperature-related oil cooling, mass inertia-optimised double-plate clutch.
MDrive for setting and retrieving the driver's specific configuration of the engine control map, suspension and DSC set-up, as well as the Servotronic control map as an additional option.
All-new suspension with special, weight-optimised components as well as axle kinematics characteristic of BMW M for a highly dynamic driving experience, forged aluminium track control arms, compound high-performance brake system, optional Electronic Damper Control (EDC) with three freely available control maps.
First production vehicle in its segment with carbon-fibre-reinforced roof, carbon fibre serving to reduce the weight of the vehicle and enhance agility by lowering the centre of gravity, carbon-fibre roof in visible technology symbolising exclusivity and a direct link to motorsport.
Authentic BMW M design underlining the athletic look of the car, aluminium engine compartment lid with a striking powerdome as a clear signal of supreme power and performance, characteristic front end with large air intake scoops, muscular, powerfully flared wheel arches.
Air intake gills in the front side panels, M-specific side-sills accentuating the concept of rear-wheel drive, discreet spoiler lip reducing lift forces at the rear, roof in clearly visible carbon-fibre look, dual tailpipes typical of BMW M.
High-quality, sophisticated and perfectly appointed interior with a wide range of customisation, innovative colour and materials concept, four seats, BMW Individual high-end audio system tailored to the car as an option, model-specific paintwork and equipment variants highlighting the exclusivity of the new BMW M3.

Interesting Story

2007-08-07T19:44:00.000+01:00

Retire In A Wealthy Nation
Switzerland ~ By Bonnie Burns

Is it possible to live well on a fixed and modest income in one of the wealthiest countries on the planet? I was about to find out. If you have ever been to Switzerland on vacation, you know that it is beautiful, clean, safe, but shockingly expensive.
At the age of 48, I had found myself suddenly and unexpectedly retired with an early incentive offer that I was thrilled to accept. At that moment, starting another career did not have much appeal. Instead, I wanted a shot as seeing what life could be like without working between fifty and seventy-five stressful hours a week. However, unless I found another job, I realized that I would be living on a modest annuity for another eleven years until I could access my 401K.

My limited income played a central role in my decision about where to live for this not-working phase of my life.

At the time of my early retirement I had been temporarily based in Zurich, Switzerland. While Zurich was my top pick of a place to live because I was already there and somewhat aware of the laws regarding residency, Zurich always makes the top-ten list of the world’s most expensive places to live. I had some serious doubts that I could survive on my modest income in such an expensive city.
We have all read about how it is possible to retire in Central and South American countries on $20 a day, but not everyone, myself included, necessarily wants to live in a poor country if we could reasonably afford to live in a rich country.

Let’s face it, in undeveloped countries one is often faced with: crime; fear; begging; homelessness; unsanitary conditions; pitiful, ragged and malnourished children; and hopelessness. Some places are worse than others, but one should always find out which parts of cities to avoid to reduce the chances of getting mugged or even worse.

On the other hand, living in a wealthy country one can usually expect: freedom to move about without fear of crime, virtually everyone lives in safe and clean housing with plenty to eat and wear and has excellent education and health care; the streets are sparkling clean, the children are adorable, well-fed and apple-cheeked; in general everyone is healthy, happy and cheery. After living in Switzerland for several years, I know of no place I would not walk alone at night and feel safe.

Naturally there is no utopia or any country that is totally without problems, Switzerland included, but given a choice, I would rather live in a rich country than a poor country. It is a matter of overall well being and more importantly, the luxury and freedom to feel safe. Maybe at another phase in my life I will feel like volunteering to improve poverty in third world countries, but at the moment I just wanted to feel safe and secure.

The Swiss Residence Permit

Immediately I set out researching how to get a Residence Permit. The Work Permit I had while I worked in Switzerland was also the Residence Permit. But without a job, I needed only a Residence Permit, and I didn’t know anyone who had one except spouses of people who worked in Switzerland.

Never for a minute did I consider living in Switzerland without authorization. I had heard stories about unauthorized people who had been shocked when the Alien Police banged on their door at midnight and escorted them to the airport. All the Swiss laws are geared towards knowing who lives where. At first I had thought that was a bit like a police state, or at the very least an infringement on privacy. But the longer I lived in Switzerland and experienced the orderliness, the safety and the security, I grew to believe that it is better to know who lives in the country, than to not have a clue.

I had been in Switzerland long enough to know that they don’t just have laws, they actually enforce them, so I was taking no chances. In any case, the Residence/Work Permit is required to rent an apartment, get a bank account, buy a car, get a library card, and just about everything necessary to live somewhere.
Because the social benefits in Switzerland are so generous, and the rates of taxation are so low, many people would love to migrate to Switzerland. For instance, after working only six months in Switzerland, everyone is entitled to unemployment benefits of up to CHF 97,200 per year (at this writing, equivalent of $75,000 per year) for 540 days.

To maintain the high level of benefits for Swiss citizens and residents, who have contributed to the state system, the Swiss are very particular about who lives in their country.

Other than for reasons of asylum, it is theoretically possible to become a resident of Switzerland if a person:

*Marries a Swiss citizen; Nix that - I didn’t know anyone to have a date with, much less marry.

*Already has a work contract in Switzerland; Nix that - getting a job would defeat the purpose of being retired.

*Is over age 55 with independent means; Nix that - I was not yet even fifty years old.

Is under age 55 with independent means and has invested directly in a Swiss company.
Perfect! I received a modest retirement pension each month so I considered myself fitting nicely into the category of having ‘independent means.’ Actually, I rather liked the way it rolled off my tongue.

As I discovered, no government official would admit how much money one had to have to be considered ‘of independent means’. Nonetheless, I quickly got the message that unless one was super rich they need not apply. So, nix that idea, too.

Then to make the possibility of successfully getting a Residency Permit even slimmer, recent bi-lateral legislation was enacted to favor EU citizens over the rest of the world. Americans slipped further down in the stack. It was starting to look hopeless.
. Why Continue to Try to Live in a Country That Did Not Seem to Want Me?
The answer is because Switzerland is simply gorgeous. The majestic snow-covered Alps can be seen from almost everywhere in the country. The many scenic lakes are crystal clear. The little chalets perched on impossibly steep slopes look exactly like a music box I coveted as a child. Even the milk-chocolate colored cows grazing contentedly in the meadows are picturesque. The whole country is a living postcard and I wanted to be in it.

Furthermore, Switzerland is a healthy place to live. Only scant amounts of chemicals or engineering are allowed in the food sources, if at all, and there is no pollution. Health care is of the highest quality and remarkably caring on a personal level. There are no HMO’s - only private physicians. Health insurance in mandatory for everyone; but it is private instead of nationalized, although it is heavily regulated to be affordable. My monthly premium costs about $200 per month for coverage of health care, including medical prescriptions. Unbelievably, spending a couple weeks at a spa would also be covered.

Another reason I was not willing to give up trying was that one of my great passions in life is travel. Being located in the middle of Western Europe is absolutely ideal for travel to far-flung places like South Africa, China or Russia. The fascinating Eastern European countries that have not yet become over-touristed are only short flights away. Closer to home, Austria, France, Germany, Liechtenstein and Italy are merely day trips. Without sounding pretentious, I can say things like, “Shall we pop down to Italy for lunch?” or “I am out of hand crème, I think I’ll dash over to that little shop in France to pick some up.”

Add to all this that Switzerland is extremely safe, clean, friendly, and English is accepted. The public transportation is relatively inexpensive, reliable to the minute, and covers the entire country. One does not need to own a car in Switzerland. In a nutshell, Switzerland functions as well as an expensive Swiss timepiece and has perhaps the best infrastructure and quality of life in the world. And not just for the rich but for basically everyone.

After exhausting all other possibilities for obtaining a Residence Permit, I finally ended up founding a small consulting company. Founding a company proved to be relatively easy to accomplish, not terribly expensive and had some interesting tax benefits. However, the company has to be a legitimate business, pay taxes and such, so this solution would not work for most people.

Although, finding employment in Switzerland is possible, and in particular for specialists. Naturally it would improve a person’s chances if they spoke German or French. But I do occasionally see advertisements seeking English speaking employees at Nestle, for example.

Even if you don’t live in Switzerland, an interesting possibility is to visit Switzerland for three months as a tourist. No visa must be obtained for citizens of most countries; it is the entrance date into Switzerland that is proof. There are lots of fully furnished apartments available for short-term rentals at reasonable prices that would cost only a tiny fraction of what a hotel would charge. Many Swiss take really long vacations every now and then, up to a year sometimes, and they like to rent out their apartments while they are gone. You can make arrangement though an agency or by getting in contact with the ex-pat community to learn about private sub-leases.

The Swiss Cost of Living

Once I had the authorization to live in Switzerland, what remained to be seen was whether it would be possible to live in such a wealthy country on a modest pension?

What I discovered was that living in Switzerland is actually quite affordable. To begin with, social and income taxes are less than in the USA, for example, and significantly less than other EU countries. Sales taxes are the lowest by a wide margin in Western Europe.

Most people in Swiss cities live in apartments their whole lives, and rents are on the high side. I pay CHF 2100 for a two bedroom, bath-and-a-half apartment with a parking space in the garage. On the other hand, utilities are cheap. Restaurants and groceries seem shockingly expensive at first, but one adjusts by eliminating waste. Instead of driving to a grocery store every week and loading up the car trunk and back seat with purchases, I walk to the store a couple blocks away with my rolling cart.

When you carry home what you buy, you buy a lot less. Now that I am shopping for fresh groceries two or three times a week, I never throw food out anymore. Food doesn’t have time to sit around in the refrigerator long enough to become boring or out-of-date.

Even though the cost of living is high in Switzerland, I simply do not spend as much as I would if I lived in the USA. Not having access to so many consumer goods on such a wide scale basis does have its merits. There is less temptation.

In Switzerland we are not harangued with endless marketing schemes. The Swiss do not tolerate bothersome unsolicited telephone calls, so companies know better than to make them. We can refuse to receive junk mail and the refusal is respected. The TV stations have only a couple commercials once an hour or so. And the long distance companies don’t offer chances to win a car and when you fill out the form, you have unwittingly changed carriers. It is refreshing to live in an environment where people are not bombarded with suggestions to consume more.

The way I ended up living and retiring in Europe is not a road map for anyone else to follow. It is just one woman’s story. I am the first to admit that I was lucky to be in the right place at the right time. But my situation does show that it is possible to live quite comfortably on a small fixed income in a wealthy country. True, for people who are not millionaires it may be harder to get residency than in poor countries, but with creativity, research and perseverance it is possible. For example, I heard recently that anyone who could prove they had German ancestors could get a five-year residency permit.

Certainly, there are lots of cheaper places to live, but one does not have to live in an impoverished third world country in order to live well. When one considers the freedom to be safe and secure, and the quality of life, my money is on Switzerland.

And in Switzerland?

2007-08-04T14:39:00.000+01:00

In the UK, 1% now control 24% of the wealth…

The chasm between rich and poor in London today hasn’t been this large since Victorian times, according to The Guardian. Today's super-rich are endowing a new generation of cities globally. In New York, Shanghai and London, the cosmopolitan plutocracy outdo each other in displays of hard-to-believe spending from the car showroom, to the jewelry store to the restaurant table, according to the British paper.

A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report on social segregation in Britain has highlighted the split in society. With the personal wealth of the richest 1% now controlling 24% of the national share, it says the UK is headed towards Victorian levels of inequality.

EURO 2008

2007-06-10T22:43:00.000+01:00

I just wanted to let you know that we have almost unlimited supplies of tickets to all games at the upcoming EURO 2008 in Switzerland and Austria next year.

Prices upon request, don't wait to long...

Best

José

Jet Set...go!

2007-05-10T20:26:00.000+01:00

These are private airplanes and helicopters available in Lugano to hire :

Bi-engine PA34-200T Passengers 4
Maximum range Lugano Napoli

Bi-engine Piaggio 180 Passengers 7
Maximum range non stop Lugano Libia

Jet Falcon 900EX Passengers 14
Maximum range non stop Lugano Miami

Augusta A109E Power ( helicopter ) Passengers 6
Maximum range non stop Lugano Roma

Prices on request.
Contact us for more information and reservations: lifestyle@lifestylemanagement.ch

Switzerland leads the world

2007-05-09T20:12:00.000+01:00

According to an article in The Economist, with 16 listings, Switzerland leads the world in terms of top 1,000 companies per thousand people.

For the sixth straight year, Zurich and Geneva scored highest with 108.1 and 108. points respectively on the Mercer Human Resources 2007 Quality of Living Survey. Berne, the country’s capital, ranked 9th with 106.5 points. New York City is the index at 100 and ranked 48th.

The 2006 European Innovation Scoreboard ranks Switzerland 2nd after Sweden among the most innovative companies worldwide.

The Anholt-GMI Nation Brand Index issued for the fourth quarter of 2006 lists Switzerland as fifth most powerful nation brand in the world.

Switzerland, Austria and Germany have the most attractive environments for developing the travel and tourism industry, according to the very first ranking of its kind in the Travel & Tourism Competitiveness Report 2007, released by the World Economic Forum.

How Switzerland Will Win the Battle

2007-05-09T20:07:00.000+01:00

A new study “Multinational Companies on the Move: How Switzerland Will Win the Battle” has been released by the Swiss American Chamber of Commerce and The Boston Consulting Group. Noting among other points that multinational companies are increasingly exposed to international location optimization, it puts forward five key measures that the authors feel are crucial in the global race to attract and keep multinationals. A PDF of the study is available at http://www.locationswitzerland.com/html/newsletters-pr-articles/articles/bcgamcham2multi.pdf

Monaco Grand Prix 2007

2007-05-06T17:11:00.000+01:00

VIP Yacht Hospitality
MONACO 26th & 27th May 2007

The lavish Monte Carlo Principality provides the perfect backdrop to the Monaco Grand Prix - the world’s most celebrated high-octane weekend of motor racing.

Monte Carlo is awash with the bronzed and beautiful when the Formula 1 circus arrives in town,
but only a handful of guests truly experience the ultimate in exclusivity – obtain
the right party invites, and the best VIP hospitality…

Your Saturday & Sunday Yacht Hospitality package includes:

Trackside mooring with view of the giant TV screen
F1 driver appearances on Saturday & Sunday
ITV presenter appearances to update you on the latest news from the Paddock
“Money can’t buy” F1 Goodie bag – ALL ITEMS SIGNED BY F1 DRIVERS
Speed boat transfers from the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel
Complimentary open bar
Champagne Breakfast
Full Gourmet Buffet Lunch served on board
Afternoon Tea

PRICE PER PERSON (Two day pass – Sat. / Sun.) : on request

+41 91 921 00 27 info@lifestylemanagement.ch

VIP Access

2007-05-06T17:00:00.000+01:00

Remember Lifestyle Management & Consulting SA can provide access and VIP
assistance to these events and many others:

Oscars
MTV Awards
F1 Monaco
Grammy Awards
Tennis
Cannes Film Festival
Euro 2008
U.S. Open Golf Championship
Super Bowl U.S. Football Championship
Art Basel Miami

So keep in mind to contact us if you need anything concerning your Elite – Lifestyle:

info@lifestylemanagement.ch or +4191 921 00 27

Swiss Driver’s License

2007-05-06T15:43:00.000+01:00

Dear Clients

As part of your relocation to Switzerland and in order to be entitled to the car liability insurance it is mandatory to convert your foreign driver’s license to the Swiss driver’s license within 12 months after you enter Switzerland and after you receive your Permit B.

Lifestyle Management can assist you thru this process.

If you and/or your spouse/husband would like to take advantage of this service please let us know in order to proceed with the bureaucratic work involved in this matter.

We remain at your disposal for any further information needed and if you wish to set an appointment to have your eye test done by the optician as a first step to obtain the Swiss license.

Thank you for your attention

Best Regards

Welcome!

2007-05-05T09:22:00.000+01:00

Dear friends,

Finally we found some time to start this blog, we can't promise to update it very often and this is not going to be another way to contact us or LMC ! ;-)
This will be a tool for all of you that live (and some work) in Ticino. We will post articles, news,
events, ideas, revues, etc... and as we do all the time suggestions to improve and enjoy your LIFESTYLE.
Also we can stay in touch with everybody that will like to...
Obviously you are all welcome to comment and add new posts!

All the best

José & Andrea