Tiago & Annika Feracioli | Schaffhausen - area for makers

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Economic Promotion Canton of Schaffhausen

Both studied for many years, always with an eye on developing an international career. In fact, the two of them – he from Brazil, she from Estonia - met whilst studying law in Holland. Their careers then took them off in different directions - Tiago moved to a post in Zurich, whilst Annika went to Sweden and then to Brussels. That led to a long-distance relationship lasting 4.5 years, covering thousands of kilometres and a lot of longing to one day live together. «And I am happy to report that our relationship survived all of that intact», Annika says, with a touch of relief.

Following the Corona pandemic, they took a decision: Schaffhausen was to become their first home together. They just needed to be a little patient for a little longer because although they had signed the contract for their new apartment, it had not been finished yet. After a couple of months, the waiting was over. They have now been living together in the Stahlgiesserei district since February 2022 – and never want to move. Annika works as a Senior Tax Manager in the pharmaceutical sector in Zurich and Tiago is the Global Tax Director of an international business based in Schaffhausen. And both are very happy.

For Tiago, getting to work is just a 10-minute walk. Annika commutes to the office in Zurich most days, but early on she struck a lucrative deal with the love of her life: «We agreed, that if I was going to commute, he was going to make breakfast every morning.», Annika explains with a smile. The train journey has now become a feature of the lawyer’s life but one she’s very happy to hang on to. «I use the commute as <Me Time>. I look out of the window, or read or listen to a podcast», she explains. The train journey from Schaffhausen to Zurich takes just 36 minutes and that’s almost a little too short, she finds.

What is so special about Schaffhausen that makes the couple want to make it their <forever home>? It turns out the list is quite long and both agree Schaffhausen, gives them everything they could wish for. They love the tranquillity, the exceptional quality of life, the unspoilt nature in the area which is ideal for walks – and, of, course, there are the Rhine Falls in Neuhausen, which they have to show to all their visitors, Tiago confesses, with a wink. «The River Rhine looks different every day, as the seasons change or the weather and light create a different mood. Simply incredible.», Tiago continues.

They also love the fact that whatever they want to do – go swimming in the Rhine, walking, visiting the gym or popping into their favourite restaurant – a burger restaurant, by the way – they can do it all on foot. «You really don’t need a car in Schaffhausen.», Tiago confirms, «I would recommend Schaffhausen as a place to live to anyone who finds Zurich too full of people and busy and to anyone who works in St. Gallen, an easy commute. If you’re looking for peace and like smaller cities, this is absolutely the right place.»

The most important thing for both is that they have also found new friends in Schaffhausen, both through their work and in the new Stahlgiesserei district. «The whole environment here suits our life-style, both in our leisure time and when we’re working from home.» The former foundry site has been redeveloped around a large green space which is ideal for walking and includes a range of eateries and restaurants as well as retail outlets. Tiago and Annika say the development feels like a «small city within a city», offering a quiet neighbourhood to live in and the fun of shared picknicks with other residents in the summer.

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