Moving to Geneva - help!

[JumuFlorence]

Hi, my husband has been offered a job in Geneva. We are seriously considering it but looking into expenses and lifestyle etc. If anyone could advise on the following I would be so grateful. FYI we have two children aged 2 & 4

• where to live? We would prefer a house rather than apt. Although hope not to be too isolated. It would be great to live near other families. Office will be on the airport side of the lake.

• schools - would probably prefer international British curriculum- there are so many. I guess location is important if we are living one side of the lake (airport side)

Socialising - what’s it like? Easy to make friends?

Anything else we should consider??

Thank you

look for schools and then look for locations to live around them. the british school of geneva would be worth a look, it's close to the airport.
britishschoolgeneva.ch/
It is also quite common to live in France and commute to Geneva. If that might appeal to you, then you could look at the town of Annemasse, with is around a 30 min drive to geneva, 20 mins to the british school of geneva.
all the best x

I forgot to add, you may wish to get your dc started with french lessons before you make the move, as lots of clubs etc not associated with the school will be taken in french. eg: this swim school in Annemasse- the lessons are taken in french
www.chateau-bleu.com/activites/ecole-de-natation
as is this football club (ages 4-6)
olympique-geneve.ch/contact/

Look at the pays de Gex area of France, easy commute into Geneva and if your DH is earning a Genevan salary you will be able to afford a house to rent. Re schools if you definitely want anglophone then Ecolint Campus de Nations would fit and is also near the airport. Personally I think the Annemasse area,mentioned by the previous poster would be a horrid commute for your DH and is not as nice imo.

I have loads of info to give you, but can be more helpful if you can give me any idea on how long you are planning to stay in Geneva? What's included in the contract package eg school fees, health insurance etc? What sort of budget for rent? Taxed income or tax exempt? What neighbourhood is the office in more specifically?

I'll be able to give you much better pointers with a bit more info!

Is it an expat or local contract? If the latter you need to factor in costs like health insurance, school fees, travel, permits, rent etc into negotiations. If expat you may get a budget allocated for these and some help from a relocation agent to find accommodation and school places. Most Swiss live in apartment blocks in the city so a house might be less central. Do you speak French well, otherwise language courses are also important.

If you want an English speaking school and British curriculum chances are you will mix within the expat community rather than with Swiss which would mean a regular turnover of friends and classmates. There are online forums for Expats in Switzerland and Geneva where you may find local advice from those who have made similar moves recently.

I would look at Nyon and Coppet areas. Several expats, beautiful areas and 15-20 mins to the airport. If you’re moving as an expat with schooling in the package then I’d imagine you’ll have a relocation company to help you? If not and you want international schools, be prepared for fees of CHF 25k+ per year per child.

Life is expensive in Geneva / Switzerland and it's not an easy place to be frugal. International school fees are expensive as are medical insurance and rent. Depending on where on the airport side the office is and whether your husband might cmwant to commute by train, bike to work or drive, you will have different options open to you. Also if you prefer to be closer to schools, activities, shops or are happy to drive around a lot. Airport noise might also be a consideration. We have lived in the area for 9 years and have children at two international schools.

My friend lived there for 5 years. Her children went to Geneva English School in Genthod and they lived nearby. She was really happy with the school. About 10 minutes into the centre but is quiet. So expensive for rent and food though. She used to go into France (very near) to supermarket shop.

Are you planning on a long term move or short term? If the former, then really consider putting them into local schools - the quality is good and they are free, and integration will be much easier. Be aware that childcare for under school age is difficult and expensive, even when subsidised.

Agree that annemasse is not the best place location or quality of life wise. Also that the stretch into Vaud is lovely and you're probably more likely to get a house there. I'd imagine a theee bed house with garden will be 3500 a month up in Vaud, 4000 in Geneva. Other areas in Geneva you could consider are Cartigny, Dardagny, Satigny If you like countryside (but think about plane noise in these, and you'd need a car). Versoix, grand sacconex and petit sacconex are more into the city, but still suburbs (but same plane noise question).

Hi all jumping on this thread as someone considering the move to geneva. Office city centre. I would be paid about 120k swiss Franc a year and school fees would be paid for, two children so looking at a 3 bedroom apartment but could go to 2, DP probably not working, looking at moving for a couple of years. Is this affordable or no way would we be able to survive?

Hi... would the company be paying relocation / medical insurance / anything apart from school fees? Obviously, plenty of people manage on less in Geneva, and it's a comfortable enough income, but I think you'd be watching what you spend. At this salary, I'd be doing a budget before committing.

You can check the cantonal tax online (it varies depending on whether you are the sole earner and whether you have children). You can also look on comparis.ch for health insurance and rental costs. I imagine they would likely be your biggest outgoings.

Jumping on this thread too as we are considering the move. Live in France now and would probably be frontaliers. Looking particularly for local expat mum groups where I can ask loads of questions.