Thinking of moving to Switzerland / France - advise please?

[DeirdreB]

My DH has the opportunity to consider a move to Geneva in a couple of years and we need to ensure that this is the right thing for our family who will be 8, 5 and 2 at the time. DH's company will help with moving and pay for schooling. We know two other families, one quite close friends, who live in the area. I worked for a small time a long time ago in a French corporation in Paris and while I need to brush up on my French, I'm not starting from scratch. My DC's have started French classes in anticipation. We plan to stay for at least 5 years, probably longer.

I have been reading posts on the cost of living in France and in Switzerland and the drawbacks of living abroad.

Has anyone got any good things to say about moving abroad?

What are the things we need to consider to get the most out of the move?

What are the drawbacks we need to weigh up? Distance from friends and relatives, how our DC's feel about moving, multilingual challenges,

Do tell all....

Language likely to be the most important thing and being open-minded enough not to assume that everything will be as easy as it seems in the UK. NB As Switzerland isn't in the EU, you may find it a bit trickier to get work for yourself as there's a work permit system you'll need to get your head around. Again, having the language skills will be the key.

Geneva is very international because of all the UN agencies and organisations there to lobby the UN. I'm sure there must be loads of expat forums where you can get the latest gen from people who live there. But there are lots of little laws in Switzerland that your dh's company might help advise you on, eg around the lettings process, so worth finding out about those as early as possible so you go prepared. Here's the official advice on what to check

It's great that you have the long lead time to do all the planning and get your kids used to the idea. Would definitely be worth a recce visit to give yourselves an idea of what it will be like, especially if you can meet some people from the company already there. Will be a great opportunity.

Hopefully there will be someone from Geneva along soon. We live in central Switzerland and I could have got a job with a permit if I had skills that were needed. As I don't I've been a SAHM since we moved here.
The people in our area are infexible, proud and frankly horrid. OTOH, we've gone to other areas and the nationals were lovely.
On top of the schooling, it would be a good idea to try to get medical insurance paid for by the employer. It really does cost an arm and a leg, but differs from canton to canton.
A good resource is the english forum.ch google it and you'll likely find the answers to all your questions.

We moved to Geneva just over a year ago and really love it here.

Generally, the cost of living is a bit more expensive but the salaries are higher here to reflect that. Depending on your DH's contract you could find that you are not worse off.

Things to consider:

• Cost of housing. In Geneva this is very high. Reckon to pay at least 4000chf for a 4 bedroom house/flat. Would your DH's company pay for some or all of the housing costs?

• Where to live. Generally the further you go out of town, the cheaper the houses get. Many go over to France. Still a reasonably short commute into town.

• International School. I am not a fan of them, but realise that your then 8yo might find it difficult to go into local schools. Our DC were 4 and 6yo when we moved and we put them into Swiss school. They have learnt French already and are doing well. Putting them into IS will mean that they will not learn French as quickly and that they will not integrate well in the local community. I do know of some children who were older than 8yo when they moved here and have coped with learning the language. Particularly if you are here longterm it may be an option for you.

• Geneva is very international. You can get by without learning French, many people do but it is obviously a great advantage to speak the local language.

If your DH's company organise it, and make sure that you get the B permit so that you can work, there is no reason that you would not be able to get a job. Provided you can fit it in with childcare. Obviously, speaking French will help your chances, but there are also many international organisations where English is the working language.

Thanks for this - useful to know about health care, work permits and housing costs. Forewarded is forearmed!! I like the idea of a local school so good to hear you are having a good experience. Housing does look like the biggest question, looking at what's available and the styles etc, I have three years to declutter my life and my lifestyle and may also have to look at DH having a commute to work (he walks at the moment!!)

What are the good things?

Commuting to work is a nightmare if he has to take his car in. The traffic is terrible - one of the few times I am heard to mutter "Fucking fucking fucking Geneva" is when I am stuck in traffic - I really love almost everythign about living here except the traffic. DH gets the bus which is great. The public transport is very good thankfully.

Generally you have to look at where you DH's office is and look for a house on the same side of the lake. By that I mean, that he does not need to cross the Pont du Mont Blanc during the rush hour.

Have a look on Homegate to give you an idea of prices/locations.

Most apartments and houses have an open fire, which I love. Very cosy.

Things I love about Geneva.

The easy going lifestyle - very strong French influence, seen in the food, the relaxed atmosphere, the general friendliness towards children. The Swiss are not known for being easy going, so the French influence is great.

Living right on the lake. Being able to go to the beach. Not a big thing for Brits, but we lived for 15 years in Germany prior to moving here so no beaches.

The proximity to France/Italy. Great for holidays / days out.

The expat community. After being totally immersed in German culture, it is great to have British friends who understand my jokes. The availability of lots of British products is pretty good here, in comparison to many other European cities.

loads more. I am the MN Genevan Cheerleeder

Thanks for this - I can tell from your other Geneva posts that you are a fan!! It's nice to hear good things as this will be a big move for us. I'm dreaming of my future life, but should probably live a bit more in the present!!

I have seen some lovely places on Homegate that are "30 mins" from Geneva but suspect they are further in traffic. Commute versus city will be a big question, as will size of property!

I worry about the impact on our DC's (especially worry billy eldest), fighting bureacrats and negogiating with tradespeople in a foreign language.

We are officially about 20 mins for Geneva, which is fine. Even 30 mins from Geneva is ok depending on where it is and how the connection is.

They are going to build a tram that goes all the way to Annemasse in France so that will make Annemasse more popular, and all the towns in that direction.

A lot of the tradespeople speak English, and even my very bad French is enough to get by when we have workmen come to the house.

As to the DC, ours have never been happier. They love it here.

I do think that mine - our - enthusiasm rubs off on the DC though.

Thanks for your info, Mystic - good pieces of advice. Hope it gets better for you soon. Remember that everyone else's lives are full of compromises too!! Good Luck!!

BTW (You're not an accountant by any chance are you? I have a friend in Geneva who has been job hunting recently, might have some tips / contacts?)