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Geneva is a small but very international city. You are never more than 70 km away from another country, even when you are in the middle of Switzerland. Therefore everyone usually understands English. The weather is quite typically European; a continental cold winter (3 months), short spring and fall and a mild pleasant summer (3 months) 22° to 28°.
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Swiss people are very conservative discrete people. They
won't openly invite you into their home, they will just say "bonjour" in the elevator and not interfere in your life. Expatriates say that it is hard to make new friends. However, belonging to an association can help you integrate and once you get to know them, they will become very good friends.
The population of Geneva is 45% foreigners, due mostly to the
international organizations and multinationals based here so you are not
so unique. At the same time, you have to make the effort to learn French
and integrate, then you will be rewarded with a very pleasant life. Geneva
has a very good quality of life combining the advantages of a small
multi-cultural city with many cultural activities and events.
For sport addicts, you have everything, from skiing, to flying a delta wing plane
to cycling and boating. Everything is less than 30 minutes away!
There are no major problems with dress code or racism as long as you are
discrete. Discretion is the key to being accepted. If you are loud and
dress weirdly, people will make comments or call the police (yes there is a
no-noise law applying between 10 pm and 7 am and on week-ends).
Security used to be good, but lately crime has increased and robbery is quite frequent; bag-snatching or distracting drivers to steal their handbags is becoming more and more common. People who travel
often have put bars on their doors for extra security measures. However it is still one of the only
countries I know where you will see young children walking to school alone. It is an ideal place to live for families, for singles there are better places, but make the most of it by skiing, travelling and joining all sorts of clubs! |
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| European passport holders can get visas very easily now
with the Shengen agreements. As for other countries, visas will only be granted
if you have a working contract. You have to register immediately upon
arrival with the authorities and you have 3 months to get Swiss health insurance which is compulsory. |
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Well that is a major problem! Finding accommodation is very
difficult due to an exponential growth of people and almost no construction. The vacancy rate is 0.2 %. However if you are able to move to the country side, which is often not more than 20 minutes
away, or to neighbouring France for example, you might find a very nice house or
apartment. Housing is very expensive and comparable in pricing to New York or Hong Kong.
Geneva is the 3rd or 4th most expensive city in the world, so don't be
surprised! A typical 2 bedroom apartment in a good
neighbourhood will cost USD4000 per month in rent, about the same as a small 3 bedroom house in the countryside. You are always required to put down 3 months rent as guarantee and payments are made monthly in advance. When looking to rent, don't be too fussy, and decide quickly, because for each apartment there will be at least 10 other interested candidates. It is a good idea to have a
recommendation letter from your company or banker to help speed up the process. If you are
in Geneva for a short time, your best option may be to take a furnished apartment.
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Yes you can find household help, but unless you are a
diplomat, you cannot sponsor visas for foreigners. Therefore it is advisable to hire local people
and pay the usual fees if you don't want to have problems. You can easily
find baby-sitters at the University, cleaning ladies (the going rate is USD
25 hour), gardeners, but nannies and chauffeurs are rare. Most people have a
maid a couple of hours per week. A live-in maid can be useful in a house, but
will cost you at least 3100 USD (the official salary).You can deduct
USD900 for housing and pay her the rest.
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There are several phone companies, the monopoly being held by
Swisscom. The quality is good and access to internet is wide spread. You
can find newspapers in almost every language and CNN and CNBC is on every
TV. Most homes have cable TV included in the rent. If you want extra
channels, you can pay for it. The post used to be excellent, now it is just OK, since the past 5 years.
Mail is delivered once a day and people use private delivery agents (UPS
etc..) for speedy delivery abroad.
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The language is French in Geneva, but Switzerland has four
official languages; French, German, Italian and Romanche (in Grisons). There
are many language schools and tutors and there is an excellent school of
interpretation (ETI) at the University. French learning is vital to
integrate, but I know people who have been here 20 years and still speak
only English! Their friends are mostly from the international community.
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Water is in general excellent and there are no
restrictions. You are encouraged to save water, electricity and use public
transportation which is excellent. The water and heating cost is usually
included in your rent, you pay only for telephone and electricity. In a
house, you have to take care of the heating and water.
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| It is quite difficult to find a job once in Geneva. Many expatriate women are interested to find part-time work which is quite impossible, especially in the current market. There are head hunters and agencies to help you, but if you don't speak French, forget it! |
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The local currency is the Swiss Franc. Switzerland is not part of the EEU, but most stores, restaurants and cafes will gladly accept EUROS. Bank accounts are
easily opened once you have a working or student permit.
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Basic healthcare is compulsory and you can or should add
complementary care if you want a private or semi-private room in a hospital
of your choice. Accident insurance is usually included in the schools for
children and covered by the employer for adults. You can find every kind of
medicine at pharmacies, but often a medical prescription is necessary.
Bring your prescriptions from abroad and the pharmacist will try to find the
equivalent medicine here. Most pharmacists, doctors and dentists speak English.
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Every possible kind of school exists from kindergarten to university.
We have 2 Montessori Schools and an international school with 2 campuses.
Ask for the free booklet on private schools in Switzerland. |
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| You can drive with an international or foreign valid license
for one year after your arrival, but it is recommended that you get a Swiss
permit as soon as you are settled. People usually own one or two cars
depending on their lifestyles and proximity to the town centre. However, public
transport is quite good, punctual and clean. |
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You can get absolutely everything you need in Geneva, there are
even speciality stores with local ethnic food. In terms of beauty,
hairdressers are common, manicure and waxing also, but they are not always
done at the same place. Manicure and waxing as well as massages are quite
expensive compared to other countries. Thai massages become more and more
popular.
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You can find the best of every sport in Geneva;
tennis, golf, cycling, basketball, football, swimming, etc. Just be aware
that there are public clubs which charge a small fee and private clubs which are more
expensive. International organisations, such as the UN have their own sports clubs.
Cultural life is quite good if you enjoy concerts, operas and ballet. There
are several music festivals in the summer, such as the Montreux Jazz
festival and the Verbier music festival. |
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The Geneva Chamber of Commerce and the Geneva Tourist
Office can provide lots of information. |
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| If you need help to find an apartment don't hesitate to ask for a
relocation agency. It can save you time and headaches. I am available for
that purpose at: Barzilay Services, 20 av Dumas, 1206 Geneva. More information on
or e-mail me at |
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See too:
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City Description
Healthcare
