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Thinking about moving to Geneva

Hello and Happy New Year


My husband has been offered to relocate to Geneva from London. We are considering the offer very seriously as we have 2 children age 1 and 2 1/2, and London seems to be a scary place to bring up children. 


I'm quite concerned about my employment opportunities in Geneva, as I have only graduated in 2005 in BSc Business and Management (Hons) and currently working for a local council (finished graduate programme- housing pgd). I don't speak French but I speak Spanish (mother tongue).


Could anyone advice me on whether my degree and post graduate studies are recognised in Switzerland and what my chances are of finding employment in your opinion?


Also, could anyone advice me on childcare and its costs for under 4s in public nurseries?


Thank you


 


Sonia

The text you are quoting:

Hello and Happy New Year


My husband has been offered to relocate to Geneva from London. We are considering the offer very seriously as we have 2 children age 1 and 2 1/2, and London seems to be a scary place to bring up children. 


I'm quite concerned about my employment opportunities in Geneva, as I have only graduated in 2005 in BSc Business and Management (Hons) and currently working for a local council (finished graduate programme- housing pgd). I don't speak French but I speak Spanish (mother tongue).


Could anyone advice me on whether my degree and post graduate studies are recognised in Switzerland and what my chances are of finding employment in your opinion?


Also, could anyone advice me on childcare and its costs for under 4s in public nurseries?


Thank you


 


Sonia


sonia dJan 11, 2010 @ 12:31
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 1

I'd stay in London.


Unless the money is better,


 

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I'd stay in London.


Unless the money is better,


 


Charles G, Jan 13, 2010 @ 22:51
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 2

If hubby has been offered a relocation package then hopefully his employer will pay for you to come out and look around before you commit - i think you should get the feel for it yourself.  Frankly for quality of life bringing up two small children in Geneva vs London I would say bring them to Switzerland with 500% confidence but bear in mind the cost of living here is high.


 


Employment opps are tight here, but then they are tight in London too so not a lot to say on that. Whether french is a problem or not really depends upon your field of work ; there are a lot of internationally focussed jobs here where English will be a dominant language, but then others will reuiqre French - let's say don't let it put you off.   Your degree should stand in good stead here, since there are such a huge number of expats here.  If you have any specific questions drop me an email as i wil be happy to give you more input!

The text you are quoting:

If hubby has been offered a relocation package then hopefully his employer will pay for you to come out and look around before you commit - i think you should get the feel for it yourself.  Frankly for quality of life bringing up two small children in Geneva vs London I would say bring them to Switzerland with 500% confidence but bear in mind the cost of living here is high.


 


Employment opps are tight here, but then they are tight in London too so not a lot to say on that. Whether french is a problem or not really depends upon your field of work ; there are a lot of internationally focussed jobs here where English will be a dominant language, but then others will reuiqre French - let's say don't let it put you off.   Your degree should stand in good stead here, since there are such a huge number of expats here.  If you have any specific questions drop me an email as i wil be happy to give you more input!


hucklewoo, Jan 14, 2010 @ 13:44
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 3

Thank you Hucklewoo,


I've got many questions relating to the move itself and taxes involved, for example importing our belongings.
Also, childcare for under 4s. I've read the cost is a percentage of a family's income but what percentage is it? are there different bands? Or is an au pair a cheaper option (not taking into account other issues attached to having an au pair).
Thank you
Sonia


 

The text you are quoting:

Thank you Hucklewoo,


I've got many questions relating to the move itself and taxes involved, for example importing our belongings.
Also, childcare for under 4s. I've read the cost is a percentage of a family's income but what percentage is it? are there different bands? Or is an au pair a cheaper option (not taking into account other issues attached to having an au pair).
Thank you
Sonia


 


sonia d, Jan 15, 2010 @ 16:20
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 4

Take a look at this site I think it will answer most of your questions.


www.easyexpat.com/en/geneva.htm

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Take a look at this site I think it will answer most of your questions.


www.easyexpat.com/en/geneva.htm


pazzer, Jan 15, 2010 @ 21:50
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 5

I would also recommend the following book:


 


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Working-Switzerland/dp/1905303157


 


living & working in Switzerland / David Hampshire

The text you are quoting:

I would also recommend the following book:


 


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Living-Working-Switzerland/dp/1905303157


 


living & working in Switzerland / David Hampshire


hucklewoo, Jan 17, 2010 @ 21:10
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 6

You should come. The Swiss make sure it is safe for their children to walk to school without their parents - go to your children's prospective schools near London at 08:45 and see how safe people think their kids are in the UK.  I used to have to dodge the traffic on the pavements taking my kids to school in Kent and wouldnot dream of letting them make their own way to school until they reached secondary school age.


You should also consider living in France and working in Geneva - check out the French tax laws for families (one parent working, one parent staying home) people tell me they are better off in France than they were in London.


Housing is cheaper in France, schools and medicine funded from taxation and I am confident your house in France will be closer to the office in Geneva than your house in "London" is to London.

The text you are quoting:

You should come. The Swiss make sure it is safe for their children to walk to school without their parents - go to your children's prospective schools near London at 08:45 and see how safe people think their kids are in the UK.  I used to have to dodge the traffic on the pavements taking my kids to school in Kent and wouldnot dream of letting them make their own way to school until they reached secondary school age.


You should also consider living in France and working in Geneva - check out the French tax laws for families (one parent working, one parent staying home) people tell me they are better off in France than they were in London.


Housing is cheaper in France, schools and medicine funded from taxation and I am confident your house in France will be closer to the office in Geneva than your house in "London" is to London.


Mark T, Jan 19, 2010 @ 00:27
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 7

Well on the positive side, I would say that Geneva is a safer place to live. One can walk at night in most places, and can feel fairly safe here. Also, not all, but many people speak English as its very international, so if one does not know French, its easier to live in Geneva. Also, the transportation system is much better in Geneva (compared to France), and one can get around easily without a car.


 


On the negative side, accomodation is a huge problem here. Because of their housing policies (should I say socialistic?), there is very little new accomodation being built, and they are many international workers coming here, consequently there is very little housing available, and talking six months or more to find accomodation is common. So if you are coming, make sure that the employer is supportive - e.g. they can provide temporary housing for at least six months, or some kind of arrangement until you find a place. Also, I found that regies (housing agencies) only work during the day, which means that you have to constantly take time off from work to go get the keys from the regie and check out apartments, at least that was my experience, so you want an employer who is supportive, or if you are a couple, and only one person works, the other can check apartments during the day. Personally, I feel the accomodation situation is completely outragous, and I find it fascinating how people accept this as normal, but I digress. Once you find an apartment, things become much much easier and stress free. Also, in Geneva the way the apartment system works, its very beneficial to know people. People who have the right connections usually find very nice apartments quickly. If you know someone who is leaving from their apartment they can recommend you, or even better if you have a friend in a regie, then you have it made. Also, in Geneva be expected to comprimise and accept apartments and conditions that you may not have accepted in London... at least I found I had to be more comprimising here. That said, I know people who were lucky and found an apartment in the week they arrived...


 


 


If you don't speak French, I would advice against going to France. Few people speak English there, and Brits have told me that often people in France will refuse to speak to them in English, even if they know the language.


 


Also, if you want to send your children to an international school in Geneva (where diplomats and business workers send there children), its more expensive than French speaking schools. Though this might be more of an issue when your children grow up. I am not sure about the cost difference in early childcare, or how it compares with London.


 


Also in France, the Goverment is very beaurocratic and less helpful. For example, my permit from the French authorities took more four months to arrive, where in Geneva it took approximately three weeks... I have not owned a car and have lived in Geneva, so I cannot make a fully informed comparison based on personal experience on Governance between the two countries.


 


Also, if you live in nearby France, then I would strongly recommend a car, as their transportation system is not as good as Geneva.


 


Personally, I would prefer London, but my situation is different than yours. Perhaps, the safer environment is better for the children when comparing the two cities.

The text you are quoting:

Well on the positive side, I would say that Geneva is a safer place to live. One can walk at night in most places, and can feel fairly safe here. Also, not all, but many people speak English as its very international, so if one does not know French, its easier to live in Geneva. Also, the transportation system is much better in Geneva (compared to France), and one can get around easily without a car.


 


On the negative side, accomodation is a huge problem here. Because of their housing policies (should I say socialistic?), there is very little new accomodation being built, and they are many international workers coming here, consequently there is very little housing available, and talking six months or more to find accomodation is common. So if you are coming, make sure that the employer is supportive - e.g. they can provide temporary housing for at least six months, or some kind of arrangement until you find a place. Also, I found that regies (housing agencies) only work during the day, which means that you have to constantly take time off from work to go get the keys from the regie and check out apartments, at least that was my experience, so you want an employer who is supportive, or if you are a couple, and only one person works, the other can check apartments during the day. Personally, I feel the accomodation situation is completely outragous, and I find it fascinating how people accept this as normal, but I digress. Once you find an apartment, things become much much easier and stress free. Also, in Geneva the way the apartment system works, its very beneficial to know people. People who have the right connections usually find very nice apartments quickly. If you know someone who is leaving from their apartment they can recommend you, or even better if you have a friend in a regie, then you have it made. Also, in Geneva be expected to comprimise and accept apartments and conditions that you may not have accepted in London... at least I found I had to be more comprimising here. That said, I know people who were lucky and found an apartment in the week they arrived...


 


 


If you don't speak French, I would advice against going to France. Few people speak English there, and Brits have told me that often people in France will refuse to speak to them in English, even if they know the language.


 


Also, if you want to send your children to an international school in Geneva (where diplomats and business workers send there children), its more expensive than French speaking schools. Though this might be more of an issue when your children grow up. I am not sure about the cost difference in early childcare, or how it compares with London.


 


Also in France, the Goverment is very beaurocratic and less helpful. For example, my permit from the French authorities took more four months to arrive, where in Geneva it took approximately three weeks... I have not owned a car and have lived in Geneva, so I cannot make a fully informed comparison based on personal experience on Governance between the two countries.


 


Also, if you live in nearby France, then I would strongly recommend a car, as their transportation system is not as good as Geneva.


 


Personally, I would prefer London, but my situation is different than yours. Perhaps, the safer environment is better for the children when comparing the two cities.


angelos, Jan 19, 2010 @ 08:22
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Re: Thinking about moving to Geneva
Post 8

Hi Sonia,


My mother tongue is Spanish too and I recently relocated to Geneva. I am single, so my situation might be slightly different.


I don't think you may have an issue with your degree. Your nationality could be a more important factor I may say, in the sense that you will not arrive in here with a job but as a spouse of B permit holder and then look for a job. If you're EU-15 national, everything will be much easier.


Accommodation is very hard to find for a single person, bordering a nightmare. In case of a family, it is different, as you have higher priority to get an apartment. It will be mostly a problem of how much you can afford to spend.


Dispite their peculiarities, such as closing the shops between 18:30-19:00h even in a Saturday evening, Switzerland is a nice place to live and raise kids. Services here range from good to excellent, but there is a price to pay for that. The cost of living is very high, particularly in Geneva.


The book recommended by Hackewoo is very interesting, I recommend it as well, but bear in mind that there is a 2009 edition. I also think you should find out if other colleagues of your husband also have relocated from London to Geneva, that would give you the most useful information.


Good luck with whatever you decide to do


Pascual

The text you are quoting:

Hi Sonia,


My mother tongue is Spanish too and I recently relocated to Geneva. I am single, so my situation might be slightly different.


I don't think you may have an issue with your degree. Your nationality could be a more important factor I may say, in the sense that you will not arrive in here with a job but as a spouse of B permit holder and then look for a job. If you're EU-15 national, everything will be much easier.


Accommodation is very hard to find for a single person, bordering a nightmare. In case of a family, it is different, as you have higher priority to get an apartment. It will be mostly a problem of how much you can afford to spend.


Dispite their peculiarities, such as closing the shops between 18:30-19:00h even in a Saturday evening, Switzerland is a nice place to live and raise kids. Services here range from good to excellent, but there is a price to pay for that. The cost of living is very high, particularly in Geneva.


The book recommended by Hackewoo is very interesting, I recommend it as well, but bear in mind that there is a 2009 edition. I also think you should find out if other colleagues of your husband also have relocated from London to Geneva, that would give you the most useful information.


Good luck with whatever you decide to do


Pascual


Pasqual E, Jan 19, 2010 @ 09:22
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