Some advice:

Owner of appartment in a different country = scam

Wants money by western union = scam

If the rent is in anything other than swiss francs for an appartment in Switzerland = scam

If it looks too good to be true, it probably is

Have fun :)

Thank you so much for the advice!

Or "oh, not possible to visit, im in other country, but im sending pictures" = scam

But the most common is asking money in advance as a "guarantee" to hold the apt. Never send any....

Accommodation is scarce in Geneva at the best of times but it’s more acute in summer because of all the international conferences that are held then.

Have you tried advertising on glocals’ ‘Classifieds’?  You might find a holiday sublet that way.

You can also google ‘Temporary Housing in and around Geneva’ and similarly for Ferney-Voltaire in France, which is about 30 minutes on the bus from UN.

Of course, a lot will depend on your budget, but be aware that there’s no such thing as inexpensive housing in Geneva.  It’s an issue we all have to live with, whether we’re Swiss or expat.

Good luck anyway.  I’m sure you’ll find something eventually.  Ritchie

Hello Liz, 

Are you looking for appartment or would it be fine just a room in app to rent? I sometimes do have some friends who are looking for someone to just rent a room at there house or appartment? Most in france tho. Are you planing to get a car while here or going to go for public transport? Let me know and if I have anything open I´ll let you know. Non of them would not aske money or anything until ur there face to face trop ur bag and get the keys.  

Cheers, 

R.C.K.

We will take anything we can get. We won't have a vehicle and will be relying on public transportation. My husband has an internship with the U.N., so the closer to there, but better ... but beggars can't be choosers - I would be happy with any help you could lend.

Thank you!

check out immogate.ch and immoscout24.ch ;-)

Apartments are scarce and expensive, so if money’s an issue, look for a double room in a flat-share under ‘Housing offered’ on glocals.

World Radio Switzerland has a similar service.

R.

Hi, for a couple of months, you might also want to consider apartment hotels where you can rent furnished studios on a monthly basis.

Two nice and relatively affordable ones that I know of (both are on the French side) are

Sylvie Lodge http://www.sylvie-lodge.com/crbst_3_en.html     and

Park and Suites http://www.parkandsuites.com/en/appart-hotel-geneve-gaillard.php

Both have easy access by public transportation into Geneva.

Oh, and welcome :)

Hi Liz,

Attending to the other more serious part of your query, we are an easy (albeit expensive) train journey from Milan's famous San Siro stadium, where you have the choice of watching Inter or AC Milan, and a similar train journey to Paris.

A cheaper option is an Easyjet flight to Barcelona to see their all-stars, or to London to see Premiership football at Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal or West Ham's stadiums (if you can get a ticket).

Most cities in Europe are less than 90 minutes flight away and Easyjet have ridiculously cheap flights to most of them.

Or you could just watch in Pickwicks, Clubhouse or Lady Godiva's, like most of us do!

Enjoy!!

Thank you all so much for your invaluable information! I appreciate it more than you know. With such kind and friendly people helping me already, it gets me quite excited to visit and I am very much looking forward to my stay. 

Thank you all!

http://chicaneryconsscams.blogspot.com/2011/01/scammails-k-o-2011.html

check emails here.

Check out the classifieds section on glocals.com: http://www.glocals.com/classifieds/geneva/housing-and-real-estate/

We blocked 99% of the scammers from entering glocals, but not all of them. Apply common sense and Maria's principles, and you'll be safe. And never never never wire money oversees to someone before seeing their apartment and seeing them in person!