Really anywhere along the lake. Some trains from Lausanne only take just over 30 minutes. I wouldn't go beyond Lausanne though.

Nyon is a good compromise, nice town and fairly close to Geneva. Otherwise Gland, Rolle, Morges etc including the villages in between (depends on whether you want to be able to walk to the nearest station). Think carefully before taking somewhere at altitude (say 700m and over) as there can be much more snow in winter and journey times will be significantly longer anyway.

As with anything... think of your social life. There will be a balance between cost, convenience and time.

A "village" in Vaud can be super quiet... (as can Geneva and Nyon at times), however, depending on what you want to do "at night" (ie at weekends, or even during the week) it can be horrendously difficult to get home beyond a certain hour.

If your role involves entertaining clients at night, be aware that you'll either be driving, or taking a taxi, since trains pretty much stop at 12.30am. Driving has is hazards if you drink more than a glass, and taxis are expensive (eg Geneva centre to Founex is CHF80... to Nyon 100...and so it goes on).

2000 can get you a pretty decent 2 bed appartment in Geneva... the cost doesnt vary that much until you get really into the depths of the countryside... but then youre spending more on taxis/petrol etc anyway.

You wont get a villa for 2000, even if you go 100km away... they start at the 4500 plus level... so think about your life when youre not at work...since thats where the costs add up over here.

Have a good move in the meantime.

Changing cantons has an impact on your work/residence permit.  Don't forget.  =)

Thanks for the advice.

The social life point is a good one, and I suppose the last thing you need when having a few beers post-work is worrying about making it to the train station for midnight. Besides, the difference in cost of accomodation between Vaud/Geneva doesn't seem to be that big to justify the hassle of commuting - i'll probably limit my search to Geneva and perhaps Nyon...

Does anyone have experience with relocation agencies? Are they similar to regies, or do they deal with the regies on your behalf?

As noted above, as a Geneva B permit holder you will not normally be allowed to live in Vaud until after a a couple of years.  Get your employer to confirm this for you considerring all the precise particulars of your dossier, and maybe save yourself some unanticipated grief.

I moved to Vaud after living in Geneva for one year. First time I hear this. I had a L permit at the time as they were out of B permits when I arrived.

L is only one year permit and B 5 years. Had no problems getting my expired L changed into a B in Vaud.

Personally, I love being in Nyon.  It's small enough to walk around, it's by the lake and pretty.  But it's also big enough to have an active Glocals group (which I have to say is full of really nice people), and a bit of nightlife.

I like the fact that it's 15 mins max into Geneva on the train, slightly more to the airport but still a direct train.  Trains go quite frequently, and yes the last one home during the week is 12.20am but there are later ones at weekends and holidays.

I dont hear of the issues that some people in Geneva seem to have such as crime and difficulties with accommodation.  And people from Geneva always seem to be keen to come and visit me in Nyon!

I certainly recommend it here.

If your employer asked for a permit in the canton of Geneva and you find an apartment in Nyon they have to ask for a new permit in Vaud. As it takes a while (in my case some months) you will be without permit for a while.

As I remember you can not get a Swisscom phone contract without a work permit, Regies are keen on it etc.

Relocation agencies are dealing with Regies to get you the apartment.

In 2005 it took my relocation agent six weeks to find me an apartment (I wanted something cheap). In the end he submitted my application to two Regies at the same time what they normaly not do. Though I forced him to and we suceeded. I negotiated to stay two weeks longer in the company interim house and stored my furniture there that had arrived after a month.

Some good housing-pages to get an understanding of what is available. The maps also show you in which canton the cities are located.

www.immostreet.ch

www.homegate.ch

It's might be good to take something ok first and once you are settled look for THE apartment.

Michael, Beware of Homegate - the majority of apartments I found there were scams that were too good to be true, asking to send money in advance before sending you the keys for a visit.  Never do business where "Western Union" is involved - can only be a scam.

One of your best bets is actually to look in the Glocals Classified section for a temorary place to get acquainted to the region as Rena suggested then look for THE place that you want.

Thanks again. The relocation agency have contacted me and asked for various forms/questionnaires to be filled in, and they mentioned they will deal with the regies on my behalf - so I guess it's just a case of getting there and seeing as many apartments as possible whilst I have the benefit of a serviced apartment.

Really? Was not aware of this Homegate issue.... Thanks for warning!

Depends on your personnality. I am from Lausanne and after three years community i find a nice appartment in Geneva. I was very lucky.

But I will say the best is to live either in Lausanne or Geneva. Because both are cities and can offer what a city can offer. night life, gym, etc... Smaller cities like Morges or Nyon are a good compromise because you are staying close from either Lausanne or Geneva. But from my personal point of view, I didn't choose Nyon because I prefered staying close to my friend, and I didn't want to take the car for at least 30 minutes to meet my friend in Geneva... But each person are different. Train are also very good connection from Lausanne, Morges and Nyon....  :) Hope you will find the right place for you.