Ups, sorry, I still don't know how to edit my post :-D ... in number 3) I want to know how to find a good quality/price balanced appart or shared appartment / room ... THANKS !!!!

Hi!

to answer your questions....

1) as far as I know everywhere is safe to live in Geneva. There are just "nicer" areas than others, that is all. Champel is central and residential, as is Onex though this is slightly further out. Chêne-Bourg is also residential and slightly further out of town but it's close to the 12 tram line so easy to get into town.

The poshest area to live is the Old Town I guess....though if you have a car it's very difficult to access and I understand none of the buildings in Old Town have lifts.

Equally posh (and equally expensive) is Carouge. It's on the 12 and 18 tram lines, lovely architecture and lots of amenities.

I'm unfamiliar with the other side of town but there are many people who work for the UN agencies that live in the Grand-Saconnex and Petit-Saconnex area.

2) I guess this really depends on age and what you're into, but there isn't really much in the way of  a night life here. People clear out in the winter too to get away to the mountains to go skiing. Personally we moved to Geneva for the outdoor lifestyle and love it for that! There is lots to be enjoyed in the way of nature very close to Geneva.

There are though enough good restaurants and bars in Eaux-Vives, Planpalais, Paquis, Old Town and Carouge if you're more into that type of thing.

3) for finding apartments, try http://www.immostreet.ch/en/HomePage, http://www.anibis.ch/fr/default.aspx https://www.homegate.ch/louer/appartement/lieu-geneve/liste-annonces

I don't know what it's like in Zurich for rental properties but Geneva has a highly competitive rentals market. Apartments are expensive, and any time any decent property comes up there are multiple people making bids so be prepared!

Hope that helps a bit to start with your move...

Oh I forgot to add that St Jean is also a lovely neighbourhood and close to the station! Not sure if there is a lot in the way of amenities though.

I live in Planpalais/Augustins neighbourhood and have lots of supermakets, restaurants, bars and such in the area which I love. It's a bustling neighbourhood, not such a residential feel like Champel or St. Jean.

Thank you so much Emi for the accurate info  ! 

Regarding flats, Zurich is in a very similar situation: very expensive flats and a lot of people looking for ... 

I'm not into the clubbing thing really, so bars and restaurants are nice options.  

Thank you again Emi , I hope that I can start well my new adventure in Geneva!

All the best to you and... to your lovely dog 

I would say best areas in Geneva with nice restaurants, bars and elegant shops are Carouge, Eaux Vives, Old Town and Plainpalais, in this order. Though, you may find better quality/price ratio (and more choice) in Plainpalais or Eaux vives.

But then it all depends on where you will work, if you drive or need to easily reach train station or airport,... Also Geneva is small and I won't close any door. I finally found a nice apartment in Servette - Petit Saconnex, which is not beautiful at all but very practical to live in (supermakets, tram, parks and 10 mins walk from train station).

I would say Champel or Chene Bourg are overpriced and more suitable for family as they are very quiet areas.

Due to heavy traffic, all depends where you intend to work.

You need to work your way around public transports, parking areas etc and then decide where to live.

Geneva is the size of a handkerchief (as we say in French) so going out to bars and restaurants once people are back home at night is not really an issue.

You can live far out but close to a bus stop on a direct line to where you work, and you will have it all! Or even neighbouring France with bus 61 from Geneva train station to central Annemasse.

no problem!

Good luck with the move. 

I manage the Hiking with Dogs group so if you like hiking and like dogs, feel free to join us on one of our walks when you're here!

Hi Nicolas! 

Thank you so much for your precious advise ! Yes, I'm definitely looking for a (shared) flat or studio in a central area, or very close-by. I won't drive and I'd like to be able to come home at night from restaurants / bars etc safely on foot or fast with public transportation. These are my priorities
Laura M, Nov 20, 2016 @ 10:29

Bonjour Hay!

Thank you for your kind reply! I'm considering also public transporation as an important key in finding a flat. I don't think I'm not going to consider living in France for different reasons... but thank you, all info are important to in order to take a decision! 

Passe une très belle journée !

All the best,

Laura

Don't say it twice!!!! I adoooore dogs, I less like hiking, but be around dogs is just my thing!

Hope to join the club and fall in love with dogs 

All the best

L

Don't say it twice!!!! I adoooore dogs, I less like hiking, but be around dogs is just my thing!

Hope to join the club and fall in love with dogs 

All the best

L