Hi,
I'll be in Geneva this summer and am starting my sublet search. I don't know much about the city or the transportation system and would love to know about the characteristics of some of the different neighborhoods in Geneva. Where is a good place to live that is near the fun (but cheap) bars/restaurants? Where's the English-speaking expat crowd? Where could I live that would be a relatively painless commute to the UN? Which neighborhoods are sketchy at night?
Thanks for your help - I have nothing to offer but my extensive knowledge of NYC, so if anyone is visiting Manhattan, I'm happy to give my insider advice.
-Susan
Forums in Geneva > Geneva > Which neighborhoods to live in?
Only members can see names and photos
Which neighborhoods to live in?
Feb 1, 2009 @ 20:14
The text you are quoting:
Hi,
I'll be in Geneva this summer and am starting my sublet search. I don't know much about the city or the transportation system and would love to know about the characteristics of some of the different neighborhoods in Geneva. Where is a good place to live that is near the fun (but cheap) bars/restaurants? Where's the English-speaking expat crowd? Where could I live that would be a relatively painless commute to the UN? Which neighborhoods are sketchy at night?
Thanks for your help - I have nothing to offer but my extensive knowledge of NYC, so if anyone is visiting Manhattan, I'm happy to give my insider advice.
-Susan
ssh2019Feb 1, 2009 @ 20:14
I'll be in Geneva this summer and am starting my sublet search. I don't know much about the city or the transportation system and would love to know about the characteristics of some of the different neighborhoods in Geneva. Where is a good place to live that is near the fun (but cheap) bars/restaurants? Where's the English-speaking expat crowd? Where could I live that would be a relatively painless commute to the UN? Which neighborhoods are sketchy at night?
Thanks for your help - I have nothing to offer but my extensive knowledge of NYC, so if anyone is visiting Manhattan, I'm happy to give my insider advice.
-Susan
ssh2019Feb 1, 2009 @ 20:14
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Which neighborhoods to live in?
Post 1
Feb 1, 2009 @ 20:59
Hi ssh,
I don't really know the names of neighborhoods as I have only recently visited Geneva for the first time myself. I do know that the area around the confederation shopping area seems to be the most similar to a NYC feel if that helps. Meaning that it is a high end shopping disctrict with access to restaurants and walking distance to a decent sized park. That would only be about a ten minute commute to the UN by tram as the UN has its own Tram stop right by the front door. Keep in mind that you could live in many parts of the city without a "hectic" commute as the tram system covers a decent area with fairly quick access to the UN from most of the tram system.
The bars and restaurants seem to be pretty consistent as far as offerings based on price. They don't offer many "cheap" places, but pretty much start out at the higher end of pricing and go up from there. Comparing a person's visits from the southeastern USA to NYC and Geneva I found that NYC offered many more options to cater to all level of visitors while Geneva seemed to eliminate the mid-lower end of the consumer.
This website is crawling with english speaking expats and should satisfy pretty much any craving you will have for activities during your stay in Geneva. They are pretty active and seem to have something happening on a daily basis including road trips to surrounding European cities.
The text you are quoting:
Hi ssh,
I don't really know the names of neighborhoods as I have only recently visited Geneva for the first time myself. I do know that the area around the confederation shopping area seems to be the most similar to a NYC feel if that helps. Meaning that it is a high end shopping disctrict with access to restaurants and walking distance to a decent sized park. That would only be about a ten minute commute to the UN by tram as the UN has its own Tram stop right by the front door. Keep in mind that you could live in many parts of the city without a "hectic" commute as the tram system covers a decent area with fairly quick access to the UN from most of the tram system.
The bars and restaurants seem to be pretty consistent as far as offerings based on price. They don't offer many "cheap" places, but pretty much start out at the higher end of pricing and go up from there. Comparing a person's visits from the southeastern USA to NYC and Geneva I found that NYC offered many more options to cater to all level of visitors while Geneva seemed to eliminate the mid-lower end of the consumer.
This website is crawling with english speaking expats and should satisfy pretty much any craving you will have for activities during your stay in Geneva. They are pretty active and seem to have something happening on a daily basis including road trips to surrounding European cities.
worldtodd, Feb 1, 2009 @ 20:59
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Which neighborhoods to live in?
Post 2
Feb 1, 2009 @ 23:12
For access to the UN, the north side of the river is better. I'm in Les Grottes, which is just behind Cornavin (the main railway station) and is still just a 10 minute walk to the centre of town. It's a small quarter but I really like it here.
Also on the north side of the lake is Les Paquis, but I personally would steer clear as that is where the red light district is, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable walking around there alone at night (although Geneva in general is very safe really, and even Les Paquis would probably be fine!)
Be aware that finding an apartment in Geneva is a crazy business, with 10's of people fighting over every half-decent vacancy, so prepare yourself for a long process, especially as you aren't here to hand over deposits etc immediately. Also, be careful of scams - there are quite a lot of people advertising apartments who will ask you to send them a deposit somewhere else, so watch out for anything that sounds odd.
There are plenty of other streets on the north of the lake/river, and the exact feel and convenience really depends on exactly which street it is, so I would just have a look and see what you can find that is reasonably central. Geneva is really compact though, so nowhere is really that far away.
Good luck!
Also on the north side of the lake is Les Paquis, but I personally would steer clear as that is where the red light district is, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable walking around there alone at night (although Geneva in general is very safe really, and even Les Paquis would probably be fine!)
Be aware that finding an apartment in Geneva is a crazy business, with 10's of people fighting over every half-decent vacancy, so prepare yourself for a long process, especially as you aren't here to hand over deposits etc immediately. Also, be careful of scams - there are quite a lot of people advertising apartments who will ask you to send them a deposit somewhere else, so watch out for anything that sounds odd.
There are plenty of other streets on the north of the lake/river, and the exact feel and convenience really depends on exactly which street it is, so I would just have a look and see what you can find that is reasonably central. Geneva is really compact though, so nowhere is really that far away.
Good luck!
The text you are quoting:
For access to the UN, the north side of the river is better. I'm in Les Grottes, which is just behind Cornavin (the main railway station) and is still just a 10 minute walk to the centre of town. It's a small quarter but I really like it here.
Also on the north side of the lake is Les Paquis, but I personally would steer clear as that is where the red light district is, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable walking around there alone at night (although Geneva in general is very safe really, and even Les Paquis would probably be fine!)
Be aware that finding an apartment in Geneva is a crazy business, with 10's of people fighting over every half-decent vacancy, so prepare yourself for a long process, especially as you aren't here to hand over deposits etc immediately. Also, be careful of scams - there are quite a lot of people advertising apartments who will ask you to send them a deposit somewhere else, so watch out for anything that sounds odd.
There are plenty of other streets on the north of the lake/river, and the exact feel and convenience really depends on exactly which street it is, so I would just have a look and see what you can find that is reasonably central. Geneva is really compact though, so nowhere is really that far away.
Good luck!
GenevaRower, Feb 1, 2009 @ 23:12
Also on the north side of the lake is Les Paquis, but I personally would steer clear as that is where the red light district is, and I personally wouldn't feel comfortable walking around there alone at night (although Geneva in general is very safe really, and even Les Paquis would probably be fine!)
Be aware that finding an apartment in Geneva is a crazy business, with 10's of people fighting over every half-decent vacancy, so prepare yourself for a long process, especially as you aren't here to hand over deposits etc immediately. Also, be careful of scams - there are quite a lot of people advertising apartments who will ask you to send them a deposit somewhere else, so watch out for anything that sounds odd.
There are plenty of other streets on the north of the lake/river, and the exact feel and convenience really depends on exactly which street it is, so I would just have a look and see what you can find that is reasonably central. Geneva is really compact though, so nowhere is really that far away.
Good luck!
GenevaRower, Feb 1, 2009 @ 23:12
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Which neighborhoods to live in?
Post 3
Feb 3, 2009 @ 08:43
Thanks for your responses! That's really helpful. Just how much more of a hassle would it be if I ended up finding an apartment on the south side of the river?
I've also heard of the Plainpalais area - how is that area And what about living near the university - are things a little cheaper because of all the students? Which neighborhoods are more reasonably priced? Any other thoughts from folks would be much, much appreciated!
I've also heard of the Plainpalais area - how is that area And what about living near the university - are things a little cheaper because of all the students? Which neighborhoods are more reasonably priced? Any other thoughts from folks would be much, much appreciated!
The text you are quoting:
Thanks for your responses! That's really helpful. Just how much more of a hassle would it be if I ended up finding an apartment on the south side of the river?
I've also heard of the Plainpalais area - how is that area And what about living near the university - are things a little cheaper because of all the students? Which neighborhoods are more reasonably priced? Any other thoughts from folks would be much, much appreciated!
ssh2019, Feb 3, 2009 @ 08:43
I've also heard of the Plainpalais area - how is that area And what about living near the university - are things a little cheaper because of all the students? Which neighborhoods are more reasonably priced? Any other thoughts from folks would be much, much appreciated!
ssh2019, Feb 3, 2009 @ 08:43
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Which neighborhoods to live in?
Post 4
Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:05
Plainpalais is just across the river, so still pretty convenient and slightly closer to the main shopping streets. You can easily catch a tram from there to the UN area, and it seems like a nice area to me.
The university area is also good, but I'm not sure it will save you any money though... Everything in Geneva is basically expensive, especially within a short distance from the centre, so as I said before I would just get looking for anything within a reasonable distance of the centre and see how you get on.
The university area is also good, but I'm not sure it will save you any money though... Everything in Geneva is basically expensive, especially within a short distance from the centre, so as I said before I would just get looking for anything within a reasonable distance of the centre and see how you get on.
The text you are quoting:
Plainpalais is just across the river, so still pretty convenient and slightly closer to the main shopping streets. You can easily catch a tram from there to the UN area, and it seems like a nice area to me.
The university area is also good, but I'm not sure it will save you any money though... Everything in Geneva is basically expensive, especially within a short distance from the centre, so as I said before I would just get looking for anything within a reasonable distance of the centre and see how you get on.
GenevaRower, Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:05
The university area is also good, but I'm not sure it will save you any money though... Everything in Geneva is basically expensive, especially within a short distance from the centre, so as I said before I would just get looking for anything within a reasonable distance of the centre and see how you get on.
GenevaRower, Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:05
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Which neighborhoods to live in?
Post 5
Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:24
Prepare yourself not to be too picky. Geneva is not an easy place to find a roof.
If you can choose, though, try to be in Carouge. Cosy, lively at night, over all given you are coming in summer, and you'll just need to jump on a tramway to reach the UN in some 10 or 15 minutes max.
If you can choose, though, try to be in Carouge. Cosy, lively at night, over all given you are coming in summer, and you'll just need to jump on a tramway to reach the UN in some 10 or 15 minutes max.
The text you are quoting:
Prepare yourself not to be too picky. Geneva is not an easy place to find a roof.
If you can choose, though, try to be in Carouge. Cosy, lively at night, over all given you are coming in summer, and you'll just need to jump on a tramway to reach the UN in some 10 or 15 minutes max.
Stef__Granny, Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:24
If you can choose, though, try to be in Carouge. Cosy, lively at night, over all given you are coming in summer, and you'll just need to jump on a tramway to reach the UN in some 10 or 15 minutes max.
Stef__Granny, Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:24
Your Reply:
Only members can see names and photos
Re: Which neighborhoods to live in?
Post 6
Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:32
The tram from Carouge to Place des Nations is about 25mins, so as you can see it is a little bit further out (Carouge is the basically the direct opposite side of the centre from the UN area).
Having said that, it is a lovely area, with mostly 2 or 3 story buildings rather than tall apartment blocks, and has a great vibe, so certainly worth including in your search.
Having said that, it is a lovely area, with mostly 2 or 3 story buildings rather than tall apartment blocks, and has a great vibe, so certainly worth including in your search.
The text you are quoting:
The tram from Carouge to Place des Nations is about 25mins, so as you can see it is a little bit further out (Carouge is the basically the direct opposite side of the centre from the UN area).
Having said that, it is a lovely area, with mostly 2 or 3 story buildings rather than tall apartment blocks, and has a great vibe, so certainly worth including in your search.
GenevaRower, Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:32
Having said that, it is a lovely area, with mostly 2 or 3 story buildings rather than tall apartment blocks, and has a great vibe, so certainly worth including in your search.
GenevaRower, Feb 3, 2009 @ 11:32
Your Reply:
