Approximately 2 hours for the first negative response, I was wondering how long it would take, thank you so much, it reassures me to know that my happiness can be brought down to earth in a mere 120minutes!

Notes: I have a normal budget, I am by no means a millionaire, we take sandwiches and food in our plug in car cooler box for the car. It costs nothing but gas and tolls to go experience the smells of Italy at a a market in Turin! well I lie I just can't help myself to some spices or fruits..I know I should be punished.  Why would I stay in a hotel if its 2 hour drive? Further I don't buy my groceries in Geneva either, the range makes me sweat with indecisiveness. 

Kevin, I agree – it’s really annoying there is so much going on! It makes planning very hard, and I feel bad that I sometimes have to miss friends events, as I’ve already committed to something else.

I’m already fully booked until the end of August (festivals, lake trips, open air cinema, barbeques, etc) – that means I can’t do any really serious hiking or mountain biking until September (I’ll fit in a couple of short excursions somewhere over the summer I’m sure) and I’ll have to wait until October before I can actually take a holiday anywhere – I love travelling, but I can’t bear leaving Geneva over the summer, I’d miss too much. (I’ll still miss stuff in October, but at least I can give people plenty of warning, and miss slightly less).

And then it’s the ski season again – the fun is never-ending, how are we meant to stop!?

The only downside of the city is occasionally coming across the odd moaning person who doesn’t like it. Fortunately they rarely go out, and stick to complaining on websites, so they’re easy to ignore

Ok, in all seriousness – I spent 5 years in London before moving here. I honestly go out more here and do more things here than I ever did there. I still go back to visit my friends, and they are very jealous of my life here and the amount of things I do.

If people think Geneva’s boring, and have honestly gone out and tried everything that’s on offer, then fair enough, Geneva isn’t for them – that’s why variety exists in the world! So they have the option to leave and go somewhere they like. No need to moan – do something about it.

And if they can’t be bothered to do something about it, but like moaning (no idea why) – it doesn’t bother me, I stay away from negative people like that.

I love this post! This is the attitude. Thanks!

I understand the purpose of your thread. Let's also remember that when people express an opinion that something might be lacking in a town, others can use it to develop a business or set up activities.

Anyone who lived in Geneva before Glocals existed can see that it and other groups have helped expatriates to enjoy more of what the area offers. The city guide can also be extremely helpful in helping outsiders avoid horrendous tourist traps and poor service.

I spent some time with a friend at Cafe Boreal today. This place didn't exist a few years ago. There are other places popping up around the town that are new and interesting because consumers and entrepreneurs refused to be satisfied with crap service and products.

Some people make the best of what they have in front of them, however mediocre. That attitude doesn't necessarily spur innovation or improve service. 

Thanks again for pointing out the good, the bad and the ugly. 

P.S. As Bishy G noted, your posts in this thread seem to mention more things to do outside of Geneva than in....I didn't realize Geneva was so vast and all encompassing, spanning Lake Leman, Chamonix, Gruyere, Turin, Lyon...all of which appear to be mere suburbs of Geneva.

I guess the metropolitan area was much larger than I ever imagined!

i just love the verdant sceneries in Geneva :) very, very close to nature.

HI Translator ,

The Content of my post was indeed irrelavant, it could be wrote about Aberdeen for all that it matters (Now thats a boring town). I wanted more so to convey my slight irritation with so many on their negativity and glass half empty approach to life. 

Everyone is free to interpet as they desire, that said I am happy to see at present a lot of thanks showing hope that I am not alone in my sentiments and actual enjoyment for where we live.

It is so nice living in Geneva !
3 hours drive and you are in Milan, Alsace, Lyon, Provence, Southern Germany, Paris (with TGV).

Very cheap flights with easyjet, we went Barcelona, London, Venice, Berlin.

I enjoy so much "LIVING" in Geneva....  

I'm sure the good people of Aberdeen* believe that their town is as exciting, if not more than than the City of Calvin. 

Having lived here for many years, I can see both sides. Geneva officials and other event organizers could certainly be a lot more active and creative in publicizing activities and in advertising in English as well. Yes, people should make every effort to learn French but English is also a common language amongst the Swiss, although they will rarely admit this publicly.

The other day I happened upon a cool store near Planpalais called Wood -- barber/hairdresser and vintage clothing. 

Also interesting is an outdoor exhibit in Parc Bertrand -- lots of 19th century photos of what were considered 'exotic' locations in Asia and other far-flung parts of the globe. 

In addition, there is the upcoming Fete de la Musique all over town, with an impressive number of  free music events.

But I do have a good laugh when conversing with Swiss from other cantons who sometimes shudder when they hear I live in Geneva.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder....

Finally, it's always gratifying to know one's opinion is shared, I suppose. And some of the biggest thanks on glocals have come for people sharing jokes so it's all relative...

*History shows it's never a good idea to get on the bad side of the Scots...

Here's a nice site that may have been posted before with some cool updates on Geneva stuff to do...http://www.mybiggeneva.com/

Oh YESSSSS.I so wish I lived in Geneva.I mean,it took me SO long to adapt to Lausanne.......I am sure (not) that Geneva would havé been so  much easier.

i mean,so much livelier.So much less sterile.So much more " joie de vivre"

No,no.This is beneath me......and this discussion has been had SO many times before with thé same comments again and again !

There are quite a few Aberdonians and other Scots in and around Geneva. They go home to visit but they live here.

R.

Lies! Real Aberdonians are on the rigs! I was a resident of the granite city and served them beer before they they broke the furniture in Jumping Jacks! 

 Oh no he didn't! 

Good lord, I disagree. Living in Geneva as a student is brutal. Rent is outrageous, food shopping is tragic and to spend a night at a club puts you into dept! 

I agree that Geneva has its positives. Although I think it will take me a long time and a pitcher of wine before I make room for my own monologue on how much I adore this city. 

Ok kids, I am back! And oh my what a reaction...

Allow me to point out just one very personal thing for completeness, although I still maintain each and every reason I gave why Geneva is boring, I actually LOVE living here!

You see, I love my job (you sort of have to when you spend there 10+ hours a day with no overtime pay), I love riding through fields and woods every morning and evening, I love being exposed to so many languages all the time, I love sailing on the lake every week, and I especially LOVE being able to focus most of my weekends on my startup ideas without any fear of missing out on something more interesting going on downtown!

(Oh, and I also love my ~75% savings rate)

Any place is of course what you make of it, it might take some radical self-reevaluation to appreciate it (I was not a recluse before I got here, and the way I chose to live now makes no sense to most of you, just like your fondness of 'hanging out' makes no more sense to me) but it is always definitely possible (if one starts doing instead of complaining, that is).

Ok, the first is Geneva, the second, Aberdeen

Rats, that didn't work. Ok, 2nd try...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGVRGVvEnhIjavascript:mctmp(0);

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vTV1Pkk508javascript:mctmp(0);

"History shows it's never a good idea to get on the bad side of the Scots..."

Still laughing me wotsits off about this wee beauty - aye!!

Thank you to the negativists who are helping making improvement, lucky the optimists who are living a happier life. There's undoubtedly a field somewhere in between where to stand.

“Because one believes in oneself, one doesn't try to convince others. Because one is content with oneself, one doesn't need others' approval. Because one accepts oneself, the whole world accepts him or her.”

Lao Tzu

You have a point here.  However, a lot of cities are hard to live in when you're a student with not so much money.

Thank you Kevin! Finally a great post!

I have similar feelings, but since I also like cultural activities (like museums and theater), I have a lot of stress when decide which one to choose on concrete evening or weekend.

Luckily my french is not that good, so I only can go to english-speaking activities.

I think that it should be added that, as a city of expats, Geneva is full of people ready to go out and meet someone, so you have a lot of opportunities to meet new friends.

Moreover, you will easily find a group of people - and your favourite food - from your own country, which greatly helps you when you're feeling homesick.

I wouldn't call Geneva exciting but sure it is a great place to be if you love the intellectual stimulation of multiculturalism and foreign languages - whether you are an expat or not.

How can you be optimistic, Cara? 

How can I be optimistic? I am guessing Agape is the answer

And since you are the sunshine, you will be radiant wherever you go... don't forget to come back around here though

Warmly from Lausanne.