Hi, my family (wife, 2 very young children) are moving to Geneva in December and would be very grateful for any advice on where to live (ideally a house with a garden, near a park) or accommodation websites and any other tidbits of info which mightn't occur to a newbie in Switzerland.
I'll be back later to ask about joining local soccer teams and ski-weekends.....
Paul.
Hi, my family (wife, 2 very young children) are moving to Geneva in December and would be very grateful for any advice on where to live (ideally a house with a garden, near a park) or accommodation websites and any other tidbits of info which mightn't occur to a newbie in Switzerland.
I'll be back later to ask about joining local soccer teams and ski-weekends.....
Paul.
Depending on where you will be working, I really would suggest if at all possible to extend your search boundaries outside of Geneva, you will find many more options (though still not plentiful) at 'better' prices!
The housing market in Geneva is EXTREMELY competitive, as you'd expect with a major city, though it seems to be somewhat moreso here!
As mentioned above, try and see if your company (assuming you're moving with your company) will allow you to have a relocation consultant to help you with the search, as searching from Ireland, you may find that properties are already gone by the time you're able to visit!
I wish you the best of luck, Switzerland will be a great place to raise your family!
Depending on where you will be working, I really would suggest if at all possible to extend your search boundaries outside of Geneva, you will find many more options (though still not plentiful) at 'better' prices!
The housing market in Geneva is EXTREMELY competitive, as you'd expect with a major city, though it seems to be somewhat moreso here!
As mentioned above, try and see if your company (assuming you're moving with your company) will allow you to have a relocation consultant to help you with the search, as searching from Ireland, you may find that properties are already gone by the time you're able to visit!
I wish you the best of luck, Switzerland will be a great place to raise your family!
With a family, dont be afraid to look in towns outside of Geneva in Canton Vaud, such as Nyon. The famous Swiss transport system is exactly as expected, ie plentyful and on time.
In places like Nyon you will get more bang for your buck, although an appartment with a garden will be expensive in any case. its 15 mins by train to centre of Geneva, or 25 to 55 mins to Gva by car depending on when you travel.
There are a few nice villages also dotted around that area such as Prangins, Coppet, Founex, Celigny, etc....dont be afraid to look out there as well.
I would advise against going up the (loval) mountain to St Cergue (despite there being lots of property to find there) ...its cold and snowy in the winter, and transport takes much longer.
In Canton Geneva there are some nice villages such as Russin which are a bit more countryside(ish), and you may get some greenery there.
In the centre of town I would hesitate to say you wont get anywhere with a garden unless you can throw a triple six with two dice...
Parks and playgrounds vary depending on area... the main thing will be finding property.
these two sites will help give you an indication of what prices youre going to be looking at:
Be prepared that here cheaper apartments come quite often without a fitted kitchen, and no fixtures at all...you get the shell, and have to buy/bring everything from lights upwards. Appartments here are very seldom carpeted... so get used to tiles or wood floors.
Check on the internet if your TV will work on the electrical system here, often you will need a new one.
Education options here start when the kids are around 6+ yrs old... and the local free schools are very good, and will integrate your kids and you into the local community quickly, and you will find they will be bilingual French / English very quickly.
International (private) schools here cost about CHF19'000 per year upwards.
You will need a car, the quality here is good, but prices are high, on both new and second hand.
Furniture stores here are rediculously expensive, so get what you can in Ireland and ship it. Esp Beds and mattresses and sofas...
And finally...Guinness here costs CHF9- per pint........
Shock over? Enjoy the relocation, keep your sense of humour, and expect the unexpected....
slainte
With a family, dont be afraid to look in towns outside of Geneva in Canton Vaud, such as Nyon. The famous Swiss transport system is exactly as expected, ie plentyful and on time.
In places like Nyon you will get more bang for your buck, although an appartment with a garden will be expensive in any case. its 15 mins by train to centre of Geneva, or 25 to 55 mins to Gva by car depending on when you travel.
There are a few nice villages also dotted around that area such as Prangins, Coppet, Founex, Celigny, etc....dont be afraid to look out there as well.
I would advise against going up the (loval) mountain to St Cergue (despite there being lots of property to find there) ...its cold and snowy in the winter, and transport takes much longer.
In Canton Geneva there are some nice villages such as Russin which are a bit more countryside(ish), and you may get some greenery there.
In the centre of town I would hesitate to say you wont get anywhere with a garden unless you can throw a triple six with two dice...
Parks and playgrounds vary depending on area... the main thing will be finding property.
these two sites will help give you an indication of what prices youre going to be looking at:
Be prepared that here cheaper apartments come quite often without a fitted kitchen, and no fixtures at all...you get the shell, and have to buy/bring everything from lights upwards. Appartments here are very seldom carpeted... so get used to tiles or wood floors.
Check on the internet if your TV will work on the electrical system here, often you will need a new one.
Education options here start when the kids are around 6+ yrs old... and the local free schools are very good, and will integrate your kids and you into the local community quickly, and you will find they will be bilingual French / English very quickly.
International (private) schools here cost about CHF19'000 per year upwards.
You will need a car, the quality here is good, but prices are high, on both new and second hand.
Furniture stores here are rediculously expensive, so get what you can in Ireland and ship it. Esp Beds and mattresses and sofas...
And finally...Guinness here costs CHF9- per pint........
Shock over? Enjoy the relocation, keep your sense of humour, and expect the unexpected....
slainte
Paul, check out: www.genevairishassociation.com - listing all upcoming events for the Irish community in Geneva and neighbouring France.
regards,
Breffni O'Sullivan
irishinzurich
Paul, check out: www.genevairishassociation.com - listing all upcoming events for the Irish community in Geneva and neighbouring France.
regards,
Breffni O'Sullivan
irishinzurich
<<<nice villages such as Russin>>>
This weekend, I actually saw a rental advert for a 200sqm villa in Russin. If I recall correctly (admitedly, things from this weekend are a bit foggy;-), it was 4500chf. - Not a bad price for a place of that size, in Russin.
<<<nice villages such as Russin>>>
This weekend, I actually saw a rental advert for a 200sqm villa in Russin. If I recall correctly (admitedly, things from this weekend are a bit foggy;-), it was 4500chf. - Not a bad price for a place of that size, in Russin.
<<<nice villages such as Russin>>>
This weekend, I actually saw a rental advert for a 200sqm villa in Russin. If I recall correctly (admitedly, things from this weekend are a bit foggy;-), it was 4500chf. - Not a bad price for a place of that size, in Russin.
yeah. some villages like Russin are in the middle of wine making country, and some, like Russin, have festivals at this time of year to preceed the grape harvest, and some people, like Intlrep and I, may still be nursing the headaches and UDI's (Unidentified drinking injuries) from said wine festival....
its all here for you if you want it...
~hic~ouch~
yeah. some villages like Russin are in the middle of wine making country, and some, like Russin, have festivals at this time of year to preceed the grape harvest, and some people, like Intlrep and I, may still be nursing the headaches and UDI's (Unidentified drinking injuries) from said wine festival....
its all here for you if you want it...
~hic~ouch~
Maybe I can help-I work as a freelance relocator....Just a advice-if you have children at school age, and are considering an international school, get them signed up . There are waiting lists ...
Maybe I can help-I work as a freelance relocator....Just a advice-if you have children at school age, and are considering an international school, get them signed up . There are waiting lists ...
<<<and some people, like Intlrep and I, may still be nursing the headaches and UDI's>>>
I know it isn't much solace, but, you and I weren't the only victims 
.
By the way, next year is the 50th anniversay of Russin's wine harvest festival. So, the committee decided that the festival is going to be 3 days, instead of 2. Now that's scary...
<<<and some people, like Intlrep and I, may still be nursing the headaches and UDI's>>>
I know it isn't much solace, but, you and I weren't the only victims .
By the way, next year is the 50th anniversay of Russin's wine harvest festival. So, the committee decided that the festival is going to be 3 days, instead of 2. Now that's scary...
Cheers Charlie, I appreciate the effort you put into your reply. I might even buy you (one @ chf9!) pint of Guinness when I get over 
Cheers Charlie, I appreciate the effort you put into your reply. I might even buy you (one @ chf9!) pint of Guinness when I get over
Hi Paul,
Just an idea for you, that may be easier on teh wallet, that all important garden and still convenient for work. Consider joining the many folks around here as a frontalier. http://www.frontalier.org/index.htm
My wife and I both live in Challex, a small french village just across the border. We are here now 6 months and pretty happy. My wife works in the City and commutes every day by train from La Plaine station, it takes about 15 minutes and runs twice an hour. She has a special visa permit thing to allow working in Switzerland and living in France. Needless to say our groceries etc are cheaper on the upside, on the downside it is a bit of a trek for a night on the tiles. Our Neighbors, send their kids to school in Geneva, an international one I believe. Without a doubt out here you do get more for your euro/franc, that goes with housing as well. I was lucky enough to find our apartment here on glocals, but maybe its worth having a look around housing agents over on this side of the border too.
some useful info here, http://frenchalps.angloinfo.com/
Hope it's food for thought,
Adh mor leat, agus slan go foill.
Kevin
Hi Paul,
Just an idea for you, that may be easier on teh wallet, that all important garden and still convenient for work. Consider joining the many folks around here as a frontalier. http://www.frontalier.org/index.htm
My wife and I both live in Challex, a small french village just across the border. We are here now 6 months and pretty happy. My wife works in the City and commutes every day by train from La Plaine station, it takes about 15 minutes and runs twice an hour. She has a special visa permit thing to allow working in Switzerland and living in France. Needless to say our groceries etc are cheaper on the upside, on the downside it is a bit of a trek for a night on the tiles. Our Neighbors, send their kids to school in Geneva, an international one I believe. Without a doubt out here you do get more for your euro/franc, that goes with housing as well. I was lucky enough to find our apartment here on glocals, but maybe its worth having a look around housing agents over on this side of the border too.
some useful info here, http://frenchalps.angloinfo.com/
Hope it's food for thought,
Adh mor leat, agus slan go foill.
Kevin
Hi Kevin,
Go raibh mile maith agait.
Unfortunately with the B residence permit I'll be getting, I think we have to physically live in the Canton, but I'll check your idea out as it definitely seems to a much cheaper option.
Cheers !
Hi Kevin,
Go raibh mile maith agait.
Unfortunately with the B residence permit I'll be getting, I think we have to physically live in the Canton, but I'll check your idea out as it definitely seems to a much cheaper option.
Cheers !
