I'm really a Brit, but moved to LA 5 years ago, with just 2 suitcases, having given everything else I owned away. It was really easy then - moving from a grey, wet, dismal England to beach and palm trees. I was also moving to be with the love of my life - total no brainer!
5 years later we are married, with a 3 year old, a baby and have a beautiful life. We life on the canals, just a block from the beach, have a boat in the marina, lots of friends and are loving life.
We have the offer of a 2 year transfer to Geneva. Great money, great prospects, nearer to my family & the rest of Europe to explore. Another no brainer? This time I'm already in an amazing place, so it's much harder to leave. What would I be moving to? Be honest!!!!
Global Forums > New Members Introductions > Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
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Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Oct 11, 2006 @ 00:09
The text you are quoting:
I'm really a Brit, but moved to LA 5 years ago, with just 2 suitcases, having given everything else I owned away. It was really easy then - moving from a grey, wet, dismal England to beach and palm trees. I was also moving to be with the love of my life - total no brainer!
5 years later we are married, with a 3 year old, a baby and have a beautiful life. We life on the canals, just a block from the beach, have a boat in the marina, lots of friends and are loving life.
We have the offer of a 2 year transfer to Geneva. Great money, great prospects, nearer to my family & the rest of Europe to explore. Another no brainer? This time I'm already in an amazing place, so it's much harder to leave. What would I be moving to? Be honest!!!!
freckamacOct 11, 2006 @ 00:09
5 years later we are married, with a 3 year old, a baby and have a beautiful life. We life on the canals, just a block from the beach, have a boat in the marina, lots of friends and are loving life.
We have the offer of a 2 year transfer to Geneva. Great money, great prospects, nearer to my family & the rest of Europe to explore. Another no brainer? This time I'm already in an amazing place, so it's much harder to leave. What would I be moving to? Be honest!!!!
freckamacOct 11, 2006 @ 00:09
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 1
Oct 11, 2006 @ 11:59
...if you don't feel like moving.
Money and professional success are NOTHING without enjoying life. I'm not saying that you wouldn't enjoy Geneva. It is really a nice place and the Lake is a nice place for sailing. Surrounding are very nice and... it's not the US ;-)
But I know from experience that raising a child is a tiering challenge in itself. Don't feel obliged to move because it's trendy, porfessionaly wise or your family would like it. Move if you feel for it, are ready for a new challenge and meeting new people. Stay where you are if you feel that what you need most now is to be quiet for a while, enjoy your situation and family. School starts at 5 here in Switzerland. You've got at least 2 more years to think about it.
In any case, all the best !
Money and professional success are NOTHING without enjoying life. I'm not saying that you wouldn't enjoy Geneva. It is really a nice place and the Lake is a nice place for sailing. Surrounding are very nice and... it's not the US ;-)
But I know from experience that raising a child is a tiering challenge in itself. Don't feel obliged to move because it's trendy, porfessionaly wise or your family would like it. Move if you feel for it, are ready for a new challenge and meeting new people. Stay where you are if you feel that what you need most now is to be quiet for a while, enjoy your situation and family. School starts at 5 here in Switzerland. You've got at least 2 more years to think about it.
In any case, all the best !
The text you are quoting:
...if you don't feel like moving.
Money and professional success are NOTHING without enjoying life. I'm not saying that you wouldn't enjoy Geneva. It is really a nice place and the Lake is a nice place for sailing. Surrounding are very nice and... it's not the US ;-)
But I know from experience that raising a child is a tiering challenge in itself. Don't feel obliged to move because it's trendy, porfessionaly wise or your family would like it. Move if you feel for it, are ready for a new challenge and meeting new people. Stay where you are if you feel that what you need most now is to be quiet for a while, enjoy your situation and family. School starts at 5 here in Switzerland. You've got at least 2 more years to think about it.
In any case, all the best !
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 11:59
Money and professional success are NOTHING without enjoying life. I'm not saying that you wouldn't enjoy Geneva. It is really a nice place and the Lake is a nice place for sailing. Surrounding are very nice and... it's not the US ;-)
But I know from experience that raising a child is a tiering challenge in itself. Don't feel obliged to move because it's trendy, porfessionaly wise or your family would like it. Move if you feel for it, are ready for a new challenge and meeting new people. Stay where you are if you feel that what you need most now is to be quiet for a while, enjoy your situation and family. School starts at 5 here in Switzerland. You've got at least 2 more years to think about it.
In any case, all the best !
Hobbes, Oct 11, 2006 @ 11:59
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 2
Oct 11, 2006 @ 15:49
I moved to Geneva almost 8 years ago (living 5 of those in Paris) and I can honestly say I really love it here. Sure, the weather is sometimes a pain but during those cold winters there is always the beautiful alps with GREAT skiing (or snowboarding) to look forward to. Believe me when I say that the summers are amazing here. There are plenty of festivals and outdoor activities to keep the whole family happy along with swims in the lake (very popular). Lets also not forget (with a few exceptions) that Geneva is a VERY safe city. Streets are clean and the education system is top-notch. My newphew started private school at 3 years old so some can start earlier than 5. The education system is also very demanding (he usually has 1 hour of homework a night at 7 years old!) but even public schools offer a very well-rounded cirriculum.
One other thing about Switzerland that some people like but as an American I have a hard time dealing with. Control. The Swiss like to control every aspect of thier city. From how you impound your car, to what apartment you are qualified to buy, to how much you pay in taxes, to what time you can mow your lawn. THAT takes some getting used to but as long as you keep an open mind you'll be just fine.
Its true what Hobbes said about a challenge. Certainly, when I moved to Europe it was a very difficult adjustment. Learning the language, the culture, the city, the people, can all take time. I always say it takes about 1 year to feel completely comfortable and to start to like the new change. You'll meet great people on GOL and you'll see how quickly you'll feel "at home". It is a very warm and friendly community and a lot of us are spending our time away from home too! Lots of expats in the city and a whole mix of international people. Hope this helps you... :0)
One other thing about Switzerland that some people like but as an American I have a hard time dealing with. Control. The Swiss like to control every aspect of thier city. From how you impound your car, to what apartment you are qualified to buy, to how much you pay in taxes, to what time you can mow your lawn. THAT takes some getting used to but as long as you keep an open mind you'll be just fine.
Its true what Hobbes said about a challenge. Certainly, when I moved to Europe it was a very difficult adjustment. Learning the language, the culture, the city, the people, can all take time. I always say it takes about 1 year to feel completely comfortable and to start to like the new change. You'll meet great people on GOL and you'll see how quickly you'll feel "at home". It is a very warm and friendly community and a lot of us are spending our time away from home too! Lots of expats in the city and a whole mix of international people. Hope this helps you... :0)
The text you are quoting:
I moved to Geneva almost 8 years ago (living 5 of those in Paris) and I can honestly say I really love it here. Sure, the weather is sometimes a pain but during those cold winters there is always the beautiful alps with GREAT skiing (or snowboarding) to look forward to. Believe me when I say that the summers are amazing here. There are plenty of festivals and outdoor activities to keep the whole family happy along with swims in the lake (very popular). Lets also not forget (with a few exceptions) that Geneva is a VERY safe city. Streets are clean and the education system is top-notch. My newphew started private school at 3 years old so some can start earlier than 5. The education system is also very demanding (he usually has 1 hour of homework a night at 7 years old!) but even public schools offer a very well-rounded cirriculum.
One other thing about Switzerland that some people like but as an American I have a hard time dealing with. Control. The Swiss like to control every aspect of thier city. From how you impound your car, to what apartment you are qualified to buy, to how much you pay in taxes, to what time you can mow your lawn. THAT takes some getting used to but as long as you keep an open mind you'll be just fine.
Its true what Hobbes said about a challenge. Certainly, when I moved to Europe it was a very difficult adjustment. Learning the language, the culture, the city, the people, can all take time. I always say it takes about 1 year to feel completely comfortable and to start to like the new change. You'll meet great people on GOL and you'll see how quickly you'll feel "at home". It is a very warm and friendly community and a lot of us are spending our time away from home too! Lots of expats in the city and a whole mix of international people. Hope this helps you... :0)
nancy, Oct 11, 2006 @ 15:49
One other thing about Switzerland that some people like but as an American I have a hard time dealing with. Control. The Swiss like to control every aspect of thier city. From how you impound your car, to what apartment you are qualified to buy, to how much you pay in taxes, to what time you can mow your lawn. THAT takes some getting used to but as long as you keep an open mind you'll be just fine.
Its true what Hobbes said about a challenge. Certainly, when I moved to Europe it was a very difficult adjustment. Learning the language, the culture, the city, the people, can all take time. I always say it takes about 1 year to feel completely comfortable and to start to like the new change. You'll meet great people on GOL and you'll see how quickly you'll feel "at home". It is a very warm and friendly community and a lot of us are spending our time away from home too! Lots of expats in the city and a whole mix of international people. Hope this helps you... :0)
nancy, Oct 11, 2006 @ 15:49
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 3
Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:37
I would prefer to live in LA then to geneva but if professionally it is a much better offer it may be worth the trip.
Geneva is not so bad but it is very different being smaller and with not so nice a weather.
It is not an easy decision.
Geneva is not so bad but it is very different being smaller and with not so nice a weather.
It is not an easy decision.
The text you are quoting:
I would prefer to live in LA then to geneva but if professionally it is a much better offer it may be worth the trip.
Geneva is not so bad but it is very different being smaller and with not so nice a weather.
It is not an easy decision.
SE1972, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:37
Geneva is not so bad but it is very different being smaller and with not so nice a weather.
It is not an easy decision.
SE1972, Oct 11, 2006 @ 19:37
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 4
Oct 11, 2006 @ 20:10
Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply! I keep flip-flopping on how I feel about this. It feels like a great opportunity and something we've always said we'd love to do, but you're right - kids give a different perspective. It is probably the easiest time to travel in one aspect, and I believe the experience of new languages, cultures etc is the best education a young child can have, but I have special concerns over my older son. He has been receiving speech therapy for a year and we've seen amazing results - he's very close to being on track for his age. He doesn't have a learning disability, in fact he's ahead of the curve, but a speech delay and some sensory issues, again almost on track now have needed a lot of attention. LA state education board have awarded us 2 more years free therapy and preschool, with occupational therapy thrown in - all free!!
My husband's potential employer will pay for him to attend the International School but we would have to cover therapy ourselves. I know this is a great school, and normally I would jump at the chace of exposing him to all the new experiences on offer, but I don't want to make the wrong decision for him.
We have been invited to spend a week in Geneva to look around, which we will do, but this decision seems to be getting harder the more I know!!
Any insights???
My husband's potential employer will pay for him to attend the International School but we would have to cover therapy ourselves. I know this is a great school, and normally I would jump at the chace of exposing him to all the new experiences on offer, but I don't want to make the wrong decision for him.
We have been invited to spend a week in Geneva to look around, which we will do, but this decision seems to be getting harder the more I know!!
Any insights???
The text you are quoting:
Thank you all so much for taking the time to reply! I keep flip-flopping on how I feel about this. It feels like a great opportunity and something we've always said we'd love to do, but you're right - kids give a different perspective. It is probably the easiest time to travel in one aspect, and I believe the experience of new languages, cultures etc is the best education a young child can have, but I have special concerns over my older son. He has been receiving speech therapy for a year and we've seen amazing results - he's very close to being on track for his age. He doesn't have a learning disability, in fact he's ahead of the curve, but a speech delay and some sensory issues, again almost on track now have needed a lot of attention. LA state education board have awarded us 2 more years free therapy and preschool, with occupational therapy thrown in - all free!!
My husband's potential employer will pay for him to attend the International School but we would have to cover therapy ourselves. I know this is a great school, and normally I would jump at the chace of exposing him to all the new experiences on offer, but I don't want to make the wrong decision for him.
We have been invited to spend a week in Geneva to look around, which we will do, but this decision seems to be getting harder the more I know!!
Any insights???
freckamac, Oct 11, 2006 @ 20:10
My husband's potential employer will pay for him to attend the International School but we would have to cover therapy ourselves. I know this is a great school, and normally I would jump at the chace of exposing him to all the new experiences on offer, but I don't want to make the wrong decision for him.
We have been invited to spend a week in Geneva to look around, which we will do, but this decision seems to be getting harder the more I know!!
Any insights???
freckamac, Oct 11, 2006 @ 20:10
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 5
Oct 11, 2006 @ 20:27
Well I actively encouraged my husband to accept the job here. He really wanted to come and I've travelled a lot but not lived abroad, somthing I wanted to experience - especially for the skiing and to learn french. The plus side is that the financial incentives are so good we hope to pay off a large part of our mortgage in London.
I don't generally advertise this but I too had speech therepy, but for different reasons - when I was 18 and at university: something I put down to the northern English air, but more likely booze and cigarette smoke (I worked in a bar). You may find being in another country will help with the speech therepy and the Swiss are supposed to have brillian medical care. Let's face it, it's probably easier for children at this age (although I don't have any, so I wouldn't know).
Good Luck!
I don't generally advertise this but I too had speech therepy, but for different reasons - when I was 18 and at university: something I put down to the northern English air, but more likely booze and cigarette smoke (I worked in a bar). You may find being in another country will help with the speech therepy and the Swiss are supposed to have brillian medical care. Let's face it, it's probably easier for children at this age (although I don't have any, so I wouldn't know).
Good Luck!
The text you are quoting:
Well I actively encouraged my husband to accept the job here. He really wanted to come and I've travelled a lot but not lived abroad, somthing I wanted to experience - especially for the skiing and to learn french. The plus side is that the financial incentives are so good we hope to pay off a large part of our mortgage in London.
I don't generally advertise this but I too had speech therepy, but for different reasons - when I was 18 and at university: something I put down to the northern English air, but more likely booze and cigarette smoke (I worked in a bar). You may find being in another country will help with the speech therepy and the Swiss are supposed to have brillian medical care. Let's face it, it's probably easier for children at this age (although I don't have any, so I wouldn't know).
Good Luck!
Doozer, Oct 11, 2006 @ 20:27
I don't generally advertise this but I too had speech therepy, but for different reasons - when I was 18 and at university: something I put down to the northern English air, but more likely booze and cigarette smoke (I worked in a bar). You may find being in another country will help with the speech therepy and the Swiss are supposed to have brillian medical care. Let's face it, it's probably easier for children at this age (although I don't have any, so I wouldn't know).
Good Luck!
Doozer, Oct 11, 2006 @ 20:27
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 6
Oct 12, 2006 @ 00:17
Hi
As I understood u are new in Geneva and moved from London!! I'm sure u gonna enjoy it! I live in Geneva since I am 4 y/o and I love it!! I am Cladi and this just subscribe today on this site so I wish I'll meet a lot of nice, funny and outgoing people!!
Welcome in Geneva
As I understood u are new in Geneva and moved from London!! I'm sure u gonna enjoy it! I live in Geneva since I am 4 y/o and I love it!! I am Cladi and this just subscribe today on this site so I wish I'll meet a lot of nice, funny and outgoing people!!
Welcome in Geneva
The text you are quoting:
Hi
As I understood u are new in Geneva and moved from London!! I'm sure u gonna enjoy it! I live in Geneva since I am 4 y/o and I love it!! I am Cladi and this just subscribe today on this site so I wish I'll meet a lot of nice, funny and outgoing people!!
Welcome in Geneva
Cladi, Oct 12, 2006 @ 00:17
As I understood u are new in Geneva and moved from London!! I'm sure u gonna enjoy it! I live in Geneva since I am 4 y/o and I love it!! I am Cladi and this just subscribe today on this site so I wish I'll meet a lot of nice, funny and outgoing people!!
Welcome in Geneva
Cladi, Oct 12, 2006 @ 00:17
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 7
Oct 12, 2006 @ 01:27
cheers for the welcome to Geneva message! And get yourself to the party on saturday! :-)
The text you are quoting:
cheers for the welcome to Geneva message! And get yourself to the party on saturday! :-)
hully, Oct 12, 2006 @ 01:27
hully, Oct 12, 2006 @ 01:27
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Re: Venice Beach to Geneva - maybe?......Need the inside scoop!
Post 8
Oct 12, 2006 @ 12:02
At the end of the day, as long as you've got enough to eat and are healthy, all that matters is being in a safe place with your veloved ones, isn't it ? Great money, flat, job opportunites, hobbies, etc are enjoyable plus, but not core. If you're happy, your children will be. Take it easy, come and take a look, and decide based upon your feelings. Because choosing is always partly loosing, and I guess that, for such a great life change, balancing pros and cons can't really be done 100% intelectually. As shrinks say, you know already what's best for you. Just listen to yourself.
Relax, enjoy, and good luck !
Relax, enjoy, and good luck !
The text you are quoting:
At the end of the day, as long as you've got enough to eat and are healthy, all that matters is being in a safe place with your veloved ones, isn't it ? Great money, flat, job opportunites, hobbies, etc are enjoyable plus, but not core. If you're happy, your children will be. Take it easy, come and take a look, and decide based upon your feelings. Because choosing is always partly loosing, and I guess that, for such a great life change, balancing pros and cons can't really be done 100% intelectually. As shrinks say, you know already what's best for you. Just listen to yourself.
Relax, enjoy, and good luck !
Hobbes, Oct 12, 2006 @ 12:02
Relax, enjoy, and good luck !
Hobbes, Oct 12, 2006 @ 12:02
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