I loved reading this article called ALL YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE MOVING TO GENEVA & GENERAL HOUSING INFORMATION IN GENEVA. They covers a lot of general things that are great to know, the most important things I will highlight here:
- Hottest month is July with average high-temperature of 26.5°C (79.7°F), average low-temperature of 14.4°C (57.9°F) & average of 8.5 hours of sunshine
- Months with the highest humidity is November to January with an average relative humidity of 81%
- Winter is from December to February with temperature averages ranging from
- You can start looking for places to live weeks before you arrive by scouring their online realty platforms like (ask Gabi)
- Budget 175 Euros monthly for utilities (water, electricity, gas & garbage collection) or around 10% of rent
- Budget around 60 Euros for internet
- Local mobile calls are around 0.65 per minute
- You must adhere to certain house rules. A copy is included in the contract and may also be posted at the entrance. Some examples:
- Inform neighbors if you are planning a party
- A noise curfew of 10pm + no loud noises on Sundays/public holidays
- Use of communal space (garden, play areas, storage, bike racks etc.)
- No pets without permission
- Conditions for laundry use, for communal laundry machines
- Parking is extra unless specified
- The number of rooms includes the kitchen and not the bathroom.
- Description of housing:
- 1 ‘pièce’ = studio
- 2 ‘pièces’ = 1 living room and 1 kitchen
- 2.5 ‘pièces’ = 1 big living room and 1 kitchen
- 3 ‘pièces’ = 1 living room, 1 bedroom and 1 kitchen
- 4 ‘pièces’ = 1 living room, 2 bedrooms and 1 kitchen
- Older places have communal washing machines & dryers
- Electricity is relatively cheap & billed at a quarterly basis
- Switzerland operates on a 230V supply voltage and 50Hz.
- The supply voltage is 230V, so your appliance must operate at the same voltage, or be dual voltage with a 110-240V range or have a converter/transformer.
- Converters are used with appliances that operate for a shorter durations (1-2hours), whilst most transformers can be used with appliances that operate continuously.
- A 50Hz clock may run faster on a 60Hz electricity supply
- The Philippines operates on a 220V supply voltage and 60Hz
- Larger electrical items, such as cookers, washers and dryers, need a three phase (3 X 400 volt) supply
- TVs and DVD players usually have regional restrictions. Check your device compatibility before shipping it to Switzerland.
- Tenants need permission to install appliances or white goods, which should be done by a professional tradesman, so insurance will cover damages if any incur like water damage.
- You will need appliances or travel adaptors that can accommodate Type C and Type J plugs
- Electrical transformers and adapters are relatively expensive, so it is advisable to buy them before arrival.
- Telecommunication companies usually take weeks to install internet and television, but you can start your telecom set up process even before you arrive with flexible cancellation terms
- It is mandatory for all households to pay a radio-television licence fee which costs CHF 365.- per year. You must register with Billag within 14 days of arrival. I wonder if this applies to diplomats too.
- Quick & easy activation of mobile phone services
POSSIBLE AREAS TO LIVE IN
GENEVA CITY
Rent is expensive and the places are tiny. We had to look 15mins outside of Geneva to find a flat that would fit all our stuff.
The public school system is easier for expat kids and school ends at around 5pm so easier for parents who work but it’s also crowded. Geneva kids/students take public transport for free within Geneva.
One advantage is you wont need a car if you leave in central Geneva. Public transport is enough. But you will need a car for weekend roadtrips because if you are a family of 4 or more it can be expensive and time-consuming to travel by train. Trains are expensive circa CHF500/month per person, which for a diplomat is already the monthly payment for a BMW car.
VERSOIX
Still part of Geneva but more small town or countryside feel. Your kids will go to Geneva Public School which is more welcoming or suited to expats because they have WELCOME CLASSES in English while also giving free French language lessons to students and parents. If you want the child to stay for lunch and afterschool until work ends, a cost example is around CHF 500/month for only 3 days a week.
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL: College du Leman is good if your work pays for IS. However you will be paying for your kids:
- school bus
- uniform (kids are competitive with branded shoes and gadgets)
- homework help classes – a couple of thousand a year
- afterschool activities (a friend paid 4,000 per year for 2 activities)
- ski trips (i.e. around CHF 800 for 3 days)
DOWNSIDE: It’s directly on the flight path, so it’s super loud. Be sure that there is SOUND-PROOFING for your bedrooms. However be warned that if you like to keep the windows open in summer, you’ll hear planes until 12mn, and then it starts again after 4:50am. Same for places like BELLEVUE
TERRESAINTE (Coppet, Chavanne de Bogis, Bogis-Bossey, etc)
15-20mins from Geneva yet rentals are bigger and parking can be free. The Public School system is amazing and well funded. Activities and trips are almost free. Here are some examples:
- School bus is always free
- No uniform needed, kids dress simply and even holes are normal
- homework help classes CHF 6/hr including gouter or snacks
- afterschool activities are free via KEPCHUP
- ski week was only CHF 80 for 5 days including hotel with pool, ski passes, food, etc
- Gadgets are NOT allowed
LIVE IN FRANCE AND BE A FRONTALIER (Ferney-Voltaire, Divonne-les-Bains, etc)
Yes it is much cheaper to live in France if you are working in Geneva and nearby areas, however you need to consider that you will have to go through crazy traffic going home. The frontalier road-rage is real. I’ve experienced it myself.
- Your plate number will be French and not Swiss
- You will need insurance in both France and Switzerland – complicated!
- If you are a diplomat, you cannot have diplomatic plates and you do not have Diplomatic Immunity in France. You won’t get the Diplomatic Gas Card.
SOURCES: Weather Atlas • Expat Finder • Hello Switzerland • Electrical Safety First
I hope this somehow helps you with your move to Geneva. It can be very overwhelming when moving to a new places, especially if you do not speak the local language.
WHERE TO EAT & SHOP IN GENEVA
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