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Geneva: Decision Time

As mentioned previously on this forum some months ago, my company are looking to move me to Geneva in 6-15 months time. I'm still thinking about whether or not I want to live in Geneva (my job is moving there: I need to decide whether I move with the job, or not).

The next stage is the negotiation of the financial package. I have a flat in London which I have recently bought, which I don't wish to sell. I would rather rent it out and stay on the UK property ladder.

My question is: does anyone have any idea about the cost of living in Geneva, especially in terms of housing, which could give me an idea about the sort of % salary rise I need to negotiate. I've been struggling to find websites with details about Geneva property, and the cost of living.

I would also appreciate any posters replying who have experience of living i Geneva. One big worry at the moment is that I will go from having a huge social base in London, to knowing next to no-one in Geneva. Stuck in a foreign city on my own could be a bit daunting!
Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. - Jefferson
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Comments

  • nelly_2
    nelly_2 Posts: 17,863 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I googled ex pats in geneva
    http://www.google.co.uk/search?sourceid=navclient&ie=UTF-8&rls=GFRC,GFRC:2007-05,GFRC:en&q=expats+geneva

    theres a poster who posts in the arms and DT called barcode she lives out in switzerland somewhere try pm her :)
  • Melissa177
    Melissa177 Posts: 1,727 Forumite
    Thanks Nelly!

    Although the website looks fairly defunct :o
    Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. - Jefferson
  • Generali
    Generali Posts: 36,411 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Geneva is very nice but very expensive. Cheaper than London though.
  • Melissa177
    Melissa177 Posts: 1,727 Forumite
    Generali wrote: »
    Geneva is very nice but very expensive. Cheaper than London though.

    I understood it was more expensive than London, although the taxes are cheaper.

    It's also a bit dull - although I've only been once for a few days.
    Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. - Jefferson
  • Generali
    Generali Posts: 36,411 Forumite
    10,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Yeah, dull is right. There are some good restaurants there if you like dining with expense account bores.

    The mountains are nice and the general standard of living is very high. It has that feel of it that people are wealthy, like a lot of German cities.
  • Guy_Montag
    Guy_Montag Posts: 2,291 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    The only ex-pats I've ever heard out there are underpaid scientists that work for CERN. Many of them seem to live in France, since the cost of living there is lower.

    Of course you'll probably be earning a bit more than them.
    "Mrs. Pench, you've won the car contest, would you like a triumph spitfire or 3000 in cash?" He smiled.
    Mrs. Pench took the money. "What will you do with it all? Not that it's any of my business," he giggled.
    "I think I'll become an alcoholic," said Betty.
  • Eyesparky
    Eyesparky Posts: 689 Forumite
    If you like winter sports then you could locate between town and the mountains and get the best of both worlds.
    "I hear and I forget. I see and I remember. I do and I understand." — Confucius
  • Melissa177
    Melissa177 Posts: 1,727 Forumite
    I'm considerably better at walking in a straight line through Leicester Square after 10 gin and tonics (witness last night!) than I am at balancing on skis..

    I like nice restaurants, but I also like places with vibrancy and edge, which I don't think Geneva has.

    The cost of living is another critical factor. Hmm, I think this might be more about where I want to live and what I want to do with my life, rather than the money!
    Errors of opinion may be tolerated where reason is left free to combat it. - Jefferson
  • mr.broderick
    mr.broderick Posts: 3,778 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    Think what you need is a good night out with a swinger like me ..pm me your mobile no, geneva will be a distant memory.
  • wecanhelpu
    wecanhelpu Posts: 630 Forumite
    What does your new boyfriend think Melissa?
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