Geneva, Switzerland Report of what it's like to live there - 03/05/14
Personal Experiences from Geneva, Switzerland
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
No, this is our 7th overseas tour.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Rio, Brazil. 10h.
3. How long have you lived here?
3 months.
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
Foreign Service.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Rent is expensive, but public transportation is good, so people can live in France, pay less rent and commute.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Very good. Very expensive - it's cheaper 10 minutes away, in France.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Affordable beef.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
It was actually the best McDonald's burger I ever had! Really tasty! Even fast food costs a lot, though. There are great restaurants, Swiss and other nationalities.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
Nope.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
La Poste.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
US$25 to 30 per hour. At that price, fairly available.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Not so much. Expensive.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
No problems.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
6. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Basic French.
7. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Public transportation is accessile, mostly, as city center streets. Not so easy to find hotels or housing with accessibility.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Safe. Taxi are crazily expensive.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
Winter tires and chains if you are going skiing.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes, expensive as everything else.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
They work fine, but are also expensive.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No. Yes. Pets are very welcome anywhere - shopping malls, restaurants, hairdressers...
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Its getting harder and harder to get a visa to work.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
Many at schools, retiring homes, ngos, etc.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Formal.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Not really.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
No. I had an eye problem and couldnt believe there was only one eye clinic - at the cantonal hospital - I could go to! The first day I waited for 3 hours to be seen by the doctor. The second 4 hours! Appatently it gets better when you have a family doctor (primary care physician), which was not my case.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Good.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Surprisingly - it's been a mild winter (2014) so far.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
Lots of them, but with few spaces. Expensive and not for all kids, unfortunatelly.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
NONE! This was my biggest disappointment in Geneva so far. My daughter is 9 and has Down syndrome. She has been included in ordinary schools with typical peers since age 2 in the U.S. and Brazil. I was appalled to find out that such a rich country as Switzerland is in the middle ages as far as school inclusion goes, despite international and federal laws saying that students with disabilities must be integrated.
11 local international or non private schools said no to my daughter. Apparently the only one that does have a program for kids with disabilities is Ecolint, but of course it cannot cope with the demand, so there are long waiting lists. As for the public system, they do tons of evaluations and meetings before deciding which school your kid has the "competence" to go to - neighborhood school with an aide 1 x week (very few cases), special class inside ordinary school (few cases) or specialized school (most cases). The essence of inclusion, where the school has to adapt to the student, not the other way round, is considered lunatic talk around here. The public school system is also very slow. We have been here nearly one month and a half and my daughter is still out of school! Plus, they offer French lessons for kids who do not speak French, but not to my daughter!
Here is the link for special education public services
http://www.ge.ch/enseignement_public/enseignement_specialise.asp
Here is the link for ASK, an organization that helps expats find schooling and services for kids with disabilities
http://www.allspecialkids.org/wp/schools/
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes, but not familiar.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Mainly winter sports and hiking.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Big. Mostly from international organization, so they are used to get around.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Restaurants, movies, festivals, short trips.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Mainly for couples and families.
4. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Do not think so.
5. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
Yes.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
Public transportation, views - Alps, lake - proximity to France.
7. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Little villages around Geneva ate gorgeous. In half an hour you can reach ski stations. Restaurants with lake view, etc. in Pakis you can find anything, from massages to great ethnic restaurants, nice bars, boutiques and brothels.
8. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Chocolate, cheese, watches, Swiss knives.
9. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
Touring Europe, winter sports, chocolate and cheese.
10. Can you save money?
No way!
Words of Wisdom:
1. What do you wish you had known about this particular city/country before moving there?
That there is no school inclusion for students with disabilities. But we will change that ;)
2. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
Its early days to answer that. Maybe I will review these answers some time in the future.
3. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Bikini.
4. But don't forget your:
Hiking boots.
5. Do you have any other comments?
Other than the school problem, I like it so far.
