Hi all

We were set to move to Canada at the end of Feb when whooosh! a job in Geneva fell into my hubby's lap and turned our world upside-down! Great job opportunity, so worth investigating further, innit?

SO, We're off to Geneva this weekend (5-8 Feb) to have a look-see, and to also explore Haute-Savoie (Annecy, Bonneville, Cluses, you get the idea).

We will be looking for rental accommodation, and we need to be within about 45 min max drive from Geneva, no further.

Any suggestions on other areas we should explore or even avoid?? We'll be driving around a lot to get a feel for the place.

Also, if any of you are keen and free, maybe we could arrange to meet up some time over the weekend? I'd love to chat about what it is like living in Geneva/France? Any takers, pls PM or email me

I'm very nervous about the possibility of moving there because I don't speak a word of French (and neither does Mr Fluff)! I'll just have to learn very quickly

Thanks in advance for your help, guys!

Hi there,

just thought I'd reply as we've also been thinking about immigrating to Canada (I'm Canadian so just a spousal application needed which we've half completed!)

Strangely my hubby has just been approached about a role in Geneva too! No interview as yet so very very early days however he has been told he will be taking a trip over for an interview in the next few weeks.

Small world eh! So do you guys have an offer already etc? I am also daunted - even at the thought of making the move!

small world indeed!
He's had the interviews and will be meeting with HR in london & Geneva over the next few days, so we can still decide against it, or not
Don't worry too much about a move abroad, we've done it twice now (UK & Germany). It's stressful but also fun and exciting! I'm just worried that I'll struggle with French.
Good luck with your hubby's interviews!

Thank you! Do you guys have kids? We have 2 young children with another on the way - I think that's my biggest concern - as their happiness is so important to us and moving to a country where English isn't the first language frightens me. My daughter is due to start school this September and so her education is now at the forefront of my mind... I know she'd soon pick up a new language being so young but the thought of putting her into that situation freaks me out!

No, we don't have kids, but from reading other threads by people in similar situations as you, the kids adapt wonderfully. I wouldn't worry about that

Hi I wouldnt be too worried - think about how hard it would be to learn a language at a later date! Happy parents, happy kids.
My first got thrown in the deep end with school around 4 or 5 yrs old and is now perfectly bilingual. Yes there was much struggle for about 6 months recently with getting up to speed here but this was due to her going into CM1 (approx 8yrs old) where it all ramps up a bit (a lot!!!). So getting them into school before this is a huge plus.
We have just done the same with the little one (4yrs old) and he's coped brilliantly. I love how they affect a special accent when speaking french!

I am looking for work in Geneva also but will probably remain on the French side so we don't interrupt schooling system (diff again in Switzerland), plus it's cheaper. Would love to move to Annecy but need to stay close to grandparents.
Hope the move goes well for you both and let me know if you need any info.
Ruth

How did the visit/interview go?

Firstly don't let the French be your biggest worry, though I would never condone it I know guys who have been out here 20 years, and still haven't mastered anything more complicated than asking for the bill. The Geneva area has around 50% foreigners and many are here on such short secondments that they never pick the language up. It's easy to get by, but if you are living in France and not near town itself it is very important to make an effort.

Depending on where you are going to work, outside of Geneva there are four main directions you can come in from and live. North towards Nyon, the A1 is usually jammed at some point during the day, Pays de Gex, two main ways in are Ferney and Meyrin. Takes most people around 30 - 40 mins to get into their offices. After that as you already mentioned is the Annecy/Annemasse side Bardonnet is also a good traffic block but there are loads of back ways into Geneva from that side, and same its similar times from the pay de Gex depending on how far out you go. There is also the route de chancy area coming into St Julien, which makes some nice Swiss areas accessible.

Schooling there are hundreds of threads here about expat schooling international schools v local schooling. It's all down to personal preference, age of your kids, and how long you are going to stay for. My lad is almost 5 and he's in the local village school, later on we may look to something else, but at the moment it's been exceptional, and there are schools in the area that do Wednesday classes to cater for 'mother tongue' languages.

thanks for all your replies!

We had a lovely weekend in Geneva and surrounds. Geneva is fantastic! People seem very happy there.
We also drove around many areas in Geneva (Vessy, Veyrier, Troinex, Perly and so on), and went as far as Rolle in Vaud. Wow, I loved Rolle! We also drove up to Messery, Douvaine and Massongy, and spent a day wondering around Annecy, had a look at Sevrier and Veyrier du Lac, and visited Bonneville and Aix-les-Bains.
It was a jam-packed weekend, but we loved what we saw and we got to experience some of the traffic in Geneva as well as at the tolls and border crossing coming from Bonneville - in the late afternoon when everyone was returning to Geneva from the slopes etc., I guess.

We will hopefully have news regarding the job offer this week. If we accept, we should be there before the end of March!

Thanks again everyone for all your help and suggestions.

I'll be in touch :0)

HI
We are now in a similar situation to your post earlier this year, my husband has been offered a job in Geneva and we are looking to move towards the end of the year.
Where did you end up locating and any advice on moving / relocating would be great!
thanks
jane