Haute Savoie area
Jul 4th 2007, 3:49 pm
#1
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1
Haute Savoie area
My husband will be starting a new job in geneva in august and we are hoping to live in either Viry or Veigy-Foncenex. Does anyone know what the schools are like in these towns? We have 3 young children (5, 2 and 3 months), is there much to do/get involved in and what is the expat community like? Any help would be much appreciated.
Jul 4th 2007, 7:32 pm
#2
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,206
Re: Haute Savoie area
My husband will be starting a new job in geneva in august and we are hoping to live in either Viry or Veigy-Foncenex. Does anyone know what the schools are like in these towns? We have 3 young children (5, 2 and 3 months), is there much to do/get involved in and what is the expat community like? Any help would be much appreciated.
Good luck with your move.
Jul 4th 2007, 9:41 pm
#3
Just Joined
Joined: Jun 2007
Location: Faucigny, Haute Savoie
Posts: 3
Re: Haute Savoie area
hi - you've plumped for a wonderful area! I have lived in & around Geneva (including Sciez, down the road from veigy) for the past 7 years and have just moved across the border to the Haute Savoie to my newly-built-new build house, with my OH and 4 year old daughter!
In terms of schools, I don't know what they're like in that exact area but I found a link (French & you've probably already seen it) to the veigy foncenex schools:
http://www.veigy.mairies74.org/servi...les/ecoles.htm
and to the veigy primary school
http://emveigy.edres74.ac-grenoble.fr/
Check out the local mairie and enquire there about the school- also be sure to register for lunchtime meals and after school service, if applicable, for the older child (places get taken early). Obviously try and call the school as early as possible to get registered. there are also international schools in the area, although may be an option later for older kids.
The expat community here is really large and very vibrant. Start off with the local English radio station - "WRG - world radio geneva" on 88.4 fm. (Has usefull progs like classifieds and what's on locally). They have a website, too (wrgfm.com) - good for recommendations for au pairs/help/removals/cleaners, etc.
The website "geneva-online" is aimed at the huge expat community, but you will also find lots of good social stuff and groups for mums & kids, etc. Look on www.genevaonline.ch
An indispensable guide is a book called "Know it All Parents" (ask in local bookshops, or the English bookstore, "off the shelf" in Geneva stock it) which is a huge volume, updated every year with extremely detailed listings of schools, facilities, babysitters, doctors, plus loads on all the great things to do around here!
Around veigy and along the lake are some really beautiful spots and child-friendly lakeside beaches - if you want any more info, feel free to email or ask..
I love this area and think it has so much to offer. The bas chablais is really pretty and you're well positioned for Geneva as well as Thonon-les-Bains, all th lakeside villages, not to mentioned great snowy activities nearby. It was initially difficult getting to know people (but that was moving to Geneva, not a village, which is different) but I think that has changed a lot since I first arrived as there are far more facilities and websites etc to point you in the right direction in terms of everything from socialising to child care.
hope that helps!!
In terms of schools, I don't know what they're like in that exact area but I found a link (French & you've probably already seen it) to the veigy foncenex schools:
http://www.veigy.mairies74.org/servi...les/ecoles.htm
and to the veigy primary school
http://emveigy.edres74.ac-grenoble.fr/
Check out the local mairie and enquire there about the school- also be sure to register for lunchtime meals and after school service, if applicable, for the older child (places get taken early). Obviously try and call the school as early as possible to get registered. there are also international schools in the area, although may be an option later for older kids.
The expat community here is really large and very vibrant. Start off with the local English radio station - "WRG - world radio geneva" on 88.4 fm. (Has usefull progs like classifieds and what's on locally). They have a website, too (wrgfm.com) - good for recommendations for au pairs/help/removals/cleaners, etc.
The website "geneva-online" is aimed at the huge expat community, but you will also find lots of good social stuff and groups for mums & kids, etc. Look on www.genevaonline.ch
An indispensable guide is a book called "Know it All Parents" (ask in local bookshops, or the English bookstore, "off the shelf" in Geneva stock it) which is a huge volume, updated every year with extremely detailed listings of schools, facilities, babysitters, doctors, plus loads on all the great things to do around here!
Around veigy and along the lake are some really beautiful spots and child-friendly lakeside beaches - if you want any more info, feel free to email or ask..
I love this area and think it has so much to offer. The bas chablais is really pretty and you're well positioned for Geneva as well as Thonon-les-Bains, all th lakeside villages, not to mentioned great snowy activities nearby. It was initially difficult getting to know people (but that was moving to Geneva, not a village, which is different) but I think that has changed a lot since I first arrived as there are far more facilities and websites etc to point you in the right direction in terms of everything from socialising to child care.
hope that helps!!
