How boring is Geneva compared to Zurich in your opinion? I find Zurich very boring compared to places like London, Moscow, Vienna and decided to move in 2009 to either Vienna, Moscow or Prague, but have a potential job offer on the table in Geneva paying 2x more than my current salary in Zurich. I know taxes in Geneva are higher, but I'm thinking I may be able to last another year in Switzerland because of the money.
I'm 26, enjoy partying, and don't really like French people as they pretend like they don't know English and everyone should speak French.

great post -the stereotyping of an entire nation aside, surely if they live in Geneva they are more likely to be Swiss, not French anyway?

stereotyping or not, all my swiss german co-workers dislike people from the french part of switzerland
according to swiss germans, swiss frenchies wanted to seperate and are slackers.

me too actually - always in the way, hordes of them cycling down the street with their stripey jumpers on and onions round their neck...such a nuisance

Live in Lausanne and commute to Geneva, thats what I'd do.

That's what they say, but I don't think it's an important consideration when offered job oportunities.

This has been discussed a few times:

http://www.englishforum.ch/daily-lif...vs-zurich.html
Geneva or Zurich
Zurich or Geneva?

Maybe people could give more helpful answers if they know which aspects of Zurich you find so incredibly boring...

I would have thought that was pretty true (obviously inverted) about lots of native English-speakers too ! Don't you think it's often the truth if French people claim they don't fell at ease in English ? After all, I don't think many people in England would have to PRETEND that they don't know another language ... and the English and Americans are notorious for thinking that everybody should speak English.

My experience of living in Geneva is that a lot of the people here can speak good English and are very happy to do so. In fact you might even find it a problem when you want to practice your French but find that people immediately start speaking English having noticed that you're not a native. They seem to treat English as a fifth national language and are very accommodating to English speakers.

That's ok, Genevans don't like French people either.

That said, your attitude is very French-like.

well versed in making up your mind...i remember your complains about boring zurich... seems you have a very low idea about geneva?! spin the globe and pin your next destination...

I spent my childhood in Geneva and then moved to Zurich in 2000. I had heard of the swiss german work ethic which seemed to be so much higher than in Suisse Romande:

...Got to say I was really impressed the first week when I came to Zurich (to look for a flat)...At least until the friday when everybody left work at 16.00 sharp

So much for stereotypes.

Go to Moscow if you will have a good salary. 13% flat tax and more hotties then you can swing a d**k at. A friend from Vienna is desperate for that move as salaries in Vienna are low and taxes are 50%+

There, fixed.

Hear, hear!

Anyone else noticed the pack-out at Stadelhofen Bahnhof between 3:45 and 4:45 pm on a Friday?

As for the OP, what an attitude. Each region of Switzerland has its charms and peculiarities, and while the inhabitants of each part are prone to making jokes / rude remarks about those from another part, I have noticed that deep down this often tempered by a sneaking admiration about certain aspects of the other people's lives.

I have a Ticinese friend who has lived 10 years in Zürich, and swears he will never go back, he hates the corruption and mafia-like nepotism he finds there. I also know a Swiss German who is a huge fan of all things from Tessin, the wine, the food, the scenery, the cycling culture.

Cheers

Jim

my SG friends tell me that this is how it works:

The SGs like the SFs, but don't repsect them.
The SFs resepct the SGs, but don't like them.

If you'll forgive the stereotyping, I think that sums it up very well.

Your SG friends have a somewhat overinflated ego problem. Maybe you could bring them back to earth, and tell them that the "SF"'s don't really care one way or the other about them.

Didn't you mean stereotypos...?


sorry if I'm being disspectable..

Q: How many English friends do I have living in the UK (who are English)?
A: over 20

Q: How many of those speak a 2nd language?
A: 1

I guess it works both ways. My experience is make an effort to speak French in Geneva (or Vaud) and people will appreciate the effort and will help you or speak in English

With that kind of attitude I'm amazed you've even ventured outside your own country's borders.

yeah, i have a couple of friends in banking in vienna and i know the salaries are low, and taxes 50%, but right next door is BRATISLAVA hotties so the hot women make up for the salary shortfall and it is almost 2x cheaper than zurich.