Hello,

I am doing my research on relocating to Geneva (from the UK) with my family. I was wandering if anyone could tell me of the best areas in or around Geneva for families ie. with parks, good schools, houses not flats/apartments. Or if from one mother to another whos been in my position in relocating the family to Geneva, any advice would be greatly appreciated. We have booked our very first visit to Geneva the day after Boxing Day this year and would find any advice useful. Thankyou.

Hi.

The centre is almost entirely appartments. The further out you go, the less appartments and the more houses. Take a look on Google Maps with the sattelite view: you can see easily which areas have appartments vs houses. Geneva doesn't really have "bad" areas like some major UK cities. What it does have is areas with smaller appartments that are more affordable. But these are equally well served with facilities for children. Parks you can easily see on Google maps. Other facilities such as swimming pools etc. are also located easily with a search on Google maps. Geneva is not so big, so you can expect to travel anywhere within a 5 mile radius to find facilities that are "on your doorstep".

If I were you, I'd start with what you cannot change: where you will be working, how you will commute, what size of accomodation you want, how far from the centre, and what you can afford to pay. That will tell broadly which regions of Geneva you can consider. Then come back and ask for input on those regions. Otherwise your question is a "how long is a piece of string" question like: "What's the best part of London for families?" To which the obvious answer is Kensington ... isn't it? :-)

Steve

OP,

If you do not want to live in an apartment, then you should consider living in France and becoming a Frontatlier.

Other options to consider are Versoix or Nyon.

Be aware that parking in Geneva is a huge issue, so if you need to drive to work, make sure parking is provided.

Madfuzu, thankyou for your advice. To be specific, we have £850,000 for a 3 bedroom house (with garden) to buy. I wont have work commitments as I look after the home & family and my husband will be enjoying his early retirement and most probably take on the challenge of getting a flying licence. My original question was without putting it bluntly... Like Kensington, where is a good area for families in Geneva?

Thankyou for your reply. It was helpful. I will look into those areas.

If neither of you have work commitments keeping you in Geneva, I really wonder why someone would voluntarily move to the place where less than 0.1% vacancy rate for housing, and with probably what most would call an overinflated housing market. Your 865,000 pounds will get you something for sure, but also realising that it won't buy utopia, esp. in GVA. If you are really looking for single family housing, you will need to look out, direction Pulplinge, direction Russin, direction Hermance, and deal will all the downsides like traffic, lack of shopping, etc.. But your 865,000 will go a lot further in neighboring Vaud, or most anywhere else in CH, except the overinflated GVA.

Corrected to add: not sure if 865,000 pounds was for downpayment or for full purchase price. If full purchase price, it won't be enough; a single family home with garden is easily 2 million CHF and higher.

Runningdeer, thankyou for your reply. The £865,000 is to buy out right. I understand where your coming from and agree Geneva is not a place of utopia...but where is. My husband has worked extremely hard all over the UK in consulting mental health hospitals, intitutes & services and providing essential training in the public health sector and has most definately had his share of caring for his country and whilst paying his Taxes. Relocating to Geneva, like London, is a civilized wonderful place for all 4 of us to enjoy our life together for the next 3 years, which my husband has not done so for the last 15. But thankyou for the areas mentioned. Vaud looks positive.

JONBVN, Thankyou for your reply. It was helpful. I will look into those areas.

You're welcome.

BTW, given that you are looking to buy, I think France will offer you much better VFM. Furthermore, commuting will not be an issue for you.

According to current exchange rates, your pounds would be about 1.3 million CHF, not including fees and other charges in buying. If really want a individual house, this will fall short. A duplex may be possible, but an individual house will come with issues, not renovated, under the flight path, etc..

Be careful on the use of 'civilised'. There has been a lot published lately on the growing crime and incivilities in Geneva of late, and it keeps growing. Gas station hold-ups are now quite frequent, break-ins are not unusual, and the drug related crime continues to grow. If I was set on moving to CH and had choice over the location, Geneva would be my last choice in terms of living standards, value, and crime.

Can you visit before Christmas? The market is stationary between Christmas and New Year, there will be nobody around, it is a holiday period, you will be wasting your time house hunting then. Try and come before November if possible.

just to follow on from this... I live in Vaud, 10-15 km. commute to GE and there is a new apartment complex being finished up, quite literally in my back yard...

2-3 bedroom apartments
tiny shared garden
overlooked from really every direction
on the road

selling price CHf 1.2 - 1.4 million ( as I understand )

If neither of you are working in Geneva, then why move there? With 850,000 you could buy a magnificent property in, say, Barcelona. In addition you get great weather (Geneva is cold in winter) and you can go skiing in the Pyreenes.

No offence, but I am afraid that all those years consulting mental hospitals are taking a toll! Your £850k is not nearly enough for a house and just might cover the costs of obtaining a pilot's license.

Please come and visit Geneva. You will be out of here pretty quick.

As others have said, why Geneva (if you're not working there)? There are a lot of other civilized wonderful places where your 850K will go much further.

OK. Thankyou everybody for your input. All opinions is in consideration. I do think that some of you have taken the stick and have run with it... unconsiderably.

Have a look around the Neuchatel area - large lake , pretty town and outside you will get a nice place for that money. Have a look at www.immostreet.ch and have a look. Yverdon is at the end of the lake and prices are pretty good there -only 15 mins to Lausanne for the city life.
I used to live in Geneva and as much as I love it - in your circumstances I would live outside - transport is so wonderful you can be there so quick - no point in paying a hefty premium if you don't need to

I understand there are so many other places to choose to live where our money will go much further but the location of Geneva is appealling to us. It is central to places of interest eg. France, Italy, Germany.
Living and working in the UK then to relocate to a tax free country is also why Geneva appeals to us.

Thats very helpful, thankyou.

Switzerland is not a tax-free country, far from it! As has already been stated, property prices are extremely high, and not all property can be purchased by foreigners. If you have time, visit Geneva/Switzerland before you decide to put down roots here, get a feel of the country before you leave beautiful Devon.