Hi,

I'm considering re-locating and I am considering Geneva for several reasons:

- Mountains
- Higher salaries, lower taxes
- Good base for travel in Europe
- Learn,imrpove my french

I'm from Ireland btw, so assume getting a permit will not be an issue.

Some Questions I have

- How easy is it to find work as a software developer? (2.5 years experience in Java/J2EE with degree + java certifications)

- Is it easy to find an english only speaking job? (I speak french, but poorly)

- How hard is it to find a 1 bedroom furnished apartment in Geneva and how much should I expect pay? (I do not need a luxury apartment, but somewhere relatively close to the city is preferable)

- How long roughly would it take to find an apartment? (Assuming I don't want to pay a fortune)

- Should I start applying before I arrive in geneva, or should I wait untill I arrive and then start looking for a job/accomodation?

- How easy is it to socialise and a life/friends in Geneva?

- How is the nightlife in Geneva, compared to other european cities?

- Does anyone have a URL to a breakdown of the cost of living in Geneva?

I thank anyone for the anwsers to any of these questions, it's difficult to find real life anwsers from google...

Alan

Hi Alan,

Welcome to EF.

Your questions have all been dealt with here before and the forum search facility will help you find your answers....

Hi Alan,
Unless you are independantly wealthy, get yourself fixed up with a job first before you even think of moving. You will need an employment contract to even begin the process of registering for a residence permit.
Welcome to the forum anyway. As Abfab says you will find tons of info here, if you spend time searching.
Cheers
Steve

- How easy is it to find work as a software developer? (2.5 years experience in Java/J2EE with degree + java certifications)

Should be relatively easy I imagine

- Is it easy to find an english only speaking job? (I speak french, but poorly)

yes, it's quite easy

- How hard is it to find a 1 bedroom furnished apartment in Geneva and how much should I expect pay? (I do not need a luxury apartment, but somewhere relatively close to the city is preferable)

Very difficult. There is a housing crising here. The situation is really bad. Price would be CHF 1500 to 2000

- How long roughly would it take to find an apartment? (Assuming I don't want to pay a fortune)

months, weeks if you know the right people or if your employer helps you.

- Should I start applying before I arrive in geneva, or should I wait untill I arrive and then start looking for a job/accomodation?

start before you arrive

- How easy is it to socialise and a life/friends in Geneva?

it's quite easy in the expat community. Some websites organise social events etc..

- How is the nightlife in Geneva, compared to other european cities?

it's a bit on the quite side.