Just back from an orientation weekend in Geneva, to see if we like it before my husband accepts a job there. A relocation agent showed us around a number of appartments/houses to give us an idea of what we could expect to get. The problem is, we were very disheartened with what we found. Despite willing to pay up to CHF4000 per month, all properties, except one, were extremely outdated in terms of bathrooms/kitchens (like 20+ years old) and felt very 'unloved' and neglected. I appreciate that the market is different in Geneva, in that most people rent, and so properties are perhaps not as well maintained as traditional UK owner-occupied properties, but is this the norm?

We went out to Geneva, very positive, and hoping to like what we see, but frankly the state of the housing we saw has put us completely off. I would really appreciate some comments from people to help us understand whether we were just unlucky or whether this is the reality in most places.

Nb. We looked at an appartment and a small house in Geneva and a number of houses/appartments in villages just outside Geneva. Our only requirement was to have three bedrooms and a garden (no matter how small), as we have a 6 month old daughter who will soon be learning to walk.

Thanks in anticipation for any comments.
Dido

Sounds like it will be you first foreign posting? I dont have specific experience of Geneva, but I dont think 4000chf is not an enormous budget, particularly for a house, around Geneva. At that level you will be trading off space for cachet in a big way.

The first rule of looking for rental property is look, look and look. Most stuff is overpriced rubbish, and thoroughly depressing.

The second rule is, sadly, be prepared to make some compromises, or to spend more.

The third rule is, once you see somewhere that fits the bill mostly, go for it without wasting anymore time.

Good luck
Daniel

Unfortunately yes. You have to realise that the vacancy rate in Geneva is extremely low - and has been so for 10+ years as nothing new is being built. As such, owners have no incentive to invest into refurbishing/upkeep/modernising. Things like an old bathroom are mere details when you have been looking for a place to live for three years. It is unfortunate, but it is like that. I would think that 4'000 should set you up in a more decent place - maybe you need to visit more and have different relocation agents.

But the general approach here is get whatever you can, and get it before someone else does.

Thanks for this.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, if you want to consider it that way), we have too good a standard of living in the UK (great house, garden etc) to consider such a drop in the standard of housing, based on what we have seen. It would be like taking ten steps back down on the housing ladder, compared to what we have now.

Think we will have to come out for another visit to see if we can find anything we like, before accepting/declining this posting.

Have you considered living in neighboring France? You will probably find that your money will go much further and that there is a bigger selection of houses to choose from.

Yes, we have, although we only saw properties just next to the border on our visit.

We are prepared to commute about 30-40 minutes into Geneva. Would that take us far enough into France to get somewhere decent, do you think? Have heard Annemasse isn't too great. Is there anywhere (preferably small town or village) you would recommend considering?

Frankly, I would peruse a bit more the Genevan countryside. For 4000 CHF you are bound to get some nice things - ok, not many things, but. Have you checked out homegate.ch?

I recommend you have a look there first, then if there is any particular ad you are interested in, you can PM me and I'll give you a small briefing on the particular village / commune.

Yes, we have checked this out - along with a number of similar sites. Will be having another look later, though, and might well get in contact if we see anything promising.

Regards

The French region surrounding Geneva is fairly rural, there are lots of small villages to chose from (such as St Genis, Peron, Ornex, Chevry etc). If you would prefer to live in a small town you could try Bellegarde or Divonne le Bains.

If you want to limit the driving time to 40 minutes, then I would recommend looking for somewhere in France that isn't too far away from Geneva (or is at least on the same side of Geneva to where you will work), as the traffic can be quite bad at peak times.

Hi all,

My husband is getting posted to Geneva for 8 months on a project, and we'll be moving in as a family (We have a three month old baby). What kind of a house will we be able to find and where, if we need to maintain a decent standard of living (I mean the rates and standard of rental accomodation)? Will it be fully furnished, or will we have to get some stuff from India? Also, we're South Indians, so where in Geneva can we find Indian groceries and foodstuff? I need immediate help on this....thanks in advance !!

You will find that both what and where depend heavily on how much you are willing to spend. Decent standards of living - if you provide some definition as to exactly what your standards are, maybe someone will be able to help. Have you tried homegate.ch to get an idea first.

If you rent a furnished place, then yes it will be furnished. If it is advertised as unfurnished then it means you have to bring in everything (incl. lighting fixtures)

oh no! we've got a familiarisation visit to geneva next week ahead of moving out in july. the rental market sounds like a nightmare

Hi

I am a Canadian coming to Geneva this week(jan 2011) to intern
and I am looking for a room to rent or even a 3 0r 4 bedroom apartment. I know other interns also looking. I could come see places this week as I arrive on january 6th.