Hi

We're off to Geneva this weekend (5-8 Feb) to have a look-see, and to also explore Haute-Savoie (Annecy, Bonneville, Cluses, you get the idea).

We will be looking for rental accommodation, and we need to be within about 45 minutes (max) drive from Geneva, no further.

Any suggestions on other areas we should explore or even avoid?? We'll be driving around a lot to get a feel for the place.

thanks in advance

do you know where your job, or prospective job will be based?
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depending on traffic on the lake road, and or pont du mont blanc ( bridge ) a 45 min. drive can be 10-12 miles.

oh dear! He will be at Chemin de Grange Canal, so won't have to cross the bridge. I hope that cuts some of the driving time?

There have been a lot of discussions in the past on this forum on this subject. Please have a look at similar posts or use the search function. For example, there was already ample discussion on the commute to/from Annecey recently. If you want to live in France and be within 45 minutes drive, there are hundreds of areas to consider, as Geneve is 3/4 surrounded by France.

If you have specific questions on a certain area please clarify your needs.

ahhh... that side of the river... I nevah go "that" side of the river.... certainly not after dark anyway so I'll leave it for some of our more knowledgeable residents to reply.

( altho we friends who live in Bernex and also Onex and they enoy that area....not too far out of town but residential. )

Bernex is the village of my ancestors, mother side. That a nice place.

You've got several nice villages at the foot of the Salève and also on the other side.

Cluse is a bit far away (in my taste)

If out that direction, and want to live in France, I'd look towards direction, Evian or Thonon. Grange Canal is right on the tram line which generally goes direction Moillesulaz-Annemasse, but would not recommend that place, read separate thread on that.

Correct, there is several threads if I remember well...

thanks runningdeer, I have been reading threads on Annecy, but I'll search in more detail
I guess I wasn't specific enough with my question. I was really hoping that someone might point out a few hidden gems that we may miss on our exploration of the areas across the border, specifically the area around the the A40, say between Bonneville and Cluses, or thereabouts. I'm assuming that will be a straightforward drive into Geneva? I've no idea.

thanks, we'll do that. I've seen many properties and rentals advertised in those areas

I'm afraid that will be a large understatement. Commuting into Geneva by car from most places in France is extremely stressful and not very efficient. Large traffic jams crossing the border, and if there is an accident, forget about '45 minutes'.

damn. I guess we'll see for ourselves this weekend.

there are closer places of course.. where you can leave france and be in centre of geneve in 10 mins.

Annecy is very cute but much too far to commute daily. Sure Google maps says it's 43 minutes but that's with out morning traffic, accidents or border crossings. 1hr/1hr15 Annecy to Geneva is more like it.

No hidden gems I'm afraid. It's all be explored, navigated & charted. Bonneville is as far as I would go on that road. Getting through Annemasse can also be a big PITA.

thanks miniMia. We've just found out that we may have to live in Geneva when we first arrive (for a year I suppose) before we can move out to France, if we still choose to go that route. But this has not been confirmed. It will certainly complicate things as we have two whippets and a cat, so a house with a garden is best. I'll still explore all the areas this weekend, just in case.

As EU citizens I don't see why you would need to stay in Geneva at all. You can choose where you live. Are they saying otherwise?

that's what we thought. They're finding out, so we'll see what they report back.

I think some people have already made the point about Geneva and traffic and commuting but just to give you a clear idea of what it can be like, my partners office used to be in the same area as the address you quoted. We live in Confignon. A car journey using the motorway could take anything from 25 minutes to 1 hour. Driving through Geneva is no better. The journey is just a few miles.

If you commute you face the following possible and likely difficulties. The motorway itself being busy and slow, the queues at customs, the roads in Geneva. This on a bad day could easily add 30 minutes to your journey. Some days though the traffic is fine.

As other people have said Annemasse isn't particularly very nice. There are a few towns/villages in the foot hills of Saleve that are much nicer and the good thing about these is that there are quite a few roads into Geneva from here and you can avoid the motorways and busy customs points.

Saint Julien en Genevois and Collonges sous Saleve are quite well placed for a commute. The other places that you mention are a possibility but you just need to be mindful of how bad the traffic can be. I think some people also live in the area of France to the East of Geneva in the direction of Evian and Thonon.

As for the living in Geneva when you first arrive thing. If you are EU citizens you have the right to live in France.

Enjoy your weekend exploring. Bring your hat and gloves because it's pretty nippy here right now.

thanks for your input dexterd! I've made a note of the places you mentioned and will check them out too.

What time is rush hour into/out of Geneva? I have to ask because in some places (like Calgary in Canada) rush hour is at 6am and 3pm! But then they do go to bed early

Friends of ours live in Collonges sous Saleve and it is right by a very quiet customs post, so is well worth considering. It's a quite nice village too, and the houses in the higher part of the village can have a nice view of Lake Geneva and the Jura too, as well as the Saleve out the back.