Hello,

I have been lurking on the site for a while now as I am hoping to move to Geneva some time within the next year.

This site has been a wealth of information and advice. Some of it is really thought provoking, especially as I have 2 kids in tow, but I have been impressed with the general level and extent of help (and the humour!), so thank you to all contributors. And I have found the "search" button, so I won't be asking if XX CHF is enough to live on, where to buy brown sugar (but seriously, is it that difficult?) or if people in Switzerland like marmalade on both sides of their toast.

I would be extermely interested to hear from anyone who has experienced living in Bermuda and Geneva, particualrly for any info on comparison of cost of living, etc.

Bye for now!

Welcome to the forum Sun2Snow

I enjoyed your introduction, especially as I have been to your beautiful homeland on 3 occasions. A long time ago, however, although I have tons of beautiful pictures of the places visited and lots more.

Unfortunately, I can't help you with the specific Bermuda vs Geneva cost of living etc comparative information you need, but hopefully there will be other EFers who can.

Cheers.

hello and welcome to the forum and (soon) to Geneva

I have no idea about life in Bermuda, but I can imagine that Geneva is far more expensive....

Hi and welcome. Cost of living is definitely going to surprise you at the moment due to the strength of the chf. If you goon the website leshop ,I think it's www.leshop.ch it's the migros home delivery website and on the www.toutimmo.ch website which is a real estate website, you can compare to prices that relate to your situation. Looking out of my window this morning I would stay where I was if I was you! But seriously, and I have been to Bermuda several times, bringing two children up, geneva is perfect. Remember that if you plan to put them in the international school system, then register as soon as you know your plans. Welcome again.

I am not in Geneva, but can I exchange your place there? Please?



Welcome on the forum and..... really? Bermuda to Switzerland? You are sure?

Welcome!
Don't do it! (unless you get X2 salary multiplier)
Seriously, there was even no snow this year!
Unless your primary goal is to explore European countries around CH.
I'd strongly recommend visiting at least for 1 week - I regret I've not done so.

Come on people, don`t put her off.
1) Geneva is a great place for bringing up kids
2) its probably a job move for hubby (am guessing in the wealth management business) so its likely to be for certain
3) its not like she is looking around for a cool place to hang
4) its for her to know what the cost related issues are
5) Geneva is more than just a weektime drop pad for ski freaks
6) weve got regular concerts at the concert hall
7) there are lots of international people to meet
8) The Clubhouse is in Geneva
9) So am I

we actually had snow for Christmas

We had boeuf en croute

OP: Welcome to CH. Bermuda eh? My wife's aunt and uncle live there, never had the chance to visit though.

Welcome to the EF and eventually Geneva.

I LOVE Bermuda!!! It's one of my favorite places, I find it less expensive than here for restaurants, hotels, food and clothes.

Thanks for the welcome!

A few more details - I am a he not a she! And I am not in wealth management. Yes, there are a lot of those types in Bermuda but not everyone here works for the offshore financial pirates and certainly not everyone is super-rich (or even just plain rich). I am a UK expat, been here for 8 years, and now looking to make a career change with an international organisation.

My biggest concern is jumping from the financial frying pan to the fire… but so far from my research it appears that many costs are fairly similar, although groceries in GE appear to be significantly cheaper. On general, food costs here are about 2 to 3 times higher than the US or Canada. Average rent for a 3-bed accommodation on the island in 2009 was $US 5,300. Private school education ranges from about $US 17,000 to $US 22,000+ a year. Gas/petrol is v. expensive (they don't advertise the prices so I'm not even sure what it is right now). I think that clothing here is cheaper than the US/UK/Canada and restaurants are perhaps cheaper than London or San Francisco (my most recent experiences).

Bermuda is very beautiful in the summer, if a bit too hot and humid in August, and it has been great bringing up 2 young kids here. But it is incredibly small and isolated - 23 square miles, at least 600 miles to the nearest point of land and a population of just over 60,000 - and it has very limited opportunities for culture, entertainment and travel. I am also a bit fed up with hurricanes… So it's time to move on.

So the plan in my head right now is to move there (when/if the job comes through!), probably live outside of Geneva and commute, use public transport and the mobility car scheme, eat a lot of fondue and chocolate, learn to yodel and wear leather shorts (What? You don’t all do that??).

not in Geneva

I didnt mean to be rude, it was the information that was missing. Living outside geneva is no cheaper, food costs probably are, and if you think in geneva we wear leather shorts to work, well we have a club that (reputedly) caters to that, then whatever floats your boat mate

No offence taken . I realised that my original post was a little light on details...

I just looked up the Clubhouse on the web. Do they show the rugby there? World Cup coming up...

You don't?

I do..

Seriously. Next yodeling lesson, we meet at Aug 1st, Bain de Paquis, 6am!

(the lederhosen are optional.)

The Clubhouse IS Genevea s rugby clubhouse with something like 20 flat screen tvs

I shall be hanging off my balcony with my binoculars MC!

We did the Bermuda to Switzerland move over a year ago and have been very very happy. Two more different places could not exist, however. Cost of living is similar...rents are a bit lower in Switzerland...Groceries about the same, but MUCH better quality in Ch...School tuition has doubled, but I am very pleased with the quality of the school. Good luck with all of it!