Hi all,
Good morning!!
I found this great forum when I was searching for information about things in general in Switzerland late last night (before going to bed!)

My husband, son (6yrs) and I got here (Geneva) on 23Sep. Gosh..how time flies..I've been here 4weeks already!!

I put my profile as Geneva as that's where we were supposed to be but we are staying on the French border.

Unfortunately, as husband is currently on a temporary contract, we were not able to find accommodation in Geneva (which requires min 1yr lease) and we were reluctant to commit ourselves to 1yr lease though I'd much prefer to stay on the Swiss side but there's just way too much documentation required. Husband says, won't know till early next year if his contract will get extended.

We got the easier way out by staying in a serviced apartment (though more expensive!!) on the French border.
Now the challenge is to find a public school for our son and hopefully, he can get in without too much of a hassle - this being our 1st time with a big move, we did not know son's medical vaccination is required before enrolling in school. Didn't have that problem the last place we were at.

So..here I am, saying hello to one and all...and hope things will get better and I will be able to adjust to the cold weather and make some friends so I don't feel so lost (don't speak French and trying my best to 'blend' in with the couple of words that I know) haha!!

We were in Papua New Guinea for the last 3years (hot/humid) so the cold takes abit of getting used to as well. So I'm on the hunt for 2nd hand/affordable warm clothing for a 6yr old as well.

Ok, sorry all... for the long and boring explanation but needed to get this off my chest .

Have a top morning everybody.

Cheers/Rona

Hey Rona, welcome here. Divonne is lovely, some of the apartments look fabulous.

I am sure with time you will find anything you need, don't be shy to post for anything in Wanted subforum, people post about selling or giving stuff away constantly and there are quite a few members from our area, eventhough not all are active posters.

There are 3 thrift stores with 2nd hand clothing that I know of in Nyon, one big second hand store with kid stuff in Gland (I can't remember the addy for this one, perhaps somebody from Gland can specify). Nyon - Salvation Army in Route de Divonne 44; Route de St. Cergue is another 2nd hand and then Caritas I think in a streat coming right angle down from Rue de la Gare, at the fountain square level (where there are veggie markets normally).

If you are searching for a school in CH, I am not sure of the rules, in case your domicile is in FR, so you might have to contact the relevant authorities. I know Nyon has a dept of education somewhere here, the best would be to ask here .

Good luck and do use the forum for the practical info (and some silly fun), it's very handy.

Welcome here, have fun

Hi MusicChick,
Thanks so much for the reply!

We are actually still staying at Ferney-Voltaire till tomorrow/Sat before our move to Divonne (renting a car over the weekend to move our stuff over) and once we're in Divonne, we will be on public transport only.

I heard that Divonne is a lovely place but public transportation is not that great - so will find out when we are there.

A big THANKS for the info regarding thrift/2nd hand stores - will search online how to go about getting from Divonne to all those places specified. I feel so much like a baby - having to learn to take public transport again and taking my little dictionary trying to translate away all the word so I don't do the wrong thing (like underpay for bus/train ticket!!).
We should have come during summer - that way, easier to explore without having to worry if we're warm enough (having my son with me all the time is somewhat a challenge when we need to go out for any amount of time - he's at an age when he gets bored easily and shopping for clothes is not top on his list of interest!! ).

I go shopping for food and got lost trying to figure out what some of the stuff are and how to cook them - unfamiliar names/brands/cooking style. Would be so much fun trying now that we will be in Divonne and I will have a bigger and more complete kitchen.

I found out while at Ferney that they (French) have a zoning criteria for school so will go to the town council in Divonne to find out first before going to Nyon to check.

Ohhh..internet is so useful to find out things but somehow, the human touch is so much more preferred as it's interactive .

Cheers/Rona

Thanks, Bertrand.

(my glocals id is ronagoh) same as here.

I am glad I was able to help. The public transport on the FR side of the border is not so good, a friend lived there so I know. Though she got a bike and it was easier, just had to watch out for the wee roads with nutty drivers.

I know Switzerland provides a nice bus network for the people who cross that border, I know there is a bus from Nyon through Divonne, it also connects Chevannes des Bois and Coppet if I am not mistaken. Look here.

Get yourself some French friends, your language will improve so quickly. They are interesting and very social, just beware of the minute differences with smalltalk/appropriacy/manners..The food in restaurants is very nice over there. And I know Divonne has some language courses too, which might come handier (and cheaper) than if you take them in CH. Divonne is very international, loads of people who work in GE live there.

Cool!
Thanks for the bus link! Helps much!
Only thing now is to get it translated

Will think about getting a bike - weather getting colder and son can't ride a bike yet problem..arrgghh..else life would be slightly more convenient.

Will see about getting cheap 2nd hand car once husband gets paid (and learn to drive on the other side of the road!!). Husband has been telling me that I've got to learn somehow and then I can drive him to train station everyday.
Interesting..haha!

Cheers/Rona