Moving To Geneva from Canada
Perspective on Moving to Geneva, Switzerland
Links for moving to Geneva
• Cost Of Living in Geneva
• City of Geneva
• Canton of Geneva Government
• On Arriving in Geneva
• Importing a vehicle into Switzerland
• Swiss Visa and Immigration Information
• Swiss Health Care
• Education: Best Schools in Geneva
• University of Geneva
• Graduate Institute of Geneva
• AREA CODEs for Geneva are 315 and 585
(Remember that the country code to use first is 41)
Tips For Moving to Geneva
1. Geneva has the best of the four distinct yearly seasons. Warm summers, cold winters, beautiful spring and autumn weather, each with their expected scenery. Regulations mandate strict control over working hours, 16 annual public holidays and the average of 5.1 weeks of annual holidays, allowing you to enjoy living in Geneva.
The best time for moving is literally any time. Winter snow has become moderate so only presents a minor inconvenience for moving.
These are interesting times to move from Canada to Geneva. The impact of a significant drop in international travel opens economic opportunities for those moving in. Strict housing regulations and a shortage of availability remain an issue. COVID-19 caused implications impose unexpected delays, late arrivals and extra costs. Further many report difficulty building relationships with locals, fitting into the local culture and problems finding cost savings the locals achieve.
2. Geneva's culture and lifestyle have aspects that impact daily life. One of the 1st things anyone moving there runs into is how things are closed down on Sunday's. The Swiss culture balances the work needed to make this co-operative society successful and earn a living. There is an attention to detail that overrides speed, rapid change and adventure. Paper work becomes a never ending documentation of the details. Attention to paperwork starts with how you've documented the possessions being moved and will expand from there.
3. English is widely spoken, much as it is throughout Europe. None the less, you can expect public interactions to be primarily in French NOT English.
Relocating to Geneva
Geneva is a city of over 200,000 in the Canton of Geneva at the southern end of Lake Geneva on the Rhone river. The market size of just over half a million is unique due to its international density and importance. About 40% are foreigners from almost 200 other countries.
This cosmopolitan global city is home and headquarters to many UN agencies, the Red Cross and many other international organizations. A significant financial centre, including international payment clearance, it has often been rated among the top important worldwide cities and top places in the world to live.
The canton and city of Geneva are a peninsula surrounded on three sides by France so it is only natural that the dominant language is French. That being said, the international flavor carries over into many languages and a few non standard french phrases.
Stay on top of your move decisions.
Monitor changing COVID coverage in the internet versions of Geneva local news.
Geneva, a beautiful place to live, is also a very expensive city to live in, even when compared to other expensive cities like New York or London. Negotiating a salary that is adequate to maintain the expected life style is important, especially given the likelihood of your spouse or partner being unable to secure a second income.
Vehicles that have been used for at least 6 months have duty free status. However the paper work required for importation of personal possessions is challenging.
CURRENT WEATHER IN Geneva (click for forecast)
