Pros and Cons of Living in Geneva

"Expatriates in Geneva appreciate the city's cosmopolitan atmosphere, its vibrant cultural scene, and its high quality of life. They also enjoy the city's stunning natural beauty, its excellent public transportation system, and its proximity to other European countries. Additionally, expats appreciate the city's diverse population, its strong international presence, and its commitment to international cooperation. Finally, expats enjoy the city's rich history, its many museums and galleries, and its wide variety of restaurants and cafes," replied an expat in Geneva.

"We love the public transportation and my teens love their independence as a result. We also love our proximity to great travel destinations. On our calendar is a concert in Paris and a spring break trip to Italy," remarked one in Geneva.

"Expats in Geneva often find the local culture to be quite different from what they are used to. The language barrier can be a challenge, as French is the main language spoken in the city. Additionally, the cost of living in Geneva is quite high, making it difficult for expats to adjust to the local lifestyle. Furthermore, the city is quite small and can feel quite isolated, making it difficult for expats to make friends and build a social network. Finally, the Swiss culture is quite formal and reserved, which can be difficult for expats to adjust to," explained one expat.

"The lack of local language skills is at the top of the list. It isolates you and forms a barrier in what in your own country would be friendly, every day, people to people contact situations: such as pleasantries exchanged with a check out clerk or a neighbor while walking the dog. I also feel out of it with regards to the news: what is going on in the arts, politics. I used to be well informed, now I am not at all. I have been too busy getting my kids settled, hooking up utilities, figuring out our mail forwarding, our taxes, etc," said one person in Geneva.