before you arrive
General Advice: Things We Wish We Had Known Before We Got Here
Facts of Life
Almost all stores are closed on Sunday, but you can get basic groceries at outdoor markets, at Migros at the Geneva airport, and at some grocery stores in France from 9 - 12. Plan ahead and expect this to be a real adjustment - you get ready to go shopping and ... the shop is closed! In France most small stores close during lunch - from noon to 2pm, and on Mondays. The large grocery stores stay open during lunch, are open on Monday and a few are open Sunday morning. Here's a list of opening hours to help you plan.
Keep abreast of local events while practicing French In Geneva – buy the Tribune de Geneve every Thursday. In France, buy the Pays Gessien every Friday. These list restaurant recommendations, museum exhibits and special events. And of course check our What's On page - it will really make your weekends enjoyable.
Try using your French daily. It’s polite to make the effort and much appreciated by the French speaking community. But for dealing with officials over the phone, get a French speaker to help you unless you are fortunate enough to be fluent.
It's different here...
Life as an expat is an exciting and adventurous experience - but it may not always be easy.
You may have given up your job and career in order to move to a foreign country and support your spouse’s career. Be prepared to feel a bit disoriented or isolated - no matter how happy you are to be here. Your spouse will probably work long days with colleagues who share his or her interests and passions, and who speak English or your mother tongue. You, meanwhile, will not have your normal routine, support network of friends, family, familiar stores, familiar surrounding. Try to make it an adventure – do volunteer work, visit new museums and cultural sites in Geneva, attend concerts and theatrical performances, read every book you’ve always wanted to read, take French classes, cooking classes, join groups and you can even do online graduate courses. If you have small children, take day trips by car or train to the many historical sites throughout France and Switzerland. To get started see our Activites & Travel page.
Living in the Pays de Gex (neighboring France) is not like living in Paris. Although the small French villages in the countryside can be really beautiful and charming, you can be living in a subdivision (lotissement) with a life that looks much like your life at home - but isn’t really. That can be a culture shock at first. Having a fast speed computer connection at home (and your own pc, laptop or tablet) will help a lot to keep you connected with people and events, here and at home.
Locals will often assume that you know things that you don’t know. Keep asking questions because people don’t know what you don’t know! Don’t expect people to offer more information without being asked - most of them have not gone through the "expat experience" and don't know which cultural background you are coming from. The process is complicated but rewarding as items get checked off lists, and things get easier. There are a lot of details - just stay positive and keep going/asking!
And remember - you are not alone. Try to meet others in a similar situation so you can exchange tips and information and build a new international social network.
Moving here is a wonderful adventure. The mountains, travel, people and cultural experiences make it all worthwhile! Additional benefits of living in this region:
- Do not leave your non-EU country without a Visa if you will be here for more than 90 days.
- Buy insurance for goods in transit – it’s worth it.
- Be prepared – it will be more expensive to live here. Have cushion money, especially if you have to wait for reimbursements.
- Housing is difficult to find in both France and Switzerland. If possible, come about three months early to locate housing and clarify decisions about what to bring over. It may mean paying an extra month’s rent, but it will be worth it to know where you will be living and what you’ll need to bring.
- Book at room at the CERN Hotel at least 3 weeks in advance.
- Read our Housing page concerning renting a Furnished vs. Unfurnished apt./house.
- Electric sockets, plugs and current are different than elsewhere. Read all about it on our Packing Up page.
- Give yourself a week to get settled before starting work.
- Always carry your passport with you, and if going to CERN carry your CERN ID.
- Learn at least a little French.
- Refer to our Arriving in Geneva page for tips on traveling to Geneva & CERN for the first time.
- Easy Expat – An excellent link for people coming to live in Geneva
- Expatica – focuses on moving to Switzerland: housing, jobs, kids, health
- Just Landed – An excellent link for people coming to live in France
Facts of Life
Almost all stores are closed on Sunday, but you can get basic groceries at outdoor markets, at Migros at the Geneva airport, and at some grocery stores in France from 9 - 12. Plan ahead and expect this to be a real adjustment - you get ready to go shopping and ... the shop is closed! In France most small stores close during lunch - from noon to 2pm, and on Mondays. The large grocery stores stay open during lunch, are open on Monday and a few are open Sunday morning. Here's a list of opening hours to help you plan.
Keep abreast of local events while practicing French In Geneva – buy the Tribune de Geneve every Thursday. In France, buy the Pays Gessien every Friday. These list restaurant recommendations, museum exhibits and special events. And of course check our What's On page - it will really make your weekends enjoyable.
Try using your French daily. It’s polite to make the effort and much appreciated by the French speaking community. But for dealing with officials over the phone, get a French speaker to help you unless you are fortunate enough to be fluent.
It's different here...
Life as an expat is an exciting and adventurous experience - but it may not always be easy.
You may have given up your job and career in order to move to a foreign country and support your spouse’s career. Be prepared to feel a bit disoriented or isolated - no matter how happy you are to be here. Your spouse will probably work long days with colleagues who share his or her interests and passions, and who speak English or your mother tongue. You, meanwhile, will not have your normal routine, support network of friends, family, familiar stores, familiar surrounding. Try to make it an adventure – do volunteer work, visit new museums and cultural sites in Geneva, attend concerts and theatrical performances, read every book you’ve always wanted to read, take French classes, cooking classes, join groups and you can even do online graduate courses. If you have small children, take day trips by car or train to the many historical sites throughout France and Switzerland. To get started see our Activites & Travel page.
Living in the Pays de Gex (neighboring France) is not like living in Paris. Although the small French villages in the countryside can be really beautiful and charming, you can be living in a subdivision (lotissement) with a life that looks much like your life at home - but isn’t really. That can be a culture shock at first. Having a fast speed computer connection at home (and your own pc, laptop or tablet) will help a lot to keep you connected with people and events, here and at home.
Locals will often assume that you know things that you don’t know. Keep asking questions because people don’t know what you don’t know! Don’t expect people to offer more information without being asked - most of them have not gone through the "expat experience" and don't know which cultural background you are coming from. The process is complicated but rewarding as items get checked off lists, and things get easier. There are a lot of details - just stay positive and keep going/asking!
And remember - you are not alone. Try to meet others in a similar situation so you can exchange tips and information and build a new international social network.
Moving here is a wonderful adventure. The mountains, travel, people and cultural experiences make it all worthwhile! Additional benefits of living in this region:
- close proximity to many neighboring countries for easy international travel
- incredible food, wine and culinary delights
- skiing, snowboarding, mountaineering in the winter
- hiking, mountain biking and touring in the summer
- international colleagues, neighbors and friends
- Europeans are very social people – it's easy to make new friends and find a new support group
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