housing & telephone
Things to Consider
Costs and Location
Rent and food prices are higher in Switzerland than in France. In Geneva you have easy access to stores, doctors, restaurants, and public transportation. Outside Geneva in the canton of Vaud, or in neighboring France you will need a car - these areas are made up of small towns in the countryside. Family considerations will also include the location and quality of schools. Most of these factors will determine if you will need a car - or two.
Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Furnished
In some rare cases, furnished means everything down to the last teaspoon is included - except linens - but the quality varies. In other cases you may need to purchase rugs, accessories and additional appliances.
Unfurnished
You provide everything, including lighting fixtures, curtains and curtain rods, kitchen appliances and cabinets.
Costs and Location
Rent and food prices are higher in Switzerland than in France. In Geneva you have easy access to stores, doctors, restaurants, and public transportation. Outside Geneva in the canton of Vaud, or in neighboring France you will need a car - these areas are made up of small towns in the countryside. Family considerations will also include the location and quality of schools. Most of these factors will determine if you will need a car - or two.
- France
Bus 68 runs from CERN to Thoiry via St. Genis and Sergy.
Bus 66 runs from the Airport to Thoiry via Ferney-Voltaire, Prevessin and St. Genis every hour.
Bus F runs Geneve center to Gex every hour. - Switzerland
Tram 18 runs from CERN to Geneva approximately every 15 minutes.
Bus 57 runs to Meyrin. Hop off the tram at Hôpital La Tour. Change to Bus 57.
Tram 14 runs from Meyrin to Geneva.
See the Swiss bus site TPG for more information.
Furnished vs. Unfurnished
Furnished
In some rare cases, furnished means everything down to the last teaspoon is included - except linens - but the quality varies. In other cases you may need to purchase rugs, accessories and additional appliances.
Unfurnished
You provide everything, including lighting fixtures, curtains and curtain rods, kitchen appliances and cabinets.
Relocation Expertise
Chronologica SA is a Relocation Company. They can help you with all of your questions and needs.
Chronologica SA is a Relocation Company. They can help you with all of your questions and needs.
Electrical Adapters vs. Converters/Transformers
Adapters let you plug any electrical device into a foreign plug, but do not convert voltage or electricity.
Converters/transformers converts 110v current (North and Central America) into 220v current (Europe and elsewhere).
Rick Steve's website answers specific questions you may have about electronics. See full details on our Packing Up page.
Adapters let you plug any electrical device into a foreign plug, but do not convert voltage or electricity.
Converters/transformers converts 110v current (North and Central America) into 220v current (Europe and elsewhere).
Rick Steve's website answers specific questions you may have about electronics. See full details on our Packing Up page.
Renters Insurance (Certificat d’Habitation)
When you rent you are required to pay one year’s rental insurance in advance. It’s not expensive. The CERN Housing service has a list of insurance companies, but does not indicate languages spoken. You can request them to call agents to find one who speaks English.
When you rent you are required to pay one year’s rental insurance in advance. It’s not expensive. The CERN Housing service has a list of insurance companies, but does not indicate languages spoken. You can request them to call agents to find one who speaks English.
Security Deposits
France
Rental agencies (immobiliers) fees are 80 to 100% of one months rent, and are payable when you sign the rental contract. The security deposit is equal to one months rent. French leases are usually for three years, although you can break the contract by giving 3 months notice.
Switzerland
Rental agencies (régies) usually take no fees up front - owners choose the best renter they can find. For advice on rentals in Switzerland read this from AngloInfo. You may want to make an appointment to see someone at the Swiss tenants association ASLOCA.
Security deposit is equal to 4 months rent, and you must earn a minimum of 3.5 times more than the amount of the rent. Be sure to leave the apartment very clean or risk losing all or part of your deposit. (see Cleaning Service below)
Early departure is possible at the end of the lease, or if you find someone to take your place. (This is easy if the rental is not too high.)
France
Rental agencies (immobiliers) fees are 80 to 100% of one months rent, and are payable when you sign the rental contract. The security deposit is equal to one months rent. French leases are usually for three years, although you can break the contract by giving 3 months notice.
Switzerland
Rental agencies (régies) usually take no fees up front - owners choose the best renter they can find. For advice on rentals in Switzerland read this from AngloInfo. You may want to make an appointment to see someone at the Swiss tenants association ASLOCA.
Security deposit is equal to 4 months rent, and you must earn a minimum of 3.5 times more than the amount of the rent. Be sure to leave the apartment very clean or risk losing all or part of your deposit. (see Cleaning Service below)
Early departure is possible at the end of the lease, or if you find someone to take your place. (This is easy if the rental is not too high.)
Utilities
Switzerland
The Swiss energy market is privatized, and consumers are offered a choice of service providers. Many companies cover all three services: electricity, gas and water.
When renting a house, utilities are usually excluded from the monthly rent. Apartments commonly include heating and hot water in the rent.
Companies send bills every 2 to 4 months. Tenants pay an estimated charge which is recalculated every 6 to 12 months, based on meter readings.
France
If utilities are not included in your rental contract you will need to sign up for each one. Ask your landlord for the list for your town (commune). The Mayor's Office (Mairie) also has a list of utilities for your town.
Once you get your bank account, you may set up your bills to be paid automatically. You will need to give each utility the RIB number provided by your bank.
Electricity
EDF, the national supplier, has a website in English where you can sign up online, pay bills and much more. For questions in English for the Rhone-Alps region call: 05 62 16 49 08. You may contact them online.
Electricity is notoriously expensive, but there are choices of different rates for different hours of the day. Heures creuses (off-peak hours) is designed for families with small children so they can chose to have the cheapest rates during the day when you need to keep the house warm (Heures Creuses). Those options are explained here.
Water
Suez is the water management company for France. Check online, or check with your landlord or at the Mairie to see which supplier operates in your village. Take your rental contract with you to sign up. Water bills are paid bi-annually.
Oil/Fuel
Interfon, located at Restaurant 2 near La Poste, has a list of companies that deliver fuel.
Propane
Bottled propane is used for cooking. Don't panic if you run out: unscrew the bottle from the gas line, and take it to a store or gas station that sells them. When you buy your first bottle you will have to pay a deposit. When you return the bottle for the last time, the deposit will be refunded to you.
Switzerland
The Swiss energy market is privatized, and consumers are offered a choice of service providers. Many companies cover all three services: electricity, gas and water.
When renting a house, utilities are usually excluded from the monthly rent. Apartments commonly include heating and hot water in the rent.
Companies send bills every 2 to 4 months. Tenants pay an estimated charge which is recalculated every 6 to 12 months, based on meter readings.
France
If utilities are not included in your rental contract you will need to sign up for each one. Ask your landlord for the list for your town (commune). The Mayor's Office (Mairie) also has a list of utilities for your town.
Once you get your bank account, you may set up your bills to be paid automatically. You will need to give each utility the RIB number provided by your bank.
Electricity
EDF, the national supplier, has a website in English where you can sign up online, pay bills and much more. For questions in English for the Rhone-Alps region call: 05 62 16 49 08. You may contact them online.
Electricity is notoriously expensive, but there are choices of different rates for different hours of the day. Heures creuses (off-peak hours) is designed for families with small children so they can chose to have the cheapest rates during the day when you need to keep the house warm (Heures Creuses). Those options are explained here.
Water
Suez is the water management company for France. Check online, or check with your landlord or at the Mairie to see which supplier operates in your village. Take your rental contract with you to sign up. Water bills are paid bi-annually.
Oil/Fuel
Interfon, located at Restaurant 2 near La Poste, has a list of companies that deliver fuel.
Propane
Bottled propane is used for cooking. Don't panic if you run out: unscrew the bottle from the gas line, and take it to a store or gas station that sells them. When you buy your first bottle you will have to pay a deposit. When you return the bottle for the last time, the deposit will be refunded to you.
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