It takes time to settle in a new area, but some places are easier to find your feet in than others.
Following on from our Question & Answer Coffee today, here are our top tips for the very early days.
The questions will undoubtedly keep coming, so don’t hesitate to DM us @thehubgeneva and we’ll answer in our stories to share with our community.
Shopping
☐ No shops are open on Sunday (exceptions are Migros at Geneva airport and Migrolino’s at train/petrol stations) in Switzerland. However, some French supermarkets are open on Sunday morning (e.g.Divonne Carrefour)
☐ Cross-border shopping: check out your limits. You can be stopped within 3k of a border!
☐ In addition to the regular supermarkets, check out Grand Frais and Picard in France!
☐ Check out Galaxus – the local version of Amazon (they also do a great sim without contract)
☐ Amazon withdrawal? There is still Amazon.FR, Amazon.DE and Amazon.co.uk, without the convenience!
Driving and Public Transport
☐ Always have your blue car parking disc with you (an hour or more of free parking in designated spaces).
☐ Children: car or booster seats required until the age of 12 or 150cm.
☐ Winter tyres: Book your car in and switch tyres at the start of November to April (Euromaster in Versoix is super helpful!). This will cover you in neighbouring France too, as winter tyres/snow chains are mandatory from 1st November – one to remember if shopping over the border.
☐ Don’t forget to exchange your driving licence for a Swiss one within a year.
☐ Download the SBB app for transport across Switzerland. TPG app for Geneva only.
☐ Check out the great value Junior Karte (30 CHF annually); kids can travel free with parent(s) by train.
☐ Post 16 trains are expensive, know to use the 16-25 yr old the half fare youth card (100 CHF annually).
Jobs
☐ Not to sugar-coat this, finding a job is hard.
☐ Check out CAGI jobs page for volunteering as well as smaller NGO roles https://jobs.cagi.ch
Learning French
☐ It’s hard! But stick with it! Learning in a group makes it easier and more fun.
☐ Local language schools include Languages for Fun (Coppet), Swiss International Academy,
and école-club migros as well as lots of online options.
☐ Volunteering .. doing something in the local community to help you to settle as well as practising your French. Check out the www.thelostfoodproject.ch as a starter for 10.
☐ Our advice – start your french adventure sooner rather than later. Proving your level of French is often required for permits. Start now and day to day life is easier, sooner, plus you’ll be ready to take the FIDE language test, if required – it often is!.
Hairdressers
☐ Looking to still feel like you, amidst all the change. Finding somewhere to sort your cut, colour, highlights or lowlights is often top priority!
☐ The following have been recommended to us: Dessange in Versoix, Le Bal des Createurs in Geneva or L’Arcade in Coppet.
☐ Or for the barbers … Pap’S in Founex, Papa et moi in Versoix, The Barber House in Coppet.
Kid-related Activities / Camps
☐ Start with kids-zone.ch A free online quarterly magazine and directory full of information.
Winter Fun
☐ Les Gets (France) and Les Crozets (Switzerland) – within an hour and half of GVA and perfect beginner / family downhill skiing. Even closer, in the Jura are: Col de la Faucille; La Dôle/Les Rousses & Crozet.
☐ Patinoires / Ice skating: Most communes open a patinoire for the winter season and it’s that rarity, a cheap Swiss activity! Nyon, Coppet, Versoix and Bellevue are some of our favourites. Equipment can all be hired on the spot and there’s always a buvette serving mulled wine … what’s not to love!