I have been lurking on the site for a while now as I am hoping to move to Geneva some time within the next year.
This site has been a wealth of information and advice. Some of it is really thought provoking, especially as I have 2 kids in tow, but I have been impressed with the general level and extent of help (and the humour!), so thank you to all contributors. And I have found the "search" button, so I won't be asking if XX CHF is enough to live on, where to buy brown sugar (but seriously, is it that difficult?) or if people in Switzerland like marmalade on both sides of their toast.
I would be extermely interested to hear from anyone who has experienced living in Bermuda and Geneva, particualrly for any info on comparison of cost of living, etc.
I enjoyed your introduction, especially as I have been to your beautiful homeland on 3 occasions. A long time ago, however, although I have tons of beautiful pictures of the places visited and lots more.
Unfortunately, I can't help you with the specific Bermuda vs Geneva cost of living etc comparative information you need, but hopefully there will be other EFers who can.
Hi and welcome. Cost of living is definitely going to surprise you at the moment due to the strength of the chf. If you goon the website leshop ,I think it's www.leshop.ch it's the migros home delivery website and on the www.toutimmo.ch website which is a real estate website, you can compare to prices that relate to your situation. Looking out of my window this morning I would stay where I was if I was you! But seriously, and I have been to Bermuda several times, bringing two children up, geneva is perfect. Remember that if you plan to put them in the international school system, then register as soon as you know your plans. Welcome again.
A few more details - I am a he not a she! And I am not in wealth management. Yes, there are a lot of those types in Bermuda but not everyone here works for the offshore financial pirates and certainly not everyone is super-rich (or even just plain rich). I am a UK expat, been here for 8 years, and now looking to make a career change with an international organisation.
My biggest concern is jumping from the financial frying pan to the fire... but so far from my research it appears that many costs are fairly similar, although groceries in GE appear to be significantly cheaper. On general, food costs here are about 2 to 3 times higher than the US or Canada. Average rent for a 3-bed accommodation on the island in 2009 was $US 5,300. Private school education ranges from about $US 17,000 to $US 22,000+ a year. Gas/petrol is v. expensive (they don't advertise the prices so I'm not even sure what it is right now). I think that clothing here is cheaper than the US/UK/Canada and restaurants are perhaps cheaper than London or San Francisco (my most recent experiences).
Bermuda is very beautiful in the summer, if a bit too hot and humid in August, and it has been great bringing up 2 young kids here. But it is incredibly small and isolated - 23 square miles, at least 600 miles to the nearest point of land and a population of just over 60,000 - and it has very limited opportunities for culture, entertainment and travel. I am also a bit fed up with hurricanes... So it's time to move on.
So the plan in my head right now is to move there (when/if the job comes through!), probably live outside of Geneva and commute, use public transport and the mobility car scheme, eat a lot of fondue and chocolate, learn to yodel and wear leather shorts (What? You don’t all do that??).
I didnt mean to be rude, it was the information that was missing. Living outside geneva is no cheaper, food costs probably are, and if you think in geneva we wear leather shorts to work, well we have a club that (reputedly) caters to that, then whatever floats your boat mate
We did the Bermuda to Switzerland move over a year ago and have been very very happy. Two more different places could not exist, however. Cost of living is similar...rents are a bit lower in Switzerland...Groceries about the same, but MUCH better quality in Ch...School tuition has doubled, but I am very pleased with the quality of the school. Good luck with all of it!