living in nyon is not living in geneva though - would be better to compare zug v nyon or somehting
In Geneva, the local people are much less likely to speak English.
In order to mix with locals, you must speak French.
In Zürich, people don't seem to mind speaking English and seem
to enjoy practicing.
As far as getting out to skiing or nature, the distance is about
the same.
http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic...itzerland.html
Unless you mean the tarts touting for business who look my aged aunt. I always feel inclined to give them a banknote & tell them to go home and wrap up warm.
If you speak better French, go to Geneva. If you prefer to speak German, go to Zürich. The better & faster you speak the local language, the more quickly you will settle in. Sure you can exist just fine speaking only English, but I feel as outsiders, we should at least attempt to speak the local languages. If we want to be welcomed, we need to respect the local languages, traditions and culture.
Swiss Germans speak better English than the Swiss French in my point of view, so you can get by in Zürich with it only if you are not interested in local languages.
I have lived in Crans Montana (Valais), Bern, Montreux, Geneva & Zürich during my previous 4 year stint in CH. I prefer Geneva eventhough I live in Zürich now (not my choice). I absolutely love the Lake in Geneva, it is so vast and wide, it's like a sea and reminds me of home, an Indian Ocean beach town in Africa. Nice walks, lots of space, greenery. Geneva feels more open at the same time, not so congested. I often refer to centre of Zürich as a concrete jungle. I found Geneva to be more intimate and generally warmer (not temperature wise.)
Zürich might be more cosmopolitan, owing to the businesses hiring expats and a larger population, but Geneva is also very multicultural. Lots of Asians and Arabs. I grew up amongst these 2 cultures and enjoy being a part of them.
I have recently moved to Zürich, 3 weeks ago, and am also enjoying it a lot. It is a different animal from Geneva, completely different. I suppse you would have to experience both to enjoy it.
Perhaps no one can answer your question properly, I would suggest you spend a bit of time in both places.
Just goes to show, eh?
I see that a bit too often from your side. Fluent French ? But from what region of French speaking Europe ? And how sure are you that it really is appreciated ? And are you aware of the fact that management levels in Geneva tend to speak German, English and Arabic anyway
Regrettably withholding tax is almost as double as in Canton Zurich. This is a huge drawback. Otherwise I would have already been in Geneva although I do not speak fluently French or Arabic but High German and English. I know the French are very proud of their language and often reject to speak another language, but I am really kind of sick of Zurich.
Best,
Sahasrara
2. I know people who have lived here for years and can't make a full proper sentence in French. This city will never force you learn French.
3. I actually know people who were hoping to learn some French over here and are sad that they never did, because you have to be really motivated. Otherwise you don't need to.
4. Just stop paying attention to the myths spread around in this forum. The majority of the members are British... what did you expect? British and French hate each other so much that they make up lies just to show how worse the other nation is.
5. Reminder: Geneva is in Switzerland, not in France. #4 was about France; Geneva is even better in any case.
6. Last clarification: Geneva is not a typical Swiss city. I keep repeating that it's not French, and I might have made you expect something like Zurich. Well no, Geneva is Geneva.
Makes sense. I would be too after a few months.
But why are you staying if you don't like it? You should try to live in a place you like. Otherwise you won't be happy.
Apart from a few strange quotes in "Papa Goose"'s signature I haven't seen anything anti-french in this forum.
2> Switzerland is not a country defined by a national language
3> To learn the local language in Swiss cities needs determination
4> I think you exaggerate the British-French hate-love relationship
5> "Geneva is even better" sounds like "Persil washes whiter" !
6> What IS a "typical Swiss city" ? Aarau ? Biel ? Appenzell ? Lugano ?
7> another aspect is that the topic here is ZurichAGAINSTGeneva, neglecting the fact that the two cities share many many similarities, in regard to geographical set-up, size<>role, internationality, cities of reformators, and much else. So that somebody who does not like one of the two cities might in the end find out to dislike the other as well. Somebody disliking Geneva (from abroad) should not go to Zurich but to Munich or Berlin or Hamburg and somebody disliking Zurich should go to Paris or Nice or Marseille. With Lugano as an alternative. A very nice small city with some Italianita and some small-town charm with a beautiful surrounding and in "suburban closeness" to Milano.