Well, yes it is Switzerland although you actually feel like being in France. I like the idea of it and I noticed that people do not look so much to you as in Zurich. So they let you be. More live and let live, isn't it ? I think you cannot live just on English in Geneva, especially when it comes to a job. Almost everywhere good French is required although I noticed that they do exist some exceptions. And speaking German is partly strictly denied.
The thing is, that I need a change from time to time. Although I feel quite good in Zollikon. But this changes rapidly when I mingle and for some reasons this got me doing little or no socialising. Another topic that has already been tackled here.
I know, Zurich is very international with regard to the residents. But is it really ? Is it not rather a pseudo province as the former playhouse director M. Hartmann reportedly claimed once ? Also I wonder, is there a special kind of person who feel attracted to the city ? Oh yes indeed, people looking for high living standards, low taxes, spottless clean places, security, love, or just got here by chance and so on (also several times thematized) ! Anyway, I feel the people are friendly but somehow cold and lack genuine happiness. And no matter where they are coming from, they will soon get inflicted. I wonder what is the reason for it ? May be they have a very odd definition of happiness ? Is it to work all day and complaing about headache and being stressed out ? Economic crisis, fear of losing ? On the other hand, yes, Switzerland wealth is build upon busy people and busy people often lack work-life balance and genuine happiness. So you can hardly have both.
How about Geneva ? What people are most attracted to Geneva compared to Zurich ? Did you heard about the security issue in the popular lakeside district ? Somehow Afro-Americans make me feel insecure.
Acutally I want to test the Lugano area. I have Greek roots, this might be of relevance when choosing the best city in Switzerland to live and work in, and not only considering where withholding taxes for foreigner are the lowest although there might be language barrier.
Well ... maybe you should try adapting to the Swiss way and end up 2nd (and generally very high up) on world happiness rankings . And while you're at it, appreciate the quality of life in Switzerland. I hardly believe that these facts aren't genuine and it seems that the Swiss are able to very well cope with work and social life.
Well, then it should come as a relief to you that most of the people of the black persuasion in Geneva are not, in fact, African Americans, but from a variety of countries in the majestic continent known as Africa.
More precisely some Black cause anger and doubt but also compassion in me. Some look very unfriendly and behave strange. I do have the clear notion that Geneva house more Black than Zurich. One reason could be the vicinity to France.
> People look at you ? Maybe, but I have always known that people look at me, and got completely used to it. You live in Zollikon ? Sure that people there may "look at you". If you lived on Langstrasse, nobody would do so for a second. You consider to live in Geneva Paquis ? Nobody there will do so either. But do you consider to live in parts of the Quartier Eaux Vives or in outer suburbs like Coppet or Nyon ? It there will be just as in Zollikon. Get your lodgings to Glattbrugg, where an increasing share of the people is of south of the Med. I like it. As I can tread on "both sides" I am the one to act as intermediary, which I like. The two old ladies, both former stewardesses in command of half a dozen languages and for sure not racist at all, do not have "access" to the "darker" people, and so often involve me to act on "behalf of the whole" . So, move on to Langstrasse, Glattbrugg, le Paquis or Carouge. But forget about Zollikon !
-
>> "Socializing" in Zollikon ? Anything with "social...." in it is abhorrent to Zollikoners
-
>> Zurich not just is international, it is multi-Cantonal, which to you may not matter but matters to a majority of its inhabitants with origins either in other Cantons or in neighbouring areas of the neighbour countries.
-
>> Mr Hartmann came from Vienna and cities with more than 2 mio inhabitants and from countries where theatre is of high importance to the average people --- and came to Zurich, where theatre is something for the upper class -- I have seen that interview in the press and wrote him an e-mail, explaining things to him quite frankly.... never a reply as it possibly may have been a bit too frankly for his taste !
-
>> Zurich and Geneva both share the advantages of liberal and fairly open-minded cities with a nice environment, with some ambiance of "world-metropolis" while retaining some old-worldliness and small town charm.
-
>> But why do Afro..... make you feel insecure ? This now is beyond me
-
>> Lugano is a very very nice town ! If you find a job there, try it !
There are as few black people in neighbouring France (Pays de Gex) as in e.g. Coppet or Nyon - well actually one of my neighbours is black, but he works for an international organisation...
I really don't understand this "wer hat Angst vorm schwarzen Mann".
Both Zurich and Geneva are cities where working all day (at least Mon to Fri) and working fairly hard is the thing to do or to be done. In this, the two cities are twin-cities. It may differ in style and in details but in reality is very similar. Beside the point that many of the managers in Geneva are from Zurich anyway
-
The relative number may be a bit higher in Geneva, but your comparison most presumably is wrong as you compare Zollikon with le Paquis, while it would be different if you compared Langstrasse or Schwamendingen or Glattbrugg with Eaux-Vives or Nyon.
No, Geneva is very much Swiss, and I on all my visits there never felt like being in France, not at all.
Many people, be they "white" or "dark" or whatever look unfriendly and behave strangely. While in fact, most blacks look very friendly, and I cannot find anything so strange about them at all. I think that most blacks are far more friendly than most of us non-blacks.
And if the number of Blacks in Zurich and Geneva bothers you I suggest you move to a "white" conservative place like Einsiedeln, Schwyz, Muotathal, Stans, Sarnen, Altdorf, Erstfeld, Disentis, Bünzen, Gettnau, Langnau im Emmenthal , etc etc
While I see your point in regards to Blacks in out-of-town areas in both France and Switzerland, I fail to see the connection with this Saudi affair. I don't see any point.
Unless you're a sanitation engineer, steer clear of Geneva - no idea why, but the entire city smells of toilets. Never had that in any other city worldwide, so it really stood out and really put me off the place.
My Family and I lived in Geneva back in 2001. I fell in love with the 'feel' of the place right away. I am not getting that same feeling here in Zurich, where we have just moved.
Maybe it is because we holidayed in France a lot and it was just more familiar. I have definately seen a more yobbish society here though among the younger generation. I don't like the hard look here of some of the people, severe hair styles, tatoos etc. I think it is softer in the French areas. I also think they are more relaxed there and laid back.
I loved crossing the border into France to their markets and their FAR superior supermarkets. Their fashion is better and there are some wonderful interior shops, very chic and typically French style.
I am new here though and the people have been very nice to us, so I hope,(in time) I will have a very different opinion of our new home.
I recommend the "Centre Napoleon". Just enroute from Basel towards Mülhuse (Mulhouse), near the crossing point for the Peugeot works etc. The choice of wines is top of Europe and this at rather low prices !
We lived in Geneva for a few months before moving to Zurich and we also felt very good there. Like you we spend a lot of time in France so Geneva seems more familiar.
Do you know anything about the coast between Lausanne and Geneva?