10 Reasons We Decided to Move to Geneva, Switzerland

I have to be honest when I began my investigation to compare Rotterdam to Geneva. I was quite ignorant about Switzerland. To me, Switzerland is one of those countries that is a bit mysterious. However, during my research, the more I learned about the country, the more intrigued I became. When I finished, both sides of my paper for Geneva were full!


I want to share with you some of what I learned. Here are our top 10 reasons we are delighted to be moving to Geneva, Switzerland.

---

10 reasons we are moving
​to Geneva, Switzerland

1. Switzerland is a great place to raise a family

Switzerland in the U.S. News', Best Country Rankings ranked number 1 for the overall best country in the world. 7th for the best place to raise kids for the third year in a row. Though the cost of living is high in Switzerland. The Swiss enjoy the highest quality of life found anywhere on the planet.
​

​Switzerland is:​​

• Economically and politically safe
• Possesses a good job market
• Is family friendly
• Has a well developed health and public education system

For all Children ages, 4-18 in the canton of Geneva school is free and compulsory including foreign nationals. Swiss university costs are reasonable too. The education system is world-renowned, offering its students a diverse and enriching learning environment.


Switzerland also ranks 7th in the world for the quality of education and 3rd for the best university system. The overwhelming majority of children living in Switzerland attend public school, with only 5% attending private institutions.

---

2. Geneva is a Francophone canton

If you were wondering what language is spoken in Switzerland? Switzerland has 4 official languages French, German, Italian, and Romansh. The canton of Geneva is located on the international border with France. So, the local language spoken there is Swiss-French.​
​According to SwissInfo, 22.9% of the Swiss population speaks French. 40% of the people living and working in Geneva are foreign-born. Making "English, the international lingua franca widely and regularly spoken in Switzerland. By 43%, 38% and 30% of Swiss in the German-, French- and Italian speaking parts of the country respectively."​


For our family, this removes the obstacle of a language barrier. Thus making a move to Switzerland less complicated for everyone. Growing up as an expat in Geneva. Charles will be exposed to other languages because of Switzerland's plurilingual society. Plus, he will also speak French and English fluently.


​A cool side-note for us is that Romain's family lives in the Haute Savoie region. ​This means Charles will get to grow up with and be much closer to his Family. ​

---

3. Switzerland is one of the safest places to live

Safe is something people always say they feel when in Switzerland, and on our visit to Geneva, we were no exception. Switzerland ranked 7th out of 162 countries for the safest country in the world. It has one of the highest rates of gun ownership in the world. Little gun-related street crime and no mass shootings since 2001.
​​
According to the 2019 Global Peace Index produced by the international think-tank Institute for Economics and Peace. Switzerland ranked 4th in the world in the domain of safety and security. ​Plus, one cannot forget the fact that there are enough nuclear fallout shelters to accommodate 115% of its population! 

---

4. Geneva's proximity to nature 

When we think of Switzerland, we think of natural beauty, of the snowcapped mountains, of lakes and green landscapes. When I thought of Geneva. I immediately thought of the finance district, the headquarters of the United Nations, NGOs, and multinational corporations. I thought of buildings and businesses, not of its proximity to nature and its green spaces.​


​Geneva is one of Europe's least polluted cities and is known as one of the greenest cities in the world. Nicknamed the 'city of parks.' In Geneva, there are 50 public green spaces and over 310 hectares of parks throughout 25 locations. Which covers a total of 20% of its territory, with a new park finishing in 2021. ​​​


For us, this is an incredible opportunity, and we are looking forward to teaching Charles a love of nature and sports. Romain, and are avid outdoors people. We feel fortunate to have such ready access to parks, green spaces, lakes, and skiing. It will be a welcomed change for us. Day trips to Mont Salève and lake Geneva are definitely in our future!

---

5. Geneva is an international city & a cultural hub

A multicultural city with a long history. Geneva is Europe's most international city and one of the most cultured cities in the world. According to SwissInfo, Geneva is Switzerland's most cosmopolitan canton. With roughly 2 out of 3 residents holding a foreign passport from more than 190 different countries. 


As stated on the official website for the city of Geneva. "A dynamic, international city like Geneva devotes a large part of its budget to cultural affairs. Supporting creativity in the arts and facilitating public access to culture in all its forms are the principal policy objectives of the Department of Culture and Sport." ​​​

​
Throughout the year, Geneva hosts a mosaic of cultural events including, film and music festivals. It's home to the 100-year-old Orchestre de la Suisse Romande and Le Grand Théâtre de Genève. The most significant artistic structure in French-speaking Switzerland. There you can experience the opera, theater, and ballet. 


Geneva also has 40 museums, 4 of which are world-renowned. More than 60 art galleries were unique exhibitions, and rare collections are on display. The city encourages its smallest residents to enjoy its cultural splendors as well, by providing kid-friendly and family-focused activities!

---

6. It's bike and pedestrian friendly 

In Geneva, there is an amazingly efficient public transportation system. However, if walking or biking is for you, there are cultural trails you can take throughout the city. That allows you to learn the history of a neighborhood. Discover the places where famous personalities have left their mark or see public pieces of art.


​​Throughout the city, there are accommodations for people with reduced mobility at sidewalks, buses, and trams stops. With guiding devices at stoplights for the blind and visually impaired. Additionally, most tourist sites and activities can be reached in less than 15 minutes by foot from the city center. ​


​Geneva promotes the development of more sustainable mobility for its residents and protects the inhabitants from nuisances caused by traffic. By extending bike routes, increasing the safety of cyclists. Promoting cycling as a means of daily transportation and leisure activity. Geneva also supports active associations such as Genèveroule. Which makes bicycles available to the public, organizes bike driving courses, visits to the cycling network of routes. You can even organize a city tour!

---

7. Geneva is one of the cleanest cities in the world

Now I love this. In Geneva, there is an association called ZeroWaste Switzerland. They are an organization who "encourages and enables citizens, institutions, and economic parties to choose a manner of consumption and production without waste, by favouring a renewable and circular economy." They give you tips & tricks on how to go zero waste. They also organize a myriad of topic-based cafés, conferences, workshops, and interventions. Romain and I are all about getting involved when we get settled.


​Geneva is the cleanest city we have ever visited. While we were there, we didn't come across a piece of trash! Though the Swiss are the largest waste producer in Europe, they are also one of its most prominent recyclers. Recycling and composting more than half of all waste and burning the remaining trash in special incinerators underground to produce energy. 


​According to SwissInfo, "The Swiss Federal Office for the Environment estimates that in total, littering costs the nation almost CHF200 million ($203.4 million) in clean-up expenses per year." 75% is paid by Swiss cities. Switzerland is also where you can find some of the world's cleanest tap water. It is the most controlled foodstuff in Switzerland, meeting the highest standards of hygiene and safety.

---

8. Geneva's food scene is lit

Did you know Switzerland is the country with the most Michelin-starred restaurants per capita? 118 restaurants, to be exact. You can find 93 of them in Geneva alone, making it Switzerland's undisputed food capital. 


Though it possesses a robust gastronomic identity of its own, Geneva also has a vibrant international food scene. In Geneva, there are more than 140 ethnic restaurants. Offering restaurateurs the opportunity to eat cuisines from around the world for every palate and budget. ​Plus, the cheese and sausage situation is to die for! And can we talk about all the Swiss chocolate your heart desires!


Their best-kept secret is that they produce wine. Swiss vineyards are exceptional, growing a unique variety of grapes that can be traced all the way back to the Romans. Geneva is the third largest wine producer in Switzerland and offers some breathtaking agricultural tourism. By way of bicycle tours through vineyards and is also the location of the longest vineyard walk in Switzerland. 

---

9. Switzerland is a direct democracy

Personally, of all the new things I am learning about the Swiss. Their style of government, this direct democracy is something I find quite interesting. Beginning August 1, 1291, with the joining of the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. In an alliance against the governors of the Counts of Habsburg. The Switzerland of today consists of 26 individual cantons, much like the states in America. Joined together to form the Confoederatio Helvetica in Latin (Helvetic Confederation in English).


The cantons share power with the federal government and 2,000+ communes in a 3-tier political system.​ Direct democracy involves the direct participation of citizens. In democratic decision making and is a unique feature of the Swiss political system. It enables voters to express their opinion on decisions made by the federal parliament. It also allows them to introduce amendments to the Federal Constitution.


The Swiss do this by starting a referendum or an initiative providing them with a maximum of political self-determination.​ Citizens also flex their civic-might by utilizing three mechanisms, which form the core of their direct democracy:

• A popular initiative
• Optional referendum
• Mandatory referendum

All Swiss citizens over the age of 18 have the right to vote. Voters are called on around four times a year to vote on an average of 15 federal proposals. ​For more information on how Switzerland's government works, check out this article by The Local CH.​
Personally, of all the new things I am learning about the Swiss. Their style of government, this direct democracy is something I find quite interesting. Beginning August 1, 1291, with the joining of the cantons of Uri, Schwyz, and Unterwalden. In an alliance against the governors of the Counts of Habsburg. The Switzerland of today consists of 26 individual cantons, much like the states in America. Joined together to form the Confoederatio Helvetica in Latin (Helvetic Confederation in English).


The cantons share power with the federal government and 2,000+ communes in a 3-tier political system.​ Direct democracy involves the direct participation of citizens. In democratic decision making and is a unique feature of the Swiss political system. It enables voters to express their opinion on decisions made by the federal parliament. It also allows them to introduce amendments to the Federal Constitution.

​
The Swiss do this by starting a referendum or an initiative providing them with a maximum of political self-determination.​ Citizens also flex their civic-might by utilizing three mechanisms, which form the core of their direct democracy:

---

10. Geneva is less populated than Marseille 

Recently research has shown that the risk of:

• PTSD
• Anger management issues
• Anxiety disorders
• Cardiovascular disease

Are generally higher for people living in cities compared to that of rural areas. Caused in part by problems associated with:​
​

• Higher rates of pollution (e.g., air, water)
• Noise pollution (e.g., traffic)
• Specific urban designs (e.g., tall buildings that may be perceived as oppressive)
• Physical threats (e.g., accidents, violence)​

The urban population of the world has risen from 751 million to 4.2 billion since 1950. Currently, 55% of the global population lives in cities with more than 300,000 inhabitants. According to the UN, that number is set to reach 68% by 2050. As of 2019, residing in its métropole Marseille has an estimated 1 603 000 inhabitants (that's a 25% increase from 2018). Geneva has an estimated 501 748 inhabitants as of 2018 (+ 07% increase from 2017).



Unfortunately, as it stands, Marseille's city government is incapable of meeting the challenges and needs of the growing urban population. Especially problems related to public safety, housing, transportation, employment, education, and other necessary infrastructure. So I am sure you can imagine running errands with a small child. It can be quite challenging and to put it mildly unpleasant at times.​ 

---

​It was essential for us to make this move while Charles was still young. So he could grow up feeling 'from' somewhere. We wanted this move to be one where our family could set down its roots. At the end of the day, we had to be honest with ourselves., as city dwellers and as parents.



​Romain will always be a boy from the Alps. He's someone who has an admiration for nature and loves being active. I'm a Valley girl from Los Angeles, a total suburbanite through and through. So, of course, when thinking about Charles' future and trying to find the right balance for our family things like:

• Excellent infrastructure
• Safety
• Green space
• More diverse entertainment options
• Outstanding schools
• The ability to live a more active lifestyle
• Quiet
• A civic-minded society
• Being close to family ​

​
All definitely counted towards our final decision, and this is why we feel living in Geneva is perfect for us. We will be able to have all the points mentioned above. Plus Geneva is a little city that packs a big punch! It has all the entertainment options you would find in any larger international city. With none of the constraints of being in a big metropolis.
​
Not to mention you can cross from one end of Geneva to the other in about 30 minutes by car. You are 20 minutes from an international airport and 45 minutes' drive from the nearest ski slope! Whether you love food, are passionate about history, are nature admirers, or appreciate good music and theater, you will surely find what you are looking for in Geneva. ​

RSS Feed