Afternoon all...
I have been floating about on here for a while now (thanks for all the constructive info and advice, by the way), but this is my first post so please be gentle.
I have been in the industry for nearly 20 years, contracting for over half of that. I am looking at a possible long term (12months+), contract in Geneva and, bearing in mind some of the horror stories, am very keen to know as much as possible prior to taking the plunge.
Having had a good old trawl through the forums, I know that I will have to work through a management company - any recommendations by the way? I have already gleaned a couple of names from searches through the forums. And am aware of the need for health insurance if you intend on staying over 3 months as well as the fact that there are federal, cantonal and municipal taxes. To be honest, reading about all the tax scares the bejesus out of me.
I also understand that a certain percentage will be paid into a Compulsory Pension Scheme and I read somewhere (Blaster Bates - a fountain of Swiss knowlege perhaps?) that this is returned if you are contracting and leave the country after a length of time, although I could have misunderstood this somewhat.
It appears that apartments in Geneva go from 500 Euros and up although the going rate for a 1 - 2 bed apartment seems to be more along the lines of CHF 2000 - 3000 plus associated costs.
So, in a long-winded way, I suppose what I'm asking is : What is the reasonable minimum to comfortably exist in Geneva and what are the associated pitfalls that I should be aware of?
Having had a hellish year involving the deaths of 2 friends and 3 members of my immediate family along with dealing with serious illness, I am not looking for a lifestyle that involves much carousing.
I am just interested in getting back to something I do well, improving my French, possibly murdering another language or two, and living quietly somewhere pleasant and stress-free for a while.
Many thanks.
Petal.
I have been floating about on here for a while now (thanks for all the constructive info and advice, by the way), but this is my first post so please be gentle.
I have been in the industry for nearly 20 years, contracting for over half of that. I am looking at a possible long term (12months+), contract in Geneva and, bearing in mind some of the horror stories, am very keen to know as much as possible prior to taking the plunge.
Having had a good old trawl through the forums, I know that I will have to work through a management company - any recommendations by the way? I have already gleaned a couple of names from searches through the forums. And am aware of the need for health insurance if you intend on staying over 3 months as well as the fact that there are federal, cantonal and municipal taxes. To be honest, reading about all the tax scares the bejesus out of me.
I also understand that a certain percentage will be paid into a Compulsory Pension Scheme and I read somewhere (Blaster Bates - a fountain of Swiss knowlege perhaps?) that this is returned if you are contracting and leave the country after a length of time, although I could have misunderstood this somewhat.
It appears that apartments in Geneva go from 500 Euros and up although the going rate for a 1 - 2 bed apartment seems to be more along the lines of CHF 2000 - 3000 plus associated costs.
So, in a long-winded way, I suppose what I'm asking is : What is the reasonable minimum to comfortably exist in Geneva and what are the associated pitfalls that I should be aware of?
Having had a hellish year involving the deaths of 2 friends and 3 members of my immediate family along with dealing with serious illness, I am not looking for a lifestyle that involves much carousing.
I am just interested in getting back to something I do well, improving my French, possibly murdering another language or two, and living quietly somewhere pleasant and stress-free for a while.
Many thanks.
Petal.
] - lots to see & do and you're only a short drive from .... lots more to see & do!
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