Is Geneva Boring?

Well, that depends. Are you boring?

When I told people I was moving to Geneva, many people responded "Great. But it's boring." When I arrived, I asked Geneva expat residents spanning from 1 to 10 years their thoughts. The answer seemed to reflect their general outlook on life and their situation. Like most things, it's largely in the eye of the beholder.

If you define “boring” by a variety of hipster bars and restaurants open until the wee hours of the morning, then yes, you will find it boring.

Clearly, a huge draw for Geneva is that it is anchored around a pristine lake in a beautiful country surrounded by some of the world's most scenic mountains. If you enjoy skiing, majestic mountains are near and cozy chalets are plentiful. In summer, one can sail, bike through vineyards, hike, windsurf, or rent a paddleboat with a 1890s style parasol on a clear lake.

But what about that winter weather? And the Sundays? My god, the Sundays! One expat from Barcelona said he finds it crushing to be in Geneva on a Sunday. This is especially true in the fall and winter since most everything is closed and a gray UFO type cloud hovers over the city for weeks at a time. So the masses with train passes (or cars) often flee to the mountains or one hour away where the sun magically shines in a nearby microclimate. If you require some semblance of sun in your life, surviving a Geneva winter may involve many getaways, a therapist, and a car sized lightbox in your flat. 

Geneva is small town 'ish but it has the benefit of quick access to major cities to stave off the ennui. When your budget allows, close proximity to the airport and train station can place you in Paris, London, St. Tropez, or Rome in just a few hours. It's true that Sundays in many European cities are family day and many places are closed. But finding fun and being content likely depends on the same factors anywhere. If you have a family or find good friends, have an adventurous spirit, creative pursuits, or fulfilling hobbies, you can probably successfully navigate the city and its Sundays.

And your expat network can help you. With 45% of its residents not having a Swiss passport, Geneva expats are everywhere. Whatever brought them here, they are usually eager to meet others, and like you, want to cobble together a life in this ol' town.