F4957X Street of Carouge, Little Italy district in Geneva, Switzerland,

Source: BBC

A haven for expats and loved by locals, Geneva attracts people from around the world for its economic opportunity, lakeside beauty and Mont Blanc views. Home to more international organisations – such as the Red Cross and the United Nations – than any other place in the world, the city has a decidedly global feel. More than 40% of residents are from outside Switzerland, with 187 different countries represented in the mix.

Residents love to visit Lake Geneva in the summertime (Credit: Pierre Jacques/Hemis/Alamy)

Despite the international influences, Geneva still lays claim to its own particular character and history. In the 16th Century, John Calvin, a major Protestant reformer, gave many of his revolutionary sermons here. Geneva-born Henri Dunant, a follower of the Calvinist faith, helped found the Red Cross in Geneva in 1863, and these humanitarian ideas inspired the first Geneva Convention in 1864.

The spirit of Calvin still influences locals, and the tradition of moral discipline and minimalism can sometimes clash with more extravagant expat tastes.

Geneva’s lakeside beauty attracts tourists and new residents (Credit: travelstock44/Alamy)

“Locals are very laid back, but are rather conservative types that find interaction with expats a bit difficult,” said Niyazi Gunay, originally from Turkey, who has lived here for 15 years and works for Your Local Cousin, a start-up that matches travellers with residents.

Cedric Viquerat, a Geneva native who now lives in the US, admitted that the Genevois stay in tight-knit cliques and it can be hard for new residents to break in. Expats, on the other hand, bring an energetic enthusiasm that makes bonding among other foreigners relatively easy.

The city is divided by the Rhone River (Credit: Borges Samuel/Alamy)

Regardless of origin, all residents mingle in summertime as Lake Geneva and its Jet d’Eau ­– the landmark fountain that shoots water 140m in the air – attract crowds to the manmade peninsula known as Les Bains des Paquis.

“You can swim in the lake, dine alfresco and mingle with locals, while absorbing stunning views at the same time,” said Viquerat.

Where do you want to live?
The city, divided by the Rhone River, is split into the Left and Right Banks. The Old Town can be found on the Left Bank, which has plenty of bars and trendy restaurants, and is close to the luxury shops on La Rue Du Rhone, including the famous Swiss watch stores. The Right Bank’s lively Les Paquis neighbourhood, close to the main train station and also home to the red light district, has an always-lively nightlife and is more eclectic than its gentrified surroundings.

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