I’ve been an expat for most of my life. Originally from Japan, I’ve lived in a total of six countries. For the past 15 years, I’ve called Geneva, Switzerland, my home.
When my then-husband and I decided to move here, to his hometown, our first child was just 10 months old. We wanted a change from the hustle and bustle of New York and London, where we’d worked long hours as investment bankers.
Raising a family here has been a tremendous blessing. Now my ex and I co-parent two teenagers. His house is just a five-minute walk from mine. Geneva is different from anywhere else I’ve lived, and I’ve found something that truly works for me.
A look inside our Geneva apartment
One of the first things I noticed about this apartment was its traditional charm and ornately decorated ceilings.
I have a spacious entryway, and two bathrooms located near the foyer. One bathroom has a bathtub, while the other is equipped with a shower and a washer-dryer.
One of our two bathrooms.
Photo: Shizuka McNeill
To the right of the entrance is the kitchen, where we spend most of our time. My daughter is a passionate baker and my son is an eager taste-tester. The walls are adorned with their childhood artwork.
The kitchen is a hub of activity for me and my two kids.
Photo: Shizuka McNeill
Homes in Europe typically don’t have as much storage space as ones in the U.S. We don’t have any built-in wardrobes, so we’ve improvised with closets in the entrance and drawers in the kids’ rooms.
We have three bedrooms. Mine also functions as my home office. My company AVoyage helps women advocate for themselves financially: I launched it in 2022 after consulting for a number of years.
A calming space for both work and rest.
Photo: Shizuka McNeill
There are some great views from the apartment, including St. Pierre Cathedral and the region’s oldest public high school, where my son currently goes. You can get a glimpse of Jet d’Eau, the grand water fountain in Lake Geneva.
The cost of living in Geneva
Our lease is open-ended, and any rent increases are linked to an index based on inflation. We haven’t experienced a rent hike in the past 15 years, primarily because there hasn’t been significant inflation here.
When we first signed the lease, the security deposit was set at three months’ worth of rent. My monthly expenses include $6,970 for rent, $384 for parking, $1,452 for health insurance, $578 for heat and $266 for internet and phone.
A cozy nook for watching TV and just relaxing.
Photo: Shizuka McNeill
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