opinions on where to rent in europe
Oct 31st, 2004, 11:04 AM
#1
Guest
Posts: n/a
opinions on where to rent in europe
If I were to rent a place in europe ...I would like to be centrally located for sightseeing options...where would you live ? I am leaning towards Geneva area close to all four of my favorite countries....I assume it is rather expensive however..? I know some of you are doing or have done that.....
Oct 31st, 2004, 12:37 PM
#4
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,749
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Geneva might be very central and convenient, but frankly one of the dullest choices imagineable in my opinion.
How about Lyon? Or Munich? Or Paris? Or Barcelona? I guess much depends on which are your favorite places to go from there.
While Tuscany is great, it is hardly the most central for traveling from -- at least if you want to be able to fly or take trains a lot.
How about Lyon? Or Munich? Or Paris? Or Barcelona? I guess much depends on which are your favorite places to go from there.
While Tuscany is great, it is hardly the most central for traveling from -- at least if you want to be able to fly or take trains a lot.
Oct 31st, 2004, 02:05 PM
#5
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As you might expect I can see great advantages in renting in southern Germany.
A quick look at the atlas shows the whole area to be criss-crossed by autobahns taking you in every direction.
To me it would make sense to be in a town which is close to the junction of a north-south highway and an east-west one, giving quick access to five other countries.
As an example only (NOT a recommendation, although it appears to be a picturesque little place) I checked out rental prices in Memmingen which is a smallish town in just such a position.
For around 600 euros a month plus utilities you can get a very comfortable, newly-built unfurnished 2-bedroom apartment with two WC's.
This same place in a large city like Munich might well cost 800E or more, so not only do you save money but you have what is to me a far more atractive lifestyle, where you quickly get integrated into the life of the town.
From here you are in Switzerland or Austria in an hour, in France or Czech Republic in two and a half, in Italy in two, in Slovenia in three and a half. Even Holland and Belgium are no more than three hours away if the traffic on the autobahn behaves itself.
Sounds good to me, so why am I not doing this myself?
Harzer
A quick look at the atlas shows the whole area to be criss-crossed by autobahns taking you in every direction.
To me it would make sense to be in a town which is close to the junction of a north-south highway and an east-west one, giving quick access to five other countries.
As an example only (NOT a recommendation, although it appears to be a picturesque little place) I checked out rental prices in Memmingen which is a smallish town in just such a position.
For around 600 euros a month plus utilities you can get a very comfortable, newly-built unfurnished 2-bedroom apartment with two WC's.
This same place in a large city like Munich might well cost 800E or more, so not only do you save money but you have what is to me a far more atractive lifestyle, where you quickly get integrated into the life of the town.
From here you are in Switzerland or Austria in an hour, in France or Czech Republic in two and a half, in Italy in two, in Slovenia in three and a half. Even Holland and Belgium are no more than three hours away if the traffic on the autobahn behaves itself.
Sounds good to me, so why am I not doing this myself?
Harzer
Oct 31st, 2004, 02:18 PM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I'm not quite sure that I understand your question - rent for how long? Furnished or unfurnished? Will you be taking multiday trips or just day excursions?
Anyway, IMHO Geneva is indeed the best located city in Europe, even more so since EasyJet made it one of their bases. By car or train, you can reach the Alps in no time and the Lake Geneva area is stunning to begin with, not to forget the Annecy area very nearby as well. By train, you can reach Paris, Milan, the Provence and the rest of Switzerland within 4 hours or less and as mentioned, EasyJet can fly you to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, London, Paris, Nice and Rome at very cheap prices.
And I disagree with Patrick about it being so dull - it has a very active music scene (especially classical/opera, but also jazz/rock), good to very good museums and excellent restaurants and shopping, as well as decent clubs/bars especially considering its small size of about half a million inhabitants - and that's for the whole urban area!
That said, I grew up in Geneva, so maybe I'm a little biased ;-)
Anyway, IMHO Geneva is indeed the best located city in Europe, even more so since EasyJet made it one of their bases. By car or train, you can reach the Alps in no time and the Lake Geneva area is stunning to begin with, not to forget the Annecy area very nearby as well. By train, you can reach Paris, Milan, the Provence and the rest of Switzerland within 4 hours or less and as mentioned, EasyJet can fly you to Amsterdam, Barcelona, Berlin, Budapest, London, Paris, Nice and Rome at very cheap prices.
And I disagree with Patrick about it being so dull - it has a very active music scene (especially classical/opera, but also jazz/rock), good to very good museums and excellent restaurants and shopping, as well as decent clubs/bars especially considering its small size of about half a million inhabitants - and that's for the whole urban area!
That said, I grew up in Geneva, so maybe I'm a little biased ;-)
Oct 31st, 2004, 03:31 PM
#7
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I agree with Patrick,
Geneva is [yawn]. If you want to rent and I'm not sure how long you have but if two weeks its really best to pick two locations. Good luck with it if you want a better breakdown or possible suggested rental area help let us know.
Geneva is [yawn]. If you want to rent and I'm not sure how long you have but if two weeks its really best to pick two locations. Good luck with it if you want a better breakdown or possible suggested rental area help let us know.
Oct 31st, 2004, 03:41 PM
#8
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I must be missing something, but
1. What places would you like to see? Geneva is NOT centrally located if, for example, you were interested in seeing northern Germany, Paris, or conversely, southern Italy.
2. What's your budget, how long do you plan to be gone?
3. What are you priorities for a place to live? In other words, are you most interested in a cost effective, central base to use as a jumping off point for your travels or would you also like to be based in a city/town/village where you would like to spend some significant time as well.
If you could give us some more clues about what you'd like to do with your time (however long that is), you'd get some more helpful suggestions.
If you want to be based in Switzerland, then I would also suggest you check into Basel and look at the www.apartmenthaus.com web site. Basel is well located for exploring France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, with excellent train connections. Basel has a lot more going for it than many people realize. It's also cheaper than Geneva.
1. What places would you like to see? Geneva is NOT centrally located if, for example, you were interested in seeing northern Germany, Paris, or conversely, southern Italy.
2. What's your budget, how long do you plan to be gone?
3. What are you priorities for a place to live? In other words, are you most interested in a cost effective, central base to use as a jumping off point for your travels or would you also like to be based in a city/town/village where you would like to spend some significant time as well.
If you could give us some more clues about what you'd like to do with your time (however long that is), you'd get some more helpful suggestions.
If you want to be based in Switzerland, then I would also suggest you check into Basel and look at the www.apartmenthaus.com web site. Basel is well located for exploring France, Germany, Switzerland and Italy, with excellent train connections. Basel has a lot more going for it than many people realize. It's also cheaper than Geneva.
Oct 31st, 2004, 03:48 PM
#9
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Btilke,
With all due respect, I serously doubt anyone intends to base in Geneva to reach areas such as No. Germany or So. Italy. I think the question was more geared towards sightingseeing vs. living though I could be wrong. Basel would be an ok location but not the greatest, not sure thats better than Geneva....depends on what you what to see. Original poster needs to be more detailed.
With all due respect, I serously doubt anyone intends to base in Geneva to reach areas such as No. Germany or So. Italy. I think the question was more geared towards sightingseeing vs. living though I could be wrong. Basel would be an ok location but not the greatest, not sure thats better than Geneva....depends on what you what to see. Original poster needs to be more detailed.
Oct 31st, 2004, 04:45 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,642
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, I live in Brussels and it's worked for me as a base to explore as far east as Vienna, as far south as central Italy and the French Riviera and as far north as Copenhagen. Euroenvy says Geneva is close to her four favorite countries...but WHERE in those four countries he/she wants to explore isn't noted.
Having also lived in Basel for a while, I think it makes a great base and the old town is a real delight.
I agree that the OP needs to be a lot more detailed, which is why I listed several questions in my post above.
Having also lived in Basel for a while, I think it makes a great base and the old town is a real delight.
I agree that the OP needs to be a lot more detailed, which is why I listed several questions in my post above.
Oct 31st, 2004, 05:13 PM
#11
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
BT,
We agree the orginal poster certainly needs to elaborate on trip plans...particularly if just visiting for two weeks or planning to move there! Huge difference! If just a two week visit, ok trips to Jungfrau, Chamonix, areas around Lake Geneva, etc. If going to live for one year then yea Vienna, Paris, French Riv, Rome, etc..
We agree the orginal poster certainly needs to elaborate on trip plans...particularly if just visiting for two weeks or planning to move there! Huge difference! If just a two week visit, ok trips to Jungfrau, Chamonix, areas around Lake Geneva, etc. If going to live for one year then yea Vienna, Paris, French Riv, Rome, etc..
Nov 2nd, 2004, 05:31 PM
#12
Guest
Posts: n/a
sorry to wait so long to clarify ----I would like to stay two- three months in a furnished apartment..If I were to stay less I would move around...I would want to go as far south as venice/ florence and as far east as vienna and probably staying over a night here or there. as far as north I think as Paris. I dont want to stay in the big city per se but within an half hour of say Munich,Geneva,Berne,Innsbruck in a town or village. DO NOT like Basel or Brussels( just IMO) I would have a car and unfortuately yes budget is a factor...Love the atmosphere of say the Jungfrau...want to visit provence..the four countries that border switzerland I thought were france, italy,austria and Germany? anyway As to " are you most interested in a cost effective, central base to use as a jumping off point for your travels or would you also like to be based in a city/town/village where you would like to spend some significant time as well." the answer would be yes both..the thing is I did the three week trips and it was too much moving around and I would like the local storekeeper to recognize me but like lots of things to do and see.... the problem is weve never been to Gene
'
'
Nov 3rd, 2004, 07:11 AM
#14
Join Date: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,630
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
IF I were given this largess by the cosmos.. I would be in Paris...smack dab in Paris for 2 months...
If longer by the powers that be.. .London. Because I have to assume that the Power would also empower my pocketbook a wee-bit and I could afford it!
MK? Want a roomie?
If longer by the powers that be.. .London. Because I have to assume that the Power would also empower my pocketbook a wee-bit and I could afford it!
MK? Want a roomie?
Nov 3rd, 2004, 07:32 PM
#15
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 932
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Euroenvy,
You say you don't want to stay in a large city but Geneva is....I don't quite understand other than perhaps you aren't aware you can rent within perhaps the Lake Geneva area (but small town) or perhaps elsewhere within your radius of what you'd like to see. Let me know, I'm a heavy renter in Europe when I go, I know most of the rental companies.
You say you don't want to stay in a large city but Geneva is....I don't quite understand other than perhaps you aren't aware you can rent within perhaps the Lake Geneva area (but small town) or perhaps elsewhere within your radius of what you'd like to see. Let me know, I'm a heavy renter in Europe when I go, I know most of the rental companies.
Nov 3rd, 2004, 11:07 PM
#16
Join Date: Jul 2003
Posts: 703
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well, thank you for that Euroenvy.
If you want help finding a place get back to me at
<[email protected]>
If you want help finding a place get back to me at
<[email protected]>
Nov 4th, 2004, 01:46 AM
#17
Join Date: Jul 2004
Posts: 6,282
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I understood it is quite difficult to get permission to live in Switzerland. My husband worked there some years ago but wasn't allowed actually to live there : he had to live in Germany and commute each day.
Nov 7th, 2004, 06:14 PM
#18
Guest
Posts: n/a
really? ... we had discussed someday retiring and moving to switzerland for a time (have relatives in Germany and italy and france...we thought we would try renting for a season and see how it goes..it seems like there is a lot more diversity with all three cultures blending.I guess the black forest would be an option too.....
Nov 8th, 2004, 12:14 AM
#19
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,552
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
euroenvy,
NO PROBLEM getting a permit to live in Switzerland if you're retired and can demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to live off of!Also, if you just intend to spend about 6 months in Switzerland without working there, no problem.
It's difficult to get a WORK permit in Switzerland though, unless you're a Swiss or EU citizen. It's no easier to do so in an EU country though.
Caroline_Edingurgh's husband, if he is a UK citizen, would have no difficulties getting a Swiss work permit today - recent agreements between Switzerland and the EU have made things very easy.
Hope this helps,
Andre
NO PROBLEM getting a permit to live in Switzerland if you're retired and can demonstrate that you have sufficient resources to live off of!Also, if you just intend to spend about 6 months in Switzerland without working there, no problem.
It's difficult to get a WORK permit in Switzerland though, unless you're a Swiss or EU citizen. It's no easier to do so in an EU country though.
Caroline_Edingurgh's husband, if he is a UK citizen, would have no difficulties getting a Swiss work permit today - recent agreements between Switzerland and the EU have made things very easy.
Hope this helps,
Andre
