I just found out that my hubby's company is looking at moving us to Basel on a local contract in the VERY near future. Am still in shock, and am looking for helpful info about what to expect. We have a 9 year old and a baby (22 months) and have no idea what would be a good salary package as the details haven't been presented yet. We don't speak German (yet ), which limits the education options for our older son (or does it?).
Can anyone tell me what the standard monthly expenses are that we are looking at - Rentals, Groceries, Nappies & Formula, Insurances, Healthcare etc. I would prefer to live away from the city centre so that the boys can have more space to play.
Hi there...welcome to the forum. I am also South African, now living in Ch for a bit more than 2 yrs...
You will be pleasantly surprised on how much you will enjoy life here. Also on how you will cope with the language etc. You do not need to worry much, really. Its hard saying the goodbye's in SA, but look forward to a great time in CH.
Kids cope really well, that is the last thing that you need to worry about, they will just put their feet down and carry on as usual. They will learn german before you (most probably), you will make friends quicker than you think in a sandpit, or in the apartment block that you life in. Life with kids for me makes it easier, as kids attract always other kids...and with that you will make friends.
My kids allready speak german (they are under 5 yrs old).
Anyway...PM me if you wish to know more, or have any questions...
The language will not 'limit' your 9 yr old son. I know of many SA's that brought their kids here, and within months they have adjusted to the schools and language. As far as I know, many cantons have in the schools, extra lessons for foreigner's kids (to speak german). teh school's new school year anyway starts here in August (whereas in SA its in january) so, he will start early in the Swiss new schoolyear to learn it and get by ...rather to start in the middle/end of the school year.
Second, make sure you have car or access to friend with car so you can go to Geant in St Louis (just over French border) or even Germany for food and childrens stuff.....
Be aware that it is expensive full stop at Coop Migros etc plus the quality of fruit and veg is both limited and poor.
First thing to do is get a half-price rail pass (indiv adult is 150Sfr/year) then get monthly tram/bus passes.....the trams are quick and spotless.
Space is going to be a HUGE shock.....be prepared for flats and houses to rent at silly prices and rooms to be tiny.
It's the pointless restrictions that will drive you mad.....no child-care, no car washing by hand, you have to book and pay for usage of often poor laundry facilities and when you hand wash you notice nothing is ever white again.
If it's going to be a long term contract ry and do all to avoid....the landlords tend to be 'creative' ours wanted to charge 25Sfr a day for one extra towel (25Sfr a day !!) - am back in States now and have cheerily left Basel.
Bring lots (and I mean as much as possible) with you.....watch out for Aktion items (sale) when you may get something reasonable.......take both laundry and dry cleaning to St Louis if you can.,Swiss cleaners charge silly prices.
Have a nosey around this fabulous site....for hints and tips.
If you need help on Swiss culture, and swiss ways ...see if you can buy this book. It helps a lot to understand the Swiss. As SA's we are very open and its not easy for Sa's to understand the swiss ways...this book explains and make sense...
Well, I know SA prices...and nappies is cheaper in CH than in SA, toys costs the same, groceries in CH more expensive...BUT...most of all...
You can not put a price tag on the Crime! the freedom that you will experience here, is second to none (yeh, I still watch my kids like a hawk...being an old habit in SA).
Space...ja, wel! but you can walk freely in the streets here, go to a park, rid ea bike...all things that is unheard of in SA.
I miss my SA fruit, and my chutney...but in the years...you forget and substitute all these things eventually with something else that you can not be without!
So glad to know, but I have no idea how to talk to you directly... I can calculate complicated formulas and write excel programs, but social internet is a total mystery to me... my hubby thinks it's hilarious!
Okay, so I'll bring you some chutney and biltong spices to say thank you! I have a friend who owns SAPRO (South African Products Overseas), and she can send in whatever I'm missing as long as it's not perishable
My hubby was over there a while ago so he's warned me about the cramped interiors - that's why I'm looking for a spot near parks or trails or something - as you probably know, kids have tons of energy and I intend to ensure that it runs out by 8pm. At least here we have a huge garden with big trees so they get to play, but I am so looking forward to being able to let them ride their bikes without worrying about some idiot racing down the road and flying over the humps, and the best part is that there are no "taxis" there (Those from here will know why this is so exciting). It'll be like moving to the Eastern Transvaal after having lived in Jhb, even though it's a city etc. (A girl can hope...)
So I take it you don't have to worry about the alarm going off at 2am because the cat rubbed up against the switch and then have to sit and wait for the call to tell them that it's a false alarm? Or being shot by the neighbour when you sneak out to the car to take the radio out at 11pm and you push the wrong button on the remote (Ha Ha)
I'll see if I can get the book - it can only help.
You did scare me! Don't you have fittings for washing machines and dishwashers? I do most of my own housework myself, (just don't iron - that's what the laundromat is for) and we wash our own cars at home on weekends, so that's not an issue, but I don't think I could cope without the Washing machine & dishwasher. I know it sounds spoilt, but with two boys to entertain and the amount of laundry they make these are necessities in my life!
I have lived here 20 years after leaving the uk and I have no intention of returning to the uk. Basel is a great place to live but the cost of living is a difficult thing to measure as it really dependson what you need to buy to live. For example, electrical goods are cheaper price here than the uk and of course VAT is only 7% and not 17.5%
Also rents and taxes are lower than in a lot of countries and there are strict controls in terms of the abilities of landlords to increase rents. You don't need to buy. Of course here you get paid in swiss francs and so you don't have to think of comparing prices with other countries but look at the price relative to your salary.
Whenever I go back to the UK I always amazed by the cost of everything.
Also the majority of people I know who lived in Basel miss the place when they leave and sometimes return or regularly visit.