I am sorry what total rubbish. It is very simple to find excellent beers in Basel. I was at the Basel Biermarkt last weekend and drank a wonderful selection of beers from local microbreweries. It is also easy to get the excellent Unser and Ueli beers all over Basel.
I don't really care about sports but we also have Fasnacht, Herbstmesse, internationally recognised exhibitions such as Basel World and Art Basel.
i hate travelling through Zurich airport and avoid whenever possible. I love being able to get home so quickly after I arrive back in Basel. I love being able to leave later and get to the airport. The bus works really well and though a train might more convenient it is unlikely to much faster or more convenient.
I love living Basel and I am proud to be called a Baseller. The only thing it is missing is the sea and then it would be perfect. I have traveled to over 41 countries and I always love it when I come back to Basel. I am so happy to call Basel home.
I love being able to hop over the border to Germany and snow looks great on postcards. It is also usually a few degrees warmer in Basel than Zurich.
Sorry I cannot think of a single reason to live in Zurich. It is ok to visit and great to leave. See some friends and then head home.
Before emigrating I lived in the UK and there is so much more to do it here than there was in the UK and what is even better is you don't need a car.
There is zero reason for me to live in Zurich apart from cutting my commuting time.
Zurich has much better public transport than Basel.
Much better restaurants, bars, and beers (Basel isn't terrible regarding beers, but much better choice in Zurich)
Zurich being the centre of public transport in Switzerland, it's easy to get anywhere. Not so much from Basel (You can't get North to Germany right now, because the Germans broke their rail line for several months..)
If you don't care about sports or being sportive, then maybe it's not a negative point for Basel. If you care, it's clearly a point of Zurich.
Given better public transport system, Zurich is much better to commute.
Also, cars in Basel are even more harassed than in Zurich. Another point for Zurich.
Also, the "Fasnacht" is about the worst thing human beings could think themselves of. Sechsilüüte eats that crap for breakfast.
If you want Switzerland, pick Zürich.
If you want wanna-be Germany, Basel is still crap, but your choice
While I clearly see the differences, please do not start a flame between Basel-ers vs Zurich-ers, that's not my intention.
Few comments here and there:
- I don't like beer, therefore no point discussing quality of beers.
- While I understand many do it, I don't see a point living in one place and working in another, spending 1h30m+ every single day staring at a window in a crowded train with poor connection so you can't even make calls/conferences/be productive. Been there, done that. Sorry.
- job will be in consulting, and home offices will be in city centers, but then travel to client sites will occur, and those are outside city centers more often then not. AFAIK in Basel clients are more locally located, in Zurich they can be more randomly located.
What about the economical aspects? Does the higher cost of life in Zurich compensate the lower taxation rate?
I lived near and worked in Zurich for 8 years, and in Basel for 8. Basel is a bore and this is my personal opinion that doesn't needs groaning (yes that is directed at BaselLife). Fasnacht can hardly be the only selling point - and certainly isn't for me as I find it dreadful. Basel has things to offer but very little of what OP is interested in. Zurich isn't exactly London or NYC either, but it has at least the hint of a cosmopolitan feel and the by far better nightlife.
One upside for Basel: people are somewhat friendlier. It also has a lively enough expat community as well. But you have that in Zurich too. Outside the expat community, all you find is people that already grew up in the area whereas Zurich is more of a melting pot of Swiss from various places, "foreigners" and expats.
In terms of money it makes no difference. Rents in Zurich are higher, though thos in Basel are not far behind anymore. Taxes and insurance are both more expensive in Basel. So it all balances out.
The airport in Basel and its connection are overrated. Your main option is Easyjet and that's often not cheaper anymore than regular airlines. Out of Zurich you can literally fly everywhere you want and the airport is decent and can be reached in a mere 10mins from central Zurich.
I still live in Basel simply because my job is there and I don't want to commute. But if I had a choice, there's no way I'd continue to live there. It's probably great for families, but as a single or at least childless 30-something? Nope.
Living and working in Zuriwest I don't find that at all, yes you would nearer the lake.
And the airports - I fly at least once a month from ZH and for me I can't imagine a better airport in the world. It is small, has great public transport and flights to almost anywhere. I fly once a year I guess from Basel if ZH doesn't have a direct connection and I hate it, it's like a grotty bus station although if you're lucky enough to have your flight delayed by 6 hours on your birthday while all your mates around the world are waiting for you in a bar you might be lucky and see the Super Constellation take off.
This thread reminds me of why I normally strip-out thanks and groans when viewing EF.
How did a non-controversial thread about the slight differences between two cities (quite honestly, to most people in the world, they're exactly the same ) turn into a serial groan-fest and strict separation of the playground into Crips and Bloods?
That single sports team does bring more away fans to both Zurich footy teams than home fans show up though! They are highly, fanatically, supported. There is also the Basel Tennis comp which is pretty big, and as Basel is home to Federer he almost always plays in it (granted in does live round lake Zurich now).
Zurich has a couple of low rate football teams and an ice hockey team (2 if you count Kloten). But Man Unt arent playing in Zurich, they're playing in Basel, and not for the first time!
I cant believe there is a discussion about public transport and who has the better.
Switzerland has amazing public transport and I see no difference between Basel or Zurich and certainly not so noticeable I would raise it as a point.
Both cities tram and bus network is incredible, there is no difference in quality. It is true however that often biking is quicker and both cities driving is pretty much a no go, its just not worth the hassle.
Basel is somewhat smaller than Zurich and can get a little bit dull but its really up to you to make friends and create your own activities. For me, the best thing about Basel is the proximity to France and Germany - especially if you plan to get a car. Food in Switzerland is generally awful, and improves significantly once you cross any of its borders (of course most when you cross the Italian one!). Within about an hour's drive you have the Alsace Vineyeards, the Black Forest, lakes in Germany / Switzerland, etc. Air connectivity to the rest of Europe out of Basel Airport is also fantastic, including to Rome. The airport is also much quicker to get through than Zurich's. Also good is train connectivity - you can get to Burgundy in an 1.5hrs, Paris in 3, etc.
If you're into going out lots, Zurich is probably better, but just wanted to share that Basel is not quite as bad as what others have made it out to be.
honestly both are great cities and both are places which are easy to live. In end for your original question go closest to place you work but to be honest if you lived in either city you would be happy.
Basel is a great to place to live, has a great airport - one of my favourites along with London City, an excellent public transport and a railway station from which you travel across Europe. As an extra bonus it has borders with Germany and France. All through the year there are things going on.
I really don't understand the negativism towards Basel. In 28 years I have never felt bored or ever missed the UK.