I have just moved to Binningen (BL) a few days ago from Edinburgh and wanted to say hello. I have been lurking/soaking up all the useful info on the site for the past couple of weeks in preparation for the move - so thank you to everyone who has taken the time to share their experiences and advice.
I moved to Switzerland to finally live together with my long-term and previously long-distant Swiss partner - and to start a new job (which begins tomorrow..). I am looking forward to settling into life here in Switzerland and hopefully meeting up with a few of you at one of the future events/drinking sessions in Basel.
Hi Craig, and welcome to Binningen. I'm a Binningen resident, as are a few other regulars. I'll keep an eye out for someone called Craig turning up in my office today.
Welcome to CH! I also just moved to Binningen 2 days ago (have been in Zürich for the last year but orignally from Australia). But I was just wondering if you've gone to register yet, and if so, where did you go?? I can't find any info on this, except for one website which is in German so is not so helpful for me.
Thanks
PS - I hope your neighbours were more welcoming than mine
You need to go to the Gemeindeverwaltung on Curt Goetz-Strasse 1 (Heading toward town down the high street, turn right just after the Höhlegasse tram stop).
Opening times are:
Mo: 08.00 – 11.30 und 14.00 – 17.00 Uhr
Di, Mi, Fr: 09.30 – 11.30 und 14.00 – 16.00 Uhr
Do: 09.30 – 11.30 und 13.30 – 18.00 Uhr
When we registered, they gave us a 6 trip tram ticket as a welcome gift. We were also invited to a welcome Apéro, and got some free tickets to the swimming pool there. I don't know if they still do this.
If you can take someone with you who speaks German, it'll be easier, but generally we've found the people friendly and helpful.
(With all these people moving into Binningen, Bottmingen, Therwil, maybe we should start the LeimenthalEnglishForum).
I naively arrived just before Easter and thought I could register on the Thursday (21st) not realising it was also closed that day for an extended Easter holiday. However, you are able to call up and arrange a (free) out of normal working hours appointment - if you cant make it along during their normal hours. I registered at 8.15am last Tuesday, and the lady there was very friendly. I spoke German, but the lady there seemed to understand English really well (she asked some questions in English). It would though help if you knew someone German speaking.
I presume having living in Zurich you are all too familiar with what documentation you need - but if not give me a shout.
As a welcome gift, you now get two all-day tram tickets and an information pack, including map. I didnt see any free swimming tickets though!
Our neighbours here have been incredibly friendly too - I have met pretty much all of them, which i never did in Scotland. On my first night here we sat outside in the communal garden and drank wine and chatted. Sorry to here you had a different experience.
Anyway let me know if I can be of any further help
Thanks very much for your help! Craig, what a nice intro from your neighbours!! Unfortunately my direct neighbour was not too pleased that another person was moving into our apartment block (although this is generally what happens in apartment blocks, isn't it?!) and she made it very clear to me what her thoughts were. Hopefully she was just having a bad day and will be nicer in future. Otherwise, I might have to come over to your block and pretend that I live there
maybe your neighbour had had bad experiences with the previous tenants of your apartment - but her attitude does seem far from neighbourly. I would try just smiling and being polite when you see her and hopefully she will come round. Let me know how you are settling into life in Binningen.
notallthere,
our outdoor conversation did of course cease well before the 10pm curfew. I didnt want to be arrested on my first night.