Living in Basel!

Welcome and Introductions
1
Hi Everyone,

We may be moving to Basel in the New Year and I will be visiting in 2 weeks to see Basel for the first time. We will be exploring the city and the surrounding areas and looking at the various types of rental accommodation available.

I had a conversation today with a fellow who has visited Basel over the past few years on business and did not have much good to say about it neither in summer or winter. He said there is a good arts scene and good museums but not alot else that he liked. He felt the people were somewhat unfriendly and that the weather is "grey" a lot of the year.

What can you tell me? I will come to see for myself obviously but what do you think? I will be interested in your comments.

Thanks

2
Grey, my experience of Basel is that it has some of the best weather in the German part of Switzerland and the most days of sunshine. There is a lot to do in the city and i have found the people to be very nice. Good restaurants, nice places to go, i say go and form your own opinions, it is obviously in the eye of the beholder.

3
It depends a lot on your expectations.

I only can say that I love to live in Basel. It might not be perfect, but it's better than many other places.

4
I don't think someone visiting Basel "for business" can give you a great impression of the city (or of any city!). I moved from the US a few months ago and I think Basel is totally fine and is fantastically located in Europe. Like all places it has its good points and bad points. Check it out for yourself and be open minded.

5
Ok, having visited here myself a few summers ago (06) and moved here in 08, I am still "in love" with Basel.

Sure the weather is quite different than I'm used to but today, ooooh today it is glorious. We have "fall" weather already, it is sunshiny and cool, at 20°C. The low last night was about 4°C and that's fairly what we can expect for the next month or so. Fall is a rainy season for many areas - including Florida where I moved from - so to hear of it being cold and gray really wouldn't be a surprise. Today is beautiful (and forecast is for similar through the week).

I would compare being here to be fairly similar to Oregon, climate wise. Sure there are lots of gray days because of how the weather works in "mountainous" areas but the days of sun really can not be beat.

I moved here because my husband is from here, so I have some "local" interaction as well as with some of the expats and "immigrants" (like me) from this forum. Between one and the other, there is plenty of opportunity to be as social as one likes. Bear in mind, "most Swiss" are not generally so "warm and friendly" as in some areas of the US BUT the relationships made tend to be of the lifelong variety.

I *love* the history here. There is a restaurant called Löllekonig (Tongue King literally) which signifies "Grosse Basel" sticking it's tongue out at "Klein Basel" from old times. A lot of the older buildings have the dates of their build written / inscribed on them, on the Grosse Basel side along the river, many are from 1356 and 1357 as there was a great earthquake and fire at the time which destroyed that part of the city and it had to be rebuilt - none of the "homes" in the US are that old, I love it.

Another thing I love about Basel is how easy it is to get around. I didn't even bother to update my license when I arrived (you have one year from date of move to do this easily) because most anything I need is within walking distance and anything I might want is an easy ride on a bus, tram or train. Not having to worry about car payments or auto insurance is soooo lovely.

So, come, look around, see what you think. Even as much as I love it, I still know that it is not for everyone, do have a good look around though while you're here.

6
We've been here a year and like it more and more. You are wise to come and check it out but being happy is very influenced by attitude and if you come here with an open mind....

I would add that those living in the City (Basel Stadt) may have a more cosmopolitan, open minded environment than those living in Basel Land

Best F

7
Well, it depends what this fellow and you have as priorities.

Basel is certainly not a big city and the native language is German - although you will hear a lot of English and French spoken, the official language remains German and if you catch someone on a bad day, they will remind you of this.

That said, as mentioned by FabrizioM, the people in Basel are relatively liberal and open minded compared to much of the rest of CH.

Location wise, it is nice and central to Europe. It is not so central to Switzerland though, and getting to the mountains (if that is of interest to you) takes longer than say Zurich, Zug, Bern or Geneva.

Weather-wise, AFAIK, the weather in Basel is usually sunnier and 1-2° C hotter than the rest of CH due to a ring of mountains/hills that surround Basel and keep the climate fairly warm and stable.

As mentioned, it is not a big city. But culturally, Basel does punch above its weight and has many diverse activities in the arts, with over 30 odd museums within a few hours distance. It has a concert scene with diverse performances, and it on what I term the "international" circuit. What isn't here, will certainly be in Zurich and that is only 50 minutes train ride away - most people take longer to cross cities.

What it doesn't have is lots of the same type of thing. So there won't be 10 theatre different productions/shows, or 10 classical concerts on the same night. Rather you'll have 5 concerts, including a Jazz one, a couple of classical, rock, pop etc.

Access to all areas is great and public transport really top notch, which means you are rarely stranded anywhere if you choose the right place to live (i.e. don't stray too far away from public transport options).

Enjoy your trip and hope you find what you are looking for.

8
where are you from in the Usa anyhow?

if you want Cali weather then forget about it.

Basel has so much to offer. One thing that does make me cringe is when people say Basel isn't a big city ... but in relation to what? London, New York, etc?

Sure in that sense it's tiny but otherwise it's a vibrant city with plenty to offer if one is willing to seek it out.

what are you most concerned about the city not having? or more to the point, what are must haves for you?

9
Basel certainly isn't grey. Perhaps he was thinking of Olten?

10
Thank you to everyone for your responses! Lots of good feedback and overall very encouraging. I realize Basel is not a large centre but like you mentioned Zurich is 50 minutes away and I know how well the trains work in Europe. I have never been in CH but in Austria the trains were always on time and plentiful.

I am happy to know there is plenty of entertainment of the classical variety. I am a classical music lover, opera lover, jazz enthusiast etc. so I think we could be satisfied. I expect that trips to Zurich would be fine to take in larger concerts or opera. I have been to Vienna and gone to the Staatsoper and Volksoper many times and if Zurich is anything like that I will be happy.

I had also heard about being in Basel Stadt as opposed to Basel Land and the friendliness of the people. I speak some French and no German - but happy to learn more of each- I think it is only polite and obviously useful to learn some of the local language to make your own life easier. You always catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, as my mother would tell you!

I have looked extensively on various websites at rental apartments and homes and find some of the apts. to be very "white" and rather clinical. I have also found a few older properties that I find more appealing - albeit expensive too.

Time will tell. Many things to consider before a final decision to make the move from the Mid West US to CH. First things first, we will come for a visit and see for ourselves.

As far as what we may expect or want - some good restaurants, fun bars - we are a gay couple of 27 years together - good music of different types and hopefully to meet other people that enjoy some of the same things.

It will be an adjustment but we presently live in Hong Kong and before that lived in Bangkok so we are pretty good at making adjustments. I just wonder after these cities if we might be bored stiff or love the change.