Relocating to Basle, Switzerland.

[KD0706]

Hi. DH has been offered a job in Basel. (or is it Basle!?)

I currently work very part time but would be a stay at home mum over there at least in the first instance.

We have a 10 month old and a 2y 8 month old.

I'm feeling quite anxious about the whole thing. Where will we stay, what are good areas; what about activities for the children; will I be isolated.

Does anybody have any knowledge or experience of living in this area and could maybe reassure me or provide helpful hints and tips?

Thanks.

[LIZS]

Check out the yahoo group Expat Moms in Switzerland It is run by a friend and has resources and advice from those who have made that move before you and you can ask questions of those already living there who could help with specifics. There may even be a Basel-based group of mums. Great location for over the border shopping !

[beresh]

Hi, I'm in Zurich, don't know much about Basel but friends have found this organisation helpful:
//www.baselchildrenstrust.ch/classes-info-events.html

and this website is good for questions about where to live/schools/what sort of package you'd need to maintain your uk lifestyle in switzerland:

//www.englishforum.ch
Good luck!

[DancesWithSnowmenAndElves]

No way - KDO - I'm in the same boat and have just made this thread and someone sent me here!

We've have decided to go yet though, we are only in the discussion stage and I have bigger DDs - 2,6 and 9!

[KD0706]

Hello dances
We are going to Basel early January to have a nose around.

I will pm you and let you know how we get on.

[DancesWithSnowmenAndElves]

Oh please do - my head is hurting from trying to work around three different countries. The best advice I've had so far is to live in France, shop in Germany and work in Switzerland

[KD0706]

It all seems so complex doesn't it!
Are you in the uk at the moment? We're in Scotland. And up to now its been a case of: job in city x, look for house in city x (or suburbs). None of this different countries, different cantons even! All the differing costs of living, tax rates etc.

My head is buzzing with it all. I'm also a bit scared at the thought of leaving everything I know, including the chance to restart my career. But I'm trying to view it as an adventure...

[natation]

Take a look at where exactly the work is in Basel and what the geography is like, as Germany and France are very very close. work might be a few metres from the French or German border so even more convenient to live there than in Switzerland anyway, it's usually financially better to do so anyway.

As a francophile, it would be France for me, but also school can start at 3 years old in France, in Germany you're less likely I think to get free full time school from that age. Swiss schools have bizarre timetables, start later than in France, plus you have the added complication of Swiss German and German, 2 different languages.

[KD0706]

Thanks natation
I think the work place is quite central Basel. We're staying in a hotel in Basel itself and work is a 500 yard walk from the hotel apparently.

School system is another thing to think of, eldest would have been due to start ante pre school here in August...

[LIZS]

iirc There are several international and bilingual schools and kindergartens in Basel and a couple in towns not far away. The transport system is so reliable that you would n't need to live in Basel itself to have a relatively short commute an you money would go further that way. Often these start much younger (2/3) than state schools. The cut off date for entry in state schools may be as early as end of April to start in August , with first year of kindergarten for those who have turned 4 by then, and they tend to be flexible about holding younger children back a year. Before that age you are usually looking at private daycare or "kinderkrippe" - beware though that standards are much less rigorous than in UK.

[Binfullofgibletsonthe26th]

Hi, I live in Basel. Have been here since 2010. PM me if you have any questions.