Swiss expats - Considering moving to Basel

[brennannbooth]

Hello, anyone in Basel (Basle?)? What's it like? I might move there for work - DH would be SAHD and we have 2 DC under 4, would this be a really unusual arrangement in Switzerland or not so odd for expats? I only speak English fluently and some French but DH speaks excellent German and French and already likes Switzerland from childhood holidays but the expat SAHD life would be a bit different, I imagine!

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

We are in central Switzerland so can't answer Basel specific questions. For your dh I suppose it depends on whether your dc go to a local or an International school. His status as a SAHD would be unusual at Int'l school but I think rather peculiar at a local school.

[brennannbooth]

Thanks Kreecher - the SAHD thing might put us off the move as it's no good moving if someone in the family is going to be lonely.

[kreecherlivesupstairs]

No reason for him to be lonely IMO. Try looking on englishforum.ch to get an idea of how SAHD's would be viewed in Basel. The advantage of living up that end of the country is your proximity to France and Germany for cross border shopping. The cost of living in this country is bonkers.

[skihorse]

I'm overseas and have (will have come Nov!) a SAHD partner. It's not particularly unusual in expat circles (in my experience). In fact, for example in Belgium there is a trailing spouse group for men - the name evades me, but they meet up for everything from golf to political debates.

Basel is lovely from my recollection and the fact that your husband is (at least) trilingual will benefit him greatly because he'll not feel as isolated. My boyfriend did find it hard at first being only English-speaking but now he's picked up a bit of Dutch he's doing much better. I don't think he'd be lonely at all because he can get involved - i.e., the language will not be a barrier. If he belongs to a football club in the UK there's absolutely no reason why he can't join one in Basel - and for the love of God stay away from the vile expat ghettos - they're populated by the most negative people on earth!

As for him being treated "strangely" because he's a SAHD - from what I can see on the dadsnet portion of this forum - that's not solely an expat thing - there are plenty of (mostly women) who see this as a strange thing. My boyfriend however feels extremely privileged to be allowed this opportunity.

[MmeLindt]

Hello,

I am in Geneva so only know a bit about Basel, been there for a day and liked it though.

There are a couple of SAHDs here in our (local) school, they seem to get on fine.

Since your DH already speaks German and French, he should be able to make contact with others. Although the Swiss German dialect is horribly difficult to understand, even for a fluent German speaker.

Life with DC is fab in Switzerland, there is a to do here. Childcare before they go to school is very expensive though.

Pre-school starts at 4yo.

[brennannbooth]

Thanks all

Well, we have agreed we will consider it so will wait to hear about whether job is likely to want me anyway!

DH does like football and enjoys the gym, too, so there are 2 entry points for him there I suppose.

I thought some kindergarten started from 2 yo? If we go, DS would be 4 and DD would be 1.

We are already used to expensive childcare in London, it's about £1000 a month for a child under 2 full-time but if we move DC would mostly be DH's care with some nursery sessions to give him a break, maybe 3 mornings or afternoons a week for DD.

[myrubicon]

Brennannbooth... I live in Basel, and have recently resigned to become a SAHD. (I asked for opinions here)

We did the whole nanny thing while in the UK and tried to do the same over here. Unfortunately we ended up feeling it better that either DW or I stop working because we were unhappy with the available childcare.

To try and answer your questions:

What's it like?: Fantastic, in many ways. There are cultural norms over here that take some getting used to, but nothing too challenging. Basel is definitely one of the more child friendly cities, the cultural life is very active, the ex-pat community is large and welcoming.

Unusual? No. Being a SAHD over here is not that ususual, and there's a Basel SAHD group. I'll be tracking that down when I finish working. There are ex-pat curry nights organised through www.englishforum.ch, and several other opportunities to make friends both as a couple and as a stay at home parent.

Are you thinking of living in town or a little further out?

Oh, and this is a question you'll probably be asked by everyone if you come to Basel: "Hi! Are you with Roche or Novartis?"

[kodokan]

Not Basel here either, I live near Lausanne, but the SAHD is not unknown here either.

What's certainly very common is that many dads sometimes pick the kids up (which almost never happened at my son's schools in the UK), and that it's almost obligatory for dads to come along to Parents' Evenings, even to the point of arranging them round husbands' business travel.

There seems a better balance here, rather than the simplistic 'that parent does work, whilst that parent does all the child-related stuff' which is prevalent in the UK.

[brennannbooth]

Thanks folks

[fireupthequattro]

Brennannbooth it's like reading about myself - we are in the same predicament - I have amazing job offer, husband may be SAHD.

DH is fluent German but high German and not Swiss.

I'd like to get in touch with some "career mums" too, as it will be a life change for us, and all the responsibility on my shoulders again. Eeeek!

[brennannbooth]

Congratulations fireupthequattro! I have just accepted a job in London now but would still consider Switzerland in the future, it seems a really attractive place for children to grow up.