What is it like to live in Basel?

Basel, Switzerland is located on the Rhine river, where the French, German and Swiss borders meet. It's a small city and easy to navigate, with a multicultural population and a large expat community. The language spoken in Basel is Swiss German, but you can get around in English with most people and a little bit of practice with your hand gestures!

I love the nightlife in Basel. It's a university town, and has that kind of hum and energy to it, but it lacks the large dance clubs that you find in bigger cities. There is a plethora of cocktail bars, pubs and good restaurants across the city. Prices are reasonable for Switzerland (but probably pretty high if you're visiting from out of the country). Current movies are easy to find in English, and there are lots of theaters that are not too crowded. You can also find films dubbed into German, if you prefer. There are also bars and alternative cinemas that show more 'brainstream' kind of movies, often independent films that you'd not see in popular cinemas.

If you like classical music, the Basel Symphony and Basel Chamber have regular concerts and the music school hosts recitals visiting musicians and students. Sometimes you can find special performances in bars and clubs of opera singer or jazz musicians, who are incredibly gifted.

I generally feel very safe in Basel. It does have its share of petty crimes, purse and moblie phone thefts from bars and restaurants, stolen bikes and vandalism, but I can honestly say, I walk down the street at night with very little fear of being mugged, shot, or bothered in general. Of course, it’s important to be aware of your surroundings and stay away from the shadier parts of town, but I think that is true of every city.

If you're an expat in Basel, it will take some getting used to. There is a very precise way of doing things in Basel, and straying from these rules often results in fines (for disobeying bicycle laws, putting out garbage incorrectly, etc). You can learn these things by trial and error over a few months, but it's probably easier for you to read about these things first. There is a blog for Basel expats, to show you the ropes of your new city, and let you know the things you need to be doing over the first few weeks in the city.  It covers finding a flat, getting health insurance, riding the trams, shopping for furniture and electronics... Have a look and see if its helpful: www.lifeinbasel.com.

I hope you like Basel as much as I do, and enjoy your time in the city!