Hi All,
I'm so glad I have found this site, my husband is currently discussing an opportunity to transfer to Switzerland for a couple of years and I thought I better do some research. What I have discovered so far, and please correct me if I am wrong, is the following;
1. Shops are not open on Sundays - better bring my hiking shoes
2. People bump into you in the streets - better bring my dog! Did anyone bring their family pets with them?
3. Smoking, fresh air not so fresh!
4. Allocated Washing day's - pray tell, is this just a Unit thing?
5. Lots of cheeses and meats?
6. Better start my German lessons now.

I lived in London for 3 years before I met my husband, and this lovely man has pretty much moved me around the world, we had a year in Salt Lake City, Utah - please don't ask! That place is the pits! (other than the moutains, powder powder!!!).
And we have lived in Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth. But home to me is Freshwater Beach on the Northern Beaches of Sydney Ahhhh! What a place. I am more than happy to travel the world and live abroad, knowing that I can always come home (click the heels and I'm back in Oz).

Any interesting tit-bits you can pass on would be most appreciated. We are looking at moving to Basel in 2009.

The best replys win Chicken/Cheese Twisties and Violet Crumble bars hand delivered in 2009.

Cheers
Sam

1. Shops are not open on Sundays - better bring my hiking shoes

Our local bakery is open Sunday mornings, and some of the smaller (tiny) supermarkets in the (Basel) city centre and train station are open. But as far as recreational shopping goes, Sunday is out. Paris is only 5 hours away by TGV though, is it open on Sunday? I can't remember.

2. People bump into you in the streets - better bring my dog! Did anyone bring their family pets with them?

It's fairly easy to bring a dog to CH from Australia (I realise you're not there now), but going back to Australia involves 3 months of quarantine. This might be a bit upsetting for your pooch. Although the q. station is near Syndey, so you could at least visit your dog.

3. Smoking, fresh air not so fresh!

Only in places that serve food Outside, it's better than walking through Pitt St Mall at lunchtime. If you can't handle smokey restaurants, learn to go out for dinner at 6pm. We did.

4. Allocated Washing day's - pray tell, is this just a Unit thing?

Yep.

5. Lots of cheeses and meats?

Only if you want them. With France, Germany and Italy right next door, if you can't find something nice to eat, you're not trying. Switzerland has some of the most beautiful fresh breads too.

6. Better start my German lessons now.

Yeah, except they don't speak German. You can get Pimsleur's "Learn Swiss German" audio lessons. Or (what we did) learn some German, and just muddle our way through.


cheers,
(Mr)Wibble.


PS> chicken twisties. Except no substitute.

Chicken Twisties rule!!!! Thanks for the info, I'm looking forward to the day/ weekend trips to other countries. Something I miss when in OZ.
I checked out quarantine, and as long as I get the timing right, the pouch only needs 30days quarantine. Billy, (the dog) is well travelled, he's already gone through quarantine before.
Swiss German ha! I better start the audio tapes......

Just to confuse the issue, these were purchased in Rome in 2005. Taste like cheese Twisties, but named after my favourite late 70's Australian junk snack!

I've found a lot of the quirky rules around apartment living are not actually enforced and depend strongly on where you live. In my apartment I take showers at any time I like and the laundry is unregulated and almost always free for me to do my washing.

Mark
(From Coogee. I too miss the beaches.)

Hmmm, I was sure it was longer than that, maybe it's recently been changed. Our hund is having a very long holiday at her grandmothers. The 4yo misses her terribly, well, did at first.

cheers,
(Mr)Wibble

Your dog will love it here! The Swiss seem to take their dogs everywhere!

Hello and welcome to EF. You will miss the beaches but you will love Basel. Lots of English speakers and nice friendly faces. Hope your move goes well. I have met quite a few Aussies here as well. Cheers!

As far as I know, the animal quarantine rules for getting into Europe are not as strict as getting back into Australia.

Basel is a top spot. The city itself is great, plus you've also got the Black Forest (Germany) and the Alsace (France) within easy reach.

How true that is. I'll be back home (Newcastle) for a quick visit in a month or so. While it will be winter, it will still be great to see the beaches again, provided nobody drops a coal freighter on one of them again.

If you go ahead with it, good luck with the move.