I'm living in Baselland for a while now and I recently received a fantastic job offer to work in Zürich. The company offers me the GA paid but the trip would involve three hours a day (both ways) and I'm having my doubts on whether to stay in Basel or to move to Zürich.

The problem is that my husband works in Basel and if we move he would have to be the one traveling to Basel every day. I've been checking tax rates etc and it seems that living in Zürich would actually be cheaper than living in Basel. Any thoughts??? I really need some neutral advice. Thanks!

True, but the prizes of the flats are much more expensive insted and I've heard it is not very easy to get a flat in the first place...

Is it a spot the ball competition?

How about moving to Aargau? somewhere inbetween...?

Same as the above suggestion. Move to somewhere in between say Aargau. You will spend less on rent plus both of you will have reasonable commutes.

If you had to choose between Basel and Zurich only, I'd say Basel, because its a small city and ease of living is higher than Zurich.

Check if you can get your company to accredit the time you spend commuting (only on train) as counting towards actual work hours. A few colleagues do the same in my company and they travel from Zurich everyday.

We are in the same situation, with my wife commuting to Zurich each day.
Zurich might seem lower in taxes, but housing is really expensive.

Living in-between (Araau/ Baden) could be a good idea depending on how integrated you are in terms of language etc

But overall given 1 person would have to commute, and if your place of work in Zurich is downtom (walkable from Station) total commute from Basel to Zurich works out less than the other way around. (1.5 hrs one way door to door)

That's a good idea. I'll check with the company whether this is a possibility.

[quote=kvrbpl;632455]We are in the same situation, with my wife commuting to Zurich each day.
Zurich might seem lower in taxes, but housing is really expensive.

Living in-between (Araau/ Baden) could be a good idea depending on how integrated you are in terms of language etc

But overall given 1 person would have to commute, and if your place of work in Zurich is downtom (walkable from Station) total commute from Basel to Zurich works out less than the other way around. (1.5 hrs one way door to door)[The problem is that this company is located in Oerlikon and from the train station to the company takes about another 15 minutes by walk.]

I am sorry, but has any of those who suggested moving to Aargau ever commuted to Basel or Zurich from there?

I have been commuting from Zurich to Bern for two years. Similar time as your case. Was not fun, but worth for the right job. After two years I am happy that it is over now, but within two years you will know if the job is worth a move.

Do not go into the countryside, but stay as close to a main station as possible: You really really want to use the non-stop IC trains which take an hour from BS to ZH. If you move into the middle, both of you will spend the same time on some slow train...

My recommendation: Get a data card for your laptop and use at least the IC time to get some work done. Worked surprisingly well for me.

Very good recommendations thanks!

Should you decide to move to Zurich look for a flat near HB or in Zurich Altstetten (Kreis 9). There is a direct train from Zurich Altstetten to Basel, which takes less than an hour. In addition, affordable flats are more numerous in Altstetten compared to other areas of Zurich

just a question, if you have affordable house in very near zurich HB, then what is the best ?? living in Basel and commute OR living in zurich....economically???
thanks