Moving back to Basel and am deciding between out in the sticks - Oberwil - or in the city centre. Anyone done the same?

My uncle lived virtually his whole life in Oberwil. Lovely town. They lived quite near the train station and his widow used to take lunch every day at the Buffet de la Gare.

Looks like a nice place but a bit out of city centre. I need an excuse to get a bike so maybe this is the push I need

I'd recommend it - it definitely feels out of the city, but you can be in the middle of Basel in 14 mins with the tram, so all the advantages are on your doorstep if you want them.

There are some decent shops in the middle so you don't have to go far if you forget the milk, and you're close to the border if you fancy a trip into France to top up the wine and cheese.

What's not to like?

Part of the 'burbs...

Where will you be working?

Tram is fine, but doing the commute myself (I live a little further out), you only hit the countryside after Therwil. Before that it is almost all commuter belt stuff. Also I work near the SBB, so for me it is simple.

There are two main roads into Basel - through Binnigen and they can both get stacked up really quickly during the commute.

Carlos R hit the nail on the head. If you're planning on traveling by public transport, where you work is very important. Oberwil to SBB isn't a bad commute, if you're based there, but from Oberwil to any of the big three in Basel (Novartis, Roche, Syngenta) means a connection and a 40+ minute commute. Not much fun.

If you're in a car, this becomes much less of an issue, but there is frequent congestion and limited alternative routes into the city.

If you're looking for an easier commute, you might also consider the areas at the other end of the Tram 10/11: Münchenstein, Muttenz, Arlesheim, Dornach, Reinach, Aesch. They've got easier access directly to the motorway and make the commute very straight-forward (again, assuming you work at one of the big three).

Working near the SBB so no connection to make. Think a bike maybe the way forward. At least on the way down the hill. Coming back will be a different matter.

You'll be going against the prevailing winds too...

Thanks for the advice on this. Found a nice place in Oberwil and put an offer in. Fingers crossed, should be up there in September. New bike in tow.