Hello everyone!

I found this brilliant forum while I was searching some info about the expat community in Basel and in Switzerland in general. I have to say according to what I've read I was a bit nervous that one of the hardest things in Switzerland is socializing, however after checking out this forum it seems that most of the expats are very out-going and cheerful. This definitely sounds promising for my next move to Basel at the end of August.

But enough intro to my introduction...
I'm a 25 year old guy that got a cool job in Switzerland, so I'm planning to make my career and my life there in Baaaaaasel (that's how you pronounce it, right?). I'm kind of a traveller already and an expat in every country I go since I'm a dual citizen French-Bulgarian and that I've spent a few years studying abroad. Switzerland will be my fourth country to move in and I would like to make sure my integration in the country of expensive watches and chocolate goes as smoothly as possible.

I'm not a huge hiker (I know, what a shame! maybe I'll pick it up someday...) but I'm a fanatic alpine skier, so hope this evens it out a bit. I like football, volleyball, squash and pub-crawling (which I believe is a sport as well!) as year-round sports and I hope to find some folks that share these interests. Otherwise I'm curious about culture, museums, art, these kind of things, and I learned about the modern art and the jewellery events that are organized in Basel every year.

Anyway, I look forward to coming to Basel and meeting members of the expat community that could definitely make my Swiss experience even more enjoyable. Until late August I'll be lurking in the forum and reading, but I'll keep a close eye on the social events scheduled...

Best regards,

KEP

Welcome to the forum! With that positive attitude and the interests you've described, you're going to have a great time here

Bon voyage, see you in August!

Welcome, KEP! Great intro...it sounds like you will fit right in here. I hope to see you around Basel in August!

Thanks for the welcome, guys! I'm really curious about the number of expats in Basel that are on this forum and how much of them are of the adventurous-mid-twenties-no-wife-no-kids kind. Got an idea?

Kep, welcome. Where will you be joining us from?

Welcome to Basel and Welcome to the forum!!!
Your cool job sounds...cool!!
What does it involve, if I may ask!!!
You've reached Basel at the right time of the year!!

There is no simple answer to this question, KeinFranzösisch... It depends on the point of view. You could consider that I move in Basel from the Netherlands, since that's where I finished my studies. Or from France, or from Bulgaria because I have lived quite a few years in both these countries.

John McClane (such a cool name btw!), my job is gonna be in Supply Chain in one of the large companies headquartered in Basel. It may not sound so cool to everybody, but since that's what I wanted to do, I'm pretty happy with it.

Something I wanted to say... Yeah, I noticed that the forum doesn't allow for post modification a posteriori, so I would like to clarify perhaps that I'm interested in meeting expats from all ages, family situation and nationality (not only the adventurous-mid-twenties-no-wife-no-kids kind of people). When rereading what I posted previously, I noticed there could have been some misunderstanding on that point.
My question still stand though: are there lots of expats based in Basel on EF?

Loads. Check the events. However, due to the fact this isn't the best medium for arranging events, many are now arranged on facebook.

There's a curry event arranged here on EF for tomorrow in Basel. They're a good way to meet people.

Thanks for the info adrian! I was hoping to hear an answer such as "Loads!", that is just great! Do you happen to know if also lots of them are young professionals? Unfortunately I'm not in Basel just yet, so I won't be able to join any event until... let's say last week of August. I'll check out the curry event (and what the hell it is?!) on the event list. Thanks again!

Lots of young ones, but I make no comment on their professionalism

If you prefer wacky, young, single people whose idea of arranging things is "Let's meet tonight for a beer!", "Yes, let's, but instead how about we have a BBQ!", "Wow, great idea. But why don't we hire a van and drive to prague instead!" then join couchsurfing. There's a relatively large Basel group and they meet at least weekly.

Cool!!! I'll probably see you around then.

Well... there are a lot of expats in Basel. Are they all on EF? No. Would we admit in real life that we are on EF? I prefer to hide my real identity like Superman or that hot actor who used to do Diet Coke commercials in the 90s.

oO Hum-hum... I am a serious man... Hum-hum... And professional... Hum-hum... Ok, maybe I'm wacky, young and single but only just a little bit of each! I'll check couchsurfing out.

@ KeinFranzösisch
Is being part of EF frowned upon?!

Nah. It's a cool group from what I've seen so far.

It's a cool community as far as I can judge by the forum, activity, members etc. Really can't wait to meet people for real...

Welcome to Basel (soon) KEP! We will see you about whern you are settled!

Welcome to Baaaaasel, KEP

Lots of single youngsters (and wanna-be youngsters ) around for you to have fun with - keep and eye on the social event and you are bound to find them

You all guys definately know how to make newbies and new-comers feel cosy in the forum! Thanks Miss Friis and JustRose

@JustRose: my idea of "settling" is leaving my luggage at the hotel, taking a shower and going out to explore the city and meet interesting people. Takes me about 30min to get settled, and on to the dynamic part of "settling"

@Miss Friis: I will not only keep a close eye on the social events but I'll most likely contribute to the list by creating some kind of "Landed in Basel an hour ago, gotta make friends and have a drink" event!
As for the youngsters, wanna-be youngsters, single, wanna-be singles, our paths are bound to cross soon.

[QUOTE=KEP;1261050"Landed in Basel an hour ago, gotta make friends and have a drink" event! [/QUOTE]

I look forward to see this event! I did similar such things when i first moved here and found it the best way to 'settle in'.

I´ll look forward to this!

Cheers

It reminds me of the atmosphere when I first moved in the Netherlands as a student.
What? I'm not a student anymore? No no no, I'm not but it doesn't mean I have to forget some of the good old habits...

Ladies, you will recognize this event when you see it and you will be personnaly invited by pm.
By the way, I would need some ideas for where exactly to set up this welcome in Basel evening, if you could recommend me some spots that would be great - can't post an even without location after all... Trashing my temporary flat the first night would be some kind of feat I could be proud of, but I don't think it's a viable option to settle in Switzerland (already did that in the Netherlands, so it's already checked on my checklist of things to do before I die...)