Hi people!

I'm one of these guys who didn't know too much about Switzerland 'til the other day got offered a great job there in Basel so here I am, trying to discover what's going on up there!

I'm nearly 30 years old and I'm gonna work in a top-tier retail company. I'm a simple guy who loves sports (football mostly), music (I'm gonna enjoy the AVO sessions for sure), going to the movies once a week,...

It looks like Switzerland has a lot of things to do. Been reading lately "Living and Working in Switzerland" by David Hampshire which I found it very useful. I'm pretty sure I can find everything I need in the English Forum

So I just wanted to say hi to everyone in here!!

ps: Please excuse my english, got to improve it!!

Hi ihuesa,

Welcome to the forum and of course to Basel. I am sure you will find your way around no problem. Basel is small compared to Madrid so everything is really accessible. If your into Museums check them out, Basel has a lot of great museums tinguely is a great museum and so is the Kuntsmuseum near to Bankverien. A good street to sit and relax and have a coffee or beer is Steinenvorstrasse it's near to Barfusserplatz.

If you need any other info let me know.

Funny as I am actually in Madrid at the moment for work until the end of the year then back to Basel. Living out near Barajas. Got any tips for me? places to see, good tapas bars in center of Madrid? Have to learn Spanish really!

take care

travnett

Thanks for your reply, travnett!

I've been in Basel twice and you're right, it is a small but great city , with lot of things to do (specially for a museum lover!).

Madrid is quite crowdy but great as well. I've been here for the last three years and I have had an incredible time here.

Madrid is not the best tapas city in Spain (you'll probably have to go to the south) but it has an incredible amount of restaurants. I'd recommend you some typical places such Casa Julio (Bono from U2 liked it when he came a few years ago), Casa del Abuelo, La Ardosa or Casa Camacho. You can also have a taste of the spanish nouvell cousine (whatever that means) in places like In Situ or La Gabinoteca. Don't leave the city without trying "Cocido", an absolutly amazing three plates menu where you'll eat enough food for a month (someplaces offers it for free in case you finish it!). La Bola o La Daniela will be my choices.

Those are not really expensives places, but if you want it I can also give you a nice list of them.

You should as well plan a one-day journey to places like Segovia, Toledo o San Lorenzo del Escorial, totally worth it!! It's amazing how life changes after 100 kms...

Anyways, feel free to ask me whatever you need! And thanks for your advices as well!

Hi ihuesa, welcome to Basel! Another good book i reccomend is Swiss Watching by Diccon Bewes. Also if you plan to go to the cinema once a week its very worth it to buy a yearly cinepass. Its 460chf (about) for the year and you can go to the movies whenever you like. If you go to the movies 2x a month it pays for itself, so if you're going more than that its your best option.

Hope your settling in well! If you have any questions feel free to send a message.

Hi JustRose!!

I'm gonna buy this book ASAP, I wanna learn swiss culture and way of life, that's for sure. Maybe I have everything I need in this forum but I'm still a little bit old-fashined guy so I need to read it on a book

THANKS!

Nothing wrong with reading! Hope you enjoy it!

Hola,
Bienvenido a Basilea!
I just moved to Basel as well after living in Madrid & Zaragoza. I would love to continue practicing my Spanish, if you ever want to get together and I can try to help with your English & you can help my Spanish. Just let me know.

Hasta pronto
-Mike

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Spanish in EF?

Welcome both of you!

Hola Mike!

It sounds good to me as my english is not as good as I'd like. I'll be in Basel by the end of the month so why don't we try to have a beer at the beginning of November? I need to improve my english and, of course, I'd like to help you with your spanish.

Nice!! thanks miniMia.

Welcome to the forum!

I thoroughly enjoyed the National Day Parade on the 12th in Madrid.

Hello and another warm welcome to Basel! Hope you have a great start!
todaymoser

Welcome to Basel! Hope you will enjoy the city!

Thanks thanks thanks!!

What a warm welcome!

Welcome to Basel and EF!

Hi iHuesa

Welcome zo Basel. I am sure you will feel very good here.
I am also Spanish (in ZH) and already enjoying my time here…

Hi and thanks moleculaaburrida!

I arrived today and 1) It's so cold here, 2) It's amazing the silence (loving it!), 3) tomorrow I have to do tons of things (bank account, mobile,...).

Hi there
Welcome, and good luck with the new job. I've been here 6 weeks now and finding Basel a great place to be. Drop me a PM if you fancy catching any football games over a beer sometime. I prefer English Premier League but might enjoy La Liga as well!

Hi blaster!!

Any good place to see La Liga?

you can ask in the Mr Pickwick pub (on the cinema street) and they can show the Liga games.