In addition to the popular flats in the old town and in the Wilhelminian districts, many new flats have been built in recent years. The development of former industrial, commercial and railway sites into new and mixed urban neighbourhoods will further expand the range of residential properties on offer. Because Basel wants to grow and become even more family-friendly and attractive for the people who live here.

There is very little crime in Basel by international comparison, and the inhabitants feel safe in their city. There are eight police stations and guards in the city and police patrols pass regularly through all neighbourhoods. Officers take part in crime prevention work in schools and teach traffic courses for schoolchildren.

When choosing a district, a few factors are certainly important: the proximity to your workplace and the character of the neighbourhood, as described below. All districts are well served with nurseries and primary schools and with public transport (bus, tram, train). Most new residents appreciate the short distances and the excellent public transport in Basel – in keeping with the idea of a 15-minute city, the car can almost always be left at home. Also important: the atmosphere in your neighbourhood or also your neighbours in your apartment building (families with children, different age groups and cultural backgrounds).

The city of Basel is divided into 19 neighbourhoods, each with its own distinct character. Flats and houses come in all sizes and price ranges. The existing housing supply is supplemented by attractive new flats. Due to a high level of residential construction taking place, new housing developments have been built in nearly all neighbourhoods over the last twenty years.

Old town

At the heart of the city lies the medieval old town. The Münsterhügel (cathedral hilf), Spalenberg and the old town on the Kleinbasel side of the Rhine remains largely intact and unspoiled. The area still boasts a large number of churches, former monasteries and narrow alleyways. The present old town, which roughly corresponds to the town centre, was once surrounded by a fortified town wall.

Other residential areas

Beyond the wall of the old town lay the old suburbs. When the city first expanded outside the city walls in the 19th century, beautiful residential streets were built. To the east and south of the city centre, there are predominantly residential areas, with a large number of detached family properties, gardens and green spaces. Some parts of the north and the west are more urban-industrial, and major cross-border transit routes cut through these districts.

High quality of life

Successful efforts have been made to preserve many trees and green spaces in each neighbourhood. Every neighbourhood has at least one park and numerous playgrounds. The quality of life in these neighbourhoods is further enhanced by the 30 km/h and sometimes 20 km/h speed limit.

Basel – one canton, three municipalities

If you prefer something more rural, it is best to move to one of the two rural municipalities in the canton of Basel-Stadt: Riehen or Bettingen. While the city of Basel is located directly on the Rhine knee, the two villages in the north-east of the canton border on Germany.

Over the last two decades, considerable efforts have been made to further improve the quality of life and housing standards in Basel. Numerous projects are creating recreational and meeting spaces along the Rhine and calming traffic in the residential areas.

Long-term potential

Various areas of Basel undergoing redevelopment are providing a unique opportunity to demonstrate that new alternatives for attractive residential areas and jobs can be created in spite of limited space. The reorganisation and conversion of large industrial, commercial and railway sites is a task that extends over several years or even decades. 

The VoltaNord site marked the beginning of this. Life has already moved in here with the opening of the school building, the Elys Cultural and Commercial Building and the various cooperative flats in the southern section. In the medium term, the Walkeweg and Wolf sites are set to follow, with the fundamental planning already well advanced or completed. In the long term, it is ultimately other site redevelopments such as klybeckplus or Dreispitz Nord that will develop into new attractive city districts where people live and work. 

Renting in Basel

Around 85% of the local population in the Canton of Basel-Stadt rent their houses and apartments. Tenants’ rights are closely protected. Flats and houses are generally rented unfurnished, though with fully equipped kitchens and bathrooms. There is a communal washing machine and drying room in every apartment block. A three-month period of notice is usual for apartments, while houses are often rented on a long-term lease. 

The average net rental price of one- to two-room apartments is around CHF 700 to CHF 1,100, while net rents for three- to five-room apartments are between CHF 1,300 and CHF 2,300. The number of rooms refers to all rooms without kitchen and without wet rooms. Rental charges comprise not just the rent, but also ancillary charges (heating, electricity, water, and sometimes gas and cable TV connections). Landlords normally request at least one month’s rent as a deposit, and require their tenants to take out liability and household contents insurance. A statement from the Betreibungsamt (Debt Enforcement Office) is also often required. This can be ordered by email or picked up directly. There are a number of accommodation search engines, all of which are free of charge to the prospective renter. A rule of thumb when calculating a budget for accommodation: rental costs should not exceed 25% of the total household income. 

Buying in Basel

Those who plan to stay in the city for a longer period of time may consider buying a house or an apartment. Almost all banks offer mortgages; buyers need to put up at least 20% of the purchase price themselves. In order to be valid, the purchase agreement needs to be attested by a notary, and must be entered in the Land Registry. Foreigners wishing to acquire land in Switzerland are subject to special rules and regulations: prospective buyers who do not have permanent residency status first need to have the deal sanctioned by the relevant authorities.

Moving to another country is exciting, but can also be quite intimidating because of the many formalities involved. The website of the Population Services and Migration provides an overview of the most important information and services for newcomers.