Accommodation in Basel

Beautiful Basel is a lovely city to live in, although living in Switzerland comes at a price. Finding suitable accommodation in Basel can be time-consuming due to the competitive market, so it’s best to start thinking about how to find a home early on in the planning stages.

Areas and suburbs in Basel

With 19 districts, Basel has plenty of options for those considering where to live.

The city can broadly be divided into two parts. Grossbasel (Great Basel), situated on the south and west banks of the River Rhine, and Kleinbasel (Lesser Basel) on the southern side of the river, known for its multicultural atmosphere and more affordable living. Alstadt is the historical town centre with its narrow streets, medieval architecture, cafés, and theatres.

Upmarket Bachletten is a central, family-friendly neighbourhood with wonderful parks and access to good Swiss and international schools. Nearby Gundeldingen (known as Gundeldi) offers more affordable living and is popular with young professionals and families.

On the southern bank of the Rhine, the Wettstein neighbourhood has seen a transformation over the last decade or so and has become a popular suburb for both locals and expats. The cosmopolitan riverside quarter in Kleinbasel’s Altstadt area is particularly desirable for those who seek lively and multicultural inner-city living.

North of Basel near the German border, Riehen is a leafy, affluent suburb that is a good option for families and nature lovers, with a peaceful, village-like atmosphere and good schools, while still offering easy access to the city.

Many expats working in Basel choose to live in France, particularly in the region of Alsace, which has lower housing costs and a more relaxed, rural lifestyle, while still being close to Basel for work.

Types of accommodation in Basel

Accommodation in Basel can generally be divided into apartments and freestanding houses. The vast majority of housing in Basel is in the form of apartments. There is a shortage of freestanding houses, so they’re in high demand and are usually snapped up as soon as they go on the market. They also tend to be pricey.

Another option is renting a row house (terraced house). They’re a good compromise, being more spacious than apartments and less expensive than freestanding houses. Still, they’re immensely popular, and you’ll need luck and good timing on your side if you want to nab one.

To learn more about common types of housing, see Accommodation in Switzerland.

Finding accommodation in Basel

If you’re moving to Basel for work, you might be lucky enough to have your accommodation arranged for by a relocation agent and paid for by your employer. Those going it alone need not worry too much, though, as renting is common among both locals and expats in Basel, meaning that there are plenty of resources available.

One possible route is engaging the services of a real estate agency. While this costs extra, it means someone else can do the legwork for you. You’ll also be able to tap into any local knowledge they may have, and possibly gain access to incoming property listings before they go on the market.

Most people start their search on online property portals. The most popular websites for searching for property rentals are homegate.ch and home.ch. Basel expat groups on Facebook can also be helpful as a source of advice and possibly information on upcoming rental vacancies.

Renting accommodation in Basel

The process of renting accommodation in Basel is fairly straightforward once you’ve found your new home. You’ll have to make an application and include proof of identity, employment, and income. In some cases, you may need a Swiss guarantor to sign on. Employers will often take on this role for new arrivals.

Leases are generally signed for a period of 12 months. Before moving in, a deposit is required. The amount is usually the equivalent of up to three months of rent. Utilities are typically not included in the cost of rent and should be budgeted as an extra expense.

To learn more about the ins and outs of the rental process, see Renting Accommodation in Switzerland.