Alice: „Which way should I go?“ Cheshire Cat: „That depends a good deal on where you want to be.“
Dear Auntie SAM: The Big Pharma company that just hired me has offered me a package that includes a shipping container to bring my furniture and household items. What should I bring?
I recall being in the States, packing. Trying to decide: what to bring; what to leave. Am I going to need to till a garden in Basel? Will I regret not bringing those boots? Will I ever need that old ladder again? How will I get rid of that cabinet if it doesn’t fit in our house?
Every item required careful consideration. It was as if every item said something about me. Because, in a way, it did.
We found our house online before we moved to Basel. It was larger than the home we had in the States. However, in the States, I also had an atelier and my husband had a place near his work. We thought we needed more space to bring our worlds together.
We were right. But, let’s get back to you.
Most of my Swiss friends live in apartments with as many bedrooms as people. Most have at least one setback terrace, a storage area in the basement, & yes: access to that infamous shared laundry facility. The apartments are usually modern, with granite counters, Meile dishwashers, & not an arch in sight. Everything is white on white or grey on white. Everything.
A space with traditional, Swiss charm will cost you a fortune in Basel. But, if that’s what you want, you’ll find it in Baselland.
My friends who live in Baselland – expats & Swiss alike – live in varied spaces: a 60’s Brutalist-style Rambler, an A-Framed chateau, a Modern cottage built over time by one friend’s grandfather.
One is not better than the other. It just depends what you want. Who you want to be. Where you think you’re going.
Reading online that purchasing items in Switzerland is expensive & simple things like linens are sized differently, most expats from the United States try to bring all they own. And then they restock their supplies with annual trips to the States. This is absolutely sustainable.
But so is buying here — or, as many others do: in Germany or France.
If you bring something that does not work, there are ways to get rid of it for free. The garbage collection department in Basel gives each household one or two free stickers you can use to have large items hauled away. But, often, I pass large items on the sidewalk near a sign reading „Gratis“ (Free).
Also, secondhandstores, rummage sales, & flea markets abound — because Basel is nothing if not thick with people coming or going & leaving their stuff. Nice stuff. Stuff the more permanent residents buy at a fraction of what you paid.
Before I married, my opinion about owning things was: you should only own that which you can take with you – stealthily – in the middle of the night.
I’m coming around to that opinion again. But, once more Darling, this is not about me, it’s about you. Who are you?
What is it you need that makes you feel at home? Whatever that is – no matter how big, old, embarrassing, fragile, ridiculous, or costly it is – bring it. Do not think you’re going to become a different person here. I mean, you will. But your needs will be the same.
Except for little things: turns out I really didn’t need that special machine everyone in the States told me I had to have to make good, fluffy rice. I can now do it stovetop in a pan, just like a pro.
xo
AS
—
THURSDAY, 19 MARCH: Get rid of or buy some stuff while grooving to RAGGAE at HINTERHOF. Stand rental: 10 or 30 SFr per meter (1x1m) info@schubkultur.ch 6PM
Or drink it up with GIN COCKTAILS at BALTAZAR’S 1ST ANNIVERSARY / BIRTHDAY PARTY. Drag Queen TRACY GENDER will host a MINI-BURLESQUE CELEBRATION with MISS MAIZIE BLOOM and FREAKY BABY DOLL. SATURDAY 5PM, GIN DEGUSTATION 6-9PM, show starts around MIDNIGHT.