I´m thinking about going to university in swiss, and which is better for kayaking basel or zurich, or does it maby not matter at all.

Hi,
I guess Zürich is a bit better. because you´re more near to the rivers around Bern. Near Zürich is also Bremgarten, famous Playspot.
But it´s not a great difference because first theres a little slalom parcours near Basel and it´s only 45min. from one city to the other.
Greets
Steffen

I am going to study in Basel next semester (september07-january08)! I think zurich is actually bether, but my uni has a exchange program with Basel so thats a lot cheaper for me.
But the locals all say Zurich is a nicer city to live...for paddling it doesnt mather a lot, in Basel you can paddle at the slalom course (Hunningue) and 45min to bremgarten, from Zurich its 15 min to bremgarten and its closer to the rivers.
Anyhow, what/when are you going to study in swissyland?

i live in zurich and i'm happy here paddling wise, although for me, basel would be a bit better, because i would then be paddling in huningue a lot, but maybe that's just me. others would find huningue boring after a week or so.

as for the alpine rivers near interlaken/bern, those are about the same distance from basel and zurich.

zurich is closer to bremgarten, and to the rivers in central switzerland, graubuenden, austria, ticino, and the italian alps. let's say, on average, 45 car-minutes closer.

on the other hand, basel is a bit closer to the rivers in the german black forest and the jura. those rivers are very much rain depending though (black forest mostly runs in winter), so that's a personal preference.

basel is not a boring city. being right next to germany and france gives the city a very open and international touch. and the old town is a lot nicer than you may think after your first drive-thru on the freeway. although the old town of zurich is definitely even more beautiful, and you'll typically find a bit more nightlife in zurich too if that's your thing, but again, there is quite a bit of that in basel too.

practical tip: avoid speaking high-german. either learn some swiss german or speak high german with a heavy dutch or english accent. it will make the people you meet so much more friendly.

enjoy switzerland, it's a great place to live, regardless of which city...

cool, thanks for the info

one more thing. I´m visiting Zurich this week (wednesday) and need a place to sleep at for one night. Can you recomend a hotel or a hostel or some thing to get a room, some thing that is not terribly expensive.

thanks again

if you don't mind sleeping on a matress and it's just for one night, you're welcome to sleep at my place (see my profile of the contact form for address details).

if you want a hotel that's pretty central and cheap, you can't beat the Etap:
www.accorhotels.com/accorhotels/fichehot...84/fiche_hotel.shtml

So I have decided to move to Basel. My biggest concern is what to do with my boats. So before I sell them I want to know how is the boat market in and around Basel.

I assume I will bring my DR Squashtail with me, I can practically bring it as a stylish suitcase as a carry on in an air plain. But I will need a creek boat. My choises are either bring my Dagger Nomad with me or sell it in Iceland and buy a new one abroad. So how much can I assume either a Dagger Nomad or Mamba will cost (used/new) or how much would more local brands such as the Eskimo Salto cost (use/new)?

Thanks for all the help, in advance.
Jerone when I move, you will always have a buddy to paddle non white water rivers with and drink non alcoholic beer
Jon