u/el_jerna

Hi all,

I have just been offered a Senior Software Engineer position with a company near Basel (south of Basel-Land), starting September. I'd love some honest feedback from people who've made a similar move.

Quick context:

• 9 years of experience in the technologies the company use.
• Gross annual salary: CHF 105,000 (with a review to 110,000 after the probation period of 3 months, contingent on performance)
• Moving alone initially, with my wife and 2 y/o daughter staying in Spain while I settle and find an apartment. Can be months or even a year.
• Planning to live in between work and the city, to be close to work not to make commute too long, but also to be able to go to the city "easily".

Coming from Spain where I currently earn around €70,000 gross, with a much lower cost of living, but worried about the social and political instability and wanting my family to have a better(?) future (at least more opportunities than in southern Spain).

A few questions:

1. Does CHF 105k sound reasonable for this profile in the Basel area, or am I underselling myself?
2. For someone living alone and sending around €2,000/month back home, is the remaining salary realistic for a comfortable life?
3. Can I still benefit from married/dependent-child tax deductions even if my wife and daughter aren't living with me in Switzerland from day one?
4. Any tips on cross-border shopping (France/Germany)? Does that actually make a meaningful difference?
5. What surprised you most, good or bad, about settling into the Basel region as a foreigner?
6. Any general advice for someone doing this "solo for a year" arrangement before deciding whether to bring the family over permanently?

Thanks in advance, really appreciate any honest input, including the "things I wish someone told me" kind.