Rheinfelden - south western border area of Germany

While not as popular as the South Eastern Bavarian corner of Germany...the South Western Border does have its advantages..for a start we sit at the conjunction of three lands -Germany, Alsace-France and Basel-Switzerland. Basel is our closest large city. The river Rhine forms the natural border separating all three, the hills around and above us head up into the Black Forest.

Rheinfelden itself is comprised of two sections -a quaint old Historic Swiss sector and our ugly Industrial German township, the connection between both points is obtained by using one of 2 bridges across the Rhein. the Rhein itself hosts the oldest Power station in Europe which I understand is soon to be demolished Basel Switzerland hosts many english speaking people.Rheinfelden itself has small pockets of individuals who have had english as a first language. Some of the ole timers have been here for 20+ years and have almost forgotten their mother tongue.

We have 3 english groups that I am aware of- there may be more...

• The oldest comprises of English speakers from around the globe and Germans who wish to practice conversational english skills, this group meets once a month or bi-monthly
  
• the 2nd group comprises of an English womans group
  
• the 3rd and newest is a Kiwi / Australian group -most of us are 40+ and married to locals so are here for the long haul
  

Industry down this end of town is mainly related to pharmaceuticals or chemicals...a lethal mix in the wrong hands. We celebrate Fastnacht here early each spring, in all its pagan glory...a solid week of drinking too much, eating kraut, and being confined to small rooms reconstructed into restaurants especially for the event along with other kraut eaters...gugga/gugge music. fancy dress and being totally 'unplugged' prepares us for the incoming sping and summer.
There are a number of small regional fests held annually...which along with the birthday parties stay firmly etched on the brains 'event calender' indefinately
There is one major flaw with our region...it has no sea close by and therefore no fresh seafood. fine if your a meat eater but a serious disadvantage if you enjoy fish and seafood. Tuna in a can and fresh trout do not compensate for that loss...other than that its a great little town to use as a base for traveling further afield

Hello black sheep,

We are considering living in the 'ugly industrial part' of Rheinfelden (in a wonderful house, however) but are worried about the social potential, especially for me (Dutch with international background, soon to have first baby, away from work for a year).
Of course we would be interested to learn about the groups you described, if they still exist, that is.
Do they? And how would we get in touch?

Cheers,
another black sheep.