Moving to St. Gallen
Textile heritage, university city and gateway to Eastern Switzerland.
St. Gallen is the cultural capital of eastern Switzerland. Its abbey, listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and its centuries-old textile tradition give it a unique character. A dynamic university city with the HSG (University of St. Gallen), one of the best business schools in Europe, St. Gallen attracts students and professionals from all over the world.
More affordable than the major Swiss metropolises, Saint Gall offers a remarkable quality of life with quick access to Lake Constance and the mountains.
St. Gallen, between heritage and innovation
Saint Gall, with its 80,000 inhabitants and a conurbation of 170,000 people, is the capital of eastern Switzerland. Its abbey and its baroque library, listed as UNESCO world heritage sites, bear witness to more than 1,400 years of history. The city built its prosperity on the textile industry – embroidery and lace from St. Gallen were once exported all over the world.
Today, Saint-Gall has reinvented itself around the University of Saint-Gall (HSG), regularly ranked among the best business schools in Europe (Financial Times). The HSG trains leaders in finance, management and business law. This academic center attracts students and companies from all over the world.
The regional economy is diversified: machinery and equipment (Bühler Group), technical textiles, financial services and trade. The proximity of Lake Constance (Bodensee) and Austria gives the city a significant cross-border dimension.
Neighborhoods and residential options in St. Gallen
The St. Gallen rental market is one of the most accessible among Swiss cities. Rents are 40 to 50% lower in Zurich, with a generally wider choice of accommodation.
Altstadt (old town)
The historic center offers a unique charm with its corbelled houses (Erker) decorated with paintings and sculptures. Accommodation there is rare but sought after. Rent: CHF 1,400 to CHF 2,100 for a 3.5 room apartment.
Rosenberg and Rotmonten
Residential areas on the heights, offering views of the city and the Säntis. Popular with HSG families and teachers. Green and calm setting. Rent: CHF 1,400 to CHF 2,000.
Winkeln and Bruggen
Western districts of the city, more affordable and well served by public transport. New construction in development. Rent: CHF 1,200 to CHF 1,700 for a 3.5 room apartment.
Cost of living in St. Gallen
St. Gallen is one of the most affordable major Swiss cities. The cantonal median salary is around CHF 6,200 gross per month, but the very moderate cost of living offers attractive purchasing power.
| Expenditure item | Cost in St. Gallen | Comparison with Zurich |
|---|---|---|
| Rent 3.5 rooms (center) | CHF 1,300 — 2,000 | 40 to 50% cheaper |
| Health insurance (adult) | CHF 330 — 440 | 20% cheaper |
| Power supply (torque) | CHF 700 — 1,000 | 10% cheaper |
| Meals at the restaurant | CHF 18 — 32 | 20% cheaper |
| Nursery (full time) | CHF 1,400 — 2,000 | 25% cheaper |
| VBSG bus subscription (city area) | CHF 65 | 25% cheaper |
Transport and accessibility from St. Gallen
St. Gallen is connected to Zurich by direct trains every 30 minutes, with a journey time of 60 to 70 minutes. St. Gallen station is a regional hub also serving Vorarlberg (Austria), Munich (via Romanshorn) and Lake Constance.
The VBSG (Verkehrsbetriebe St. Gallen) bus network covers the city and surrounding communities. The hilly terrain makes cycling more sporty than in other Swiss cities, but electric bikes are growing in popularity. The A1 motorway connects St. Gallen to Zurich in around 50 minutes.
Zurich Airport (ZRH) can be reached in 1 hour 15 minutes by direct train. The regional airport of St. Gallen-Altenrhein, on the shores of Lake Constance, offers some limited connections (notably to Vienna).
Quality of life and natural setting in St. Gallen
Saint Gall offers an authentic living environment, far from the hustle and bustle of large metropolises. The city is surrounded by green hills, and the Säntis massif (2,502 m) is visible from the city center. Lake Constance, 15 minutes away by car, offers swimming, sailing and walks in summer.
The city is famous for its cultural events: the Festspiele (open-air festival in the abbey courtyard), the Kinderfest (children's festival) and the Open Air St. Gallen (music festival). The gastronomic scene is influenced by Eastern Swiss cuisine, with the famous Bratwurst from St. Gallen and wines from the Rhine region.
For expatriate families, St. Gallen offers a safe and human-scale environment. Inter Community School St. Gallen offers bilingual English-German education. Integration involves learning German (the Saint-Welsh dialect), essential for daily life. The affordable cost of living allows for a comfortable lifestyle even on one income.
Highlights
UNESCO Heritage
The Abbey of Saint-Gall and its baroque library are listed as world heritage sites. The city has a history of more than 1,400 years.
HSG — Elite business school
The University of St. Gallen is consistently ranked among the best business and management schools in Europe.
Textile tradition and innovation
Saint Gall is famous for its embroidery and lace. Today, textile innovation continues in technical materials and design.
Affordable cost of living
Rents and the cost of living are significantly lower in Zurich (only 1 hour by train), while still offering a good quality of life.
Settling in St. Gallen
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