St. Gallen, Switzerland 🇨🇭
#976
,
Nomad Score:
58%
💰 Cost & Affordability
💸 Cost of Living
21%
Weight: 150
Switzerland is known for its high cost of living, and St. Gallen is no exception, with prices significantly above average for food, services, and daily expenses.
🏠 Accommodation Cost
18%
Weight: 80
Rental prices are high compared to many other European cities, with limited affordable options for long-term stays.
🍎 Food & Groceries
30%
Weight: 40
Groceries and dining out are expensive, reflecting Switzerland's overall high price levels.
🚌 Transportation Cost
45%
Weight: 20
Public transport is efficient but costly; however, good regional connectivity offers value for money.
🎟️ Entertainment Cost
32%
Weight: 15
Entertainment venues and activities tend to be pricey, limiting budget-friendly options.
🏋️ Gym Membership Cost
40%
Weight: 10
Gym memberships are moderately expensive but facilities are generally high quality.
💱 Currency Stability
98%
Weight: 30
Swiss Franc is one of the most stable currencies globally, offering excellent financial security.
💻 Digital Nomad Essentials
🚀 Internet Speed
87%
Weight: 100
High-speed internet is widely available with reliable fiber connections in urban areas.
👥 Coworking Spaces Availability
63%
Weight: 40
Several coworking spaces exist but fewer than in larger Swiss cities like Zurich or Geneva.
☕ Cafes with WiFi
75%
Weight: 30
Many cafes offer free WiFi, suitable for casual remote work.
💻☕ Digital Nomad Friendly Cafes
60%
Weight: 30
Some cafes cater to digital nomads but the scene is still developing.
🌟 Digital Nomad Popularity
34%
Weight: 100
St. Gallen is not a major hub for digital nomads, with fewer international remote workers.
🌟 Quality of Life
⚖️ Work-Life Balance
89%
Weight: 30
Swiss culture emphasizes work-life balance with regulated working hours and ample leisure time.
🌳 Environmental Quality
95%
Weight: 15
Excellent environmental standards, clean air, and well-maintained green spaces.
🧼 Cleanliness
97%
Weight: 10
City is very clean with strict waste management and public cleanliness policies.
🗨️ Language Barrier
52%
Weight: 30
German is the primary language; English is moderately spoken but less so than in larger cities.
💨 Air Quality
93%
Weight: 15
Air quality is generally excellent due to low pollution and strict environmental controls.
🏥 Healthcare
🏥 Healthcare Quality
99%
Weight: 20
Top-tier healthcare system with excellent facilities and services.
💉 Healthcare Affordability
25%
Weight: 25
Healthcare is expensive without insurance; mandatory insurance premiums are high.
🏥 Healthcare
98%
Weight: 20
Access to high-quality healthcare is excellent, with short wait times and advanced treatments.
🌿 Climate & Environment
☀️ Weather
41%
Weight: 80
Temperate climate with cold winters and moderate summers; frequent rain and overcast days reduce appeal.
🌪️ Natural Disaster Risk
86%
Weight: 10
Low risk of natural disasters such as earthquakes or floods.
🏞️ Green Spaces
88%
Weight: 10
Plenty of parks and natural areas within and around the city.
❄️ Air Conditioning
37%
Weight: 15
Air conditioning is not common in residential buildings due to cooler climate.
🍂 Seasonal Variety
79%
Weight: 10
Distinct seasons with snowy winters and warm summers, appealing to those who enjoy seasonal changes.
🎭 Culture & Entertainment
🎭 Culture
74%
Weight: 20
Rich cultural heritage with museums, festivals, and traditional Swiss events.
🌃 Nightlife
43%
Weight: 15
Limited nightlife options compared to larger cities; more subdued and quiet.
🏞️ Outdoors & Nature
92%
Weight: 15
Excellent access to hiking, skiing, and outdoor activities in nearby mountains.
🗣️ Language Learning Opportunities
65%
Weight: 10
Several language schools and cultural centers offer German and other language courses.
🧭 Local Experiences & Tours
71%
Weight: 10
Good availability of local tours and cultural experiences, especially related to Swiss traditions.
🎳 Indoors Fun
58%
Weight: 10
Moderate options for indoor entertainment such as cinemas, theaters, and museums.
🍎 Food & Fitness
🍽️ Food Scene
60%
Weight: 25
Traditional Swiss cuisine dominates; some international options but limited diversity.
🧠 Yoga Studios
55%
Weight: 10
A handful of yoga studios available but not widespread.
🏋️ Fitness Facilities
62%
Weight: 15
Good quality gyms and fitness centers, though fewer than in larger cities.
🥗 Healthy Food Options
68%
Weight: 15
Organic and health-conscious food options are available but at a premium price.
💼 Work Environment
🕰️ Time Zone Favorability
70%
Weight: 20
Central European Time is convenient for working with Europe and parts of Africa and the Middle East.
🤝 Networking Opportunities
50%
Weight: 25
Limited networking events for digital nomads; more opportunities in larger Swiss cities.
💻 Remote Job Opportunities
42%
Weight: 20
Local remote job market is small; most opportunities come from international companies.
🆓 Freelance Ecosystem
48%
Weight: 20
Freelance community exists but is relatively small and less visible.
🏢 Coworking Quality
65%
Weight: 30
Coworking spaces are well-equipped but fewer in number.
📈 Business & Economy
🚀 Startup Scene
51%
Weight: 15
Emerging startup ecosystem but overshadowed by Zurich and Basel.
💳 Local Payment Services
79%
Weight: 10
Advanced banking and payment infrastructure with widespread use of cashless payments.
🔗 Blockchain & Crypto Adoption
60%
Weight: 15
Growing interest and adoption but still niche compared to global hotspots.
🚆 Transportation
✈️ Airport Connectivity
54%
Weight: 30
Nearest major airport is Zurich, about 1.5 hours away; local regional airport has limited flights.
🚇 Public Transit
80%
Weight: 20
Efficient and punctual public transit system within the city and region.
🚶 Walkability
73%
Weight: 20
Compact city center with pedestrian-friendly streets.
🚗 Ride-sharing Services
55%
Weight: 15
Ride-sharing exists but is less prevalent than in larger cities.
🚲 Cycling
67%
Weight: 10
Good cycling infrastructure but hilly terrain can be challenging.
🚄 Intercity Travel Options
84%
Weight: 15
Excellent train connections to other Swiss cities and neighboring countries.
🛵 Scooter/Bike Rental Availability
59%
Weight: 10
Some availability of bike and e-scooter rentals but limited compared to bigger cities.
📡 Connectivity
📱 Mobile Network Coverage
91%
Weight: 20
Strong and reliable mobile network coverage throughout the city and surroundings.
🔒 VPN Reliability
88%
Weight: 20
VPN services work well with no significant restrictions.
⚡ Power Grid Reliability
99%
Weight: 15
Very stable and reliable power supply with minimal outages.
📶 Public WiFi Availability
62%
Weight: 10
Public WiFi is available in some public spaces but not widespread.
⚖️ Legal & Administrative
🛂 Visa Ease
30%
Weight: 40
Switzerland has strict visa requirements; obtaining long-term stay permits can be complex.
📊 Tax Friendliness
45%
Weight: 30
Tax rates are moderate but complex; not particularly favorable for freelancers or nomads.
🗣️ Freedom of Speech
97%
Weight: 15
Strong protections for freedom of speech and expression.
🏛️ Political Stability
98%
Weight: 20
Highly stable political environment with low corruption.
🏦 Ease of Opening Bank Account
40%
Weight: 15
Strict banking regulations make opening accounts challenging for foreigners.
📄 Ease of Business Registration
55%
Weight: 10
Business registration is straightforward but involves bureaucratic steps and costs.
📄✈️ Digital Nomad Visa Availability
0%
Weight: 35
No specific digital nomad visa available in Switzerland.
🌍 Digital Nomad Community
🌍 Nomad Friendly
42%
Weight: 50
While safe and high quality of life, the high costs and visa restrictions limit nomad friendliness.
🤝 Nomad Events & Meetups
38%
Weight: 25
Few dedicated digital nomad events or meetups in St. Gallen.
🌐👥 Online Community Presence
45%
Weight: 20
Limited online presence of digital nomads specifically in St. Gallen.
🛡️ Safety & Tolerance
🛡️ Safety
96%
Weight: 100
Very safe city with low crime rates.
♀️ Female Friendly
87%
Weight: 50
Generally safe and inclusive environment for women.
✊ Racial Tolerance
70%
Weight: 50
Moderate racial tolerance; Switzerland is diverse but some challenges remain.