A Comprehensive Guide about Living in St. Gallen

Life in St. Gallen

Education in St. Gallen

The state school system of St. Gallen encompasses 64 Kindergartens, 21 primary schools and 7 secondary schools. In addition to the state system (meaning free education) is the ‘Institute auf dem Rosenberg’ — more commonly known just as ‘Rosenberg’ which is an international boarding school. It’s one of the very oldest and most famous private schools with just under 300 boarders from over 40 different countries. It prepares students to enter a variety of university programs at home or overseas, so is perfect if you’re looking for the best possible education for your children. The University of St. Gallen, too, is recognized internationally for its quality of education and is ranked one of the best business schools in Europe.

Culture and Leisure in St. Gallen

St. Gallen is home to many museums, three beautiful parks and the annual “St. Gallen Symposium” to name but a few of its cultural strong points. Its most famous landmark is the Abbey of Saint Gall — made an UNESCO World Heritage site in 1983 — which is home to one of the oldest and richest libraries in the entire world. It’s a strikingly beautiful and tall building that’s often used as the cover image of postcards and tourism websites.

During the summer, it’s common to hear opera and other music out in the open as you wander around town, as alfresco entertainment is something that St. Gallen is well known for. Those keen on the occasional drink might enjoy a visit to the beer bottle museum, which can be found tucked away in the Schützengarten brewery — which just so happens to be the oldest brewery in Switzerland. If beer isn’t your thing, the Textile Museum might suit you a little better, containing exhibitions of historical cloth, laces, and embroidery.

Transportation in St. Gallen

If you’re living in St. Gallen, you’ll have strong transport links to the rest of Switzerland as well as neighboring Austria and Germany. The A1 motorway connects the city with Zurich, St. Margrethen, Geneva, and Bern.

St. Gallen even has its own minor airport called St Gallen-Altenrhein which can be found near the Lake of Constance and runs regular flights to various destinations. There’s also a railway station, which connects the city’s landmarks to the rest of Switzerland. So as an expat new to the area, you will certainly not feel isolated in St. Gallen! On the city roads, you’ll see a tram-like railway service running consistently — this is the Trogen railway.