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Quality of life in Stein (AR) (Appenzell Ausserrhoden): scores, review and neighborhoods

6.1/ 10
Good
Population
1,304
Commune type
Village

Living in Stein (AR), a commune of 1304 inhabitants in Canton Appenzell A.Rh.. With an overall score of 6.1/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Nature & Green Spaces (8.9/10) and Noise (8.2/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
8.2
Air Quality
6.2
Public Transport
1.7
Education & Culture
7.9
Nightlife & Dining
7.9
Nature & Green Spaces
8.9
Healthcare
8.2
Taxation
3.4
Annual Sunshine
2.7
Cantonal average

These scores summarise the living environment where residents actually live, not across the whole municipal territory. The map, by contrast, colours the territory: a highly rated commune can still show large, often uninhabited areas with weaker values.

Recommended Profiles

Family
Good
mediantop
Retirement
Good
mediantop
Young Professional
Good
mediantop
Nature
Good
mediantop

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Stein (AR) achieves a compatibility score of 6.5/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (5.5/10) is the weakest of the four, while still sitting above the Swiss median.

Strengths: Stein (AR) excels in Nature & Green Spaces (8.9/10, a green environment with many accessible green spaces), Noise (8.2/10, a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus), Healthcare (8.2/10, excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals).

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (1.7/10, limited public transport connections), Annual Sunshine (2.7/10), Taxation (3.4/10, a higher tax burden than average).

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Appenzeller Volkskunde-MuseumMuseum
Appenzeller Volkskunde-MuseumMuseum
Bibliothek Stein ARLibrary
Schule Stein ARSchool

Public Transport

Stein DorfBus Stop
RoseBus Stop
Rämsen-StörgelBus Stop
HagtobelBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

MedbaseDoctor
Dr. med. dent. ScheideggerDoctor

Guides to read for this area

Four guides by lifestyle profile and three analyses of this area's strongest criteria.

By lifestyle profile

Family
Where to Live in St. Gallen as a Family
Young Professional
Where to Live in St. Gallen as a Young Professional
Retirement
Where to Live in St. Gallen in Retirement
Nature
Where to Live in St. Gallen Close to Nature
Explore the map for more details →

Considering buying property in Stein (AR) or moving to Canton Appenzell A.Rh.? Our interactive map lets you explore quality of life at the neighborhood level and compare with nearby communes.

Frequently asked questions about Stein (AR)

What's it like to live in Stein (AR)? Resident impressions and quality of life
Living in Stein (AR) means quiet, green surroundings first: nature scores 8.9, with noise and healthcare both at 8.2. Education and dining each reach 7.9, so daily life leans calm and well served on those fronts. The weaker side is transport at 1.7, alongside sunshine at 2.7 and fiscal pressure at 3.4, which may matter if you commute or value long sunny spells. Air quality sits at 6.2. Neighbours include Schlatt-Haslen, Teufen (AR) and Waldstatt, so the setting is small-scale and connected to nearby communes. It is worth noting the gap between strong nature and health scores and the low transport figure. Explore the map details to see how these values fit your priorities.
How sunny and clean is the air in Stein (AR)?
Stein (AR) records an air quality score of 6.2, while sunshine sits at 2.7, the weaker of the two dimensions. Worth flagging, transport access is the lowest measured value at 1.7, and taxation follows at 3.4. The strongest dimensions are nature at 8.9, alongside noise and health, both at 8.2. Education and restaurant access each reach 7.9. For a commune of 1,304 residents in the St. Gallen agglomeration, these figures suggest clean air relative to sunshine exposure, which is comparatively limited. Neighboring communes include Schlatt-Haslen, Teufen (AR), and Waldstatt. Explore the full score breakdown for Stein (AR) on the map to see how each dimension compares.
How well-connected is Stein (AR)? Transport, schools, dining
Stein (AR) records a transport score of just 1.7, the lowest of its dimensions, so car dependency is likely for many trips despite the St. Gallen agglomeration setting. Taxation is also modest at 3.4, and sunshine sits at 2.7. The stronger side is nature at 8.9, followed by noise and health, both at 8.2, with education and dining each at 7.9. Worth noting, daily errands and schooling appear comparatively well served, while regional rail or bus links remain the weak point. Neighboring communes include Schlatt-Haslen, Teufen (AR) and Waldstatt. Explore the full score breakdown on the map to see how each dimension compares.
What are the neighboring communes of Stein (AR) and how big is it?
With a nature score of 8.9 and a noise score of 8.2, Stein (AR) stands out for its quiet, green setting. The commune is home to 1,304 residents and sits within the St. Gallen agglomeration in Appenzell Ausserrhoden. Its weakest recorded dimension is transport, at just 1.7, followed by sunshine at 2.7 and fiscalité at 3.4. On the stronger side, education and resto both score 7.9, while health matches noise at 8.2. Stein (AR) shares its borders with three neighboring communes: Schlatt-Haslen, Teufen (AR), and Waldstatt. It is worth noting how these surrounding communes shape access to the wider region. Explore the map for more detail on Stein (AR) and its neighbors.
Is Stein (AR) a tax-friendly municipality?
Stein (AR) is not especially tax-friendly, with a fiscalité score of just 3.4. The commune's real strengths lie elsewhere: nature reaches 8.9 and both noise and healthcare sit at 8.2, while education and restaurants each score 7.9. Air quality comes in at 6.2. Worth flagging, transport is the weakest dimension at 1.7, and sunshine is also low at 2.7, so the profile is quiet and green rather than fiscally advantageous. For households weighing tax burden against setting, these figures suggest Stein competes on living environment, not on rates. Explore the full score breakdown on the map to see how it compares with Schlatt-Haslen, Teufen (AR) and Waldstatt.

Neighboring communes of Stein (AR)

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 22.9 %20–64 years 59 %65 and over 18.1 %
Density
148 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+2.1 %
Vacant housing
1.8 %
New dwellings
2.1 per 1,000 inhab.
Tertiary employment
70.5 %

Land use

Built-up area 9 %Agricultural land 66.3 %Forest 23.3 %

Source: FSO, Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3781, 9.3389
BFS Number
3005
Last updated
7 October 2026

Data: FSO, geo.admin.ch, OSM. Scores normalised 0-10

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