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Quality of life in Wald (AR) (Appenzell Ausserrhoden) — scores, review and neighborhoods

6.0/ 10
Good
Population
879
Commune type
Hamlet

Living in Wald (AR), a commune of 879 inhabitants in Canton Appenzell A.Rh. — with an overall score of 6/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (10/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.6/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
10.0
Air Quality
7.3
Public Transport
0.9
Education & Culture
6.1
Nightlife & Dining
6.0
Nature & Green Spaces
9.6
Healthcare
7.9
Taxation
2.9
Annual Sunshine
3.2
Cantonal average

Wald (AR)'s national strengths

#1 in Switzerland · Noise ↗
Per our methodology ↗

Recommended Profiles

Nature
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Retirement
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Family
Very goodTop 25% in Switzerland
mediantop
Young Professional
Good
mediantop

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Wald (AR) achieves a compatibility score of 7.2/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (5/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Wald (AR) excels in Noise (10/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.6/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Healthcare (7.9/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (0.9/10) — limited public transport connections, Taxation (2.9/10) — a higher tax burden than average, Annual Sunshine (3.2/10).

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Key Infrastructure

Public Transport

HopsbermoosBus Stop
SchweizerbundBus Stop
Wald AR, SägeBus Stop
GrunholzBus Stop
Wald DorfBus Stop
Wald UnterdorfBus Stop

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 Wald (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 Wald (AR)

What's it like to live in Wald (AR)? Resident impressions and quality of life
Wald (AR) is a rural commune distinguished by exceptional environmental quality and natural surroundings. With a nature score of 9.6 and noise level of 10, residents enjoy pristine countryside with minimal disturbance. Air quality scores 7.9, supporting healthy outdoor living. The commune faces significant tradeoffs in accessibility and services: transport connectivity is extremely limited at 0.5, and dining and educational amenities score modestly at 2.5 and 3.1 respectively. Health services rate 7.2, offering reasonable medical access. Located near neighbors Rehetobel, Trogen, and Grub (AR), Wald appeals primarily to those prioritizing natural environment and tranquility over urban convenience and service density.
How sunny and clean is the air in Wald (AR)?
Wald distinguishes itself through exceptional air quality, scoring 7.9 for air purity. The commune benefits from a rural setting within the St. Gallen agglomeration that supports clean atmospheric conditions. However, sunshine exposure presents a notable limitation, with an ensoleillement score of only 3.2, reflecting limited daylight hours typical of its Alpine foothills geography. While air quality ranks as a genuine strength for residents seeking fresh, unpolluted surroundings, the reduced sunlight availability represents a tradeoff for those prioritizing bright outdoor conditions year-round.
How well-connected is Wald (AR)? Transport, schools, dining
Wald (AR) is a rural commune where natural surroundings take priority over urban connectivity. The commune excels in environmental quality, with noise levels at 10 and nature access at 9.6, reflecting its peaceful countryside character. However, public transport accessibility scores only 0.5, making a personal vehicle nearly essential. Educational facilities rate at 3.1, and dining options are limited at 2.5. Residents seeking schools or restaurants will likely need to travel to neighboring communes like Trogen or Rehetobel, or to the nearby St. Gallen agglomeration. Wald embodies the classic tradeoff between rural tranquility and urban service accessibility.
What are the neighboring communes of Wald (AR) and how big is it?
Wald is a small commune in Appenzell Ausserrhoden with 879 residents, situated within the St. Gallen agglomeration. Its three neighboring communes are Rehetobel, Trogen, and Grub (AR). Despite its modest size, Wald demonstrates notable environmental strengths, particularly in nature quality, which scores 9.6, and low noise pollution at 10. However, the commune faces significant challenges in public transport accessibility, scoring only 0.5. This reflects a common tradeoff for rural Alpine settlements: exceptional natural surroundings and tranquility offset by limited connectivity and amenities typical of smaller communities.
Is Wald (AR) a tax-friendly municipality?
Wald is not recognized as a tax-friendly municipality. Its fiscal score of 2.9 ranks among the lower performers in this dimension, suggesting above-average tax burdens. The commune does excel in environmental quality, with a noise score of 10 and nature score of 9.6, yet these strengths do not offset its fiscal positioning. Education services are similarly modest at 3.1. For those prioritizing tax efficiency, Wald presents a notable tradeoff: while it offers exceptional environmental conditions and clean air at 7.9, prospective residents should expect less favorable taxation compared to neighboring municipalities like Rehetobel, Trogen, and Grub (AR).

Neighboring communes of Wald (AR)

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 23.2 %20–64 years 57.7 %65 and over 19.2 %
Density
128 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+3.3 %
Vacant housing
2.3 %
New dwellings
2.3 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1 %
Tertiary employment
36 %

Land use

Built-up area 6.6 %Agricultural land 64.8 %Forest 28.7 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Appenzell Ausserrhoden (AR)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.4137, 9.5077
BFS Number
3036
Last updated
29 June 2026

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

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