Quality of life in Gurzelen (Bern): scores, review and neighborhoods

5.8/ 10
Fair
Population
845
Commune type
Hamlet

Living in Gurzelen, a commune of 845 inhabitants in Canton Bern. With an overall score of 5.8/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.3/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (8.6/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.3
Air Quality
5.9
Public Transport
1.7
Education & Culture
6.2
Nightlife & Dining
6.0
Nature & Green Spaces
8.6
Healthcare
7.1
Taxation
1.1
Annual Sunshine
5.9
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

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Gurzelen achieves a compatibility score of 6.8/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (4.8/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Gurzelen excels in Noise (9.3/10, a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus), Nature & Green Spaces (8.6/10, a green environment with many accessible green spaces), Healthcare (7.1/10, excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals).

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Taxation (1.1/10, a higher tax burden than average), Public Transport (1.7/10, limited public transport connections).

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Key Infrastructure

Public Transport

Gurzelen, SchulhausBus Stop
Gurzelen, KreuzBus Stop
Gurzelen, ObergurzelenBus Stop
StuffäriBus Stop

Guides to read for this area

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

Considering buying property in Gurzelen or moving to Canton Bern? Our interactive map lets you explore quality of life at the neighborhood level and compare with nearby communes.

Frequently asked questions about Gurzelen

What's it like to live in Gurzelen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Compared with Forst-Längenbühl, Seftigen and Burgistein, Gurzelen offers a quieter, more rural setting within the Thun agglomeration. Air quality scores 5.9 and nature reaches 8.6, while noise sits at a comfortable 9.3. Transport, however, is limited at 1.7, so a car is often needed. Education is moderate at 6.2, and dining options score 6. Additionally, healthcare is decent at 7.1, yet fiscal pressure is high with taxation at 1.1. Sunshine is average at 5.9. Thus, daily life here leans toward calm and green surroundings rather than convenience or low taxes. This profile fits nature lovers and retirees seeking tranquillity, though families may find commuting constraints worth weighing.
How sunny and clean is the air in Gurzelen?
Compared with Forst-Längenbühl, Seftigen, and Burgistein, Gurzelen offers a quieter rural setting with notably strong environmental scores. Air quality stands at 5.9, a moderate figure that reflects its small size and distance from major roads, while nature reaches 8.6, supported by low noise levels of 9.3. Transport connectivity is limited at 1.7, and fiscal attractiveness is similarly low at 1.1, which may weigh on commuters. Sunshine sits at 5.9, comparable to nearby communes. Healthcare at 7.1 and education at 6.2 provide reasonable local foundations. Thus, Gurzelen best suits nature lovers and retirees seeking calm surroundings over urban convenience or frequent travel.
How well-connected is Gurzelen? Transport, schools, dining
Gurzelen is quieter and more nature-oriented than its neighbors Forst-Längenbühl, Seftigen, and Burgistein. Air quality scores 5.9 and nature reaches 8.6, reflecting the commune's rural Bernese setting. Transport, however, is limited at just 1.7, so car reliance is likely. Education sits at a moderate 6.2, while dining scores 6. Additionally, healthcare is reasonably accessible at 7.1. Noise is low at 9.3, and sunshine is moderate at 5.9. Thus, daily connections to Thun and Bern demand planning. Fiscal attractiveness is weak at 1.1. With 845 residents, Gurzelen suits nature lovers and retirees seeking calm more than young professionals needing frequent transit.
What are the neighboring communes of Gurzelen and how big is it?
Gurzelen, with 845 residents, is smaller than its neighbors Forst-Längenbühl, Seftigen, and Burgistein, and its quiet rural setting shapes daily life here. Air quality scores a solid 5.9, while nature reaches an excellent 8.6, reflecting the green surroundings typical of this part of the Thun agglomeration. Transport links are weak at 1.7, so a car is often needed for commuting. Education sits at a moderate 6.2, and healthcare at 7.1 offers reasonable local access. Dining options score 6, though fiscal attractiveness is low at 1.1. Thus, Gurzelen best suits nature lovers and retirees seeking calm, spacious living rather than young professionals dependent on frequent public transport connections.
Is Gurzelen a tax-friendly municipality?
Compared with Forst-Längenbühl, Seftigen, and Burgistein, Gurzelen stands out for its quiet rural setting rather than its tax appeal. Its fiscal attractiveness score is only 1.1, one of the weakest values in the profile, so households seeking low rates will find little advantage here. Air quality, by contrast, scores a solid 5.9, and nature reaches 8.6, giving the commune a strong environmental footing. Transport connectivity is limited at 1.7, which reinforces its remote character. Additionally, education sits at 6.2 and healthcare at 7.1, both moderate. Thus, Gurzelen suits nature lovers and retirees prioritizing calm and open space over tax savings or frequent commuting.

Neighboring communes of Gurzelen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 24.1 %20–64 years 61.4 %65 and over 14.6 %
Density
190 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+5.8 %
Vacant housing
0 %
New dwellings
19.3 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.6 %
Tertiary employment
35.5 %

Land use

Built-up area 6.7 %Agricultural land 80.8 %Forest 12.5 %

Source: FSO, Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Bern (BE)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.7728, 7.5344
BFS Number
867
Last updated
7 October 2026

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