Quality of life in Silenen (Uri) — scores, review and neighborhoods

5.0/ 10
Average
Population
1,930
Commune type
Village

Living in Silenen, a commune of 1930 inhabitants in Canton Uri — with an overall score of 5/10, this commune is average for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.9/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.6/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.9
Air Quality
9.3
Public Transport
5.0
Education & Culture
0.7
Nightlife & Dining
0.9
Nature & Green Spaces
9.6
Healthcare
2.4
Taxation
4.3
Annual Sunshine
3.2
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Silenen achieves a compatibility score of 7.2/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (4.6/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Silenen excels in Noise (9.9/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.6/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Air Quality (9.3/10) — clean air with low pollutant concentrations.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Education & Culture (0.7/10) — limited educational and cultural infrastructure, Nightlife & Dining (0.9/10) — limited dining and nightlife options, Healthcare (2.4/10) — more limited healthcare access.

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

Key Infrastructure

Public Transport

Amsteg-SilenenTrain Station
Bristen, Talstation GolzernBus Stop
WideliBus Stop
Bristen DorfBus Stop
St. AntonBus Stop
Amsteg DorfBus Stop
Silenen GemeindehausBus Stop
Grund/SeilbahnBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Praxis Dr. OrsingherDoctor

Guides to read for this area

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

Frequently asked questions about Silenen

What's it like to live in Silenen? Resident impressions and quality of life
Silenen is a small mountain community in Uri defined by exceptional environmental quality and severe limitations in urban amenities. Dining and education options are nearly absent, with scores of 0.3 and 0.4 respectively, and public transport is entirely unavailable. Healthcare access is also modest at 3.0. The commune's defining strengths are its natural environment and air quality, scoring 9.6 and 9.5, complemented by low noise pollution at 9.9. One observation stands out: residents accept minimal services and connectivity in exchange for pristine surroundings. Silenen's main tradeoff is clear—those seeking restaurants, schools, and transit infrastructure should look elsewhere, but those prioritizing clean air, quiet, and nature will find compelling value.
How sunny and clean is the air in Silenen?
Silenen excels in air quality with a score of 9.5, placing it among the cleanest communes in the region. Nature access is equally impressive at 9.6, reflecting the pristine alpine environment. However, sunshine is considerably weaker at 3.2, a limitation typical of mountain valleys where topography restricts direct sunlight exposure. It is worth noting that despite modest solar gain, the commune's exceptional air purity and natural surroundings offer substantial environmental benefits. The tradeoff here is clear: residents enjoy remarkably clean air and abundant nature but should expect fewer sunny days than lower-altitude locations.
How well-connected is Silenen? Transport, schools, dining
Silenen struggles significantly with connectivity across essential services. Public transport access is critically weak at 0, while educational facilities and dining options are nearly absent at 0.4 and 0.3 respectively. This small commune of 1,930 residents appears oriented toward self-sufficiency rather than integrated services. It is worth noting that Silenen compensates with exceptional environmental quality—air purity at 9.5 and nature access at 9.6 rank among its strongest dimensions. Healthcare infrastructure remains modest at 3. The fundamental tradeoff here reflects a rural Alpine setting: Silenen offers pristine natural surroundings but minimal urban amenities, making it suitable for those prioritizing peace and landscape over convenience and accessibility.
What are the neighboring communes of Silenen and how big is it?
Silenen is a small commune in Uri with a population of 1,930 residents, situated in the Altdorf agglomeration. It borders three neighboring communes: Disentis/Mustér, Unterschächen, and Schattdorf. Despite its modest size, Silenen stands out for its exceptional environmental quality. The commune scores 9.9 for noise levels and 9.6 for nature access, reflecting pristine conditions typical of alpine settings. It is worth noting that education and restaurant infrastructure score considerably lower at 0.4 and 0.3 respectively, reflecting the limited services available in such a small settlement. This represents the classic tradeoff of rural alpine life: outstanding natural environment and tranquility offset by sparse amenities and educational facilities.
Is Silenen a tax-friendly municipality?
Silenen is not particularly tax-friendly by Swiss standards. The commune's fiscal score stands at 4.3 out of 10, placing it in the lower-middle range for tax competitiveness. This modest rating reflects moderate tax burdens that don't position it as an especially attractive destination for tax-conscious residents. Worth flagging: Silenen's main strengths lie elsewhere—its environmental quality scores exceptionally high, with noise pollution at 9.9, air quality at 9.5, and nature access at 9.6. The core tradeoff here is clear: residents choosing Silenen prioritize exceptional environmental conditions and Alpine location over financial tax advantages.

Neighboring communes of Silenen

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 18.9 %20–64 years 59.7 %65 and over 21.5 %
Density
14 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
-12.6 %
Vacant housing
0.8 %
New dwellings
4.0 per 1,000 inhab.
Tertiary employment
41.1 %

Land use

Built-up area 0.9 %Agricultural land 12.9 %Forest 20.3 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Uri (UR)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
46.7765, 8.7604
BFS Number
1216
Last updated
29 June 2026

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