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Quality of life in Bäretswil (Zurich) — scores, review and neighborhoods

6.3/ 10
Top 25% in SwitzerlandVery good
Population
4,813
Commune type
Village

Living in Bäretswil, a commune of 4813 inhabitants in Canton Zurich — with an overall score of 6.3/10, this commune is attractive for quality of life in Switzerland. It stands out for Noise (9.7/10) and Nature & Green Spaces (9.5/10). Its score is in line with the cantonal average.

Scorecard

Noise
9.7
Air Quality
6.8
Public Transport
0.5
Education & Culture
7.1
Nightlife & Dining
5.7
Nature & Green Spaces
9.5
Healthcare
7.3
Taxation
5.6
Annual Sunshine
4.2
Cantonal average

Recommended Profiles

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

For nature lovers looking to settle in Switzerland, Bäretswil achieves a compatibility score of 7.3/10. Key strengths for this profile include Nature & Green Spaces and Noise. The Young Professional profile (5.2/10) would find better alternatives in neighboring communes.

Strengths: Bäretswil excels in Noise (9.7/10) — a quiet environment, ideal for rest and focus, Nature & Green Spaces (9.5/10) — a green environment with many accessible green spaces, Healthcare (7.3/10) — excellent access to doctors, clinics, and hospitals.

Areas to consider: Lower scores are noted for Public Transport (0.5/10) — limited public transport connections, Annual Sunshine (4.2/10).

Transaction prices in Bäretswil

Rolling median of sales from 2021 to 2025

Detached house

1’115’000 CHF

middle half of sales: 990’000 – 1’300’000 · 43 sales

Owner-occupied flat

870’000 CHF

middle half of sales: 690’000 – 996’250 · 52 sales

Source: property transfer statistics, Canton of Zurich (land registries and notaries). Actual sale prices, not an estimate.

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Key Infrastructure

Education & Culture

Fahrzeug-MuseumMuseum
Museum Neuthal Textil- & IndustriekulturMuseum
Industrie Ensemble BäretswilMuseum
Sagi StockrütiMuseum
Mediothek BäretswilLibrary
Schulhaus MaiwinkelSchool
Schulhaus Dorf BSchool
Schulhaus LettenSchool

Public Transport

BäretswilTrain Station
NeuthalTrain Station
Bäretswil GemeindehausBus Stop
Bäretswil OberdorfBus Stop
BussentalBus Stop
Bäretswil BahnhofBus Stop
Neuthal bei BäretswilBus Stop
EishalleBus Stop

Healthcare Facilities

Geburtshaus Zürcher OberlandMedical Centre
Praxis BäretswilDoctor
dorokine AP Kinesiologie BIKDoctor
KineMaHom - PraxisDoctor
Praxis Dr. Barbara BiedermannDoctor
Dr. med. dent. Erik MüllerDoctor

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

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

Frequently asked questions about Bäretswil

What's it like to live in Bäretswil? Resident impressions and quality of life
Bäretswil distinguishes itself as a serene rural commune with exceptional environmental conditions. The commune excels in noise protection at 9.7 and nature access at 9.5, creating a notably peaceful setting for residents seeking tranquility away from urban pressures. Air quality also scores solidly at 7.7. However, public transport connectivity presents a significant challenge, scoring just 0.2, meaning residents depend heavily on private vehicles. Educational facilities score 4.1, and healthcare services at 6.4 offer moderate support. By contrast, dining and leisure options remain limited at 2.3. This Zurich commune, neighboring Hittnau, Bauma, and Hinwil, offers a fundamental tradeoff: pristine natural surroundings and quietness come at the cost of restricted mobility and modest urban conveniences.
How sunny and clean is the air in Bäretswil?
Bäretswil excels in environmental quality but offers moderate sunshine. The commune scores exceptionally high on air quality at 7.7, reflecting clean atmospheric conditions typical of its rural Zurich setting. By contrast, sunshine levels are more modest at 4.2, suggesting frequent cloud cover or topographical shading common in this region. Neighboring communes like Hittnau, Bauma, and Hinwil share similar climate patterns. For residents prioritizing fresh air, Bäretswil delivers notably well; those seeking abundant sunlight should manage expectations accordingly.
How well-connected is Bäretswil? Transport, schools, dining
Bäretswil struggles with public transport connectivity, scoring just 0.2 on transport accessibility. This rural character extends to dining options, where the commune scores 2.3, offering limited restaurant infrastructure. Education fares somewhat better at 4.1, though resources remain modest compared to urban centers. The commune's strength lies elsewhere: exceptional environmental quality with noise and air scores of 9.7 and 7.7, plus outstanding nature access at 9.5. Located near Winterthur and bordered by Hittnau, Bauma, and Hinwil, Bäretswil essentially trades connectivity and amenities for a quieter, nature-focused lifestyle—a classic rural-suburban tradeoff that appeals primarily to those prioritizing natural surroundings over urban convenience.
What are the neighboring communes of Bäretswil and how big is it?
Bäretswil is a small commune in Zurich canton with a population of 4,813 residents. It borders three neighbors: Hittnau, Bauma, and Hinwil. Despite its modest size, the commune excels in environmental quality, scoring 9.7 for noise levels and 9.5 for nature access—making it an exceptionally quiet and green setting. Education services score more modestly at 4.1. The main tradeoff is clear: Bäretswil prioritizes natural tranquility over urban amenities and public services, appealing to those seeking rural calm within the Winterthur agglomeration.
Is Bäretswil a tax-friendly municipality?
Bäretswil presents a moderate fiscal position that does not position it as a particularly tax-advantaged commune. Its tax score of 5.6 falls slightly below the midpoint, suggesting comparable rates to many Swiss municipalities rather than exceptional tax benefits. The commune's real strengths lie elsewhere: notably in environmental quality, with outstanding noise and nature scores of 9.7 and 9.5 respectively, and reasonable air quality at 7.7. By contrast, education services score lower at 4.1. For prospective residents, the tradeoff is clear—Bäretswil rewards those prioritizing natural surroundings and tranquility over fiscal incentives, making it suitable for families valuing landscape over tax savings.

Neighboring communes of Bäretswil

Demographic profile

Age structure

0–19 years 21.5 %20–64 years 58.2 %65 and over 20.3 %
Density
228 inhab./km²
Change over 10 yrs
+5.1 %
Vacant housing
1.5 %
New dwellings
1.8 per 1,000 inhab.
Social assistance
1.7 %
Tertiary employment
66.6 %

Land use

Built-up area 8.6 %Agricultural land 49.5 %Forest 39.3 %

Source: FSO — Regional portraits of municipalities, 2021

Information

Canton
Zurich (ZH)
Language region
German-speaking Switzerland
Coordinates
47.3431, 8.8676
BFS Number
111
Last updated
29 June 2026

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

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