Hi all,
One week to go until I'm there and I'm a little apprehensive (as can be told by the amount of posting I'm doing). I was only on interview for a day so really didn't get much time to look around Gstaad or the local area. It looked nice though. I'm aware Gstaad is a little expensive so I'm thinking of a few ways to save money for the first month. I've been advised that it may be cheaper to shop/socialise etc in Sannen or perhaps even go a little further afield to buy any more substantial goods. Does anyone live in this part of Switzerland who can give me any tips?

Many thanks
Chris

Hey Chris-
Could you be more specific about what types of things you would need to save money on? I have been to Gstaad, and it is very expensive for many things-groceries are the same as everywhere, but there are no "normal" stores for furniture, clothes, or anything else. . .Saanen is less expensive for restaurants, but not a large town, so will also not help as far as household supplies are concerned.

If I were to recommend somewhere to do some major shopping, then if you have a car then you could drive over the Col du Pillon pass and down into the Rhone valley. There are lots of big stores (supermarkets, huge sports stores, furniture shops, etc) around Aigle and Monthey. However, Thun might be a similar distance and offer similar things, and you can also get there by train from Gstaad (although you'd have to change in both Zweisimmen and Spiez).

Cheers. It was mainly for things like food. I will have no car though.

Hi,
for shopping you could also visit Bulle in the canton of Fribourg, it will be roughly the same distance as going down to Aigle.( about 50 mins I think) I was there on Friday, they have opened a big new migros and I think there was a coop next door, plus lots of other shops. Altho` I do think Aigle/Monthey shops are probably bigger and better, however in winter the Bulle road may be easier to pass. You could also take the MOB train down to Montreux-Vevey where there is always some festival or other going on and shopping is OK.
Les Diablerets which is close to you has very little, Chateau d`Oex is quite nice but not a great choice of shops.Rougemont is tiny so you won`t get much there.
Nice part of the country tho.
Jo

There is a Coop and a Migros in Gstaad but both are underground!! You can also use Landi (farmers store) for household stuff. It is very well priced. For "normal" things, just avoid the Promenade and you'll be fine.

If you're without a car, you can also go down to Thun to shop as well or Zweisimmen which is closer but smaller.

Oops

Sorry missed the year of the OP!

Yip. Been here a year now. lol. Good advice on Thun though. Easy to get to but has remarkably a lot there for its size. Could perhaps do with a Pickwicks though.