Living in Gilching: family-friendly living with S-Bahn and nature in the west of Munich
Ideal place for families
Gilching is an independent municipality in the Starnberg district. As of July 2024, the municipality officially had a population of 19,679 and an area of 31.5 km². This is relevant from a residential perspective because Gilching is large enough to have its own everyday center and extensive infrastructure, yet is still clearly perceived as a suburban community with access to green spaces.
The official town map does not depict Gilching as a single, unified entity, but rather as a municipality comprising several distinct sub-areas: Altdorf, Argelsried, Neugilching, and Geisenbrunn. In addition, there are several business parks in the north, west, south, and east. This very structure is particularly useful from a residential perspective because living in Gilching feels noticeably different depending on the sub-area.
Neighboring Towns and Residential Areas
Around Gilching, Germering, Puchheim, Fürstenfeldbruck, and Weßling also offer interesting housing options. This makes sense for those looking to move, as these towns share similar characteristics: they’re quieter than Munich, well-connected, and self-sufficient in everyday life.
Rental offers in Gilching
Gilching is an attractive place to live primarily because the town offers more than just a commute. Gilching is an ideal place for families; under the heading “Family & Education,” the town itself brings together a wide range of services, including daycare centers, schools, after-school care, and family support. From a residential perspective, this means that Gilching is not only well-connected by public transportation but also self-sufficient as a place to live day-to-day.
The school system is also a clear selling point for families. Officially, Gilching has two elementary schools operated by the municipality, as well as a Montessori school, a middle school, and the Christoph-Probst-Gymnasium. This means the town is significantly better equipped for day-to-day education than many smaller surrounding towns.
Then there’s the economic side. The municipality has several industrial parks; the North Industrial Park covers about 17 hectares, the South Industrial Park about 17.4 hectares, and the West Industrial Park about 20 hectares. It is precisely this mix of residential and commercial areas that makes Gilching particularly attractive to working professionals.
Gilching appeals to families, commuters, working professionals with ties to western Munich, and smaller households seeking a quieter environment. The town can also be an attractive option for temporary housing if access to the S-Bahn and proximity to nature are important factors.
| To the center (Marienplatz) | To the central station | To the airport |
|---|---|---|
| 27,7 km | 25,1 km | 57,6 km |
Photo galleries
Shopping
Gilching is also solidly positioned in everyday life. There are numerous retailers, supermarkets and specialist stores; the municipality adds the weekly market Am Markt as a regular meeting point in the center. This is important for those looking for a place to live, as it makes Gilching not only homely but also very well organized in everyday life.
Gastronomy
For exercise and local recreation, Gilching benefits greatly from its surroundings. The municipality has cycling and hiking trails as well as three local circular routes run by the Zeitreise Gilching association. There are also smaller lakes and recreational areas in the surrounding area. Nature is therefore not just a backdrop here, but a real part of the quality of life.
Leisure
Gilching is particularly well known for its DAV climbing and bouldering center München-West. According to its own website, the center offers courses, family offers and children's areas; even the MVV train station in Gilching-Argelsried links the station directly to the climbing center. This is a real locational advantage for active households.
