Austria is a beautiful country with a population of 9,095,239 people. This country offers beautiful scenery, historical sites, and better opportunities for your career and education.
If you are moving to Austria, you need to ensure that you have enough information about life in this country. We will share our 10- step checklists so you can have an idea of what it is like living in Austria. You will find information about the best cities to live in, the job market, public transportation, the cost of living in Austria, and many more.
1. Find Out The Common Pros And Cons Of Living In Austria To Get Yourself Prepared
Austria is a lovely place to live in. It has many perks that make living in this country an attractive idea.
However, like many places in the world, Austria also has its cons. For the best experience, you should be aware of these before packing your bags and making your way to Austria. As such, we have compiled some pros and cons that are essential to know.
The Pros Of Living In Austria
High Quality Of Life in Austria
One of the main reasons Austria is an excellent place to live in is the high quality of life. It offers well-developed transport and healthcare services, excellent education, and many leisure places to visit.
With this high quality of life, people living in Austria have a longer life expectancy and better health. They also find it easier to balance between work and personal life. This way, they can reduce the stress level caused by workload.
It Is A Safe Country
Austria is a safe country. It has a pretty low crime rate among developed countries.
Nonetheless, it is still crucial to be careful to avoid becoming a victim. One of the things you can do is not walk alone at night, especially around secluded areas.
Outdoor Activities
Surrounded by mountains, Austria is a perfect place for outdoor activities. If you are interested in winter sports, this country has many resorts that offer facilities for winter sports.
Another fun thing to do in Austria is biking. The cities in Austria are pretty walkable and bikeable, so it is easy to get around even if you do not have a car.
Expat Community
One of the crucial things to do after arriving in Austria is to find an expat community. This group can help you overcome culture shock and will recommend the best places to shop or eat.
A city like Vienna has quite a large expat community. You can find fellow expats online and then contact them for a meetup.
The Cons Of Living In Austria
It Is Difficult To Make Friends With The Locals
Many locals are not open to foreigners. Therefore, it may take a while for them to open up and make friends with expats.
You can make friends with your local colleagues. If you want to meet more people and have more local friends, you can join a community with the same hobby, join a course, or participate in a local event.
However, once they feel comfortable being your friends, you will find that Austrians are friendly people.
Language Barrier
Many people speak English in this country. However, you need to learn the German language to be able to communicate with more people, especially the locals.
Therefore, it is essential to enrol in a German language class before moving to or arriving in Austria. Taking language courses is also a great opportunity to make friends!
2. The Weather In Austria
Austria has four seasons which will offer you different experiences. Summers are the perfect season to visit Austria. The highest temperature in summers is 72°F (22°C) which is friendly for expats from cold and tropical countries.
On the other hand, the winter months are the best time for adventure. You can try winter sports such as skiing, snowboarding, sledging, ski jumping, and many more during this season.
You will be able to adjust to the winters in Austria as long as you have proper clothes. One tip you want to try is buying your clothes and necessities in your home country since the price in Austria can be more expensive.
3. Search For A New Home In The Good Areas
You will most likely choose the region you’ll be living in depending on your work location. However, having an overview of the best places to live in Austria is still beneficial.
Below are some of the cities considered the best places in Austria to work and live.
Vienna
Vienna is the Austrian capital, and it is one of the cities with the highest quality of life. This city offers excellent leisure facilities, public transport network, and healthcare.
Vienna is also a cultural centre in Austria. It has historical landmarks, museums, and musical venues. As a tourist destination, Vienna has amenities such as cafes, fine and mid-range restaurants, and street food.
This city is perfect for everyone, including singles, families, and retirees. You will never get bored living here because you will find plenty of things to do.
Salzburg
Salzburg is the only city in Austria that is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is the birthplace of Mozart, the filming location of The Sound of Music, and home to top universities.
This city is also known as the greenest city in Austria because it has the most eco-friendly public transport.
Therefore, if you want to live in an eco-friendly city with beautiful historical sites, Salzburg is the best choice. This city is perfect for families since it provides a healthy environment for children.
Linz
The next city in our recommendation is Linz. It is a beautiful city with riverside views.
Living in Linz will take you closer to attractions such as a zoo, house of art collections, cinema, and Linzer Schloss castle. There are also various restaurants where you can enjoy different local dishes.
It is easier to settle in this city if you speak German. Even though there are expats living here, being able to communicate in German will allow you to connect to more people.
4. The Overview On The Cost Of Living In Austria To Help You Make A Budget
Austria is one of the most expensive countries in the world. It can get pretty challenging to find affordable housing in this country.
In general, the estimated monthly expenses for a family of four is around €4,033 and for a single person is €1,871. The average monthly rent for an unfurnished apartment is about €600 to €800. In comparison, the rent for a furnished apartment ranges from €1,000 to €1,390.
Based on the above information, you will need an income of at least €3,000 a month to afford a decent cost of living in Austria for a single person. If you are moving with a family, you will need at least €5,000 a month.
Of course, there are ways you can cut your expenses and save more money. The following tips will help you to embrace the cost of living in Austria:
- Decide if you want to pay church tax, which is 1.1% of your income.
- Austrian tap water is safe to drink, so you need not buy mineral water.
- Take public transport or a bike.
- Remember to file your annual tax return.
- Use streaming services instead of television services.
- Choose to live outside the city centre to get a more affordable rent.
- Choose a medical insurance provider that offers cheaper policy costs.
5. Dive Into The Austrian Industries And Job Market
Securing a job is a crucial thing to do before relocating to Austria. This way, you will have a secured source of income in the new country.
Before diving into the Austrian job market, you need to learn about the biggest industries in this country:
- electronics,
- food and drinks,
- tourism,
- automotive,
- chemical industries, and
- steel and mechanical engineering.
The diversity in industries makes it possible for anyone to find an opportunity in Austria. You can find job opportunities online and decide which sector suits you the best.
To get a better chance of getting a job in Austria, you need a reference letter from your previous employer or professor. People who speak German also have a better chance in Austria’s job market and education.
6. Learn About The Public Transport Network
After securing a job and a home, you need to familiarise yourself with public transport. This will help you when you need to commute from your home to the office.
Luckily, Austrian public transport is well developed. Austria has U-Bahn (subway), Schnellbahn or S-Bahn (local train), Straßenbahn (tram) and Autobus (bus). It also has the main airport in Vienna and the smaller ones in other cities.
There are several options of passes you can choose from. There are 24 hours and 72 hours, weekly, monthly, and annual passes, apart from a single-trip ticket.
7. Go Around The Country To Visit These Beautiful Places!
Austria is surrounded by beautiful nature. There are also beautiful places in the city area that remind you of the past and get you closer to the local culture.
Start your journey by making a bucket list with the following places:
- Grüner See (Green Lake), Styria,
- Lünersee Lake, Vorarlberg,
- Austria’s Imperial Palace in Vienna,
- Salzburg Altstadt,
- Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna, and
- Mediaeval Burg Hochosterwitz.
There are many thermal baths around the country if you want to relax in hot water. One of them is Aqua Dome (Tirol Therme Längenfeld). This spa is surrounded by mountains, making the hot spring experience even better.
Additionally, Austria also has excellent museums around the country. Some of the nice museums to visit are Kunsthistorisches Museum and MuseumsQuartier in Vienna.
8. Get A Taste Of Austrian Local Dishes
Trying the local dishes is something you cannot miss. Austrian dishes are dominated by meat and bread as the main ingredient. They are flavourful and come in plenty of varieties.
To start off your culinary journey, here are some local dishes that won’t go wrong on your palate:
- Apfelstrudel (flaky pastry lined with apple),
- Vienna sausage,
- Knödel (dumpling),
- Tiroler Gröstl (pan-fried potato, chopped beef or pork, onion, and butter),
- Gulasch (above picture), and
- Brettljause (snacks on wooden board).
To get a whole Austrian experience, you have to try Almdudler. It is a popular carbonated drink in Austria.
9. Basic Etiquette You Need To Learn Before Flying To Austria
Old-fashioned etiquette can be a source of culture shock. You need to learn about local etiquette as a form of respect for Austrian culture.
Here are some of the things you need to remember when you live in Austria:
- Do not wear sports clothes in public spaces.
- Couples in Austria use different blankets.
- If you invite someone to hang out, it means you are paying.
- Keep your elbows off the table when dining with other people.
- Austrians do not hug when meeting people.
You will learn more as you live there. Your local friends will tell you the dos and don’ts so you can adapt to their culture.
10. Be Well Prepared! Follow These Practical Tips Before You Move To Austria
Moving to another country can be stressful if you do not know how to prepare yourself. These two practical tips will help make your relocation process more manageable and less stressful.
Make A Moving List
The easiest way to track your progress is by dividing the relocation process into smaller chunks. Making a moving list will save you from stress since you won’t have to memorise everything.
To help you prepare for the relocation, below are the pointers you can use for your moving list:
- home search,
- moving budget (preparation, trip, and post-moving)
- required documents,
- moving essentials,
- items to pack,
- things to sell and donate,
- important contacts,
- travel precautions, and
- contact a moving company.
You can use the above pointers and add the deadline to track your progress. If you are moving with kids, you should add “school search” to the list.
Let A Professional Ship Your Belongings To Austria
Carrying heavy luggage during your moving trip is not a good idea. You are moving to a different country, so it will be wiser to make your trip as simple as possible.
Engage a professional moving company like Sanelo to ship your belongings to Austria. This way, you shouldn’t be worried about carrying heavy luggage to a new country.
Conclusion About Moving To Austria
Living in Austria means you will be closer to opportunities in various industries, especially tourism. Austria also offers plenty of beautiful places to visit and local dishes to enjoy.
In Addition, Austria has excellent transportation that connects the cities around the country. You will find the cities in Austria are walkable and pretty safe.
To have a smooth relocation, you should be well prepared. Remember to learn the basic etiquettes, make a moving list, and engage Sanelo. A professional moving company like Sanelo, will ship your belongings to Austria and save you from carrying heavy luggage on your trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Austria
Can A US Citizen Move To Austria?
Yes, a US citizen can move to Austria. However, getting a work and residence permit may take longer as compared to EU/EEA citizens.
For US citizens, you need to apply for a visa that will allow you to live more than 90 days in Austria. With a proper visa and permit, you will also be able to legally work in this country.
Is Austria A Friendly Place For Foreigners?
The local people can come off as unfriendly. However, if you take the time to understand Austrian culture, you may be able to blend with them.
You can join groups with the same hobbies or language classes to meet more local people and make new friends.
How Much Do I Need To Make To Live In Austria?
The monthly net salary considered good for a single person is €2,000. If you manage to land a job that pays more, you can afford a more comfortable life.
If you plan to move with your family, you need to make around €3,000 a month to afford decent living expenses.
Can Sanelo Help Me With My International Relocation?
Yes, Sanelo can help with an international relocation. Our team will pick up your packages and then ship them to Austria. Please contact us for more information and assistance.
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