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!

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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.

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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.