Salzburg is located on the border between Austria and Germany. The city, through which the Salzach River flows, was the birthplace of the great Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart. Many, attracted by the beauty of the city, think about living and working in Salzburg.
Throughout its thousand-year history, it has always remained on the brink of wars and conflicts thanks to its salt mines, its invincible strength and its status as property of the Church. Salzburg was to Europe what United Arab Emirates is to the world today. Money has never been an issue here, and Salzburg is one of the cities with the highest quality of life in Europe.
The city is big enough to offer everything a big city has to offer, but small enough to feel like a quiet, peaceful town.
It is the perfect city for nature lovers, as it is located in close proximity to beautiful natural surroundings. The city is surrounded by mountains and alpine lakes, and there are many opportunities for adventure sports such as hiking, skiing, etc.
Salzburg is famous for its opera houses and classical music. The quality and quantity of cultural activities is remarkable. Numerous musical events take place throughout the year.
In summer and around Christmas the city is very crowded. People from all over the world flock to the narrow streets of the center. If the crowds get too much for you, you can go for a walk in the woods around the city or just turn the corner, off the beaten path, and be on your own.
One of the negative aspects of Salzburg is the high cost of living. Prices in the city are even higher than in Vienna. So if you are planning to move, make sure you have enough money to cover your initial expenses, especially rent.
Food and basic expenses are more expensive in Salzburg and Austria than in neighboring Germany. Rents, on the other hand, depend on the city.
The city is not very big, the bicycle is the best way to get around. Public transportation is not very good, although there is a bus system that covers the entire city.
Since Salzburg is a small city, it has some elements that surpass Vienna in terms of quality of life. For example, safety: walking through the streets, you always feel completely safe. A reassuring fact for immigrants, because unpleasant accidents due to origin, race or religion are almost non-existent.
The first thing that stands out is the large number of bicycles that are parked everywhere, with the certainty that no one will steal them.
Weather, on the other hand, is a problem. Imagine living in a place where it rains eight months a year (an average of 15 days a month), while three months everything is covered with snow.
The great advantage of living and working in Salzburg is the job opportunities it offers. The youth unemployment rate is only 4.5%.
However, there is a problem with the language: to work, you need to know German. Unless you work in IT or for an international company like the famous Red Bull, where English is sufficient. If you do not know the language, you run the risk of ending up in places where you will be exploited.
It is possible to find work even if you only know English, in cafes, bars, hostels, especially in the tourist resorts around Salzburg (Kitzbuehel, Saalbach, Kaprun, Obertauern, Kitzsteinhorn), as a cleaner or kitchen help, etc.
In summary, Salzburg is a quiet, safe and clean city where you can get everywhere by bike, but it is still a small center where you can not find as many opportunities as in big cities like Munich or Vienna. Social life can also get a bit monotonous and boring at some point.
If you want all the information on how to work in Austria I suggest you read the article: Working in Austria
If you want all the information on how to move to Austria you can read the article: Moving to Austria, all you need to know
