Vienna is a large city that appears smaller than it actually is. It is very international and offers an excellent quality of life. Therefore, living and working in Vienna can be a good option.
Living in Vienna also means living in the center of Europe, with many opportunities for easy travel, both within the country and abroad. In the summer, you can spend a weekend at one of Austria’s beautiful lakes, and in the winter, a ski resort is within easy reach.
Vienna is an open-air museum with an abundance of palaces and houses with gleaming white Art Nouveau facades. The general cleanliness of the streets is really good, although it has gotten a bit worse lately.
The city is not overcrowded compared to other European metropolises and has many green areas, and the Vienna Woods are located near the city.
Its own charm is not easy to explain. The many cafes, buildings, cobblestone streets and quaint stores create a magical and intimate atmosphere.
Living and working in Vienna is a good choice, as Vienna tops many rankings for the “city with the best quality of life.” However, it has a large sprawl, so it depends a lot in which neighborhood you live. Rents are not very high, a two-room flat costs about €800-1,000 per month and a room in a shared flat costs about €400. The supply of rental apartments is low and the demand is high, so the apartments will soon be rented.
Unlike other European capitals, all stores are closed on Sundays, except for the supermarkets at the train stations, which are hell. The only way to buy anything on Sunday (bread, drinks, etc.) is to go to a gas station and buy it there at a 30% higher price.
Many people in Vienna do not speak English. So if you need something, for example, a plumber, an electrician, to buy an appliance, etc., you always have to ask someone to help you.
Also here, as in the rest of the world, security conditions have deteriorated in recent years due to increasing poverty and mass migration. Despite all this, Vienna is still a safe city where you can move around in most areas without any problems.
Kindergartens, schools, universities and hospitals are (mostly) of high quality, both in terms of equipment and staff qualifications. One of the best things about Vienna is the quality of the facilities and the ease of access.
Public transportation is well organized and runs frequently, so you do not necessarily need a car to get around the city.
I also believe that there are few cities in the world where children can grow up like in Vienna in terms of services for families.
It’s not a cheap city. The cost of living in Vienna is quite high compared to average salaries, to have a good standard of living you need a good salary.
Some people say Vienna is cheap compared to other European capitals, but even if it was, it is catching up fast, because in recent years real estate prices have skyrocketed. The cost of many products is higher than in neighboring Germany.
The weather is generally temperate, in summer it can sometimes be very hot, while in winter it can be quite cold, but in general temperatures are acceptable. Summers are wonderful with long days and warm nights. On the other hand, autumn and winter can be a bit depressing because of the gray days and darkness.
The people are less strict than the Germans or the Swiss and can be quite amusing. They are polite and pleasant, but they live in their usual circle of friends and are generally not very open to new friends. It is quite difficult for foreigners to integrate and get to know the true soul of the Viennese.
As for racism and xenophobia, I would say that the situation is neither worse nor better than in other European cities.
The economy in Austria is not what it was 20 years ago, and it is not as easy as it used to be to find a job. There is no lack of offers, but if you do not have a good knowledge of German, it is not so easy to find a job.
Why would they hire someone who does not speak German? Unless you are a highly qualified scientist, engineer or IT specialist, companies will hire an Austrian or someone who knows German.
English jobs are hard to find. There are many Americans, Canadians and British. In Vienna, recruiters often state in their job ads that they hire only native English speakers.
Without knowledge of German, it is possible to find a job in the pharmaceutical, financial, IT, marketing and trading industries in a multinational company (many have a branch in Vienna) or in an Austrian company with global operations. In any case, your chances of being hired are much higher if you have a good command of German.
The research sector should not be underestimated. Around 40% of researchers working in Austria work in Vienna, and more than 3 billion euros are invested in research every year.
Unskilled workers who do not speak German can only work in the hospitality industry, for example as dishwashers or in similar jobs.
In Vienna, it is not common to hand out resumes in bars or restaurants; applications must be submitted online. Alternatively, many job openings are published in local newspapers or “Employees Wanted” signs are posted on bar doors.
If you do not speak the language, be prepared for disappointment. Most of your requests will go unanswered. 98% of companies require at least some knowledge of German. And even if you speak English, it will not give you an advantage.
Like everywhere else in the world, the same applies here: If you have personal connections, the hiring process is much easier.
Vienna has been voted the city with the best quality of life in the world for several years in a row. The crime rate is low, there is a rich cultural life, and the services and institutions function perfectly.
The city offers a quiet and cozy life, especially suitable for families (it is a great place to raise children), or for those looking for a comfortable and relaxed life. Perfect for small pleasures, like biking, hiking or having a coffee overlooking the Danube.
I am not saying that Vienna does not offer nightlife, but if you are looking for a real nightlife, you’d better look elsewhere.
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
