Vienna is the capital of Austria, with a rich history dating back to centuries ago. Despite the growing economy and number of expats, today, Vienna is still able to maintain its heritage and culture.
The combination of historical sites and modern lifestyle makes living in Vienna an attractive idea for people from around the world.
In this article, we will share 12 recommendations that will help you with your preparations before moving to Vienna. We will also let you in on the cost of living in Vienna to help you craft your monthly budget.
1. The Dos And Don’ts Of Living In Vienna, Austria, That Will Save You Big Time
First up, the dos and don’ts. To settle into a new area, you need to know the locals’ etiquette so as to avoid accidentally offending anyone. The following information will guide you on how to act and adjust to the local culture.
The Dos
Clarify And Be Specific When Ordering Water
Most people in Vienna prefer drinking sparkling water to still water. If you go to a restaurant and ask for water, they will serve you sparkling water by default. Therefore, you need to clarify your water order if you want still water.
Learn Viennese Waltz
Viennese Ball is a thing in Vienna. The ball season in Vienna is between January and March every year.
Attending the Viennese Balls is recommended since you will have the chance to learn more about the culture and people. You will also be surprised that children in this city may be better dancers than you.
Be Polite
For people from countries where being expressive is normal, adjusting to Viennese politeness can be challenging. Most locals will smile and be polite regardless of how they feel about the conversation.
However, you will adjust to this politeness after a while and be able to pinpoint if the person you are talking to is comfortable or not.
Walk On The Left, Stand On The Right
There is a strict escalator rule that you need to abide by when you’re in Vienna. Always walk on the left side and stand on the right side. If you happen to break this rule, you might just get told off by the locals.
The Don’ts
Don’t Be Late
Austrian people are punctual. If you make an appointment, it is best to arrive a couple of minutes earlier than later.
Being punctual will also give them a good impression of you. This rule applies in both professional and casual situations.
Get Your Shopping Done Before Sunday
Most shops are closed on Sundays. Therefore, you need to make sure to buy your necessities before Sunday.
Some restaurants and food stalls are still open on Sundays if you need to buy something to eat.
2. Get To Know The Climate In Vienna
Vienna is the best city if you want plenty of sunshine. On average, this city gets 1,900 hours of sunshine in a year! On top of that, Vienna’s weather is generally moderate, with no extreme heat or cold.
The coldest temperature in Vienna is 49.6°F (9.8°C), while the hottest temperature is 69.1°F (20.6°C). You will get to enjoy outdoor activities all year round with these temperatures.
3. Overcome The High Cost Of Living In Vienna By Following Our Tips
The cost of living in Vienna is not low, but it is manageable. A family of four will spend about €3,772 on monthly expenses, while a single person spends around €1,872.
To help you manage your monthly budget, check out the following tips on how to save money in Vienna:
- Live in the neighbourhood outside the central location of Vienna.
- Cook your own meals to reduce the frequency of eating out.
- Buy a library card to get books, newspapers, CDs, and DVDs at a small annual fee.
- Avoid the high broadcasting costs by using streaming services instead of TV.
4. Best Neighbourhoods To Live In Vienna
Finding the right neighbourhoods can be a challenging task. But no worries, because we have recommendations for the best areas in Vienna.
Below are some of the recommended neighbourhoods for different needs, such as for families, expats, and those who want affordable housing.
Landstraße
This neighbourhood is perfect for families. It provides a wide range of housing types like apartments and houses for families of all sizes.
Landstraße is in the central location and home to Wien Mitte Station, making it easy to commute to the rest of the city. Besides that, this area has a laid back vibe despite being within the centre of Vienna.
Margareten
Margareten is a densely populated area with multicultural residents. Many expats living in Vienna find it easier to settle in this neighbourhood.
This area is also known as the affordable Viennese dining district. It is packed with coffee shops and restaurants. In addition, you will also find a venue for independent movies in Margareten.
Donaustadt
Donaustadt is known for its affordable housing. This is probably due to its far distance from the city centre. If you want to find a furnished apartment at an affordable price, check out this neighbourhood.
On top of that, Donaustadt offers easy access to nature. You only need a short walk to reach Danube-Auen National Park.
5. Biggest Sectors And More Job Opportunities In Vienna
Vienna accounts for one-fourth of employment in Austria. However, the number of active workers has decreased due to the rising population of older people.
Therefore, the recruitment of foreign workers is needed to maintain the local economy’s stability. Vienna itself is the producer of Austria’s capital goods and almost half of its consumer goods.
Below are the leading industries in Vienna for your reference:
- manufacture of machinery,
- electrical, chemicals, and metal products,
- banking,
- service industries, and
- tourism.
Some expats living in Vienna are also digital nomads. If you plan to move as a digital nomad, you can apply for a tourist visa or a digital nomad visa.
A digital nomad visa allows you to stay in Vienna for a year without a work permit. However, the holder of this visa is not eligible to be employed by local companies.
6. Find The Best Schools And Universities In Vienna
Finding the best schools can be challenging without a reference. Therefore, we will share some of Vienna’s top schools and universities.
We recommend international schools because your kids will adapt better to an English speaking school. In addition, they will also receive German classes so they can communicate with the locals.
If you move with your kids, you can check out the following schools, which are some of the top schools in the city:
- Danube International School Vienna,
- The American International School Vienna,
- International Christian School of Vienna, and
- Gymnasium Klosterneuburg International School.
Vienna also offers excellent universities with various programs for those who want to pursue higher education. Below are some of the top universities for your reference:
- Vienna University of Technology,
- Universität Innsbruck, and
- The University of Vienna.
7. Public Transport Connections
The good thing about living in Vienna is that this city is well-connected. It has excellent public transportation with buses, trams, trains, and underground lines that will take you anywhere in the city.
It is also more effective to go around by public transport than by car. In addition, there is also an airport in this city to connect Austria to other countries.
On top of the excellent transportation system, Vienna is pretty walkable. The most walkable part of this city is central Vienna. In fact, it is almost impossible to get lost in this area since there is only one main ring road.
8. Museums And Landmarks To Visit Around The City
Vienna is a city with rich culture and history. It is not surprising to find museums and landmarks around the city.
You can learn more about the history and culture of Vienna while enjoying the beautiful architecture and artworks by visiting museums and landmarks.
Here are some of the museums that you should visit at least once when you’re living in Vienna:
- Belvedere,
- Albertina, and
- Kunsthistorisches Museum Wien (Art History Museum).
To enjoy the stunning architecture in Vienna, here are the landmarks you can visit:
- Historic Centre of Vienna,
- Schönbrunn Palace,
- State Hall of the Austrian National Library, and
- Rathausplatz.
If you want to experience a different type of entertainment, visit The Musikverein. It is the most famous classical music venue in Vienna.
9. Outdoor Areas To Enjoy In Vienna
Trying an outdoor adventure is a must when you live in Vienna. For you who want to go for some winter sports, there are ski resorts near Vienna you can visit. Some of the nearest ones are St Corona, Mönichkirchen – Mariensee, and Semmering.
In addition, you can also visit beautiful gardens around Vienna. Check out the following gardens that will brighten up your mood:
- Schonbrunner Gardens,
- Botanischer Garten (Botanical Garden of the University of Vienna),
- Blumengaerten Hirschstetten,
- Burggarten, and
- Augarten.
In addition, Vienna is also famous for its vineyards. To have a better experience exploring Vienna’s vineyards, you may join a wine tour.
10. Highly Recommended Local Dishes For Newcomers
As a tourist destination, Vienna has a vibrant food scene. It is not challenging to find the dishes that suit your taste in this city.
In fact, you will get a better experience living in Vienna if you challenge yourself to taste a variety of local dishes.
To start off your culinary adventure, you can try the highly recommended dishes as follows:
- gulasch (beef stew),
- Wiener Schnitzel,
- Apfelstrudel (apple strudel),
- Sachertorte (Sacher cake), and
- Tafelspitz (boiled beef).
11. Festivals And Events To Join Throughout The Year In Vienna
You will never get bored in Vienna. This city has festivals all year round that you can participate in. There are events and festivals every month in Vienna.
You can find tasty food and drinks, also you can shop while enjoying the festivals. These festivals are a great place to get you closer to Austrian culture.
Below are some of the festivals and local events in Vienna that you can enjoy in a year:
- New Year markets,
- Vienna Ice World,
- The International Orchid Show,
- Steiermark Frühling festival,
- Donaukanaltreiben (Urban Festival),
- Christmas markets, and many more.
If you are worried it will be awkward to attend a festival alone, you can ask your local friends and colleagues to tag along.
12. Things To Help You To Get A Smooth Relocation To Vienna
If you want a seamless relocation, you need to prepare for it well. The first thing you need to do is make a moving list, then contact a moving company.
You may be surprised how these two tips will save your time and energy while preparing for your relocation.
Moving List Is Your Saviour
Trying to memorise everything you need for the relocation can be stressful. Therefore, make a list that contains all your to-do list, moving timeline, items you need, and other pointers related to your relocation.
Please remember to contact your employer and real estate agent several weeks before your trip to Vienna. This will give them a heads-up about your arrival and buffer time to prepare the essential things or documents for you.
Another thing that should not be missing from your list is the budget. While making a budget, you need to cover how much you need for the relocation preparation, trip, and post-moving.
A Professional Moving Company Will Save You From Stress
Carrying heavy luggage on your moving trip is not a good idea. Moreover, if you’re moving to another country, you need to be as practical as possible, including carrying less luggage.
Hiring a moving company like Sanelo will save you from stress and excess baggage fee. We have a team with years of experience helping people move internationally and locally.
Conclusion About Moving To Vienna
Living in Vienna is far from boring. It offers beautiful city attractions, including landmarks, museums, and green spaces. Vienna also has festivals every month throughout the year so you’ll never get bored.
This city provides most employment in Austria for both locals and expats. The industries growing in Vienna are pretty diverse, allowing people from various expertise to find job opportunities here.
On top of that, Vienna is family-friendly. You will find excellent schools and universities for your children. Vienna also offers various options of neighbourhoods that suit your needs, whether you’ll be living alone or with family.
To make your relocation process less stressful, remember to make a moving checklist and engage Sanelo.
A professional moving company like Sanelo will help you ship your belongings to Vienna, Austria. This will save you from carrying heavy luggage on your moving trip.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving To Vienna
Is Vienna A Nice Place To Live?
Vienna is an excellent city to live in. It has cheap and effective public transport, low crime rates, and plenty of green spaces.
Is Vienna A Good Place For Expats?
Many expats live in Vienna to enjoy the beautiful architecture while being able to work in the sectors they want. There is also an expat community that will help you to settle in Vienna.
How Much Is The Average Salary In Vienna?
The average salary in Vienna ranges from €2,000 to €3,000 a month. Ideally, an employer will pay you 14 times in a year, including 12 monthly salaries, Christmas and holiday allowance.
How Far Ahead Should I Contact Sanelo Before Moving?
It is best to contact us two or three months before your moving date. This will give our team time to schedule a slot for your shipment and prepare the essentials.
If you need more information about moving to other European cities, check out the following articles: