A Beginner's Guide to Living in Vienna

Austria's Capital

Known as the world's capital of classical music, its imperial past is visible everywhere, from the grand palaces of the Habsburgs to the baroque churches and cobblestone streets, it is a place where history and green intertwine seamlessly.

Yet the city isn't just about historic buildings - large parks and tree lined avenues give it a fresh feel. Local white wine varieties can be enjoyed in the wine hills and gardens around Vienna which make this the only major capital in the world with significant vineyards within its city limits.

Everything that I've already mentioned - and what I am about to - makes it easy to see why Vienna has been celebrated for 16 consecutive years as not just a super livable city, but an utterly lovable city, too.

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A Foreigner's Take on Living in Vienna

Nearly half of Vienna's population are residents born outside of Austria. This makes the expat community not just large but a vibrant blend of people from all over the globe.

Strolling through the streets of Vienna, you can hear countless languages spoken by people from diverse backgrounds, while all of them have one thing in common: they call this city home.

Creating Your Own Little Vienna Family

The easiest way to make connections is, of course, through work. But it's also important to have friends outside your work circle.

That's where Facebook expat groups or Instagram profiles can be a great option for making friends in a new city. You can take part in activities, connect with people, and do it all in English - much easier if your German isn't great yet. Speaking of which...

From "Guten Tag" to Great Conversations

Since Vienna attracts a high number of tourists all year around, you can easily get by with English, as English is widely spoken throughout the city, especially in the service sector. However, for truly settling in and connecting with locals, German is essential.

Some Viennese like speaking German and don't seem too enthusiastic about switching to English, but don't worry, it's not you, it's really them :)

Depending on your goals, I recommend these apps/platforms for language learning:

• Drops: Use the free version of this app for 5-minutes of vocab lessons a day. This is good for improving vocab but little else.
• Mondly: If you want to have a little bit more practice, this app is similar to Duolingo but has less silly prompts and more realistic phrases and sentences.
• Babbel: Babbel is similar to Mondly but also teaches cultural tidbits during the language lesson.
• iTalki: If you're more serious about learning to speak the language, this platform allows you to have 1:1 or group lessons with native teachers. This is especially helpful when it comes to getting accustomed to the Lisbon accent.

Cold on the Outside, Warm on the Inside

Although known as cold and seeming reserved at first, after you break the ice you can see that the Viennese are genuinely warm, loyal and open to newcomers.

Money Matters: How Expensive is Vienna?

Vienna isn't the cheapest European capital but compared to other beautiful cities, like London or Paris, it's surprisingly reasonable, if you know where to look. High salaries make it affordable but nevertheless, the cost of living is quite high.

Housing Costs

Paying for rent is surely the biggest cost while living in Vienna.

Rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center varies from €900 to €1400 per month (or even more depending on location), while average cost of a room in a "WG" (shared apartment) ranges from €400 to €700 per month depending on location and room size. The most popular platforms are Willhaben.at and Immobilienscout24.at.

Utilities like water, gas, internet add €150-€300 per month.

Deposit is usually 2-3 month's rent, and shorter rentals come usually with higher monthly cost.

Healthcare

Health insurance, private or public, is mandatory for every Austrian citizen and is one of the conditions for receiving a visa.

Most people use ÖGK - Österreichische Gesundheitskasse, which is a public health insurance. Most employees are automatically covered through ÖGK which provides access to doctors, hospitals and prescriptions at low or no costs.

For employed people, the cost is automatically deducted from your monthly salary depending on the income, while self-employed people must arrange their own coverage which adds about €200 to €400 to monthly costs.

Groceries

The cost of groceries can vary in shopping habits, preferences and where you choose to shop. A single person should expect to spend about €250 - €500 per month. The most popular shops are Billa and Spar, while the low cost options are Lidl and Hofer.

Public Transportation

Vienna's public transport system is one of the best in the world which makes using a car unnecessary. The well connected network includes U-Bahn (Subway), Trams, Buses, and S-Bahn all integrated in a one ticket system, and the €365 yearly pass is the best value for getting around Vienna.

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The Best Neighbourhoods to Call Home

Structurally, Vienna is easy to navigate: the historic inner city (Innere Stadt) forms the core, surrounded by 23 well planned districts, each with its own character, blending modern life with centuries of culture. I would recommend starting with a district that is well-connected to the U-Bahn and close to your work or university.

Some of my preferences include:

• 1st District: Perfect if you want to be in the heart of it all, museums, coffee houses, luxury shopping, stunning architecture, but expect premium prices at this central location.
• 6th and 7th District: Full of restaurants, bars, boutiques and good nightlife with lively atmosphere and art spaces, everything is around the corner which makes you not feel the need to explore any other part of the city.
• 22th District: Modern apartments, green areas and family-friendly vibes make it feel like a city within a city, all with the water as your backyard.

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The Paperwork Part: Visa Options for Expats

For EU/EEA and Swiss citizens it's simple: you can live and work here without a visa, but you must register your residence within four months of arrival.

Non-EU citizens have several options:

• Red-White-Red Card for skilled workers. This is the most common visa, where your employer is your sponsor and your support during the whole process.
• Job seeker visa for highly qualified professionals. This visa gives you the right to come and job hunt in-person, allowing you to move to Vienna before securing a work contract.
• Specific residence permits that allow independent work for freelancers and self-employed. Requirements vary, but most involve proof of income, health insurance, and accommodation, so a bit of planning goes a long way.

Appointments are well organised and on time, but occasional slip-ups happen, where one or two polite follow up calls will sort things out.

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The Good, the Bad & the Beautiful: Vienna Life

Vienna is alive all year around. From sparkling winter markets spreading all over the city making it one of the biggest winter markets in Europe, to the Easter markets in spring and the traditional Film Festival in summer, there's always something to see, do or taste.

The Danube Canal is where the city comes to unwind. It's perfect for evening strolls, drinks with friends or joining salsa dancing right by the water.

For those who love staying active, the Danube itself is perfect for swimming, rowing or just enjoying the sun. Add Vienna's countless parks, bike lines, and green spaces, and healthy living here feels effortless. But when needed, there is always the "Donauinselfest" to let go and enjoy the good vibes.

Of course no day in Vienna is complete without its café and food culture. From the traditional wiener schnitzel to the oldest keiserschmarrn, there is always a spot to taste something delicious.

You're always one flight or train ride away from nearby countries and countless destinations around the globe, and thanks to Vienna's role as a major transit airport, traveling can be surprisingly affordable.

And then there's Vienna's magical ball season, an experience that feels straight out of a fairy tale. Glittering gowns and the sound of waltzes drifting through historic palaces make the city feel like traveling back in time. An unforgettable experience even if you don't dance.

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Before You Pack: Vienna Survival Tips from an Expat

Here's a few more things to bare in mind when preparing for your move to Vienna:

• Apartments often come unfurnished. Unlike in many other countries, it's common for rentals to be mostly empty. Expect to provide your own furniture, lightning and sometimes even kitchen.
• The Viennese love to complain. About the weather, the tram being three minutes late, the coffee not being strong enough even the famous Sachertorte being too sweet. Complaining in Vienna is a way to bond, express care - think of it like a Viennese form of small talk but with a dash of drama. As an expat you may find yourself confused at first, but soon you'll realise it's part of the city's charm. So if you ever get the chance of hearing a local sight about the queue at the bakery, just smile and nod, you are witnessing one of Vienna's quirkiest and lovable traditions in action.
• Keep some cash on hand. Many places, especially small cafés, markets, or local events, prefer cash over cards so having a few euros ready will save you headaches.
• Sundays are all about nature, friends and family. There are just two shops in Vienna working on Sundays so if you need groceries, plan ahead and shop for more than just one day.

Of course, life in Vienna isn't all perfect. Rent in central districts can be steep and winters can be cold and grey but with so much culture, greenery, and hidden treasures the city quickly wins you over.

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Will You Move to Vienna?

So, are you already picturing yourself dancing at a glittering ball or cycling along the Danube? Vienna is waiting! I absolutely love living in Vienna and for the right person, I know you can easily fall in love, too.

Perfectly located in Central Europe, it's a great travel hub to explore the rest of the continent but really, with so many things to do within the city itself, you might find yourself perfectly content to stay put in Austria's thriving capital.