Pros and Cons of Living in Austria

"Vienna is a great town with much to do. It is probably among the best cities in the world in which to live. Austrians are not necessarily difficult and English is spoken by virtually everyone now but closeness is still an issue," remarked one in Vienna.

"Expats in Austria often appreciate the laid-back and relaxed atmosphere of the country. They marvel at the stunning scenery and feel a strong sense of connection to the natural beauty of the region. Expats also love Austria for its incredible cultural offerings, from classical music to art and architecture. The country also boasts an engaging and vibrant history, with an abundance of castles and palaces and quaint Alpine-style small towns. Moreover, expats appreciate the welcoming and supportive local population. People are known to be polite and friendly and often willing to help out foreigners who have recently settled in the country," explained one expat.

"Being alone and finding friends who are of like ideas and interests. I am happily married and am not looking for romance but having close friends with which to do things is a challenge," explained one expat living in Vienna.

"Expats in Austria may find the traditional Austrian culture to be conservative and somewhat hard to penetrate. Many may find it difficult to form close friendships with locals, as Austrians tend to take quite a while to break the ice. Additionally, the common formality that is often expected when speaking with strangers may be difficult for those coming from more casual cultures, who may prefer to get straight to the point. Furthermore, Austrians take great pride in their customs, country and language and so expats may find the adaptation process more challenging than other countries if they do not make an effort to completely immerse themselves in the culture," said one expat in Austria.