Pros and Cons of Living in Austria
Last updated on Oct 23, 2023
Summary: The pros of living in Austria include its stunning natural beauty, its rich cultural heritage, its excellent public transportation system, its high quality of life, and its strong economy. On the other hand, the cons of living in Austria include its high cost of living, its cold winters, and its limited job opportunities for non-EU citizens.
What are the pros and cons of living in Austria?
Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Austria responded:
"The area is close (within two hours' drive) to major Austrian, German and Swiss cities. The food quality is high. I'm not satisfied with the conservative attitudes and levels of prejudice and discrimination that I and other ex-pats I know have experienced," remarked one expat in Lustenau.
"Expats and digital nomads living in Austria appreciate the country's high quality of life, with its excellent infrastructure, efficient public transportation, and low crime rate. They also enjoy the stunning natural beauty of the Alps, the vibrant cultural scene, and the friendly locals. On the downside, expats and digital nomads may find the cost of living in Austria to be quite high, and the language barrier can be a challenge. Additionally, the bureaucracy can be quite complex and time-consuming," explained one expat in Austria.
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What do expats in Austria appreciate most about the local culture?
"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," replied an expat 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.
What do expats find most challenging?
"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," remarked one expat 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," explained one expat living in Austria.
About the Author
Betsy Burlingame is the Founder and President of Expat Exchange and is one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. She launched Expat Exchange in 1997 as her Master's thesis project at NYU. Prior to Expat Exchange, Betsy worked at AT&T in International and Mass Market Marketing. She graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University with a BA in International Business and German.
Some of Betsy's articles include 12 Best Places to Live in Portugal, 7 Best Places to Live in Panama and 12 Things to Know Before Moving to the Dominican Republic. Betsy loves to travel and spend time with her family. Connect with Betsy on LinkedIn.
Additional Information:
- Austria Guide
- Healthcare & Health Insurance in Austria
- Members Talk about Healthcare & Health Insurance in Austria
- Best Places to Live in Austria
- Real Estate in Austria
- Guide to Real Estate in Austria
- Pros & Cons of Living in Austria
- Cost of Living in Austria
- Educational System in Austria
- 10 Things to Know Before Moving to Austria
- How to Buy a Home in Austria
- Pros and Cons of Living in Austria
- 2024 Guide to Living in Austria
- Pros and Cons of Living in Austria 2024