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Pros and Cons of Living in Vienna, Austria | Expat Exchange
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Waehringer Strasse Station in Vienna, Austria

Pros and Cons of Living in Vienna

By Betsy Burlingame

Last updated on Apr 03, 2025

Summary: The pros of living in Vienna, Austria include its rich cultural heritage, excellent public transportation system, and high quality of life. Vienna is also known for its vibrant nightlife, with plenty of bars, clubs, and restaurants to explore. Additionally, Vienna is a safe city with low crime rates and a strong economy. On the other hand, the cost of living in Vienna is quite high, and the city can be quite crowded during peak tourist season. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who do not speak German.

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What are the pros and cons of living in Vienna?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Vienna responded:

"Expats and digital nomads generally like living in Vienna, for its high quality of life, excellent public transportation system, and rich cultural heritage. They appreciate the city's cleanliness, safety, and well-organized infrastructure. The abundance of green spaces, parks, and outdoor recreational activities also make Vienna an attractive place to live. Moreover, the city's central location in Europe allows for easy travel to other countries and cities. The vibrant arts and music scene, along with numerous museums, galleries, and historical sites, provide ample opportunities for entertainment and cultural enrichment. Expats and digital nomads also enjoy the city's diverse culinary offerings, including traditional Austrian cuisine, international restaurants, and bustling markets. However, there are some aspects of living in Vienna that expats and digital nomads may dislike. The cost of living can be relatively high, particularly when it comes to housing and dining out. Some may find the local bureaucracy and paperwork involved in obtaining visas, work permits, and other necessary documents to be cumbersome and time-consuming. The language barrier can also be a challenge for those who do not speak German, as it may limit job opportunities and make it difficult to navigate certain aspects of daily life. Additionally, some expats and digital nomads may find the Viennese people to be somewhat reserved and not as welcoming to newcomers as they would like. Lastly, the weather in Vienna can be a downside for some, as the city experiences cold and gray winters with limited daylight hours. This can lead to feelings of seasonal affective disorder and make it challenging to stay active and motivated during the winter months," said one in Vienna.

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William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.
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What do expats in Vienna appreciate most about the local culture?

"Expatriates in Vienna appreciate the city’s rich cultural heritage, which is evident in its wealth of history, art, and architecture. The city offers a refined and unique atmosphere that many expats find attractive. Furthermore, locals are known for their hospitality and friendliness, which expats often find welcoming and comforting. Expats also enjoy Vienna’s strong commitment to quality and excellence in its educational, cultural, and employment opportunities. Additionally, expats often cite the great food and café culture as a highlight of the city, with its wide range of traditional Austrian cuisine, beer and coffee, and other culinary delights," said a person living in Vienna, 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," explained one expat living in Vienna.

William Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

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William Russell

William Russell's private medical insurance will cover you and your family wherever you may be. Whether you need primary care or complex surgery, you'll have access to the best hospitals & doctors available. Unlike some insurers, we also include medical evacuation and mental health cover in our plans (except SilverLite). Get a quote from our partner, William Russell.

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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 Vienna may find the local culture challenging due to the strong emphasis on formal etiquette. Austrians tend to be quite conscious of manners and expect guests to adhere to formal codes of conduct, such as dressing more formally than is typical in other countries. Additionally, Austrians are generally very private and can take a while to open up and become comfortable with strangers. Therefore, expats may find it difficult to quickly form new relationships and become integrated into the local culture," explained one expat living in Vienna, Austria.

About the Author

Betsy Burlingame 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.

Waehringer Strasse Station in Vienna, Austria
William Russell
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Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
Get Quote

William RussellWilliam Russell

Get a quote for international health insurance from our partner, William Russell.
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