We share Austria's most popular and liveable cities and help you choose your next home in this beautiful Alpine country.
Unsurprisingly, Vienna is one of the most popular cities in Austria for expats. This famous capital city offers truly world-class living, including some of Austria's most fascinating museums. That said, there are plenty of other beautiful cities in Austria to consider as their own home. So, depending on your needs, you may want to explore other options. From college towns to cheap riverside villages, this country really has it all – including different styles of housing.
To help you narrow down your options and choose your next home in Austria, this guide provides the following information:
- Best city in Austria
- Vienna
- Salzburg
- Graz
- Linz
- Innsbruck
- Where to stay in Austria
- Places to avoid going in Austria
Vienna, Vienna
Vienna consistently ranks among the best in the world in terms of quality of life. In fact, in 2019, Vienna was ranked as the world's most livable city for the tenth time in mercer's Mercer ranking. This is not surprising because the city has so much to offer. In addition to excellent cultural and leisure facilities, Vienna has a strong public transport network and world-class healthcare. In addition, the capital has a very low crime rate, high quality housing and is environmentally friendly. It is also Austria's most welcoming and progressive city, where people from all walks of life live.
Vienna is known for its cultural treasures, including museums, historical landmarks and a love of music. From the masterpieces of the Künsthistoriches Museum to the grandeur of the Schönbrunn Palace, to the many cafes and churches, there is plenty to keep you busy. In addition, the city hosts many events throughout the year. The Ball Season, for example, is the highlight of the year – especially the fascinating Viennese Opera Ball. In addition, there are many music, cultural and food festivals, such as the Genuss Food and Beverage Festival and the Vienna Jazz Festival. However, the city's annual Christmas market is probably the most anticipated of all the events.
The Austrian capital is famous for its historic architecture. Because of this, the houses here usually have parquet floors, detailed and high ceilings. And, with so many neighborhoods to choose from, you can find a satisfying home in an area that suits you.
For example, Währing and Döbling are popular communities for expats with families. This is because they are close to the city's international schools and offer plenty of parks. Of course, there are many other aspects to consider. For example, the trendy Neubau, the literary (lgbtq-friendly) Mariahilf or the elegant Josefstadt are all ideal areas. Don't be in a hurry when choosing your place of residence in Vienna.
Salzburg,
Of all the cities in Austria, Salzburg is the only one listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In fact, the city is full of stunning Baroque architecture. It is also the birthplace of the 18th-century prolific composer Mozart and is famous for filming the film The Sound of Music. In addition, the city hosts a series of exciting events every year, including Mozart Week, the Salzburg Festival and the Winter Carnival. As a result, Salzburg is a great city of creative and artistic genres.
Salzburg has something for everyone. There are many high-quality schools and universities, popular sports teams and famous brands (including Red Bull and Porsche). Salzburg is also one of the greenest cities in Austria. In fact, the city's renewable energy use accounts for 70% of the country's total energy consumption. It is also home to Austria's most environmentally friendly public transport system.
If you want to live in Salzburg, there are several neighborhoods to check out. Both Mülln and Nonntal combine the tranquil atmosphere with salzburg's history and magnificent architecture. Similarly, the Gneis residential complex boasts beautiful 19th-century villas. Another popular option is Taxham, a family-friendly area with rustic charm and close proximity to the city centre.
Graz Graz
Graz is the second largest city in Austria with over 440,000 inhabitants. Because there are many great universities in the city, it is very popular with students. It is located in the south of Austria, which also means that its climate is more temperate. However, those who emigrate will find that Graz's biggest drawback is that it is not as cosmopolitan and touristic as a place like Vienna.
Graz skyline in Graz
Still, Graz is a lovely place to live. In fact, there is a wealth of cultural events, gastronomy (if not very rich) and many museums every year. Here, be sure to visit the charming UNESCO-listed Old Town, the splendid Graz Museum of Art and the Egenberg Palace, a 17th-century Baroque palace. There are also many lively annual events here, such as the Spring Festival to pay tribute to electronic music; La Strada is a festival of music, magic, comedy and circus performances that dominates the streets of the city. In addition, Graz is austria's IT center, so if you work in this field, it is a first choice.
If you plan to live in Graz, you should pay attention to the different neighborhoods. Students tend to live near universities, so areas like geiddorf, St. Leonhard, and Eggenberg are popular student districts. However, the inner city of Innere Stadt is a great option for single expats. Instead, families should look out for the suburbs of the city – quiet areas like Straßgang, Liebenau, and Puntigam, close to supermarkets, schools and detached houses. Still, Mariatrost and Ries are also typical mid-to-high-end residential areas with beautiful villas that are also popular.
Linz Linz
Linz is one of Austria's most picturesque cities, located by a charming river. It is also the third largest city in the country with a population of 203,000. Although there is great public transport, the city is perfect for walking. It is worth noting that if you speak German, it is much easier to live in Linz, although there are many international companies there. In addition to this, the city offers excellent education and healthcare and access to the stunning natural surroundings of Upper Austria.
In addition, Linz has many lovely attractions that are worth checking out there. This includes Pöstlingberg, where the local mountain has a zoo, photo gallery, fairy cave and Basilica; Linze Castle; and OÖ Kulturquartier, which has an art collection, art cinema and dining options.
If you are planning to move to Linz, there are several neighbourhoods you might consider living in. For example, Urfahr is considered one of the prettier regions, while Ebelsberg and Pöstlingberg are also good.
Innsbruck Innsbruck
This mountain town is famous for its winter tourist destinations. However, it can be a great place to live all year round. In addition to its stunning natural surroundings, Innsbruck has everything a big city has to offer, including great infrastructure and architecture. There, it's worth exploring the walk-friendly Old Town and its incredible architecture, Nordkette Hill, and the 16th-century Ambras Palace.
Innsbruck is nestled between mountains and lakes.
In addition, Innsbruck is small in size and has a sense of community. It is also quite eco-friendly as you can go almost anywhere. Innsbruck's status as a tourist hub also particularly appeals to expats working in the tourism and hospitality industry.
Despite its charm, you might want to avoid the old town, which is often packed with tourists and students. Instead, the surrounding suburbs and villages are an attractive option. For example, you can look at the small but charming village of Axams, the suburban residential area of Hotting, or the upscale district of Pradl.
Although Vienna is the first choice for foreigners in Austria, there are many other beautiful places in the country to live in. Whether you want to live downtown while single, live in an upscale suburb with your family, or retire in a picturesque mountain village, there's something for everyone.
Where is the best place to stay in Austria?
As a family unit, you may be looking for something specific when choosing a place to live in Austria. For example, you may need access to good health care and education, convenient shopping and groceries, and a high level of security. You may also want family-friendly activities and facilities to keep the kids busy on the weekends.
With that in mind, Vienna and Salzburg are probably the best cities for families in Austria. Both offer family-friendly communities that combine international schools, healthcare, and city attractions such as museums. In addition, you will be able to find housing in your budget. Of course, Vienna is the most popular choice as it is rated as one of the most livable places in the world.
Where to live in Austria after retirement?
Planning to retire in Austria? Well, you may want to stay in a reasonably priced place. You may also want a quieter pace of life; even so, Vienna offers this to some extent.
If you can afford it, you can easily and happily retire in Vienna, Salzburg or Linz. However, if you're looking for a quieter, cheaper place, there are other options to consider. Close to the southern border and across the sea from Italy and Slovenia, Villač is a charming town with diverse, pristine surroundings, fresh air and lakes. Similarly, Klagenfurt – the capital of the carinthia province – is picturesque and comfortable.
If you are single, where should you stay in Austria
Single? Then you'll want to live in one of austria's larger cities, where you can easily meet people (and potentially date), enjoy a thriving nightlife, and travel with ease. Therefore, you should consider living in Vienna, Salzburg and Graz.
Where to save money in Austria
Unfortunately, the cost of living in cities in Austria is high. Moreover, prices are higher even in rural areas than in other parts of Europe. That said, no matter where you are in the country, it is possible to find affordable accommodation. In general, the closer you are to the city center, the higher the house prices and cost of living. So if you're on a budget, you might consider living in the suburbs or small towns.
If you are looking for a job in Austria, where should you live
If you are a foreigner working in Austria, Vienna is the best place to find a job. That's because there are more job opportunities out there, as well as better wages and more economic growth compared to the rest of the country. In addition, English is widely spoken in the capital.
However, austria's major cities are usually good choices for foreigners looking for work. It all depends on what you want to do. For example, Graz is suitable for IT workers, while Innsbruck is more suitable for hotel work. And, since Salzburg is home to international companies such as Porsche and Red Bull, it can also offer great job opportunities for expats.
Where to do business in Austria
In general, Austria is not as open to new technologies and services as some other countries. So if your company is running a very innovative product, you may find it challenging. However, if you want to start a business in Austria, then you should make sure to choose the right place to live.
Overall, Vienna is a great place to start a business. In fact, the city ranked first in the 2019 Startup Cities Index because of its strong startup infrastructure and low development costs. In addition, Vienna has inexpensive office space and plenty of co-working space; it also facilitates travel to European capitals.
Overall, Austria is a very safe country. Because of the strength of the social system, there are few motives for crime. However, petty theft – such as pickpocketing – can be a problem. Of course, this is more common in large cities and tourist centers. If you want to stay away from crime, here are some things you should avoid:
- Vienna's ring streets are full of tourist hotspots and attract pickpockets
- Also in Vienna, Karlplatz is a busy square that attracts drug addicts at night
- Pickpockets also committed crimes on Getreidegasse in Salzburg
The Austrian Alps are prone to avalanches. Therefore, you should be careful in remote mountainous areas. In addition, anti-immigrant sentiment in Austria is growing, but it is still minimal. For this reason, Austria's big cities are easier to live in, where more foreigners tend to be seen. It is always wise to have an Austrian emergency phone number on hand in case you need emergency help.
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Is Vienna, Austria, the most livable city in the world? My friend who moved to Vienna said so