Advice about living in Vienna
Discussion
Well, completely out of the blue on Monday I was given a job offer in Vienna. Needless to say I took it. I'm only 23, just out of uni so it's an opportunity of a life time! (I feel like a kid at Christmas!!!!!)
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about moving abroad and specifically to Vienna?
- How expensive it is out there?
- Rent costs?
- Car costs?
- Taxes?
- Dodgy laws?
- Public transport?
- etc.....
Any advice or good websites would be great!
Ta!
Does anyone have any ideas or suggestions about moving abroad and specifically to Vienna?
- How expensive it is out there?
- Rent costs?
- Car costs?
- Taxes?
- Dodgy laws?
- Public transport?
- etc.....
Any advice or good websites would be great!
Ta!
Sorry BeanBag 
I lived there for 2 years many moons ago and loved it. Things there may have changed but things to bare in mind:
1. You will have to register yourself at an address with your local police station and de-register when/if you eventually leave. You will get an ID card as a result of this and will need to carry it with you whereever you go. I was asked to produce it by the police just as a random check once.
2. You can get by without speaking German but I would not recommend it. For example, the person with whom I registered for an ID card did not speak English, it took quite a while... If you travel outside of Vienna, you will have to speak German.
3. Public transport is excellent. Vienna has an underground system (U-Bahn), trams and buses.
4. I don't recall tax being much more expensive than here. I found a tax advisor there who sorted it all out for me and, in fact, saved me more in tax payments than his fees, can't get much better than that.
5. Winter is great as you can go skiing every weekend. I used to take day trips to Hockar for about £30 for the travel and ski pass. I guess this will be more expensive now but it was well worth it.
6. Summer is great out at Donau Insel with loads of smooth paths for Rollerblading and bars and restaurants by the river.
7. I bought a car there with no problem. Insurance was pricy but the interesting thing is that a number plate is allocated to the driver not the car. As a foreigner, you will get a blue plate instead of a white one so that everyone knows you are a foreigner. :-) Winter tires are mandatory over specific winter dates, your insurance will be invalid if you do not fit any. If you oark in a road, there will be signs telling you which days the snow ploughs will plough the road each week. If you leave your car there that day, they will plough the side of it off.
8. There are a few Irish bars aound the centre that generally form the hub of expat activity.
Hope that helps and, as I say, this was a while ago and so some of it may not apply. In general, it is a great place to live.
Cheers,
Howard
1. You will have to register yourself at an address with your local police station and de-register when/if you eventually leave. You will get an ID card as a result of this and will need to carry it with you whereever you go. I was asked to produce it by the police just as a random check once.
2. You can get by without speaking German but I would not recommend it. For example, the person with whom I registered for an ID card did not speak English, it took quite a while... If you travel outside of Vienna, you will have to speak German.
3. Public transport is excellent. Vienna has an underground system (U-Bahn), trams and buses.
4. I don't recall tax being much more expensive than here. I found a tax advisor there who sorted it all out for me and, in fact, saved me more in tax payments than his fees, can't get much better than that.
5. Winter is great as you can go skiing every weekend. I used to take day trips to Hockar for about £30 for the travel and ski pass. I guess this will be more expensive now but it was well worth it.
6. Summer is great out at Donau Insel with loads of smooth paths for Rollerblading and bars and restaurants by the river.
7. I bought a car there with no problem. Insurance was pricy but the interesting thing is that a number plate is allocated to the driver not the car. As a foreigner, you will get a blue plate instead of a white one so that everyone knows you are a foreigner. :-) Winter tires are mandatory over specific winter dates, your insurance will be invalid if you do not fit any. If you oark in a road, there will be signs telling you which days the snow ploughs will plough the road each week. If you leave your car there that day, they will plough the side of it off.
8. There are a few Irish bars aound the centre that generally form the hub of expat activity.
Hope that helps and, as I say, this was a while ago and so some of it may not apply. In general, it is a great place to live.
Cheers,
Howard
Cheers Howard!
I'll definately keep the car / ploughing thing in mind. That could prove costly!
I'm not sure whether to take my car over with me or buy one out there. I'll be living there for at least 2 years so to me it makes sense to buy one. (I have ginge on MSN screaming scooby all the way! lol)
I'll have to find out once I'm there. I'm also going to learn a bit of German before I get there so I might sign up to an intensive course or just try and learn with some websites i've found.
Skiing / Snowboarding is definately something i can't wait to do. I did a bit of skiing when I lived in Spain when I was wee so it'll be great to get back into it.
I'll definately keep the car / ploughing thing in mind. That could prove costly!
I'm not sure whether to take my car over with me or buy one out there. I'll be living there for at least 2 years so to me it makes sense to buy one. (I have ginge on MSN screaming scooby all the way! lol)
I'll have to find out once I'm there. I'm also going to learn a bit of German before I get there so I might sign up to an intensive course or just try and learn with some websites i've found.
Skiing / Snowboarding is definately something i can't wait to do. I did a bit of skiing when I lived in Spain when I was wee so it'll be great to get back into it.
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