Things to Know About Living in Austria as an Expat
- Sean
- Mar 20
- 4 min read
Life as an expat is not always easy, no matter what country you choose to call home. However, this doesn’t mean that being an expat is something that you should fear. In fact, there should definitely be a sense of excitement that you are trying to start a new life somewhere else in the world.
One of the best ways to make your big move as easy as possible is to take the time to learn as much as you can about the country that you are moving to.
To help you on your way, here at Pinnacle, we have put together the top things to know about living in Austria as an expat.
Where you choose to live matters
Not only should you consider where you live in order to choose a location that is right for you, but also that it is one that you can easily afford to continue to live in.
Within Austria, there are some places that are going to be expensive to live in. These are usually the bigger and busier cities, where you will find that not only is everyday life expensive, but that choosing a property to live in can be costly too.
If you want to try and reduce your costs as much as possible, then you may want to move to smaller spots, those that are not quite as “city” and are smaller and less busy.
Respectfulness is key
Austria is a country that prides itself on being respectful and aware of social etiquette. This means that if you want to make it your new home, then you are going to need to know what you should be doing too. Many of the people who visit Austria say that those who live there are polite and punctual and take pride in how they present themselves to those around them.
Whilst manners are something that should come naturally to us all, it always helps to brush up on what you should be doing and remind yourself that a little please and thank you are going to really go a long way when it comes to making new friends and connections.
Another thing that is worth remembering is that you should always refer to someone by their title and their surname when you meet them, and once you are invited to use their first name, then this is something that you can and should continue to do.
Take business seriously
If you are moving to Austria with the intention of getting a job and working there, then you are going to want to make sure that you are giving yourself the very best chance of achieving this. You need to make sure that you dress to impress when it comes to working, as in Austria you need to make sure that you create a professional impression when it comes to building your network and securing work.
It is also worth remembering that whilst Austrians are known for their politeness and respectfulness towards others, they are going to be more straight to the point and factual when it comes to business. They will want to make progress and seal the deal, so you are going to need to make sure that you don’t take offence when things are more direct and forward than you may think that they are going to be.
Whilst there is no sea, there is still a shore
Due to its location, Austria is a country that doesn't have a coastline. If you find yourself wishing you were by the seaside, then the good news is that there are still plenty of chances to get yourself by the water.
Austria is a country that is packed full of beautiful lakes. Each one not only is picture-perfect in its own right but they are also packed full of wildlife. In fact, there are 160 lakes in Austria at least, which means that you are going to have plenty to explore and see.
Getting Around in Austria
Whilst it is easy enough to drive around Austria (and it is a great way to see the scenery around you) if you are someone who wants to move around then you may find that you can rely on the public transport network in the country.
The options that you have are not only varied, but they are also high quality. They move smoothly and there is not often a delay. The city areas will often have a better connection with more frequent options. However, this doesn't mean that the rural options are completely cut off. Instead, they also have their own public transport options that you can rely on to move around.
Public transport is also low cost, which means that you can move around with ease, get where you need to be and also reduce how much you are going to be spending on simply getting around.
Feeling prepared for life as an expat in Austria? If so, your next step is to ensure your move is as smooth as possible.
At Pinnacle, we’re here to help you relocate your home and your life to a brand-new country. We handle your belongings—big and small—so you can focus on everything else that comes with making the move.
Get in touch with us here at Pinnacle Removals, and let us help make your move to Austria stress-free and seamless!