Life as an expat can be tricky when you have to navigate a new life in a country you aren’t intimately familiar with like Austria. Make no mistake, Austria is a wonderful place to live and it can offer a lot for a newcomer, but there are things to keep in mind, and a few tips that will help you acclimate to your new life.
We thought we’d cover these tips here for you, and present you with a good idea of what your new life is going to look like. If you require a removal service to Austria, make sure to contact Pinnacle Removals & Storage to receive an expert service.
1. You’ll Meet New People By Living
Making friends and integrating into the culture of a country is a key consideration for anyone moving abroad and Austria is no exception. A lot of people from Austria are warm, friendly folks who have a lot of time for their friends, but to get started, you need to get out there and live a little.
Go to clubs, bars, social events, and even just the local shop. If you make a point to talk to people and get to know them, you set yourself up for making new friends and having wonderful experiences, which is what you need to integrate. Plus, once you’ve met a few people, they can start to introduce you to the locals and you’ll be able to integrate well into the local community.
2. The Culture is Expressive But Reserved
As perhaps a study in contrast, you’ll find that a lot of culture in Vienna is expressive but somehow very restrained at the same time. The first thing you will notice is that it can sometimes be difficult to interact with Austrians in a meaningful way. A lot of them are quite closed off to outsiders when they don’t know you, and it takes a while to make friends and get past social niceties.
However, something you will find with people in Austria is that they are very expressive. A lot of their communication is done through body language, some people think as much as 70% of all communication is through the expressions that people give and the way they hold themselves.
It’s a radical departure from a lot of parts of the world where communication is driven by dialogue, but once you get used to it, you begin to understand the charm of communicating more physically.
3. You’re Never Far From Medical Care
Available medical care is often a key consideration for moving to a new part of the world. You will be pleased to know that the medical facilities available in Austria are both plentiful and patient-oriented.
Unlike other healthcare providers in other parts of the world where the primary focus is how quickly you can pay money, Austrian medical care is geared towards fixing the problem first and then dealing with the costs later.
Purchasing health insurance is a sensible investment, but it is reassuring to know that you can seek treatment and not constantly worry about the bill. If you ask us, this is how all healthcare should be.
4. Learn German Beforehand
If you want to try and get the best results when it comes to a new life in Austria you’ll need to learn to speak the local language, which is German. A lot of people who have moved to Austria and enjoyed it say that the best thing they can do is learn the language beforehand, enough to get going at least.
The good news is that there are plenty of language courses in Austria that you can take and they all give you vital skills for learning the German language. The other thing is that, of course, you’ll need these skills if you want to be able to do things like speak to your doctor, interact with the local population, or even go shopping. English is spoken but not to the extent you’ll find it in other places so you need to be careful.
5. Be Ready For Expensive Renting Costs
Rent in Austria can be quite expensive for the typical expat, with prices starting between $800 (£687) to $1200 (£1,031) per month. This comes without any amenities, and you have to purchase things like a working kitchen - this may sound odd, but it’s true.
Unfortunately, rent in places like Austria is quite expensive. Most of the time, you do have to use a rental agent, and they can charge quite a large amount of money. Your best bet is to look for a property that doesn’t require third-party arbitration to rent.
6. There Are Plenty of Schools
As is the case with most of Europe, schooling is quite good and there are plenty of opportunities for people to study at prestigious international schools as well as more public schools. It’s really up to you where you choose to go, but there are plenty of options for sending your kids to get the best education possible.
International schools are usually good for people who don’t intend to stay in Austria forever and instead expect themselves to move on, but a local school is a good way for your kids to integrate immediately.
Lots of Advantages
As we can see, there are a lot of advantages to working in a place like Austria and living there full-time. It might take a bit of getting used to when it comes to dealing with things like the way most Austrians communicate or the overabundance of German, but once you do, it’s a very nice place.
As is the case with any new place to live, it’s important to research the different aspects of life in Austria and decide for yourself whether or not it’s right for you. Everyone looks for something different when they move to another country so it is well worth exploring what you need.
If you are thinking about making the move, Pinnacle Removals & Storage is here to help you figure it out. We offer an excellent removal service so please feel free to get in touch.
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