When you think about moving to a new country in Europe, the chances are that you may be somewhat overwhelmed with all the choices that you have. There are lots of amazing countries in Europe that can make the perfect new home, but within this article, we want to focus on one in particular - Austria.
To help you work out whether or not Austria is the right choice for you, we have put together our top pros and cons of living in Austria. If you need assistance with moving your household belongings to Austria, make sure to contact our team. Now, let's get started on the pros and cons of living in Austria.
Pro- The quality of life is excellent

Compared to other countries in the world, Austria is recognised as offering a high quality of life to its residents. In fact, a recent study found that Austria was the second-best country in the world for having a fantastic life.
There are several reasons for this. However, it is often thought that this is linked to the importance placed on human rights, particularly those of women, and to encouraging free thought.
Con- It can be expensive

Although Austria offers a high quality of life, the cost of living is also high. This is particularly true if you decide to live in one of the more urban locations, especially in cities such as Vienna.
Finding somewhere to live is an example of this, where it can be hard to locate housing that can be considered to be affordable, instead, many people find that they have to downsize where they want to live, or even share if they are living alone or with one other person.
Pro- Great transport options

Austria is known for providing those who live there with a public transport network that is efficient and effective in what it sets out to do. You can choose from buses, trams and metros, which allow you to move around within cities and are punctual and reliable.
If you want to travel further afield, you can also use the rail network. The high-speed train will move you around with ease and speed, as well as comfort.
Pro- A high standard of education

Not everyone who is moving is doing so with children; however, if you are, then you are going to want to know what to expect from schools. Education in Austria is high-quality and covers not only primary and secondary school but also preschool.
Students can decide whether or not they want to attend an academic school once they get older or, if it suits their learning better, one that is more vocational.
If students want to go to university in Austria, then they can do so with no cost, which means that they are able to save money whilst they continue to learn.
Con- Language barriers

It has to be said that lots of people who live in Austria are able to speak English, however, this does not mean that they choose to; or that you can be reliant on that if you are outside of the city spaces.
German is the language most spoken in Austria, and if you do not speak at least a small amount of it, it may be tricky for you to get by.
Not only this, but it is also worth noting that the Austrian version of German is a little different to what is spoken by those who live in Germany instead.
Pro- It feels safe

Another great reason to live in Austria is that it is considered a safe country. While there are instances of crime (as there are all over the world), this is usually much rarer than in other countries.
Crime is not seen very often, and while there is still a chance of falling victim to petty crimes, again, the chances of this are lowered by being mindful and vigilant of who is around you, particularly if you are heading to built-up or tourist-heavy areas.
Pro- You can explore outside

Whilst there is plenty to do and see in Austria inside, it has to be said that if you love to be out in the fresh air, there are so many different activities that you won’t ever be bored. These include hiking through forests, mountain climbing, thermal bath visits, icy lake swimming, and camping.
Not only this, but come the winter months Austria also becomes a hub for skiing and snowboarding too. This adds another option to consider when it comes to spending time there.
Con- Remember it is cold in the winter

This may sound like an obvious one, but it is all too easy to underestimate how cold Austria can be in the winter. The temperatures really dip in the winter months and in this country, it can sometimes feel that the grey days go on for some time.
The best advice is to head inside to warm indoor activities or to simply embrace the colder life and get out there in the snow.
Pro- There are plenty of expats just like you

Finding friends who have similar life experiences is key to settling in a new country, and in Austria, you will be pleased to know that there is a thriving expat community.
It might not seem like one of the most common places to relocate to compared to Spain or Cyprus, for instance, but many UK-born people have been taken to Austria for personal or work reasons.
This means that you can find groups to join that will help you socialise and learn about Austria and its offerings.
The takeaway
Now you have weighed up the pros and cons of moving to Austria, there is a good chance that you will have made the decision that it is the right move for you.
Get in touch with us here at Pinnacle Removals and let us help you to make the move even easier and get you in your new home in no time at all!