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VIENNA

The essential guide to Vienna’s three outer districts

Whether you are moving to Austria or just looking for a new place to live in Vienna, our guide will help you get a snapshot of each Viennese district. The final part shows the 'transdonau' and the 23rd districts.

Published: 4 March 2024 10:53 CET
Updated: 7 March 2024 12:45 CET
The essential guide to Vienna's three outer districts
Donaustadt district with the United Nations Office in Vienna (Vienna International Center) seen from the Donauturm tower. (Photo by Christian Lendl on Unsplash)

Austria’s capital, Vienna, is home to more than two million people, distributed around its 23 Bezirke (districts or neighbourhoods). Each has its own characteristics, and it can be next to impossible to find out the best place to live if you are moving into the city, just searching for a new flat, or trying to figure out where to get your accommodation for a short trip.

Vienna has no “bad” districts (though some people will be prejudiced against areas with more immigrants), but some are more suited to different lifestyles than others. Some are greener, others are full of hip bars, some have multicultural shops, and others have an old Viennese flair.

Our guide is meant to provide a snapshot of each district to help you find your favourite (or at least rule out some of them).

READ ALSO: The essential articles to read if you are moving to Vienna

Numbers, names, what do they mean?

Vienna has a very straightforward system to name each district. They all have a number – also their zip code – and a name. The number starts with 1, then the two digits identifying the district and ends with 0. The first district is the city centre, also called Innere Stadt, and the zip code (or PLZ) is 1010. So, the area is also known as the first district. 

Every street in Vienna has a sign with a number just before it, going from 01 to 23. That number indicates which district you are in, and it’s a very useful location device.

So, the first district is the city centre; the others are numbered in circles surrounding the centre. Districts 21st and 22nd are across the Danube (also known as “transdonau” districts) and the 23rd is also in the outskirts of Vienna, but south. 

Most people end up using the numbers to refer to the districts, saying things like “I live in the 16th” or “I’m driving to the 13th later today”. Check out our guides for the inner districts and the outer districts. 

So, what’s the difference between each district?

1210 Floridsdorf

Due to its numerous municipal buildings, Floridsdorf is considered a former working-class district with an above-average proportion of residents born in Vienna. Floridsdorf is home to some of Vienna’s favourite leisure areas: the Old Danube, the Danube Island and the Bisamberg.

In numbers:

About 183,800 people live in over 86,300 flats, and 29.8 percent are non-Austrian citizens. The average income of residents is €25,352, and the average age is 40.6.

1220 Donaustadt

Donaustadt is Vienna’s largest district in terms of area – with more than a quarter of the total area used for construction. It is home to the UN headquarters, the tallest buildings in the city (DC Tower and Danube Tower), Seestadt Aspern, the Danube Island, the Donau-Auen National Park (Lobau) and numerous green areas. The proportion of people born in Vienna is higher than in any other district. As almost two-thirds of the district area is characterised by green areas and water, it is unsurprising that no other district has more dogs than Donaustadt.

In numbers:

About 212,600 people live in more than 97,500 flats, and 26.1 percent are non-Austrian citizens. The average income of residents is €27,809, and the average age is 40.3.

READ ALSO: The best places to live in Austria that are not Vienna

1230 Liesing

The landmark of Liesing is the Alt-Erlaa residential park by architect Harry Glück, a city within the city, which can be seen from afar. The 23rd district, which consists of 8 incorporated villages, is considered a residential neighbourhood with many high-quality and easily accessible green spaces. Liesing has the highest car density after the inner city.

In numbers:

About 117,800 people live in more than 54,900 flats, and 24.8 percent are non-Austrian citizens. The average income of residents is €28,402, and the average age is 42.1.

We want to expand our guides, focusing on each district in the future. Do you have any questions or things you’d like to read about them? Let us know by emailing us ([email protected]) or posting a comment down below.

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VIENNA

How do I lower my rent if I pay too much in Vienna?

If you live in an older building, a so called "Altbau", the price per square meter is regulated. If you are paying too much rent, there are ways to lower it and claim your money back.

Published: 24 April 2024 12:53 CEST
How do I lower my rent if I pay too much in Vienna?

Vienna is known for offering its residents affordable rents. However, if you live in one of the older apartments in Vienna (Altbau), you should know that there is a limit on how much rent can be charged per square meter.

Some landlords rent out their flats more expensively than they are actually allowed to. The City of Vienna’s rent calculator can help you determine if you are paying too much.

If you believe that your rent is too high, there are three different options on how to bring it down and also get the money back from the time when you paid too much.

Hire a company to take on your case

In Vienna, several companies, known as Prozessfinanzierer in German, will take on your case individually and try to reduce your rent. This could not only result in a lower rent for the future but also in you receiving a refund for the period you overpaid. It is even possible to pursue this after you leave your apartment. 

However, the City of Vienna has warned against using these services. If you are successful, the companies could claim a great portion of the refunded money, ranging from 30 percent to even half. MeinBezirk also reported occasions when employees of these companies have gone door to door, pretending to be city officials to secure contracts with excessively high commission payments.

Tenant protection organisations argue, as cited in Der Standard, that the companies may prioritise their profits over the best interests of tenants, negatively impacting tenant-landlord relationships.

However, these companies typically operate on a ‘no win-no fee’ basis, which means that you do not have to pay anything if the reduction attempt is unsuccessful. 

READ MORE: Gemeindebau: How do you qualify for a social housing flat in Vienna?

Get help from the Mietervereinigung

Another option is to get help from the Mietervereinigung. This is a tenants’ association that supports tenants’ rights and interests. A yearly membership costs around €69 in Vienna (it also operates in Austria’s other federal states).

Once you are a member, you can go to them for help. They will assist you with claiming back your rent if you have been overpaying, and can also help with rental problems such as mould, contracts, painting, disputes with landlords and housing standards. 

The association also offer education and information to help you understand your rights and responsibilities under landlord-tenant laws. This includes workshops and seminars about topics related to housing rights and regulations.

The association is also known for publishing guides, brochures, and online resources with practical tips for dealing with common rental issues.

The Mietervereinigung offers services and guidance for its members over the phone, online or through meetings in person. 

Altbau in Alsegrund, district 9 in Vienna. Photo by Melloo on Unsplash

Do it yourself

The third option you have as a tenant is to go to the arbitration board yourself.

The arbitration board is an independent entity established to help resolve conflicts between tenants and landlords outside of the court system. However, this can sometimes be complicated.

You often need certain legal expertise to be successful and the process can be complex and time consuming.

READ NEXT: How does urban gardening work in Vienna?

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