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SALZBURG

The best places to live in Austria that are not Vienna

Had enough of the Austrian capital? Then these cities and towns might be for you.

Published: 16 April 2021 15:27 CEST
Updated: 9 April 2022 11:23 CEST
The best places to live in Austria that are not Vienna
Salzburg: the birthplace of Mozart. Photo: Photo: Wikicommons

Vienna is one of the most popular cities for international residents in Austria.

But living in the capital isn’t for everyone – especially in these coronavirus times as people crave more space and easy access to nature.

REVEALED: The best districts to live in Vienna

Instead, here are four alternative cities and the type of lifestyle they can offer.

Salzburg

Salzburg is a pretty city with a population of just 156,872. In normal times it attracts 30 million tourists each year.

For music fans, Salzburg is the birthplace of Mozart and home to the famous Rockhouse live music venue. 

For those looking for nature, there are several ski resorts within easy reach of the city centre. Plus nearby lakes to enjoy in the summer.

Long-term resident, Graham Crewe, loves living in Salzburg and says there is a growing English-speaking community in the city. 

He said: “The English-speaking scene has really boomed in the last few years, not only due to social media bringing people together, but also with a number of companies using English as their working language.”

Salzburg has an average monthly salary of €2,204 but a high cost of living with the average monthly rent for a one-bedroom city centre apartment at €885.

When it comes to connectivity, Salzburg Airport has routes to Dubai, Istanbul and Frankfurt. But Vienna is three hours away by car or train.

Key industries in Salzburg are the automotive and metal processing sectors. 

Tourism also plays a major role in the city so it has been impacted by the pandemic. At the start of the year, unemployment in Salzburg was 70 per cent more than in January 2020. 

Graz

Last year, Graz in Styria was listed as one of the best cities in the world by the InterNations Expat City Ranking (even higher than Vienna).

A major reason for the favourable ranking was the cost of living. Rent in Graz is 38 per cent cheaper than in Vienna, with a one-bedroom apartment in the city centre costing on average €594.

Then there is the average monthly net salary (after tax) at €1,941 and the cost of a monthly public transport pass at just over €50. Overall, it’s an affordable place to live.

Graz’s historic city centre from way up high. Photo: Photo: Wikicommons

Graz is also well connected with an airport offering routes to cities like Vienna, Dusseldorf and Brussels. And Vienna Airport is just 2.5 hours away by car.

When it comes to career opportunities, the main industries in Graz are biotechnology, energy and environmental technology, the creative industries and tourism.

The unemployment rate for March 2021 was 26 per cent less than in March 2020. But the long term unemployed figure in Graz has gone up by 46.7 per cent.

The population in Graz is 291,130.

Innsbruck

Innsbruck is the capital of Tyrol and is located in the heart of the Alps. This means a passion for winter sports and a strong focus on environmental issues is a big part of life in the city.

The population of Innsbruck is 311,428 and there is a large international community – making up about 27.5 per cent of the residents.

Many international residents come from the university. But others are drawn to Innsbruck for the outdoor lifestyle and vibrant social scene.

Innsbruck, one of Austria’s most beautiful cities. Photo: Photo: Wikicommons

Innsbruck Airport has connections to places like Amsterdam, London and Menorca. For travel further afield though, Munich International Airport is the nearest major hub – around 2.5 hours away by car.

READ MORE: Which Austrian state has the cheapest rent based on your salary?

Unfortunately, the cost of living in Innsbruck is 15 per cent more expensive than Vienna. The average monthly rent for a one-bedroom city centre apartment is €773 and the average monthly salary is €1,901.

Tourism is the main industry in Innsbruck, which means the sector has been hit by job losses in the past year. The unemployment rate for March was 8.8 per cent – although this was down from 10.5 per cent in January.

Linz

Linz is a cool city with an industrial past. It has the Danube River, a thriving cultural scene and the acclaimed Ars Electronica – a modern, technology-based museum.

An old map of Linz from 1594. It’s pretty much the same now, except that there’s a McDonald’s. Photo: Photo: Wikicommons

It’s the capital of Upper Austria and the country’s second largest economic area. The population is 205,726 people with foreign residents making up around 24 per cent. 

The overall cost of living in Linz is slightly higher than in Vienna, but rent is 17 per cent cheaper with the average monthly rent for a one bedroom city centre apartment at €671.

The average monthly salary is just under €2,000 and a monthly public transport pass is around €45.

Linz has a small airport with routes to cities like Istanbul, Leipzig and Belgrade. Driving to Vienna takes two hours but a fast train can reach the capital in one hour and 15 minutes.

The industrial and service sectors are the main industries in Linz with companies like Borealis, BMW and Siemens based in the city. This means there is a strong job market.

In fact, the unemployment rate in Linz is now 22 per cent less than it was a year ago. Compared to other cities in Austria, Linz has not been as heavily impacted by the pandemic.

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LIVING IN AUSTRIA

‘Haushaltsversicherung’: How does Austria’s home insurance work?

'Haushaltsversicherung' is one of Austria's most popular types of insurance. It is not mandatory, but it is certainly worth evaluating, especially as it comes with many possible add-ons.

Published: 2 May 2024 15:22 CEST
'Haushaltsversicherung': How does Austria's home insurance work?

Austrians are certainly obsessed with insurance coverage, and one of the most popular and common ones is known as the “Haushaltsversicherung”—if you don’t have it already, you have certainly heard of it. Here’s what you need to know about household insurance.

Firstly, this insurance covers damages to “all movable objects within your own four walls,” as Austria’s Chamber of Labour (AK) explains. This includes furniture, carpets, and electrical appliances. It would also cover damages caused by fire, storms, water, burglary, and glass breakage. 

Certain types of insurance, such as private liability insurance or mandatory dog liability insurance, are almost always combined with household insurance—another reason why the Haushaltsversicherung is so popular in Austria.

READ ALSO: What kind of insurance do I need to have in Austria?

However, there are enormous differences in premiums and benefits, so experts suggest you check precisely what you need before taking out insurance. The AK also says you should talk to an insurance advisor to learn more about your specific case and needs, particularly if you have any valuables in your home. 

Additionally, they said: “It makes sense to check your policy every few years to ensure that you are properly insured. This guarantees that the sums insured and the risks included are up-to-date and sufficient”.

What should I keep an eye on when reviewing policies?

Of course, different companies have their own offers, and they are often highly customisable to fit your apartment and lifestyle—some things you need to be aware of, though.

Certain policies are tied to the size of your apartment, while others will have a lump sum regardless of the size of your place. Policies also usually differ depending on whether you live in an apartment or a house. 

While most insurance will cover glass breakage (such as when a hail storm breaks your window, for example), some might have it as an add-on (wahlweise mit Glasbruch). 

You may also add other types of insurance to your household insurance, the most common being mandatory dog liability insurance (Hunde-Haftpflicht), legal insurance (Straf-Rechtsschutz), and sports insurance.

READ ALSO: Should I take out insurance before skiing in Austria?

It’s worth it to read each policy, but you should know some common clauses beforehand. For example, insurance often won’t cover burglary costs if your house has not been properly secured and locked. This might seem obvious, but since door knobs don’t open from the outside without the key, people often leave their homes, especially for short errands, and don’t lock the doors all the way. Insurance and safety experts recommend you get in the habit of locking your home doors.

It’s also important to check if your insurance will pay you “Neuwert” or “Zeitwert” in case of damage. 

A Neuwert means the insurance will pay for a replacement object, regardless of how old the stolen or broken one was. However, many insurance policies still contain the so-called “Zeitwert”, something like “current value”, so you wouldn’t receive an amount that could pay for a new product. Instead, a loss of value of around 10 percent per year could be expected for most objects.

What should I do if there is damage to my home?

If you see any damage to your home from burglary, accident or other types, you need to notify your insurer immediately and report the damage you have suffered. 

The insurance conditions usually stipulate a maximum period of three days for reporting a claim in property insurance. The Chamber of Labour also recommends that you send a written notification of the claim (preferably by registered mail, they add).

“Make a list of all items that have been destroyed or lost and enclose it with your report to both the insurer and the security authorities”, they said. And, of course, in the event of fire burglary or robbery, always inform the fire department or police authorities.

READ ALSO: EXPLAINED: The Austrian insurance for if you get sued – or want to sue someone

How long does the insurance last, and how much does it cost?

The insurance term is usually specified in the counteract. In general, though, you can terminate it after the third year with one month’s notice if the contract has not already expired.

If you move house or move abroad, you can terminate your household insurance contract. You can cancel the insurance the day before the move begins (preferably by registered letter).

If you do not exercise your right of termination, the insurance will remain valid during the move and in the new home.

Regarding prices, they can be as low as a few euros a month (such as insurance specifically tailored to students living in shared flats) to several hundred a month if you have a large place with plenty of valuables or include several add-ons. 

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