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VIENNA

The best commuter towns if you work in Vienna

Working in Vienna doesn’t mean you have to live in Austria’s capital city. Instead, finding a home in a commuter town could be a convenient alternative.

Published: 1 March 2022 12:12 CET
Updated: 17 September 2023 08:12 CEST
metro in austria station mask men
Austria has decided on a relief package for residents. (Photo by ALEX HALADA / AFP)

In the past two years, the world of work has been transformed by people working from home and flexibility has become a key objective for many employees.

This means, for some people, living in the capital city of Vienna for work is no longer necessary, especially if their presence in the office is not required every day.

So where are the best commuter towns in Austria if you work in Vienna? Here’s what you need to know.

READ MORE: How Vienna’s parking system will change in March 2022 

Benefits of living in a commuter town

For years, the prospect of moving out of a city centre and into a commuter town was mainly for growing families, but it is now becoming an attractive option for many other people too.

One of the main benefits of living in a commuter town is often a cheaper cost of living and more space. Properties tend to be cheaper and larger outside of cities and there is a higher chance of securing a home with a garden.

Then there is the ability to live closer to nature, which has become a priority for many people after two years of pandemic life.

And finally, the excellent transport connections in commuter towns mean that cities are still accessible – even if you don’t have to travel there every day for work.

If you don’t like commuting and are set on Vienna but don’t quite know where, our following guide gives you the lowdown on where to live in Vienna proper. 

REVEALED: The best districts to live in Vienna

Baden bei Wien

Baden bei Wien (Baden near Vienna, in English) is a spa town south west of Vienna in Lower Austria.

It is located around 26km from Austria’s capital, which can be reached within 40 minutes by car via the S Autobahn/E59. Train journeys between Baden bei Wien and Vienna range from 20 minutes to almost one hour.

Train operators between the two locations are ÖBB and Czech Railways.

As a place to live, Baden bei Wien (population 30,000) is located in the Wienerwald – an area of culture and nature. There are forests to explore, wineries to visit and golf courses to enjoy. 

Unfortunately though, property prices in Baden bei Wien are not cheap and the town has some of the most expensive real estate in Lower Austria.

Neusiedl am See

Neusiedl am See is a lakeside hotspot that is surrounded by one of Austria’s most prominent wine regions in Burgenland.

It’s a popular summer day trip destination for people living in Vienna who want to escape the city heat by cooling off at Neusiedler See. The town centre is lined with a mixture of modern and traditional cafes and restaurants, and it’s within easy commuting distance of the capital.

READ MORE: The best lakes and swimming spots in Austria

It takes around 40 minutes to travel from Neusiedl am See to Vienna by car on the A4 and train journeys also take 40 minutes. However, trains from Neusiedl am See are direct, which is an added bonus.

Property is generally considered to be more affordable in Burgenland, but Neusiedl am See is the most expensive district in the province. Prices for older one bedroom properties start at around €280,000 but expect to pay around €500,000 for a new-build home.

A boat seen sailing near Neusiedl am See. Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

A boat seen sailing near Neusiedl am See. Photo by Dimitry Anikin on Unsplash

Klosterneuburg

Klosterneuburg is a town in the Tulln district of Lower Austria with a population of 27,500.

It is known for its historic Klosterneuburg Monastery that was built in 1114 and is described by Wienerwald Tourismus as “one of the most beautiful and charming forest communities in the Vienna Woods”.

From Klosterneuburg, Vienna can be reached by car within 30 minutes via the B14 and the B227. Train times range from 26 minutes to one hour with most journeys requiring three changes.

According to Numbeo, the average cost of rent for a one bedroom apartment in Klosterneuburg is €715. In Vienna, the average is €854.

FOR MEMBERS: How to save money on fuel costs in Austria

Mödling

Mödling is located around 14km south of Vienna in Lower Austria in what is known as an industrial zone.

However, the district of Mödling is also known for having hiking, jogging and mountain bike trails, as well as its rich cultural heritage. For example, Beethoven dedicated the music Mödlinger Tänze (Mödling Dances) to the city and there is even a Beethoven museum in Mödling to commemorate the composer.

Travelling by car from Mödling to Vienna takes around 30 minutes via S Autobahn/E59 and the A23, but it’s even quicker by train in around 15 minutes.

The Local found property prices online for Mödling starting at approximately €350,000 for one bedroom apartments. The population of Mödling is 23,288.

Wiener Neustadt

The city of Wiener Neustadt (which literally translates to Vienna new city) is located south of Vienna in Lower Austria and is the home of the administration for Wiener Neustadt-Land District.

It is one of the largest rail transport hubs in Austria and is well connected to the capital. Train journeys from Wiener Neustadt to Vienna range from 23 to 42 minutes and all services are direct. Driving takes around 50 minutes via the S Autobahn/E59.

Wiener Neustadt is a great commuter location.

Wiener Neustadt at dusk. Photo: Wolfgang Glock – Self-photographed, CC BY-SA 3.0

For people living in Wiener Neustadt, the city has many bicycle lanes and trails, including the EuroVelo 9 – a long-distance cycle path connecting the Czech Republic, Austria and Slovenia.

The price of one bedroom apartments in Wiener Neustadt start at €230,000 and, according to Numbeo, rent prices are 27 percent lower than in Vienna.

READ MORE: The smartphone apps that make living in Austria easier

St. Pölten

St. Pölten is the capital of Lower Austria and the province’s largest city. It is known for having both an entrepreneurial and an art scene, and is conveniently located on the Westbahn railway line.

Direct train journeys into Vienna from St. Pölten take between 20 and 30 minutes, whereas driving is around one hour, so trains are definitely the transport of choice for commuters in St. Pölten. The train station is also centrally located in the Old Town.

The Local found one bedroom apartments to rent for less than €600 per month.

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For members

RENTING

‘Betriebskosten’: What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Renting an apartment in Austria means you’ll have to budget not only for the rent, but other somewhat hidden monthly costs and expenses.

Published: 30 April 2024 11:29 CEST
'Betriebskosten': What are the extra costs renters must pay in Austria?

Understanding operating costs or the specific expenses landlords or property agencies charge renters, is crucial for staying on top of your monthly payments when renting a place in Austria. These extra costs, known in German as Betriebskosten, are strictly regulated by Austria’s Tenancy Act. 

Here are the operating expensses that are chargeable to tenants, according to the MieterHilfe Public Association:

  • Water/wastewater and costs of leak testing, plus excess consumption due to burst pipes, but does not include disproportionate additional consumption for commercial operations;
  • Rubbish removal (and also clearing out floors and cellars);
  • Clearing out abandoned property;
  • Pest control, with costs such as extermination and periodic inspection or removal of pigeon droppings. Installation of pigeon screens is not included;
  • Sweeping fees (chimney sweep);
  • Electricity for lighting and communal facilities, such as the stairwell, but also replacement of light bulbs, fuses or switches;
  • Insurance premiums for fire, liability and water damage;
  • Insurance premiums for glass breakage and storm damage provided that more than half of the tenants have agreed to this being passed on;
  • Management fee (there is a set administration fee per square metre of usable space and building construction year)
  • House cleaning, including wages and social payments if there is a caretaker, plus materials; 
  • Public charges, unless there is a prohibition on passing them on – offsetting of property taxes is permitted;
  • Ongoing operating costs for communal facilities (lift, heating, playground, green areas, common rooms, etc.).

However, costs such as maintenance and repair work can never be charged under operating expenses.

The same goes for any ‘disproportionate additional costs or consumption due to commercial operations ‘, which refers to costs that are significantly higher than what would be considered normal for residential use or costs that are incurred due to the operation of a business within the rented property. 

READ ALSO: Tenant or landlord – Who pays which costs in Austria?

Vienna’s association for tenants MieterHilfe has a calculator that uses average values to show whether the Betriebskosten you pay are comparatively low, medium or high. The association notes, however, that even low values could be considered unauthorised billing in some cases. In contrast, high values could be correct – the calculator only shows if you are paying too much compared to other properties in the city.

You can check the values HERE. You will need to know either the total usable area of the building or the usable area of the flat and the operating cost share—this information is usually shown in a payment statement you receive from property management. 

What if I believe I am being unfairly charged?

If you think you are paying too much, but the charges are legal – such as for water electricity etc, then you would need to raise this issue with property management. They could take measures to save on operating costs, such as replacing old light bulbs with more energy-efficient ones or setting lights to a timer instead of a traditional light switch, for example.

There are many possible reasons for high or low values, according to the City of Vienna. For example, you may pay comparatively low for water one year because of a small number of residents, while the following year, there are leaking sanitary facilities and a burst water pipe that raises costs.

Buildings with many communal areas and green spaces often tend to have higher operating costs, especially for water, electricity, and housekeeping. 

However, things are different if you think you are being unduly charged—that is, there are charges in the operating costs that do not belong there, such as unapproved construction repair.

READ ALSO: Renting in Austria – The key things foreign residents need to know

If you are unsure of the costs, there is a significant deviation from average prices for no particular reason, or you believe that you are being charged for something not legally admissible as an operating cost, you could have a free check carried out by MieterHilfe or a tenant protection organisation. 

If there is a suspicion of unauthorised billing that cannot be dispelled between tenants and the property management company, this will be clarified at the arbitration board. The arbitration board is an independent body that mediates disputes between tenants and landlords. It is a point of contact before the courts in case of difficulties or legal disputes, and its decision is legally binding.

Property management companies and landlords must settle the operating costs for the previous year by 30 June at the latest and disclose them to tenants. This deadline is set to ensure that tenants have sufficient time to review their cost statements and raise any concerns before the new rental year begins. All expenses must be itemised in the statement, providing transparency and allowing tenants to see exactly what they are being charged for.

They are obliged to provide tenants with a detailed summary of the statement and the invoice documents. If the operating costs per square metre exceed €2, a more detailed review is recommended, according to the City of Vienna.

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