avatarMarie Kester

Summary

The author is thoroughly impressed with Vienna, Austria, after moving there, citing its livability, delicious food, beautiful parks, efficient public transit, stunning architecture, and affordable quality of life.

Abstract

The article recounts the author's positive experiences after relocating to Vienna, which has been recognized as the "World's Most Livable City" by the Economist Intelligence Unit. The author praises the city's fresh and delicious cuisine, highlighting the Käsekrainer sausage as a newfound favorite. They also appreciate the abundance of parks, noting the city's dedication to green spaces and work-life balance, with Sundays observed as a rest day. Public transportation in Vienna, known as the U-Bahn, is commended for its cleanliness, efficiency, and affordability. The architectural beauty of the city is another point of admiration, with every building appearing historically significant. The author concludes that the quality of life in Vienna is not only high but also surprisingly affordable, making the city an attractive place to live without the feeling of being overwhelmed.

Opinions

  • The author is captivated by Vienna's food scene, particularly the

I Moved To The World’s Most Livable City — And It’s Incredible

I’m loving every second

A street in Vienna, Austria (photo by the author)

Vienna is a thriving cultural hub with beautiful architecture and fascinating history. It was also named the “World’s Most Livable City” by the Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU).

That’s why I recently packed my bags and moved to Vienna. I wanted to see if the city lived up to the hype. And sure enough, it didn’t disappoint.

Here are my first impressions of Vienna:

The Food Is Fresh And Delicious

Käsekrainer is my new favorite food — though I still can’t pronounce it. (photo by the author)

While wandering the streets of Vienna, a street food stall caught my eye. I decided I would try some traditional Austrian food. Not knowing a lot of German or Austrian cuisine, I pointed to what I thought looked tasty.

“Käsekrainer” the man said.

Danke schön (Thank you),” I replied.

He handed me a plate with the largest sausage I had ever seen in my life, cut up into small pieces. Then, he gave me a slice of bread and some ketchup on the side.

I remember taking that bite of Käsekrainer for the first time — and loving it. I genuinely cannot believe I’ve gone 22 years without having it, because it is delicious.

It’s a slow-cooked sausage with cheese. The sausage is savory with the right amount of spice, and the cheese pops and melts in your mouth. I’m craving it just describing it.

The produce in the grocery store is also fresh. I thought the food in the UK was good compared to the US, but I clearly hadn’t experienced food in Austria yet.

Vienna’s cuisine is delicious.

The Parks Are Beautiful And Abundant

Park benches and a lovely statue in Stadtpark (photos by the author)

There is basically a park on every corner in this city. In fact, Vienna has over 100 parks. One of my favorites is Stadtpark. It is huge, with lots of shady benches, ducks, and a view of a river.

I was surprised to see the park busy on a Thursday afternoon when most people would normally be at work. The benches were filled with people laughing and soaking up the sun.

It seems like visiting beautiful parks is a typical way people unwind here. The Austrian people value nature and work-life balance. Most businesses are also closed on Sundays because it is seen as a “rest day.”

I’ve been to several different parks this week, and all of them have been full of people enjoying their day, no matter the time. It’s such a nice experience.

Public Transit Is Clean and Efficient

A U-Bahn train pulling into the station (photo by the author)

The metro/subway system here is called the U-bahn.

I’ve taken public transportation in a few cities before. But, I had no idea what to expect in Vienna. Suffice to say, it blew me away.

Vienna has the cleanest and most efficient public transit I have ever used.

My apartment is only an eight-minute walk away from a station, so it’s very convenient to get into the heart of the city. As a tourist, I was able to quickly figure out my route and get to the right station. The maps and routes actually made sense (even with my limited knowledge of German).

I’ve also found the public transit surprisingly affordable. A day pass to use the metro trains and buses is only €5.80. And a monthly pass is just €51.

Sometimes I dread taking public transportation in cities because it can be dirty and inefficient. But in Vienna, people often play music on the U-Bahn, so taking public transit is enjoyable.

Stunning Architecture Is Around Every Corner

Beautiful building in Vienna (photo by the author)

Wandering Vienna is incredible because there is an amazing building everywhere you turn.

The architecture is stunning, and every single building looks like it is important or historic. My apartment building, for instance, literally has statues on the side of it. And this is in an affordable, average suburb of Vienna.

I keep walking the streets and pausing because I want to take a photo of a building or statue. My camera roll is full of snapshots of Vienna’s architecture. The city center is also well-structured, down to bike lanes, pedestrian crosswalks, and more.

As an American, I also notice all these typical European things in Vienna that seem special to me because it’s unlike anything else back home. I love the cobblestones streets, the cafés with outdoor seating, the fountains, and the mopeds.

Vienna’s Quality Of Life Is Amazingly Affordable

A typical street in Vienna with some lovely pastel buildings (photo by the author)

Even after only being here for a week, I can already see why Vienna is voted as the “World’s Most Livable City.”

The quality of life is amazing here. The housing and transportation are affordable. Infrastructure and safety are well-maintained. And the food is delicious. There’s also plenty of culture and entertainment to soak up.

I tend to get overwhelmed in cities and prefer a more rural or suburban location. But, I haven’t felt overwhelmed in Vienna at all.

Closing Thoughts

Shakespeare and Co., one of my favorite bookstores in Vienna (photo by the author)

If you ever get the chance, visit Vienna, Austria! It’s only been a few days here, and I’ve been blown away.

I’ll be living in Vienna for the next several weeks and I can’t wait to explore the city even more. I already don’t want to leave.

In the words of Billy Joel, “When will you realize, Vienna waits for you?”

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