The city is home to the State Opera House, numerous art galleries, cafes on every corner, and bike paths winding their way through quaint streets and interesting neighbourhoods.

Even when the initial novelty of Vienna wears off and the reality of being away from home settles in, be assured that the transition for the expat is a piece of cake - sacher torte to be exact.

Vienna’s expats take care of themselves; partly because there are so many of them and partly because the Viennese are not known for their warm welcome. To put it lightly, the locals are a very “reserved” people.

Expats living in Vienna will always feel, to some degree, like foreigners - even if they master German. The Austrian culture is strong and insular. This is why there are so many social groups set up by expats - there really is a group for every interest: including mothers, Australian-Austrians, book lovers, hikers, museums goers, writers, and sports enthusiasts of every hue.

The city is highly accessible. An extensive train, tram and bus system allows expats to traverse Vienna in minimal time. Transportation is on schedule and inexpensive compared to many other cities.

A negative is that finding housing can be incredibly frustrating and initially expensive, as commission fees must be paid to agents.

Contrary to what one might think, language is not an insurmountable barrier. The Viennese speak English very well and seem to enjoy practicing their skills at any opportunity. That said, there are many opportunities to learn German, and it will stand your career in good stead if you make the effort.

If you are thinking of moving to Vienna it is always best to line up employment first. Vienna is home to many international organizations such as the UN, OPEC, and IAEA. Many of the banks have international departments that operate in English, and of course there are endless opportunities for native English speakers to teach English.