An American in Vienna: differences in living in a European city

American Sonia Matejko talks about her experience of moving from the US to Europe. According to her, she tried a bunch of places, from Lisbon to Warsaw, but eventually settled in Vienna.

According to the American, she liked living in the Austrian capital, but there were many surprises in Vienna. For example, in her rented apartment in Vienna, she had windows (European tilt-and-turn), and at one point, a sakura tree even blossomed right behind them, according to a Business Insider article.

The woman says that most of her friends here pay less than 1,000 euros for their spacious apartments in buildings with elevators in the city center. She notes that the same rental budget will not bring anything similar in downtown New York.

Another feature of the city is that there are a lot of dining options. There are more than 2000 cafes in Vienna. The coffee culture in Vienna is a big deal, so much so that UNESCO has included it in the list of Austria's "intangible cultural heritage."

The American told me that there are cafes on every corner, and many of them will make you feel like you've traveled back in time with their antique furniture, silver plates, and marble tables. While coffee to go is available throughout the city, the culture invites you to sit down and sip your coffee slowly.

She also noted another feature of Vienna - an extensive public transportation system. Thanks to the subway, tram, buses, and bike paths, you can (mostly) get anywhere in the city in 30 minutes or less. In addition to being accessible within the city, it's also easy to travel to other beautiful cities. You can be in Prague or Budapest by bus or train in three hours.

Vienna is also known for its many cultural events. The cultural activities here are diverse and many events, such as classical music performances and art shows, are free or affordable. Not to forget the other outdoor events that take place all the time, such as Christmas markets, Easter markets, bicycle festivals, wine fairs, etc.

Vienna is surrounded by nature. It's incredible that about 50% of Vienna's territory is covered with greenery. In addition to parks, you have wine hills, hiking trails, and water activities. And beyond that, you can reach the Austrian Alps or one of Austria's beautiful lakes in a few hours by train or car.