Your neighbours in Austria

@Cheryl

You raise useful questions about neighbours in Austria.

The issue of neighbours in Austria is a sensitive one. There are no easy and fast rules. Here are a few thoughts.

_ Everything depends on which neighborhood you move to; this will make or break your experience in Austria.

_ It is useful to thoroughly investigate what kind of neighbours you will have.

_ Do not move into a neighbourhood that does not fit your lifestyle or values; there are some ethnic neighbourhoods.

_ In bigger cities, like Vienna, Linz, and Graz, there is anonymity; still, neighbours make a big difference.

_ In the countryside, usually people are more welcoming, with exceptions.

_ There are some neighborhoods / areas that prefer to remain amongst themselves; if you are not their "style" then they will not socialize with you.

_ Austria is quite diverse within, in regards to local habits and peoples, e.g. Vorarlberg and Burgenland are not only different in landscape but also in the type of people you encounter.

_ Depending on the neighborhood, the neighbours stage local events and you can try to get involved. Other neighbours are inimical, these people do not allow anyone into their small world; let them alone.

_ One tip: Austrians often are skeptical, exclusive, or even outright unfriendly to strangers; that does not necessarily mean that you could not develop productive relationships or even friendships later on.  Don't appear too friendly, but be yourself.

Wish you all the best in your search for the right place.

Andy