I am considering returning to Vienna, Austria where I lived for a few years.

I am finding Switzerland a very difficult place to live: finding a decent place to live, getting my 5 year old into childcare while I work, things are very expensive and many other things.

I am a widow and a single mom.

In Vienna grocery stores are open longer, there are more options for childcare, housing is not as hard to find and much cheaper. It seems like things cater more to working moms in Austria than CH.

I am an EU citizen so maybe I would have more rights in Austria, as I am not a citizen here in CH.

The only thing I think might be better in Switzerland is the expat community. There are lots of expats in CH, many groups, websites, etc to support them.

In Vienna, the only city were there is a large concentration of expats, there is not much of a support structures in place for non-Austrians. There are only a small group of expat compared to Switzerland.

Has anyone lived in Austria as well as Switzerland as an expat and knows the pros and cons?

Along the same Austria vs Swiss lines, how do the eastern Swiss see their Austrian neighbours to the east, good cousins or the black sheep of the German-speaking family?

http://www.expatcenter.at/index.php?id=5&L=1 ( set up by the City of Vienna )

http://homebasevienna.at/

http://www.vienna4u.at/expatinfo.html

http://www.citykids.at/en/page/and-around-vienna.html

http://www.viennababiesclub.com/

http://www.feelslikehome.at/

Personally I love Austria and the Austrians. I can't think of anybody I know that doesn't like Austria.

Many people I know -I am no exception here- prefer to spend their skiing or hiking vacations in Austria because there hospitality is not just a word and many hotels and restaurants seem to be family businesses and service tends to be excellent.

I am leaving for Tirol next week. Can't wait

I would easily choose Vienna over anywhere in Switzerland - but you will earn less money there!

I too like Vienna, it was the only place where I held a conversation of over 2.5hrs wholly in High German

http://www.wien.spoe.at/allgemein/zu...lieber-nachbar

Austria is actually quite lovely. And Vienna is the only city that took the #1 spot from Switzerland as one of the best cities in the world to live! Vienna was number one, even though Switzerland has three cities in the top 10. Switzerland is on a higher quality level and more international, but Austria is well, sweet...Good Luck

Hi hrudinsky,

I grew up in Vienna and live here in CH since 4 years now. There are, as anything in life, pros and cons of course and it depends on what you currently want.

Pros for Vienna:

• Excellent social security (state health insurance that covers everything, social benefits for single moms and children)
• Quality of life is very good (housing, things to do with children, etc.)
• Good network of people (by now alot of expats live in Vienna from various places) - I will try to find out more about groups for expats and children playgroups etc. if you want to but I know from my friends that there are alot
• The market for housing possibilities are broader than in CH

Cons for Vienna:

• Grumpy people
• Buying power - Salaries are much lower there compared to here
• Finding a job at the moment is hard

Do you have a job offer there or would you just move and apply?

Personally, I miss Vienna because of its possibilities (cultural, restaurants, clubs, etc.). Also, I think its much friendlier to families where both work or for single parents in terms of costs. However, I like living here as well. CH is save and clean. I earn more here than I earned in Vienna and in the working world I do not feel discriminated in CH whereas in Vienna I felt that way. But maybe thats because Viennese are more straight forward than Swiss?!

In any case, whatever you decide, both options are really good options. Let me know if you need further info or help in regards with Vienna.

Take care