For cheaper flights, book with Ryan or Easyjet, which depart from the Bratislava airport ( one hr by bus or train from central Vianna) A lot of Viennese also go to Brat for the opera - again much cheaper than Vienna.

Re the usage of the Danube: I think you arrived in Vienna in autumn, yes? Wait till next summer, then enjoy the relaxing picnic atmosphere on the island areas between branches of the canals. My most favourite cafe ever, is the one at the side of the Danube at the downstream end of Hainburg - advertises as selling the biggest latte this side of the carribean - both the coffee and the friendliness of the owner, beats even the friendliest of cafes I have founf in Switzerland.

I think the best thing about living in Vienna is that in the weekend u can go quickly to Czech Republik, Slovakia & Hungary! a dream for a man

I guess only an upper class person would know AND God forbid having to mingle with these lower classes

Salarywise it depends. If you make rather little for Swiss standards (<100K) you're likely better off here than in Vienna. Same if you make a lot (>300K). In between it's actually quite similar, at least in real terms.

Real estate in Vienna is much cheaper and there's no "Eigenmietwert", so most people will buy a home, amortize the mortgage as quickly as possible, and then live basically free of cost for the rest of their lives. Something I've always found very disturbing about living in CH - here you know that you will need to pay 3-5K per month for accommodation forever.