Reasons why Vienna is actually the most liveable city

“The Economist” has voted Vienna the most livable city for the second time. Why the study gets it right.

It doesn’t get any better than this: With 99.1 out of 100 points, the Austrian capital has won the “Economist Intelligence Unit Ranking” of the most livable cities in the world for the second year in a row.

And that’s totally deserved. As a Viennese, you don’t have to think long to recognize the value of the city. We’ve put together a few reasons why Vienna is in fact the best place to live.

1. Vienna is very urban, but you can quickly escape to the countryside

For example, you only have to take the tram for three quarters of an hour from the city center and walk a bit to be in the middle of nature and – for example from Stadtwanderweg 3 – to have a view like this.

2. There are great festivals with free entry

Several times a year there are cool festivals for a wide variety of music genres with umpteen concerts that you can simply visit and enjoy without admission fees, such as the pop festival on Karlsplatz.

Apart from the festivals, Vienna also has a lot to offer culturally: There are around 8 large theater stages, 7 established off-theater and cabaret stages, 9 large cabaret stages and 6 large music stages for classical music. The 27 cinemas register 4.7 million visits per year.

3. Public transport works well

Let’s be honest, even if we whine sometimes and there are small glitches every now and then: Public transport almost always arrives on schedule. At the weekend, the subway runs all night. And: You can use the bus, tram and subway with the annual ticket for 1 euro per day.

4. You can drink the water from the tap

The fact that you don’t have to keep running to the supermarket for a drink, but can simply turn on the tap, is an important factor in terms of quality of life – which you particularly appreciate again after being abroad.

The construction of the 1st mountain spring water pipeline for Vienna began in 1870. Today, the 1st mountain spring pipeline conveys 220 million liters a day from the Rax, Schneeberg and Schneealpe areas to Vienna, and the 2nd mountain spring pipeline brings up to 217 million liters of water from the Styrian Salzatal every day.

5. There are great consumption-free zones

Whether MuseumsQuartier or the Danube Canal: There are always nice places in the city where you can meet friends and philosophize late into the night without having to consume anything.

The Vienna City Park, which opened in 1862, is also popular. The Donauinsel in turn was opened in 1981 as a local recreation area. The highlight here is the Danube Island Festival, where entry is free. This summer there were 2.7 million visitors.

6. There is nothing to be afraid of at night

Even if you want to go jogging after work in autumn or winter, you don’t have to feel anxious. A look at the current crime statistics shows that violent crimes are declining.

7. The city is so clean

Similar to tap water, it doesn’t sound all that sexy at first glance. But it is actually an incredible blessing that institutions such as waste disposal work so perfectly in Vienna. So there is no foul odors and you rarely step in a dog’s poop.

8. The city is becoming more and more colorful

We have Sisi and Mozart and Klimt and therefore an incredibly rich history, but above all we are pleased that the Viennese are increasingly young and hip. Hipster cafes in Neubau and Rudolfsheim or proverbial color initiatives such as the street art festival “Calle Libre”.

9. The pace of life is pleasant

Yes, many trends only arrive a few years later. But anyone who comes back to Vienna from other metropolises such as London or New York still finds it extremely pleasant: There is a different rhythm in this city. People walk slowly, take more time. And even if there are more and more people: Cosiness is not lost in Vienna. There are even plenty of Heurigen songs singing about it.

Although Vienna is a city of over a million inhabitants, there is – as mentioned above – not only the hustle and bustle of the big city, but even 800 farms.

For example, in Vienna more cucumbers are harvested than in the rest of Austria combined: 62 out of every 100 Austrian cucumbers come from Vienna. This is also the case for eggplant, parsley, tomatoes and peppers.

10. It’s just the ideal size for a big city

Vienna has everything a city needs, but at the same time it is not too big. You can party until the early hours or eat sushi or buy a Käsekrainer at midnight. You can get involved in the Grätzel or retreat to the anonymity of the big city. You can quickly go out and buy milk at almost any time of the day or night and still look forward to a real rest day on Sunday.

It’s just the best city

It is important to emphasize that the Austrian capital has been rated as the most livable city in the world by various institutions for many years. Properly functioning infrastructure, cleanliness, an excellent transport system, air quality and a well-organized social system – all this is known about Vienna.

Which university to choose?

You can choose between different universities depending on your interests and your future career path: The University of Vienna, Technical University of Vienna, Vienna University of Economics and Business, Medical University of Vienna and many others. There are also many technical colleges where you will find many courses where theory and practice are closely linked to get a perfect mix of theoretical and practical knowledge.

In addition to interesting study programs, each university offers a range of attractive student activities throughout the year, so you don’t even have a chance of being bored!

Plan your day the way you want

The universities in Vienna generally do not have strict guidelines when it comes to planning the semester. Although there are several lectures or seminars that are compulsory in order to take other courses, you are almost totally free to choose your other courses.

After successfully completing compulsory courses, you can plan your semester according to your own schedule and mood. Of course, there is a recommended order suggested by the university, but in most cases you don’t necessarily have to follow it.

The ideal accommodation for students in Vienna

CoLivi is an outstanding option for students in Vienna looking for comfortable and inspiring accommodation. With modern and fully equipped apartments, CoLivi offers an ideal environment for studying and relaxing. In addition, CoLivi offers a range of community areas and activities that encourage social sharing and networking.

Being close to universities and research institutes, CoLivi allows students easy access to academic resources and educational opportunities. The unique blend of living comfort and a supportive community environment makes CoLivi a top choice for students looking to have an enriching and enjoyable experience while studying in Vienna.

Coliving in Vienna offers you high-quality furnished apartments for rent at affordable prices and flexible durations. Become part of the whole and enjoy your dream apartment as well as the many advantages of our large international CoLivi community.

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