Couple in the Milky Way

There are several Rent & Buy platforms for housing. People talk about affordable houses provided by the city, but ability depends on several criteria.

https://www.willhaben.at/iad

https://www.immobilienscout24.at/

You can also find several Facebook groups, but if you’re not speaking German, I suggest avoiding them as much as possible. The scam/real ratio is pretty bad.

For non-EU citizens, you need permanent residency, which you can get after 5 years with a B1 level in German and an integration exam. EU citizens can apply after 2 years of stay in Vienna. Of course, afterwards, there is a waiting period that depends on the type of apartment. There are also cooperative houses around Vienna, but you need to have money to make an initial deposit.

https://www.wienerwohnen.at/

https://www.gbv.at/

You can still look for it online, but I will continue with standard apartments that you can find online.

Unfortunately, rental scams are still common in EU countries. Before you apply, sign, or send anything, look for basic red flags.

Common methods:

• “I can’t show you the apartment, but my (friends, provider, etc.) will show you after you send me the deposit.”
• “It is cheap because I need someone I can trust, and I am currently outside of the country.”
• “You will book the apartment via the Booking.com link below.” This is another common method, scammers faking Booking.com links to get your bank details.

Other than these simple tricks, don’t give cash deposits; bank transfers can easily be documented. On signing day, you can send it via SEPA, so always be sure that you documented everything.

If you are planning for a minimum of 2-3 years, I strongly recommend that you join the Renter Association, or you can get legal protection insurance to avoid a huge headache getting back your deposit, resolving problems, etc. It is not costly; an average of 15-20 EUR/month can cover and give you easy protection.

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Next, Altbau vs. Neubau and what you should look for?

Simply put, one is built before 1945 (Altbau) and the other is built afterwards (Neubau).

Regulations are more strict in Altbaus, and you have many rights and additional laws protecting you from many unfair clauses that can be imposed by the landlord. You can rent from private individuals or companies, depending on the building, etc. Many apartments are handled by property management companies, which serve as your main contact point for almost all matters.

PROS of Altbau:

• High ceilings around 3.4m vs. 2.2-2.4m in new apartments. This feels great but also means higher energy costs.
• Cheaper and more regulated, with the possibility of finding unlimited duration contracts.
• You can use historic elevators built in 1912, adding to the historic charm of Vienna.
• Most Altbau buildings are located close to the city center.
• Sound insulation can sometimes be better than new buildings, but it depends.

CONS of Altbau:

• Winters are cold and dry, summers hot and humid, so avoid attic apartments if possible.
• Be careful, many apartments have separate toilets without a sink.
• It’s common for “3 rooms” to mean 2 rooms + open kitchen/living, or “2 rooms” to mean 1 room + open kitchen/living.
• Condensation can be an issue, requiring a dehumidifier if regular ventilation is not enough.
• Some apartments lack a kitchen or washing machine.
• Heating with gas is expensive, and you need to cover yearly maintenance costs.

PROS of Neubau:

• New apartments are being built as Vienna continues to grow, sometimes a bit further from the city center. This can be a great opportunity for families who enjoy outdoor activities near parks and amenities.
• Better insulation, window systems, ventilation, and cooling systems.
• Fernwärme (district heating) is available, eliminating the need for maintenance.
• Many new buildings have common rooms, bike/car parks, and other convenient amenities.

CONS of Neubau:

• Some locations are in the suburbs, with still good public transport but less historic city feel.
• Extremely expensive, even in the currently heavily priced Vienna rental market.
• Kitchens may be smaller, and bathrooms larger, as common design choices.

I will come back with information on districts and their pros and cons for the next part.