-Where were you born?

San Diego, California, USA.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I work in Innsbruck, Austria now.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I'm living alone.  My family is in Sweden.  I am a dual US-Swedish citizen and my wife is Swedish.  If it was possible to find work in Sweden, I would probably be there.  

-How long have you been living in Austria?

I've been in Austia (Tirol) for almost two years now. 

-What is your age?

50

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Austria?

I have been an ex-pat for most of my adult life--living, working and marrying in Europe from 1980 to 1993.  We returned to Sweden in 2006 after 12 years in the US.  After a year of looking for work in Sweden with NO luck, I got Swedish citizenship and started interviewing in Europe.  Things happened fast after that.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a work permit?

No.  if you have an EU passport, you are entitled to work anywhere in the EU.  Can stress ENTITLED. No guarantees, of course.  Another American friend of mine here is living with a girlfriend and he says it is very difficult to get a work permit for a non-resident.  A company would have to (in theory) prove to a union (or arbeitsamt) that you have skills that could not be met by an Austrian (or EU citizen).  That is supposed to be how it works, I don't know what connections have to do with it.  Probably a lot.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

No.  You have this when you start to work.  I would think this would also apply if you register as a legal resident.  Austria has first-rate health care. 

-How do you make your living in Austria? Do you have any type of income generated?

I am employed by a bio-informatics company as a technical writer.  I got this by applying to a web site.  Once I applied, interviewed and showed my portfolio (I did this work in the US for 12 years), it was easy.  From my experience, the Austrian workplace is VERY open to qualified immigrants--unlike Sweden.  I suppose being a native English speaker/writer with a lot of experience was important (I managed a technical writing group in the US).  But, in general, I find that people here tend to accept your experience and skills as valid and important.  This does not apply in Sweden, unfortunately. 

-Do you speak German and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I lived in Germany before (4 years) so could speak passable German, though had forgotten a lot after 12 years in the US.  Yes, personnally, I think it is absolutely essential to learn the local language or at least make an effort to speak it.   Anything else and you are just a tourist.  Why bother coming at all if you are not willing to make the effort?  That being said, the number of people who speak English well here is very, very high.  This might be because it is a tourist area, but nonetheless it is a credit to their education system and Austrians' natural ability to make people feel welcome.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? Describe your favorite recreational activities there or those that are available.

I do miss my family (I have two daughters) a lot.  However, they are able to come down here from Sweden on their school breaks thanks to Ryanair, and we are only about 3 hours drive from Northern Italy (I lived there for 4 years in the 80s) so we have been able to see a lot--much more than if we had lived in the US these past three years.  This was one of the main reasons we came back to Europe, really, to have the time to see Europe at leisure.  That being said, I don't miss the US at all, save for family and friends there.  Professional opportunities are indeed fewer here in Europe, in general. 

Favorite recreational activity for me is cross-country skiing--which is fabulous here and in Bavaria--40 minutes away.  And mountaineering and hiking.  Also fabulous here.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

As we own a house in Sweden, I will be pulled back there sometime.  For me personally, I love working and living in central Europe and really do not want to return to the US, but might be forced to as living apart from my family is really difficult for us all.  As my children finish school in Sweden and go to University (either in Europe or the US) things will change fast.  I would want to stay in Europe, if possible.  My wife is ambivalent.  I can only try to keep up. 

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

I rent a small apartment (called a Garconniere--yeah, a French word) in a ski resort town (Igls) near Innsbruck.  Very basic apartment, but in a picture-perfect small Tirolean village.  Am still an awestruck tourist sometimes when seeing the mountains capped with new snow and sparkling in the sunlight while on my way to work in the morning. 

Innsbruck is very expensive (in general) for living quarters due to it being a resort area with a large hospital, university, etc.  I pay 300 Euros a month, which is cheap, but this is not exactly a luxury apartment--meets standards, but only just.  I don't think too many Austrians would live there.  I can compare the prices here with Germany (near Stuttgart), where my sister lives.  €500 a month would get you a pretty big apartment there, probably two bedrooms or so.  Here, this amount is probably the entry price for a decent one-bedroom place.  The natural beauty and mountains make it worthwhile for me, for a short time.  Would advise NOT renting from a makler (real estate broker/realtor) if you can rent from a private person.  My makler couldn't lie straight in bed.  Always some scam or hidden fee, even though the laws are pretty strict.

-What is the cost of living in Austria?

It is more expensive than Germany (food, etc.) but public transport and electricity is relatively cheap.  First-class, affordable public transport.  Public transport is a big thing with me, having lived in the southern US for awhile, where there is none.  Taxes are what they are elsewhere in Europe (40%) and my work colleagues say the taxes on cars are ridiculous, but, after living in Sweden, I don't find anything too outrageous.  They even pay back tax rebates (overpayments you have made) on time and in cash.  The postal guy brings it to your door.  First time I have ever seen this in Europe--both a tax rebate and cash delivery to your door.  Life is good.

-What do you think about the Austrians? 

Very, very nice people.  Warm, human, like a good laugh, not very hung-up on status.  The young kids (teens) are well-behaved, not arrogant.  A big change from Sweden (sorry to go on about this).  They get up to offer their bus seats to older people (even to me one time!).  This might be something special for Tirol not found in other big cities in Austria.  I don't know.  I don't have a lot of local friends, but the people in my church and the village I live in have been fantastic.  Always time for a chat (or a bit of gossip) if you make the effort. Great, great people. I don't move in high-wealth or high-status circles and am not involved in a family, so take this for what it is.  

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Austria?

Positive--abundant natural beauty and the willingness to preserve and protect it.  Hardy, self-reliant people (again, this may be specific to Tirol).  I have been most impressed with the spontaneity with which people embrace the nature around them.  Skiing, hiking, rock-climbing--not just a myth, they LIVE it, young and old. 

I can't really think of any negative aspects.  This might be different if I was here for a long time raising children, etc.  Getting a driver's license was a two-month bother.  Austria has a pedantic, typically-European bureaucracy but it worked and the woman who helped me through the process took the time to call me when it was finally finished.  Can't ask for more. 

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Austria?

Get used to enjoying nature year-round.  I have not looked for other work while here, but I would assume that contacts are key.  People take their vacations very seriously here and (this seems to be an Austrian trait) want to go somewhere NOT on the beaten path, at least when young.  For example, they don't all flock to the same place in Spain.  They would make the extra effort and go to a Brazilian outback place.  So, people are very well-traveled.  They are very adventuresome people.   If you have the chance to stay and work or study here--TAKE IT.  Again, I might not be the average ex-pat--I have been in Europe half of my adult life and now have an EU passport--but none the less, I can't say enough good things about Austria (or Tirol). I have not lived in other parts of Austria, but would move to a new job here if given the opportunity.  It has been, and is, a great experience.  Don't want to offend anyone, but Austria combines German efficiency with Italian laissez-faire. Here in Tirol, they are very content with their culture, and proud of it.  Very nice. 

-Where were you born?

I was born in Connecticut (outside of NY) but raised in California (outside of SF) and lived in 8 states before heading abroad to London, which is not where I am now.

-In which country and city are you living now?

Innsbruck, Austria.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I am living with my Tyrolean husband. We met in Crete, Greece (in a small fishing village) while I was touring with my Swedish band - he was there on holiday. One month after we met, in between a touring break, I visited him in Innsbruck. One month after that, he picked me up at the end of my tour w/ my band in Prague, brought me back to Innsbruck and I never left! 

 One of our many silly wedding photos. It was held in the oldstown in Innsbruck, Austria, April 2007

-How long have you been living in Austria?

2 years if you count the day he picked me up in Prague and brought me back. If you count me going "home" to collect another suitcase or two and make it official, then I've been here 1.5 years.

-What is your age?

Just turned 38 this past July - yikes! Did I really need to tell the world that?

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Austria?

As I said above, I didn't come up with it - fate did! I did, however, begin touring Europe as a songwriter in 2003 and from there ended up in 2004 living part-time in London, England. I was dividing my time between Austin, Texas and London, England when I met my husband.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

I don't need one as I am a freelance musician. I am also a freelance writer so I haven't run into any of those issues yet. I did, however, have a short-lived position with a friend teaching English at her company and found out I had a VISA to work here automatically under the "family VISA" since my husband is native. However, I ended up making the decision not to teach as it interfered with my music career which was at the time and still is, really taking off!

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

I am covered under my husband's insurance.

-How do you make your living in Austria?

I am a professional singer-songwriter-storyteller, so my job is all over the world, not necessarily just here. Any freelance writing I do is also generated outside of Austria. I do run an almost 500-member expat/local group here in town (www.innsbruckexpats.com) though and I have helped people with jobs by connecting them with both people I know, web sites and of course the best, word of mouth! It's a free site by the way, I just do it for the love of connecting people and giving people what I craved when I arrived.

As well, I like contributing to the community. It does get difficult at times and expats can be surprisingly demanding (for a free group!) and self-entitled. That's another story for another day though. So for others' reference, joining groups and clubs is a good thing if you are seeking not only friends and pursuing hobbies but finding jobs amongst other things.

-Do you speak German and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

Yes, I now speak German. It took the first year to just listen A LOT and being that my husband's friends and family do not speak English, I didn't have much choice in the matter! I did, however, take a while to "want" to learn the language here as I didn't necessarily "choose" Austria. I chose my husband and that is a very different thing. I imagine "trailing spouses" or re-located employees who didn't get much of a choice must feel a similar hesitation with the language if they arrived in a land they didn't feel at home in. Home is state of mind but it certainly is altered when you are challenged on a daily basis doing the simplest of things! Especially when you feel a bit like it's not the country you dreamt of living in.

With that said, after about a year I took a small group class very briefly, then six weeks (once a week) with a tutor to get going. From there I have been practicing by using it every chance I get. People assume my husband helps me and we speak it all the time. Exactly the opposite! His English is good so we have early in our relationship begun the bad habit of using English. We are trying to change this but so far haven't succeeded! :)

-Do you miss home and family sometimes? What are your favorite recreational activities in Austria?

I miss home and family ALL the time. That is my biggest heartache living abroad in a foreign-speaking country. Being that I only spent half the year in London when I lived there and they speak in my native tongue, I had a much easier time of it. But being married, buying a place (mortgage & travelers are not a natural mix!) and "really" living here in Austria (in a Germanic culture) has changed everything. It's nice to say, "Oh we live in the internet age and we can stay in touch through Skype calls, chatting and emails etc..." but in realitiy, it's the little things I miss like birthday parties, watching my nieces grow, Father's Day, holidays. When I see my family at Christmas I really see the aging, the living going on without me. That gets to me most of all.

Regarding activities... If you mean favorite recreational activities here in Austria I am for the most part open to anything. I used to run marathons so naturally running is easy to do here with all the trails on and off the mountains and I love biking too so that's easily done. It's the only way I get around actually, we don't use a car. We are able to borrow his family car whenever we like but only use it for trips out of Austria or the airport - sometimes sight-seeing with visitors in town.

 Me and my husband being silly at a street fair around the corner from our house. Innsbruck, Austria

Hiking is my husband's mainstay (he grew up here, it goes without saying in the Alps!) and I love it once we are out doing it but I am not a die-hard fanatic about getting up early on a Sunday and hiking up the Alps! With that said, I'd be lying if I said I don't fall in love with it each time we do it. It's getting me out the door that seems to be an issue for me!

And although I once lived in Colorado, believe it or not I was never a skier. I only went for the first time last winter here in Tyrol. I know, crazy! I have a hilarious video to prove it! :-)

Otherwise, I did pick up rodeln which I had never heard of and do LOVE it. I love camping but we haven't done it since I've been here. We do go on A LOT of bike rides or hiking picnics though and participate in just about every Traditional/seasonal Festival or holiday. There are many not only in Innsbruck but in the surrounding villages. He and his family know where ALL the good ones are, without tourists, so it's very authentic and helps me to feel I am being "invited" into the culture on a deeper level. Hanging out with expats all day is not something I do. Actually, I have few good expat friends even though we meet many in my group on a weekly basis. Most of my closest friends here are local.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

Not so different than what I already do. I travel the world and fortunately if there is a country I want to see, I can book a tour there and make it a business trip! My husband on the other hand (for now) is tied to a day to day job in town. Should my music and writing go where I plan for it go, we may consider renting our flat and living in another country; if not back in the US (REALLY not sure about this to be honest) perhaps the UK where I tour quite a bit, maybe Berlin or Sweden. We really feel open but at the moment, aren't thinking that far ahead. We are enjoying our beautiful home, our wonderful friends (mostly locals and some expats) and simple, stress-free life we have managed to build! Riding our bikes to strawberry pick, then going home to make jam with them after, is a new idea of heaven to me - one I didn't know existed!

 Live show in Cumbria, England, June 2008

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We bought a beautiful 100 year old flat in a nice part of town. Not "hip" and not run down by any means. Upcoming more like and perfectly situated so that everything is a 5-10 minute walk away!

We didn't just get lucky though! We spent 4 straight months looking on web sites, visiting real estate agents (which are NOT like agents I am used to in the US) reading the papers daily! If you want to call looking at sometimes disgusting and/or expensive apartments daily for 4 months (after being on the phone and emailing equally as much) and dealing with sometimes sharky and uninterested/rude agents lucky, I guess you could say we were lucky!

-What is the cost of living in Austria?

Not so far off from anywhere at the end of the day. Groceries are comparable, alcohol is cheaper! Toiletries are a nightmare to buy (really, scary stuff) but getting your hair done or eating out is about the same. Fast food is as cheap as it anywhere. The only difference is (for me) it's the Euro so obviously things are going to seem more costly as I am used to the dollar. With that said, I was living in London before this and almost anywhere is cheaper than London!

-What do you think about the Austrians?

I think if you don't march around and expect them to be what you want, you'll be fine. I think if you get used to the non-eye contact on the streets, the abruptness of the office and shop workers, the crazy amount of paperwork and strange hours they give and hold, the fact that running up to them and hugging them is not the norm, you'll be fine.

They are friendly but where I live, it's a culture line that runs very deep and the history is strong. The new generations (i.e., youth) are friendlier. However, they are also like youth anywhere in the world - a bit rude, self-entitled (there's that word again!) and a bit selfish. I think that's a generational thing though as well of course, a person by person basis.

Aside from the "watch your head for sharp objects" while grocery shopping (as in, they go so fast and don't look up and expect you to be FAST and out of their way) and the, "why are you looking at me on the street?" type of interactions, Tyroleans surprise you with greeting you (or anyone) entering a doctor's office. And no matter what everyone (for the most part) is doing when someone gets up to leave, they look up and say goodbye. Strange indeed but a welcome relief from a too-focused society with sometimes no flexibility and too many rules.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Austria?

The positives are you can get in and out of the dentist's office in less than 30 minutes! Ok, that's true but seriously? Positives are things are efficient here, safe and pretty well run for the most part. Taxes are high but it's nice not to worry about whether I can go to the hospital or not and if we run into trouble, we won't lose our home! And when we have a baby (which we are planning on) you receive some great benefits and incentives that would be unheard of where I am from. The social system is for the most part, really good. I like the tradition steeped in the locals and shown in "very seriously" taken events & festivities throughout Tyrol. Also, if you ask an Austrian about their culture and history, most know A LOT and are happy to share it with you. That's not so common where I come from. How about we don't go there? :-) And ask a Tyrolean about wildlife, the mountains and what they can and can't pick and eat, what plant can be used to make a walking hat if you are out hiking (a special kind only they know!) and other weird and wonderful snippets of information and they'll gladly offer it up! And don't forget, if you show some initiative with their language (and in some cases and situations their cuisine and humor) they are likely to warm up to you even faster.

In my case, I love how beautiful it is and in the case of the Alps where we are, the snow! I personally LIVE for it.

The things I miss here are the daily connections you can normally make while doing daily mundane tasks or walking down the street. It's not common (and doesn't really happen) to be smiled at and frankly if you go around smiling at everyone here (like say in Canada or America or Australia) you'll get a dirty look or just ignored. They'll probably think you're crazy or a tourist - or both! hah. If you do it while near the train station, they'll try to sell you drugs. Yes, really.

 BBC live radio interview from my June 2008 tour

Seriously, the lack of daily connection part is difficult for me. The shopping at turbo speed and lack of customer service is definitely a negative (for me) and there are times I just can't be bothered to venture out and put up with it. But I will admit, it's also nice when you're in a hurry! You know you can get in and out without a lot of fuss...unless you're shopping on a Saturday afternoon that is! All the shops close early and most are closed on Sunday so people RAID the shelves and pack the aisles. It's a sight to be seen, once. Once is enough. Trust me.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Austria?

Just be kind and respectful. Learn the language, spend time watching and listening. Note: listening to listen and not talk. This isn't so difficult for most people especially considering the language barrier but you'd be surprised how many expats arrive and can't keep their mouths...well, you know.

Honestly, if you are not cursing your way through the streets, you'll be fine! And trust me, you'll have days when you'll want to! On those days, stay home and rent a movie or invite a friend over for dinner!

A short example is one day I was riding my bike on a street going the wrong way. Guess what happened? I was pushed off it by an elderly woman, while she pointed at me for riding the wrong way. She was yelling in German about it the entire time and not one person blinked an eye! They watched for a minute, then moved on.

Another quick tip; Yes, make expat friends but go out of your way to make local friends as well. Do not get caught up in the expat bubble. And if you do join an expat group (which I do recommend, it does help if you use it wisely) just mix it up. It's a nice way to initially learn about the town and make a few friends, as well as get out when you'd otherwise be hiding out! But don't spend all your time with expats.

With that said, it's a very nice resource to keep up with even when you are settled and a fun way to learn about new happenings and events, restaurants and take a rest with that foreign tongue if you should be in a foreign-speaking (to you) country. You can share your experience and tips with new arrivals and continue to hear about the latest find, exchange recipes, meet for coffee and just find a friendly shoulder - as well as offer yours. Equally important whether you've been in a new country one year or five. And remember, an expat group or club means International. You'll meet interesting friends from all over the world and learn insider information about countries and cultures you never dreamed of.

And coming from an expat site founder and owner, be respectful and appreciative. Don't just go in, take what you want and leave. You'd be suprised how many expats consider free groups something they are owed. Most active local expat groups are free and run by people like you and me (in my case, I run it alone with some help from my husband) and for no other reason then to contribute to the community in which they are also foreigners. In my case, we also open it up to locals so everyone benefits in interacting Internationally and locally. We spend a lot of time and money on the website, group, promotion and organizing activities. Like most local expat groups, we do not get paid. Our payment is helping people like ourselves and creating a community we can all benefit and learn from.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Austria?

My free expat and locals group here in Innsruck, Austria is: http://www.InnsbruckExpats.com

It's an almost 500 member group of both expats and locals. Foreigners and locals looking to interact Internationally at various events, join the ongoing email discussion group and ask questions, share advice, recipes, tips etc... etc... It's only been going 1.5 years but continues to grow showing no signs of slowing down! It's totally free, full of some amazing people - both families, students, single people, couples, etc... and is A LOT of fun. We do everything from seasonal type activities like rodeln and skiing, hiking and picnic'ing to movies, dinners, drinks or coffee meetings, poker games - you name it! And we are always open to new suggestions. Members are also encouraged to host their own events utilizing the group member list.

 BBQ we held in our garden (for our group InnsbruckExpats.com)

I honestly don't have any favorite expat sites as I am all over the place. It's best to do your own research based on where you are and what you are interested in. At least that is what works for me. Also, I started my own group when I couldn't find what I was looking for when I arrived if that tells you anything. :-)

I do keep a blog not just about my life in Innsbruck, Austria but also my life as a songwriter, life participator....tumbleweed. You can find it through my web site: http://www.ChristeneLeDoux.com, and also just the blog at: http://a-travel-writer-blog-life-philospher.blogspot.com.

I have 5+ years of old archived travel blogs: http://christeneledoux.livejournal.com.

I keep VIDEO blogs of touring and being an expat: http://www.youtube.com/user/christeneledoux.

Happy traveling, wandering, tumbling and may this find you safe and healthy wherever you have currently landed.

Leibe Grüße,

Christene LeDoux

-Where were you born?

I was born in Tarragona, Spain, but I lived most of my life in Barcelona.

-In which country and city are you living now?

I am living in Salzburg, Austria.

-Are you living alone or with your family?

I live with my girlfriend Mar, who comes from Spain as well.

-How long have you been living in Austria?

I moved to Salzburg on September 2004, so it's been 4 years now.

-What is your age?

I am 32 years old.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Austria?

Well, I got an interesting job opportunity in Salzburg, and the first plan was to come here twice or three times a year, for a couple of weeks or a month each time. But Mar and I talked and asked ourselves: "Why not forever? Why not move to Austria?" And here we are.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?

In my case it was absolutely smooth because I am an EU citizen.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?

Again, no problem. My employer already got everything arranged for me.

-How do you make your living in Austria? Do you have any type of income generated?

I work full-time as a mathematician for an engineering company. I got this job as I was still living in Barcelona, through an Austrian colleague of mine who decided to open up his own company. I have had no experience whatsoever with looking for jobs in Austria, but my girlfriend did. She used mainly newspapers and the AMS (Arbeitsmarkt Service, the Austrian national job agency), which provided a remarkably efficient service. Unfortunately, to find a job was for her not easy at all because being able to speak good German is an absolute MUST in Austria, and it took some time for her to achieve a good level.

-Do you speak German and do you think it's important to speak the local language?

I do speak German and it is very important to do so in Austria. At first I had to use English at the office, but I quickly realized that everybody had to speak English just because of me, which put somehow a barrier between me and the others. Therefore, I tried really hard to abandon English and use exclusively German. At first I put myself small goals (like "I am not using English at lunch today") and after a year or so I was able to communicate rudimentarily in German at the office.

As in most places in the world, trying to speak the local language, even at a very low level, is very important and kindly appreciated by natives. The same is true for respecting and observing local customs, especially when not doing so might give roots to a conflict. But not letting one's customs be lost is just as important. I believe it is wise to pick the best from both cultural baggages, yours and the ones from the country you live in.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?

I do miss my family sometimes, and I miss my home, too. But surprisingly I ended up missing rather unimportant and secondary things, like the noise in a Spanish workers' restaurant at lunch time, fried corn (which I am able to find in Turkish markets, though), eye contact with perfect strangers when crossing paths or being able to make a phone call without having to prepare myself two or three sentences beforehand.

We ride bicycles and hike in our spare time. Austria's beautiful landscapes provide a lot of chances for outdoor activities. When the weather is bad, we love to just sit around in a coffee house and let life pass by, observing people, reading newspapers or books or writing something myself. I am a hobby photographer as well, and this country offers a lot of opportunities deserving a snapshot.

-Do you have other plans for the future?

I prefer not to have too detailed plans for the future. We cannot picture ourselves staying in Austria forever, I guess we will be moving back to Barcelona sometime, but I do not know when and how. My favorite plan has always been "We'll see."

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?

We are renting a two-room apartment in Salzburg's Old Town, which costs some 500€ a month. I think we have a quite good arrangement with this price, but I guess a similar apartment in this area should not be over 600€ a month.

-What is the cost of living in Austria?

Well, it is acceptable, though Salzburg is especially expensive in comparison to other towns in the surroundings and in comparison to the rest of Austria. An espresso costs  around 2,10€, a "Wiener Schnitzel" should not cost more than 12€.

-What do you think about the Austrians?

 Of course, generalization is bad, because I do not know ALL of them, but I think Austrians are friendly and sincere people, who really mean what they say. But sometimes I find that their numerous and rather entangled social conventions put an artificial distance between me and them. I don't think they do it on purpose. It's just how they are. Austrians are very proud of their country, which I find OK, but at times they see themselves almost as the center of the Universe, which they are definitely not. They possess a natural tendency to a certain provincialism and narrow-mindedness but, again, I could name a lot of exceptions to this assertion.

Maybe because of the latter, they do not treat foreigners with the open-mindedness that would be desirable. Getting a smile or a bad look is unfortunately still too dependent on where do you come from and especially on how you look like. Being a Spaniard is an advantage, because my home country reminds them of sunny days spent at the beach and there are not that many Spaniards here that could make some of the locals fear for their jobs.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Austria?

 The most positive aspect is the chance to know a different culture, with different customs and different views. Living abroad makes you realize that another way of life is possible, and makes you question yourself about a lot of things that you always took for granted, about your home country and about yourself. Another positive aspect is learning German, being able to read Goethe, Schrödinger or Bernhard in their mother language is a real pleasure.

A negative aspect is, I think, that annoying feeling that you don't quite fit in here that, I guess, we will always have, more or less intense, but forever there. But I believe that's not particular of Austria, but rather something that would happen everywhere.

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Austria?

Be patient, open your mind, do not despair and, above all, LEARN GERMAN.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Austria?

I run a blog in English, Die Murmeltierjahre im Land des Frühschoppens, which started as an account of our life in Austria, but where I ended up talking about everything, not necessarily about Austria.

My girlfriend Mar writes an awesome food blog in Spanish, el tiempo de la marmota, where Austria is very present.

Another really interesting Spanish blog about Austria and Vienna is viena directo, run by Paco.

Gerda, from dinner for one, cooks delicious Austrian recipes from a kitchen overlooking the Danube.

Ka writes in Spanish from the other side (das andere ufer) of the Salzach river, which technically is Germany, but Austria is just there.

-Where were you born?
I was born in Madrid, Spain.

-In which country and city are you living now?
I am living in Vienna (Austria).

-Are you living alone or with your family?
I am living alone at the moment.

-How long have you been living in Austria?
I've been living here since October 2005, and very happily, I must say. :-)

-What is your age?
I am 32.

-When did you come up with the idea of living in Austria ?
Well, In fact I wanted to learn German...and I had friends here. I found as well that I needed some change in my life and I wondered...Why not? I thought about it a little bit....and the rest is history.

-Was it hard to get a visa or a working permit?
Not at all. I was an EU citizen.

-Was it difficult for you to get medical insurance before you went there or when you first arrived?
Not really. It was quite difficult to get a job, at the beginning, because my German was not fantastic. But I had my Spanish insurance.

-How do you make your living in Austria? Do you have any type of income generated?
Nowadays, I work for an international company that produces industrial equipment. Their European bureau is in Vienna. I work for the French market. So, I work mostly in French. I got the job through the newspapers. In Vienna they are very useful. For me, the best is the Kurier. But you can also look for a good job in pages like www.jobmedia.com. I worked also in a hotel (breakfast service) and also in a customer service department for a company that worked with Spain.

-Do you speak German and do you think it's important to speak the local language?
My German is improving every day (or I hope so). From the very beginning I saw how important it was to speak German. I think that learning the local language of a country is, really, the best way to be integrated.

The Austrian customs are not so different from the Spanish ones. Maybe people here are quite formal at the beginning, but the good thing is that when they say something, they mean it. No one in Austria will tell you to come up for a coffee only beacuse it is nice or polite. If they invite you, it is because they really have interest in seing you and know you better.

-Do you miss home and family sometimes?
Of course I miss my family, I am Spanish!!! jajajajaja. We, the Spaniards, are very family people. In fact, my family is the only thing that I miss. But Spain is near, and I fly quite often.

Austria offers a lot of things. It is a privilege to live so near to gifts of nature. Deep forests, rivers, mountains. Also cultural activities are a must here. Vienna is the city of the music and the theaters. In summer you can also swim, and rest, and walk in the woods. And everything, it's hardly half an hour away from home!

Wonderful!

-Do you have other plans for the future?
Well, I would like to profit from the fact that I live in Austria in visiting some other places. I am looking forward to going to Berlin, and I would also like to go to the ancient communist countries. I think that is an area that is quickly developing and changing. And for a Mediterranean person like me, it is a part of the world that is unknown.

-What about housing, have you bought, or are you renting a home? How much do you pay for it?
Housing in Vienna is quite cheap (comparing it to Spain, especially). An apartment here can cost around 600-700 Eur a month, depending on the place where it is.

-What is the cost of living in Austria?
When I came, I found that Vienna was cheaper than Spain in many ways. I only noticed the difference in the sport facilities (swimming pools and fitness centers). In Spain they are cheaper in general because they are public.

-What do you think about the Austrians?
Austrians are very sincere people, as I said before. Very polite (nicely) and very formal (although they say that they are not so formal as the Germans, but do not believe them jajaja). Somehow they are a mix of the past - an old concept of society - and the present. They like to preserve ancient traditions, but also they are very curious about what is new. They can be very funny, although I think that their sense of humour can be quite "black" from time to time. They try always to communicate with you. But, I also must say that you can see the difference between the Austrians in the country and in Vienna. People in the country are specially friendly. In the city...well, not as much.

I would like to say that I have not had any problem with the Austrian people because I am a foreigner. I have always been treated very well. The Austrians appreciate that you try to be integrated. They are conscious about the fact that their language is difficult and do not ask you to speak it perfectly.

As a not so good point, I would say that Austrians can be too much worried about appearances. They say, for example, "Kleidung macht leute" (the dress makes the people) which is a way to tell you that it is not that important what you do, but how you sell it.

-What are the positive and negative aspects of living in Austria?
I can say that living in Austria has been very positive for me. Particularly living in Vienna, which has a standard of living that is one of the best in the world. Vienna is a very comfortable place to live. I like it very much.

The negative aspects...Well, I miss my family and the language (German can be a very tough enemy sometimes).

-Do you have any tips for our readers about living in Austria?
Learn German, learn German, learn German and, if you have any spare time, learn German. Try to adapt yourself to the local concept of punctuality and, from the first day on, and without forgetting your essence, try to be an Austrian as much as you can. And, at the beginning, try to take it with good sense of humour. I think that this is the magical trick.

-Do you have any favorite Web sites or blogs about Austria?
I run my own blog, www.vienadirecto.blogspot.com, in Spanish, and I also collaborate in a collective website, www.austria.pordescubrir.com.

Another Spaniard, Toni, runs a blog in English, http://murmeltierjahre.blogspot.com, with great pictures.