Vienna is literally a land for royalty with its 27 castles and 150 palaces. Located in the northeastern part of Austria, sitting picturesquely at the eastern extension of the Alps, this city spans both sides of the famous Danube River.
The city's core is situated on the Danube's west bank, in a section of the city called Inner Town (the oldest section of the city) and is enclosed by a horseshoe-shaped boulevard called Ringstrasse. Inner Town houses a number of Vienna's government buildings, whimsical imperial palaces, and the opera house.
The northern and western districts of the city are Vienna's residential areas, while the city's eastern and southern districts are home to many manufacturing plants.
Vienna experiences humid continental climate. This translates to warm summers with an average temperature of 22 to 26°C. Winters can get very cold, with temperatures reaching about freezing point.
Viennese summers are best in the months of June and July, marked with warm days and a slightly windy breeze. Winters are usually riddled with daily drizzles, with light snowfall occurring somewhere between December to March.
The seasons in between such as spring and autumn bring pleasant weather to the Viennese, with occasional windy and overcast days in the latter season.
DEMOGRAPHY AND ECONOMY
This beautiful city overflowing with old world charm has a population of 1,860,266 inhabitants. Despite its low birth rate, the city numbers continue to gradually increase as a result of active migration to Austria's capital.
Vienna has had a long history of immigration. Due to the city's industrialization in the 1800's, neighbors of Slavic and Hungarian origins trooped to the city to take advantage of the jobs generated by the economic boost.
In modern times however, the immigration trend continues to fill the streets of Vienna with hopeful expatriates. The most numerous nationalities in the city are Turkish, followed by Polish, and Germans.
Recent immigration trends have brought other nationalities to the Austrian capital as well. Both Asians and expats from neighboring European nations have also found their way to Vienna.
Getting a Visa
If you plan to stay in Vienna for a long period of time and/or possibly work there, you would need to get either a stay permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis), or a residence permit (Niederlassungsnachweis) if you plan on actually settling in the country.
The cost for applying for either visa categories can range from 75-130 Euros. This is a rough approximate however, as it is possible that you will require the assistance of a legal counsel.
You may check this website: http://www.wien.gv.at/fremde/aufenthalt/titel.htm for more information on the requirements and the process of application.
What to Pack
Vienna is a city of pleasant summers and cold winters, so you may want to put on some thermal wear, a couple of thick jackets, or a lot of clothing you can layer on.
The Viennese are formal when it comes to dressing up. Make sure to bring some dressy pants or skirts for any special occasions.
Women's high heels are great, but if you work in the city center, expect to do a lot of walking. The city's cobblestone streets are also a reminder that comfortable shoes are a necessity in Vienna.
Given that the Austrian winters can be harshly cold, petroleum jelly, lip balm, or any kind of moisturizer would be your skin's best friend.
Not only is Vienna a premiere city destination, but also Austria's cultural, economic, and political center - it has become the home for many expats.
