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    Due to the logistics of the Annual Meetings, the Family Network will be working remotely the week of October 14-17, 2025. Our physical office will be closed, but you can reach us any time by phone: +1 202 473 8751 or email: Famillynetwork@worldbank.org

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Incredible India: A Journey Through Culture, Spirituality, and Adventure
Incredible India: A Journey Through Culture, Spirituality, and Adventure

Members' Recommendations

Moving to a new country can be a daunting experience. Information you can gather through  books and the internet, cannot replace first hand experience as shared below by WBFN members. If you are already in the Country Office and have some additional experience/tips you would like to share, please contact the WBFN Local Champion or the WBFN office and we will be glad to amend our members' recommendation for this specific country accordingly. WBFN is happy to share—but cannot endorse—information provided by members [consult WBFN Legal]. You have to be a registered WBFN member in order to access the information below; please log in/register

Members Recommendations

  1. 1. When arriving
  2. 2. Short term housing
  3. 3. Housing & understanding your lease
  4. 4. Neighborhoods
  5. 5. Schools and daycares
  6. 6. Security
  7. 7. Healthcare providers & emergencies
  8. 8. Shopping
  9. 9. Recreational activities
  10. 10. Communities
  11. 11. Useful Resources/Books
  12. 12. Other recommendations
  1. 1. When arriving

    Feel free to reach out to the WBFN in Vienna, the volunteers usually can give you tips on the different districts and what you should be aware of when you choose your place, or school for the kids.

    1. 1.1 What to bring with you

      In Vienna you can find everything, but the cost of living is expensive.

      • If there are things that you think are less expensive in your previous location, then bring them from there.
      • If you can survive with IKEA or with amazon.de. Otherwise, there are many flea-markets in town where you can scout for cute decoration ideas.
      • Each church holds a big flea-market once a year and almost each neighborhood organizes a Street flea-market once a year as well. (Naschmarkt on Saturdays and The Neubaugasse Street festival in spring and fall are among the most famous ones).
      • One thing to keep in mind if you arrive on a weekend is that all stores are closed on Sunday. For basic products you can go to the stores that are located around train stations or the one at the airport, however there is no shop open non-stop in Vienna.
  2. 2. Short term housing

    It is advisable to take a short-term accommodation at the beginning to get a better feeling of the neighborhoods and then chose one. If you come from DC, keep in mind that prices for renting are quite different; check “Der Standard” section Immobilien- Miete to have an idea of what the prices look like for each district

  3. 3. Housing & understanding your lease

    It is difficult to find a perfect accommodation in Vienna because many apartments are too old, or too expensive, or don’t have closets, or not enough bathrooms, etc. So be prepared to compromise.

    Now the World Bank helps you with the relocation through a company called Metrica. Be sure to let them know exactly what you want so you can make the most of their services. They will help you with the contract and the fees.

    If in doubt, the best thing to do is to get in touch with one of the local Champions who would understand better your needs

  4. 4. Neighborhoods

    Many expats live close to the UN headquarters but not exclusively. It really depends on your preferences but there are plenty of choices.

    Vienna has one central district (District 1), around with 9 other districts (2 -9) are located. Around the 9 districts close to the 1st one, are another 12 other districts (10-22).

    • The UN Offices and the UN international staff is located in districts 21 and 22. The WBG Office is located in District 2.
    • One of the International Schools in Vienna is located in District 21 (VIS) while the other (American International School) in District 19.
    • While the VIS, in District 21 is well connected to the public transportation, if you decide to choose the American School you might want to choose a neighborhood closer to it.

    It must be noted that public transportation in Vienna is a gem, with reliable schedules and very well-throught-out connections.

  5. 5. Schools and daycares

    Many school choices in Vienna but the ones preferred by expats are:

    • Vienna international school, which is the UN school, so it’s more international.
    • American International School which is a good choice if you will be going back to the US. It is also located further away.
    • The Danube school, which is smaller and may be a better fit for kids with special needs.

    Preschools and local daycares are good and very affordable.

  6. 6. Security

    There aren’t any security problems in Vienna. Just the normal ones in any city. Some areas might not be so welcoming at night, but incidents are extremely rare.

  7. 7. Healthcare providers & emergencies

    In Vienna private insurance is very expensive, and sometimes Doctors are not fully aware of how International Insurances work. The ideal would be to have a local insurance but the World Bank doesn’t offer that. But other UN international employees have that option which apparently is better.

    For emergencies

    • AKH is a good hospital. Emergency number in Vienna is 144.

    You would usually need to have a general practitioner that can recommend specialists in the city. This is however, not mandatory and you can reach out to doctors cabinets directly.

    Keep in mind that CIGNA may take up to two-three weeks to reimburse your costs.

    Recommendations for English speaking doctors can also be found by accessing the WomenofVienna facebook group (Sorry, but it is for women only). Otherwise, colleagues may also recommend.

  8. 8. Shopping

    Vienna has all the possibilities for shopping. One thing to keep in mind is that Sunday all shops are closed except for those located around train-stations and airports. The main shop for organic products is called DENN’s and it’s present in all districts. However, you will find organic products in almost all chains (Spar, Billa, Hofer, Lidl).

    Main shopping areas are:

    • District 1-old town- Kartnerstrasse, Maria Hilfer Strasse
    • District 6th, The Donau Zentrum and VCS Sud which are some of the bigger size malls that are reachable by public transportation.
    • Farmers markets are usually held on Saturdays, Nashmarkt being the biggest and most touristic. Karmeliten market is the closer to the Office, in the second district. Other districts also have their own.
  9. 9. Recreational activities

    Plenty of things to do in Vienna. Good information sources are:

    • Stadtwanderwege in und um Wien (city hiking trails in and around Vienna)
    • Vienna Wurstel Stand (the Vienna Expat Survival Guide)
    • You also have a variety of kids activities at museums (Haus des Meeres or the Technical Museum have special activities sometimes also in English).
    • Vienna is famous for the number of theatre and concert halls. Tickets are very easy to find online. There is an English Theatre but shows can sometimes be found in Spanish as well.
    •  English speaking cinemans are BurgKino, Hydn and Artis International.
    • One great idea to do with kids is take the bikes and go on the Danube bike trail all the way to Bratislava and then come back by train (it’s a day’s trip, but downhill)
    1. 9.1 Restaurants

      Vienna’s dinning out scene is rich and vibrant, whether you like traditional, international, ethnic, new-age, etc. There are also three or four food-delivery services such as foodora, ubereats, and lieferservice. Vienna is still struggling with smoking in restaurants and bars. Despite the legislation allowing it, many restaurants have already voluntarily decided to go non-smoking.

  10. 10. Communities
    • AWA Vienna (is the International Women's Club of Vienna and comprises English-speaking women from diverse backgrounds and nationalities)
    • Vienne Accueil (French group)
    • Women in Vienna (FB page for English speaking women who live in Vienna)
  11. 11. Useful Resources/Books

    The AWA book, Living in Vienna, is a great asset for new arrivals

  12. 12. Other recommendations

    Vienna is a lovely city, once you get over the language barrier. To help with that there are many language courses in the city, but you can start your prep by using the Duolingo app which gives you the basics. Be mindful of not over-tipping, the Viennese usually round up the amount. Always make sure you ask the price for any service before you agree to it. Unlike DC, you can definitely take your time in coffee shops, no one will pressure you out. Check out the coffee shops, Vienna has plenty of them, both traditional ones, as well as new and hype ones. Do subscribe to the Chapter’s facebook page where volunteers share more info on events, concerts etc.