Living in Vienna, Austria: An American’s Home & Life Abroad
What’s it really like to live in Vienna as an American? My affiliate manager, Melinda, shares how she ended up in Austria, the biggest differences between life there and in the United States, and gives us a full tour of the Vienna apartment she calls home.
You may not know Melinda, but she’s been a big part of The DIY Playbook behind the scenes for the past two years. We actually met through Instagram DMs. She was always sending me incredibly detailed product recommendations, and I was so impressed with her internet sleuthing skills that I eventually hired her! These days, she handles all things affiliates and helps with my gift guides, book stuff, and so much more.
When we first started working together, Melinda was living in Arizona. Since then, she’s packed up her life and moved to Vienna, Austria. I’ve loved watching from afar as she’s settled into life abroad and made her apartment feel like home, with plenty of back-and-forth texts about decorating along the way.
I find it all so fascinating…what life is like in Vienna, how it differs from the US, and what it’s been like creating a home there. So we hired a local photographer to capture her apartment, and I’m handing things over to Melinda from here. Take it away, Melinda!
Living in Vienna, Austria
I was born and raised in Phoenix, Arizona, but I’ve also lived in Los Angeles, New York City, and Nashville. One of my biggest regrets was not studying abroad in college. I graduated in three years, jumped straight into my career, and never really had the chance.
Fast-forward a few years, and I was freelancing remotely for Casey and finishing my MBA online. Instead of taking a vacation, I decided to create my own version of studying abroad: six months living out of a suitcase, exploring a new European city every two to four weeks.
I wanted to figure out whether I had romanticized expat life or if living in Europe could actually be the right next step for me. If it wasn’t, I’d head back to the U.S. after finishing my MBA.
Spoiler alert: I loved it. I haven’t been back to the U.S. since November 2024.
Why I Chose Vienna
I had a few requirements when choosing where to settle down. I wanted a big city with great public transportation, a lower cost of living, easy access to trains and an international airport, and preferably somewhere with cooler weather. After enough years in the Arizona sun, I was ready for a change!
Vienna checked those boxes. I don’t even like driving somewhere I know the geography and language, so being able to get around easily without a car was a big deal. And if I’m living in Europe, you better bet I want to travel whenever I can.
I’m also fortunate to have dual citizenship, which allowed me to relocate to an EU country much more easily. I appreciate Vienna’s social welfare system and how clean and safe the city feels. As a single woman, being able to comfortably walk around the city has been a refreshing change of pace.
Finding an Apartment & Everyday Life in Vienna
Starting a new life in a new country required some major adjustments…and not just learning a new language. I hired a relocation consultant to help me figure out which neighborhoods fit my lifestyle and navigate things like residency, taxes, utilities, and internet.
I also spent my first two months in Vienna in an Airbnb so I could tour apartments in person. If I were signing a long-term lease, I wanted to see the apartment and neighborhood for myself instead of relying on photos and videos. I highly recommend doing this!
My day-to-day life looks very different now. My combined fridge and freezer is only 31 inches tall, but I don’t need to keep much food at home. Within a ten-minute walk of my apartment, I can pass three grocery stores, two pharmacies, countless restaurants and shops, three tram lines, a subway, and a bus stop.
Walking is part of everything I do, and it’s helped me really get to know my neighborhood. I’ve become a regular at a few places, run into neighbors while I’m out, and have even developed close friendships that way.
One of the biggest adjustments? Sundays. Sunday is a true day of rest in Austria. Grocery stores, pharmacies, and most businesses are closed, so I’ve learned to plan ahead. Even noisy household chores are discouraged on Sundays!
Quick Apartment Facts
- Location: Vienna, Austria
- Home Type: Apartment
- Approximate Size: 65 square meters = ~700 square feet
- Bedrooms/Bathrooms: 1 bed/1 bath
- Rent or Own: Rent
- Age of Building: 1990s
- Describe Your Design Style: My style is warm and collected, with a modern edge—clean lines, natural wood, neutral tones, and pieces that feel cool without trying too hard.
- Favorite Spot: I love sitting at my dining table with a view of my living room, historic buildings, and tree-lined streets.
The Entryway & Closet
Throw Pillow (exact) // Floor Length Mirror (exact) // Storage Bench // Light Fixture
One thing that surprised me when I was apartment hunting was how many places had a dedicated entryway. Now that I live here, I understand why. Austrian homes are typically shoeless, and even workers who come into my apartment usually remove their shoes automatically.
I added a storage bench that gives me a spot to take shoes on and off, plus a place to keep extra slippers for visitors. Thanks to Casey, I added the throw pillow for a pop of color.
The large mirror actually solves a decorating problem. The apartment came with a not-so-beautiful mirror (complete with etched butterflies) glued directly to the wall. Since I couldn’t remove it safely, I found a larger mirror that fit my style and simply covered it up.
Another typical Austrian feature is a separate water closet near the entry instead of a toilet inside the main bathroom. I actually love this setup because guests can use it without going through my bedroom.
And then there’s the closet…or lack thereof! “Empty” apartments in Vienna are very different from empty apartments in the U.S. You typically don’t get built-in closets or wardrobes, and sometimes you don’t even get light fixtures beyond hanging bulbs.
Luckily, my apartment has a storage room off the entry. I added clothing storage, a shoe shelf, and a few peel-and-stick hooks for purses and reusable shopping bags.
The Living & Dining Room
Cream Sectional // Neutral Rug // Brown Throw Pillow (exact) // Olive Velvet Throw Pillow (exact) // Geometric Throw Pillow // Black Frames (exact) // Art Print Trio (exact) // Faux Olive Tree // Abstract Print (exact) // Soft Brown Curtains // Dining Chairs // Dining Table // Pendant Light // Console with Storage // Faux Flowers // Black Ceramic Vase // Candlestick Trio // Flameless Taper Candles // Modem ‘Book’ Storage Box // White Planter // Faux Plant
This is the largest living and dining space I’ve ever had. The first thing I noticed was the wall of floor-to-ceiling windows and the little Romeo and Juliet balcony.
That tiny balcony serves a very important purpose: air conditioning!
Air conditioning isn’t nearly as common here as it is in the U.S., and it’s one American luxury I wasn’t willing to give up. I had two split units installed, one here and another in my bedroom. Let’s just say my apartment becomes a popular retreat during a Vienna heat wave.
I tend to gravitate toward neutrals, so the cream sectional was the perfect foundation. After some back-and-forth with Casey, I agreed to try a rug and I’m so glad I did. It adds contrast and helps define the living and dining areas within one large room.
The huge white walls also begged for large-scale art. Because I splurged on the light fixtures, I saved here by ordering a set of prints from Etsy and framing them in simple IKEA frames.
I angled the dining table so every seat has a view outside. That meant the existing light fixture was no longer centered over the table, so I used an adhesive cord cover to shift it over. It’s barely noticeable and makes the entire layout work better.
My dining table doubles as my workspace. I could have squeezed in a desk, but since I live alone, I’d rather have fewer, larger pieces and keep the apartment feeling streamlined.
One of my favorite little moments in the room is a vintage pottery piece from Mallorca. It sits on two books about Austria and a faux book that secretly hides my modem. That mix of functional and beautiful, modern and vintage, is exactly what I wanted for my home.
The Bedroom
Brown Storage Bed // Fluted Dressers // Black Table Lamps // Green Lumbar Pillow (exact) // Book’ Storage Boxes // Sculptural Vase // Green Marble Tray // Lego Bouquet (exact) // Bubble Light Fixture // Area Rug // Green Curtains
I wanted my bedroom to feel like a retreat, and I think I accomplished that.
Instead of traditional nightstands, I bought two dressers to use on either side of the bed. They give me a ton of storage without adding more furniture to the room. I also chose a bed with hidden storage underneath.
One big difference I’ve noticed here is the bedding. Most beds in Austria are styled with two twin duvets, so each person gets their own blanket instead of sharing one large duvet. I appreciate the practicality, but since it’s just me, I’ve stuck with one larger duvet.
My favorite vignette in the entire apartment might be my nightstand. The “books” are actually storage boxes, and I found a green marble tray for my perfumes, including my absolute favorite tomato and red currant scent from Paris.
The lamps were a DIY project born out of necessity. I couldn’t find anything that was the right size, style, and color, so I bought beige lamps from Zara Home and gave them several coats of diluted black acrylic paint. Now they’re exactly what I wanted!
I ran into the same issue with the art above my bed. Instead of blowing the budget on something I didn’t love, I decided to paint my own abstract piece. The green ended up being the perfect pop of color and inspired the lumbar pillow on the bed.
The Bathroom
The bathroom was a very sterile blank slate when I moved in. It had tiled floors and walls, a tub/shower, pedestal sink, washing-machine hookup, and an awkwardly shaped mirror.
I started with the basics: a tension rod, an extra-long shower curtain, and a washable bath mat. Then, I added a washing machine. I was already used to air-drying most of my clothes, but air-drying sheets and towels definitely took some getting used to!
Storage was another challenge. I found a cabinet that wraps around the pedestal sink, and it’s been incredibly functional. I honestly wish I’d had one during my NYC days.
The existing mirror was glued to the tiled wall, so removing it wasn’t worth the risk. Instead, I bought wood trim, painted it, and attached it around the mirror to give it a more finished look.
Another difference I’ve noticed in Vienna apartments is that wherever there’s a water hookup, there’s usually an access panel nearby. Mine are near the kitchen sink, bathtub, and toilet, which makes maintenance and repairs much easier without opening up the walls.
And yes, my washing machine is in the bathroom while my toilet is in a completely different room. It seemed strange at first, but now I find the setup incredibly practical.
Shop The Look
Art Print Trio (exact) // Cream Sectional // Neutral Rug // Faux Olive Tree // Black Metal Light Fixture // Fluted Dresser // Faux Book Boxes // Ceramic Vase // Faux Florals // Black Table Lamp // Brown Storage Bed // Green Lumbar Pillow (exact)
What Living Abroad Has Taught Me About Home
My new home might be smaller in square footage, but my life is bigger. I moved in with a single suitcase worth of stuff and slowly curated a space that fits my lifestyle. Yes, I miss my family and friends. But do I miss the hustle culture, endless traffic, and rampant consumerism? No.
Thinking about moving abroad? My advice is simple: go for it! There will be moments of intense frustration, awkward interactions, and stress. But those are easily outnumbered as long as you’re willing to put yourself out there. I signed up for in-person German classes; I visit local spots on repeat; and I joined local networking groups.
Two years into my Expat life, whenever I get the question, “How long are you staying?”, my answer is simple. I have no plans to leave.
Final Note from Casey
A huge thank you to Melinda for opening up her home and sharing a peek into her life in Vienna. I’ve loved watching her create this home from afar, and it was so fun to finally see the entire space come together. Now I just need to figure out when I can make it to Vienna to see it in person!
