Moving to Austria

[EssexDave]

So, I've had an opportunity come up which means I will be moving to Austria for 3 months over the summer.

I'm being given accommodation whilst I'm there, but that's essentially it.

I will be taking the motorbike, and wondered whether anybody had any advice/information that might be helpful.

I'm only just starting to think about what I need to do/take/buy/think about so any suggestions welcome :)

Dave

[Littlepeahead]

Is this a Hitler thread?

[EssexDave]

Is this a Hitler thread?

No :smt117

[maviczap]

Learn to speak German that might help :D

Take you pushbike & ride up the Grossglockner, then you can have that as bragging rights for eever :rave:

[maviczap]

Haben sie eine tote vogel in Ihre hose?

[EssexDave]

No dead birds here Mavi. My German isn't that bad ;)

[maviczap]

Ah, aber jetzt haben sie verstanden?

[EssexDave]

Ja, ich kann ein bißchen Deutsche sprechen.

[maviczap]

It means have you farted?

[EssexDave]

Well you see I would have thought you'd use "Furzen" for that...haben sir gefurzt?

[embee]

I worked in Graz on and off for a while. My German isn't good but I can get by, however depending on where you are in Austria the dialect and accent can be rater confusing, I never really got on with "Steierisch" at all.

It's going back 10yrs or so and things change, but generally the psyche is one of being law abiding, following the rules, respect the state, never mind anyone else. A very nice place, I always felt pretty safe even walking across the city centre in the early hours of the morning. My car was the only one I ever saw with a steering lock, crime levels were extremely low. However immigration from the east was gradually posing a few more problems, organised crime from Bulgaria/Romania/Albania etc (sorry for any prejudiced slant).

The character is more Bohemian than Teutonic, not quite as straight laced as high Germany for example. They do like a festival or 2.

A fabulous place in the summer. I found winters too extreme, towns are in the valleys and there is permanent cloud, no sun, below zero for 6weeks, filthy black snow along the roads and buildings (no salt allowed, only grit).

[Sid Squid]

Don't speed, no really don't speed - they start nicking when you're over the limit less than the needle's width.