Don't worry, I'm not leaving my fabulous job and I'm not leaving my "Wahlheimat" (chosen country to live in). This means that I continue to be in love with Vienna, where I'll be every day for work, but I'll commute every day from a small city in Lower Austria, half-way between Vienna and my house. I was thinking to move out from the Viennese apartment, where I spent the last six years and half, since I own a house in the countryside. The deciding event was the cost (not the rent) rise between Christmas and New Year. Does it make any sense, giving away so much money just to be in the capital city? Furthermore, I needed a change. Since I moved abroad, I’ve never been working longer than three years in the same place. I don’t have such a stress anymore, but I had to change routine for a while.
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| Easter tree in the main square |
It took some time finding the "right" apartment. Even when all the criteria were fulfilled I had the feeling that it wasn't it. Finally, I found a good solution that made both my brain and my stomach agree. Other than the vicinity to the railway station, as I’ll have to commute daily to Vienna and more than weekly to my house, and the quietness of the third floor with none over my head (for the first time since I live abroad), this tiny (smaller than the previous one) apartment presents some luxury, such as a window in the bathroom and large roof windows in the living room. The apartment comes also with a huge bike-garage and a large storage place underneath the roof.
Everything seems fine and easy. It is never the case, especially in Austria, where bureaucracy is as much beloved as the waltz. First issue, quitting the rent for the apartment in Vienna. After two months and despite a registered mail, the house management did not send the confirmation of the end of the contract, fixing a day for the key return, until I sent an angry e-mail and called several times, each time speaking with different (but equally incompetent) people. No comment! Second issue, quitting the insurance for the apartment in Vienna. It can be done only with a document proving that I get out, i.e., I had to wait for the house management. Third issue, ending the contract for electricity in the Vienna apartment. This can be done online a couple of weeks before the end of the renting contract, but the house management asked not to quit, preferring to transfer to contract to the new tenant. All this is for the apartment that I left, but almost the same tasks are required for the new apartment: renting contract, official registration, payment of the estate agent, new insurance, new contract for electricity and heating, etc. In addition, I had to find a moving company to transport my belongings, including the precious (for practicing) and heavy digital organ.
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| the main church |
Packing things lasted weeks. In seven years, I collected more than what I had when I moved from Brussels. Such a move always offers the opportunity to "clean" the house, trashing, reselling or giving away what is not necessary. It does not make any sense to keep everything. The transportation of the remaining objects and furniture went fine, the moving company was quite professional and on time, and two friends of mine helped me with dismounting and mounting the furniture.
The first weeks in the new apartment went good, commuting is practical and faster than for some friends living in Vienna but at the border of the city. Just the Easter week, due to construction works, some trains were deviated along another line and the journey took ca. 10 minutes longer. The city is flat and small, allowing to bike around, but it offers everything I need, from shopping malls to theaters and churches. I didn't regret the decision to move here, so far.
