Expat Experiences: 9 Tips for Moving and Living in Graz

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Dear Alice,

Today I would like to share with you some of my lifetime experiences while moving and while living in Graz, Austria. I do hope that these experiences would come in handy and that they will give you some helpful tips if you decide to move to Graz or if you already live in Graz for some time and you are ready to learn and to discover more about your city.

After living for already 6 years now in Graz, and for 11 years in Austria (yes time is indeed passing very fast), I would like to make a summary of the most important and most useful facts that you need to know about Graz and about moving to Graz, facts which for sure would have been very helpful for me if I would have known them six years ago. Well that is life, let us hope that this information will come in handy for you, wherever you are and you need this information.

So here are my tips for anyone who decides (or already decided to move to Graz) or for anyone who already lives in the beautiful city of Graz, Austria and enjoys its everyday wonders and beauty:

  1. Decide where to live in Graz:

    • Graz has 17 districts, which are numbered just to make things easier and to make any reference to them easier, but which of course have a name of their own as well.
    • Usually the districts are divided into two main categories: the districts from the left side of the Mur river in Graz, and the districts from the right side of the river. Whichever districts you choose depends of course on your financial situation, on how much rent you want or you you willing to pay for the apartment, on how far away you have to commute to the university or school. Here is a list of the most common districts in Graz together with the main facts about them:
    • Geidorf: This is basically the student area. The Karl-Franzens University and the Medicine University both have all or part of their campuses here, so this is the area where most students will look for a place to rent, or where the students dormitories are situated. During the weekends this area is crowded with a lot of visitors (students and non-students), since there are a lot of coffee places and bars which attract the people. Still this region is close to the city center (in like 20-minutes walk you are in the city center), it is safe and even though the rents may be a bit higher than in other places it is a good region to start your life in Graz. This was the first district I lived when moving to Graz, and I must say I was really happy.

      Memories from Geidorf

      Spring in Geidorf! What a view!

    • Innenstadt: Basically the city center (as the name suggests it), this is probably one of the most crowded area in Graz, especially in winter, during the Christmas time, but also during spring or summer, when tourists from all over the world are visiting the beautiful city of Graz. The city center will of course accommodate you in a fascinating way, but you have to decide whether you want to live in a crowded area, where the parking possibilities are for instance limited. Still the buildings in the city center, are just wonderful.
    • Jakomini: Situated in the vicinity of the city center, Jakomini resembles itself with the Innenstadt.
    • Liebenau: Situated in the south of Graz, Liebenau offers you a great alternative far away from the crowded city center, but still quite close to the city itself, so to feel as in the city but in a calm and green suburbia.

      Happy moments! Enjoying Liebenau weather!

    • Mariatrost: Situated in the north of Graz, Mariatrost is basically the same as Liebenau, only in the north. This district offers you an alternative away from the crowded city center. In addition, Mariatrost offers you a lot of green parks and gardens where you can enjoy your days or you can practice any kind of sports. It is one of the more expensive regions, if you choose to live here.

      Memories from Mariatrost

      Enjoying the view in Mariatrost

      Hiking in Mariatrost

    • Sankt Peter: Situated next to Geidorf, Sankt Peter is both a student and a non-student area. While still some students choose to leave here (as some of the campuses of the universities are located here), Sankt Peter still have some beautiful regions that offers you apartments located in quiet and calm areas of the city.
    • These are only the basic districts once again, just take the time to visit them all if you find an apartment you like, and decide what best fits for you.

  2. Hints and suggestions on finding an apartment in Graz:

    • If you are interested in finding an apartment in Graz (either for the first time, or for the second time), then you do have several options: there are a lot of possibilities where you can find the last announces with the current rents and the current offers for buying or renting an apartment or/and a house.
    • I would recommend you the popular online engine: https://www.willhaben.at/iad, or the online portal from the well-known “Der Standard” newspaper: https://derstandard.at/immobiliensuche.
    • If you are interested in buying a house or an apartment, here you will find the latest information you need: https://gws-wohnen.at/cms/cms.php, or https://www.kohlbacher.at/
    • Of course you can find a wide range of announces in other local and national newspaper such as “Kleine Zeitung” or “Kronehit”. Just take the time for exploring some more options before making the final decision.

  3. Registering for the Meldezettel in Graz (i.e. registering official as an inhabitant of the city of Graz):

    • As soon as you moved to Graz you have to register to the city hall as an official inhabitant of the city of Graz, and this means you have to register for the official Meldezettel (this is the official naming of the form in German). Here is the link, where you can find more information on the Meldezettel: Meldezettel in Graz – Useful Information (including necessary documents that you will need to obtain the form, where can you go to apply for the Meldezettel in Graz depending on your location, the official forms you need to fill in for the Meldezettel, etc.). Please notice that information on this page is also available in English.
    • The important thing you need to know is that you have to apply for such a Meldezettel (as soon as you move to Graz) and basically this is your responsibility as an inhabitant of the city, you can apply for such a form at one of the official offices of the city hall (which are located in different districts of Graz, depending on your location) and that depending on your duration or stay in Graz you will receive either a “Hauptwohnsitz” (i.e. Main Residence) or a “Nebenwohnsitz” (i.e. Secondary Residence) on your “Meldezettel” form.
    • Just make sure to keep this form in a safe place, and to always have it prepared, this form will be very important for you in the future, when registering your auto for instance, when buying an apartment, when changing your travel document or your identity document, for your insurances, etc.

  4. Registering your auto in Graz:

    • If you have an auto, you need to register it to the local authorities as a local auto (with a Graz number), but only if you have received a “Hauptwohnsitz” on your “Meldezettel” form. In fact, as soon as you got the “Hauptwohsitz”, it is your responsibility to register your auto as a local auto to the city of Graz, Austria. Just address here directly the local authorities and the auto insurance company you have. You will have to check the pollution fee you have to pay for you auto as well, and this is usually done to the “Finanzamt”. Your insurance company will guide your through this process. Just make sure to ask offers from more insurance companies and then choose the one that better fits your wishes.
    • The insurance company will direct you to what steps you have to follow. I must say that the procedures for registering your auto are quite straightforward and once you have an insurance company, this will be quite easy for you. Just make sure that in Austria, there are 2 types of insurance for your auto: the mandatory insurance (called in shortening KFZ), and the secondary insurance (i.e. CASCO). Whereas you have to apply for the KFZ insurance for your auto, the CASCO insurance pays off only if you have a brand new auto in my opinion. It is quite expensive, and for second-hand autos or for older auto it does not make much sense. But this you have to decide on your own, depending on your driving skills I would say.
    • Also in Austria it is quite helpful to register as a member of the “Austrian Automobil Club” OEMTC: https://www.oeamtc.at/. This will come in handy whether you are in any kind of troubles with your auto of national roads, on the highways. You will have to pay an annual fee for your membership, but it definitely pays off. Especially if you decide not to have a CASCO insurance.

  5. Health insurance in Graz:

    • If you are coming to Graz as a student, I would recommend you that you have a travel insurance with you (for the first weeks in Austria at least). Afterwards depending on your type of studies you are pursuing, you will get a health insurance directly by the employer or you have to close a health insurance as a private person.
    • Just make sure to always have a health insurance when in Austria. If you already have a job in Austria, then this will even be easier for you: you will automatically get a health insurance, provided by your employer.
    • Here are information on the main “Health Insurance Company in Styria, Austria”: https://www.stgkk.at/portal27/stgkkportal/content?contentid=10007.711349&viewmode=content

  6. Finding a job in Graz:

    • There are a lot of possibilities where you can find the right job for you. I would recommend here the same engines for you (as for renting or finding an apartment): https://www.willhaben.at/iad. In addition you can check other special engines such as: https://www.karriere.at/.
    • Usually, the job advertisers will specify whether you need to speak German or not. Of course, for any job in Austria, speaking German (even if only partially) will be a plus for you. Still do not be afraid, if you cannot speak German in the beginning, just be prepared to register to some German courses after starting your job (or university) in Austria. It will make your life easier. And you will get to learn new things.

  7. Meeting new people in Graz:

    • This is probably an easy one. Still, if you are looking for meeting people with the same experiences and questions as you, try the “English-German Stammtisch” in Graz: https://www.facebook.com/angloaustrian/.

  8. Best places to shop in Graz:

    • I am still thinking whether I should right a post on this topic. Till then, I would recommend: Herrengasse, City Park Shopping Center, Murpark Shopping Center, Seiersberg-Pirka Shopping Center. Yes definitively must do for shopping lovers.

  9. Best places to visit in Graz (if you are a newcomer, and not only):

    • Just make sure to check one of my posts: “100 Things to Do in Graz”: http://www.talking2alice.com/?p=2126. I hope these suggestions will come in handy for you!

      Panoramic view on the Mur river!

I hope these hints will help you to find you own way into the beautiful city of Graz!
Sincerely yours,
Madalina

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