Austria

Austria pairs the urban comfort of Vienna with mountains two hours away, and transport, healthcare and schools all work without complaint. Costs run above Eastern Europe, yet Vienna rent is cheaper than Munich, held down by a large social housing stock. Winters are long and snowy in the mountains, summers are warm and thundery, and the shoulder seasons are short. The difficulties are heavily accented German, high taxes and residence permits that are quota-based and need preparing well in advance.