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Young graduate, looking to start a new life in Berlin or Vienna. I am asking people who are experienced with either city to help provide me with a better understanding, not necessarily make up my mind for me. My German is good but I can improve once I am there. Here are some things I can attribute to:
-Fond of old world architecture
-Very left leaning(Shouldn't be too much of an issue since large European cities are cosmopolitan and overwhelmingly liberal)
-Nightlife is good and lively
-City is generally lively and interesting
Things I can already tell is that Berlin has cheaper rent and both have excellent public transportation. I have 11K in savings and I am from the USA.
The 11k in savings is definitely a plus. That being said, how do you plan to attain residency in either Germany or Austria?
I know it is not an easy process but I am willing to do so if I like it and I get to know the areas.
Where ever I end up I plan to attend a graduate school since they are cheap and a good way to improve my German.
The degree will be a plus. I know Austria is about to reform their immigration policy to a "points" system making it easier for people will skills such as work experience and degrees to attain work permits.
Yes, Vienna has great old world architecture, it is safer and cleaner than Berlin, also better economy, lower unemployment and higher pay. Public transport is in my opinion better in Vienna than in Berlin, it is funny, but if you're in the central districts during the day Vienna feels in my opinion like a bigger city than Berlin, although it's only about half the size.
That means of course that Berlin is much livelier and has a much better nightlife. Berlin is known for its nightlife and arts scene throughout Europe, Vien´na is rather known as a city for old people (although that is not true at all, nightlife is still better than many american metro areas with a similar size, but nothing even comparable to Berlin).
Also when it comes to Politics Berlin is much more left-leaning than Vienna. Vienna as a city is quite left, the Socialist/Labour Party has won every election since 1918, Austria is quite a conservative country for European Standards, which also has consequences on Vienna. The city would love to introduce same-sex marriage, a more egalitarian school system, more liberal immigration policies, but Austria won't let it. Vienna has a Labour-Green government, Berlin a Labour-Left Party government, and also, although Vienna is an extremely cosmpolitan city, more so than Berlin, more than half of all school children have another native language than German, racism is a problem in Vienna. You won't notice it in daily life, but the far-right Freedom Party made 25% of the votes at the last election. But still, Vienna is probably more liberal than most american cities.
If you're young, to the left and you like to Party go to Berlin. Berlin has enough old world architecture for an american , and there are cheap trains to Vienna if you want to visit.
I visited both several times and i would say definetely Berlin IMO. It's much more culturally, ethnically and socially diverse than Vienna. Additionally, Berlin has a very energetic vibe and it's much more 'big city life' than Vienna. For people, who love 'action', fun, party, diversity, vibrancy, modern music and arts, Berlin is the place to be. For those you are more keen on old architecture, slow speed, no changes and 'Orld-World' feeling, then Vienna is more suitable. However, the job and economic situation in Vienna seems a bit better as it is in Berlin. However, Berlin is very unique, there's no other city like Berlin, whereas Vienna is similiar to Budapest regarding cityscape and atmosphere(a bit IMO)
I personally think Berlin offers the better "package" for a young professional and for what you are looking for.
The nightlife is very good, the city is interesting and there is something to discover around every corner. Great history and modern events as well.
The city is more left leaning than Vienna (there are some right wing parties in Vienna, like the party of Mr. Strache. This should not be a issue, as Europe in general is more liberal, but Berlin is one very left even for European standards. In my opinion, the politicians over there are way too left, but thats just my 50 cent.
The architecture in Vienna is more "beautiful" and old, the city is cleaner and in a way more boring compared to Berlin. I like the castles and museums and the inner city, but I would not choose to live there. If you want to visit the city, the flight from Berlin takes less than 2 hours. You could also visit Dresden, which is not that far from Berlin and offers lots of interesting architecture. Same with Prague.
German universities indeed are very cheap to attend. The rents in Berlin as cheap as well. Of course you should watch out where to move, but the crime is very low compared to american large cities. Student areas are very nice.
I don't think it is so very hard to attain residency in Germany, at least temporairly. You may apply for a student visa, in case you have chosen a university and are eligible to enroll. After you finished your graduate studies, you are a professional/academic worker and the barriers are not that high, compared to unqualified people.
Don't know. Just sounded like it to me. If it wasn't meant that way so much the better. Good luck to you!
Well what i mean was if I were to spend a large amount of time there, I might find some love or a partner. Sorry for the confusion.
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, and there are cheap trains to Vienna if you want to visit.
You could also visit Dresden, which is not that far from Berlin and offers lots of interesting architecture. Same with Prague. 
