What is your name?Christene LeDoux
What is your current age or age range?
mid-late 30's
What country are you native to?
USA
What area of Austria do you current live (Providence, City, general area etc.)
Innsbruck
How long have you lived in Austria?
2
When you moved to Austria, did you bring your family? What do they think?
No
Did you leave your family behind? How do you handle the separation?
Not a husband or children as my husband is Austrian and why I am here. I left my mom/dad, brothers/sisters though and I will say, it's the most difficult part about life as expat. For me anyway.
What made you decide to relocate to a different country?
My husband - at the time, boyfriend. Met in Crete, Greece while touring with my Swedish band. I'm a professional singer-songwriter-storyteller.
Why did you choose Austria, or what factors helped you to decide to choose Austria?
It chose me. If I could choose, It would not be Austria.
What other countries did you consider? Why didn't you choose those?
I didn't consider others but I did live in the UK previously and loved it - including the weather! Yes, I just said that.
Was it difficult to get the documents you needed to live and/or work there? (residency and/or working permit)
No but took forever. They take their time in Austria. I mean, really take their time. Oh and they like paperwork. For everything and lots of it.
What was the most difficult part of the transition?
As time goes on, leaving my parents behind to age without me.
What was the biggest mistake you made in the transition to living in Austria?
Actually I didn't. I got here and started an expat group immediately (www.InnsbruckExpats.com) to make friends. I started to learn German, joined a gym, accepted invites. Spent time with my husbands non-English speaking family and local friends as well to learn more about the culture. Honestly, look at those things and if you aren't joining things, getting exercise, meeting up and trying to make new friends, you could be doing something wrong.
What was the easiest part of making the transition?
Making friends but that is more about the kind of person I am. Otherwise a standard answer would be the differences in shop hours and food offered. That part is fun. The food part anyway!
Do you plan on returning to your home country? Why or why not?
I do. And I do it often - twice a year at least. Once if I am unfortunate but I shoot for 2!
Do you miss your family, friends or old home and habits?
My family A LOT. Friends? Not so much. Only because I keep up with them online and that is enough - as well, some I see when I go home or come to visit me here. (NOTHING like a friend in Europe!)
Habits? No, none. Honestly. You could say driving everywhere was a habit as well as a way of life in America. I don't miss that in the least. Being able to shop all hours? Sometimes but not really. It's nice to feel like I can shut off and sometimes it's just too bad, "it'll have to wait til tomorrow" is my new motto. Loving that. So no, my answer is no.
What do you miss the most about your home country?
Ok, go back up one and I will say every now and then I do wish I could just run to a Target and grab this or that... but not often. Really.
Most? Most I miss my family and that's the truth.
The street pleasantries like saying hi or smiling while walking by is something I miss. Although admittedly I feel sometimes bombarded with niceness when I go home now...oddly enough.
Ok wait, I do miss grocery shopping without my items practically being thrown at my head. Yes, that is close to accurate here in Austria where I do my grocery shopping now.
Are there the same recreational activities in Austria?
Of course but things are done differently. Like in the gym, you can go to the sauna and you have to be naked. And I will say it's MORE than weird to have a bar where people smoke and drink as part of the fitness club. Um. Otherwise, it's all location specific at the end of the day .. i.e mountain towns versus a city like Vienna for example.
How easy has it been to make new friends in Austria?
Very easy for me but I know this is not the case for some. It's all about what you put in and frankly, some people don't make friends easily even in their own country!
Do you have many friends from your home country in Austria?
Enough. And I say that with a grin because if you want to know the truth, I am bit fed up with Americans in Austria.
What are your favorite activities that are available?
Biking everywhere - even just to run errands. So getting around is a cinch! Loooong bike rides are high up there on my list (w/ my husband of course) and picnics. Hikes for sure and hitting the top and finding a beer house to rest and drink definitely ranks high up there with favorite. Traveling by train is maybe not an activity for some but for me a favorite in any country. We just happen to have a great system here in Austria which makes it all the nicer.
What are the top ten things you miss about the place you left behind?
1. Family 2. Friendly culture 3. Shop hours 4. Cheaper medicine and clothes 5. Openness of people 6. flexibility of culture 7. Willingness to change 8. Long drives with vast plains 9. Holidays 10. Family. I needed to say that again.
What are the top ten things you DON'T miss about the place you left behind?
1. Fast pace 2. Chasing the dollar 3. Everything open all the time 4. Anyone can be anything which means some things suffer 5. The president of the US (now/Bush) 6. Health care 7. Driving everywhere 8. Fast food, fast talkers, fast everything 9. People that talk VERY loudly in public and WANT you to hear them 10. People that listen to talk
Do you speak the language of Austria?
German, yes. I do now.
Do you think it is crucial to know the language in Austria, or can you get by with a handheld translation dictionary for a while?
Yes for sure. I am still intermediate but it's coming in handy and definitely helping me to feel more at home. Although honestly I don't think this will ever be "home."
Was medical insurance difficult to get before you went or after you first arrived?
Not for me as I am on my husbands - he is from and employed here.
Did you move to your new location after retirement, or are you currently working or looking for work?
I am a singer-songwriter-storyteller and already had a job when I arrived. I tour the world. I guess you could say I am a freelancer. Though I have my hands in many pots including freelance writing.
Do you generally earn your income the same way, or in the same profession, as in your home country?
Yup.
Are there local customs that would make it difficult for foreigners to fit in?
Formal and conservative. I never know whether to shake hands, kiss on both cheeks (or one!) or hug like the American that I am! I ALWAYS end up lip-locked at least twice a week with some poor unsuspecting Tyrolean as we try to figure it out!
What are the top ten things you like about Austria?
1. Honest people 2. Beautiful landscape 3. Structured and efficient (minus the paperwork and rudeness!) 4. Health care 5. Transportation 6. Enjoying the simple things 7. Importance of family 8. Slower pace of life - closed on Sundays rule. Really great. 9. Cars actually stop for pedestrians! 10. They let kids be kids and don't try to rush their adulthood like some countries I know...ehem.
What are the top ten things you DON'T like or find strange about Austria?
1. The formality of it all. 2. RULES. Austrians like their rules. 3. The way the traditions are like the bible. It's quaint at first but for me, sometimes they make no sense, do not pertain to me or make me uncomfortable. 4. The fact you have to pay to be religious...although I am not. My husband isn't either yet still has to pay the church A LOT of his hard-earned money. 5. Rude people not saying excuse me when they bump you (common) 6. Grocery shopping or any for that matter. Customers DO NOT come first in Austria. 7. Youth thinking they OWN the streets. 8. Politics and all the paperwork and how long it takes to get the littlest thing done. 9. The way they resist change and have trained the culture to be the same way. 10. This is a bit selfish but I don't like that the rest of the world puts subtitles on movies thus preserving the original foreign film. In Austria they dub over, tv/film, you name it.
Do you have plans to move again or travel in the future or what are your future business plans?
Move again? Not so sure. My husband and I talk about it quite a bit but then it fizzles again. We go through phases of loving life here and the opposite. Just because he is from here does not mean he wants to stay and never leave. Believe me, that's a true statement - most Tyrolean boys don't stray far...and many bring home foreign brides. *cough cough*
Did you buy a new home or did you decide to rent?
We bought... i.e another reason we will weigh our decision carefully if we do move in 5 or so years. We'd probably rent out our flat/apt. we bought.
What is the average cost for housing in your area?
Not sure how to answer that really. Basically we don't drive so I have NO idea of petrol costs. Although I know from touring and renting cars in Europe petrol is a nightmare in price. Food is expensive (sometimes like cheese or meat) but wine and alcohol overall is cheap. Go figure. Then this is Austria. Medicines and essentials are EXPENSIVE!! As well as things like a room humidifier or CD player. Electronics are through the roof in price here - like 3 times what they are in the US or elsewhere. Really.
Rent is comparable to most places I assume. A rent for a room could be anywhere from 200-500 euro onward and an entire apt. 500-1000. It's all relative I guess. The KINO is generally about 8 euro a movie. Going out to eat is pretty pricey if you go in the tourist areas and of course can hit rock bottom if you find the local spots. Fortunately for us we don't eat out much, my husband is a FANTASTIC cook. When we do, we have an insider view both from my husband being from here and me running a large expat/locals group where info is shared constantly. We are also pretty crafty and like to wander and discover the undiscovered.
Was it difficult to find housing in your new country?
Yes. The real estate agents here DO NOT operate like in the US. They could care less actually. You don't find a company to help you locate a flat here as you would in the US. We found our place from the paper and by showing up first! Otherwise agents here don't jump on the chance to help you. They like to take you around to places you don't like and try to push you into them. That was our experience anyway.
Is the cost of living comparable to what you experienced before? Explain the difference.
Before where? No, it's less expensive compared to London but more compared to the US. And that depends on which region in the US - I lived all over. At the moment (2008) the EURO is isn't that far behind the pound so I guess it's not too long until we get as bad as England. *gulp*
List some things that are more expensive in Austria
Medicine!! Simple things like face soaps and shampoos, perfumes - that sort of thing.
List some things that are less expensive in Austria
ALCOHOL!
How do you feel about the local people? Are they friendly?
Formal but friendly once you get used to it. You don't make much eye contact and if you do, usually you get a dirty or blank look back...unless they're drunk, then they're you're new best friend!
What is the best thing about people in Austria?
Their honesty and simplicity.
Do you have any suggestions for people who are thinking about moving to Austria?
Be kind, be yourself and if you're American, maybe a quieter version of you... just a tad.
Do you think you will stay in Austria, or it is not suitable for the long run?
I have no idea. I don't want to but that changes monthly to be perfectly honest. I don't know. I do know I don't want to be buried at a church on the hill. At the very end I'd like to be laid to rest in my home country.
Do you have any blogs or websites that you find enjoyable about Austria for people living there?
http://www.InnsbruckExpats.com is mine! It's going to be expanding to help people all over and not just locals. But if someone is seeking any information, I am always happy to help or direct even if they are not Innsbruck expats or locals.
What else would you like to say?
Should I tell you that part of expat life means you spend more time on the computer than ever? One of the reasons I ended up being interviewed at 4:30am my time...something to do, something new which you seek more than if you lived in your own country.
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Life as a tumbleweed
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