Vienna - Imperial City Of Song

Even with its legendary laid-back coffeehouse culture, distinguished concert performances and celebrated balls, a lot of work gets done in Vienna.

- Debra Bokur

With its status as a federal state and the country’s political, economic and cultural epicenter, this riverside metropolis attracts leisure seekers, those in search of a healthy lifestyle and big business — all drawn by a combination of factors that include a skilled and educated workforce, a high standard of living and access to both cultural- and nature-based activities. Worth noting: Green space comprises nearly half of the busy city’s surface.

The newly released Mercer Quality of Living survey ranking the best places to live just named Vienna first yet again, marking its position as the topmost desirable city for the 10th year in a row. And those quality-of-life factors mentioned above aren’t just a collection of attributes valued by locals; they also draw business. Vienna serves as a prime gateway to Central and Eastern European markets. Today more than 200 multinational corporations operate headquarters here, with major employers including ATelekom Austria, ÖBB Holding AG, Heineken C&EE, Siemens Group Austria, OMV AG, A-Tec Industries AG and PORR Group.

For travelers, the city’s legacy of music and the host of legendary composers who called it home may comprise the most familiar elements, but another layer of life in Vienna embraces nature. This includes a unique position as a wine-producing region within a major urban center, with 1,512 rolling acres and 155 wineries located within the city limits.

“The local wine industry actually predates the city’s history,” offers Viennese winemaker Rainer Christ, the latest generation in a family of winemakers extending back 400 years, well in keeping with Vienna’s historical setting. “When the Romans arrived around 2,000 years ago, there was already grape cultivation taking place.”