If you’re looking for somewhere new to work, consider Hallein, the beautiful little town in the South Highlands of Salzburg, Austria. With its winding streets and 19th-century architecture, it’s a feast for the eyes. But what is Hallein really like? Is it as romantic as it seems? Is it really safe to travel there? How about the weather? Is it really cold in winter? Is it difficult to get around? Is it difficult to find work?
To find out, we contacted the Austrian branch of the recruitment agency, Online Marketing Agentur, and spoke to Christian, who is based in Hallein.
The Town
Hallein is in the perfect location. It’s the biggest city in the area, and there are plenty of local attractions to keep you busy. It’s also surrounded by the majestic Austrian Alps, which are at their most beautiful in the winter. If you get the urge to ski during the season, you will not get enough oxygen in the air.
The town itself is very multicultural, and you’ll see many faces from all over the world. It also has one of the biggest LGBT scenes in all of Austria. If you’re looking for a romantic getaway or just want to explore a new place, Hallein is a fantastic option. But you should be aware that while it is very safe, the area can get quite cold in the winter, so make sure you are warmly dressed.
Getting To Know Hallein
The city is well connected to the rest of Austria because it has its very own airport. It also has direct access to the A22 motorway, which connects it to other major Austrian cities, like Salzburg, Graz, and Linz. You’ll need a car to move around, as public transport is quite limited. Once you’re there, you’ll see buses, but they are only on certain routes, so you may need to take a taxi or walk to your nearest bus stop.
Things to do in Hallein include visiting one of the biggest indoor swimming pools in Europe. It also has a 25-meter beach, called the Steinernes Strand, where you can take a dip in the famous thermal springs. If you are an outdoors person, you can go hiking, catch fish with your hands, or just sit by the fireplace and drink sausages with beer.
But the crowning glory of Hallein is its medieval city walls. They are 1.3km long and traverse the entire length of the town. You can access the entire circuit by foot, bicycle, or rollerblader. You’ll find five gates that together give you access to the historical center of the city. Just outside one of the gates is the Hohensalzburg Castle, which was built in the 13th century. You can walk up the castle’s winding staircases and take a peek into the private lives of the Habsburg rulers of the past.
The City’s Layout
Hallein is laid out in a perfect fashion for those arriving by car. There’s an underground car park close to the center of the city, which contains around 350 parking spaces and costs €16 per day. There are also plenty of spaces nearby for €7 per day.
You’ll find a bus stop right outside the park entrance. Local bus 1 stops here and goes to the city center (Tram stop “Hauptpost”). You can continue your journey from the city center to the southern part of the town by foot or bicycle. Alternatively, you can get a lift to the top of the parking lot with the ‘Pensioners lift’ (Gelbenspieler Lift), which is a pensioners only lift – a sort of senior citizen shuttle service!
Work Life
Speaking of which, let’s talk about the work life in Hallein. Is it really romantic, as the agency told us, to find a job there? Is it challenging? Is it a good place to grow professionally? Let’s find out.
If you’re a recent graduate, the job market there is a little more competitive than in other parts of Austria. There are plenty of jobs to be found, but it’s not easy. Since the city is most famous for its steel production, the jobs are quite varied in the area. You’ll find positions such as:
- Product manager
- Account manager
- Digital marketer
- Web designer
- Market researcher
- Copywriter
- Journalist
- Animation professional
- Business analyst
- Software engineer
- Operations manager
- Quality assurance manager
Since there are plenty of job opportunities in Hallein, you’d think the work-life balance would be great. But we have to agree with the agency about the commute; it can be challenging. But if you want to work in a beautiful place surrounded by nature, then there really aren’t many better options. You’ll struggle to find a place with such incredible views that you can’t help but want to share with your partner. So if you have a long commute, there are worse places to be. You may also want to try the nearby towns of Bad Gastein or Freilassing, both of which have a lot to offer. Plus, you can always take the train to one of Austria’s bigger cities, like Salzburg or Graz.
Overall, the town is quite a romantic destination. It makes a good vacation spot, but you may struggle to find a place to live. There is a large amount of older property, so if you are looking for a place to stay, it may not be the best option. On the bright side, there is a lot of green space, which is great if you want to take a stroll, jog, or bike ride. But if you are planning to explore the city walls or go to the beach, bring your own equipment, as there are no shops or restaurants close to the gates.