That was pretty much my impression of Vienna as well. Bratislava was also on the less shitty side. Amsterdam doesn’t totally make me want to kill myself, either. Brussels, on the other hand, is a gray, miserable dump.
But yes, the “migrants selling tacky shit spread out on blankets to throngs of tourists” thing is a pretty big mood-killer right off the bat.
Can only speak for Austria, but overall pretty nice still. I live in a small town, so there's no high rise apartment buildings and lots of forest and greenery. It's also still safe enough that you can let your kids have a bit of independence. And also don't need to be afraid outside at night.
Though the drive to send your kids to higher education (+the low birthrates) is starting to show its consequences. And the lockdowns made matters worse. Lots of traditional restaurants and small shops closing and either standing empty or getting a kebab or barber shop in its stead. Or one of those dollar chain store equivalents that sell cheap China shit. Quite some rural flight in general, because of the lack of job oportunities.
But, much like America I imagine, rural areas are way less pozzed than the cities, even if it starts to slowly creep in. Though migrant wise it's usually Turks, which are far more tolarable than the rest of the muslims. And their population outside the cities isn't dense enough that they can afford to not integrade.
Would only recommend tourism there though, if you like hiking, because while small towns are quaint to visit, I'm not sure how interesting they would be, as there isn't usually much in entertainment aside from looking at some old buildings and the local church (or some very niche "museum", often for the birthplace of a local celebrity). And would only recommend, if you know at least some German, because while we do learn English in school, outside of tourist attractions, (especially older) people tend to barely be able to speak it.
The major cities are full of tourists and migrants selling tack to tourists.
Vienna is one of the less disgusting capitals and even that is a fucking shithole.
That was pretty much my impression of Vienna as well. Bratislava was also on the less shitty side. Amsterdam doesn’t totally make me want to kill myself, either. Brussels, on the other hand, is a gray, miserable dump.
But yes, the “migrants selling tacky shit spread out on blankets to throngs of tourists” thing is a pretty big mood-killer right off the bat.
What’s it like outside the cities?
Can only speak for Austria, but overall pretty nice still. I live in a small town, so there's no high rise apartment buildings and lots of forest and greenery. It's also still safe enough that you can let your kids have a bit of independence. And also don't need to be afraid outside at night.
Though the drive to send your kids to higher education (+the low birthrates) is starting to show its consequences. And the lockdowns made matters worse. Lots of traditional restaurants and small shops closing and either standing empty or getting a kebab or barber shop in its stead. Or one of those dollar chain store equivalents that sell cheap China shit. Quite some rural flight in general, because of the lack of job oportunities.
But, much like America I imagine, rural areas are way less pozzed than the cities, even if it starts to slowly creep in. Though migrant wise it's usually Turks, which are far more tolarable than the rest of the muslims. And their population outside the cities isn't dense enough that they can afford to not integrade.
Would only recommend tourism there though, if you like hiking, because while small towns are quaint to visit, I'm not sure how interesting they would be, as there isn't usually much in entertainment aside from looking at some old buildings and the local church (or some very niche "museum", often for the birthplace of a local celebrity). And would only recommend, if you know at least some German, because while we do learn English in school, outside of tourist attractions, (especially older) people tend to barely be able to speak it.