My Workation
Lisa Thoma tests living and working in eastern Upper Styria
Immerse yourself, recharge your batteries and take off
University lecturer, speaker and influencer Lisa Thoma puts eastern Upper Styria through its paces as part of her workation. Inspiring nature, good food and pretty towns and villages. - No problem, it's all there. But does the region also have everything you need to live and work?
Why a workation
With a workation, the home office is moved to the vacation location: The portmanteau of the words “work” and “vacation” refers to the combination of work and vacation. The advantages are obvious: you can enjoy the view and regional specialties during your lunch break, work in inspiring new places and head straight out into nature after work to relax. In eastern Upper Styria, all of this is part of everyday life – regardless of whether you are visiting or settling here permanently.
The districts of Bruck-Mürzzuschlag and Leoben with their 35 municipalities are among the most renowned industrial and technology centers in Austria. World market leaders, internationally and nationally successful companies as well as innovative start-ups can be found here. The “region of short distances” scores points with its good infrastructure and proximity to the major cities of Vienna and Graz, but also offers a relaxed, natural lifestyle in the midst of breathtakingly beautiful landscapes.
Locations for the perfect workation
Imagine this: You wake up in a cozy bed with a view of untouched nature, all you can hear is the rustling of the trees and the chirping of the birds. After a hearty breakfast, you start your working day on the terrace. This is possible in the Workation chalets in eastern Upper Styria:
Wiesenquartier
The five chalets in the Wiesenquartier are just an hour's drive from Vienna or Graz. Each house has a private sauna and its own 25 m² terrace. The view of the forest and the natural pond gives you the strength to create something new.
Heselehof
In the chalets of the Heselehof you feel a very special ambience close to nature. The private wellness area with hot tub and private sauna invites you to relax, while the sun terrace offers a fantastic view of the surrounding landscape.
Pure work-life balance
For many people, a harmonious work-life balance is at least as important as good pay or career opportunities. Your workation in Upper Styria lets you immerse yourself in the many opportunities to reconcile work and private life.
... or
stay the same?
For Lisa Thoma, one thing is certain: the overall package in eastern Upper Styria is just right. But can the dream become reality? What about property prices in the region? And what does the job market have to offer?
Realizing living spaces
From 2000 to 2020, property prices in Austria rose by 4,4% per year, as measured by the residential property price index. Since 2009, the annual increase has even amounted to 6%. A temporary peak was reached in the 3rd quarter of 2022, since when residential property prices have fallen by 5%. Many people are therefore thinking about buying a property again: in eastern Upper Styria, the price-performance ratio in this regard is particularly good:
| District | House purchase* (EUR/m²) | Condominium* (EUR/m2) | Apartment* rent (EUR/m2) |
| Vienna 6. Mariahilf | 7.814,60 | 6.013,99 | 15,16 |
| Vienna 2. Leopoldstadt | 10.513,72 | 5.143,69 | 14,44 |
| Vienna 22. Donaustadt | 5.923,51 | 3.783,36 | 12,95 |
| Linz (city) | 5.611,91 | 3.366,17 | 11,00 |
| Graz (city) | 4.723,15 | 2.901,33 | 11,00 |
| Leoben (district) | 2.470,21 | 1.654,03 | 7,85 |
| Bruck-Mürzzuschlag (district) | 2.156,19 | 1.485,89 | 8,33 |
From workation to dream job
Ideas and technologies of the future are developed in eastern Upper Styria and used all over the world. The region’s greatest strength is materials technology, but there are also many other advantages that secure eastern Upper Styria a place at the top of Austria’s industrial locations.
The many nationally and internationally active companies in eastern Upper Styria strive to support their employees with flexible working time models, employee benefits and good public accessibility to help them balance work and everyday life.
Three of the major players from eastern Upper Styria are even officially among the “300 best employers in Austria”, which were recognized for the eighth time this year by trend magazine, the European employer rating platform kununu and the market research company Statista Austria. But smaller companies in the region can also boast excellent working conditions and above-average pay.
A match
made in heaven?
Eastern Upper Styria has won Lisa Thoma over. You can find out whether the region suits you too in our joint quiz with woman.at.
To the quiz