Kufstein, Austria

Capital City

Living in Kufstein means settling into a compact, functional town with easy access to both Austria and Germany. The town sits right on the Inn River, with Bavaria just a stone’s throw away. This makes it a practical base for cross-border errands or weekend trips. The A12 motorway and the Lower Inn Valley railway keep you connected, but don’t expect a bustling urban vibe—this is a quiet, small-town life.

Kufstein’s economy leans heavily on local industries like glass manufacturing, with Riedel headquartered here. The University of Applied Sciences adds a youthful energy, but the town still feels more like a place to retreat than to hustle. Rent in the city center isn’t cheap, and you’ll need to navigate Austria’s famously bureaucratic systems for everything from visas to utilities. Winters can be damp and gray, thanks to the valley’s microclimate. Kufstein works best for expats who want a peaceful, scenic base near the Alps but don’t mind trading big-city amenities for small-town simplicity.