Many Austrians willing to relocate, study shows

A fifth of Austrians plan to move within three years, a new poll reveals.Public opinion research firm Market found that 20 per cent of people are so unhappy about their current accommodation they seek a change of scenery in the coming three years. The agency said today (Weds) especially people aged 30 and older want to change their personal situation in this regard. Market spoke to around 1,000 adult Austrians.Around half of Austrians are currently living in houses, while the other 50 per cent reside in flats. Real estate firms have said that around 40 per cent of those apartments are rented while the rest are owned by the residents.Housing issues researcher Andrea Baidinger said recently she found that 61 per cent of unmarried and married Austrian couples aged 30 and younger were opting for the purchase of a house or a flat. The expert emphasised that 75 per cent did so 10 years ago.Almost 94,000 properties were sold in Austria last year. Land registry records show that 93,807 houses and flats were sold in 2010, 12.7 per cent more than in 2009. The overall purchase price was 17.25 billion Euros, up by 5.8 per cent compared to 2009.Real estate properties of all kind are traditionally most expensive in the city centre of Vienna and the posh ski resort of Kitzbühel, Tyrol.