Foreign? Alien? Stranger? Guest? Welcome? - Welcome!

It's been quite a while that art asked a question in a comment to a post here:

hello dear
i am very happy to finally find a blog about salzburg. i've been there few years ago and i was amazed by the beauty of the place and i was wondering if its easy for a foreigner to settle there. I am french (african) and i was wondering how the local react when you have some outsider who want to come and live there for a little while.
hopefully you will be able to answer to my question.
thanks

March 5, 2010 1:29 AM

Hi Art, it took me a long time to really think about an answer.
I guess it might not exactly be easy for an African to settle down here, but obviously it's worked time and again for quite a few people, among them some (I suppose) asylum seekers from war zones in Africa, musicians who study music here, students at our university, artists, cabbies, u name it.

Sadly, racism is to be found in our beautiful town as much as in many other places, but you definitely will meet friendly people here, there are hangouts where it's easier to get in touch with locals or tourists; some of my favourite places, like republic café in the old city, Jazzit music club near the main train station, Fabiani Espresso right opposite the main train station ... that place has become a real meeting point for people from mostly northern Africa, thanks to a barman from Morocco, Azdin, whom I value as one of the friendliest and most open-minded persons I've ever met. ... and at all those places u might just see a 50ish curly red hair light-skinned guy with a little old iBook: don't hesitate to approach him!
Good luck, and who dares, wins (Wer wagt, gewinnt! as we say in German)!

As we've seen, blog editor wemo is quite secretive about his person, but a friend of his might help you connect, if you want to get in touch: Werner
Best wishes from the blog team!