Where are the best places to live in Vienna (Austria)?

I'm looking to find the best place to live in Vienna...I've been told 1st district is the place to be but would like the pros/cons of living in various parts of town. If you also have an idea on monthly apartment rates for fully furnished flats (ca. 60m2), would appreciate the info.

It all depends. Vienna is zoned in concentric districts, starting with the number 1, the city's historic center (used to be the entire city until the mid-19th century).

This center is surrounded by districts 2-9, which in turn are surrounded by 11-23. There are, all in all, 23 districts. They do have names, but are actually more often referred to by number.

The city center (1st distrcit) is relatively small, relatively few people actually live there (or can afford it.) It's a business district, also a lot of nightlife. Not a bad place, at all, but personally I wouldn't want to live there.

Districts 6, 7, 8 and 9 are young, urban, hip districts, or trying to be :) Close to the city center, affordable if you shop around, some nice areas. (Same goes to a lesser degree for districts 2, 3 and 4. It all depends on the neighborhood.) Number 5 is a district with one of the larger immigration population in Vienna (same goes for 2, 11, 15, 16, 17 and 20), people who can afford it tend not to live there.

Districts 10, 11 and 12 are somewhat less desirable, too, with a large working class and increasing immigrant population. The former is true also for districts 20 - 22 which are on the remote side if the river Danbue, relatively far from the city center without attracting a high-income clientele the way districts 13, 18 and 19 do. These have a relatively large amount of gardens and parks; it's where wealthy people have their town houses, also a lot of embassies.

The 23rd district of Vienna, as well as most of the surrounding suburbs to the south are considered a desirable place to live, too.

OK, so much for that. I am, of course, generalising, but I hope you get the idea. If you are looking for a place in the center, take a look at the 8th and 9th district. The 13th, if you look for a nice neighborhood that's not too remote. The 18th and in particular the19th, if you can afford it and don't mind a short daily commute.