RTL Today - Readers reveal: The best aspects of living in Luxembourg

We asked you what's good about living in the Grand Duchy and got a flood of responses. Here's what you said.

After a recent Eurostat survey found Luxembourgers have among the highest self-reported level of life satisfaction among all EU citizens, we asked you to tell us the best bits of living here.

You certainly went to town in your responses!

Society and Culture

You revealed that Luxembourg is 'welcoming of expats', with 'friendly people from around the world'. You praised the 'open' and 'multicultural' society, with the opportunity to meet people from other nationalities and cultures.

The locals were singled out for their friendly nature and cosmopolitanism: a 'multi-lingual yet truly European people'. 'Luxembourgish people are open-minded, with a sort of "everything is possible" attitude. I really like it!'

A refugee to the Grand Duchy also had warm words for the locals, noting 'how welcoming Luxembourgers can be when you try even the slightest attempt at speaking Luxembourgish'. Like other respondents, they felt at home in the Grand Duchy.

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Luxembourg is also praised as a family-friendly environment. Indeed, not only is it 'a great place to raise a family' but there is a broader sense of community. One reader moved to Luxembourg in 1987. They found that while at first, 'the locals were standoffish', they were eventually 'accepted into the pack' and became part of 'one big family'.

Finally, positive words were to be said about the culture. One reader loved the crémant, while another loved the 'access to top classical music orchestras, conductors and soloists who perform at the Philharmonie'. Another enjoyed the 'great festivals'.

Safety

Many readers commented on the feeling of cleanliness, safety, and good organization in the Grand Duchy.

Comparisons were made to other European cities such as London and Paris, with the impression that Luxembourg's capital is much calmer. One reader called it 'relatively uneventful' - which is presumably a good thing!

Is life in Luxembourg City 'relatively uneventful'? / © Cedric Letsch / Unsplash

Another correspondent shared a broader meaning of safety that they felt in Luxembourg: 'Living anonymously, without anyone bothering you because of the way you look, dress, or because of your sexual preference etc.'

Government and public services

The sense of orderliness carried through to public administration. A number of readers reported that state support and investment go to 'the right things', with one reader highlighting government support for children and culture. Local public amenities such as swimming pools and libraries also received praise.

One reader thought that the 'administrative services are very good here, they respond fast and do things very efficiently'. In particular, they praised the efficient processes for obtaining a resident's permit and for exchanging a driving license.

Other public services are also well thought of. Education got mentioned by a number of readers, with 'great public schools' and money invested into keeping class sizes small. There were also good words to be said about the 'great healthcare'.

Living standards and work environment

Luxembourg's high salaries, 'reasonable taxes' and good infrastructure were all seen as positives. One reader thought that while 'taxes seem high', unlike in other countries 'you can see where your money goes'.

Another found that, even after adjusting for the high cost of living, their salary allowed for them to get 'same or better money with less stressful work'. One respondent thought the wage indexation system was beneficial in helping wages to keep pace with the cost of living.

There were also mentions of job stability, career opportunities and work life balance.

A teacher noted that their occupation was 'treated, and rewarded, as professionals', and found that 'the standard of living is stunningly high compared to other European countries... Seriously, my dear Luxembourgers, what's not to like?!'

Transport and location

Perhaps unsurprisingly, Luxembourg's free public transport was very well received. One reader wrote that 'though we hardly ever use it, the free public transport is super nice as the busses and trains are very clean and efficient'.

Another noted that the Grand Duchy had 'less traffic' than other places and is 'super easy to get around.' You have to wonder where they might have lived previously to find the traffic here on the lighter side, but hey, the roads are of excellent quality whether you're in a traffic jam or cruising on a Sunday.

There was high praise for Luxembourg's free public transport network. / © Gabor Koszegi / Unsplash

Others found Luxembourg's general location a positive. One reader wrote that it has a 'strategic location' which is 'good for travel' around the region. Another noted that the country is located 'in the centre of Europe'.

Some felt this location made up for the lack of things to see in Luxembourg, 'sadly there isn't much to do within Luxembourg'. They gave the impression that easily getting out of the country was a positive: 'It's relatively easy to travel to other countries'.

Beauty and nature

Despite some people finding Luxembourg perhaps a bit too quiet, many others praised its tranquillity.

In particular, there was a lot of positivity concerning the natural environment. One reader said the Grand Duchy is 'beautifully quiet... with beautiful landscapes'. Luxembourg's forests and recreational trails in particular were singled out, the 'hiking and cycling trails are wonderful'.

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Another reader saw the nature as representative of the general atmosphere of the place, 'there is so much space and freedom to breath'.

The built environment was also warmly welcomed, with 'beautiful architecture' and 'pretty villages'. The capital is 'a very pretty city with large pedestrian zones, beautiful outdoor cafés and restaurants dotting the streets and squares.'

Some grumbles

It's fair to say the praise wasn't universal, and there were some grumbles along the way.

One cynic said there was 'nothing' to like about living in the Grand Duchy, noting that 'we decided to move out right after receiving [Luxembourgish] nationality'. On the same note one reader said 'It makes you appreciate how wonderful your life will be when you leave' the country.

A more nuanced respondent thought that Luxembourg 'feels like a no man's land... a place full of expat office workers who slave their lives away and can never fit in here. This is not a country like France or the UK with a strong culture that brings people together... For an expat there is no society here'.

There was also the odd presumably sarcastic remark. Luxembourg is great because of the low Schueberfouer prices, right?

Others who enjoyed life in the Grand Duchy moaned about the moaners. 'If you don't like living here, just leave and stop moaning!' One respondent thought that 'those who moan about Luxembourg have their reasons... Either they were unable to find their ingots and bricks d'or on gold paved streets or are in dead-end roles. Simple solution... Don't like it here? Vamos. Please.'

The final word

Let's end on a positive though. The above reader who suggested those who don't like it 'vamos' also asked 'What is there not to like about Luxembourg? Having lived and/or worked in several locations on four continents, we returned to make it our hopefully forever home.'

Another reader noted 'I like Luxembourg because I feel like I am at home, although I was not born here.'

Finally, one respondent summed up their experience of living in the Grand Duchy with a single word: 'calm'.