[chaoskanzlerin]

Having lived in Munich my entire life, I feel comfortable characterizing it as somewhere inbetween Zurich and Vienna. Transit is amazing in all three cities, the Alps are nearby in all three cities, although Vienna is rather "liberal" while Zurich is rather "conservative". Likewise, cost-of-living is Vienna < Munich < Zurich.

If you like weekend / multi-day hikes, I really strongly recommend checking out the Alpenvereinshütten. No such thing as camping on longer hikes when there's a (very affordable) mountain cabin with warm food on your way.