MissSP

Hi

I am currently considering moving to Sweden with my boyfriend who is from Stockholm. Does anyone have any advice on what life is like as an ex-pat, what its like to live in Stockholm?

I am due to visit Stockholm on my own next weekend (19th Jan) to check things out, so if anyone has any ideas on things to do, or alternatively has time for a coffee, please feel free to give me a shout.

Sarah

Dakyras

Hi,

Life in Sweden is pretty good. I have been here for about a year and a half. I cannot advise you on life in Stockholm though, the citylife is not for me

1. Know the language. High unemployment means its nigh on impossible to get a job unless you are proficient. Check for work here.. www.ams.se (job office)

2. If you don't know Swedish then get on one of the gov provided free courses (SFI). Inquire with your local Kommun.

3.Try www.thelocal.se for more specific advice. Its a dedicated site for English speaking immigrants to Sweden. (Sorry if I breached etiquette here but I am just trying to help)

4. Get a residence permit sorted. You do need one regardless of what people might say to you. Check with www.migrationsverket.se (Immigration office)

5. Just enjoy the country. Its a beautiful place and whilst integrating here can be difficult, perseverance will pay you off with a great life in a great land.

Greetings to all here on this forum!

D

jdr

Sorry about the delay, but as you are new (welcome to the forum) and they contained urls, they had to be moderated.

Dakyras

Understood. A good idea really, I bet it gets rid of those pesky spammers quite nicely. Thanks for the welcome!

Peter Christiansen

Dear Sarah!

I can tell you as much as this: Stockholm is a very beatiful city to visit! What it is like to live in I do not know. From my friend Adrianne, I know that their is quite a few expat-communities in Sweden, so you are not all on your own if you go there. For som formal stuff, Adrianne has collected some interesting informations about jobs, living etc, as well as links on www.jobsinstockholm.com. In the left meny, you will find "links" and "good to know".

Best regards and good luck if you decide to go there!

Peter Christiansen

janeyy

I'm moving to Sweden (Gavle initially) with my Swedish partner. After him living here for 6 years we've sold our house and are ready to go soon. I'm nervous and excited despite visiting Sweden many many times. At the moment getting quotes for moving our belongings. Good luck with your move.

THR

About 10%, if not more, of the population of Sweden are of foreign-born origin. So, Sweden is a very international country. It has one of the highest standard of living in the world. The taxes are very high but now there is a centre-right government in Sweden which has lowered the tax-burden. Of course, this affects the very generous social-security but it still remains very high.

For a native English-speaking person it may be difficult to learn the local language because everyone wants to practice one´s English with a native speaker.

YankeemovingAbroad

I've been told by friends who live in Sweden that Swedes are a very difficult people to get to know well.That they keep to them selves for the most part and for some reason struggle to open up and show who they are as a person even to a friend who they have known for some time.Do you agree with this opinion? They also told me that neighbors in their community make promises to visit but they seldom keep their word.My friends believe Sweden in many ways is a closed(communist like) society were people keep to them selves even after you have made constant efforts to befriend them for months.They did say Swedes were nice people just very private and untrusting of new comers.

THR

If they have agreed some specific date and time when they visit you, they´ll keep their word or they will inform you if they have something else coming up and can´t come. But yes, all Nordic people are very reserved towards foreigners. Of course, this is a generalisation and there is a difference between a foreigner and another foreigner.

It doesn´t mean that they are rude. They are like that, that is the way people live in those countries. It is difficult for a foreigner to find genuine friendship among the native population but in a country like Sweden there are so many foreigners and immigrants that they often form their own circles where they socialise among themselves.