Originally Posted by Michellemadisson

Well said Annabel ! I see that you seem to agree with most of what I said earlier and more! Just as every expat Ive met or spoken to regarding Sweden and the Swedes.
It kinda shows everyone here Im not a crazy person on a rant

Originally Posted by Annabel12

Hej Braulio!
First of all I don't get what this guy Bamse is doing here - don't listen to him as he's Swedish and he'd never say the word of critique about this country (brainwashed from young age as someone mentioned before).
So after 18 months here I can say that:
- you'll freeze there. I'm not coping with -20 living in central Sweden, head more to the South
- yes you need personnumer, it takes about a year to get it, before that you don't exist in the system
- you won't get even cleaning job without Swedish
- you won't get personnumer without proper job or own business
- food is actually good but the quality of fresh friuts and vegs is disastrous
- people are stiff and have no sense of humour whatsoever.
- nature is amazing
- you'll be a subject of intensive muslim propaganda dressed up as anti-rasism
- it surely is better place to work/run business then UK but you gotta be really determined
- if you're a social person it will be even harder as you won't make any friends and you'll not want to make any
- customer service is below any standards
- the way Swedes treat pets/animals is shocking
- you have to keep your opinions to yourself
- whatever you say has to be politically correct
That first few things that come to my mind.
And @Bamse - yes indeed nobody forces me to be here so I'm off to some truly civilised place as soon as I milk enough money for my early retirement, I'm counting days!

Originally Posted by Moses2013

Let's face it, neither Sweden or France are places to go to if you don't speak the language and both countries have their faults, just like any other country. It always surprises me that people complain about the weather and culture, but they knew where Sweden was on the map Funny enough the French are less open to English than the Swedes I wouldn't want to live in Sweden or France, but I doubt that everything will be perfect in France if Sweden isn't civilised for someone. By the way, even Fig trees, Apricot trees, Plum trees, Peach trees, Grape vines grow in the UK and if you move to France, be aware that it's not always warm and sunny. I'm sure plenty of members can help you in the France section, but those cheap stone houses aren't always bargains and planning and taxes can be a nightmare there too.

Originally Posted by Annabel12

What makes you thinking that I don't speak Swedish?
What makes you thinking that I wouldn't learn French?
Of course there's no place in the world that is abolutely perfect in every way but some of them are better for individual and some of them are worse, also sometimes we gotta choose better option. If British economy wouldn't change for worse I'd never leave UK in first place as I loved it there but life's not only about what we like. I moved to Sweden for a better standard of life now and in the future, it was concious decision and I don't regret it but it doesn't mean that I have to love it here and stay forever. This is only temporary solution to achieve what I want to achieve, end off.
There's nothing wrong with having an opinion - at least coming here wasn't a great shock to me as I knew all those things from this forum, that's it's purpose in case you haven't noticed.

Originally Posted by Moses2013

I never said you don't speak Swedish. I just thought it's clear that if someone (not you) wants to move to Sweden, Germany, France they need to learn the language. You said you can't cope with the cold winters, but why go to central Sweden then? I'm sure people who pick central Sweden as a location know that it can get cold, just like people who move to Dubai know it gets hot. Many of the points you mentioned could be related to France too, so why say you are off to a more civilised place? You also said that if you're a social person it will be even harder, as you won't make any friends and you'll not want to make any. I think that's a bit harsh and there are plenty of people who moved to Sweden and have friends.

Originally Posted by Gordon Barlow

Gosh! It seems that Sweden must have changed a lot since I spent a month or so backpacking around the place fifty years ago (yes, I am that old!) - and a couple of weeks working near Sodertalya. I have extremely fond memories of the country and its people. Last summer I went back for three or four days - to just outside Stockholm - and it was very pleasant. Those visits didn't change my perception of the country, I have to say. My son's Norwegian ex-girlfriend lives and works in Stockholm, and he used to work there. No down-votes from either of them. It can't be all bad!

Originally Posted by Gordon Barlow

I should've said too that I like the Swedish language - what I recall of it. Even today, these fifty years later, I can read it more easily than I can Norwegian, which I have tried to learn (to speak and read) for the sake of my Norskie granddaughters. My son and the former girlfriend found that they could be understood comfortably enough in Stockholm speaking Norwegian. Of course that might have been the big-city tolerance coming into play. As you say, Annabel, capital cities aren't representative of their whole countries.

Originally Posted by Annabel12

In my eyes those 2 languages are very similar and I understand both, same as Swedes but it might be because I live near the border and local dialect is a mix of both. Norwegians speak faster though! ☺

Originally Posted by Gordon Barlow

Some of the Norwegian regions have the same up-and-down lilting as I recall falling in love with in Sweden - like the Welsh accent. Very attractive!

Originally Posted by Annabel12

I can't stand it lol But I'm getting used to it! 😀

Originally Posted by Gordon Barlow

Oh dear! I remember when my younger granddaughter was five or six (?) correcting my pronunciation of Jule. "Youluh", I said. "No, no! Yewwelle-eh" - in four syllables, I swear. Cripes! I never have got it right, to her satisfaction. Her mother is from Kristiansand.

Originally Posted by Annabel12

-20 is not normal Winter temp here and frankly locals took it as bad (but it's over! ☺)
I was in France only as a tourist but imo it's not much different then other European countries therefore it's more civilised then Sweden.
Maybe I am a bit harsh but Sweden is harsh and it's not only my opinion - we have many Dutch people here and they are even less impressed then me. They also don't have Swedish friends and keep themselves to themselves. Of course I have to function here normally for the next 10-15 years so I am becoming a part of society just like the other expats - we run businesses here - but those negative opinions have their reasons and there's no point to deny it. I believe that everyone copes with it on their own way - my way is to not allow Sweden in my house and I don't think it does any harm to anyone. Each to their own.