Sweden

[hentob]

I posted this on the regular Community Board, but I thought you all might have some input here, since you are a bit closer than us Yanks

Sweden--Would you ever consider living there?

DH has been traveling a bit to Sweden for work. It has always been an option that we could move there for a year as an expat family.

Having three babies within a 16 month span, I always said--NO. It seemed like a nightmare situation to be stuck in a country with three babies and no familiar faces.

Now the children are 6,6,7 years old and travel quite well. They are no problem and I, to the delight of my dh, have been having second thoughts about spending a year there.

His company would pay for our housing and our car while we were there.

It would be in Gothenburg, Sweden.

All opinions are welcome.

Thanks guys!

PS--If you have been there--Would you please tell me your FAVORITE thing about Sweden, as well as your LEAST favorite.

 

[Dimplenose]

I spent a few summer holidays staying with a Swedish family just outside Gothenburg when I was a teenager (late 1970s). It was quite a while ago but hopefully it hasn't changed too much. If I had had the chance to go there for a year when my own children were 6 or 7 I would have gone.

Pros
The food was good - and mostly not too strange to a fussy teenager
Most people spoke good English.
Health services
Housing (if you like Ikea you'll love it)
Very child oriented

Cons
Cost of living
I can't speak Swedish

My favourite thing - the scenery
Least favourite - sild

Libby

 

[Miffy2003]

Hi there,

I have a friend who emigrated there 3 / 4 years ago and loves it.

The quality of life is incredible as is the scenery, clean air etc.
However the cost of living is astronomical.

When she comes back to visit she says she has no regrets at all

Good luck with your decision. What a wonderful opportunity!

Karen

 

[gilld]

If you have the chance of such an adventure, I think you should take it and have a wonderful time.

 

[Richard Bruvofetc]

Do it! Do it now! Don't even think about it, just do it.....and if you do think about it and decide not to, please tell me to whom I can send my CV to, and I'll do it for you.

As everybody else has said, what an opportunity. Not only is Sweden clean healthy etc. it is one of those few places left on the earth where you can walk around safely, and in that I include women alone at night! You also have the ease of transport to visit other European countries:

Norway to the west
Finland to the east
Denmark, Holland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany, Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia all relatively short distances.

As others have also said, the only negative is the cost of living, and you basically have to be a multi-millionaire to drink alcohol.

If you don't want to go, please talk to your bosses and let me go in your stead.

 

[hentob]

Thank you everyone--DH is there now and he is enjoying it.

He said it seems so safe. He also agrees with those that said it is very expensive. I will keep you all posted if we decide to hop the pond.

Thank you again.

 

[hentob]

Least favourite - sild

Libby

Going to Google sild..........