Sweden, whats it like?

[mountainboo]

Has anyone either been on holiday or moved out there, if so what's it like both rurally and in the cities? Is it true that the majority of Sweds speak english? TIA

[DaSwede]

Hi mountainboo, I'm a Swede living in Sweden, and in Stockholm since 1991. It's an elongated country... so it's kind of a big question what it's like - the south of Sweden is very different from the north.

What I can tell you is that "everybody" speaks English, at least sufficiently so to help you along with basic matters. (Well maybe not the elderly: After WW2 our schools made English the compulsory second language - before that it was German.)

Here's a great site with Swedish news in English...
...and this is another informative one. (Change language top right.)

I'm not sure if our climate is all that much colder than yours (if you live in the UK) but I suspect our days are shorter (as in the sun sets earlier) in the winter. On the other hand our summers can be magic - the sun hardly sets at all in June.

Swedes won't come up to you and start chatting on the bus, but we are quite friendly if you yourself approach us in a way that doesn't arouse our suspicion, ha ha. I think many of us are like me, we need a specific topic to start us off, preferably a tangible one so that we may feel sure about "what you're after". Once you've broken the ice, I honestly think we are nice.

So if you could be more specific, ha ha, I'll try to be of help if there's anything in particular you need to find out. I'll have a look at this thread again a couple of more times.

[mountainboo]

Hi Daswede, thank you for taking the time to reply. Basically we are brits and have lived in the U.K since birth but have grown increasingly fed up here, particularly where we live (on an Island) as it seems to have become tourist capital of the planet and the world and his mother have moved here so have been considering moving to Sweden for the love of space and the outdoors and an all round better quality of life.
Would you know if there is such a thing as catchment areas for schooling as we are considering rural/semi rural ie: Varmland?
We intend on learning the language but its great that you all speak english. I think our priority is to actually come and see your country and stay somewhere central for a holiday to get a better idea.
I will have a look at the 2 links you provided, thanks.

[vehelpfulguy]

I think if you are considering moving from England it is best to move to a country where the cost of living is lower than the UK to make your money go further.

I believe Sweden has one of the highest costs of living in Europe.

Countries like Spain, Portugal, or Eastern European countries like Bulgaria are much cheaper places to live.

[DaSwede]

Hello again mountainboo, did I say we all speak English?? Ha ha I'm gonna have to go back on that, 'cos I had no idea what "catchment area" means... However, after some googling I do believe I understand what it stands for and I take it you're asking either if your children will be guaranteed the right to attend school close to where you live, or if they will be forced to do so (as opposed to choosing a school freely)...?

Either way, I'm not the right person to answer any of those for you, but I have found the correct place for you to turn to with that question:

The National Agency for Education. As you can see, there's an email address at the bottom of the page.

vehelpfulguy is correct, the cost of living is high.

Here's a well loved Swedish folk song from V�rmland Ack V�rmeland Du Sk�na. If it seems familiar, you could be thinking of The Moldau by Czech composer Smetana. He lived in Sweden for a few years and picked the folk song up and played around with it. Good job too.

Keep asking, I'll help if I can.

[mountainboo]

Thanks vehelp, I didn't realise the cost of living was so high in Sweden. I thought we had the highest cost of living

[mountainboo]

Your english is great daswede, I should have elaborated on that word for you, sorry. Thanks for all your help. You have given me some links to be getting on with.
I'm surprised about the cost of living. So is it higher than here?

[signsofgoing]

Hi Mountainboo, For 25 years I have been a Radio Ham. I have had HUNDREDS of Contacts with Swedish Radio Operators (Male & Female) & every single one speaks WONDERFUL English. They have all been very friendly too.
I hope that this is of some help to you...Kenny

[DaSwede]

Hmm, here's a list (keep scrolling almost to bottom of page) and I'm surprised by it - we always hear about our cost of living and how high it is.