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Pros and Cons of Living in Sweden | Expat Exchange
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Pros and Cons of Living in Sweden

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By Joshua Wood, LPC

Last updated on Jan 10, 2024

Summary: The pros of living in Sweden include its high quality of life, excellent healthcare system, and strong economy. Sweden also has a high level of gender equality, a low crime rate, and a high standard of education. Additionally, Sweden is known for its stunning natural beauty, with vast forests, lakes, and mountains. The cons of living in Sweden include its high cost of living, especially in the larger cities. Additionally, the weather can be quite cold and dark during the winter months, and the language barrier can be difficult for those who do not speak Swedish. Furthermore, Sweden is a relatively small country, so there are fewer job opportunities than in larger countries.

What are the pros and cons of living in Sweden?

Expats, digital nomads and retirees living in Sweden responded:

"Expats and digital nomads often appreciate the high quality of life in Sweden, with its excellent public transportation, low crime rate, and beautiful natural scenery. They also enjoy the country's progressive social policies, such as its generous parental leave and gender equality. Additionally, Sweden's strong economy and low unemployment rate make it an attractive place to live and work. On the other hand, expats and digital nomads may find the high cost of living and the long, dark winters to be drawbacks. Additionally, the language barrier can be a challenge for those who don't speak Swedish," said one in Sweden.

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What do expats in Sweden appreciate most about the local culture?

"Expats in Sweden appreciate the country's commitment to sustainability, with its focus on renewable energy sources and its commitment to reducing its carbon footprint. They also appreciate the country's strong social welfare system, which provides a safety net for those in need. Additionally, expats enjoy the country's commitment to gender equality, with its progressive policies on parental leave and gender pay gap. Finally, expats appreciate the country's commitment to work-life balance, with its generous vacation policies and its focus on leisure activities," said one expat in Sweden.

"Kind people willing to take time to get to know you. Use of bikes instead of cars when possible. Living simply and without a ton of "stuff" we American's seem to accumulate over the years," said a person living in Karlstad.

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With Cigna Global Health Options, you can create an international health insurance plan that's perfectly tailored for the needs of you and your family. We provide the reassurance of comprehensive core cover, and the flexibility of adding as many extra benefits as you want to ensure you have a plan perfectly suited to your needs.

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What do expats find most challenging?

"Expats in Sweden often find the reserved nature of the locals to be a challenge. Swedes tend to be more formal and less likely to engage in small talk than people from other cultures. Additionally, Swedes tend to be quite private and may not be as open to discussing personal matters as people from other cultures. Furthermore, Swedes tend to be quite punctual and expect others to be as well, which can be a challenge for those who are used to a more relaxed attitude towards time," explained one expat.

"Learning Swedish. The tax situation. Finding a home that has what I want in the area I's like to live," said one person in Karlstad.

About the Author

Joshua Wood Joshua Wood, LPC joined Expat Exchange in 2000 and serves as one of its Co-Presidents. He is also one of the Founders of Digital Nomad Exchange. Prior to Expat Exchange, Joshua worked for NBC Cable (MSNBC and CNBC Primetime). Joshua has a BA from Syracuse and a Master's in Clinical and Counseling Psychology from Fairleigh Dickinson University. Mr. Wood is also a licensed counselor and psychotherapist.

Some of Joshua's articles include Pros and Cons of Living in Portugal, 10 Best Places to Live in Ireland and Pros and Cons of Living in Uruguay. Connect with Joshua on LinkedIn.

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