12 Convincing Reasons to Move to Sweden: Discover Your New Home
When considering a move abroad, it's essential to weigh both the pros of living in Sweden and the cons of your potential new home. This is especially relevant for Sweden, a country renowned for its breathtaking natural beauty and high quality of life. However, there are also compelling reasons to move to Sweden, aspects of life here that may be incredibly appealing to many.
In this post, we'll delve into some of the most persuasive reasons to move to Sweden, offering an impartial view of life in this Nordic country.
From the excellent healthcare and education systems to the strong work-life balance and environmental consciousness, we'll look into the more appealing aspects of Swedish life that could form reasons to move to Sweden. Before we go further, if you want to see an overview of the pros and cons of living in Sweden, I recommend checking out this post first.
Beyond the Surface
Reasons to Move to Sweden
When we dream about living abroad, it's tempting to be swayed by picturesque travel guides and impressive quality-of-life indices. Yet, the actual experience can often be quite different While my previous blog post presented a more balanced view of the pros and cons of living in Sweden, in this section, I'm going to delve deeper, exploring the compelling reasons to move to Sweden.
Lagom & Slow-Paced Lifestyle - The Art of Balance
One aspect of life in Sweden that I absolutely adore is the concept of lagom, which translates to "not too much, not too little" or finding the perfect balance in all aspects of life. Lagom promotes a balanced, content, and happy life, which may explain why Sweden consistently ranks as one of the happiest countries in the world.
The Swedish lifestyle encourages me to seek contentment and appreciate my present circumstances. I found solace in the slower pace, which contrasted starkly with the constant hustle and bustle I experienced in Manila.
This laid-back lifestyle provided me with ample time to immerse myself in nature, whether that be taking leisurely strolls through the woods or relaxing by a tranquil lake. However, some people might find this change of pace too slow for their liking.
Fika - The Social Coffee Break Tradition
Swedes are truly passionate about their coffee. Fika is a quintessential Swedish tradition in which friends, family, or colleagues gather to enjoy coffee or tea while indulging in a sweet treat. This practice is somewhat similar to the Filipino merienda, where people come together for a coffee break.
If you're looking for the best spots to enjoy fika in Stockholm, I recommend trying Mr. Cake, Vetekatten, Fabrique, Cafe Pascal, and Bröd & Salt.
Midsummer & Long Vacation Days - The Joy of Extra Pay
Sweden's progressive approach to workers' rights is evident in its generous vacation policies. Employees in the European Union are entitled to a minimum of 20 paid vacation days per year, but Swedish companies typically offer between 25 and 30 days. Additionally, Swedish workers receive a premium on their monthly salaries during vacation time.
Summer is a particularly popular time for Swedes to travel and soak up the sun, as winter months can be harsh and long. The Swedish Midsummer is a celebration of the longest day of the year, and it's an opportunity for residents to embrace the outdoors and make the most of the pleasant weather.
Dependable Public Transportation - The Ease of Movement
When I first moved to Stockholm, one of the aspects I immediately appreciated was the city's reliable public transportation system. Stockholm's efficient and extensive public transportation network, managed by SL, includes metros, commuter trains, railways, trams, buses, and even boats.
While the metro is the most reliable mode of transportation in Stockholm, the commuter train (pendeltåg) can be less dependable during summer and winter, occasionally requiring the use of a replacement bus, which can add 30 minutes to your travel time.
Attractive Salaries in IT - The Lure of Lucrative Opportunities
Sweden's high quality of life and favorable working conditions make it an appealing destination for many people. Livable salaries across various professions, particularly in IT, are among the top reasons to move to Sweden.
From software engineering to web development, IT jobs in Sweden are highly sought after and come with competitive wages, making the country an attractive hub for tech professionals.
Work-Life Balance - The Pursuit of Harmony
One of the primary reasons to move to Sweden was its strong emphasis on work-life balance.
- 480 days of parental leave for each child
- Minimum of five weeks of paid vacation.
- Paid sick days with only a small deduction
- The healthy boundary between work and personal lifeÂ
- Standard 40-hour workweek and flexible arrangements Â
While it depends on your industry, many companies in Sweden do not require Swedish language proficiency. If you wish to learn the language, you may also receive an allowance to cover a portion of the fees associated with language courses.
