I emigrated to Sweden AMA

[FatCatThinCat]

For @SquirrelFan and anyone else with an interest in my very boring life.

@Pokhora

I was wondering what the construction of the houses is like? I assume they are all much better insulated than those in the UK.

I was also surprised at the number that seemed to have outside swimming pools. I would have thought it would be a bit chilly but maybe the idea is to warm up in the sauna afterwards?

Houses are basicaly giant sheds insulated within an inch of their lives. We only have double glazing but new houses are usually triple glazed.

Swedes like cold swimming. Most swimming is done in the lakes, which are very cold. As a result the public pools are also very cold. I've been with Swedish friends and they like 'ahhhh this is so lovely' while my teeth are chatting so hard my jaw is getting RSI.

What are Swedish politics like? What are people's main gripes politically?

Sadly immigration. The Sverige Democraterna (Swedish nazi party) are growing and have seats in parlament.

Then climate change. Followed by all the usual arguing over public services.

@Darkchocolateandcoffee

I'm loving this thread. The bit about the bats made me laugh out loud!

@FatCatThinCatWhat the food like? Do you get bored of all the smoked fish? I am a greedy guts and that would be my concern.

And do you have Swedish girlfriends? I would worry about missing my friends.

Love all these property links too.

Yes I have some Swedish girlfriends. But my best friend here is a German lady I met at my language class. My bestie from the UK usually comes over a couple of times a year.

Interesting thread OP - I followed over here from the 'improve your life thread'. Are the Swedes generally appreciative and encouraging about foreigners' attempts to speak Swedish?

@lazylinguist

Interesting thread OP - I followed over here from the 'improve your life thread'. Are the Swedes generally appreciative and encouraging about foreigners' attempts to speak Swedish?

Yes very much so. Apart from the women in a local bakery who kept making out that she couldn't understand what I was saying until a woman in the queue behind had a go at her for being a dick. But that was a one off. Sometimes in the class Facebook group my language skills betray me and everyone finds it very funny, but not in a mean way at all.

It all sounds very gentle, relaxed and well, civilised.

Is life more outdoor orientated?

Are people generally happy with covid response, I know Swedish figures are better than Scotland which hasa similar urban to rural mix but worse figures, England is obviously not a good comparison as population is much denser and London is international in a much bigger way than Edinburgh or Stockholm

@reprehensibleme

It all sounds very gentle, relaxed and well, civilised.

Is life more outdoor orientated?

Absolutely. They even have forest walking and cycling routes that have lighting so people can still use them in the dark. DS's school have as many lessons outside as they can and 1 day a week when they walk to the forest and spend the whole day there whatever the weather.

Sounds amazing.

@TeacupDrama

Are people generally happy with covid response, I know Swedish figures are better than Scotland which hasa similar urban to rural mix but worse figures, England is obviously not a good comparison as population is much denser and London is international in a much bigger way than Edinburgh or Stockholm

I would say yes. There have been moans and grumbles along the way but I think people can now see that it was making the best of a bad situation. So for example, in the beginning lots of people, myself included, were very angry at schools not being closed, now we realise that was a good decision and are grateful for it. But it does help that the government is honest about things. They messed up with care homes, they know they messed up, they've admitted it and apologised, and are now trying to make changes so it never happens again.

What is school like for kids with special needs? I work in the UK remotely for a scandinavian company, and I'd love to move there, but my son is autistic.

@MackenCheese

What is school like for kids with special needs? I work in the UK remotely for a scandinavian company, and I'd love to move there, but my son is autistic.

I would love to know this too. I'm Swedish but have lived in the UK for 22 years, am often tempted to move back to Sweden but worry it would be detrimental for my 6 yo who has ASD.

Reading this thread with great interest, thank you op for starting it

@fatcatthincat I agree there have been many times in the pandemic when I wished I was in Sweden mostly for my DD sake. only been to Sweden once and loved it,

Sounds amazing, , what's not to like? Is there anything you find particularly irritating about living in Sweden?

I’m half Swedish, with a family holiday home in Sweden. Your thread has made me so homesick I’m nearly crying. When I was a teen I used to resent 6 weeks every summer in a stuga in the woods. The older I get the more heavenly it is.

The swimming thing is 100% accurate. I am slightly perplexed at the sudden wild swimming phenomenon in the uk. In Sweden it’s just swimming. Is completely normal to swim in rivers / lakes and there’s often a deck to help.

Our house is v rural and fresh food is a challenge. There’s a lot of reliance on frozen veg for example as quality can be hard where there are small populations.

Alcohol even harder. Nearest state run offie is 2 hours drive. Or you can order from the supermarket who will get it for you two days later!

Love this

@MackenCheese

What is school like for kids with special needs? I work in the UK remotely for a scandinavian company, and I'd love to move there, but my son is autistic.

We moved to Sweden when DD was 13. She had a lot of difficulties in school in the UK and I tried to get help for her but it was always put down to me being a crap parent and she got no help at all. It was here in Sweden that she was diagnosed with autism. I was diagnosed a couple of years later and DS when he was 4 (fast tracked because there were already 2 diagnosises in the family).

I have been extremely happy with their schooling here. DD was a bit of nightmare and school were often a bit lost about how to deal with her but they always wanted the best for her and I never doubted their commitment to trying their best to support her. They inspired her and she's now a teacher herself. DS loves his school and they can't do enough to support him. But he's very charismatic in a kind of innocent little lamb way so everyone, even the other kids, wants to help him and make him happy.

But I have heard that this is not the experience of everyone. My friend got a job as a TA in a nursery school and she was so upset at how they treated a child with special needs that she quit and reported it to social services.

@FiloPasty

How are you finding the daylight hours?

We went to a wedding and it was so weird being light at midnight :)

In Ireland it's still light at 23.00 in the height of summer. I love it!

Op, is it true swedes are very pleasant but hard to get close to?

@WhatNaYes

Sounds amazing, , what's not to like? Is there anything you find particularly irritating about living in Sweden?

I did at first but I've adjusted. I used to get really irritated at the slow pace of life, the person on the till chatting to the elderly customer in front with no heed given to the people waiting. But I've learnt to go with the flow.

Alcohol even harder. Nearest state run offie is 2 hours drive. Or you can order from the supermarket who will get it for you two days later!

We're not drinkers so we sit back and enjoy the entertainment at the blind panic people get into when the realise it's a Red Day (bank holiday) tomorrow so SystemB (state alcohol shop) will be closed.

How long did it take to understand a conversation that didnt include you, ie, no allowance made for you.

their stugas for a month. I don't know what you mean about little island camps. I've not heard anything about that

Probably that's what I was thinking of...

This is the home of the crispbread so if you like ryvita type crackers you'll be in heaven here.

I love Ryvita!

Op, is it true swedes are very pleasant but hard to get close to?

I think other people who live here would say this is true but that's not my experience. Saying that I'm autistic so might be completely reading situations wrong.

@PearlyRising

How long did it take to understand a conversation that didnt include you, ie, no allowance made for you.

Still not fully there. I can get the gist of what's being said but the details still elude me.

Oh i love the H&M home stores you have there. And all the fairy lights on the balconies.