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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask what Nordic country you would move to, if forced?

212 replies

Wildwildwildwest · 15/07/2023 23:20

Just that really. Bored on a Saturday evening and wonder what others might think! What would be your number one choice, ranking from favourite to least. For reference the Nordic countries are Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Denmark and Finland.

OP posts:
Simonjt · 21/07/2023 14:48

Sweden! We are moving there, so it wouldn’t be a worry if I said somewhere else.

gingerguineapig · 21/07/2023 14:49

Although I have also read Helen Russell's book and the Danes are very house-proud so I am not sure I would fit in! Maybe Finland then Denmark (not sure if the Finns are quite so house-proud).

thousandbirds · 21/07/2023 14:52

gingerguineapig · 21/07/2023 14:49

Although I have also read Helen Russell's book and the Danes are very house-proud so I am not sure I would fit in! Maybe Finland then Denmark (not sure if the Finns are quite so house-proud).

So are all Swedes I know.

HundredMilesAnHour · 21/07/2023 14:59

First, Norway. My ex is Norwegian, so is one of my closest friends, so I've spent a lot of time there and have a reasonable understanding of the culture/language.

Probably Denmark next but it would have to be Copenhagen. A different ex used to live there. 😂 My Danish isn't great and I hate the heavy smoking but I like the people and style/fashion/design focus.

Then Iceland. I really like it there but not sure I could handle the winters. 😳

I've never been to Sweden (although I speak some Swedish) or Finland but I'd put Sweden 4th as I love the Swedes I've met (used to work closely with some) and the Finnish suicide rate puts me off. Plus the few Finns I've met have been a little 'odd'.

SunnyEgg · 21/07/2023 15:01

Katiesaidthat · 21/07/2023 14:31

I´m glad you added the caveat "if forced", I wouldn´t move to any of them, thanks. But for argument´s sakes, to Denmark. You can drive to other countries easily and need not fly and I just don´t do ultra freezing winters. Also hate skying.

Same here

ohtowinthelottery · 21/07/2023 15:01

Norway as we've got friends their whom we've visited. The scenery was stunning although it was Summer and warm. Not sure I'd want their winter.
DH also has a friend in Denmark although he's never been their (friend visits us when in UK visiting family). I haven't been to Denmark since 1982 when I went on a school trip so I expect it's changed a lot but I did enjoy it, so I'd chose that as 2nd.

UtterlyUnimaginativeUsername · 21/07/2023 15:08

I've only been to Finland, but I really loved it for the whole week we spent in it, so I'd choose it.

Beseen22 · 21/07/2023 15:13

I'd move to the Faroe Islands in a heartbeat because my best friend lives there. The scenery is amazing. Its not all that different weatherwise from Scotland. The difference in their quality of life from when they lived there to there is insane. If I could learn the language I'd be on a plane tomorrow.

tennesseewhiskey1 · 21/07/2023 15:15

Denmark - I’m there every month. Amazing place.

Florissante · 21/07/2023 15:16

Denmark, because they have the mildest winter.

Saschka · 21/07/2023 15:17

Denmark, can’t be doing with long dark winters.

Sweden or Norway as second choices. Finnish people are too weird (I have many Finnish friends, I love them but would not want to live in a country full of people like them). Iceland is just too cold and dark, sorry.

JoanChitty · 21/07/2023 15:18

Norway. Our daughter lives in Bergen and it’s beautiful.

Daphnis156 · 21/07/2023 15:19

I would never live in any Nordic country by choice- they seem cold, with long hours of darkness, expensive and with difficult languages to learn.
And very Stepford Wives.
So I would refuse to go.

spitefulandbadgrammar · 21/07/2023 15:20

I love Denmark but everyone there was so tall and beautiful and chic and I felt entirely like whey-faced frizzy hobbit. I change my mind frequently on which place to move based entirely on what’s on the cheapnordichouses Instagram.

pamshortsbrokenbothherlegs · 21/07/2023 15:20

Denmark in a heartbeat and you wouldn't have to force me.

I've been visiting Copenhagen for ten years (a good friend of mine used to live there) and it's one of my favourite places in the world. Amazing food scene, culture and design, clean, navigable by bike, the harbour and ocean for swimming - what's not to love.

HollaHolla · 21/07/2023 15:22

Denmark. We used to go there on holiday as kids (my Aunt married a Danish man), and loved it. Obviously, that's 30+ years ago, but I was there about 5 years ago again, and seems to have a decent quality of life. Two of my cousins still live in Denmark, one in Norway, and one in the UK.

Cinnamongirlinthesand · 21/07/2023 15:22

Denmark. Lived there many moons ago until my Danish husband sadly died. Knee jerk reaction to return to UK, with young children but visit family regularly, they have a holiday home on beach. The Danes are very welcoming but I found it took ages to learn the language as they all want to practice their English!

MTGBTTATP · 21/07/2023 15:23

I’ve lived in Sweden for a year - escaped as soon as I could -we didn’t suit each other. Least welcoming country I have lived in.

Chesneyhawkes1 · 21/07/2023 15:24

Norway!

thousandbirds · 21/07/2023 15:28

Daphnis156 · 21/07/2023 15:19

I would never live in any Nordic country by choice- they seem cold, with long hours of darkness, expensive and with difficult languages to learn.
And very Stepford Wives.
So I would refuse to go.

Well you wouldn’t really have to tbf, as most of us speak English.

A -10 degrees winter with snow actually feels warmer than a +5 windy and rainy day in London believe it or not! The snow also makes it a lot brighter.

Stepford Wives, what on earth are you on about? 😂

thousandbirds · 21/07/2023 15:28

MTGBTTATP · 21/07/2023 15:23

I’ve lived in Sweden for a year - escaped as soon as I could -we didn’t suit each other. Least welcoming country I have lived in.

Where did you live?

Nodancingshoes · 21/07/2023 15:31

Norway. I don't know why - I have no idea what the standard of living is like but for some reason I've always wanted to go there!

AmITooOldToDoThis · 21/07/2023 15:32

I already want to move to Iceland for a year. So there.

Tetchypants · 21/07/2023 15:40

This is really interesting, I’ve not been to Scandinavia but just read up on some personality and cultural differences. on that basis I’ll choose Denmark, sounds the most fun and free with a spirit I’d enjoy. Also don’t want to live anywhere too much colder than where I am now.

piedbeauty · 21/07/2023 15:49

Finland is too close to Russia.

Sweden. It's beautiful.