Potential opportunity to work in Stockholm - any advice?

[justfindingmyway]

Hi all! I work for a company with a branch in Stockholm. Somebody has recently resigned and they’ve approached me to consider taking his role. I currently work in London, am 35, no kids and am single, so in terms of ‘ease’, it would be fairly simple to uproot.

After a previous relationship that really knocked the wind out of my sails, I find myself wondering about my future with both excitement and, if I’m honest, terror, as I don’t know where it will lead me.

I haven’t discussed any finer details with the company yet, such as living arrangements etc, and it may not become viable, but what I am looking for, is advice from someone who has done the same, or something similar?

My Swedish colleagues seem great, but I do not work with them day-to-day.

Part of me thinks maybe it’s what I could do with right now, but I also have trepidations as I understand it isn’t the easiest to make friends. I assume the same may be the case for meeting a romantic partner. And, when I visited, it seemed very safe and steady but perhaps not too exciting.

Any advice would be gratefully received, thanks :)

Go for it! It's going to be the same as any posting: you'll learn a lot, you'll be lonely sometimes, and you'll hopefully have an amazing time. 35 is a difficult age to make me friends anywhere, but actually expat circles can be more open so it might be easier than staying at home. It will be difficult to make Swedish friends though. Ideally you'd get it contacted that you can come back if you change your mind

Thanks for your reply. Yes exactly, a lot is dependent on what the company is willing to offer. The role would require regular flights back to London, which probably makes it easier. It’s just such a different life trajectory, but as it stands, I don’t know where I’m going so wondering whether I consider shaking it all up…

I would negotiate a package and def go.

You can do it for a year or two and if you dont like it no big deal. Vs dragging a spouse and 2 kids out there who lose uk school places and its a ll a big hassle...You only have to please yourself withakes logistics easier.

It's a cool city with good instrastructure (I go for work) swedes all speak great english (even down to bar staff and people in shops)
The countryside is also 👌

Does your company have clubs or groups?
I would also look at ex pat groups and other things like walking / hiking groups.

Buy your clothes and make up etc on your worktrips back to london as its ££££ there 🫠

I work for a Swedish company. They seem nice. What's the worst that could happen?

Do it.

Thanks for your reply. I’ve read that Swedes tend to stick fro their friendship groups, and I am a social little bee, so I do wonder whether I’d be sad and lonely at the weekends. But, for context, after calling off my engagement a couple of years back and just a really rough time, I now live back with my parents and whilst I’ve been house hunting, I’m at a bit of a crossroads in life. Overthinking is what I do best, I wonder whether that comes across 🤣. I’m having these romantic visions of a friendship group and maybe meeting a Swedish man and life being peaceful 🤣

Ooh interesting, do you know much about their working culture? Are you in the UK or Sweden?

Go op! It’s an exciting opportunity. I haven’t lived in Stockholm but I have moved abroad several times and each time it has felt a bit scary, and yes it’s taken a while to find friends but each time it’s been amazing and worked out well. Fortune favours the brave - if you don’t like it you can always come back!

I worked overseas for a few years and my life is richer for it. If you can get a decent package I’d go in an instant. It’s not Australia, book ahead and you can be back for everything important.

I believe in Germany work is work and work friends aren’t a big thing, no idea about Sweden but don’t presume colleagues will provide a social life.

if you are into exercise the parkruns often attract British expats. That may be a reason to steer clear or volunteer and get to know them…

I'm in the UK. You could watch the Simon reeves Nordic documentary maybe

Do not over think this! Just go! It will be easy to think of barriers but this is such an exciting opportunity and with few ties it is a real adventure. You can always come home but I think you will love it.

Thank you for all the words of encouragement ❤️ it’s been early days and I don’t know whether it’ll materialise, but loving the food for thought. I’ll have a look at the documentary mentioned. I can only see it being a positive experience in the scheme of life, provided I could come back easily enough. I think the details of the remuneration package will reveal all, not salary wise but in terms of what life will look like ☺️

Not me personally, but BIL works for a Swedish company and did a 3 year placement in Stockholm for them a few years ago. He loved it, and had a (Swedish) girlfriend while he was there, as well as a decent friendship group. He was a similar age to you at the time. I’d say go for it, you only live once 🤷‍♀️

Make sure you fully understand the financial implications- particularly tax

I love Stockholm! Have you been OP? No idea what it’s like to work there but fantastic for a holiday. Clean, safe, easy to navigate, English spoken widely. Good food.
This would mean I’d consider working there.

Hiya, I’ve been once for a few days last year to meet the team (nothing to do with this opportunity). It seemed very safe as you say, polite and easy to navigate. As a snapshot, it seemed comfortable for a woman on her own. I did however, find it a little dull on my own in the evenings. I do like a good pub or bar and where I was staying I didn’t locate any on my doorstep. Though given it’s an archipelago, I understand there are many beautiful islands to visit and that Stockholm is far from all Sweden as a whole has to offer

Thanks for your reply. I mean part of me thinks what’s the worst that could happen, plus it’s only a short flight from home. I think if they were able to heavily subsidise or even cover rent, that would be a good opportunity financially, too. I haven’t bought a place over here yet, but at least it would allow for more saving.

I live in Stockholm and love it, but I am also Swedish so the Swedish way comes naturally for me. I lived in the UK for a decade (London being one place) so I can compare the two.

The negative thing about Stockholm is that the rental market is incredibly tricky and the apartments will be over priced (similar to London prices). The city can feel a little dead during the winter for sure, but spring and summer is much more fun. I love the mix of water, old houses, green areas and city life. I would recommend Södermalm for you to live, especially the areas around Nytorget, Mariatorget or Hornstull.

The positive thing is that it is so much safer than London. I walk alone at all times of the day and night and there are never any issues. It's a very walkable city, and public transport is good. The Swedish people can seem a bit reserved but I have made plenty of friends since I moved back and there is a good expat community that organise get-togethers frequently.

With no big commitments in the UK (in terms of having a property, DH/DC etc) it seems a perfect time to do it.

I’d look carefully at cost of living - would the company subsidise your rent? Will your salary cover the same lifestyle that you currently enjoy? Are pension benefits and healthcare covered? Can you include a break clause that means if it’s not working you can transfer back?

If you don’t do it, in 10 years time would you have regrets?

ETA: also, Michael Portillo did a 3 part series on Ch5 about Stockholm - it’s probably available on catch up.

Great advice and recommendations, thanks. I have a list of questions to ask them. I need to fathom whether they are serious and willing to make the lifestyle change work for me. I think there’s a chance they may see it as too complicated and find another solution, but wil see. On a deeper note, I’m trying to get comfortable with how life looks if I never settle down, have kids etc.

I still often feel like an alien among friends as I have not done the mainstream things!!

I’ve only been to Stockholm, I’ve not lived there. My impression was extremely positive, English is widely spoken and people seemed very friendly but it is SOOO expensive! Life is short and I think sometimes it sends you where you need to be, what’s the worst that could happen?