Would you move to Sweden?

Sitrus

http://stockholm.usembassy.gov/consulate/acs_eng_schools.html seems to have info on a variety of English speaking kindergartens, schools and toddler groups.

Have fun!

Jennie_2

tumbleweed261 wrote:

Absolutely go for it, 6 months isn't that long really, your 2.5 year old might learn Swedish and Stockholm is a really lovely city. And if that doesn't convince you, freia chocolate (think it's actually Norwegian? that's certainly where I tried it first) or maribou (Swedish name for the Norwegian brand I think) is heavenly! What more reason could you need?

Oh yeah... the chocolate. Have some in my fridge and it sounds like it is calling:j :j :j

You should take a trip to Ikea and try out some Swedish foods before you go.

I know there is an international school in Stockholm which may have a programme for weeny ones. They would be able to help you find a kindergarten if they couldn't help, I'm sure.

As for you working in Sweden.... well it is very difficult in Norway to work as a "foreigner" but I think Sweden is a bit more relaxed. I am sure someone will come on soon to advise.

tumbleweed261

Jennie wrote:

Oh yeah... the chocolate. Have some in my fridge and it sounds like it is calling:j :j :j

please tell me where you got it in this country before i pass out with jealousy!! oh how i miss it... and i was only in scandinavia for 8 days :rotfl:

edit: nope think i was making that up about the schengen agreement (was so convinced!), but i did find this article which i hope will be useful!

cobbingstones

Thank you so much. Will check out link.

Cheers

MM

powerbase

Sweden is a fantastic place to live and Stockholm probably the best place to go. It is expensive compared to the UK but I think if you live somewhere it's different than going there for a holiday, you work out the cheapest way to do things. Depends on the time of year. The summers are great with the daylight.

Would your OH be getting a pay rise with this or something to fund the trip away?

Their English is flawless and puts our education system to shame. Great health care too.

With the young children I wouldn't worry about English speaking Kindergarden though I'm guessing most people will speak English and like to use it anyway. The young children are the ideal age to take away and it would not be a bad thing exposing them to another language.

The 17 year old would be a problem, is he/she doing A Levels? Would this be over the summer? It would be a good chance for him/her to visit over the holidays and stay with friends/family the rest of the time.

I worked mainly in Finland for a while (spent some time in Sweden) and I couldn't have had a better place to be. I fitted in well, the people were fantastic and just such a change to the UK. In general (no offense to the Finns as I love them) Swedish people are even more social and friendly.

Even though those countries are more expensive I still made my money work for me. I actually saved more being there than in the UK (and it wasn't because I was paid much more).

I say you'd be mad not to take the opportunity. You'll also have lots of people wanting to visit you. You may not want to come back to the UK.

Good luck

Jennie_2

tumbleweed261 wrote:

please tell me where you got it in this country before i pass out with jealousy!! oh how i miss it... and i was only in scandinavia for 8 days :rotfl:

Well I always buy a job lot in Norway before I come home and we ration it out. Just had a birthday which is why a bar is open (although it is screaming now!!). I'll put the kettle on and you can pop round:D

You can buy it at the Norwegian Church at Rotherhithe or of course you can get a fix of Marabou from Ikea.

I love the choccie but it's the ice cream that does it for me..... yum

tumbleweed261

Ikea does Marabou? Looks like I'll be heading back there soon then... last time the sales assistant didn't appreciate my "hand over the norwegian chocolate" style interrogation when they said they'd never heard of freia/marabou...

Otherwise a 260 mile round trip to Essex it is... :rotfl:

See what effect Scandinavia can have on you madsmum? And I was only there 8 days - you should be warned that it is amazing, and you will become addicted to the chocolate, the curry (out of this world in Oslo) and the friendliness of everyone you meet

joshm_2

Ditto (most of) the above. I have been working in Stockholm for over two years now (I am in Stockholm as I type, looking over the water at Gamla Stan or the "Old Town"), and I love the place. Public transport is cheap and reliable (e.g. monthly pass to use everything costs ~£40, and trains/busses come every 2 mins and stick to timetable). Kids are well behaved and well educated. Social system seems excellent. People are friendly and the overall grasp of English would put a lot of Brits to shame. Stockholm is varied and beautiful, especially with all of the waterways. If your stay avoids the long, dark winters so much the better. The summers here are great, the Swedes seem to get "proper" weather - freezing, crisp cold in the winter and lovely sunshine in the summer. Alcohol and eating out are quite pricey but no worse than central London, I guess. Go for it!

Another thing: if your OH is working for a Swedish firm or with Swedes, you will certainly benefit from their work/private life balance. These guys have got their priorities straight. The UK culture of "work until you drop" is not the norm and life is family-oriented. People tend to work shorter hours, take a proper lunch break and are generally a lot less stressed than the UK. There doesn't seem to be a blame culture, just a "let's get it done" attitude which is refreshing to say the least. After all, something over here must be good if I've kept at it for 2 years!

whereishergar

My family members used to work for Saab and also Scania and in my opinion Sweden is a beautiful country full of trees! As soon as you leave the major towns you can literally drive for miles and miles and not even pass another car .... Although Sweden's cost of living used to be higher than ours, I would say we are pretty much even now. I have always found the Swedish nationals to be delightful, and dare I say it, the most layed back, people I have ever met. We have a lot of business connections with the Swedes and this makes running to deadlines very difficult, as I have never come across an argumentative Swede, they are so chilled, in otherwords it is very difficult to get angry with them!!. The outdoor pursuits are lovely from fishing to canoeing, to cycling - for six months I would definately go - for twelve months I would probably have the lowest blood pressure I have ever had, or maybe that should say highest!!

Jennie_2

tumbleweed261 wrote:

Ikea does Marabou? Looks like I'll be heading back there soon then... last time the sales assistant didn't appreciate my "hand over the norwegian chocolate" style interrogation when they said they'd never heard of freia/marabou...

Otherwise a 260 mile round trip to Essex it is... :rotfl:

See what effect Scandinavia can have on you madsmum? And I was only there 8 days - you should be warned that it is amazing, and you will become addicted to the chocolate, the curry (out of this world in Oslo) and the friendliness of everyone you meet

Oh Ikea does REALLY yummy chocolate. Last time I was there it was 3 or 2 (true money saving:j)

Call yourself a chocolate lover???? I would travel a 260 mile round trip for choccie!:drool: :drool: :drool: It's because it's Essex, isn't it:doh: :doh:

Gotta agree. Scandinavian countries are really lovely and a 6 month contract could be a wonderful adventure for the family.