Moving to Sweden...hopefully

[NickH]

Hi there. I'm currently living in the UK and thinking quite hard about moving to Sweden. I'd obviously go for a decent look around before I made any big decisions. I'm just wondering how awkward would it be? I mean on the surface it seems quite easy with me being an EU citizen and it being an EU country, but how easy would it be?

I've heard that Sweden will pay me to learn Swedish. Is it possible to setup this course and accommodation (paid for by Sweden) by remote?...ie without actually being over there.

I should point out that I'm going to start teaching myself Swedish when i get the spare cash to do it. Does anybody know of any good courses/ books/ packages which are good?

Thanks
Nick

[Wanderer]

Hi there. I'm currently living in the UK and thinking quite hard about moving to Sweden. I'd obviously go for a decent look around before I made any big decisions. I'm just wondering how awkward would it be? I mean on the surface it seems quite easy with me being an EU citizen and it being an EU country, but how easy would it be?

I've heard that Sweden will pay me to learn Swedish. Is it possible to setup this course and accommodation (paid for by Sweden) by remote?...ie without actually being over there.

I should point out that I'm going to start teaching myself Swedish when i get the spare cash to do it. Does anybody know of any good courses/ books/ packages which are good?

Thanks
Nick

I can't see that they would pay you to attend but anything is possible I suppose. They might be a small financial encouragement to attend but I seriously doubt it's gonna be anything other than a few Kroner - certainly not accommodation or I would be over!

Swedish is language is not too hard, easier then German, you can learn quite easily with the internet, Swedish language film and music and Pimsleur or Rosetta Stone software. Icelandic is hard!

[NickH]

I was told that they pay, by a guy who lives in Sweden. I was just posting on here to confirm it. Thanks. It does sound very good if it were true! He says he knows somebody who is doing this, but I'm wondering if she has special reason to be able to do this.

I'll get started with learning Swedish in the next month or so as I need to find somewhere else to live locally for a while while I weigh things up.

[Christophe]

The Swedish government certainly used to pay for Swedish lessons (in the sense that they were free at the point of delivery) for people who had moved to Sweden. That was back in about 2001, when a couple I know (one from the EU, one from outside it) went to live there. I don't know how long the free lessons lasted, but it was certainly at least a year.

I ought to add that my friends found the free lessons to be all right, but they learned a lot more from lessons that they paid for: better teaching and more motivated students.

And yes, Swedish is in the main an easier language for most English speakers to learn than German is, but like all languages, to learn it to any degree of proficiency takes time and dedication, and practice!

My friends found that Sweden was very bureaucratic for new arrivals but that the bureacracy was also – in the main – very efficient, which is more than can be said for some countries. These comments relate not just to immigration matters but also to things such as opening a bank account, finding a doctor, getting a telephone: lots of form filling and everything needs to be right, but it is generally very clear what is required, everyone sings from the same songsheet, and if you do what you're told to do things happen when you've been told they will happen.

I suggest that you get in touch with the Swedish Embassy in London as a port of first call.

[John]

NickH, what is your nationality?

[NickH]

English....British.

Oh and i emailled the embassy a while ago with similar questions. Though not as many. I have more questions now. They haven't got back to me yet.

[NickH]

Also...as a country is Sweden a good choice? What are the prices like? Houses + living.... and what is it like getting a mortgage? When I eventually get to that stage.

[John]

Have you been to Sweden? Surely you got some idea of the answers to your questions when you were there?

[NickH]

Not been for a looong time, or for very long.

[John]

Don't you think it might be a very good idea to at least spend a week or two there? Before you decide to start living there?

Maybe a stupid question .... but you have a Swedish girlfriend ..... or you are just attracted to blondes? If you are attracted to blondes, do note that Swedish man think dark-haired woman more attractive than blondes! Which might explain why the Swedish Queen is dark-haired.

[NickH]

Hehe I don't have a Swedish girlfriend and thats not the reason why i want to move over there. I like the country (from what I've seen) and I just fancy a change and an adventure.

Yeah i agree fully about going over there properly first, but I want to do as much research about it before I go as far as to spend money on going there for a while. Also I've just started a new job, so going over there for a couple of weeks within 2 months of starting isn't going to look good. One step at a time.

[Wanderer]

Most of the Swedes I know are dark haired, and I know quite a few!

One of the myths about Swedes is they are all tall blonde blue-eyed nymphos, that's not been my experience, wish it freaking was...

Tak, Sverige,,,,

[NickH]

Hehe well if it were true do you think I'd be considering NOT going? Stereotypes are funny.