Which is a better Nordic country to live in. Sweden, Finland, Norway, or Denmark and why?

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Constant_Traveler

I am Canadian and I live in Denmark and it has its good and bad points. I have been to Norway but not Sweden yet although it is about 25 minutes away. Scandinavia is nice and I would recommend coming for a year to see what you think. Norway and Sweden a lot like Canada in how they look and just how people are but with better social systems. Housing is really expensive in all these countries but I think Sweden is better then Norway and Denmark for that. Actually a lot of Danes work here is Copenhagen and live in Malmo, Sweden, and a lot of Sweds who live in Malmo work in Copenhagen because they pay better here. The taxes are super high, at least 39% here in Denmark but on average people still take home more then in North American. And I shouldn't say that it is so crazily expensive. We are paying about $850 Canadian a month for our 1 bedroom apt. We were paying more in Calgary. I think with a Nursing degree you would be able to find a jobs because pretty much everyone speaks English. Or you may find a job working for a company that just wants someone with a science background.

If you have any more specific questions please feel free to contact me.

aaltonen

I would say Finland, being a Finn, but why not make up your own mind:

SWEDEN
Pros: -Largest in the region, hence dominant; -Swedish fairly easy to learn, and will get you by in the other countries; -Society very inclusive; -High standards of living, with great social security network (much like Canada, not much like USA!!); -Swedish babes!
Cons: -Expensive; -Very expensive alcohol; -Arrogant; -Nothing gets done as everything gets stuck in endless committee discussions; -Multiculturalism getting slightly out of control

NORWAY:
Pros: -Very beautiful coast and mountains; -Very beautiful women; -Cheap seafood; -Cheap oil; -Very rich; -Relatively mild climate on the coast
Cons: -Norwegians rather full of themselves, think the country is paradise on Earth; -Very expensive alcohol and difficult to obtain; -Language is indecipherable (and there are two - written and spoken)

DENMARK:
Pros: -Relaxed, liberal, fun-loving; -Cheapest of the Nordics; -Cheapest booze in the Nordics; -Mildest climate
Cons: -Densely populated, not much empty space or wilderness; -Language impossible, don't think they can follow it themselves!; -Flat, so will be under water soon with all this climate change; -Unsightly windmills everywhere (wish they'd come to their senses and build some nuclear!)

FINLAND:
Pros: -Large country with small population = loads of space; -200,000 lakes and 200,000 islands, ie. nice scenery; -Santa Claus lives there!; -People may appear a bit introverted at first, but will become friends for life once you get to know them; -Sauna was invented there!; -Best education system in the world year after year; -These days fairly inexpensive, incl. alcohol; -One of the few countries with the common sense and balls to invest in nuclear energy, to save the planet from either burning or drowning or both (read James Lovelock's latest Gaia book)
Cons: -Language impossible to learn, takes you 20+ yrs and even then you're not fluent; -Inferiority complex vis a vis Swedes; -Next to Russia (OK now, but historically been always a problem); -Furthest away from Continental Europe, meaning longer flights, longer drive, more ferries to take

ICELAND
Huh...?

ALL FIVE:
Pros: -High standard of living + high quality of life; -Beautiful clean nature; -Lapland; -Long summer nights; -Climate much more reasonable than at the same level in America; -Everything works (bit like Germany or Switzerland, but less anal about things); -Liberal attitudes; -Virtually everyone speaks English
Cons: -Expensive; -Long winters and winter nights (can be a pro if you're under the duvet with 'that special someone'); -At the periphery of Europe

johanna m

If you want to learn any scandinavian language when norweigan or swedish would be easiest for a native english speaker. Finish isn't really related at all. Finland is also rather far away, especially if you want to visit other european countries such as UK or Germany. (But maybe russia and estonia are just as interesting countries?!)

Norway is expensive to live in, but the salarys are also high. So if you're not very picky about lush life or not (such as your accomendation), you can earn some good money.

The climate is best in denmark or south sweden, but if some snow (in the winters) isn't a problem it's probably more beautiful and exotic in Norway (near the coast), North of Sweden or in Finland.

So the choice is really up to you and your preferences. Language isn't a problem in any of the coutries. Almost everyone has a good grasp of English. Employment might be a bit tricky, make sure you have at least some good contacts before you go. It is of course depending on what sort of job you are looking for, it's just what it may take some to really get there. It's possibly a scandinavian culture thing, the employment process just takes its time.

Good luck!

mu_sa_kossan

Welcome to Sweden!!!

Swedish news in English. Find a job or/and a apartment here. Talk to other Canadians about how itÂ´s like livening in Sweden: http://www.thelocal.se/

The Swedish Migration Board. What you need to do to be able to work here: http://www.migrationsverket.se/english.jsp

The Swedish Employment Service: http://www.ams.se/go.aspx?C=223

Directory of top Swedish employment and job sites: http://www.4icj.com/se/

redfox

I'd seriously check out Denmark- with it's seaside stretch of boarder, the climate is not as fierce as that of Canada, but you can still enjoy winter. It's a fairly liberal country, with a small population that I'm sure there would be somewhere to go for employment- there is an imminent drop in worker to retiree ratio(not even, the population is aging) more than likely a need for workers in most places.Look into it! You could always go back to Canada.... there's certainly a need for nurses here!

toxic

finland

pasterka1

I think Finland would be the best place. People are very kind. Salary is high and they have well organized and well-developed social care. And another plus is that population is not so big :) I love this country and fully recommend it for work, study and life.

asdf

The weather is similar in all four countries, however if you prefer a more scenic rural life, Finland or Norway would be a better choice, while if you preger a more urban life, both Copenhagen and Stockholm are relatively large cities with more to do. However, all countries have very expensive lifestyles.
Good luck

borscht

Norway, from my experience, was the most expensive country out of Sweden, Denmark and Norway. However, it was also the most scenic. Bergen is lovely and I loved visiting the village of FlÃ¥m.
Stockholm, Sweden has some really cool archeticture, and is where the Nobel prizes are awarded. The palace in right in the middle of the city!
Denmark also has its charms, Copenhagen has is a neat historical place, as is Ribe (the first known settlement in Denmark).
We did not go as far as Finland...
In all three countries we went to we found locals who were fluent in English, even in less touristy areas.
If I could choose a country in which to live, out of the three, I would choose Norway. (I've told my friends as much many times).
Good luck and keep your stick on the ice!

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