Discover Stockholm
Stockholm is a grand city; views of the royal palace and impressive architecture will simply take your breath away as you enter Sweden's beautiful capital city. With one of the largest populations amongst the Nordic capitals, the city's blend of modernity and rich history make it a great place to stay as an expat.
Climate in Stockholm
Stockholm is actually a city that stretches across several islands. Surrounded by water from almost every side, the various areas of Stockholm have a humid climate. As with other Scandinavian countries, the climate is relatively mild. Stockholm is lucky enough to get some of the hottest summer days but keep an umbrella nearby since late summer (July/August) are some of the wettest months. Winter temperatures are cold and tend to dip below 0°C.
Getting acquainted with the city
Stockholm is home to over 20% of Sweden's population. It's a busy city with well-developed transport systems so getting around is no problem. Newcomers can take the bus, metro, taxi, and ferries to get around; in the warmer months, renting a bicycle is a great way to explore your new city. There are even bike routes that connect the many islands of the city.
From world heritage sites to waterside activities and weekend markets, Stockholm is a multi-cultural hotspot with trendy developments nestled between famous historical sites. Expats that have a liking for bigger cities with a good bustle but unique characteristics like long winter nights and the wonderful tradition of 'fika' will fall in love with Sweden's crown jewel, Stockholm.
Living costs in Stockholm
Stockholm is, of course, an expensive city. Although it's certainly not the most expensive in the world, the cost of living is high ', especially in the city centre. Prices might be intimidating, but once you get accustomed to the prices and earn wages that are on par with living costs, things will get better.
Finding food in Stockholm
Although restaurants tend to be on the pricier side of things, there are some affordable dining options in convenience stores and supermarkets all over the city. Supermarket chains to look out for include ICA, Willys, and Coop. Convenience stores like Pressbyrån and 7-Eleven also have good ready-made food options like salads, pasta, and sandwiches.
Looking to splurge? Stockholm has some excellent dining options.
Swedish culture
Meatballs, IKEA, maybe a moose or two, a cheerful blue and yellow flag'¦ these are things that typically come to mind when people mention Sweden. However, there's a lot more that you should know about Swedish culture.
Here are some things to keep in mind once you've set foot in Stockholm:
- Fika: Swedes love the tradition of 'fika', where friends and family get together for a drink and a sweet treat. Expect to spend a good amount of time enjoying fika (and coffee ' Swedes love coffee!) with friends or colleagues once you've settled in.
- Start learning Swedish: Although English is spoken in most parts of the city, fully understanding the culture will mean learning at least a few phrases. Learning the local language is especially important if you are expecting to find a job in Stockholm.
- Begin to love the outdoors: That includes days with bad weather. Like their Scandinavian neighbours, Swedes love getting outdoors and have perfected the art of outdoor living by simply turning a blind eye to dreary, cold, wet, or any other type of undesirable weather conditions.
