The 5 best places to live in Sweden | 2022
Wonder where best places to live in Sweden is? Then keep reading to find out!
In the ‘best countries to live in the world’ lists, Sweden is often in the top 10. This is because it not only boasts breathtaking nature and beautiful architecture, but Sweden offers free access to a top quality health and welfare system.
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In addition, the locals are welcoming, English is widely spoken and a wide range of well-paid jobs and business opportunities are available.
Therefore, it is no surprise that this Scandinavian country has a significant foreign community. Whether you’re a digital nomad looking for a cool new European destination or a family looking to move somewhere with a higher quality of life, Sweden won’t disappoint.
Here are the five best places to live in Sweden, including their pros, cons and average cost of living.
Stockholm
As the country’s capital, Stockholm is often the first choice among expats who live and work in Sweden. The city has a unique location on the extensive Baltic Sea archipelago, which includes 14 islands and over 50 bridges.
This gives Stockholm a charming scenic backdrop amid its sophisticated cosmopolitan culture, which attracts remote workers from all corners of the world.
Stockholm has a population of approximately 1.5 million, a diversity of residents and a large foreign community. It is a hub for fashion, food, culture and art, offering expats a hip urban lifestyle in a beautiful location.
Stockholm has a thriving business district and has become a significant technology hub in recent years. The city is home to many large tech companies and innovative startups, earning it the nickname “Silicon Valley of Europe.”
Apart from technology, there are many jobs in education as the city is home to some of Europe’s best universities.
Stockholm is an immaculate city with plenty of green areas and an excellent public transport system. In addition, as it is located in the south-eastern part of the country, Stockholm has pleasant summers, with average temperatures of 14 to 23°C.
The disadvantage of living in Stockholm is that the cost of living as the capital is high. For example, renting a one bedroom apartment costs between $1000 to $1400.
The salaries are still not too low, as the average salary after tax in Stockholm is 3,500 dollars per month.
Gothenburg
Gothenburg is a large city on the southwest coast off the Göta River. It is one of the best places to live in Sweden for expats because the city, like Stockholm, is very diverse with a large foreign community.
Gothenburg has a population of around 600,000, so significantly fewer live here than in Stockholm. Yet it shares a similar climate to the capital and has an equally vibrant cultural scene.
You will enjoy many leisure activities, including a hip cafe culture, beautiful parks and exciting museums.
Gothenburg has fantastic nature and is a short drive from many mountains, lakes, rivers, forests and coasts. Nightlife is also eclectic, with many excellent bars and clubs and a lively live music scene.
As Gothenburg has the largest port in Scandinavia, there are many jobs in transport here. Manufacturing, technology and finance are also booming industries, so there are plenty of foreign job opportunities.
The cost of living here is not as high as in the capital. The average rent for a one-bedroom apartment is between 650 and 1000 dollars, and you can get a 3-bedroom house for half the price as in Stockholm.
Also, salaries are more or less in line with the capital, so you’ll certainly get more value for money living here.
Malmö
The coastal city of Malmö on the southern coast is undoubtedly one of the best cities in Sweden for those looking for a more relaxed lifestyle yet close to modern conveniences. Less than 350,000 people live here, so the city doesn’t have a crowded feel, but it’s still very internationally diverse.
Malmö is one of the best Swedish cities for digital nomads and younger expats because it has a fun, youthful vibe.
IIn fact, most of the city’s residents are under the age of 35, so it’s no surprise that Malmö has developed the most extensive hipster scene in the country. But if that’s not your vibe, Malmö might not seem so appealing.
This southern city has plenty of jobs and investment opportunities, especially in startups and technology companies. However, it is more difficult to get hold of services in other industries and unqualified jobs for foreigners than in the capital.
Due to its geographical location, Malmö is only a 30-minute drive away Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, as the two cities are connected by a bridge. However, it is far from Stockholm and Sweden’s other big cities.
Another interesting fact about Malmö is that in 2006 it received the label as a Fair Trade city, thanks to the cooperation between the city, the companies and the local community. This way you know that you are contributing to an ethical industry when you buy goods or eat out here.
Rental prices in Malmö are much cheaper than in Stockholm, up to 70%! You can rent a one-bedroom apartment for around $700 and a three-bedroom house for as little as $1,000.
Of course, the wages are lower, around $2,700 per month, but this still works out as a comfortable lifestyle.
Umeå
Umeå is a city in northeastern Sweden with a completely different atmosphere from the southern cities. The weather is much colder here, with summer temperatures averaging 11 to 21°C and winter temperatures as low as -11°C.
But suppose you love waking up to dramatic white landscapes and spending weekends on the slopes. If so, Umeå will be one of the best places to live in Sweden for you.
From ice skating and hockey to skiing and snowboarding, the cold weather doesn’t keep people indoors.
In addition to winter sports, Umeå has a rich history and culture. You’ll find some wonderful museums and restaurants in the city, and in the summer there are some great festivals.
Despite its relatively remote location, educational institutions are of the highest quality, with some excellent schools and a highly ranked university.
Compared to Stockholm, the cost of living is cheap. For example, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment for around $500 and a three-bedroom house for $700.
But there is a much less diverse range of job opportunities here and significantly lower wages. Also note that the winters are not only freezing but also very dark, with minimal sunlight hours.
On the other hand, summers are a complete contrast as the sun practically never sets. Adapting to living here can therefore be a challenge for some.
Solna
Solna is one of the best cities to live in Sweden if you want to be close to the capital but not in the center of the action.
The small town is less than an hour north of Stockholm but has a quieter atmosphere. Therefore, it is popular with families as you can easily commute to the capital.
While rental prices are in line with Stockholm, Solna has one of Sweden’s lowest corporate tax rates. Thus, many consumer prices, such as eating out, are around 20% lower here than in the capital.
It also means that the city has become a hub for start-ups. Plus, there are plenty of jobs for those who don’t like the daily commute.
Another advantage of living in Solna is the wide range of things to do and see. There are many attractions and blissful nature, with lakes, rivers, beaches and a national park nearby.
Final thoughts on the best places to live in Sweden
Although each of these five best places to live in Sweden has a unique character, there is one thing you can expect from all of them; a friendly and welcoming nature! This Scandinavian nation is a country where you won’t feel out of place or unwelcome.
What’s more, since English is their second language, there is usually no language barrier. So now you just have to decide which of these Swedish cities is best for you!
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Are you unsure whether Sweden is the right place for you? Read one of the following guides: