The unprecedented events of recent months have caused many of us to reevaluate our lives and make a completely fresh start. Every year, around 160,000 people choose to move to Scandinavia, and if you are deliberating where in the world to call home, you might just find our little corner of Europe ticking all the right boxes. Considering a New Start? Read why Scandinavia could be the perfect choice.
Easy communications
What really defines a country, and indeed a region, is its people. Scandinavians have something of a reputation for being reserved, but don’t mistake that for unfriendliness. They might not be as demonstrative as those from, for example, the Mediterranean countries, but you’ll find the vast majority of Scandinavians to be welcoming and helpful towards new arrivals.
If you are coming from the UK or the US, you’ll be pleased to hear that you’ll be very unlikely to run up against any language barriers. Practically everyone speaks a little English and many are fluent. If you have children, you’ll find that the local kids will be delighted to practice their English and your youngsters will settle in all the more easily.
Amazing local food
Swedish, Danish or Norwegian cuisine might not be as famous around the world as that of France or Italy, but that might just be because of that famous Scandinavian reserve we mentioned earlier. They don’t shout about it, but Scandinavian restaurants produce some incredible dishes.
If you enjoy seafood, you’ve definitely come to the right place, and foods like prawns that are considered delicacies elsewhere are a staple. Then there’s the baked goods – let’s just say a Scandinavian bakery is like nothing else on earth.
Considering a New Start? Why Scandinavia Could Be the Perfect Choice – read on.
Healthy transportation
Accustomed to driving everywhere? You’ll find you spend far less time behind the wheel in Scandinavia, especially if you settle in one of the major cities like Copenhagen or Stockholm. Here, bicycles are the transportation of choice – in fact, in Copenhagen, especially, they have practically reclaimed the streets!
Cycling is cheap, healthy and non-polluting, so there’s really no reason not to join in. Also, it makes the morning commute an absolute pleasure – just remember to put on some warm gloves in the winter months.
Considering a New Start? Why Scandinavia Could Be the Perfect Choice – read on.
Clean, natural living
The love of cycling is a clue towards what is, for many, Scandinavia’s biggest attraction of all. Sweden is ranked the greenest nation in the world, with Norway third and Denmark sixth. It’s a remarkable achievement and means that Scandinavia is by some margin the best place to live if sustainability, clean air and living in harmony with the environment are high on your agenda.
There’s more to it than bicycles and EVs, however. Sustainability is truly a way of life here, and you will see it the moment you step into a Scandinavian home, from the materials used to the way the property is heated. Best of all, it doesn’t mean making compromises – in fact, stepping into a Scandinavian house feels a little like stepping into the future, so why not give it a try?
Considering a New Start? Why Scandinavia Could Be the Perfect Choice, written exclusively for Daily Scandinavian by Karoline Gore. Karoline is a freelance writer from Stoke on Trent in the UK who left the corporate grind when she started a family and has never looked back. She enjoys contributing to a range of online publications on the topics that are important to her.
Other articles written by Karoline Gore you might like to read:
Norway – The Poster Child For Electric Vehicle Adoption
Solo Travel Tips: Where To Go If You’re Single In Stockholm
Eco-Friendly Ways To Heat Your Scandinavian Home
Feature image (on top): Møllestien, Århus. Photo by Steffen Muldbjerg/Unsplash