Monday, February 10, 2014

5 Reasons I Love Living In Sweden

The other day, I stumbled upon a post by another ex-pat blogger about "5 Things I Hate About Living in XXX" (country name, don't want to throw anyone under the bus!) And I loved the idea for the post. Right now, the things I like about living in Sweden greatly outnumber the things I don't like (and a general idea for those things can be found in my post right here, on Things I Miss From Home). With no further ado, here we are with what I love about living in Sweden!

1. Meeting new people. I have always loved to meet new people, and this is what I do nearly every day in Sweden. Previously, I have always worked in restaurants back in the US, meeting multiple people every single day and forging relationships with them. For me, it is exciting to meet someone new, find out what makes them tick, and possibly make a new friend. Being in a new country, you get to experience meeting a whole new group of people and learn from their experiences!

2. Travel Opportunities. Since moving to Sweden, I have had a whole host of travel opportunities that would not otherwise have presented themselves to me! I have been throughout Southern Sweden, as well as visiting Copenhagen, Prague, Munich for Oktoberfest, Paris for Christmas, and Stockholm several times. A lot of these trips were just quick weekends away, visiting places in Europe that have rich amounts of culture and history. To read about any of my travels, please check out my "best of" page and see my thoughts on all the places I have visited!

3. Trying new restaurants & things. Again, moving here has forced me to open my mind to trying new things and opportunities. A big thing for me has been experiencing the restaurants in town and finding a new cozy spot. Back in the US, Nick and I have our favorite restaurants we tend to frequent. Moving to a new city and country, we have tried new spots and searched for a perfect date night restaurant. While we believe we have a favorite, we still try others out. 

4. Broadening my horizons. While this is a very general statement, there are many things about being in a new country that have helped to broaden my horizons. Firstly, there is a new language, so many every day tasks are different. Take grocery shopping, for example- if you want to pick up a quick meal, you have to make sure you know the translations for everything! In addition to this, there is a different culture in Sweden. The experience helps to open your eyes to what it is like to live in another country. I believe it has made me have a greater appreciation and respect for anyone moving to another country, and I know I will do a better job of sympathizing and reaching out to people in the US! Living in a new country is a great way to gain life experience and perspective. 

5. A new appreciation for home. To me, I don't think I ever really appreciated home until I moved here. Of course, it was always there, and I really appreciated it when I was having a tough time- but now I realize there really is no place like home. I had lived within 30 minutes of where I grew up my entire life, and never realized how nice it was to be that close to family, friends, and everything that you knew. Being an ex-pat has made me appreciate not only living abroad, but also the great things waiting for me back home!

38 comments:

  1. Nothing gives you more of an appreciate for your home than moving away from it! I'd love to visit Sweden some day. I have a few friends from Sweden who moved to the states for school and they always talk so highly about it. They say there's always something new to discover in Sweden <3

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    1. Angelic, you are exactly correct that nothing makes you appreciate home more than moving away. Sweden is a great country!

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  2. I've been to Sweden once (Stockholm) and absolutely loved it. I like how clean and cozy the streets are, and how I felt save, even at night.

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    1. Vanessa, Stockholm is one of my favorite cities in Sweden! Not a typical destination, but so clean and cozy like you said!

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  3. I would love to visit Sweden someday, how lucky are you to live there. You're right, nothing makes you appreciate home more than being away from it. I'd love to leave Ireland someday but I know I'd miss it terribly once I left.

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    1. Fiona, moving away from home is hard and I definitely miss it some days, but the chance to gain new experiences is priceless.

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  4. My good friend moved to Spain with her husband for work 3 years ago and they have traveled all over Europe and I see her adventures on FB and I always think that it was so smart of them to take the opportunity to mover overseas. I have never left North America.

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    1. Like your friend, I love the ability to travel and see new things. Gives you such a great perspective!

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  5. I love your attitude!! We have Sweden on our bucket list, but more than that is embracing the move. We have moved a few times across the US and I am thinking maybe it's time to start planting the idea of a cross seas move!

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    1. Amanda, a cross seas move might be a great idea for you. I really enjoy the experience! Home will always be there.

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  6. My husband visited Sweden for work and I was soooo jealous! He did say it's a bit expensive compare to South Africa. I'd love to visit soon.

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    1. Shaney, Sweden is a fairly expensive country, but so nice to live in.

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  7. While I haven't moved to a whole other country I have moved to a totally different state away from everyone I know and loved. I actually love it even though there are some things that I miss. The pros definitely outweigh the cons. I love having new experiences and always trying out the new things to do in my new hometown area. I think it is what you make of it!

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    1. Rena, like you said it is all what you make of it. If you want to be happy, you will!

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  8. I would love to have had the chance to move abroad. I've always wanted to visit Sweden as a few of my friends have and just loved it. Of course you'll appreciate your home more, because that's where your heart will always be - but the opportunities for exciting times in your life are so amazing! Good for you!!

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    1. Thanks Sara! Home is definitely where the heart is!

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  9. I have never really had a chance to travel abroad but with what I have seen, I would really not mind moving to Sweden because of the chance to broaden my horizons (I really would love to learn a different language :D)

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    1. Emmanuel, traveling is one of my favorite things to do, and part of the reason why I have loved living in a new country so much.

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  10. I would love to visit Sweden. It is such a beautiful looking country and the food looks fresh and delicious.

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    1. Michelle, Sweden really is a beautiful country!

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  11. I've never been to Sweden but it sounds amazing and somewhere that I would enjoy. I can identify with some of your reasons, especially the last one. I'm from a Caribbean island where it's always warm. I always appreciate it so much more when it gets colder :)

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    1. Yes, you definitely appreciate home more when you are experiencing new things.

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  12. Sweden sounds like quite the beautiful place to really live. I would love to have wide open space and room to run freely, can't do that in NYC lol.

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    1. Michelle, I can imagine NYC is quite a bit different! Then again, Sweden only has 1 million more people- in the entire COUNTRY, than NYC!

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  13. These are awesome reasons for why you love living in Sweden. There is always no place like home but it sounds like you are embracing your experiences there in Sweden. You are so lucky to have experienced everything thing you have thus far. Thanks for sharing.

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    1. Thanks Rebecca! Sometimes it is a good reminder for myself to look back and reflect on all the good things.

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  14. After reading this -- I love Sweden too! What a great experience for you! Moving abroad has always scared me a little. I'm glad to hear you are liking your experience.

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    1. Penny, I really enjoy it. It was scary at first, but after embracing it I love it!

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  15. Sweden sounds marvelous. I would love to go there. My brother-in-law served a mission for our church and always speaks highly of it. Another place I would love to go is Italy. If only I weren't afraid to fly over the ocean! lol

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    1. Debra, I love living in Sweden. I've visited Italy before, and it is definitely another amazing country!

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  16. I have always wanted to live in another country. I love visiting other countries and seeing all the customs and foods.

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  17. My husband and I would love to live aboard for at least a few years at some point. While I don't think Sweden is where he wants to live I know that it is for sure on our "To Visit" list :)

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    1. Cassie, I'm not sure if Sweden is at the top of anyone's list- but it is definitely a great country to live, or visit!

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  18. While I have never been to Sweden, I have been to Germany and I agree on number 3 and 4. It was a wild ride trying new things and having to learn a new language quickly but it was totally worth it. I hope to be able to visit Sweden and most of Europe one day. Just go and travel for months at a time.

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    1. Kat, traveling is one of the best things about being in Europe. So many new places to see and explore!

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  19. Great article! I moved to Sweden 2 years ago. I travel so much now. When I am in Europe everything is sooooo close. I was in Paris and in Spain. Now I am planning to visit Germany. Sweden is a great country , indeed. it offers you endless opportunities. Greetings!

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    1. Kelly, I totally agree that the travel opportunities are endless while living in Sweden. That is definitely one of the things I miss the most!

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