The 9 Best Places to Live in Sweden for Expats

Sweden is home to all of these and more: colorful buildings in downtown Stockholm, snowy landscapes, fantastic benefits, and a world-class healthcare system. Having said that, which city is the best for expats, retirees, and digital nomads? Pacific Prime breaks it down for you in this article.

The Best Places to Live in Sweden

Sweden is known to prioritize its residents’ well-being. You will be well-taken care of, no matter where you are in this Noric country. Do you prefer a culturally diverse cosmopolitan or is a former Viking settlement more to your liking? There’s something for everyone in Sweden.

Here’s an overview of why Sweden is one of the best places to live in Europe:

• Surrounded by nature
• English is widely spoken
• High living standards
• Fantastic benefits
• Healthcare system
• Picturesque
• Well-developed transportation system

See our list of the nine best places in Sweden!

Stockholm – The ‘Silicone Valley’ of Europe

The Capital of Sweden, Stockholm, is the first choice for many expats. Residents come from all over the globe to enjoy a hip, urban lifestyle in this beautiful cosmopolitan. Work opportunities are also everywhere in the lush green, largest city of Scandinavia.

What is Stockholm Known For?

1. Work opportunities: Job opportunities are a dime a dozen in Stockholm. Expats and remote workers are especially likely to find jobs in the tech and, to a lesser extent, the education industry. That said, it’s worth learning basic Swedish to stand a good chance against local candidates.
2. Community: The expat community is massive and diverse in Sweden, which opens up the door to endless socializing possibilities. You may be meeting professionals from France on one day, and a Japanese family on another.
3. A mix of urban life and nature: Stockholm is one of the greenest cities in Europe. It spans 14 islands and borders the Baltic Sea and Lake Mälaren. This means that from mountains and forests to waterfront buildings and medieval old towns, you will have plenty to explore.
4. Transportation: Sweden offers world-class transportation that is easy, efficient, and the Metro is beautifully decorated. You’ll have no trouble exploring the city, its surrounding greenery, and traveling to and from the Capital.
5. Art and Culture: Rich in culture, Stockholm is home to numerous art museums, stylish boutiques, and fine-dining restaurants. The local architecture is stunningly colorful and the city is steeped in traditions. Some of Europe’s best universities are also located here.
6. Cost: Unfortunately, living in the Capital of Sweden comes with a price. The cost of living is high here, from the cost of accommodation to taxes. That said, Stockholm is one of the cleanliest cities in Europe and offers fantastic benefits.

Malmø – Hipster Hub

Malmø is a hotspot for the younger crowd, with most residents below 35 years of age. Located on the Southwestern coast, the third-largest city of Sweden is closer to Copenhagen than the Capital. Are you a digital nomad looking for a laidback alternative to Stockholm? Malmø welcomes you with open arms!

What is Malmø Known For?

1. Community: Malmø is known to be a culturally diverse city that is very welcoming and friendly to expats and international travelers.
2. Proximity to Denmark: While it’s located on the opposite coast to Stockholm, Malmø is only a 30-minute drive on the bridge to Copenhagen. That’s why this beautiful city provides such a good balance between city life and the laidback lifestyle.
3. Growth: Malmø is fast becoming a young, hip alternative to Stockholm. Headquarters to IKEA, this amazing hub attracts students, startups, and tech companies. It has come far from its shipment town past, replacing its homegrown population mostly of blue-collared transportation and construction workers.
4. Lifestyle: Besides the hipster vibe, Malmø residents enjoy an eco-friendly lifestyle. You can get almost anywhere on a bike. You’ll also find parks, gardens, and garbled brick buildings all over the city, and a wide range of outdoor festivals and events. The restaurant scene is just as fabulous.
5. Weather: Malmø is several degrees warmer than Stockholm. Do you love to relax by the beach? You’re in luck because Malmø happens to be on the sea, and beaches are a local favorite in the summer.

Gothenburg – West Coast Port City

Gothenburg is a cozy port city that sits on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Half the size of Stockholm but no less gorgeous, it’s surrounded by nature and boasts a young, diverse population. Gothenburg is the perfect place for expats who are looking to live in Sweden in a budget-friendly place.

What is Gothenburg Known For?

1. Natural beauty: This Scandinavian city is absolutely stunning. You will always be a short drive away from awe-inspiring natural landscapes, whether it’s the mountains, forests, lakes or rivers. Needless to say, camping is a very popular pastime in Gothenburg.
2. Island hopping: The Gothenburg Archipelago of islands are less than 30 minutes away. It’s perfect for a quick weekend trip with your friends or family to explore what the city has to offer.
3. Community: Gothenburg is culturally diverse, as foreign-born residents take up around 20% of the total population. The expat communities here are tight-knit and friendly.
4. Nightlife: Nightlife is a blast in Gothenburg with no shortage of clubs, bars, and live music after dark. This is because the two universities in the city attract young students and those in the education industry.
5. Arts and Culture: Gothenburg hosts the largest film festival in Nordic countries and the biggest botanical garden in Sweden. What’s more, you’ll find neoclassical architecture, lovely canals, and cobbled streets in this cultural hotspot. If you’re a foodie, you’ll love the restaurant scene here too!
6. Transportation: Being a major transportation hub has its perks. Gothenburg is closely connected by road and ferry to Denmark and Norway. The road system is also amazing, with an extensive tram and bus network, which ensures that you get around the city quickly and efficiently.
7. Work opportunities: Gothenburg houses the biggest port in Scandinavia, and is a major transportation hub for goods. So, there are a host of jobs for working expats in thriving industries like transportation, manufacturing, finance, and tech.
8. Cost: The cost of living in Gothenburg is cheaper compared to Stockholm. However, the wages are in line with the Capital. This makes the port city a great place to be if you’re trying to save up.

Umeå – Snowy Landscapes

Fancy losing yourself in romantic, wintery landscapes? Umeå is your place! Sitting on an inlet of the Gulf of Bothnia and the Ume River, Umeå is a small, but charming city. It is close to Finland and has excellent educational institutions and low cost of living, which is perfect for expats.

What is Umeå Known For?

1. 1. Winter sports: The freezing weather does nothing to dampen Umeå residents’ love of outdoor winter sports. Skiing, ice skating, ice hockey, and snowboarding are just several of the many sports popular in this city.
   2. Culture: Umeå is rich in culture. In the summer, it hosts an annual jazz festival, film and music festivals, and are home to a great variety of museums.
   3. Proximity to Finland: Umeå is located on the Northeastern coast of Sweden, which offers a completely unique vibe compared to the Southern cities. Besides the much colder weather, its proximity to Finland means that expats can catch a short ferry ride to the neighboring Finnish town of Vaasa.
   4. Weather: Snow is almost always a guarantee at Umeå. Winters are long, dark, and freezing cold; summers are short but the blinding sun practically never sets. Thus, adjusting to the extreme weather can be challenging for newcomers looking to settle.
   5. Education: Excellent schools and a top-quality university are a hallmark of Umeå. It’s expat of the many reasons this city makes a great place for students, digital nomads, and expat families.

Solna – Startup Hub

Looking for a suburban haven with plenty of work opportunities? Solna is a good choice for expat families. Located only one hour north of Stockholm, it is close to the Capital without being swept up in action. Solna has a thriving job market thanks to the impressively low corporate tax rates.

What is Solna Known For?

1. Proximity to Stockholm: Commuting between Stockholm and Solna is a breeze, so you’re free to take a daytime excursion to the hustle and bustle of a cosmopolitan, and relax in suburban Solna anytime you like
2. Low tax rates: Are you an aspiring entrepreneur? Solna has one of the lowest corporate tax rates in Sweden, which means you’ll have an easier time starting your own business here. Consumer prices are also about 20% lower than in Stockhom, so go ahead and book a table at that fine dining restaurant.
3. Work opportunities: Work opportunities are numerous and wide-ranging, as all kinds of industries are drawn to the city’s low tax rates.
4. Lifestyle: There is a noticeably suburban, small-town feel to Solna compared to Stockholm. You’ll also be surrounded by lush green parks and have easy access to the coastline, rivers, islands, and lakes.
5. Attractions: Solna houses some truly gorgeous attractions, including the Angso National Park, Ulriksdal Palace, and more.

Uppsala – Old-time Charms

Uppsala is another small city that is close to Stockholm. It’s great for digital nomads and expats who love to experience living in a stunning, historical city full of old-time charms. As a long-time university town, residents are young and the cost of living is low.

What is Uppsala Known For?

1. Architecture: Uppsala is home to the largest cathedral and the oldest university in Scandinavia. These are must-visits if you ever drop by Uppsala.
2. A mix of the old and the new: On the western side of Uppsala, you have churches, a university, and museums, whereas modern residential and commercial districts liven up the eastern side of town. Expats who choose Uppsala to be their new home will get to enjoy

1. Proximity to Stockholm: Uppsala is only a 40-minute train ride from the Capital, so numerous working professionals travel daily between the two cities. Coupled with the low cost of living, expats can really save up by living in Uppsala.

Västerås – Viking Settlement

Witness a piece of living history in Västerås, one of the oldest cities in Sweden. Originally a Viking settlement, it is now a fascinating mix of the ancient and modern. Expats, digital nomads, and retirees who love to experience Swedish culture and traditions will love this quaint lakeside city.

What is Västerås Known For?

1. History: Explore Anundshög, Sweden’s largest burial mound, ancient wells, and an old church in the historic section of town. You’ll also see well-preserved traditional wooden houses as you walk down cobbled streets.
2. Industrial city: Västerås is home to Sweden’s largest heat/power plant. There are companies here that produce nuclear fuel and parts for lithium-ion batteries and high-voltage power grids. If you work in those industries, plenty of job opportunities await.
3. Island hopping: West of Stockholm, Västerås connects to the Baltic Sea via Lake Mälaren. Its prime location means that expats can hop on regular ferries to some of Sweden’s best beaches and islands at any time.

Örebro – A Laidback Lifestyle

Escape to Örebro, a quiet, welcoming city surrounded by natural beauty. It’s perfect for expats and retirees who prefer to stay far from the hustle and bustle of big cities. Örebro started out as a trading town and is the birthplace of a member of the present-day Swedish royal family.

What is Örebro Known For?

1. Castle: Örebro is known for its landmark, a stunning 13th-century castle that overlooks a pretty river.
2. Nature: With numerous lakes and nature reserves close to town, you will always be in touch with nature. Digital nomads are encouraged to explore the greenery in Örebro by hopping on a leisurely bike ride or going on boat trips.

Helsingborg – Waterfront Chilling

Helsingborg is one of the oldest cities in Sweden and is best known for its amazing waterfront and sandy beaches. It’s great for expats who love to relax in an attractive waterfront town. The city is a short ferry ride away from Denmark with tons of work opportunities here.

What is Helsingborg Known For?

1. History: Helsingborg dates back to 1085. You can see the remains of a 600-year-old medieval castle fortress sitting right in the center of the city.
2. Lifestyle: Go cafe-hopping or bar-hopping in this easygoing waterfront town. If you’re a foodie, you’ll be pleased to find there are many wonderful restaurants in Helsingborg. Take a walk along the gorgeous harbourfront or check out Kullagatan, the first pedestrian shopping street in Sweden.
3. Proximity to Denmark: Helsingborg is just a 20-minute ferry ride from Denmark. It promises spontaneous day trips to the neighboring country for digital nomads eager to explore. As the cherry on top, the port city of Gothenburg is also a 2.5-hour train ride away.
4. Work opportunities: IKEA, Nicorette chewing gum, and Zoegas coffee are just several of many major corporations in Helsingborg. This opens up heaps of job opportunities for expats and digital nomads.

Conclusion

Now that we’ve gone through the best places to live in Sweden for expats, here’s how you can prepare for your move. Securing an international health insurance plan will ensure that you and your loved ones are always protected no matter your location.

Still want to explore your options? Maybe the UK is more up your alley? Travel insurance is a good idea. Talk to our team of experienced advisors today for a free quote and impartial advice!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city is the most popular with expats in Sweden?

Most expats choose to relocate to the diverse and vibrant Capital city of Stockholm. There are also plenty of work opportunities in the cosmopolitan.

Is Sweden a great country for expats?

Sweden is famous for taking excellent care of its residents. Expats are sure to enjoy a good quality of life with easy access to affordable schooling and healthcare. The city is surrounded by nature and is also home to amazing infrastructure.

Which city in Sweden has the lowest cost of living?

Nykvarn and Södertälje are among the cities with the cheapest cost of living. On the other hand, Stockholm is the most expensive city, followed by Gothenburg and Uppsala.

Where is the safest place to live in Sweden?

Stockholm, the Stockholm Archipelago, and Gothenburg are the safest cities in Sweden.

What are the disadvantages of living in Sweden?

Sweden has a high tax rate to support its range of public and government projects. Higher education is incredibly expensive for non-citizens. For drinkers, alcohol can be difficult to purchase.

How much money do you need to live comfortably in Sweden?

A single person has to earn at least 12,000 kronor a month to survive in Sweden, as the average housing cost is between $56,000 and $68,000 kronor a year (i.e.$5,000 to $6,000 kronor a month).

Can you live in Sweden speaking only English?

You can definitely live in Sweden speaking only English since Swedish people are generally fluent in it. However, it will always be helpful to learn the local language.

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Serena Fung

Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime

Serena Fung is a Senior Content Creator at Pacific Prime, a global insurance brokerage and employee specialist serving over 1.5 million clients in 15 offices across the world. With 2+ years of experience writing about the subject, she aims to demystify the world of insurance for readers with the latest updates, guides and articles on the blog.

Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).

Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.

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