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Why more people are choosing the good life outside of Stockholm

Looking for a change of scenery? While Stockholm is a major centre of commerce, research and culture, life in any city can have its ups and downs.

Why more people are choosing the good life outside of Stockholm

That’s why many people are increasingly choosing to swap city living for a more rural lifestyle. Together with Invest Stockholm, we talk to some who’ve made the decision to swap bright lights for a more natural pace to life in the regions around the city.

Find out about the outdoor lifestyle in the Stockholm region and surrounding area

“We live on an old farm, about 30 minutes north of Köping, and 90 minutes or so from Stockholm by train or car,” says landscape architect, Joshua Bender, originally from Wichita, Kansas. “We had snow on the ground for about two months this winter, and we could ski right from our front door, out into the forest. So we’re outside a lot. That’s something that I don’t think you can get in big towns. That’s something that’s very precious about where we live.”

Many international newcomers to Sweden have a very focused view of their new home. It’s all about immersing themselves in the throb and sparkle of the capital city, Stockholm; cross-country skiing from the doorstep of their rural farmhouse, just 90 minutes away from the busy capital, rarely even registers.

However, the coronavirus pandemic, and the corresponding surge in remote working, has changed many people’s perceptions of what represents the good life in Sweden.

A workplace shift

With the introduction of pandemic restrictions, many companies such as Spotify and Storytel have switched almost entirely to remote work, and around a fifth of Sweden’s five million workers are more than likely to continue working from home even after the pandemic is over, according to a study by the European Institute for Behavioural Analysis and the universities of Gothenburg and Lund.

The pandemic has also led to increased demand for detached homes in Sweden. Swedish estate agents talk of a ‘pandemic effect’, which has meant that the price of larger detached houses and country cottages (or “stugor”) has risen faster than the price of apartments.

An increase in home-working, they argue, has meant that people have begun to value that extra living space more than a shorter commute to work. The price of detached houses rose by 13 percent in 2020, while the price of apartments rose by 7 percent. Some 57,000 detached houses were sold in 2020, 1,000 more than the previous year.

According to Tobias Gillberg, the Head of Business Development for Arboga, another municipality just 90 minutes away from Stockholm, very few houses in Arboga cost more than 2 million kroner (€268,000). “Compared to Stockholm, you can buy an entire block here for the same price as one house,” says Tobias.

Those coming from larger international capitals may even find that their commute to work from cities like Arboga or Köping – when they have to go in, that is – remains somewhat comparable. 

Discover tips from the locals about how to make your move to live and work outside of Stockholm

Culture in the countryside

Also, away from the big cities, Sweden is hardly a cultural desert. Gillberg points to the city centre of Arboga as a good example. “Arboga is one of Sweden’s oldest cities – it’s actually medieval and it’s been inhabited since around 900,” he says. “In August we celebrate the old medieval days with markets and tournaments, and we also have Jädersbruk, an arts centre situated in the old arms manufacturing compound, and we also have Sweden’s oldest canal, the Hjälmare. We even have a beach!”

But it’s not just about house prices and historic city centres, according to Joshua. “Of course the house prices in the more rural areas are way cheaper than in the cities – very little of your salary is going to be going on housing,” he says.

“But, more importantly, the quality of life is better here in rural Sweden than in my old home town in the United States,” he says. “I work until five in the afternoon and then I go home and I’m with my kids and my family. Sometimes I have to work a little late, but it’s not very often. In America, I always worked on Saturdays and sometimes I was in on Sundays – that really wasn’t a great work-life balance.”

According to Joshua, there was almost a ‘culture of shame’ in the United States associated with taking vacations. “Most American employees only get two weeks vacation a year. And very few will actually take even that small amount, because they’re scared of what their boss or other colleagues might say. In Sweden, it’s the other way around. You get nagged to take your full allowance of vacation.”

A place to call home

“Rural Sweden is also a very good place to raise a family,” says Joshua. “We have three children and I have been at home with them for a total of 21 months, because of the generous parental leave in Sweden. That’s an opportunity that we would have never had in the United States.”

“We have a daycare centre that’s about six kilometers away,” says Joshua. “It’s on the way to work so I can drop the kids off and I can pick them up after work. And there’s not a whole lot more that you need to do as a parent. You need to go to work, make some money and you need to take care of your house and your kids. That’s it. It’s a simple life.”

It’s the outdoor life that has most entranced Joshua, though. “We only have around one hectare around our house but, thanks to allemansrätten, we can go way out in the forest. We pick berries and hunt for mushrooms and ride horses, play peek-a-boo, have picnics and grill burgers and hot dogs at all times of the year. We’re outside a lot.”

Don’t worry about the language barrier either – English can be, and is spoken widely across the country. As Tobias Gillberg of Arboga municipality says, “Most Swedes speak English very well. And in a town such as Arboga you can get lots of help and information from the municipality. It is easy to find help in friendly small towns.”

Ready to choose a better, more relaxed lifestyle? Head over to the Invest Stockholm website to learn more about how you can balance work and play in one of Sweden’s most beautiful regions.

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FOOD AND DRINK

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

The Stockholm bar scene isn't just made up of expensive wine and fancy cocktails. There are also numerous pubs that may not make a 'best pubs in the capital' list, but are as budget friendly as they are laidback, and perfect for grabbing a beer without breaking the bank.

Stockholm nightlife: Seven cheap pubs and dive bars that are worth a visit

Going out to enjoy a meal and drink can be a very enjoyable experience, offering the chance to unwind and socialise. However, eating out or just going out for a beer can be expensive. Here are some of the more affordable bars and restaurants in Stockholm.

Hellströms

Hellströms Bar and Restaurant has a snug and welcoming atmosphere. They offer meals such as sandwiches, salads and burgers. They also have weekly offers, pasta nights on Monday and Tuesday nights, a fajita buffet on Wednesdays, burger and fries offer on Thursdays and a nacho buffet on Fridays.

Along with meal deals during the week they also have club 90, with music from the 90s from 8pm-1am on Wednesday night, a music quiz every Thursday and a pre-party from 10pm on Saturday. Finally, their afterwork promotion takes place every weekday between 3pm and 8pm.

The price of beer starts from 30 kronor ($2.90).

Find out more about their events here.

Location: Fatbursgatan 1, Stockholm

Crazy Horse and Black Elk

With three venues across Stockholm, the Crazy Horse is a lively and bustling bar. They offer a wide range of menu options, from snacks to burgers, fajitas, salads, fish and grilled dishes. It can get busy, so bear that in mind.

The cost of beer starts from 32 kronor, before 6pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Sveavägen 60 & 61 and Götgatan 44, Stockholm

Lion Bar

This bar has a friendly and laid-back environment. With five locations in Stockholm, Sundbyberg, Vasastan, Sveavägen, Gärdet and Hornstull they feature a curated selection of dishes, which include fish and pork to burgers and steak. The post-work offer is available until 7pm from Monday to Friday.

Beer starts from 32 kronor, before 7pm.

More information can be found here.

Location: Tulegatan 7, Roslagsgatan 20, Sveavägen 74, Furusundsgatan 20 and Hornsgatan 154, Stockholm

The International Bar

Located in Östermalm, Gamla Stan and Birkastan, the International Bar is another favoured venue. The bar can be noisy, but it is a welcoming environment. Like many other bars, it has a broad food menu to choose from, which includes Swedish meatballs, fish and chips, burgers and pizzas.

They also have afterwork reduced rates from Monday to Friday between 3pm and 7pm. The bars also show sporting events, such as the Premier and Champions Leagues.

Cost of beer starts from 39 kronor.

Additional information can be found here.

Location: Norrlandsgatan 23, Mälartorget 13 and Rörstrandsgatan 11 Stockholm

Bara Enkelt & Bara Backe

The Baras group has eight venues across Stockholm and Uppsala, with Bara Enkelt and Bara Backe being popular spots.

The atmosphere in these bars is energetic and vibrant, especially on the weekend. Both bars offer a food menu, which includes snacks such as fries and halloumi sticks along with mains, including burgers and pasta dishes. Afterwork discounted prices are offered every day until 5pm.

Draft beer starts from 42 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Skånegatan 59 and Götgatan 33, Stockholm

Retro Bar

Another popular sports bar with a television screen at every corner, so you won’t miss any of the action. With an American-inspired food menu, they serve a range of burgers, stakes, pasta dishes, fajitas and salads. Their afterwork promotion is on until 6pm from Monday to Friday. When it comes to sports, they show matches from the Premier and Champions League to the NFL and more.

The cost of a beer starts from 54 kronor.

Book a table or find more information here.

Location: Sveavägen 120, Sveavägen 55, Sankt Eriksgatan 22, Hornsgatan 136 and Bondegatan 25, Stockholm

Flying Horse

If you are looking for a bar to watch football, the Flying Horse is a popular sports bar. When a football match is being screened, this bar has an exciting and dynamic atmosphere, offering a wide selection of food, from light bits, like sandwiches to main meals which includes burgers, fish, chicken and salads. The pub offers discounted prices on drinks for their afterwork deal from Monday to Friday until 6pm.

Due to the venue being a popular sports bar and it does fill up quickly, if you are planning on going it is recommended that you book in advance.

The cost of beer starts from 59 kronor.

Get more information on this bar here.

Location: Odengatan 44, Stockholm

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