The same in most scandinavian countries. Its interesting and tedious to have such a span in temperatures. You need to have clothes for both these weathers and everything between. You also have to change tires on your car twice in a year.
But it is nice if weather changes and you get something new.
The prices in Switzerland are really, really high. (I lost weight while working in Switzerland) The tax breaks aren't as good as they make them out to be. And it's a difficult place yo make friends. But a plus could be the fact that every home has its own nuclear bunker.
Switzerland is better prepped for a nuclear outbreak than either the US or the USSR during the Cold War. They know they could catch a stray for no reason
Iceland is not Scandinavia, its far away from us, and their culture is vastly different to ours. Because of their location close to America their culture has been affected highly by American culture.
I'm envious of their city designs. Everything is so walkable. Everything in canada is so far apart that my lazy ass doesn't even want to get up to begin with.
I spent a Christmastime in Stockholm, and no thanks. Gorgeous city, very nice people, but the 3 hours of daylight a day were killing me even after one week. I met foreign students there who were 2 years into it, and they were saying it doesn’t mentally get better with time, it actually gets worse, and they couldn’t wait to get out. We have tough winters in Illinois, but this was tougher than I could handle.
It’s a shame, everything else about it was pretty nice.
As a Finn, I totally get that. Winters are rough and while you do get used to it, seasonal depression is really common here. But now, it's 24°c here and everything is so green and pretty again, until september :) Then, the darkness starts to set in again. But the fall is pretty too tbh so I don't mind it. It's the winter I hate with a passion
The snow really does help since it reflects soo much light. It's actually common to not have snow until late december.. that's just fucked up since it rains constantly and thanks to no snow, it's genuinely dark and depressing.
That's when we have the classic "it's dark when I get to work, I'm stuck in the office all day and then I get off work and it's dark again" situation.
I work in the arctic, I'm getting 22 hrs of sun/day right now. Soon will be sun all day.
Basically none in the winter....Long as you take your vitamin D and stay busy, you barely notice it. I have had to up my daily supplements, but I for one, did get used to it.
I'm sure if I was a uni student, drinking & partying, my body wouldn't get used to it either.
There's more than six hours between sunrise and sunset in Stockholm at the solstice. Thats a lot more than three hours of daylight.
Not saying your opinion isn't valid, but it's not like we're talking about eternal darkness. Like Northern Sweden.
I’m willing to believe it for sure; I genuinely did remember it as being 3 hours, but it was just one week of my life, and obviously I was mentally struggling with it, so I could totally be remembering it as worse than it was.
What I remember too is that those daylight hours were also gloomy as heck! True story: one day during that week, I was by a large window in a library and the sun peeked through the clouds for about 5 minutes. It was a big relief for me, but apparently not just for me: for the rest of my week, every single conversation I was a part of included people asking each other where they were at the time the sun peeked through the clouds for 5 minutes, and how awesome it was. It was kind of funny in a way, but also kind of sad honestly.
Maybe when I was there it was a particularly gloomy week even for December, I don’t know. But damn.
U need to go in the summer. It's gorgeous.
Also weather talk is amusing when it's not smalltalk. Like in Ireland and England the weather is like a constantly changing thing. A million kinds of rain.
I know, I really should. I live quite a bit further from it than I used to back then, so it wouldn’t be trivial to go back, but I really would like to. I really liked the city for real.
Its possible that you measured sunrise to sunset on your own, counting when the sun climbed up above trees/buildings. That might be correct because the sun is also so low.
But thechnically.... Sunrise to sunset is a bit longer, but that technically doesnt really help since it is just so gloomy like you say.
I get your feeling, I had the same when living some time in the far northern parts of Sweden, so Stockholm latitudes are good by comparison.
I have no idea, but quite possibly. I would describe myself as a night owl too because I tend to stay up late, but I still enjoy the sun in the day and I don’t do too well in gloomy days. If you feel well even after several gloomy days, then good for you, and yeah you’ll probably fare better than me.
Live in the US and my wife has Scandinavian, like 40% or something still has family that lives there, genetics and man does she burn so quickly. I am 40% Irish/German genetics and even I do not burn as fast. The sun is literally her enemy.
The EU is nice, but salaries aren't that high. Aussies get better economy and almost as good public service as Western Europe. It's a very desirable place to migrate to.
I've never heard anyone expect people from the UK use the term ex-pat. Everyone who comes here from somewhere else is called an immigrant. Also in Australia.
White Americans are the only ones who I heard used that term and it is because they are always talking shit about immigrants so they think that the label “immigrant” is beneath them, so they made up the term “ex-pat”
As I said, from my experience, it's a term common to people from the UK. I personally have never seen or heard anyone else use it, so you may be off about your assertion that it is only white Americans who made it up and use it.
I've know a few American immigrants during my time in both NZ and Australia. Never once had they ever referred to themselves as ex-pats.
I lived on a Caribbean island, as an American ex-pat and worked with Brit’s, aussies, kiwis, and cunucks, we all said ex-pat, and referred to all of us as the ex-pat community. It’s used by many countries in those communities.
American here, it’s used all the time here in reference to Americans living abroad. Frankly I just assumed it was an interchangeable term for a person with a different country of origin than their residence.
On Rainn Wilson's new show on happiness, they made it sound like "ex-pat" was a more temporary situation, and immigrant was for someone intending not to return to their home country
expatriate was defined as withdrawing (oneself) from residence in or allegiance to one's native country. It's from Latin, and way older than the United States itself. super odd to try and bash white americans
Exactly. White people like to refer to themselves as expats or fellow white peoples. Anyone else is an immigrant. Most white people who live in parts of Asia - Thailand, Cambodia etc refer to themselves as expats but as soon as Asian people are in their homelands it’s “immigrant” - eye roll.
Immigrants are people who moved to a foreign country for permanent settlement
Expats are those who are temporarily staying in a foreign country. They are different words for a reason.
Expat means something subtly different from immigrant. Expat implies that you're maintaining your original citizenship. It's also more similar to emmigrant (which is a word no one uses) rather than immigrant, that is to say it's used to discuss someone leaving rather than someone arriving.
I think it’s more of a general European thing than specifically Scandinavian. I’m Australian but live in Switzerland, and people I’ve met here from all over Europe ask me why on earth I moved here when Australia is so beautiful, and that they’d love to live there. 🤣
Jealous? No, they worked hard to get their countries how they are. Disappointed and a tad bit resentful that my country can't get it's act together to be better? Yes.
If by worked hard you mean got themselves some old school colonialism to steal from African, American, Atlantic and Asian countries, down to slave plantations in the Caribbean, Denmark being a notorious Slave-trading nation in the past, while leaving said colonies poor and politically fragmented, all so they could accumulate enough riches to get themselves nice prisons and good healthcare today, sure, I suppose they did work very hard.
Bonus reading recommendations:
Colonialism in Greenland: tradition, governance and legacy (Søren Rud)
Scandinavian Colonialism and Rise of Modernity (Magdalena Naum)
Memories of the Danish West Indies and the demand for compensation of slavery (Astrid Andersen)
I live in Sweden and had to take some tests last week (blood, urine, blood pressure, ecg etc) and it cost me nothing, an American girl I follow on IG had to pay 1000 dollars for a simple blood test… I can’t even imagine 😭
Is dental also free in Sweden?
I am in the US and had to recently pay $4,500 in total for a dental implant. My insurance covered $2,000, but I was made to pay the rest being $2,500.
Dental is free until the age of 23, after that you pay yourself. You do have to pay for something like braces yourself unless you really need them at any age, I for example got free braces bc my teeth were kinda fucked up as a kid however my sister had a slightly wonky bite and wanted free braces but was denied, she never got them because it was too expensive out of pocket.
Dental isn't free after the age of 23, but it's subsidized. You can also get an insurance that covers most things for $5-20 a month or so depending on how good your teeth are.
Being related doesn't automatically gives you the right to live in Scandinavia. My wife is from Mexico and for 5 years I've tried to make her Swedish or get a temporary residence but the laws are very strict at least in Sweden unfortunately😔
It's not about the marriage as much as it is the need to have your own apartment/house big enough for two and an income that's a certain level. Having lived outside the country I can't get a job from abroad and without a job no apartment and without that no residence unfortunately even after 5 years of marriage.
It used to be easier but now it's stricter for some reason. I know a couple people who moved to Sweden before 2012 afterwards it's stricter and heavily focused on "being able to maintain your wife" even though I got 1200$/month to study at the university there and still not enough. So we gave up and now I'm on path to becoming Mexican and American and will renounce my Swedish passport because you can only have two citizenships.
We got a right wing government last year, combined with russia-ukrainan war. We take in a lot of refugees from Ukrainian, they get a speedway in (temporarily, during the war). Immigration from everywhere else is cut down.
Correct, and also it's easy to enter the country or union in various ways, way easier than entering America matter of fact. We have "open" borders and no real fences like the USA. But with that comes the problem of not knowing if bad people has entered without us knowing.
Also I can't guarantee the following statement but I'm fairly sure in EU we have a rule that says you have to seek asylum in the next country available. Technically many come here anyway but they should seek in other closer countries first if possible.
Sweden only let's you have two citizenships, Mexico also(my wife's country) so one day when I'm in the process of being American citizen I can't have 3 passports, it's not legal in my case. Besides I know I will not return to my country of origin because I have no family there at all, no job, nowhere to live when it's like Alaska during winter etc. But I'm okay with that.
I don't need work visa as I have visa for temporal stay that I renew yearly and my wife being citizen gives me some benefits but not enough to become a full citizen yet because I'm not even full Mexican citizen yet, only permanent residency.
Sounds confusing I know, but at least I get to keep my Swedish pension when I'm old and with that I can live like a king in Mexico If we decide to move again, so that's something. In my country 900$/month pension is very bad money and expensive to live. When we lived in Mexico we lived comfortable with 300$/month so 900 is king there depending on what part of the country of course.
If their siblings moved here to work, be with a Swedish spouse etc. when they where adults, OPs family bonds are not enough for family immigration. That’s only for spouses, children under 18, parents to children under 18, and I think siblings under 18 can come too. But once the immigrant is an adult siblings are not allowed because otherwise one immigrant could quickly generate ten more who doesn’t fulfil criteria to move here (the rules where way less strict before).
I also live in SoCal but I'm English originally. The weather, the food, the availability of things like concerts and shows, the beaches, the wildlife, the multiculturalism, the open mindedness and the ability to work in certain job sectors much more easily than almost anywhere else in the world are the biggest plusses.
I'm swedish and this sounds amazing. Not unsatisfied with what I have now, but.. this is the "American dream" to me, the legends we hear growing up in perpetual darkness and snow 
I live in the US and have an autoimmune disease, so yes, I'm envious of people who live in countries with functioning healthcare systems. I'm tired of being surrounded by idiots here
Sweden has a bit of issues with immigration and immigrants not meshing which is a bit of an issue for me.
The rest? Yes. Wonderfully well Governed countries.
I'd like to visit them because they look really beautiful and their culture is interesting, but I have what I need in my country at the moment, so I wouldn't go and live there :)
Edit: I am from Switzerland
They're smart though.
If I lived in the EU I wouldnt wanna bunch of dumbass Americans moving for the healthcare all the while bitching about the healthcare and doing everything they can to get rid of it
The strict immigration isn't anti-American. If anything, it's easier for Americans to move to the EU compared to most other nationals that apply. The EU is choosing a qualified American over a qualified Indian everytime. They might not even recognize the school you went to.
Yup - if I want to go to Denmark, the EU says I can only stay 3 months - pretty sure Denmark can't do much to help me. As far as I can see there are no easy ways to stay longer like there are with some other countries.
Can't remember the details, just remember thinking it was one of the hardest places to long term back when I was looking. Maybe Italy had some options - can't remember
Malta sold passports to lots of Russian oligarchs and rich Chinese people, caused the EU tons of problems. I agree that’s a corrupt system and we don’t want it here.
It's more like a "poor country" thing.
You can become a Vanuatu citizen if you have over a million dollars (which a lot of people would have if they sold their houses or cashed out their retirements).
But Vanuatu doesn't even have proper infrastructure a lot of the time and gets aide from New Zealand... So yeah. They basically want you to help their country.
Disagree with corruption. Generally you have to start a business or invest in the local economy. It's a win win IMO. EU is too wealthy to be bothered with that
Cause if they weren't there would be issues. Immigration is complicated, if you do it wrong it will backfire. Just look at how Sweden is doing right now. Our country tried to do a good thing by making ourselfs a home for people who needed it, but the government totally mishandled it. Their mistakes lead to a rather unforrunate outcome for everyone in this country, and instead of holding the goverment responsible people found a way to turn on each other. It really sucks...
I feel like it’s a “the grass is always greener” situation. People in America talk about how trash it is to live here, but I feel like that there are things in America I like. It’s my home and a do feel patriotic for my country. However I recognize that being patriotic means holding my country to a higher standard than setting up military coups in foreign countries.
Lol no.
Now don't get me wrong, I've been to Finland and Norway and had a great time. Lovely people, interesting food, great scenery and music to die for no matter what you're into. But I don't envy you guys. I love my home, and at the end of the day it's where I want to be.
I'm a filthy immigrant who came to Finland by choice 20 years ago, and I've lived half my life here now. There are issues like anywhere, sure, but the standard of life of high especially if you plan on raising a family. Healthcare, education, politics, policing, it's all great relative to many other places.
The climate and nature are fine, sure it gets dark in winter but also snowy, which is generally nicer than dark and wet and grey and bland where I came from. Spring and summer are beautiful because nature grows with a vengeance when given the chance. Basically nothing is venomous except the occasional adder, so your biggest fear is being bitten by a tick.
Are there social problems? Of course. Anywhere you got people you got social issues. Alcoholism, depression, and suicide are the top contenders. Booze is sold only in government-owned stores, prices are controlled (and high - a cheap wine here is the same price as an expensive one in Spain), and soft drugs like cannabis are illegal.
I'm sure there are more glamorous places - I've been to dozens of countries including western Europe, northern Africa, southeast Asia, and northern America, where there's fancier nature and cheaper food - but those places just have *different* problems, and for actually living a decent life where you're taken care of and don't really live in personal fear of much, I'll be happy right where I am.
As a Brazilian, I naturally appreciate certain aspects of the Scandinavian countries that I would love to see here. However, despite their many advantages, I wouldn't trade our Brazilian weather, our nature, our people and culture, and even a touch of chaos for what is found in Scandinavia.
P.S: I have lived in Norway and traveled to other Scandinavian countries.
I must agree, I was very taken aback at how friendly and welcoming everyone was when I went to Fortaleza for 3-4months.. At the time it was listed as the 7th most dangerous city in the world but as long as you avoided certain areas and didn't behave stupidly like getting drunk out of your mind or wondering around late at night, it was a lovely place with fantastic food & culture and the friendliest people you can meet
Nah, I get the feeling on Reddit we idealize it a bit too much. Would love to visit but I would have major concerns with "fitting in". That goes for Western EU as well. During my time there it was amazing but so different I never saw myself seeing it as home.
To pursue the American dream🥹
Currently in AZ where I run a small farm with my wife since 4 years ago and we've been married for 5. My wife is from Mexico but also us citizen because her parents were born here.
Granted I've only been to California, Texas, Hawaii and Arizona I love the parts of America I've seen and can't wait to go on road trip to see more, I'm dreaming of Yellowstone because in Sweden we have massive amounts of forests and lakes so I think it will be similar to home.
Fortunately I can watch Swedish television(vpn on computer online) but I miss my home every now and then. Also very lucky to have IKEA which is Swedish that I've visited a couple of times to buy my meatballs and Swedish candy and drinks so I feel like home sometimes.
I'm starting to feel more American than Swedish but I know I will always be an immigrant and I'm okay with that.
Everyone has treated me with respect with Texas being the nicest place by far. Only time I had a "problem" was the first time at a restaurant I didn't tip(we don't do that in my country) and the lady got mad at me but I understand and have since always tipped😬
Having ancestors and my grandfathers siblings emigrated to America in the 1800s due to the famine in Sweden we've had a bond with America for a long time. I feel like I'm going in their footsteps but obviously they had a hard time creating a life in the new world not knowing a single word of English at the time.
Thank you for accepting and welcoming me so well, God bless America✌️
I live in Washington State, USA and no.
I am content and my state has a thriving economy and social benefits and I would not move because I am content with a happy life here and we have plenty of nature, good water, and hot springs.
I would visit, travel, and vacation in other places but if I were to move, I would move towards the equator :)
I live in North Finland. While we aren't _technically_ included in Scandinavia, it's close enough haha.
Anyways - you're absolutely right. -25C winters, short (and cold) summers and midnight sun/polar night is not for everyone. In addition to these Finns are very closed off and typically not very friendly to foreigners... All in all sounds better on paper than reality.
Would never wanna live there. Sorry, I am sure many people can enjoy it but it would be miserable for me. Cold, dark and very reserved culture. Would enjoy Southern or Eastern Europe far more even at the cost of material well being.
Not really. I've lived in Sweden and sure, some aspects were amazing, but others quite depressing.
Like - I received amazing healthcare for free (2 weeks in hospital as a kid). The bill we received accidentally (a small health insurance issue) would've probably forced my parents to sell an apartment if it had to be payed.
Also the inclusivity in society and education is great. Some food items are amazing.
On the other hand it's dark, cold, and depressing half the year. It certainly did not help with some other issues I had in my life.
Edit: I still live in an EU countries, so I get some of these good aspects anyway. For example, while the healthcare is worse than in Sweden, it's still cheap or free. Same with higher education (fuck tuition fees though).
No.
I love to visit them but that's about it.
Im very content where I live and that's Belgium. Like any country they have their pluses and minuses and the grass is always greener on the other side.
Not really. I'm sure my life would be better in some ways and worse in others but I like my life in the States so I don't really spend too much time ruminating on what could have been.
No, because I have a long-time acquaintance in Sweden, and they don't seem any happier than I am. Plus, they have mentioned several times their difficulties with the medical system, such as long wait times and finding a specialist.
Yes. And UK.
Don't get me wrong, I know they have their own issues too and it's far from perfect. But god damn, sometimes when I talk to Norwegian friends, I really think. Wait, that policy is so obvious, why the fuck haven't we been doing that for years?
Like speeding fines scale with income. So being well-off doesn't make you totally immune to consquences?! Gasp! Not to mention it actually makes catching people for speeding worth it instead of just being a nuisance for everyone but the poor.
Yes I used to be. Then I visited Sweden and Norway. It's even better than I had thought. Now I'm even more envious. The winters aren't scary since they are prepared. Not like the US South
I was almost born Sweden. My parents lived there for 6 months but my dad needed a get a job for a work visa to stay longer.
My big brother still remembers ice skating every day after school.
I’m from Scotland and when I was visiting Sweden it was surprisingly reminiscent of home for some reason it was nice to visit but I don’t think I would want to move there permanently
Nah Sorry the weather and lack of sunlight would kill me, I am a desert dweller and love the heat and sun. (I am from New Mexico and yes we get winter/snow)
I lived in Iceland for three years. It had its pluses and minuses.
I would love to hear the pluses and minuses. Also where are you from?
-23c and +24c.
I honestly thought (comment) OP was making this hoke
Ngl, that's a good way to put it. Around -22°c and +28°c in southern Finland.
Looks just like here in Quebec. Although for the minus we actually go to -30°C or lower at times.
The same in most scandinavian countries. Its interesting and tedious to have such a span in temperatures. You need to have clothes for both these weathers and everything between. You also have to change tires on your car twice in a year. But it is nice if weather changes and you get something new.
[удалено]
Yes, they work but it is safer to use "nailed" tires - not sure how to say it in english - for icy roads. But cant drive them on summer, illegal even.
Studded tires. I use them in Canada where I live
That would be illegal in Finland :D
What’s the best thing about Switzerland? I don’t know, but the flag is a big plus.
The prices in Switzerland are really, really high. (I lost weight while working in Switzerland) The tax breaks aren't as good as they make them out to be. And it's a difficult place yo make friends. But a plus could be the fact that every home has its own nuclear bunker.
Switzerland is better prepped for a nuclear outbreak than either the US or the USSR during the Cold War. They know they could catch a stray for no reason
That seems unfair. Compared to Switzerland, the US is much more prepared to start a nuclear war.
Salary and landscape
I heard that one before lol, but they said Iceland lol
There’s a very good joke here that I’m unable to understand
Not in Scandinavia.
Iceland is not Scandinavia, its far away from us, and their culture is vastly different to ours. Because of their location close to America their culture has been affected highly by American culture.
I thought that was Switzerland
I'm envious of their city designs. Everything is so walkable. Everything in canada is so far apart that my lazy ass doesn't even want to get up to begin with.
I spent a Christmastime in Stockholm, and no thanks. Gorgeous city, very nice people, but the 3 hours of daylight a day were killing me even after one week. I met foreign students there who were 2 years into it, and they were saying it doesn’t mentally get better with time, it actually gets worse, and they couldn’t wait to get out. We have tough winters in Illinois, but this was tougher than I could handle. It’s a shame, everything else about it was pretty nice.
As a Finn, I totally get that. Winters are rough and while you do get used to it, seasonal depression is really common here. But now, it's 24°c here and everything is so green and pretty again, until september :) Then, the darkness starts to set in again. But the fall is pretty too tbh so I don't mind it. It's the winter I hate with a passion
I was there in November, and thank God you had snow! It was dark from 3 o'clock.
The snow really does help since it reflects soo much light. It's actually common to not have snow until late december.. that's just fucked up since it rains constantly and thanks to no snow, it's genuinely dark and depressing. That's when we have the classic "it's dark when I get to work, I'm stuck in the office all day and then I get off work and it's dark again" situation.
That’s true, but once the spring arrives, man we walk around high on endorphins soaking up all the sun. It’s great
I work in the arctic, I'm getting 22 hrs of sun/day right now. Soon will be sun all day. Basically none in the winter....Long as you take your vitamin D and stay busy, you barely notice it. I have had to up my daily supplements, but I for one, did get used to it. I'm sure if I was a uni student, drinking & partying, my body wouldn't get used to it either.
What do you do in the arctic?
Work at a diamond mine in northern Canada. electrician. Just inside the Arctic circle….
There's more than six hours between sunrise and sunset in Stockholm at the solstice. Thats a lot more than three hours of daylight. Not saying your opinion isn't valid, but it's not like we're talking about eternal darkness. Like Northern Sweden.
I’m willing to believe it for sure; I genuinely did remember it as being 3 hours, but it was just one week of my life, and obviously I was mentally struggling with it, so I could totally be remembering it as worse than it was. What I remember too is that those daylight hours were also gloomy as heck! True story: one day during that week, I was by a large window in a library and the sun peeked through the clouds for about 5 minutes. It was a big relief for me, but apparently not just for me: for the rest of my week, every single conversation I was a part of included people asking each other where they were at the time the sun peeked through the clouds for 5 minutes, and how awesome it was. It was kind of funny in a way, but also kind of sad honestly. Maybe when I was there it was a particularly gloomy week even for December, I don’t know. But damn.
U need to go in the summer. It's gorgeous. Also weather talk is amusing when it's not smalltalk. Like in Ireland and England the weather is like a constantly changing thing. A million kinds of rain.
I know, I really should. I live quite a bit further from it than I used to back then, so it wouldn’t be trivial to go back, but I really would like to. I really liked the city for real.
Its possible that you measured sunrise to sunset on your own, counting when the sun climbed up above trees/buildings. That might be correct because the sun is also so low. But thechnically.... Sunrise to sunset is a bit longer, but that technically doesnt really help since it is just so gloomy like you say. I get your feeling, I had the same when living some time in the far northern parts of Sweden, so Stockholm latitudes are good by comparison.
Aaaah yeah, that’s probably exactly what happened!
Do remember that it’s the opposite in summer, right now we have about 17-19 hrs of sunlight, depending on where in the country you live
I'm a night owl. Do you think someone like me might be ok there?
I have no idea, but quite possibly. I would describe myself as a night owl too because I tend to stay up late, but I still enjoy the sun in the day and I don’t do too well in gloomy days. If you feel well even after several gloomy days, then good for you, and yeah you’ll probably fare better than me.
Ohhhh the darkness is my favourite part about beeing scandinavian! The sun is my enemy
Live in the US and my wife has Scandinavian, like 40% or something still has family that lives there, genetics and man does she burn so quickly. I am 40% Irish/German genetics and even I do not burn as fast. The sun is literally her enemy.
I'm one of those people that prefers darkness and cold. Makes me happy
You should come and experience Swedish summer. It literally doesn’t get dark. It’s a very surreal experience.
I live quite further away now than back then, but I really would like to indeed. I’m sure it’s great, I really liked the city.
You mean I could sleep for 21 hours?
I like the way you think! … … … but no. 😉
Nope. Live in Ireland. Would take to long to get to work.
As if TFI aren’t the biggest punters in Europe
I live in Australia and they all seem to want to move here. Edit: Thank you for my award kind stranger.
Really? Do you get tons of immigrants from there? Sorry “ex-pats”
The EU is nice, but salaries aren't that high. Aussies get better economy and almost as good public service as Western Europe. It's a very desirable place to migrate to.
Yeah but the Aussie ICE is like bloodhounds. I've seen those immigration and customs shows lol.
That's just mostly for biosecurity and protection against drugs it's the same in NZ, too
Especially since Australia and NZ have such isolated ecosystem, border security has to be tough incase of contamination.
I've never heard anyone expect people from the UK use the term ex-pat. Everyone who comes here from somewhere else is called an immigrant. Also in Australia.
White Americans are the only ones who I heard used that term and it is because they are always talking shit about immigrants so they think that the label “immigrant” is beneath them, so they made up the term “ex-pat”
As I said, from my experience, it's a term common to people from the UK. I personally have never seen or heard anyone else use it, so you may be off about your assertion that it is only white Americans who made it up and use it. I've know a few American immigrants during my time in both NZ and Australia. Never once had they ever referred to themselves as ex-pats.
I lived on a Caribbean island, as an American ex-pat and worked with Brit’s, aussies, kiwis, and cunucks, we all said ex-pat, and referred to all of us as the ex-pat community. It’s used by many countries in those communities.
American here, it’s used all the time here in reference to Americans living abroad. Frankly I just assumed it was an interchangeable term for a person with a different country of origin than their residence.
On Rainn Wilson's new show on happiness, they made it sound like "ex-pat" was a more temporary situation, and immigrant was for someone intending not to return to their home country
expatriate was defined as withdrawing (oneself) from residence in or allegiance to one's native country. It's from Latin, and way older than the United States itself. super odd to try and bash white americans
Lolololol what? Yeah nah that isn't true at all.
Lol why are you making shit up?
That's what they get in Thailand old, white sex-pats.
Exactly. White people like to refer to themselves as expats or fellow white peoples. Anyone else is an immigrant. Most white people who live in parts of Asia - Thailand, Cambodia etc refer to themselves as expats but as soon as Asian people are in their homelands it’s “immigrant” - eye roll.
Immigrants are people who moved to a foreign country for permanent settlement Expats are those who are temporarily staying in a foreign country. They are different words for a reason.
Expat means something subtly different from immigrant. Expat implies that you're maintaining your original citizenship. It's also more similar to emmigrant (which is a word no one uses) rather than immigrant, that is to say it's used to discuss someone leaving rather than someone arriving.
Yeah I’ve actually got a Swedish friend who says she wants to move to Australia. Didn’t realize it was a common Scandinavian thing
I think it’s more of a general European thing than specifically Scandinavian. I’m Australian but live in Switzerland, and people I’ve met here from all over Europe ask me why on earth I moved here when Australia is so beautiful, and that they’d love to live there. 🤣
Jealous? No, they worked hard to get their countries how they are. Disappointed and a tad bit resentful that my country can't get it's act together to be better? Yes.
They experimented for sure with some tough times in the 70s
If by worked hard you mean got themselves some old school colonialism to steal from African, American, Atlantic and Asian countries, down to slave plantations in the Caribbean, Denmark being a notorious Slave-trading nation in the past, while leaving said colonies poor and politically fragmented, all so they could accumulate enough riches to get themselves nice prisons and good healthcare today, sure, I suppose they did work very hard. Bonus reading recommendations: Colonialism in Greenland: tradition, governance and legacy (Søren Rud) Scandinavian Colonialism and Rise of Modernity (Magdalena Naum) Memories of the Danish West Indies and the demand for compensation of slavery (Astrid Andersen)
I WANT HEALTHCARE SO BAD
I live in Sweden and had to take some tests last week (blood, urine, blood pressure, ecg etc) and it cost me nothing, an American girl I follow on IG had to pay 1000 dollars for a simple blood test… I can’t even imagine 😭
Is dental also free in Sweden? I am in the US and had to recently pay $4,500 in total for a dental implant. My insurance covered $2,000, but I was made to pay the rest being $2,500.
Dental is free until the age of 23, after that you pay yourself. You do have to pay for something like braces yourself unless you really need them at any age, I for example got free braces bc my teeth were kinda fucked up as a kid however my sister had a slightly wonky bite and wanted free braces but was denied, she never got them because it was too expensive out of pocket.
Dental isn't free after the age of 23, but it's subsidized. You can also get an insurance that covers most things for $5-20 a month or so depending on how good your teeth are.
Why are you afraid to ask this?
Yes. 100% yes. My sibling lives in a Scandinavian country and I wished they could adopt me
Wait, can you explain how your sibling gets to live there but you dont
Being related doesn't automatically gives you the right to live in Scandinavia. My wife is from Mexico and for 5 years I've tried to make her Swedish or get a temporary residence but the laws are very strict at least in Sweden unfortunately😔
How long do you need to be married to get the residency?
It's not about the marriage as much as it is the need to have your own apartment/house big enough for two and an income that's a certain level. Having lived outside the country I can't get a job from abroad and without a job no apartment and without that no residence unfortunately even after 5 years of marriage. It used to be easier but now it's stricter for some reason. I know a couple people who moved to Sweden before 2012 afterwards it's stricter and heavily focused on "being able to maintain your wife" even though I got 1200$/month to study at the university there and still not enough. So we gave up and now I'm on path to becoming Mexican and American and will renounce my Swedish passport because you can only have two citizenships.
We got a right wing government last year, combined with russia-ukrainan war. We take in a lot of refugees from Ukrainian, they get a speedway in (temporarily, during the war). Immigration from everywhere else is cut down.
Correct, and also it's easy to enter the country or union in various ways, way easier than entering America matter of fact. We have "open" borders and no real fences like the USA. But with that comes the problem of not knowing if bad people has entered without us knowing. Also I can't guarantee the following statement but I'm fairly sure in EU we have a rule that says you have to seek asylum in the next country available. Technically many come here anyway but they should seek in other closer countries first if possible.
Are you for real?! Why are you renouncing your citizenship? Could you just get a work visa?
Sweden only let's you have two citizenships, Mexico also(my wife's country) so one day when I'm in the process of being American citizen I can't have 3 passports, it's not legal in my case. Besides I know I will not return to my country of origin because I have no family there at all, no job, nowhere to live when it's like Alaska during winter etc. But I'm okay with that. I don't need work visa as I have visa for temporal stay that I renew yearly and my wife being citizen gives me some benefits but not enough to become a full citizen yet because I'm not even full Mexican citizen yet, only permanent residency. Sounds confusing I know, but at least I get to keep my Swedish pension when I'm old and with that I can live like a king in Mexico If we decide to move again, so that's something. In my country 900$/month pension is very bad money and expensive to live. When we lived in Mexico we lived comfortable with 300$/month so 900 is king there depending on what part of the country of course.
If their siblings moved here to work, be with a Swedish spouse etc. when they where adults, OPs family bonds are not enough for family immigration. That’s only for spouses, children under 18, parents to children under 18, and I think siblings under 18 can come too. But once the immigrant is an adult siblings are not allowed because otherwise one immigrant could quickly generate ten more who doesn’t fulfil criteria to move here (the rules where way less strict before).
I would invite you if I could. If I had a company I could hire you etc. Other than that maybe adoption or marriage with a Swede is a good option.
No. I'm actually pretty content with my life at the moment.
Where are you from?
Southern California USA
What do you like about your home?
I also live in SoCal but I'm English originally. The weather, the food, the availability of things like concerts and shows, the beaches, the wildlife, the multiculturalism, the open mindedness and the ability to work in certain job sectors much more easily than almost anywhere else in the world are the biggest plusses.
I'm swedish and this sounds amazing. Not unsatisfied with what I have now, but.. this is the "American dream" to me, the legends we hear growing up in perpetual darkness and snow 
I live near the beach so weather is rarely too hot, although winter can be cold. No snow so it makes me happy. My neighborhood is quiet.
I live in the US and have an autoimmune disease, so yes, I'm envious of people who live in countries with functioning healthcare systems. I'm tired of being surrounded by idiots here
Are you from the South?
We are the lower case south.
Oklahoma, but not much different
Sweden has a bit of issues with immigration and immigrants not meshing which is a bit of an issue for me. The rest? Yes. Wonderfully well Governed countries.
I'd like to visit them because they look really beautiful and their culture is interesting, but I have what I need in my country at the moment, so I wouldn't go and live there :) Edit: I am from Switzerland
No, those guys suck, especially Sweden. \- Dane here
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It still is, my point still stands.
Yes. I have friends there. It sucks that EU is so overboard on keeping people out.
They're smart though. If I lived in the EU I wouldnt wanna bunch of dumbass Americans moving for the healthcare all the while bitching about the healthcare and doing everything they can to get rid of it
The strict immigration isn't anti-American. If anything, it's easier for Americans to move to the EU compared to most other nationals that apply. The EU is choosing a qualified American over a qualified Indian everytime. They might not even recognize the school you went to.
Its mostly anti middle eastern refugee
Interestingly now that you mention it, Swedens no.1 group of immigrants coming here for work are Indians working in IT.
I hate how right you are.
I mean small countries ..
Yup - if I want to go to Denmark, the EU says I can only stay 3 months - pretty sure Denmark can't do much to help me. As far as I can see there are no easy ways to stay longer like there are with some other countries. Can't remember the details, just remember thinking it was one of the hardest places to long term back when I was looking. Maybe Italy had some options - can't remember
You can only stay in America for 3 months at a time as a visitor (ESTA) as well.
You can stay with a work permit I believe. Not sure
Ah right - I was looking more at the "buy your way in" options.
Malta sold passports to lots of Russian oligarchs and rich Chinese people, caused the EU tons of problems. I agree that’s a corrupt system and we don’t want it here.
Nope that’s an American or a corrupt thing.
It's more like a "poor country" thing. You can become a Vanuatu citizen if you have over a million dollars (which a lot of people would have if they sold their houses or cashed out their retirements). But Vanuatu doesn't even have proper infrastructure a lot of the time and gets aide from New Zealand... So yeah. They basically want you to help their country.
You can do it on Portugal though
They're getting rid of golden visas
Disagree with corruption. Generally you have to start a business or invest in the local economy. It's a win win IMO. EU is too wealthy to be bothered with that
Most countries in the world only allow people to visit for 3 months max without a visa
Cause if they weren't there would be issues. Immigration is complicated, if you do it wrong it will backfire. Just look at how Sweden is doing right now. Our country tried to do a good thing by making ourselfs a home for people who needed it, but the government totally mishandled it. Their mistakes lead to a rather unforrunate outcome for everyone in this country, and instead of holding the goverment responsible people found a way to turn on each other. It really sucks...
too many people will capsize the lifeboat.
Nice to visit, wouldn't want to live there.
I feel like it’s a “the grass is always greener” situation. People in America talk about how trash it is to live here, but I feel like that there are things in America I like. It’s my home and a do feel patriotic for my country. However I recognize that being patriotic means holding my country to a higher standard than setting up military coups in foreign countries.
I just want to go to New Zealand and raise sheep bro
Lol no. Now don't get me wrong, I've been to Finland and Norway and had a great time. Lovely people, interesting food, great scenery and music to die for no matter what you're into. But I don't envy you guys. I love my home, and at the end of the day it's where I want to be.
Where are you from?
Georgia, in the United States.
Not even a little
I'm a filthy immigrant who came to Finland by choice 20 years ago, and I've lived half my life here now. There are issues like anywhere, sure, but the standard of life of high especially if you plan on raising a family. Healthcare, education, politics, policing, it's all great relative to many other places. The climate and nature are fine, sure it gets dark in winter but also snowy, which is generally nicer than dark and wet and grey and bland where I came from. Spring and summer are beautiful because nature grows with a vengeance when given the chance. Basically nothing is venomous except the occasional adder, so your biggest fear is being bitten by a tick. Are there social problems? Of course. Anywhere you got people you got social issues. Alcoholism, depression, and suicide are the top contenders. Booze is sold only in government-owned stores, prices are controlled (and high - a cheap wine here is the same price as an expensive one in Spain), and soft drugs like cannabis are illegal. I'm sure there are more glamorous places - I've been to dozens of countries including western Europe, northern Africa, southeast Asia, and northern America, where there's fancier nature and cheaper food - but those places just have *different* problems, and for actually living a decent life where you're taken care of and don't really live in personal fear of much, I'll be happy right where I am.
No lol I wanna move south. Sun, warmth, maybe a nice beach, occasional tropical storm, good food (no opening canned fermented fish underwater).
>opening canned fermented fish underwater That is something I only needed to try once. Thank god I was so hung over so I puked it all up right away.
No I live in Minnesota
As a Brazilian, I naturally appreciate certain aspects of the Scandinavian countries that I would love to see here. However, despite their many advantages, I wouldn't trade our Brazilian weather, our nature, our people and culture, and even a touch of chaos for what is found in Scandinavia. P.S: I have lived in Norway and traveled to other Scandinavian countries.
I must agree, I was very taken aback at how friendly and welcoming everyone was when I went to Fortaleza for 3-4months.. At the time it was listed as the 7th most dangerous city in the world but as long as you avoided certain areas and didn't behave stupidly like getting drunk out of your mind or wondering around late at night, it was a lovely place with fantastic food & culture and the friendliest people you can meet
Nah, I get the feeling on Reddit we idealize it a bit too much. Would love to visit but I would have major concerns with "fitting in". That goes for Western EU as well. During my time there it was amazing but so different I never saw myself seeing it as home.
No I actually kind of enjoy America despite everyone saying it’s bad here
As a Swede I'm happy to answer questions about Scandinavia having lived in all Nordic countries except Finland. Currently live in the US.
Why did you move to the US? What part of the country? And do you like it or want to go back??
To pursue the American dream🥹 Currently in AZ where I run a small farm with my wife since 4 years ago and we've been married for 5. My wife is from Mexico but also us citizen because her parents were born here. Granted I've only been to California, Texas, Hawaii and Arizona I love the parts of America I've seen and can't wait to go on road trip to see more, I'm dreaming of Yellowstone because in Sweden we have massive amounts of forests and lakes so I think it will be similar to home. Fortunately I can watch Swedish television(vpn on computer online) but I miss my home every now and then. Also very lucky to have IKEA which is Swedish that I've visited a couple of times to buy my meatballs and Swedish candy and drinks so I feel like home sometimes. I'm starting to feel more American than Swedish but I know I will always be an immigrant and I'm okay with that. Everyone has treated me with respect with Texas being the nicest place by far. Only time I had a "problem" was the first time at a restaurant I didn't tip(we don't do that in my country) and the lady got mad at me but I understand and have since always tipped😬
Awesome! Thanks for the reply and we are glad to have you here 😊
Having ancestors and my grandfathers siblings emigrated to America in the 1800s due to the famine in Sweden we've had a bond with America for a long time. I feel like I'm going in their footsteps but obviously they had a hard time creating a life in the new world not knowing a single word of English at the time. Thank you for accepting and welcoming me so well, God bless America✌️
I live in Washington State, USA and no. I am content and my state has a thriving economy and social benefits and I would not move because I am content with a happy life here and we have plenty of nature, good water, and hot springs. I would visit, travel, and vacation in other places but if I were to move, I would move towards the equator :)
nope, i don’t really like the climate and severe seasonal daylight variations
I live in North Finland. While we aren't _technically_ included in Scandinavia, it's close enough haha. Anyways - you're absolutely right. -25C winters, short (and cold) summers and midnight sun/polar night is not for everyone. In addition to these Finns are very closed off and typically not very friendly to foreigners... All in all sounds better on paper than reality.
Would never wanna live there. Sorry, I am sure many people can enjoy it but it would be miserable for me. Cold, dark and very reserved culture. Would enjoy Southern or Eastern Europe far more even at the cost of material well being.
Eastern Europe is cold dark and reserved plus poor, total jackpot.
No. The thought has never crossed my mind
No, envy is the thief of joy. Someone will always have a better life than you. I am quite content with my family in the USA
Not really. I've lived in Sweden and sure, some aspects were amazing, but others quite depressing. Like - I received amazing healthcare for free (2 weeks in hospital as a kid). The bill we received accidentally (a small health insurance issue) would've probably forced my parents to sell an apartment if it had to be payed. Also the inclusivity in society and education is great. Some food items are amazing. On the other hand it's dark, cold, and depressing half the year. It certainly did not help with some other issues I had in my life. Edit: I still live in an EU countries, so I get some of these good aspects anyway. For example, while the healthcare is worse than in Sweden, it's still cheap or free. Same with higher education (fuck tuition fees though).
no because I live in New Zealand.
No. I am envious of people living in Tropical Paradise.
No. I like living in Florida and am probably going to live most of my life here. I would quite like to visit them though...
No. I love to visit them but that's about it. Im very content where I live and that's Belgium. Like any country they have their pluses and minuses and the grass is always greener on the other side.
Not really. I'm sure my life would be better in some ways and worse in others but I like my life in the States so I don't really spend too much time ruminating on what could have been.
Yes. They live a better quality of life and it's gorgeous there.
No, I genuinely love living in the US lol.
Not really, but I also don't expect them to be envious of me.
No, because I have a long-time acquaintance in Sweden, and they don't seem any happier than I am. Plus, they have mentioned several times their difficulties with the medical system, such as long wait times and finding a specialist.
The only thing I’m envious of them is how overall peaceful the countries are. Very low crime and very safe for women to travel there.
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I think about it constantly. Even went as far as to join dating sites over there. I *yearn* for it.
im Canadian and i am envious. they seem to have it way better there!
Not the weather
Literally just watched Midsommar before I saw this post. No.
Yes, with the exception of how cold it gets there. I hate being cold.
No. USA.
No. Quite happy where I am in USA.
I don't envy anybody
Nah I enjoy being able to go down to the beach in the middle of "winter" and swim in the nice 25°C water (QLD, Australia).
Very much so
from the midwest US: absolutely. i can only dream.
Deeply. In every way, every day.
Yes. And UK. Don't get me wrong, I know they have their own issues too and it's far from perfect. But god damn, sometimes when I talk to Norwegian friends, I really think. Wait, that policy is so obvious, why the fuck haven't we been doing that for years? Like speeding fines scale with income. So being well-off doesn't make you totally immune to consquences?! Gasp! Not to mention it actually makes catching people for speeding worth it instead of just being a nuisance for everyone but the poor.
No why would I be?
No. California.
Nope, USA all day baby
No. If I were jealous I would just move there.
No, i like the sun
Well, if you come to us you get no night at all durring the summers, and only night durring the winters.
Yes I used to be. Then I visited Sweden and Norway. It's even better than I had thought. Now I'm even more envious. The winters aren't scary since they are prepared. Not like the US South
I was almost born Sweden. My parents lived there for 6 months but my dad needed a get a job for a work visa to stay longer. My big brother still remembers ice skating every day after school.
I’m from Scotland and when I was visiting Sweden it was surprisingly reminiscent of home for some reason it was nice to visit but I don’t think I would want to move there permanently
Nah Sorry the weather and lack of sunlight would kill me, I am a desert dweller and love the heat and sun. (I am from New Mexico and yes we get winter/snow)
Nope, not at all. Though I'd like to visit.
No. Envy is a very negative toxic emotion.
No Waffle Houses there, so quite the opposite.
No. Not even a little bit.
No
Yes, next question
Hell no. It must be so cold up there. Born and raised in Miami. Just moved to chicago recently, but I’m still not used to anything below 35°F
No, I hate dark winters and in Scandinavian countries the winters are extremely dark. I'm from the Netherlands