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Cheaper housing is available in Stockholm for those willing to commute. As in most cities, a thumb rule is that the further you are prepared to travel, the more you will get for your money.

Pandemic trends

A clear trend during the pandemic was an increased demand for more living space, as people adjusted to working from home. This led to skyrocketing prices for both houses and larger apartments as well as movement out towards the suburbs and countryside. It is widely believed that this trend is here to stay as many Swedish employers have adopted long term policies of allowing working from home on a hybrid or permanent basis. Despite skyrocketing prices, it is still considerably cheaper to buy an apartment in the suburbs than in central Stockholm, where the average price for an apartment is currently 108 000 SEK per square metre, compared to 65 000 SEK per square metre in the close suburb of Solna for example, or 39 000 SEK in the further afield suburb of Järfälla. (Source: Svensk Mäkalarstatistik)

Travel Time Vs Property Price Savings

Recent calculations by Swedish property company Länsförsäkringar Fastighetsförmedling provide interesting cost comparisons for those considering moving to the suburbs for more space. The figures provided below are guide prices for how much can be saved per travel hour by those commuting into central Stockholm for work.

*Cost savings are calculated as the difference between the average price of apartments in Central Stockholm and in each municipality (Stockholm suburb), divided by the travel time. The result was then calculated per travel-hour based on 220 travel days per year over a ten year period. **Travel-time is calculated as an average between three and five different places in each municipality to Stockholm central station at 08.00 on a Monday morning. Source: DN, Ekonomi Bostad, 18.04.2022, Dan Lucas & Johan Andersson, article based on Data from Länsförsäkringar Fastighetsförmedling.

Sundbyberg offers the greatest savings

In terms of cost savings per commuting hour, Sundbyberg tops the rankings by a sizeable margin. Conveniently located just 8 minutes from Stockholm Central Station, this suburb offers a full range of amenities and its own lively town centre. It also benefits from an excellent range of transport connections including metro, tram and commuter trains. Neighbouring Solna, another popular northern suburb, takes second place whilst Huddinge, located south of Stockholm, offers the third highest savings.

Average savings for commuting

The average cost saving per travel hour from a Stockholm suburb is 1 742 SEK and the average price difference between apartments in central Stockholm locations and the suburbs is a whopping 3 332 000 SEK. Thirty two minutes is the length of the average commute from a Stockholm suburb to Stockholm’s central train station.

Location advice

If you are moving to Stockholm and need location advice for buying or renting property, please do not hesitate to contact us at Relocate To Sweden by emailing info@relocatetosweden.com. Whatever your requirements, whether it’s the best schools, neighbourhood status information or the lowest local tax rates, we can help. We also provide short term accommodation and home finding services for newly recruited international staff as well as a full range of relocation services in major Swedish cities.

Photo Credit: Melker Dahlstrand/imagebnk.sweden.se

Learning can come from unexpected places. Padel, Sweden’s new national sports passion and fastest growing sport, offers valuable insights into Swedish culture and even more importantly, the chance to meet Swedes and practise. Padel has boomed in pandemic times whilst many other sports have been hard-hit or temporarily shut down. If you are new in Sweden or haven’t already tried padel, I warmly recommend you do. Apart from being great fun, you will learn the following:

1.      Shoes off

On entering a padel hall, you will be met by a shoe line over which you may not pass with your outdoor shoes on. Good practice for entering Swedish homes, which have the same policy. Make sure you have a decent pair of socks as holes will be noticed. Investment in a new sock collection is advisable when moving to Sweden for the many occasions when they will be on display.

2.      Start and finish on time

Time is not a loose concept in Sweden. Padel courts are booked by the hour and you should be on and off the court within seconds of the booked time. The same applies in business, where Swedish meetings culture means that most people will be hurrying along to their next meeting, even if you didn’t get through the whole agenda. Socially too, an agreed time in Sweden is not a suggestion.

3.      Pay for yourself, preferably by Swish

Padel is a doubles game and one person usually books and pays for the court online. Just as buying rounds of drinks isn’t the norm in Sweden, you will be expected to pay your share of the cost, each time. Sweden is pretty much a cash free society and the payment app Swish is the standard way of paying money between individuals.

4.      Equality rules

This most sacred of Swedish values is well represented in padel. You will meet people from all walks of life and everyone can participate and play at their own level. Padel is not run on a private membership basis but is a pay and play set-up, open to everyone.

5.      Easy start-up but difficult to master

Although it’s quite easy to get a game of padel going, it’s trickier and more strategic than it first appears, requiring training to make any real headway. A little like Swedish culture or the concept of “lagom”, one of its cornerstones and an international buzzword in recent years. Whilst the concept is easy to understand, its application and knowing what is “lagom” in any given situation takes years of practice.

6.      Lagom doesn’t apply in sport

Although lagom is applied to most aspects of life in Sweden, sports is a notable exception. Winner attitudes and the pursuit of excellence in sport are socially accepted and usually applauded. Completing a Swedish Classic, for example, is a common goal, especially for those celebrating milestone birthdays. The phenomenal interest in padel has been anything but lagom and padel newbies and obsessives have been keeping Swedish physiotherapists and naprapaths busy.

7.      Virtue signalling

Even though padel halls have been amazingly exempt from pandemic closure, it is important to be seen to observe covid restrictions. You can spend a happy hour sweating together inside a padel cage with your partner and opposition but don’t forget the hand sanitizer when you’re finished! It’s also key to let people know that you adhered to the quarantine recommendations upon return from your padel clinic in Spain and any other essential travel.

8.      Learn the lingo

A few key words go a long way. Most Swedes speak English very well so it’s possible, if not advisable, to manage without learning Swedish. Taking an interest, however, and acquiring a few choice phrases never goes amiss. The same applies in this sport. What you lack in Swedish skills you can make up for in fluent padel; “bandeja”, “vibora” and “net play” are some of the basics.

9.      Get the look

Swedes are generally quite image conscious and their reputation as “the beautiful people” is not unwarranted. Although the dress code isn’t strict at padel halls, a pair of nicely toned arms and legs go well with any style of sport shorts, skirts or tops and are essential to complete the padel-look. Unlike most other countries, gyms and hairdressers have also remained open in Sweden throughout the pandemic so unfortunately, there’s really no excuse!

10.     Get the trend

Trend sensitivity and levels of conformity in Swedish society are high, including areas as diverse as politics, food and sport. Padel has been the trendiest of sports in recent years. For more on this subject see Johan Esk’s weekend article in DN “I am a white, middle-aged, middle class man in Stockholm who doesn’t play padel. Do I exist?”

Do you or your international colleagues need help understanding Swedish culture?

A little cultural training goes a long way and provides the keys to successfully working and living in Sweden, including understanding the underlying values which shape society and form the basis of unwritten codes. If you would like more information please contact me at anne@relocatetosweden.com. Whether you are new in Sweden or here a little longer and still finding yourself struggling, cultural training will help you with your transition. You may also be interested in our book Working in Sweden: The A-Z Guide or 10 lessons in Swedish Culture from the Corona Virus.

Photo credit: Patrik Svedberg/imagebank.sweden.se

Property price increases in Sweden in the past year have been extraordinary, fueled largely by the pandemic and remote working. The race for space caused by working from home, coupled with a supply shortage, has led to a red-hot property market. The result has been booming house prices both in and outside of major Swedish cities. A second effect has been that the square metre price of larger apartments has outperformed that of smaller apartments.

Latest property market figures

House prices increased by 17% nationally for the 12 months preceding March 2021. The biggest annual increase was in Malmö, where house prices increased by a whopping 20%. Prices have also been skyrocketing in Stockholm and Gothenburg with house prices increasing by 19% and 16% respectively. The average price of a house in Sweden is now over 4 million SEK and over 7 million SEK in Stockholm.

Apartment prices increased by 8% nationally for the same period. The average price of an apartment in Sweden is now 44 920 SEK per metre squared and 102 525 SEK per metre squared in central Stockholm.

Space outside of cities has also been at a premium with a trend towards people moving away from urban areas. This has also been helped by Sweden’s infrastructure which provides broadband coverage in most countryside locations.

Increases of over 20% in eleven of Stockholm’s municipalities

House prices in Stockholm increased by over 20% in the last year in eleven of Stockholm’s municipalities; Lidingö topped the charts with an increase of 27.2%, closely followed by Nacka (26.3%) and Ekerö (24.8%). Södertälje was the Stockholm suburb with the most modest increase at just 9.2%.

Market distortion or the new normal?

While the recent increases could be a market distortion caused by the pandemic, this seller’s market could also reflect the new normal as supply shortages are unlikely to be resolved anytime soon. Time will tell but the current situation has also left estate agents wondering how it will all end.

Stressful market for internationals to navigate

Home buyers need not just large wallets but also commitment to active searching. The fast sale process in Sweden combined with an extremely competitive market is particularly stressful for those unfamiliar with the Swedish property market. Mistakes are easily made and very costly; The average price of a house in Stockholm has increased by an eye-watering 1.1 million SEK in the last 12 months alone. As a potential buyer, knowing what you are doing and committing to is therefore essential.

Need advice about purchasing a home in Sweden?

Relocate To Sweden helps internationals who wish to explore the property market in Sweden and buy a home. We offer a range of property services including search and purchase process consultancy to help you get the best property for your needs and budget and to ensure that you are fully informed about the whole process. For more information and to book a consultation, email info@relocatetosweden.com

Relocate to Sweden provides customised assistance for all your staff’s relocation and on-going support needs, including fast track help with work permits and extensions, accommodation, local registration, schools and intercultural training. Read more about our relocation services at www.relocatetosweden.com or follow us on social media for tips and advice. You can also Email us at info@relocatetosweden.com or call us on +46 8 361011 for more information.

Photo: Globen Padel

Moving to Sweden and keen to try out some typically Swedish sports? There’s no longer any need to risk strapping yourself into skis or skates for cross-country skiing or bandy. Padel, a sport nobody in Sweden had heard of 3 years ago, has become the new national passion with an estimated 500 000 players nationwide, and growing every day.  Even by Swedish standards, a nation known as early adaptors, the explosion of this sport has been extreme.

As a video tells thousand words, here’s a clip of some padel experts in action

For more background information on the rise of padel in Sweden and tips on getting started, including where to find padel courts, how to book online, what to bring and even how to find someone to play with, you can find out more information here.

Good luck and Enjoy!

Relocate to Sweden provides customised assistance for all your staff’s relocation and on-going support needs, including fast track help with work permits and extensions, accommodation, local registration, schools and intercultural training. Read more about our relocation services at www.relocatetosweden.com or follow us on social media for tips and advice. You can also Email us at info@relocatetosweden.com or call us on +46 8 361011 for more information.

Photo: Jenny Drakenlind/Johnér/imagebank.sweden.se

First time in Sweden for Easter and unsure of how it’s celebrated? Or maybe you’ve colleagues or friends who have recently moved here? This guide provides useful tips on celebrating Easter Swedish style, including what to do, where to go and how to get the Easter look.  Attractions open this Easter, online alternatives and even rookie mistakes to avoid are all covered to help you make the most of your Easter holiday.

How to do Swedish Easter

Find out what you should do, make and serve to celebrate Easter Swedish style. From Easter witches (Påskkärringar) to Easter food, you will find all the details you need at the following link.
https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/culture-history-and-art/swedish-traditions/more-traditions/easter-sweden/

Background to Swedish Easter Traditions

Discover the origins of Easter traditions as well as recipes for Classic Swedish dishes such as Gravlax with potato salad and Jansson’s temptation.
https://sweden.se/culture-traditions/easter/

Restaurants

Some restaurants are offering special Easter holiday meal kits and take-away dinners. Restaurants are currently closed after 20.30 due to COVID-19 restrictions, and bars are only allowed to serve seated guests. See the following link for some restaurant recommendations in Stockholm.
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/easter-in-stockholm/

Museums and attractions

Some museums are opening up again, after being closed down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but in a limited capacity. Please note that visits have to be booked in advance and they allow only a limited number of simultaneous visitors. A list of indoor and outdoor museums and attractions in Stockholm that are open this Easter is available at the following link. From Skansen to sculpture, there’s something for everyone. You can visit their individual websites for more information about booking.
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/easter-in-stockholm/

Celebrate Easter online from the comfort of your own home

Check out this handy guide on how to explore Stockholm’s museums online as well as online shows & concerts.
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/museums-online/
https://www.visitstockholm.com/see-do/attractions/online-concerts/

Get the Easter look

Seen pictures of Påskkärringar (Easter witches) and wondering how to create the look? Watch this video tutorial.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IdjJkOz8A8

Easter card inspiration

Surprise family and friends with a Swedish style Easter card. This video provides some inspiration.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9IlX6W7Z0oQ

3 rookie mistakes to avoid

Watch out for the following common mistakes:

1. Which day to celebrate
   Easter is celebrated on Holy Saturday i.e., the day before Easter Sunday, as Swedes celebrate most major events on the eve of the event. Note the same applies for Christmas and Midsummer.
2. Holiday planning
   There are geographical differences in the scheduling of school Easter holidays. For example, Stockholm and Gothenburg have Easter holidays the week after Easter this year whilst Malmö and Örebro have holidays the week before Easter.
3. Supplies
   Get stocked up with sweets on Maundy Thursday (1^st April) to prepare for any Easter witches påskkärringar  who may happen to ring your doorbell.

Happy Easter everyone /Glad påsk allihopa!

Would you like orientation or relocation assistance for your international recruits?

Relocate to Sweden provides customised assistance for all your staff’s relocation and on-going support needs, including fast track help with work permits and extensions, accommodation, local registration, schools and intercultural training. Read more about our relocation services at www.relocatetosweden.com or follow us on social media for tips and advice. You can also Email us at info@relocatetosweden.com or call us on +46 8 361011 for more information.

Moving to a new country is always challenging. Some useful apps can go a long way towards helping your international recruits find their bearings in their new Swedish hometown. We’ve put together a list of 20 apps that our relocation clients find helpful.

[Läs mer…] om 20 Essential Apps for your International Recruits in Sweden