A
female
age
36-40,
anonymous
writes:I'm thinking about moving to Sweden for a couple of years to live or study...it's something that's been in my mind for about three years now. Even though i don't NEED to study further because i'm 26 and already have two degrees, i would just like to go there and live for a few years. i have the means and i know a couple of friends who are already there, so i wouldn't feel lonely were i to actually go through with this.I'm not a huge risk taker, because from experience the people i've seen take risks ended up falling on their asses, and one of my friends ended up almost losing everything. So to me it sounds like a huge risk. I'm self-employed and work freelance, so i can pretty much move anywhere. but it's the fear of the unknown that blocks me. I don't know what i'll expect and i like knowing where i stand before making decisions. In my head it all sounds pretty exciting living in Europe, in Sweden. it's exotic and different. but for all i know this risk could turn sour soon after i get there only to come back home with a feeling of failure.One of my friends there is an ex boyfriend and he went there when he was 22, and has loved it since. He encourages me to go for it and give it a shot and says that he'll be there for me if i join him. But i don't want to go there with the intention of a relationship in mind. that, too, could fail. we didn't work before; there's no guarantee we'll work again. It may not seem like risk to some people out there, but to me, it's huge.Any advice on how to make a decision and stick with it? Reply to this Question
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female
reader, deirdre  +, writes (6 October 2012):
I have been to Sweden twice and I can assure you that it is a pleasant and orderly place. almost everyone speaks English and you cant get lost in Stockholm. just make sure you have a plan in mind good luck
A
female
reader, chigirl  +, writes (4 October 2012):
 Pick up a class at some university or private school, perhaps? Just to get connections and have some footing? Or start looking for a part time job once you get there. Volunteer some place, that's always a fast way to get to know others and build up a network. And once you have a network you can find another job/place to volunteer very easily.
Then after you've oriented yourself you can join some clubs that share hobbies of yours, or join a sport you like etc. There's tons of ways to get to know people, but you need to be outgoing and dare take the first steps.
Don't rely on your ex once you go there. Go to Goteborg instead of Stockholm. It's not too far between the two cities, so you can still visit each other and see each other. That way you wont feel like you're going for him, and you wont get tempted to rely too heavily on him either. Then move to Stockholm after a while if you feel like it.
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A
female
reader, Honeypie + ♥, writes (4 October 2012):
 Sweden is a lovely place. But VERY different from the US. The mentality in Northern Europe is just VERY different. (not in a bad way, but it will take some time to adjust).
The thing is sometimes you just have to GO for it. It's not like you are falling of the planet, it's "just" Sweden.
Contact the US consulate in Sweden http://sweden.usembassy.gov/
I say go for it.
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A
female
reader, aunt honesty +, writes (3 October 2012):
 I can understand your fear I really can, but you only live once. As you said you are self employed so you run the risk of work drying up where ever you are, so it could happen that your earnings fall at home as much as they would in Sweden and vice versa. If it is something you really want to do, then I suggest you do it because if you don't do it now and leave it to late, you might live to regret it.
As for your ex, well you are right you should not go out there in hope of a relationship, as you said it didn't work before so there is a chance that it would happen again, but that is life. If you go out there with a free mind and not expect anything from him other than friendship well then you won't get hurt.
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 October 2012): Hi, thank you Chi. I'm the one who posted this...and I know swedish men are gorgeous and tall...lol. My ex's mother is swedish, and he is very, very sexy.
He's the one in Stockholm and that's where I'm thinking of going. I have the savings to take care of myself there, and it helps to know that the lifestyle is cheaper.
But to me it's the fact that I can already imagine being there, and at the same time I already feel lost. Like I have no bearings or footing or foundation.
I can't even remember when or how I started thinking about going there. I've always wanted to live up north, because where I'm from in the States it can get pretty hot, but at least it's familiar.
My only connection to Sweden is my ex, but I don't want to solely rely on him there.
I guess my fear is not knowing what the first step should be. After that I'm sure I'll be able to figure out the rest.
He contacted me earlier today and asked me whether or not he'll be seeing me in December. And I have no answers to give him.
But really thank you for even taking the time to read this...
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A
female
reader, anonymous, writes (3 October 2012): My daughter studied abroad in Sweden for an entire school year and loved it. She would like to go back and get her masters there, but that all depends on if she can save enough money or not.
If it's something you want to do, then you should. Don't put it off...before you know it you will be older, possibly wanting to settle down and start a family...whatever it is, things seem to, not be as easy to do when you get settled in one direction. GO FOR IT!
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A
female
reader, chigirl +, writes (3 October 2012):
Swedish men are gorgeous. What more is there to think about?
Go. It's a lot cheaper in Sweden than in Norway, so I think you'll do just fine money-wise. It's also an easy trip to Finland, where things are even cheaper (the further east you go the cheaper it tends to get). The borders are also open between Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway, so that means if you are granted a visa to one country you can visit all the others as well. Gives you a lot of opportunities.
Just make sure you have some savings to fall back on if your income should fail, for whatever reason. But you run that same risk by staying where you are, it's always good to have savings.
Where in Sweden where you thinking? Stockholm is lovely, but I hear Goteborg is much better. Get a drivers permit before you leave the states, so you can drive around when you get here.
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