Posted: 11/6/2012 10:14:32 PM EDT
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My wife wants to move to Sweden. She has her heritage there, and has talked about it ever since we got together.
I love America, and have never wanted to move away. I lived in Brasil for a year, but America is home to me. However, since 9/11, I've been bothered by how quickly our rights are being taken away, and how irresponsible we are being with our posterity's future. Anyone in GD ever been to Sweden? This is the first time I'm seriously considering it, even if it ends up just being for a little while until the kids are older and we decide on more permanent roots. |
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I feel you. I really do. But your trying to escape to Sweden? It's not exactly an anarcho-capitalist bastion of personal liberty. Quite frankly I don't think Europe is an option. There are better choices in latin America. Don't get me wrong. Sweden is a nice place to visit. Just not a place I'd think of to escape statist collapse. |
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I feel you. I really do. But your trying to escape to Sweden? It's not exactly an anarcho-capitalist bastion of personal liberty. Quite frankly I don't think Europe is an option. There are better choices in latin America. Don't get me wrong. Sweden is a nice place to visit. Just not a place I'd think of to escape statist collapse. It's not 100% 'Obama got re-elected so we're fleeing the US'... Probably more like 10%. Another 20% is 'D's and R's have been chipping away at our freedom and future for decades'. 30% is that it's been a lifelong dream of my wife. The rest... I've always wanted to see more of the world. From what little I know, Sweden seems like a place that, while the government does take quite a bit, they don't piss it away like ours does. |
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From what little I know, Sweden seems like a place that, while the government does take quite a bit, they don't piss it away like ours does. Bwahahahahahaha, funny guy... oh wait. 
Like I said, I only know a little. I was under the understanding that Sweden does a better job of using taxpayer money than the US. ETA: Feel free to educate me... That's the whole purpose of this thread. |
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If you want to be financially raped while your money goes to do-nothing, heroin addict, gov't teet suckers, then by all means. You're also married, which means you won't be associating with their hot women. Lose-lose. Walk away. So, better to just visit then? We're floating the idea of just travelling for a while. We can work anywhere we have internet access. |
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From what little I know, Sweden seems like a place that, while the government does take quite a bit, they don't piss it away like ours does. Bwahahahahahaha, funny guy... oh wait.
Like I said, I only know a little. I was under the understanding that Sweden does a better job of using taxpayer money than the US. ETA: Feel free to educate me... That's the whole purpose of this thread. We manage to balance the budget at least, for now. The EU crisis hasn't really hit here yet. Where in Sweden are you aiming for? |
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From what little I know, Sweden seems like a place that, while the government does take quite a bit, they don't piss it away like ours does. Bwahahahahahaha, funny guy... oh wait.
Like I said, I only know a little. I was under the understanding that Sweden does a better job of using taxpayer money than the US. ETA: Feel free to educate me... That's the whole purpose of this thread. We manage to balance the budget at least, for now. The EU crisis hasn't really hit here yet. Where in Sweden are you aiming for? She has family around Stockholm, and around Gothenberg(I think, she is sleeping right now) |
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Does she speak Swedish? Did she emigrate from there? They have a longass ski season and better supply of volvo parts. That's about all I can see that they trump us in. We also put bearnaise sauce on our pizzas. You say that like it's a good thing. 
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Does she speak Swedish? Did she emigrate from there? They have a longass ski season and better supply of volvo parts. That's about all I can see that they trump us in. We also put bearnaise sauce on our pizzas. You say that like it's a good thing. Well, that's because it is. 
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A German friend of mine (painter) went to Sweden a year ago. He closed his painting company in Germany and opend one up there. He does not regret it, less work, more money, more freedom. He sits on 10 acres with his own lake/fishing/hunting. Only winters get depressing he says. But there is always Systembolaget and Vodka...
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A German friend of mine (painter) went to Sweden a year ago. He closed his painting company in Germany and opend one up there. He does not regret it, less work, more money, more freedom. He sits on 10 acres with his own lake/fishing/hunting. Only winters get depressing he says. But there is always Systembolaget and Vodka... I love depressing winters! |
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A German friend of mine (painter) went to Sweden a year ago. He closed his painting company in Germany and opend one up there. He does not regret it, less work, more money, more freedom. He sits on 10 acres with his own lake/fishing/hunting. Only winters get depressing he says. But there is always Systembolaget and Vodka... I love depressing winters! Hej, then I would say "Välkommen till Sverige!" 
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I lived in Sweden and was married to a Swede for a short time. I loved it there and would say go for it. It's a beautiful country with very nice and polite people. Maybe a bit insular, and it will be hard to make new friends, but nice nonetheless.
Owning guns however would be a huge hassle. You have to join a club or something like that, qualify every year, etc... I've traveled to 60 or so countries and have to say I think Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I love it. Taxes are higher but not as high as everyone makes it sound. For instance they often say that tax rate is "60%" but that's misleading because ~ half that is paid by your employer which you never see. For instance I worked for a corp in the US and had a salary of 100K. In the US my take home was ~73K after taxes, SS, etc... so I lost 27%. When they moved me to Sweden, my take home was ~65K USD after taxes and everything so I lost 35%. The company paid another 30K or so to the gov but I never saw it. Everything will be ridiculously expensive though, esp in Stockholm where housing is extremely limited. |
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A German friend of mine (painter) went to Sweden a year ago. He closed his painting company in Germany and opend one up there. He does not regret it, less work, more money, more freedom. He sits on 10 acres with his own lake/fishing/hunting. Only winters get depressing he says. But there is always Systembolaget and Vodka... Winters are only depressing if you're in the parts where there is no snow. But know that Sweden lies between 55° and 70° north. It gets dark up here, but the midnight sun in the summer is truly awesome. |
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I lived in Sweden and was married to a Swede for a short time. I loved it there and would say go for it. It's a beautiful country with very nice and polite people. Maybe a bit insular, and it will be hard to make new friends, but nice nonetheless. Owning guns however would be a huge hassle. You have to join a club or something like that, qualify every year, etc... I've traveled to 60 or so countries and have to say I think Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I love it. Taxes are higher but not as high as everyone makes it sound. For instance they often say that tax rate is "60%" but that's misleading because ~ half that is paid by your employer which you never see. For instance I worked for a corp in the US and had a salary of 100K. In the US my take home was ~73K after taxes, SS, etc... so I lost 27%. When they moved me to Sweden, my take home was ~65K USD after taxes and everything so I lost 35%. The company paid another 30K or so to the gov but I never saw it. Everything will be ridiculously expensive though, esp in Stockholm where housing is extremely limited. It's so hard to know what another country is like by talking to people. You get such varying stories, but I'm glad to hear from people who have actually been/lived there. Thanks. |
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Does she speak Swedish? Did she emigrate from there? They have a longass ski season and better supply of volvo parts. That's about all I can see that they trump us in. We also put bearnaise sauce on our pizzas. You say that like it's a good thing. Well, that's because it is. Bork bork Quoted:
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Does she speak Swedish? Did she emigrate from there? They have a longass ski season and better supply of volvo parts. That's about all I can see that they trump us in. Rosetta Stone Her grandma was born in Sweden, and all of her cousins live there. Rosetta stone for Swedish. Maybe if you can fnd a way to get on their universal healthcare, you won't go bankrupt buying aspirin. |
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I lived in Sweden and was married to a Swede for a short time. I loved it there and would say go for it. It's a beautiful country with very nice and polite people. Maybe a bit insular, and it will be hard to make new friends, but nice nonetheless. Owning guns however would be a huge hassle. You have to join a club or something like that, qualify every year, etc... I've traveled to 60 or so countries and have to say I think Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I love it. Taxes are higher but not as high as everyone makes it sound. For instance they often say that tax rate is "60%" but that's misleading because ~ half that is paid by your employer which you never see. For instance I worked for a corp in the US and had a salary of 100K. In the US my take home was ~73K after taxes, SS, etc... so I lost 27%. When they moved me to Sweden, my take home was ~65K USD after taxes and everything so I lost 35%. The company paid another 30K or so to the gov but I never saw it. Everything will be ridiculously expensive though, esp in Stockholm where housing is extremely limited. Bolt action rifles, shotguns and some "appropriate for hunting" semi autos is not that big of a hassle. Hunting exam (it's a real exam, like a driving license), a certified safe and you're good to go. You're correct about housing in Stockholm, it's insane. |
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I lived in Sweden and was married to a Swede for a short time. I loved it there and would say go for it. It's a beautiful country with very nice and polite people. Maybe a bit insular, and it will be hard to make new friends, but nice nonetheless. Owning guns however would be a huge hassle. You have to join a club or something like that, qualify every year, etc... I've traveled to 60 or so countries and have to say I think Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I love it. Taxes are higher but not as high as everyone makes it sound. For instance they often say that tax rate is "60%" but that's misleading because ~ half that is paid by your employer which you never see. For instance I worked for a corp in the US and had a salary of 100K. In the US my take home was ~73K after taxes, SS, etc... so I lost 27%. When they moved me to Sweden, my take home was ~65K USD after taxes and everything so I lost 35%. The company paid another 30K or so to the gov but I never saw it. Everything will be ridiculously expensive though, esp in Stockholm where housing is extremely limited. Bolt action rifles, shotguns and some "appropriate for hunting" semi autos is not that big of a hassle. Hunting exam (it's a real exam, like a driving license), a certified safe and you're good to go. You're correct about housing in Stockholm, it's insane. Is the current situation that you can visit for 90 days every 6 months? |
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Sweden's great. A nice socially democratic place...but way to the left of Obama. Gotta love all their gov't sponsored healthcare and stuff.
Probably not for you. Gun ownership is very limited and there's no CCW unless you have a really good reason, which few have. |
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A German friend of mine (painter) went to Sweden a year ago. He closed his painting company in Germany and opend one up there. He does not regret it, less work, more money, more freedom. He sits on 10 acres with his own lake/fishing/hunting. Only winters get depressing he says. But there is always Systembolaget and Vodka... Winters are only depressing if you're in the parts where there is no snow. But know that Sweden lies between 55° and 70° north. It gets dark up here, but the midnight sun in the summer is truly awesome. Hej pagansmurfen, my buddy lives pretty much south (Småland). Guess you are right about the midnight sun. 
OP, this might be of help: http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Reading/20-things-to-know-before-moving-to-Sweden/ |
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Out of curiosity, what is the ski season at some of the resorts there? It should start right about now, but it depends a lot. In the far north it usually lasts for something like october to may. Nevermind then! All you have that I want is Volvo parts! |
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I lived in Sweden and was married to a Swede for a short time. I loved it there and would say go for it. It's a beautiful country with very nice and polite people. Maybe a bit insular, and it will be hard to make new friends, but nice nonetheless. Owning guns however would be a huge hassle. You have to join a club or something like that, qualify every year, etc... I've traveled to 60 or so countries and have to say I think Stockholm is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. I love it. Taxes are higher but not as high as everyone makes it sound. For instance they often say that tax rate is "60%" but that's misleading because ~ half that is paid by your employer which you never see. For instance I worked for a corp in the US and had a salary of 100K. In the US my take home was ~73K after taxes, SS, etc... so I lost 27%. When they moved me to Sweden, my take home was ~65K USD after taxes and everything so I lost 35%. The company paid another 30K or so to the gov but I never saw it. Everything will be ridiculously expensive though, esp in Stockholm where housing is extremely limited. It's so hard to know what another country is like by talking to people. You get such varying stories, but I'm glad to hear from people who have actually been/lived there. Thanks. ARFOM has a bad habit of being experts about cultures they've never visited  Feel free to IM or email me.
Also forgot to mention the health care benefits. They are pretty good. I would never want their system of gov in the states but it works ok there. They have fewer free loaders than we do but their liberal immigration policies is changing that. Whatever you do, be sure to take your laundry out of the washer/dryer before your allotted time window is up!!! |
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A German friend of mine (painter) went to Sweden a year ago. He closed his painting company in Germany and opend one up there. He does not regret it, less work, more money, more freedom. He sits on 10 acres with his own lake/fishing/hunting. Only winters get depressing he says. But there is always Systembolaget and Vodka... Winters are only depressing if you're in the parts where there is no snow. But know that Sweden lies between 55° and 70° north. It gets dark up here, but the midnight sun in the summer is truly awesome. Hej pagansmurfen, my buddy lives pretty much south (Småland). Guess you are right about the midnight sun.
OP, this might be of help: http://www.sweden.se/eng/Home/Lifestyle/Reading/20-things-to-know-before-moving-to-Sweden/ Småland, the Scotland of Sweden. If you like quirky weather that is the place to be. I crashed my car there a few years back when it went from raining to below freezing in half an hour. |
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Out of curiosity, what is the ski season at some of the resorts there? It should start right about now, but it depends a lot. In the far north it usually lasts for something like october to may. Nevermind then! All you have that I want is Volvo parts! Did you know that if you live in Stockholm you can take the subway to the slope? 
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Out of curiosity, what is the ski season at some of the resorts there? It should start right about now, but it depends a lot. In the far north it usually lasts for something like october to may. Nevermind then! All you have that I want is Volvo parts! Did you know that if you live in Stockholm you can take the subway to the slope? http://sphotos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/180791_10150182710934046_6256795_n.jpg I can take the bus to a number of the ones in the area here! I usually don't want to, but I can. Driving has me about 30 minutes door to lift.
Can you tell I'm psyched about the season?
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