“My Experience When I Moved To Sweden!”

I moved to Sweden in 2006(Although presently in Nigeria now handling some things)At first I loved what I saw – free education, beautiful and abundant nature -even in the cities, well designed communities with plenty of free facilities, many free community activities and a strong commitment to sustainability.

However after living here a few years I began to notice that some things are very wrong and Sweden is not the paradise it appears to be at first glance. Here is my list of the biggest issues as I see them:

Firstly, there is no consumer choice. Generic and expensive goods line the same few large supermarket type shops. Small business is virtually nonexistent aside from the awful pizza/kebab, Asian food or hotdog/ hamburger stalls run by entrepeneurial immigrants. Customer service and special requests are also non existent. Innovation, warmth, product knowledge and creativity are strongly lacking in the commercial sector.

Immigrants are welcomed, with racism frowned upon harshly, however once these immigrants arrive they are segregated off away from the native Swedes, unable to find employment and unable to navigate the endless complex rule systems with strong risks of being persecuted by the social services. The ‘welcoming’ Swedes dont allow their children to set foot in immigrant suburbs or schools, and wonder why there is very little integration happening.

Swedish people are very unfriendly, closed minded and conforming. It is almost impossible to form close friendships.
Winter is like hell. The first few months feel cosy and the snow is beautiful, but eventually the darkness, cold and boredom start wearing you down.

There are endless trivial rules which are harshly enforced. I wanted to get my licence in Sweden, but ticked a box on the licence form which asked about health issues. I have had declining kidney function (very irrelevant to driving) so I noted it down. I was unable to get a licence (I have been driving 15 years, but my Australian licence is not recognised here after the first year) because I needed a certificate from a kidney specialist. I was unable to be referred to a kidney specialist because my kidney function is not severely declined. When attempting to fix the issue – rules are rules, and thats simply the way it is. The issue is unable to be resolved so I am allowed to drive in neighbouring countries, but not here. Attempting to live here is filled with many similar incredibly frustrating experiences. Banks wont let you open an account except on weekday mornings, but dont let you know that until you have waited in a queue for several hours. There is no other option even if you work or study on weekday mornings, and nobody cares. Every simple process is a beaurocratic nightmare

Whilst at first I believed the free schools, childcare and medical services were a great family friendly policy, on closer interaction in the system I realised this is a system of control and incompetence which is not leading to positive outcomes. Firstly, everyone is expected to take their children to daycare and go to work.

There is no freedom of choice to look after your children, homeschool or rear your children according to your beliefs and values. Children are informed about endless rights, and have no obligations to behave in a respectful manner. Parents are powerless, teachers are powerless and getting an education in a swedish school is a debacle of children on phones and talking during class, swearing at teachers, abusing and bullying each other and any form of punishment towards unruly children is disallowed. School is somewhat reminiscent of lord of the flies.

Police are useless – except with regard to prosecuting minor crimes such as parking fines. Fewer than 3% of crimes are solved, reports are filed but never investigated – even with matters which are taken very seriously in the rest of the world such as violent crime and rape.

Whilst medical care is generally free to low cost, the wait times are insane. It could be 3 weeks to see your GP (too bad if the matter is urgent) and 10 months to see a specialist. Specialists are allowed to refuse referrals, and if you have a chronic illness you are likely in the wrong country.

So guys if you want to immigrate always think about the Pros & Cons so you won’t regret!!!