The High Coast is a place of steep trails, exposed rock, quiet villages and sea views that feel almost un-Swedish. It is beautiful, but it does not make itself easy.
Written by
Maria
Two sides of Sweden
Sweden looks increasingly divided in the international press. On the ground, much of the country still feels remarkably familiar. This article explores the distance between political headlines and everyday Swedish life, where disagreement remains restrained, Jantelagen still shapes social behaviour and climate concern is far from dead.
Your rights when moving to Sweden
You have a lot of rights when moving to Sweden but what exactly are they? Here is the complete guide.
Where to go to see the Midnight Sun
From mountain peaks above Abisko to quiet lakes near Jokkmokk, Sweden’s midnight sun transforms ordinary nights into something difficult to explain. This is where to experience it at its most beautiful.
Jantelagen, the Cruel social norm of Sweden
Maria first noticed Jantelagen during a summer dinner outside Uppsala, when a small comment about something she was proud of changed the mood around the table. This personal reflection explores why Swedes often play down success, how the norm can create both equality and restraint, and what newcomers should understand before interpreting Swedish modesty as coldness.
Why making friends in Sweden takes so long
Swedes are often friendly, helpful and surprisingly difficult to get to know. Maria reflects on why friendship in Sweden develops slowly, how privacy and careful planning shape social life, and why returning to the same places may be the best way to find your way into a Swedish community.
Why Sweden needs to import Garbage
Sweden has become one of the world’s most advanced countries when it comes to recycling and waste management, to the point where the country has at times imported waste from other nations in order to keep its waste-to-energy facilities operating efficiently. For many people outside Scandinavia this sounds almost absurd. In most countries garbage is …
Is Sweden just Expensive?
Comparing food prices between Sweden and the United States is more complicated than the usual assumption that Sweden is simply expensive and the US is cheap. The reality is more nuanced, and in many everyday situations the difference is smaller than people expect. Once you factor in quality, regulation, and what you actually get for …
Inside Tiveden National Park, Swedens most rugged forest
Tiveden is a forested national park in southern Sweden, located between the lakes Vänern and Vättern. It is known for its compact size combined with a high level of variation in terrain. Instead of wide landscapes or long sightlines, the park is defined by close range features and a landscape that changes frequently over short …
Getting your Personnummer – The Personal Number that unlocks Everything in Sweden
There is a moment many people experience shortly after arriving in Sweden when the country stops feeling effortlessly modern and starts feeling strangely inaccessible. It often comes as a surprise. Sweden has a global reputation for efficiency, digital services, and smooth administration, and much of that reputation is deserved. But what is less visible from …