Stockholm
Cinnamon buns, strong filter coffees and currently a great time to visit.
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Situated on fourteen islands connected by bridges, Stockholm is the capital of Sweden.
The largest city within Scandanavia, it is known for its sleek design and vibrant culture, offering a blend of modernity and historic tradition.
Finding affordable and quality accommodation might be challenging, but I would still 100% recommend it. It's a great destination for a weekend city break.
Finding affordable and quality accommodation might be challenging, but I would still 100% recommend it. It's a great destination for a weekend city break.
Finding affordable and quality accommodation might be challenging, but I would still 100% recommend it. It's a great destination for a weekend city break.
Finding affordable and quality accommodation might be challenging, but I would still 100% recommend it. It's a great destination for a weekend city break.
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Summary
A friend's wedding in Stockholm provided a great reason to visit a city I had always deprioritised, mainly on the grounds of horror stories on the costs of beer.
Accommodation
Your chances of stumbling on a great deal for an apartment at any time of the year are slim to none, from what I can assume is due to a lack of supply and restrictive local legislation. If i was to return, I'd definitely try and find a sublet for a prolonged stay.
Places to work
The city appears to have fully embraced the concept of coworking with a huge number of options across the city. If visiting on a temporary basis, the Opus app provides access to a large number of spaces to work from, at a very reasonable price.
Value
After hearing so many horror stories of crazy prices in Scandinavia, I was pleasantly surprised by the value on the ground. Prices generally felt on apar with London (not that that is anything to be getting excited about).
Working hours
Sweden operates on Central European Time (CET), aligning with the rest of Western Europe.
🇪🇺 Consider working European hours from Asia?
Where to stay
Skanstull
Östermalm
Where to work
United Spaces Götgatsbacken
Situated just a minutes walk from Slussen metro station, United Spaces Götgatsbacken offers open plan spacious hot desking options and is available via the Opus coworking membership.
The office area has a tonne of natural light with formal desks and more casual seating options on offer. Coffee is taken seriously with both a complementary espresso machine and two varieties of batch brewed filters coffee on offer simultaneously.
Numerous breakfast and lunch options are available in the immediate vicinity. Would not hesitate to return to this branch or any of the other United Spaces in the city.
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Remote work visa
If staying for a prolonged period, you may want to consider a dedicated visa for this destination.
This country is actively working on a visa support for remote workers.
Check your government website for details of how to obtain a tourist visa.
Citizen Remote is a great source of up to date knowledge for everything to do with remote work visas.
Safety
Off-work
Explore Royal Djurgården
Once the private hunting grounds of the Swedish monarchy, today has it transformed into a large green recreational area for the public and one of the best city parks I can recall.
Easily accessible from the centre of the city, with options for food and coffee near the waters edge.
Take a river side Sauna at Eden
Secluded restaurant and cafe, with a riverside sauna providing you with a convenient means of indulging in the ever popular Scandinavian past time. Slots can be booked in advance online.
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Visit Moderna Museet
Modern Art Museum displaying 20th-century and contemporary collections with photographic exhibits.
Duration & season
Late August was mild, with occasional wet days hinting at an early arrival of Autumn. According to friends in the city, the upcoming winters seem notably bleak compared to the extended summer nights typical of Scandanavia.
Food & drink
People
I was surprised by how international Stockholm was as a city, drawing in people from across Europe and further afield. The costs make it somewhat prohibitive as a long term base for remote working with the coworking space I was in mainly occupied with locals.
The Swedes themselves I found to be incredibly warm and welcoming in my various engagements in passing with them.
Exercise
Stockholm Loop
Verdict
Positives
- Diverse international demographic.Stockholm boasts a diverse international community, drawing people not only from Europe but globally.
- English spoken perfectly everywhere.Near universal adoption of it. You would have assumed most Swedes have done a ten year stint in the UK.
- Elegant architecture and natural surroundings.The archipelago creates a unique urban landscape, with waterways dominating it's layout.
- Vibrant, bustling ambiance.Not quite at London's scale and pace, but a thriving, industrious city.
- Numerous excellent coworking options.High-quality workspaces are plentiful throughout the cit as well as suitable cafes.
- More affordable than before.The present rates offer acceptable value when converting from £, €, or $.
- Plentiful cinnamon buns.Exercise moderation to avoid adding extra weight by the time you return.
Negatives
- Accommodation costs are prohibitive.It's challenging to secure a decent apartment compared to other European destinations. Exploring alternative sourcing methods is your best option.
- Watch out for the exchange rate. This may swing back in time and bump up prices when visitng.
- Long, dark winters.Having spoken with friends who live there, it doesn't sound all that fun.
Tips
- The bus from the airport is cheap and convenient.From the arrivals hall to the city centre within 45 minutes. Prebook the ticket with the app for a discounted rate.
- The metro is fast and efficient.It has good coverage throughout the city.
- Check out an Opus membership for coworking.Impressive service and value offering you the ability to check in to a number of coworking spaces across the city.
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