(edit title) Moving to Sweden to teach Advice on moving from uk as young couple Options

[Scotsman-al]

Hi all,

Firstly I tried to post this already but don't think it worked. Apologies if it did and I am repeating myself!

I am seeking tips and advice about moving to Sweden from Scotland.

I am a 23 year old PE teacher and have an interview for an 'IES' school, on the outskirts of Stockholm, coming up. Should I impress and be offered a job there are a few things I need to look in to. Any help from those already living as an expat in Sweden would be much appreciated!

Firstly I live with my girlfriend who is completing her final year of her degree (architectural technology) at the moment. Should I go she would move with me. My immediate concern after reading around is her ability to find a job without Swedish. At the moment we know none but would be keen to learn as quickly as possible. If she is unable to find a job are there many expat gatherings or anything in and around Stockholm? The last thing I would want is her being stuck at home all the time unable to make friends and enjoy her life in Sweden.

Re: costs of living etc I understand the cost of living is higher in the uk. I don't currently earn a fortune though in my 1st year of teaching and spend a lot on fuel. So I am not used to spending money left right and centre on luxuries!

I understand my salary would be about 20-24000 sek. Is tax 30%? Am I right in thinking a one bed apartment would cost about 5000sek a month? Are utilities normally included or seperate?(I've read mixed info about this).

Any help would be much appreciated! All positive and negative things to consider should I impress in an interview would be much appreciated. I want to be as prepared as possible to make a decision should I be offered a job.

Thanks in advance!

[JulieLou40]

Re: costs of living etc I understand the cost of living is higher in the uk.

Nope, cost of living is higher here.

[byke]

IES is well renowned for related posts on here asking about teaching in stockholm by sourcing workers from the UK etc.

My 2 concerns for you would be :

1. Will they offer you a employment contract
(not a temporary work contract with the option to extend)
2. Will they offer you expenses for moving and help in finding you a place to live.
(Rental cost is usually not the problem, its actually finding an empty apartment for rent)

Without these 2 conditions you could find you feel stiffed or short changed.

[Mib]

There are many factors to the cost of living when comparing countries. Food sjopping, electronics etc are more expensive, but if you spend the time finding the best prices online etc, then you will reduce that. MOMs is Swedens VAT and is 25% today. Income tax varies between 29% to 33% depending where you are based. The tax free part is much lower than in the UK. On the iPhone ther's an app called Lön 2011 and for 24,000 based in Stockholm, your take home is 18,710. Public transport is cheaper, property prices and rent is cheaper. Alcohol is more expensive and fuel is close to what tou pay in the UK.

There is a group called Meetup for expats, which has groups for after work drinks, conversational Swedish at differing levels and much more. You can getaway with living in Sweden withoyt Swedish, but life us much easier socially and work wise if you speak the language, otherwise you could feel isolated.

Moving to a new country is a challenge, so prepare yourself with as much info as possible. Be prepared for bureaucrats giving you wrong info depending on who you talk to. So this forum is a good start.

Good luck....Sweden is a very nice country with nice people. However, it's not for everyone, but that is more down to the individual's personality and their tolerances to change

[BritVik]

I came over in 1960, and was more than a little unprepared for the move. You definitely need to know quite a bit about Sweden before hopping over, the cost of living, the actual value of the in-pocket salary compared with the UK. Even in 1960 there was a considerable difference. I thought that I was getting well paid, until I discovered there was too much month left over at the end of the money. Then it was down to corn flake (singular) and milk, suck the milk from the flake and then hang it up to dry. Exaggerated - OK - a little, but you get the idea. Don't part with too much cash in the beginning, but get to know just how far it goes very slowly, 'cos the cash goes all too quickly until you have learnt its true value.
If I am trying to teach my grandmother to suck eggs, then I apologise, but as an older immigrant I only wish I had learnt more prior to my move. It would have saved quite a lot of financial embarrassment in the early days.
You'll get different forms of guidance on this forum, this is my little contribution.

Best of luck!

[Streja]

That sort of salary is normal for new teachers. With some more experince you can earn up to 30K a year. I don't know anything about IES salaries. It's not particularly well paid but it's possible to live on. But your girlfriend needs something.

How old is your girlfriend?

I'm a teacher so feel free to ask me anything.

[Scotsman-al]

Julielou, apologies that was a typo. I meant to write I believe cost of living is higher Than in the uk.

Thanks for all the advice. I understand teaching salaries will not be particularly high. They are not particularly high here either. I currently earn £21438 annual salary. However, if I was to hold down a permanent job it would increase to £36,000 within 7 years. Are there such progressions in pay in Sweden for teachers?

Could anyone advise on the price of cars in sweden compared to uk? (on considering whether it would be better to take my car over or sell it and then buy/lease one in Sweden should I move).

My girlfriend is 22. One option if work without Swedish is going to be difficult could be to apply to do a masters in sweden at Kth royal institute of technology. The main concern I guess is whether it is feasible for two of us to enjoy a comfortable (not luxurious) lifestyle based on only a teachers income?

IES quote that they offer good salaries compared to other schools in Stockholm but can not compete with international fee paying schools.

All the help given already is much appreciated and any further advice would be brilliant.

Thanks!

[Streja]

Don't expect to get 36 K a year like in the UK. I have worked as a teacher for 10 years and I don't earn that amount of money, far from it.

[JLondon]

you sound v.young to be a teacher. Newly qualified - job straight away?

[Scotsman-al]

Thanks for everyone's help.

Jlondon, yes I'm in my 1st year of teaching, currently completing my probation year so applying for jobs for after the summer, far and wide as well as local!

I didn't think salaries would go as high as the uk. That wouldn't be too much of a problem if it didn't have to support 2 people. But that might be where the stumbling block is for a move to Sweden.

I'll continue to do my research and get my sums done to figure out expected incomings and outgoings!

Does anyone know much about the price of rent in jarfalla for a 1 or 2 bed apartment?

Thanks again!

[BritVik]

. . .. Could anyone advise on the price of cars in sweden compared to uk? (on considering whether it would be better to take my car over or sell it and then buy/lease one in Sweden should I move)

I am not up on current car prices, but would not advise bringing your right hand drive car over. I did in 1960, but then Sweden also drove on the left. With the current situation a RHD car would NOT be an advantage, more the opposite. Buy - or hire - over here would be my recommendation.

[Streja]

Järfälla should be cheaper than Stockholm.

[redblue]

The price of rent in Järfälla for a one bed flat is around 4500 SEK/month.

http://www.blocket.se/stockholm?q=j%E4rf%E...;md=th&st=u

[sophie@englishshop.se]

Be careful. A lot of schools now only offer one year contracts. There's all sorts of stuff about getting qualifications translated, needing Swedish language B level etc. that give schools the excuse not to offer secure jobs to foreigners any more... Its a big move to come here. Big changes, and Jarfälla is not the most exciting place in the world!

[JLondon]

Yes I agree with this post. I had a friend who had a similar problem with Swedish Language B Level.