“We had our first baby. His name is Agasthya.” – Murthy
“In 2024, while studying at Stockholm University, I met the girl of my dreams!” – Jonathan Reuss, Heby
“We had help for our bathroom renovation with floor heaters before December from the building association (as an act of good will) for damages caused during the general building renovation started earlier in spring 2024. This was a water damage which was unexpected. During this period, alternative housing was provided totally free of cost for three months from our insurance company. Secondly, thanks to lowered interest rates, our housing loan cost was reduced by 2,000 kronor a month. Thirdly, we had closed a private bank loan by the end of December.” – Anonymous, Stockholm
“Going to almost all the west coast beaches – and our strawberry patch.” – Art
“Only a visitor for two to three months throughout the year, but made friends by asking if I could join some women who were going in Mälaren every morning. Ice cold water. October and November! A good way to make friends!” – Anonymous
“Got my Swedish citizenship approved after a long wait of 18 months!” – Dilip, Norrköping
“I was laid off on September 10th, this was my third time being unemployed here in Sweden. By September 30th I was gainfully employed again! This boosted my self-confidence even more and I felt ‘worthy’ in a job market that is not only tough, but can discriminate against colour and age.” – Vanessa, Gothenburg
“Finally granted Swedish citizenship… yeah!!!” – Suresh, Gothenburg
“I finally made my peace with the cold!” – Geetika Guha, Stockholm
“My wife gave birth to our firstborn son, and we really enjoyed our experience in St Görans sjukhus.” – Eric
“I got my Swedish residence permit and moved to Sweden in November 2024.” – Anonymous, Örebro
“I applied for my first extension for a residence permit to move to someone in Sweden on April 10th. My temporary residence permit was due to expire on May 6th and I received the decision on May 28th! So, so happy so I could relax about a high school reunion planned for October. The reunion was a blast but I’m happy that I live in Sweden.” – Linda, Dalarna
“I passed both the theory exam and the driving test for a Swedish driving licence in my first attempt, despite never having driven a car until 2024. I got my permanent residence permit as well.” – Anonymous, Örebro
“I got engaged! My friends helped my partner to plan a surprise proposal with candles and a beautiful ‘tour’ of our relationship down Adelgatan in Lund. He lives in India at the moment and, during a trip to Mexico for work, he was able to have a 36-hour layover in Copenhagen just to come to Lund to propose. So romantic.” – Arianna, Lund
“Even though our time in Sweden was limited (one year only because my partner is an exchange research scholar at Stockholm University), we enjoyed every little bit of integration with the locals. The best one was when our son, four years old, was invited to two birthday parties from his daycare colleagues.” – Anonymous, Stockholm
“I bought a house last summer in the Västra Götaland countryside near Alingsås. It’s a rural area with farmland and forest. Having been in Sweden for nearly two years at the time of moving in, I wasn’t expecting much of a welcome from my Swedish neighbours but I couldn’t have been more wrong! Within just a couple of weeks three neighbours came to my doorstep bearing gifts, and since then two other neighbours have come to say hello. I feel truly welcomed into their little community which is more than I ever felt anywhere else. Having lived 20 years in France, and before then in Italy, it’s quite interesting to see how the stereotypes can be wrong. It’s my experience that newcomers can be viewed with distrust in small rural communities, but here there are open arms!” – Laura
“I had a baby in October. The birthing experience and the support I received at the hospital is worth mentioning.” – Mandara Abhinandan, Stockholm
Some responses edited by The Local for house style and clarity.
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