Are you moving to Stockholm with your family? Good news – it’s a city with lots to do for young and old! For practical information on what to do when you first move to Stockholm, please look at ‘Upon Arrival’; this article deals with what there is to do in Stockholm with a family.
School
Your first point of call will probably be to look at different schools available; it’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the education system here. If you have children of 6 or under, then you’ll be looking to find the right preschool; children do not attend school until 6 or 7 in Sweden. If you’re wanting an international option, we at Your Living City have compiled a list of both international preschools and International Schools for you to look at. For young adults of university age, there are a wealth of great options within the city.
Meeting other Mums
If you’re travelling with children under 1, it’s worth knowing that very few preschools will accept children that age. However there are many different places that cater for parents of small children such as öppna förskolor, open preschools, or leklands, indoor play centres, which are usually free for adults and under 1s. There are a number of activities you can do with your baby and for your baby, such as baby massage and understanding good eating habits. It’s a good idea to join a meetup group, particularly the Stockholm International Parents Group, where there are events on almost every day and a lovely set of parents to chat to.
Another good resource for information is the site, www.mumsinsweden.com, where you can ask any questions pertaining to living here with a family and be sure of a warm response. If you are religious and looking to introduce the latest little Stockholmer to the community, it may be worth looking for some English Speaking churches, synagogues, temples, mosques or other places of worship.
Health
The school you choose may inform which area you decide to live in or vice-versa and of course your commute to work is a big factor. Once you have decided on which area of Stockholm you’d like to live in, it’s time to look up at Vårdguiden, Sweden’s health guide, to find your nearest healthcare centre and register your family with the local doctor. Look at the vaccination program here to see if there are any huge differences and discuss how to manage them.
It’s not anything we hope you’ll ever need access to, but it’s worth knowing where the local hospitals and emergency clinics are in relation to you, as well as what to do in an emergency.
Finance
One thing everyone agrees about Stockholm is that it’s expensive. So it’s good to know what you will likely get as Maternity and Paternity leave, which may well be available even if you have drawn both in your home country, since the system is so generous here. However much you get will depend on circumstances, but regardless you will also get a fixed amount of barnbidrag, or child benefit, which will supplement your income. When you start looking at things to spend that money on, you may find it’s better value to buy things online from Europe for your new arrival; if you’d rather buy local, consider Stockholms 2nd hand markets for bargains.
Photo Credit: Breigh Mattson at Your Little Family Photography
