Stockholm, Sweden Pros: A clean city, an excellent public transport network, almost everyone speaks English and the language is not too hard to learn (albeit h

Stockholm, Sweden Pros: A clean city, an excellent public transport network, almost everyone speaks English and the language is not too hard to learn (albeit hard to get opportunities to use it). The social support system is in good shape. It's a tech friendly city with some big names headquartered here (Spotify, Klarna, King). The archipelago is absolutely stunning in the summer and those long warm summer days are amazing. Companies here are required by law to offer 5 weeks vacation and to let you take 4 consecutive weeks of that in the summer if you choose. Cons: taxation is high and the cost of living is also fairly high. Housing is expensive (although much cheaper than London for example). Reputedly it can be hard to break into Swedish social life - I haven't found that myself, but it's a common observation. There's some concern about crime stats, and a populist (rather wobbly) coalition government that's increasingly unfriendly to immigration. Oh yeah, snow and cold in winter with long dark nights. Sunset is around 15:45 at the winter solstice. Neutral: Stockholm is a relatively small city and the population of Sweden is also quite low. Having lived in London for most of my adult life I never thought I would leave - but having done so, I find I don't want to go back. Stockholm is nicer. While taxation is high, IT work pays well and I feel like I get a lot for those taxes. I live in an apartment that I could never dream of owning in London. It's civilised, friendly, has excellent coffee shops, and if it weren't for the abysmal salty licorice candy I'd find it hard to find fault from my personal perspective!