Housing
Stockholm is made up of 14 islands separated by waterways. However, it does have main areas in which the commercial and urban neighborhoods are found.
The Norrmalm area is situated in the northern inner part of Stockholm. It is the city's major commercial district and this is also where the central railway and metro stations are located. Vasastan in Norrmalm is a large residential area popular with younger individuals because of its proximity to shopping centers and nightclubs.
Östermalm is also a residential and commercial area but is mostly afforded by the affluent due to the high cost of real estate or rent in this area. The tree-lined boulevards and decorated stone houses of Narvavägen and Karlavägen are a sight to behold.
Two small islands called Lilla Essingen and Stora Essingen are mainly residential areas and belong to the borough of Kungsholmen.
Renting a flat or one bedroom apartment in the city center costs about SEK (Swedish Krona) 4985.98 or USD 622.66 monthly. A more spacious two to three bedroom apartment in the same location costs about SEK 7571.57 (USD 945.56).
Although living outside the city center requires a longer commute, it is less expensive. Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about SEK 3682.48 (USD 459.88) while a two to three bedroom place would cost around SEK 7042.55 (USD 879.49).
Food
The city of Stockholm offers a variety of palatable options. From the traditional Swedish dishes to a host of fusion restaurants, this cosmopolitan destination seems to have everything and anything for an expat longing for a delicious meal.
Sweden's capital is popular for its fish dishes, like the myriad ways of cooking herring. If you prefer home-cooked meals, you may want to visit the airy 19th-century Ostermalms Saluhall, or covered market. This place is popular and renowned for the best Swedish produce in the city.
Basic food products like milk cost about SEK 7.93 (USD 0.99) for a liter, a dozen eggs cost SEK 13.70 (USD 1.71), and a loaf of fresh bread costs around SEK 17.03 (USD 2.13)
Eating out can also be enjoyed every now and then without seriously hurting your budget. A meal for two in a mid-range restaurant costs around SEK 472.74 or USD 59.04. If you feel like splurging, Stockholm also has a host of high-end restaurants you can try. Fill your wallet with about SEK 1200 (USD 149.86) for a meal in a restaurant such as the Michelin-starred Edsbacka Krog.
Transportation and Utilities
Stockholm has a very extensive and effective public transport system composed of subway, train, tram, and bus services. An integrated coupon/ticketing system is used for all modes of public transport.
The city's metro system is called the Tunnelbana (or T-Bana) which has 100 stations spread out over Stockholm. This is an efficient way of getting around the city and avoiding heavy traffic. Trains run from 5a.m to 1a.m on weekdays.
Stockholm also has an extensive bus system with four inner city main lines. To navigate around the city's waterways, the transport system also includes ferry lines that can take you to Djurgården and Skeppsholmen.
Tickets for public transport are best bought in bulk or for use for a longer period of time. These are available for 24 hours (100SEK or USD 12.49), 72 hours (200SEK or USD 24.98), or 7 days (260SEK or USD 32.47) and a strip of 16 coupons (förköpsremsa) costs 180SEK (USD 22.48).
Expenses for basic household utilities such as electricity, gas, water, and garbage collection are around SEK 1370.26. A mobile phone call of 100 minutes adds up to around SEK 136.54 or USD 17.05. Monthly internet expenses are roughly SEK 275.62 or USD 24.42 for a DSL connection.
The basic expenses in Stockholm may be a bit pricier than other expat destinations, but every Swedish Krona is worth the healthier environment, the dynamic workplace, and the quaint yet easily accessible cosmopolitan lifestyle that this city has to offer.
More Expat Resources
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