Moving to Stockholm

Moving to a new city is always a bit overwhelming. Especially when you’re faced with the bureaucracy and prices of Stockholm. Luckily for you newbies to this great place, we’ve compiled a few tips on how to land yourself a great place to call home.

Use your channels

SSSB may offer several accommodations in central Stockholm, and sometimes the kitchen isn’t even that bad. But as a first year you may have too few days to get something that will work for you. By sharing on social media that you’re looking for somewhere to live you will be offered more alternatives, such as sublets, sharing a bigger place with other students or renting a room in someone's apartment. There are also several groups you can join on facebook with focus on renting out apartments and rooms. 

Don't be too picky, you can move again later once you’ve landed 

I have a friend who’s managed to move to a new city without actually having somewhere to live. It works for now, but can probably add a lot of unwanted stress onto the initial weeks of uni. To avoid this, don’t be super picky about where you first live. Assuming you’re not signing up for some long term commitment on the first place, you can easily find something better and leave when you can and want to. It doesn’t have to be the perfect apartment or the cosiest corridor the first time around.

Beware of creepy landlords

I went to look at a room in a collective for women, with the landlord having his apartment(read man cave) on the bottom floor, just to “hang out”. Also avoid live-in situations where it seems that you won’t have the privacy that you need. I have had several friends who’ve been offered to share one room apartments with strangers. If something feels creepy…. It probably is, safety first.

Check your commute

In Stockholm you can be geographically close to something, but it can still take a long time to get there if you live on the “wrong” line. It may say on the listing that the apartment is close to transport, but check which transport and check how close. When it comes to the winter, you can thank me later. Further, living in the inner city may not be quicker to campus as buses and inner metros can be slow. It may be just as quick to take the pendeltåg (commuter train) to Odenplan.

Check your social media profile

If you choose to look for a place to live using eg facebook, make sure your profile is presentable. You don’t want a potential landlord to see all your party pics or questionable interests, just try to be as neutral as possible.

Ikea is not as cheap and good as you think.

Ok so maybe this is more for the non-Swedes out there but I guess you’ve all heard of the Swedish commercial prodigy that is Ikea. One tip is to not go splashing all your cash in their warehouse… It’s honestly not that easy or cheap. Better idea is to scavenge Facebook marketplace or Lappis marketplace (a student group for selling stuff) and get it second hand. That way, the furniture is a) cheaper and b) already built!

Think about the amenities

Closely linked to the commuting section but think about what is close to your new place? Is it a reasonably priced supermarket or a posh ICA Nära? Do you have a gym nearby, if that is what you are after? Does a nearby building look like it will be reconstructed soon? These are things that can seem obvious, but are easily ignored and can make a lot of difference. In the winter, you will not be keen to travel far in the dark and cold and will spend more time at home than you do now so annoying hammers can get more annoying and little commutes can become a drag.

The price is right.

Honestly, when moving to Stockholm, I had no idea what a good or bad price was. Generally speaking, the closer to the city you live, the more it will cost you. The more spacious your apartment, the more it will cost you. The less flatmates you have, the more it will cost you. Most importantly, the more greedy your landlord is, the more it will cost you. Beware, a deal may not be as good as you think. I would always recommend comparing prices of similar properties before jumping into any deal. The last thing you want is to be overpaying and having your friends laugh at you because you thought it was a good deal (definitely did not happen to me….).