(no subject)
I got this comment in my last public entry and thought I would make it a blog post instead of replying in the comments:)
ive been reading your blog for a few days now, since considering a job offer in stockholm, sweden.
i am trying to find out as much information as i can on filipino life there
so me, my wife and baby daughter will be ready when we go there this august.
br,
Apee Gloria
http://www.apee-photos.blogspot.com
Ca, USA
First of all, hi Apee! I'm going to try my best to answer your questions.
Q. how much is a typical apartment for 3 (well 2.5 people) in stockholm?
It depends on the size and location, but you should be able to get a decent 2-bedroom apartment for 5000-7000 SEK. This can go up to 10,000 if you want a fancy address. If your job offer doesn't come with relocation services, the quickest way to find an apartment is to go to bostaddirekt.com and sign up for access to their listings.
Q. are the utilities inluded in the rent?
Electricity, water, heating, access to the building's laundry room are usually included, sometimes internet access and cable TV are also included.
Q. is the transport system 24h?
Yes, although out in the suburbs the trains only come every hour or so in the wee morning hours. The subway system is 24/7. Some buses aren't 24/7 but the busy routes usually are.
Q. any asian stores? pinoy stores?
Lots of Asian stores and restaurants, but only one Pinoy store that I know of.
Q. is it expensive there?
Yes, but I've never lived anywhere else other than the Philippines and here so I can't compare. Maybe it will help if I enumerate the prices of some common goods in USD: on average, a liter of milk is $1, a loaf of wholewheat bread is $3, a Big Mac Meal is $10, a haircut is $35, babysitting is $10-15 an hour, a 30-day transport ticket (valid on buses, subways, and trains within the city) is $90.
Q. are there malls (hehe, pinoy eh)?
Yup, the biggest ones I've been to are Gallerian and Kista Galleria.
Q. are the winters harsh?
I have no other winter experience other than a trip to Ohio in Feb '05, but it seems Stockholm winters are so much better than those in Gothenburg, for example, where the windchill is really bad and up in Jokkmokk where it could snow 8 months a year.
Q. how long is the flight from manila?
If I remember correctly, on Thai Airways it's 10.5 hours to Bangkok + 3 hours to Manila. On Malaysian it's 11 hours to Kuala Lumpur + 4 hours to Manila. On KLM I think it's around the same, an 11 hour trip to Amsterdam and a 3-hour one to Stockholm.
Hope this helps, good luck!
ive been reading your blog for a few days now, since considering a job offer in stockholm, sweden.
i am trying to find out as much information as i can on filipino life there
so me, my wife and baby daughter will be ready when we go there this august.
br,
Apee Gloria
http://www.apee-photos.blogspot.com
Ca, USA
First of all, hi Apee! I'm going to try my best to answer your questions.
Q. how much is a typical apartment for 3 (well 2.5 people) in stockholm?
It depends on the size and location, but you should be able to get a decent 2-bedroom apartment for 5000-7000 SEK. This can go up to 10,000 if you want a fancy address. If your job offer doesn't come with relocation services, the quickest way to find an apartment is to go to bostaddirekt.com and sign up for access to their listings.
Q. are the utilities inluded in the rent?
Electricity, water, heating, access to the building's laundry room are usually included, sometimes internet access and cable TV are also included.
Q. is the transport system 24h?
Yes, although out in the suburbs the trains only come every hour or so in the wee morning hours. The subway system is 24/7. Some buses aren't 24/7 but the busy routes usually are.
Q. any asian stores? pinoy stores?
Lots of Asian stores and restaurants, but only one Pinoy store that I know of.
Q. is it expensive there?
Yes, but I've never lived anywhere else other than the Philippines and here so I can't compare. Maybe it will help if I enumerate the prices of some common goods in USD: on average, a liter of milk is $1, a loaf of wholewheat bread is $3, a Big Mac Meal is $10, a haircut is $35, babysitting is $10-15 an hour, a 30-day transport ticket (valid on buses, subways, and trains within the city) is $90.
Q. are there malls (hehe, pinoy eh)?
Yup, the biggest ones I've been to are Gallerian and Kista Galleria.
Q. are the winters harsh?
I have no other winter experience other than a trip to Ohio in Feb '05, but it seems Stockholm winters are so much better than those in Gothenburg, for example, where the windchill is really bad and up in Jokkmokk where it could snow 8 months a year.
Q. how long is the flight from manila?
If I remember correctly, on Thai Airways it's 10.5 hours to Bangkok + 3 hours to Manila. On Malaysian it's 11 hours to Kuala Lumpur + 4 hours to Manila. On KLM I think it's around the same, an 11 hour trip to Amsterdam and a 3-hour one to Stockholm.
Hope this helps, good luck!