"I came for the engineering. I stayed because my two-year-old started learning Portuguese AND Swedish on her own, and because I can finish work at five and be in the forest by six."
Mateus, 36 — Brazil
Senior Engineer, Volvo Cars
Lives in Majorna
Stories & events
People &
moments
The honest version of what it feels like to move here — told by the people who did it — and the events worth circling in your calendar.
"We thought we'd stay two years. It's been seven. The thing nobody warns you about is how quickly a place stops being foreign — and how strange it feels to call somewhere new home."
Hiroshi & Akiko · Moved from Tokyo in 2019, live in Haga with their two children
Six who moved here
"Two careers, no kids, lots of energy. Gothenburg gave us both salaries we can actually live on, a flat we love in Linné, and a queer scene that surprised us in the best way."
Selin & Emre — Turkey
Software developer + Cybersecurity
Live in Linné
"I was wooed with money in Boston and Basel. I chose Gothenburg because my husband (HR) could work here without Swedish thanks to International House, and because my kids ski on Wednesdays."
Dr. Annika Müller, 46 — Germany
Principal Scientist, AstraZeneca
Lives in Örgryte
"The studentlife reputation is real. I share a flat in Lindholmen, bike to Chalmers in 12 minutes, and the entire research group goes to fika at 14:30. Every day."
Aarav, 28 — India
PhD candidate, Chalmers
Lives in Lindholmen
"I was terrified of being 'the trailing spouse'. International House paired me with a mentor, I now write for two Swedish agencies, and our daughter speaks better Swedish than her parents."
Priya, 34 — Bangalore
Accompanying partner, freelance copywriter
Lives in Örgryte
"We moved with our daughter when she was four. Free preschool four months later, healthcare we trust, and a flat with a balcony for less than our old Hackney rent. We're not going back."
James & Tom — UK
Doctor + Architect
Live in Hisingen
The year in events
Subscribe to calendar
Aug
12
Kulturkalaset
Five days of free music, food and performing arts across the city centre. The unmissable summer week.
Nov
16
Christmas City
Five million bulbs across the city, the Liseberg market, and the official Christmas City of Sweden.
Jan
26
Gothenburg Film Festival
The largest film festival in the Nordics — 400+ films across 11 days in the heart of winter.
Aug
08
Way Out West
Three days of music, art and vegetarian street food in Slottsskogen. Summer's biggest party.
Feb
01
The Boat Show
The Nordics' biggest boat fair. Spring sailing dreams begin here every February at Svenska Mässan.
Jun
06
National Day & summer kickoff
Public holiday, flags out, Slottsskogen full, the city's official slide into the long summer evenings.
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