In this article we will take a look at what it is like to live and work in Malmo. With its nearly 350,000 inhabitants, it is the third largest city in the country in terms of size and population, after Gothenburg and Stockholm. It is located in the Skåne region, which was only ceded by Sweden to Denmark in the 17th century, and the inhabitants have retained their dialect and a slightly independent attitude.
Getting around the city is really very easy, if you live in the centre you can easily get around on foot or by bike. Otherwise, public transportation is very good and modern. Malmö is a great city for cycling and offers amazing bike paths.
Malmö has grown rapidly in recent decades, which has led to a large number of immigrants and refugees from all over the world settling here. About 180 nationalities are represented here, making it a multicultural city, often considered an example of perfect integration and coexistence between people of different cultures and backgrounds.
Malmo is very close to Copenhagen, which can be seen with the naked eye on the other side of the Oeresund Bridge. In just 20 minutes by train you are already in Denmark.
The people of Malmo are wonderful people, friendly and helpful, even if they are reserved. If you ask them for help, they will probably do whatever they can to help you. A break from work is enough to make friends, and once you get to know them, they become very sociable and generally have a great sense of humor. Almost everyone can respond in English and converse correctly. So communication is never a problem. The only shortcoming is mastering the Swedish language, which is required for most jobs.
Malmö has a great hip-hop, rap and punk culture, and the city hosts many artists who perform frequently, but on weekdays everything closes at 6 p.m., and by 7 p.m. the city turns into a ghost town. People stay at home, alone or with their families, without inviting others (this is not part of their culture). However, it is easy to socialize with the international community, and this makes social life less lonely.
Compared to Stockholm, Malmo has a lower cost of living, of course. It is a small city and quite poor compared to the capital, which makes prices cheaper than in Stockholm or Gothenburg. Many people who work in Copenhagen also choose to live in Malmo to save money. This, combined with the continuous influx of people from all over the world, has led to a significant increase in demand for housing that exceeds the available supply.
Malmo differs from a typical Swedish city because it is located much further south. In fact, snow rarely falls in the city, it just rains quite often, but the temperatures are never extreme even in winter. The biggest problem is the icy wind that blows frequently and, combined with downpours, can become a real problem, since you can not protect yourself with an umbrella.
Can you find a job in Malmo without speaking Swedish?
It is not impossible, but more difficult. Swedes love their language, although they speak English very well. A lot depends on the job you are looking for and the company you want to work for. For IT jobs, employers do not expect you to speak Swedish. However, if you have a job where you deal with Swedish customers, such as in marketing, customer service, or administration, you will need Swedish. However, there are sometimes booths in restaurants and bars where only English is enough
In short, most employers are specifically looking for people with Swedish language skills, but there are also employers who require Swedish language skills with fluency in English, as most Swedes also speak English. Remember that the Swedish job market is very much dependent on recommendations, so if someone suggests you for a certain job, you have a much better chance of being hired.
Living and working in Malmo, conclusion
Malmö is a city that is gradually becoming a beautiful international melting pot. The extraordinary mix of cultures and the wonderful blend of past and future make it so special.
Malmo’s geographical location is very good, as it is close to Denmark, Germany and Poland. Accommodation prices are also much lower than in Stockholm and Copenhagen. The same applies to the prices of food and restaurants. Wide green spaces and fresh air. Winter is a bit boring and tedious, but connections to Copenhagen are very good and fast if you want to experience something bigger and more lively.
If you want to live in Sweden and do not like cold and damp, Malmoe is one of the best places because it is the warmest Swedish city closest to the European mainland.
If you are interested in moving to other Swedish cities, read the article: How to move to Sweden
If you are interested in working in Sweden, read the article: Working in Sweden
