Copenhagen, Denmark

What do I need to know about living in Copenhagen?

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When we asked people what advice they would give someone preparing to move to Copenhagen, they said:

"Copenhagen is a small city but is a gateway to many parts of Europe, make travel a priority to keep things interesting. At the end of the day, it's still a European country and shares many characteristics with its counterparts, although personally I think for expats it's better than the US or UK if you are English speaking for example, although Denmark speaks excellent English and there is hardly a need to learn the local language (at least for a short term stay) However, of course being from the US, I would not rate it as the best expat destination due to its small population and sometimes lack of activities. That being said, it is a great opportunity for immersion in a new culture and to get to know both the country and the Scandinavian culture better. My advice: Denmark is a place where especially if you are from outside Europe or a place where the cost of living is much lower, will be a big change in terms of lifestyle, there are some sacrifices to be made. If you are willing to sacrifice a little, I view it as a great short-term destination, and if you want to stay a little longer, I wouldn’t blame you- Denmark has many appealing factors," explained one expat living in Copenhagen, Denmark.

How do I meet people in Copenhagen?

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When we asked people living in Copenhagen about club and activities where newcomers can meet others, they responded:

"Try Facebook groups- there are some expat in Copenhagen groups. Unfortunately, compared to other countries, Denmark lacks in terms of organizations to help meet other people, as many require Danish proficiency. My best advice- if you have a child, get involved with your child's international school, you are sure to meet tons of expat families and local Danish ones, and is a great way to meet new people," said another expat in Copenhagen .

What is life like in Copenhagen?

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When we asked people living in Copenhagen what life is like and how people spend their time, they said:

"Lives revolve around family, if you are from the US for comparison, life here is significantly LESS stressful in terms of work. The working hours here are shorter, and most jobs require around 37.5 hours a week. Lots of vacation too and amazing maternity leave benefits. All of these contribute to more family time, and in general Danes tend to prioritize family time or meet friends usually in a small social circle. Of course, some expats want to meet a lot of people (myself included), and there are opportunities to meet through expat groups (see above). Additionally, there are sports clubs although check beforehand as most of not all speak Danish :( However, DON’T be discouraged from exercise, there might not be groups but many Danes and expats alike like to spend time outside with their family. Many residents of Copenhagen are extremely active, and a large population bike or walk to work/school, go to the gym, run, etc. For group sports for kids, check with your child’s school, many offer programs. For adults, your options may be more limited but try social media to find groups, or if not create a group with fellow locals and expats :)," remarked another expat who made the move to Copenhagen .

Is there a lot of diversity? Are people in Copenhagen accepting of differences?

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"Depends on where you are from whether you will think it is more or less diverse. If you are from a place like the US, Canada, the U.K., Singapore, the UAE, or countries similar where there are many cultures, you will be surprised at how ethnically homogeneous Denmark is. One local told me it is a tribe almost, nearly everyone is ethnically Danish and there is little cultural diversity. However, if you are from a place such as Norway, Sweden, etc. where society is largely one race, you won't be in for much of a shock. Of course, larger cities here are more multicultural than urban areas. Danes are very accepting of culture generally, although many have mixed experiences. While I, as a person of color, have generally had good experiences, many of my friends have not, although a large majority have. I think overall though, Denmark is extremely accepting, and is fortunate to have legislation that guarantees personal rights and liberties upon everyone. Denmark is very much centered around equality. However, often minorities of any form will experience some form of ignorance, although many locals describe it as just ignorance and not malicious intent- being an ethnically homogeneous place, many Danes have not experienced multiculturalism the way other countries in Europe and America/Canada have for example, although in my opinion it is still no excuse for any hateful comments. Opinions vary, the best advice I have (which is general I apologize), is to talk to as many people you can including locals and experts to gain your own perspective on this issue, which is not so clear cut here in Denmark, although it is safe to say it is a Western country and is tolerant and accepting, so don't worry :)," commented one expat who made the move to Copenhagen .

What are the schools in Copenhagen like?

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"Steer clear of this school. The school principal is only interested in your money. The teachers are unprofessional. Once you sign up for a place you cannot withdraw your child from the school without forfeiting TWO YEARS of school fees. Our daughter was bullied by some older boys and the school did nothing. In the end we had to take her out of the school and get trauma counseling for her. The principal forced us to pay for the next school year after she'd left and threarened us with legal action when we questioned this. This horrible experience has colored our perception of Denmark as a country. We will NEVER come back," added another expat with kids at Bjorn's International School in Copenhagen.

"Do not send them to this school. Particularly if your children do not have english as a first language. For native speakers it is already a feat for the parents trying to uphold english standards. The cons completely outweigh the pros and the office attitude that I mentioned earlier is a major issue for most of the expat parents, and some of the locals as well. There have been several instances of people cutting their contracts short in order to escape the claws of the school. Their time in Denmark has been overshadowed by the shortcomings and arrogance of this institution. There are plenty of other options in the Copenhagen area, and from friends' experience we hear that those schools are more established with a friendlier environment," commented one expat when asked about Hoersholm International School in Copenhagen.

"When you take a first lokk at the school, you would the facilities are not good enough. But everyone, who gives it a chance changes their minds very fast. The way the school integrates learning, good behavior, and caring both between the students but also among the teachers, parents and students makes this a wonderful school," remarked another expat living in Copenhagen with children attending HIS, Hoersholm International School.

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