Overview of Pros and Cons of Living In Denmark by EU helpers
There has been plenty of discussion on the expats' wellbeing in Denmark. And since there
are more and more data on the topic one ought to be methodical about it, in order to be
able to paint a certain picture.
Expats are very happy with the Danish system overall (quality of life, economy, work, family,
education, digitization) - they are just not that happy themselves - they cannot settle in and
make any local connections in Denmark.
Here are all the pros and cons of living in Denmark and what to expect about living there.
1. Pro: Very clean
Danes are very aware of their environment and take pride in keeping things clean. Streets,
parks, and public places are clean and free of trash.
The water is potable and of such good quality that most Danes drink out of the tap as
opposed to buying bottled water.
The air quality is excellent, and it is a good place for people with respiratory problems to live
because of the lack of pollution.
Copenhagen has a place on the waterway where you can rent kayaks for free if you agree to
pick up any trash you see. This organization is called GreenKayak and they have engaged
Danes and visitors in collecting tens of thousands of kilos of ocean trash to help keep
Copenhagen clean.
It’s so clean that you can even swim in the port, something that is almost unheard of in
other countries.
2. Con: Cold and windy weather
The weather in Denmark leaves something to be desired. Winters are cold but without much
snow. Summers are cool, with a mean average temperature during July and August of only
around 17°C (62°F).
Don’t expect a lot of sun, either.
During the winter the sun rises late and sets early because Denmark has a northern latitude.
It is often overcast and the flat, coastal landscape lends itself to lots of wind.
3. Pro: Leader in sustainability
Denmark is a world leader in fighting climate change, so living in Denmark should make you
feel good about your small carbon footprint.
67% of Denmark’s electrical energy is from renewable sources like wind energy. You’ll see
lots of wind turbines off the coast of Denmark and also on certain islands.Copenhagen even has a year-round ski hill (appropriately named CopenHill) that is built on
top of a modern trash incinerator. It’s a great example of Danish innovation in sustainability.
4. Con: Kind of boring
Denmark doesn’t have a reputation for being the most fun country. Geographically, it lacks
the natural wonders of neighbouring countries like Norway. The rain or wintry mix of rain
and snow means Danes tend to spend more time at home than outdoors.
Copenhagen is Denmark’s largest city by far and has some museums and events, but in
general Denmark isn’t known as a great place for fun, excitement or special events.
5. Pro: Free or inexpensive education
A country offering subsidized day-care and free primary and secondary school may not
surprise you, but Denmark takes affordable education a step further.
Full-time university students are offered a living stipend so they don’t have to worry about
expenses while they study.
With affordable education and government stipends for all, it’s no wonder that Denmark has
a population that is extremely well educated. Many universities in Denmark are world-class
and offer some classes in English.
6. Con: Taxes are some of the highest in the world
The money for free education has to come from somewhere, so it’s not a surprise that
Denmark has some of the highest taxes in the world.
The government gets most of its revenue from individual taxes. Individuals can be taxed as
much as 55%!
The average Danish wage is DKK 45,481 per month before taxes, which is around $6,640
USD. This is quite high compared to most countries, but when 50% of it is taken away for
taxes, the take home pay is only around $3,320. High taxes eat through the higher salaries.
Having half their pay check taken away in taxes may be an incentive for some people to not
work, but in most cases the benefits, like free healthcare, are worth it.
7. Pro: Safety
Denmark has one of the lowest crime rates in the world. It’s so safe that it’s not uncommon
to see parents leave their sleeping babies bundled up in a stroller outside a restaurant while
they eat inside!
The majority of the crime that Denmark does have is non-violent. While a tourist might get
pickpocketed, the chances of gun violence or physical violence are very rare.
If you are used to being very cautious about your surroundings or always watching your
purse, moving to Denmark will be a breath of fresh air.
8. Con: Landlords can require huge deposits
If you are renting a place in Denmark, be prepared to pay a large deposit and/or part of the
rent upfront. In addition to the first month’s rent, landlords can ask for up to three month’s
rent paid in advance and up to three month’s rent for the deposit.
Imagine needing to pay half of your year’s rent before you move in!
9. Pro: Easy connections to other countries in Europe
Denmark is a small, flat country with good transportation options, making it easy to travel in.
It’s also well-connected to other countries through flights out of Copenhagen and Aarhus
and there is even a bridge to drive or take the train to Sweden.
There are also easy options to travel by car or ferry.
SAS Airlines has a hub in Copenhagen and from Copenhagen alone there are over 30
destinations served, including direct flights to Asia and North America.
10. Con: Laundry is more difficult
It is common for households to only have a washer and not a dryer. This is the norm
in Europe, but can take a while for North Americans to get used to.
Clothes can take a long time to dry in the winter with no dryer. Some clothes, especially
jeans, get very stiff and crunchy if they aren’t tumble dried.
The washers in Denmark tend to be about half the size of those in North America and while
they may be energy-saving, they also take twice as long to run a wash cycle. Be prepared to
spend a lot more time doing laundry if you move to Denmark.
11. Pro: Great for biking
Denmark’s flat landscape makes it easy to get around by bike. Cities have wide designated
bike lanes and lots of bike racks to lock up bikes. Most Danes bike to work, so it’s normal to
bring your bike to the office.
It’s so flat that even bikes without gears or with only 3 speeds will serve you well. It’s not
necessary to get a fancy road bike. Most bikes have a basket on the front or back to be able
to carry things in.
Biking daily is a great way to get exercise, get fresh air, and feel like a local!
12. Con: There’s a good chance you’ll get hit by a bike
Be careful.
Bikers are moving fast, and with so many bike lanes, visitors to Denmark don’t know that
they need to take bikes into account when walking around town. There are even special
traffic lights for bike riders.Make sure that you are very careful crossing the streets and know that bikes have the right
of way. Danes have little patience for tourists who are in their way. Don’t walk in the bike
lanes is a lesson you will learn very quickly here.
Once you’re a local, you won’t be at risk.
13. Pro: English is widely spoken
Most Danes have an excellent level of English. It is easy to find signs, menus and services in
English.
While of course you should try to learn some Danish, it is a place where you can easily
function without knowing the language of the host country.
Foreign films are usually shown in their original language with Danish subtitles, so if you
move to Denmark you’ll still be able to enjoy all the Hollywood hits in English.
You might be wondering, is Denmark friendly to foreigners? Yes, Denmark, especially the
Copenhagen area, is very used to visitors from other countries and happy to welcome them
and share Danish culture.
14. Con: Lack of diversity
While Denmark has accepted more immigrants and refugees in the last decades, the
population is still very homogenous. More than 85% of the population are ethnic Danes.
While there are some Syrians, Iraqis, Turks, and other immigrant groups, they are generally
concentrated in Copenhagen.
A person of colour might find it difficult to live in Denmark due to this lack of diversity, and
might face racist attitudes.
15. Pro: Hygge. Enough said.
Hygge (hu-guh) is a term coined in Denmark that has no exact English translation. It roughly
translates to that cozy, snuggly feeling when you are curled up on the sofa with fuzzy socks
and hot chocolate while it snows outside. Oh, and candles. Lots of candles.
If you like being cozy, you’ll love living in Denmark where everything is hyggelig and hygge is
a way of life.
16. Con: Cost of living is very high
Of all the pros and cons of living in Denmark, this might be the biggest con. Denmark, like
other Nordic countries, has an extremely high cost of living. Be ready to pay over $7 USD for
a soda at an outdoor café!
Renting a one-bedroom apartment in Copenhagen will cost around 12,058 DKK ($1736 USD)
and don’t forget $200 USD for utilities. A liter of milk will set you back only 13 DKK ($2 USD)
but a pair of Levis can cost $100 USD.Copenhagen is one of the most expensive cities in the world. You will find that the cost of
living is lower in other parts of the country.
The plus side is that there is very little poverty but the downside is that the cost of living in
Denmark is high. No one has a lot of extra money because everything is expensive.
17. Pro: Great work-life balance
Time with family and friends is valued in Denmark. Working hours are less than 40 hours a
week and there are strict laws about the maximum number of hours worked for certain jobs.
There is more vacation time in Denmark than in North America.
The government wants people to enjoy their vacation time and five weeks of vacation a year
is the norm. Lots of Danes spend their vacation at cabins near the sea or traveling to other
parts of Europe.
18. Con: Not very much shopping
While you won’t have any problems finding the goods you need, shopping for clothes or
other material goods is not very popular.
The one exception to this is thrift shops. Buying something second hand is popular for both
economic and environmental reasons. Creating something new out of something used is
highly respected.
Grocery stores tend to be smaller and have fewer products than in some other countries.
You’ll find the basics of what you need, but you may have a hard time finding special
products from home or a wide variety of brands.
19. Pro: The 7-11 stores are luxurious
Coming from North America, you probably associate 7-11 with dirty bathrooms and
overcooked hot dogs, but the 7-11s in Denmark are in another league. In Denmark and
most of Scandinavia, 7-11 is to convenience stores as Target is to Walmart; you actually want
to go there.
You can get great-tasting baked goods, a variety of healthy and unhealthy drinks, and even
lunch when you are in a bind. You’ll find 7-11s all over Denmark. It seems like you are never
more than a block away.
20. Con: Danes are not the friendliest people
While Danes aren’t necessarily rude, they aren’t the friendliest of people. They may be
perceived as rude by people who come from cultures that are very warm and open.
Many say that Danes are a tough nut to crack, but once you get through the hard shell they
are warm and kind.Many Danes are very private and what a person from another culture might see as guarded
or tight-lipped is considered being polite and not intruding into someone’s business by a
Dane. Thus they are less likely to make small talk.
Also, loud noises and shouting are frowned upon. Make sure to be respectful of your
neighbours and turn the loud music down.
21. Pro: Denmark is the birthplace of LEGO
Billund, in central Denmark, is home to everyone’s favourite blocks. Building and designing
with LEGO blocks is popular in Denmark and Danes are proud of this world-renowned
brand.
Visiting the LEGO theme park in Billund makes for a fun day out for LEGO enthusiasts of all
ages. It’s Denmark’s most popular theme park with rides, shows, LEGO building workshops,
and lots of amazing things built out of LEGO.
22. Con: An unfurnished apartment is really unfurnished
People who move to Denmark are often shocked to find out that an unfurnished apartment
is pretty much just the walls and floor. It’s common not to include appliances or even the
cabinets!
Even a furnished apartment may not include the light fixtures, as this is something that
Danes like to pick out themselves.
Unfortunately, furnishing an apartment can be very expensive and require some electrical
knowledge.
23. Pro: Denmark is an egalitarian society
Danish society is refreshingly egalitarian. People are equal no matter what their gender or
education.
There is very little emphasis put on social or educational status. For instance, even though a
person may have earned a PhD, it isn’t typical for them to be called Doctor.
There is also a lot less difference in the amount of money earned between someone in a
low-end janitorial job and someone in a high-end business position than in other countries.
Denmark is one of the best countries for LGBTQ people, gender equality, and for human
rights in general. It was even the first country in the world to recognize state-
sanctioned same-sex partnerships!
Conclusion: Pros and Cons of Living in Denmark
Denmark is a great place for foreigners to move to.
Despite the lack of excitement and gray weather, Denmark offers a clean, safe place to live
and a very high quality of life.
If you move there you’ll have lots of travel opportunities and will be able to get around
easily in English. Plus there are lots of beaches and LEGO to look forward to!
