When my wife and I decided to move to Sweden in the spring of 2006 our primary reason was for the sake of the children.

We were planning a family and wanted the children to experience the fresh air, nature and relaxed childhood my wife had experienced. Coming from Liverpool, right bang in the city centre to live out in the Swedish countryside an hour from Stockholm I still had a little adjusting to do.

For me personally the move had its advantages and drawbacks. I have to admit to missing the social life in Liverpool and the diversity of living in a multi-cultural area.

Leaving behind friends and family is never easy, but you have to be positive and going to pastures new means opportunities for making new friends and acquaintances.

People in Sweden are a little cautious, especially in the countryside and it takes longer to get to know people here. It must be said though that once you do make a contact in Sweden people are usually very friendly.

The language barrier is sometimes difficult as many people want to speak English with you and so learning Swedish can be hard out here in the countryside when you don’t meet that many people and 75% of those you do meet want to practice their English on you.

Our daughter Shona has just started “Dagis” (kindergarten). Shona is just 15 months old and loves the place. The staff and facilities are amazing and it gives me a warm feeling and convinces me that we made the right decision.

Winter will soon be over and spring will mean we can get in the garden and prepare for the BBQ season. Summers in the Sweden are beautiful and time for having friends around eating good food and having a few drinks into the long evenings. Hopefully, we will have friends and family visit us in the summer.

I also want to get back to Liverpool a couple of times a year to see family and friends. There is the added incentive of Liverpool being the European Capital of Culture 2008. It would be nice to see what is going on in the city and also get along to Goodison Park and see Everton. I follow the games here on television but it would be good to get the atmosphere of at least one game close up and enjoy the before and after sessions in the local pubs.

We are in a fortunate position to be able to enjoy both Liverpool and Sweden.

^{Joseph Cooper}