the real sweden

got this off a chat group for people like me living here, thought it was pretty complete on reasons for living here. so just a glimpse for y'all yankees:

Where else can you:

buy an affordable (well, almost - and compared to other capital cities) flat in a capital city,
walk out of your flat, go 10m and swim in the sea/lake/river before breakfast
take coffee on your balcony at 0630 in 20+C temps
wander back out of the flat and catch probably the best integrated public transport system to work,
take lunch on a beach,
meet friends for a grillfest in the evening by another beach
chill out in bars with some of the best looking girls in the world
have access to the widest range of wines in one shop (if you can remember/are able to get up in time on a saturday)
wander home at midnight in almost daylight
go cross county skiing from outside your flat in the winter
go alpine skiing (-ish) in the city
skate over the sea for miles and miles
play kub (which has rules that must be the swedish revenge for cricket)
dance like a frog around a maypole
booze cruise it to Finland for 18 hours at tax free prices for alcohol
relax due to good job security
take the worlds 2nd best saunas (well, Sweden isnt quite Finland.....)
get free swedish lessons
get paid a chunk of money every month by the company for doing sports (a tax thing)
get tax paid back on all interest paid on all loans (boat, car, house....)
get many many months of paternal leave
get the ability to take a year off for whatever and then return to your job, protected by law
go kajaking, sailing, kiking, treking, running without having to travel anywhere

Granted....I love Sweden...but you have to add:

Deal with people who are grumpy and unfriendly for over half the year because the sun is non-existant...
Pray that you never catch anything harsher than the common cold because good luck to you if you have to wait for medical care...but its free!!!
Have your coat held hostage by the coat mafia that is stationed at ever bar and restaurant...
Have to pay outrageous prices for crap service at bars...
Get to eat sill...
Be forcefed powdered, flavorless mashed potatoes...
Pay a tax just for owning a TV - does not matter if you are only using it as a huge monitor...
Get phone calls from people that want to sell you underwear...over the phone...
Delight in the eviceration of your monthly paycheck by the tax authority...

But I do love living in Sweden...really, I do...