Hey there greetings from the Pacific Northwest in the USA - I sincerely appreciate your video for its HONESTY - it's refreshing, especially when considering how so many travel/culture videos of a similar focus tend to overly hype the place they are talking about. Thanks!
As an Oregonian living here in Denmark with my Danish husband, this man is really honest about things as they are in Denmark. It can be really lonely living here, even for some Danes. I really do not think Danes really over hype themselves, because it goes against Janteloven. Though that is also hypocritical because of the numbers of really expensive houses, clothing, and cars that some of these Danes drive. I swear if I see another white tesla I am going to be sick, because the amount of electricity, that comes mostly from coal burning, or wood chip burning in Denmark also fuels these cars. So much for carbon footprint reductions. Yes, DK is the maker of the modern windmills, and Vesta originated here. But given the strong winds, they have to shut down due to battery capacity. They cannot store energy. I would be all for electric cars, if the energy used to fuel them was also green, but it is not. So give me a hydrogen cell car any day. However, there is a tax break only for electric cars here. Sorry for the rant. Also., do not move here if you love the Pacific Ocean and its proximity. Mountains and rivers. Denmark claims also to have rivers, but they are mostly channelized streams now. Waterfalls, there are none. Hiking is the worst, I call it mostly forest walking on gravel roads. If you want a more interesting walk, get on a bike trail, but be prepared to get yelled at by cyclists. However, that is the only place in a forest that can give you a slight variation in terrain and almost, just almost feel like you are hiking. As for vistas, there are few, but year they are mostly along a road. The highest place on the island of Sjealand, where Copenhagen is situated on, you cannot see much from it, because it is only about forty feet high and the beech trees obscure the landscape and you cannot see over them. There is a man made platform you can go up that is over the tree tops, but the forest there is small, and then you see all the farm land as he says. I do think while he was on Møn he could have shown the white chalk cliffs, but chose not to. There is a UNESCO site, that also has chalk cliffs face, that can show you the historical time of the extinction of the Jurassic age, to the volcanic eruptions afterwards. But enough negativity there are wonderful things about Denmark. The many miles of coast lines, because it is a country of 416 islands, and a peninsula connecting it to Europe. Their incredible engineering of beautiful bridges, which is celebrated on their paper money. Those same forests are plentiful just outside of Copenhagen and great for walking during any season. I love it especially in the fall when the leaves are showing their autumn colors being reflected on a small lake. There are also my Danish friends, some I met online before moving here with my husband, and those I met through my husband. They are kind, supportive and lots of fun to be around. Even though you have to schedule a visit with plenty of time in advance. This is because when Danes do get free time, they want time with their family and not overwhelm themselves with constant busyness over the weekends. From a society that the work week is only 37.5 hours a week. However, when it is dark you want to cozy up inside with your family. There is also very excellent public transportation. With those higher taxes also comes with a higher standard of living, education is free, healthcare is free, prescription medication is subsidized based on how much out of pocket you have paid. However, major pharmaceutical companies cannot charge as much because of the negotiating power and caps on medicine. Generics are easier to get here because there really does not seem to be allowed to change one milligram of a medication to hold onto market after their exclusivity runs out, i.e. Claritin vs. Claritin 2. One medication that has been around over 70 years, costs less than a penny per dose, costs over 5 dollars still in the US. Oh and there are NO new medication ads on TV, that is a blessing in of itself! However, I would trade that all back in, just to live in Oregon again. To be able to call someone up and say ‘hey I am in the neighborhood, can I drop by for a few minutes to catch up’ or to go for a hike with a waterfall or series as the main site. Or to stand on cliff side of volcanic rock where it met the Pacific Ocean and hear the crash of the waves that are 20 feet high. Or people saying hi as you walk by them, or being allowed to smile at someone else’s cute baby or kid, or just standing in a line without someone cutting in front of you. Which happens more in the Copenhagen than where I live on N. Sjealand. But most of all, I miss my family! I do not hate Denmark, so do not get me wrong here. Also being able to speak a language without your throat hurting is also a benefit of being at home in the PNW. I will never speak Danish well enough to not get strange looks or being told to speak English please. Though I attribute that to being deaf in one ear and not being able to hear clearly the differences between their vowel sounds. I will also argue to one of my Danish instructors that Danes do in fact say the Russian name Olga incorrectly. I did take Russian in college at one point, and the lady we were talking about told me that she was kind of tired but getting used to Danes mispronouncing her name. I forgot to mention that high tide here can be about 4 to 5 feet in a storm surge. Though since it is flat here, that can be devastating to lower laying areas for flooding.
Understanding My Perceptions of Danish and Southern Swedish People It’s essential to acknowledge that my views may not reflect the entire population of Danish and Southern Swedish individuals, as cultures are diverse and multifaceted. However, based on my experiences, I’ve found certain behaviors that I struggle to appreciate. 1. Cultural Differences in Social Interactions One aspect that stands out to me is the way social interactions differ. In my encounters, I have sometimes perceived people from Denmark and Southern Sweden, particularly Skåne, as less open to engaging with newcomers. This perceived aloofness can come across as rudeness or antisocial behavior, making it challenging to form meaningful connections. 2. Materialism and Consumer Culture Another point of contention is the materialistic mindset I’ve observed. There seems to be a strong focus on wealth and possessions, which can lead to a sense of competition rather than community. This emphasis on material success can create an environment where genuine relationships take a back seat to social status. 3. Judgment and Conformity I find that many individuals in these regions can be quite judgmental, particularly toward those who are different or from outside their communities. This tendency to form quick opinions can foster an unwelcoming atmosphere for outsiders, leading to feelings of isolation. 4. Rural Mindset and Resentment Some of my experiences have led me to perceive a “farmer mentality,” where traditional values and lifestyles may contribute to an insular worldview. This can manifest as resistance to change or unfamiliar ideas, which can be frustrating for those looking to engage in diverse dialogues. 5. Feeling of Jealousy and Competition There’s an undertone of competition that I’ve felt in social settings, which can sometimes be interpreted as jealousy. I believe that fostering a collaborative spirit rather than a competitive one can lead to richer interactions and stronger communities.
As a Dane, this video is very precise. I do think people complaining over people not following the rules is necessary, because Denmark has a very individualistic culture, with people showing little regard for others in public spaces. If your neighbour is throwing a party and you say nothing, expect that they will keep blasting music until 4-5 in the morning. In general, the average Danish person feels like they own whatever space they're currently in. Our nature is very beautiful in summer, but like it is stated in the video, most of Denmark's nature looks exactly the same, making exploration comparatively boring for people who live here. Everything is indeed very expensive, and if you like eating out regularly, this is NOT the place to settle down. If you are a responsible adult and have a healthy lifestyle, you will be annoyed with how much you'll be subsidising the poor life choices of the average citizen or resident by paying insanely high taxes (and myriad hidden taxes). You'll be annoyed by all of the bureaucrats being paid to enforce unnecessarily complex rules. It is NOT worth it unless you have kids. Jantelov behaviour is not so dominating in Copenhagen, but more so outside of the capital. That said, people are indeed extremely homogenous in lifestyles and tastes, and Danes are very risk averse. The weather here is truly horrible, and we barely get 100 nice days per year. In short, Copenhagen/Denmark is an excellent destination for a summer holiday... It's true that Danes are always busy, and doing spontaneous activities with Danish people can be hard. It's probably for the same reason that Danish people can be hard for foreigners to befriend, as everyone is calculating in their head how much value they are getting from interacting with you versus building their career and/or being with their family. This industriousness is a big driver behind why Denmark is a wealthy country. Danes are very willing to sacrifice happiness for productivity. It's a cultural thing. The average Danish person believes that Denmark is the best society in the world, and that there's little we can learn from other countries. This personally bothers me a lot, although Denmark is obviously a contender for a top ranking on any list ranking quality of life by country.
I totally disagree that nature in Denmark is boring. I wonder if Nordic Adam is a real city person who does not know his country outside of Copenhagen. Within our rather small country, there is great variation. The finest beaches, forests and hills. 400 islands, and many of them can be visited. Cliffs, peninsulas and lakes. In many places there are marked paths and with an app you can easily find your way.
@@carolinafd It sounds like your disparaging a country that you may not belong to? As a general rule I don't denigrate a State that isn't mine. In fact I was hoping you were Danish so I could explore the paradigm a little further.
The nature is indeed very boring. I come from Lithuania and our nature is very similar but never this boring. Denmark is a whole new level of boring nature.
Been living here for 2 years now and your points are spot on! But as a born-and-raised Parisian, I can affirm the quality of life here is uncomprarably better than in Paris, especially with kids. People are relaxed, the city is human-sized and globally, things work. Yet, I surely would enjoy cheaper prices for food/bars/cafés, lower taxes and... less wind! 😅
That's so true! I've been to both cities and Copenhagen is so chill compared to most major cities (except San Diego maybe). I really liked that people didn't seem stressed out. I am American though... and we're like chronically stressed haha 😅
@@palomatahn We are also stressed in Denmark :-) Keep in mind that not all of us danish people live in priviliged Copenhagen, stress exist here for all of us.
Great vid! About the janteloven, i was shocked to hear Dane's reaction to footballer Christian Eriksen's remarkable comeback scoring a goal for DK in the euro after having a heart failure last time he played the euro. What an incredible story! I asked some danes about this feat and the response was ' yeah but we didn't win the game'...😢
This is wild, watching from Southern California (South of LA) this almost looks economical. average 2 bed apartment to rent here is much closer to $3000 USD or above. Latte is the same if not more here if asking for Dairy alternative milk. Weather is different though of course. Love the video's Adam!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing. In fact, if you compare to other capitals and major cities around Europe, renting and buying property in Copenhagen is actually ‘relatively’ cheap. - When I visited LA and San Diego, most things seemed pretty expensive too though. But the weather there is too good to be true 😅 thanks for watching!
I had a similar reaction from Chicago. Our rent prices are about the same as what he described, maybe slightly higher, but the main thing that sticks out for me is that Copenhagen weather sounds nicer, in both directions. It gets considerably colder here in Chicago in Winter, and considerably hotter in Summer: 22°F average in Chicago's coldest month, compared to 30°F low in Copenhagen, 82°F average in Chicago's hottest month, compared to 71°F in Copenhagen*. And since this is just looking at monthly averages, it's not uncommon for us in Chicago to get a couple days below 0°F here in Winter, or above 100°F in Summer, accompanied with high humidity. Both are uncomfortable, to say the least. *Celsius figures for Non-Americans 22°F = -5.56°C, 30°F = -1.11°C 82°F = 27.78°C, 71F = 21.27°C 0°F = -17.78°C 100°F = 37.78°C
Remember that a lot of European nations count the living room, as a room. Hence, a 2 bedroom apartment in Denmark is actually a 1 bedroom in the US, and so on. A 2 bedroom apartment, in American terminology, in Copenhagen is also about $3k - apart from that, the way you measure Sqm in Denmark, also means that a comparably sized apartment in Copenhagen will have fewer sqm of effective space, than it’s American counterpart.
@@tt9660 you are correct I would say the main issue in Denmark as mentioned in the video is the darkness and way too much rain, in the darkness period in winter it gets dark as night at 4 pm , summer if however extremely light the sun goes down around 10-11 pm. and rise around 4 am. , the summer can be very nice and usually not to hot but sometimes there aren't much summer but rain, rain, and more rain it's different from year to year
I'm in Toronto and Copenhagen looks cheaper. Rent for a two bed is $3000+ per month. Eating out typically is $30 - $50. Also, there isn't much nature and what nature there is left is boring for the most part. Winters can be evil with temperatures dropping as low as -40(rare but does happen). Even the typical -20 it far too cold for me. Great video!
3000 CAD = 15,000 DKK... quite the same (I'm from Montreal)! Eating out is also the same price ... going brunching is about 250 DKK=50 CAD and that's because you order a coffee (not even a mimosa) :( but we pay a lot higher taxes in Denmark and also on investments :/
There is so much nature in Canada, even in and outside of Toronto. Scarborough Bluffs, Rouge Valley, Niagara Gorge, Niagara Escarpment, The Bruce Trail, Tobermory, Kawartha, and Algonquin. That’s just a few. Everything else is spot on.
Bro trust me , As somebody whos from Slovakia and spend quite some time in Denmark, I'm more than happy to do all things that u just marked as cons. Denmark is insane in quality of living standard and once u came from way less developed ( Social Wellfare ,Politial culture, Lack of jenteloven,etc) country all those things are just funny to consider them as something bad :D Jeg elsker CPH og Danmark
Same here. I am over 40yrs old and I have lived half of my life in southeast asia and half in the Middle East. I would rather have the cons he is pointing compare to the cons I have dealt with and the cons I am currently dealing. My husband is Danish, and likes to complaint too about so many things 😂😂, but after spending time in Dubai, Riyadh, and Philippines. The complaining became less. The only thing he complains now is the weather. Not invalidating anything here, but I swear the quality of everything in Denmark far outweighs the cons.
@ I wouldn't say there's none. I experienced it mostly in Billund Airport. KLM check in counter, even KLM flight attendants. I choose to just ignore it, it can be worst somewhere, what I mean racism is anywhere. That's the sad reality.
Thanks for this video, I thought I was crazy for leaving cph after only 6 months of moving there from southern Italy. I can easily see through stuff pretty easily and noticed many of the points you mentioned but around my circle I was labelled crazy to leave Denmark as on paper is one of the best countries in the world. I now realise that most of the elements that contribute to a county being happy can't be quantified and measured. During my time there I've met people with deep mental health issues, passive aggressiveness, directness used as a mean of being aggressive and a great lack of empathy and a lot of people dismiss alcoholism as being "cultural". Man imagine saying hello to your neighbours and don't reply! That has happened to me many times and I get that it's polite to ignore but man, it costs nothing to be kind and reply!
Me i live here . 12 years in Denmark , i speak fluently and i have an old danish woman as a neighbor and she avoids me if she see me outside , she try to avoid me 😅. But I learned to live in my own bobble .
sorry that was your experience, it very much depends on where you live and the people you meet in my family and among my friends there aren't much alcohol at all, Danes are very direct yes however 95% of the time what you may think is aggressive is actually irony or sarcastic, I'm not saying there aren't rude Danes there certainly is, but most of it is cultural misunderstanding it depends of whether you understand the culture and humor,I'm writing this because I notice that people from Northern countries, Germany, The Netherlands and the Slavic countries never ever say Danes are cold, rude or aggressive they say we are very open and relaxed where as people from other places are much more mixed in their judgement some are positive some are negative, there are some areas in Copenhagen where people are very social with their neighbours and others who barely speak , just remember you judge due to 1 place you lived
I (a Dane) recognize everything you describe here. To me your comment is very refreshing and freeing. I can feel almost paranoid sometimes, being nearly the only Dane I know, who see what you saw so clearly during your stay. On the other hand I ALSO experience a lot of warmth and smiles, and have good friends. Put short: It's a mixed bag ! That's also to say, I believe you had some bad luck to go with your experience. However, there's something weird about the Danish psyke, kind of like mentioned in the video: We hold our self in extremely high regard, while having massive blind spots. I totally get you.
I am traveling Europe solo for a few months and have been strongly considering spending a month in Copenhagen, partly because of the popularity of badminton in Denmark. Not sure how easy it is to find people to play badminton with, but I would hope that that would be my way to make friends with some locals. This video is making me second guess Copenhagen just a little, but this video seems more targeted towards people who want to move there, rather than just spend a month. Thanks for the information!
Definitely aimed at people staying longer. And it isn't to scare people away either - perhaps just to have more realistic expectations. Im not sure about the badminton, you can rent courts for sure, but if you want to play with some Danes, I would try to contact local clubs and perhaps see if you can drop in or something like that. Or maybe try out some Facebook groups to find people to play.
I would like to elaborate a bit on "Janteloven". It was invented by the Danish/Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his book "En flyktning krysser sitt spor" (1933), and is neither unwritten (because he wrote it), nor an official set of rules. Many UA-cam videos present Janteloven as a really positive thing, but that is not at all how Sandemose intended it. This becomes apparent if you read the original wording. While I do like certain aspects of it, because it tends to keep people from getting on too high horses, losing their connection to reality, it can also be too restricting. In any case, living by Janteloven as Sandemose intended it, cannot be recommended.
As a Dane, I agree on a lot of your points, but I do take exception regarding our nature... I live in the north of Zealand and our nature is diverse. We have woods, Kattegat, beaches and fjords!! Danes complain, bc we can! For the majority, life is good or better...and bc we are comfortable, it's easier to nit-pick about the smaller things. This video paints an odd negative/positive picture of Denmark. Let's make one point clear, every country has it's good & bad sides, but here we are privileged enough to speak out against it and still live/love to be here! 😉 fx: Today it's pouring down rain, in the middle of summer, no worries! We have had 10 days of sunshine and I would have loved to go to the beach, but I'm also happy for the free water, falling from the sky & onto my garden! 🌱
I visited Kobenhavn in 2018, in February sadly, but I still loved it. I had long johns under my jeans, double socks, gloves and pretty warm jacket. But I was freezing still, extremely cold wind didn't help either. That, and having spent whole day out, we walked like 20km that day, to see as much as possible. It is properly cold, I'll give you that. Was still enjoying the beautiful architecture of old buildings with clipped roofs and bricks. You were lucky to be excluded from major battles in recent history. Unlike Serbia here, which was practically leveled in WW1 and WW2, then came the communists which destroyed the rest of buildings from the old kingdom. It is expensive and I was expecting that, some things are just over your head, like having a pint of beer or any food except the hot dogs which are pretty good and somewhat cheap. We did find some locally brewed lager in Christianshavn for around 2,5 euros if I remember correctly. :) Gonna have to visit Denmark next summer to properly enjoy it during warm, long days.
Yeah, that wind is the real culprit! Going in Summer definitely sounds right for you :) - Many places are really expensive, but there are still some great deals out there; sounds like you found one! I hope to cover more of places like that in the future. Thanks a lot for watching and sharing your thoughts.
In the winter you really need wool: Woolen socks, woolen t-shirt, sweater etc.. I tend to buy food in the supermarket instead of the cafés. The cafes are just extreme with their silly prices.. Must be the high monthly rent that forces those prices..
I loved the video.im living here for 35 years.i totally agree with you with the first 3 reasons. Expensive.weather and landscape. I hate the landscape. There is nothing to see ( except of møns klint). Its all flat. Its also hard to make friends. I dont mind the High taxes. The weather is very depressing. That's why half of Danish people go to south Europe for holidays. And I refuse to pay 50 kroner ( 7 dollar) for a coffee. Thanks for a lovely honest video.
Hi Adam! I've been living in Copenhagen for five months and I love it here. Danish folks are so awesome here. The only complaint I have is the amount of cigarette litter! :( I feel like the city is working on that and hopefully it becomes the norm to keep the city clean ❤ but other than that everything you mentioned is definitely validating. I would love to get to know more about the culture and the language more :)
Hello, I am traveling to CPH in September. I just wanted to say thank you for the insight on what to expect (realistically) while visiting. Nothing wrong with wanting more from the people of your country. 😊
5:53 gotta disagree, Denmark has probably the worlds most beautiful nature in my opinion. Northern Jutland, west coast and Samsø shows the very best of the Danish nature which is extremely unique compared to the rest of Europe. It's about the small things here as we don't have impressive mountains or large pine forests.
There a some nice nature places in Denmark, but to call it the most beautiful nature in the world is quite insane.. I mean, you need to look no further than Sweden and Norway to have so much more diverse nature. But good to hear that you enjoy it here!
@@mandel94 That's subjective, I don't think it's insane. I've seen many parts of the world, the Americas, Caribbeans, most of Europe, middle east, I haven't seen nature anywhere that gets the same feeling like proper Danish nature.
@@ivartorr1469 Been to Brazil, Florianópolis to be exact. It's absolutely beautiful and some of the wildest most dreaming nature Ive ever seen, but still I prefer and think some Danish nature is more idyllic.
Well right now in the USA depending in what State you are living is very high, right now in Texas ,one bedroom is at least 1300 .00 dollars and Texas is one of the cheapest State
this video is really interesting. as a dane who grew up outside of denmark but has been living in japan for the past 15 years, it seems like denmark has a lot of similarities to japan when it comes to rules, not standing out, and avoiding confrontation.
The prices/cost of living seem pretty identical to Ireland, yet we lack a lot of the infrastructure and public services you have there. Not to mention the worse weather here 😅 I love our little Emerald Isle, but Copenhagen is great. I'd love to explore more of Denmark, as we go everybody year, but I'm curious if I'd be okay with mostly english (and a bit of Norwegian) to get around outside the city
These are the exact same reasons why my father-in-law says he left Denmark (he was born in Copenhagen, 1942}, along with high unemployment - but he left in the 1950's for California, USA. Both were very different countries back then. Today he lives in an area (very much not California) where the winter weather isn't any better, the days are just as short, but there's more scenic views, recreational opportunities and much hotter summers. People where we currently live are very aware of anyone or anything outside of their preferred normative. It's incredibly homogenous, mono-cultural, and it's getting worse with people from other states moving here seeking "political refuge" who are driving up prices for the locals who cannot find employment that provides a sufficient income to afford the increases. Needless to say, but I wasn't totally shocked by the prices in Denmark or Sweden when we last visited. Sure, it's a bit expensive for some food, especially in trendy places or tourist areas, and alcohol is government controlled (same here) and overpriced. There's a lack of diversity in grocery stores (I'm talking about numbers of stores, as well as items they sell) which leads to monopolized pricing, but if you stay away from certain brand names you can manage quite well on a budget. You pay higher INITIAL taxes, but we pay out of pocket for more things - which are also taxed. My only complaint was paying VAT, but at least you pay the price shown for the items, whereas here we always have taxes added on at the end. It really equals out to be almost the same, and probably in your favor if you have any health issues requiring frequent visits to the doctor or pharmacy. All in, I'd love to be able to live there and immerse myself in Danish culture for a few years - maybe longer if certain current events here don't cease soon. No one place is everyone's utopia, but we both have it very good indeed! Thanks for the honest view from a local's perspective. P. S. Those bridge tolls are insane! But I enjoyed driving your well maintained roads. (Buy once, cry once.)
Your are right about the housing prices / rent in Copenhagen, BUT - if you own property and sell it with a profit, you don't pay any capital gains tax or anything normally (if you have lived in the property your self) ! Renting does how ever not give you that benefit - but you can get up to over 3000 Dkr every month in benefits depending on your income and how many you are in your family !!
As a dane myself the whole "good salary" thing is kinda bullshit. Salary is pretty low in Denmark compared to other countries in the west because of the tax. Im a clinical dietitian with a masters degree and I earn rougly 18.000 dkk a month after taxes (2.500 usd). That puts me at merely 216.000 dkk a year (around 30 k usd) which is insanely low, with prizes for food being what they are in Denmark. Even in USA I would be considered poor. In USA not only is the base salary (without masters degree) almost *TWICE* as high as in Denmark with a yearly average of 60.000 usd (420.000 dkk) but depending on where you live, you can easily pay 0% - 20% in income taxes. If you earn within the top 25th percentile or go private 100k usd a year is certainly within reach. Not to mention its incredibly hard to get a job in my field in Denmark, even with my masters and good grades it took me 3 years. I really should move out of this country lol
@@IvanKristiansen Im definitely considering it. But there are downsides to USA too, first off it costs alot of money to move country. In Denmark Im used to crime being very low. And Im not a fan of the whole woke anti-male feminism bs that takes up the American media, though we have it to some degree in Denmark too
@@miakey8082 This account is from 2006-2007, I dont know how to change the name lol. Back then I used to dance smth called the melbourne shuffle. I was like 15 then so yea the name is pretty dumb
I moved here 2 years ago perm from the UK (Manchester), it is a nice country and peaceful but very difficult to make Danish friends, as I get impression friends are for life from Primary school, also from Manchester we deal with things face to face and not a fan of the snitching thing, should have guts and be reasonable
it's a bit more relaxed living in danish countryside. there's more freedom because there's a bit less of an eye on you (especially government eye 😂). but it can be boring, especially if you're the cosmopolitan kind of person
Great video, summarizing everything pretty accurately. One addition to it however: Jantelov in my opinion is extremely important in today’s world and I would love to see more people living more “Jantelov based”. I am also commenting as a non Dane but living in Denmark for 10+ years, and see the shift in behavior of younger people. Nevertheless, Denmark is a great country even with its flaws. The more you travel the more you understand why.
Same for the food. $30 for a meal at a restaurant or $6 for a coffee is considered a good price in American cities. Those are prices you would pay for fast food like Five Guys and Starbucks respectively.
Damn, well, there goes my next US vacation! But yeah, I suppose a lot of things (in many places) are just getting really expensive. And if salaries don't quite follow along, well...
@@thenordicadam Therefore a great reason to avoid major cities while on vacation! Stay in the more rural areas and enjoy not only their inner culture, but save a lot of money that people normally waste on expensive hotels and restaurants in tourist areas. Plus, in those places you'll be sharing your culture and knowledge with people who are likely as curious about you as you are about them - whereas in the cities you're just another "darn foreign tourist" to be ignored. As a well traveled American, I could suggest a few places for you, if provided with some knowledge about what you are looking for when visiting. The USA is vast and varied, despite the "united" namesake.
After 10 years in Denmark I found out that we Poles are left behind in complaining and drinking. Sitting and talking with Danes you can get really depressed especially when they are completely drunk 😂
The housing is really cheap compared to Miami Florida. For what you mentioned, you would have to double the price. We also don’t have any good nature here, the state is completely flat, hot and humid. The climate is good 3 months out the year at best. Cheers.
Interesting! I guess it would make sense to look at what portion of the salary people spend on housing, to get a more comparable figure. Sounds like this would be higher in Miami too, though. I went to Florida some years back, I loved the weather! But I suppose I was on vacation.. Thanks for sharing!
@@thenordicadamunfortunately salary hasn’t caught up with price hikes since the pandemic when a lot of people moved down here for cheaper living. It’s pretty rough right now for long time Miami natives to afford anything in South Florida. It’s not uncommon for a single person to pay 60% of their earnings in housing cost alone. Median income in Miami is around 60k. We pay an average of 20% in federal taxes, no state taxes, but we also have to pay health insurance, a car since we don’t have good public transportation and education if you want a good one. It’s pretty miserable but I imagine paying 50% of earnings in taxes is also miserable. I’m not sure what the answer is cause it seems no matter where you go, the common person is the one being squeezed by either greedy government or corporations.
I live in Cph and I agree on everything, especially the mentality of the danes, the hypocracy, the mentality around rules like loving to make sure other follows the rules... it's so danish
I like your video a lot - very honest. I lived in Denmark for about 5 years. Vejle, Aalborg and Copenhagen (suburbs and city). Danes generally seem to be quite self aware about a lot of things, but one thing that most danes are hypocrites of - Janteloven. While each of them dont think they are special, as a nation - they always think collectively they are special. You have no idea how much indirect arrogance foreigners have to encounter in Denmark. And looking down upon other nations/countries. Aaaand, the smell of poop is just insane sometimes. In spring even in Frederiksberg(CPH) we had to close windows. :D If not for those two points, I absolutely loved Denmark, while nature is boring, you can always find a few gems to visit, and even small towns are full of charm and nice people. For example, Vejle is stunning, Aalborg used to be (imho, before they re-built whole fjord-front), and Arhus might be objectively the perfect city - size, location, amenities, events etc etc.
Regarding Point number 4 :D i feel like alot of people just type a letter and give put it in your postbox etc. but ye not alot of us would ring the door bell and actually talk with them regarding the issue we have etc.
I'm a Dane and really appreciate this honest view. I live in our second largest city, so the stuff about house pricing and such is kind of similar. I actually agree on everything, with the exception of Janteloven which I believe is universal and necessary, as long as it's not too emphasized. I do not think we have it too emphasized here in Denmark. Not in general.
Janteloven is far from universal. In many third world and second world countries wealthy people (the newly rich at least) absolutely enjoy flaunting wealth. For example, here in China it's common for rich people to buy fancy cars, luxurious bags and watches etc. And for middle class or lower class they also want the fancy shiny stuff. Lots of snobs here that would look down on people who wear off-brand or cheap stuff. Like we have our domestic shoe brand Anta thats affordable to many of us ($20+ a pair, comfortable, decent quality). If you wear these it would not be surprising when someone mocks you for wearing them. It's pretty uncommon anyone who can afford a fancy car drives something like a honda. If their lifestyle doesn't match up with their wealth and they try to be "humble", they will be poorly judged as a cheapskate. Life in China is a constant d*ck measuring contest. In comparison Denmark is a Utopia. And I've only talked about just one aspect of a society...
There is a reason I live away from Copenhagen. Prices in Copenhagen are just insane. You can rent like 100-125 m2 for 4000DKK in Jutland outside the big cities.
Bro, except cafes Denmark is nowadays probably at the same price level than italy (after the turbo-ultra inflation). Here I am referring to groceries and eating out mostly. Cinemas are slightly cheaper in Italy... that's about it. Bowling and sport subscription are much cheaper in Denmark. I know danes like complaining, but come on! All combined together i would not even say Denmark is 20% more expensive, it is probably less by now! However in Denmark the salaries are twice at least. Thrice for some low-income jobs.
Thanks for sharing. Are these numbers just anecdotal, or do you have them from somewhere? Using Numbeo to compare, cost of living in Denmark is 35% higher, and purchasing power is 47% higher (of course sites like this are not 100% accurate, but it's a decent starting point). Inflation has been around similar levels for both countries, according to Statista. But, because Italy is relatively expensive, does that mean I can't say Denmark is expensive? I don't live in Italy.
@@thenordicadam depends on how you define anecdotal, I was born and raised in Italy, and I was there on vacation just a month ago, so I saw the prices. I paid 5 fucking euros for a deodorant. I was so angry. I can tell you for sure that numbeo is not up to the page for expensiveness in Italy, and the purchasing power option sucks quite a lot. There are better tools around, like salary converter tools (how much you would need to earn in place X to live with the same quality of life as in place Y) Fair enough, but I guess my point is that expensiveness needs to be considered according to your salary. When your salary to cost of living ratio is higher than 90% of other countries (probably not so far off), I would guess that you are not really entitled to talk about expensiveness.
@@domenico26752 I spent a couple of months in Italy a year or two ago - and had to stick to smaller and 'cheaper' towns (in terms of rent at least), because it was definitely more expensive than I had anticipated. I guess I both agree and disagree with you. I know being born in Denmark makes me very lucky and privileged compared to many other people. But things can always get better. And you need to at least talk about things before you can start improving (or at least not make things worse, lol). For example, right now, shrinkflation is happening to soo many regular products here. I think talking about that could be pretty relevant, because it sucks. But then, Im not entitled to do that, because we have high salaries in Denmark? Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts - it helps me and hopefully others have more to think about!
That Law of Jante permeates so many countries, not just in the Scandinavian or Nordic countries, but places like Australia, too. I could never tolerate people saying to me, "So, who do you think you are to act like you're so much better than us?" To me, that kind of remark comes from insecurity. You must feel pretty bad about yourself to constantly be putting others down who are doing better than you. In Australia, they call this attitude the "tall poppy" syndrome. If one person (poppy) grows too tall from success and starts to rise above the others, they cut it down (with criticism) so it's back in line with all the others. They do this as if to say it's okay to be successful, just don't be TOO successful to the point others start feeling insecure about it. I once met a man who immigrated to America from Australia who said he did so to get away from the tall poppy mentality. He loved that Americans celebrated other people's success and used it as motivation to achieve their own success. They didn't cut others down like that, and he was right. It's one of the many things I love about America. Adam makes a great point that by not allowing others to excel and celebrate their talents, you create a society of sameness. It's sad but true when he said restrictive social attitudes like the Law of Jante make all Danes look and act like the same person because they're forced into conformity and muting their real personalities for fear of being socially ostracized. The result is a society of clones. I also could never deal with snitches and people getting up in my personal business by telling me how to live. As an American, I have too much independence and individuality for that. I'm sure Danes are nice people, but I won't be moving to Denmark!
im from switzerland, but every-time i visit copenhagen 🇩🇰 its pocket friendly to me, and i find it not expensive, i love copenhagen,, I underestimate the weather in copenhagen And its crazy colder,the system is way better compared to other EU countries, The downside is the train in copenhagen is almost late all the time,, and need to maintained,
Coffee and cheese are a better deal to buy at ICA or another grocery store in Sweden, just over the bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo. Take Vitamin D boys and girls! Great video, though! No worries, there's a will, there's a way. Nice place to live regardless!
I’m from the USA San Francisco Bay Area! I get taxed a lot (close to you) and pay twice the rent for the space. I wish I could be a citizen of Denmark. The social services are so amazing. Edit: You talking about Denmark not being “that amazing” is the most Danish things based on your description of Danes. 😅😂
Very negative view... Do not agree with a big chunk of this. There is pros and cons with every single country. And then there is personl preference. I love Denmark, I am a Dane born and raised in Aarhus. I love our seasons and find people are very friendly and open, but most people just enjoy there space and privacy. Ask anyone for help with a smile and any Dane will help you out ☀️☀️ Also. Do not underestimate how damn lucky we are to have the least currupt state in the world + an insanely good welfare state with high quality health care. We are just a bit blind to actually see it I think. Blinded by privilidge to be annoyed that there are not Coconut palm trees and 30 degree sunshine year around..
I mean, it's in the title that this is a negative take! And that's the whole point - 'we are so privileged that we are not allowed to complain', and so you won't often find negative takes on Denmark (this video is aimed more towards foreginers tbh). Well, I do it anyway here, but as I hope I conveyed, rather lighthearted. After all, I have lived many years abroad - but still choose to live here. Despite the negatives (which a lot are personal preference) it's hard to find a better place to live. Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
For major cities in Western Europe, you are probably right. Salaries are quite high here for sure - next video will be all about this. Thanks for watching :)
Absolutely. There are of course exceptions and some amazing nature in some places! But you have to seek those out. The rest is just fields :) Thanks for watching!
With 7 days outside Copenhagen, you could see quite a lot. You could rent a car and travel around a bit. Here are some interesting places to look at: - Helsingør, Hillerød, Roskilde, Lejre, Møn. And you could cross the bridge and head to the island of Fyn and visit Odense - and head over to Jutland. Plenty of cool places over there - especially if you want more nature experiences. Heading up to the top of Jylland, Skagen, is a cool experience too!
As suggested, renting a car is a great idea. Denmark is small so you can drive more or less from one end to the other in 5 hours. So with a week to drive around you could get to see a lot. If you travel to Copenhagen by plane I would recommend staying there for the first night and then driving around for the remainder of the week.
And don’t get me started on the Swedes. They consider themselves the IKEA of cultures: in theory, everything looks great... until you try to assemble it yourself and realize you’ve just got a bunch of wooden dowels and no manual! You do realize that “Svenska” translates to “Please stop smiling, we need to talk about property taxes"?
I dont agree with you. 1st Yes.. Denmark is expensive, but also the saleries are highest in the EU. Compared to my city Prague, the price of new flat is just 20-30% less than Copenhagen, but the saleries are 2-3 TIMES LOWER! Other thing i really dont agree is the NATURE! I visited many places and i can tell, that Denmark has one of the most cleanest nature ever .OFC it has no dramatic views like Norway or Iceland, but there are also many good places! Tisvildeje, Thy, Hirtshals, Gribskov.. I visited Troldeskoven and i was amazed! So no. Denmark does not look just like field and there are many projects and goals for reforesting.
this video is just making everything slightly more negative than it really is. i live in a completely renovated apartment in city center at half the price of what he said. Those prices are what you pay when you got ripped off. And the nature is nice
If you got an apartment like that for $1000, you are indeed one of the lucky ones. There are apartments like that for sure - but if you haven't been on a list for years or don't know anybody that can get you a foot in the door, it's very hard to get them (in particular for foreigners). I'm not a big fan of the nature, as you could probably hear from the video, but if you like it, that's awesome. Thanks for watching! :)
I agree with most of the points, it just sounds like you are more of an optimist than i am, however plenty of nature in Jylland 😉 I guess, After seeing alot of Danish people advocate to tax our population into the ground because of perceived environment damage, mind you, in a country that is less than one percent of the total impact, you end up becoming more pessimistic
I wish that people would stup using Janteloven to tell other negstive things about others. Coz thats not hownit was made. It was madento respect orhers ans threat them right. And the not to think we are better than others is to keep up all geounded for somw level. But never to tell someone that they aren't speciel and there are entrepreneur fair now and then to celebrate them abd showcase them and what they do, you might not kniwn this, but there is. I was at on back in 2003 and they also have other fairs for different categories, so dont spread misinformation about this please. And pwopem that opens rheir own business Im simply just proud of. And we have Many small business here in Denmark, so if we didnt like that how come there are so many and many do so much to support out local shops/businesses. Remember if everything is what you say, howndo we have Lego, Maersk, Vestas and so on, if people fidnt support or believe on others how woulf thry then have come this far.. And about hobbies, people can be themselves why would you bully someone for thwir interest? Makes bo sense, if soneonw bullies someone for that, thebbthat specific person is the problem, not the entire country. And we dont all dress rhe same, you might in Copenhagen, but we are all different people and therefore have different taste. Sone might dress in black and formal coznof their work. And just a side note, if you dobt likwnthe prices in Copenhagen, move to a smaller town nearby and get better rent and drive to Copenhagen instead. And about the bridge, they kwpt the price too coz that also found out that the price tp keep it up to date also was very expensive, so I would rather gave a working bridge andnits also waaaay longernthan the others, so ofc the continued cost to keep it up to date is there. And if rhere are a bit more after all that andnthey thennuse ir to makenmore infrastructure Im happy, coz thennthey arent wasted. Hope you have a lovely day 🌹
Even danish people have a hard time making friends. Loneliness is real issue here. Perhaps because we don't need each other to survive anymore, we have government support.
people snitching on people in denmark, I really don't think it is a general issue at all, jante loven only comes into effect if you act outta pocket while having money, or if you are being an idiot. Yes we are a flat country, yes we have so much farmland, but we also have very pretty wandering routes, and a buttload of awesome beaches and beautiful islands - basically I believe some of your points are missing it's mark :0)
Denmark is a good place, I thought it was perfect, until I learned about dog policies. I thought it was a progressive country such as Switzerland or Germany where you can take your dog inside of a cafe or restaurant or mall, but you cant even take your dog on bus during certain times in Copenhagen. Its the only big city where I have been to so far where there are so many restrictions. Even Spain, which is usually considered not dog friendly, has reformed its laws on dog welfare. I had to go somewhere else because it feels very restrictive and outdated. The young people loved my dog so much. The laws do not reflect what the citizens think.
That's one thing I love about Prague. You can carry your dog anywhere and they are welcomed.. To the point where, sometimes they cater for your dog with water bowls, places for them to sit and relax etc.. I see so many dogs riding thr bus at all hours. I totally love that abt the Czech culture. I think the only place you can't essentially carry your dog is in the grocery and that's justified..
I live in Denmark, I don't like sustainability I rather have my room full of Mylar Balloons. I don't dress so Danish I wear JNCO jeans and I don't listen to Danish or popular music. I don't like cold weather I prefer 30C heat.
we do have fantastic nature that you don't see all over Møns klint and Stevns klint, the Sandunes in Råbjerg mile and Grenen where the sea's meat , it is however correct no mountains and a lot of farm land, and although we certainly have woods we could use some that are larger because you are through them in 1-2 hours , otherwise I agree with most, I will say though the "jantelaw" depends on what kind of people you are around, I don't fell like people have to be like others and that we don't celebrate people with success I think it's more a myth that the truth Danes are so proud of Lego, Mærsk, Novo Nordisk, Danish Designers like Poul Henningsen, Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and the rest, not to mention "new Nordic cuisine" extremely prod of any sports athlete you can go on, but it's true people certainly don't like bragging, we like it when people are successful but they have to be humble about it, for me I see the main issue about not standing out is mainly in politics, Danes tend to all believe the same narrative, and it's the narrative being spread in the media, not many dare to speak against it, Danes will be among the last to learn the reality about what is happening in the world because they have way to must trust in their politicians and media
As the expat in Denmark. Spot on nature - super boring 🥱 but at least Danes makes the nature super groomed and they really care about nature. I love that! Rules - yeah, some of the rules like 2 min after the parking time - 1000 dkk fine. I think the margin of human mistakes should be acceptable, jante law drives me crazy 😝 because it is not anchored to honesty more to fake humbleness, because underneath there is a sense of being better than everyone else (not within Denmark) ofc outside of Denmark 😁 trends - omg teenagers looks like copy paste, the same baggy clothes, dirty sneakers, the same haircut. Fiends - omg you cannot get close to Danes, they are not interested in other people other cultures… I call it Danish bubble. It is interesting to observe Danes how far from what they believe they are in fact they are 😉 tho I like Denmark because with all downsides the overall there is positive outcome to live in this beautiful country.
@@hansiboy8243 I think the prices I mention are pretty average for what you would find apartments for online. Are there some apartments that are cheaper? Yes, but as I mention in the video, if you're not signed up to some list for many years or don't know anybody that can give you a foot in the door, it's almost impossible to get those. And most of my viewers are not Danish, so if they were to move to Denmark they would likely fall into this category - and pay those prices.
@@thenordicadamI’d still say you can find whole 2 room apartments for 7-10000DKK without any connections as I’m on the market rn looking at a lot of possibilities
Also people in Denmark do NOT know how to clean up after themselves - crazy how many broken glass bottles and empty beers are left on the streets at night. I only visited for a week and I’d bet there were at least a few thousand that I could find.
no Denmark is not perfect , people ther think that is ! Naiv , if you are a Dane i think it is okay , but here are many wrong thing , and you are right , ✌ I am a Dane , so i know .have a nice day 👍 .
After living more than 20 years in Copenhagen I moved out two years ago. I was so tired of the "talking classes" focussing on all kind of woke sillyness but zealously avoiding to face the real problems.
Hey there greetings from the Pacific Northwest in the USA - I sincerely appreciate your video for its HONESTY - it's refreshing, especially when considering how so many travel/culture videos of a similar focus tend to overly hype the place they are talking about. Thanks!
Thanks a lot, Howard. I appreciate it - that is exactly what I was going for. Thanks for watching!
I don’t know, dude - if you’re trying to sell it as boring, bland and average … I think you need to work on underselling the beautiful landscape. 😂
As an Oregonian living here in Denmark with my Danish husband, this man is really honest about things as they are in Denmark. It can be really lonely living here, even for some Danes. I really do not think Danes really over hype themselves, because it goes against Janteloven. Though that is also hypocritical because of the numbers of really expensive houses, clothing, and cars that some of these Danes drive. I swear if I see another white tesla I am going to be sick, because the amount of electricity, that comes mostly from coal burning, or wood chip burning in Denmark also fuels these cars. So much for carbon footprint reductions. Yes, DK is the maker of the modern windmills, and Vesta originated here. But given the strong winds, they have to shut down due to battery capacity. They cannot store energy. I would be all for electric cars, if the energy used to fuel them was also green, but it is not. So give me a hydrogen cell car any day. However, there is a tax break only for electric cars here. Sorry for the rant.
Also., do not move here if you love the Pacific Ocean and its proximity. Mountains and rivers. Denmark claims also to have rivers, but they are mostly channelized streams now. Waterfalls, there are none. Hiking is the worst, I call it mostly forest walking on gravel roads. If you want a more interesting walk, get on a bike trail, but be prepared to get yelled at by cyclists. However, that is the only place in a forest that can give you a slight variation in terrain and almost, just almost feel like you are hiking. As for vistas, there are few, but year they are mostly along a road. The highest place on the island of Sjealand, where Copenhagen is situated on, you cannot see much from it, because it is only about forty feet high and the beech trees obscure the landscape and you cannot see over them. There is a man made platform you can go up that is over the tree tops, but the forest there is small, and then you see all the farm land as he says.
I do think while he was on Møn he could have shown the white chalk cliffs, but chose not to. There is a UNESCO site, that also has chalk cliffs face, that can show you the historical time of the extinction of the Jurassic age, to the volcanic eruptions afterwards.
But enough negativity there are wonderful things about Denmark. The many miles of coast lines, because it is a country of 416 islands, and a peninsula connecting it to Europe. Their incredible engineering of beautiful bridges, which is celebrated on their paper money. Those same forests are plentiful just outside of Copenhagen and great for walking during any season. I love it especially in the fall when the leaves are showing their autumn colors being reflected on a small lake. There are also my Danish friends, some I met online before moving here with my husband, and those I met through my husband. They are kind, supportive and lots of fun to be around. Even though you have to schedule a visit with plenty of time in advance. This is because when Danes do get free time, they want time with their family and not overwhelm themselves with constant busyness over the weekends. From a society that the work week is only 37.5 hours a week. However, when it is dark you want to cozy up inside with your family.
There is also very excellent public transportation. With those higher taxes also comes with a higher standard of living, education is free, healthcare is free, prescription medication is subsidized based on how much out of pocket you have paid. However, major pharmaceutical companies cannot charge as much because of the negotiating power and caps on medicine. Generics are easier to get here because there really does not seem to be allowed to change one milligram of a medication to hold onto market after their exclusivity runs out, i.e. Claritin vs. Claritin 2. One medication that has been around over 70 years, costs less than a penny per dose, costs over 5 dollars still in the US. Oh and there are NO new medication ads on TV, that is a blessing in of itself!
However, I would trade that all back in, just to live in Oregon again. To be able to call someone up and say ‘hey I am in the neighborhood, can I drop by for a few minutes to catch up’ or to go for a hike with a waterfall or series as the main site. Or to stand on cliff side of volcanic rock where it met the Pacific Ocean and hear the crash of the waves that are 20 feet high. Or people saying hi as you walk by them, or being allowed to smile at someone else’s cute baby or kid, or just standing in a line without someone cutting in front of you. Which happens more in the Copenhagen than where I live on N. Sjealand. But most of all, I miss my family! I do not hate Denmark, so do not get me wrong here. Also being able to speak a language without your throat hurting is also a benefit of being at home in the PNW. I will never speak Danish well enough to not get strange looks or being told to speak English please. Though I attribute that to being deaf in one ear and not being able to hear clearly the differences between their vowel sounds. I will also argue to one of my Danish instructors that Danes do in fact say the Russian name Olga incorrectly. I did take Russian in college at one point, and the lady we were talking about told me that she was kind of tired but getting used to Danes mispronouncing her name.
I forgot to mention that high tide here can be about 4 to 5 feet in a storm surge. Though since it is flat here, that can be devastating to lower laying areas for flooding.
@@eltigrechino3390 most of the landscape are not from Denmark
Understanding My Perceptions of Danish and Southern Swedish People
It’s essential to acknowledge that my views may not reflect the entire population of Danish and Southern Swedish individuals, as cultures are diverse and multifaceted. However, based on my experiences, I’ve found certain behaviors that I struggle to appreciate.
1. Cultural Differences in Social Interactions
One aspect that stands out to me is the way social interactions differ. In my encounters, I have sometimes perceived people from Denmark and Southern Sweden, particularly Skåne, as less open to engaging with newcomers. This perceived aloofness can come across as rudeness or antisocial behavior, making it challenging to form meaningful connections.
2. Materialism and Consumer Culture
Another point of contention is the materialistic mindset I’ve observed. There seems to be a strong focus on wealth and possessions, which can lead to a sense of competition rather than community. This emphasis on material success can create an environment where genuine relationships take a back seat to social status.
3. Judgment and Conformity
I find that many individuals in these regions can be quite judgmental, particularly toward those who are different or from outside their communities. This tendency to form quick opinions can foster an unwelcoming atmosphere for outsiders, leading to feelings of isolation.
4. Rural Mindset and Resentment
Some of my experiences have led me to perceive a “farmer mentality,” where traditional values and lifestyles may contribute to an insular worldview. This can manifest as resistance to change or unfamiliar ideas, which can be frustrating for those looking to engage in diverse dialogues.
5. Feeling of Jealousy and Competition
There’s an undertone of competition that I’ve felt in social settings, which can sometimes be interpreted as jealousy. I believe that fostering a collaborative spirit rather than a competitive one can lead to richer interactions and stronger communities.
As a Dane, this video is very precise.
I do think people complaining over people not following the rules is necessary, because Denmark has a very individualistic culture, with people showing little regard for others in public spaces. If your neighbour is throwing a party and you say nothing, expect that they will keep blasting music until 4-5 in the morning. In general, the average Danish person feels like they own whatever space they're currently in.
Our nature is very beautiful in summer, but like it is stated in the video, most of Denmark's nature looks exactly the same, making exploration comparatively boring for people who live here.
Everything is indeed very expensive, and if you like eating out regularly, this is NOT the place to settle down. If you are a responsible adult and have a healthy lifestyle, you will be annoyed with how much you'll be subsidising the poor life choices of the average citizen or resident by paying insanely high taxes (and myriad hidden taxes). You'll be annoyed by all of the bureaucrats being paid to enforce unnecessarily complex rules. It is NOT worth it unless you have kids.
Jantelov behaviour is not so dominating in Copenhagen, but more so outside of the capital. That said, people are indeed extremely homogenous in lifestyles and tastes, and Danes are very risk averse.
The weather here is truly horrible, and we barely get 100 nice days per year. In short, Copenhagen/Denmark is an excellent destination for a summer holiday...
It's true that Danes are always busy, and doing spontaneous activities with Danish people can be hard. It's probably for the same reason that Danish people can be hard for foreigners to befriend, as everyone is calculating in their head how much value they are getting from interacting with you versus building their career and/or being with their family. This industriousness is a big driver behind why Denmark is a wealthy country. Danes are very willing to sacrifice happiness for productivity. It's a cultural thing.
The average Danish person believes that Denmark is the best society in the world, and that there's little we can learn from other countries. This personally bothers me a lot, although Denmark is obviously a contender for a top ranking on any list ranking quality of life by country.
Thanks for the honest and great detail points you gave 😊
I totally disagree that nature in Denmark is boring. I wonder if Nordic Adam is a real city person who does not know his country outside of Copenhagen. Within our rather small country, there is great variation. The finest beaches, forests and hills. 400 islands, and many of them can be visited. Cliffs, peninsulas and lakes. In many places there are marked paths and with an app you can easily find your way.
The finest beaches? Cliffs? What's the highest altitude in Denmark. It's all flat!
Yeah, it is very boring. You just need to travel outside of Denmark once in your life to realise that.
@@carolinafd It sounds like your disparaging a country that you may not belong to? As a general rule I don't denigrate a State that isn't mine. In fact I was hoping you were Danish so I could explore the paradigm a little further.
The nature is indeed very boring. I come from Lithuania and our nature is very similar but never this boring. Denmark is a whole new level of boring nature.
@@rokasbarasa1 where in Denmark have you been?
Been living here for 2 years now and your points are spot on! But as a born-and-raised Parisian, I can affirm the quality of life here is uncomprarably better than in Paris, especially with kids. People are relaxed, the city is human-sized and globally, things work. Yet, I surely would enjoy cheaper prices for food/bars/cafés, lower taxes and... less wind! 😅
I agree ! Life in Paris is so different and so much more stressful as well !
You can't have it all, I guess :)
Thanks a lot for watching, and sharing your thoughts!
@@yogawithirynaparis is garbage
That's so true! I've been to both cities and Copenhagen is so chill compared to most major cities (except San Diego maybe). I really liked that people didn't seem stressed out. I am American though... and we're like chronically stressed haha 😅
@@palomatahn We are also stressed in Denmark :-) Keep in mind that not all of us danish people live in priviliged Copenhagen, stress exist here for all of us.
Great vid! About the janteloven, i was shocked to hear Dane's reaction to footballer Christian Eriksen's remarkable comeback scoring a goal for DK in the euro after having a heart failure last time he played the euro. What an incredible story! I asked some danes about this feat and the response was ' yeah but we didn't win the game'...😢
This is wild, watching from Southern California (South of LA) this almost looks economical. average 2 bed apartment to rent here is much closer to $3000 USD or above. Latte is the same if not more here if asking for Dairy alternative milk. Weather is different though of course. Love the video's Adam!
Interesting! Thanks for sharing. In fact, if you compare to other capitals and major cities around Europe, renting and buying property in Copenhagen is actually ‘relatively’ cheap.
- When I visited LA and San Diego, most things seemed pretty expensive too though. But the weather there is too good to be true 😅 thanks for watching!
I had a similar reaction from Chicago. Our rent prices are about the same as what he described, maybe slightly higher, but the main thing that sticks out for me is that Copenhagen weather sounds nicer, in both directions. It gets considerably colder here in Chicago in Winter, and considerably hotter in Summer: 22°F average in Chicago's coldest month, compared to 30°F low in Copenhagen, 82°F average in Chicago's hottest month, compared to 71°F in Copenhagen*. And since this is just looking at monthly averages, it's not uncommon for us in Chicago to get a couple days below 0°F here in Winter, or above 100°F in Summer, accompanied with high humidity. Both are uncomfortable, to say the least.
*Celsius figures for Non-Americans
22°F = -5.56°C, 30°F = -1.11°C
82°F = 27.78°C, 71F = 21.27°C
0°F = -17.78°C
100°F = 37.78°C
Remember that a lot of European nations count the living room, as a room. Hence, a 2 bedroom apartment in Denmark is actually a 1 bedroom in the US, and so on. A 2 bedroom apartment, in American terminology, in Copenhagen is also about $3k - apart from that, the way you measure Sqm in Denmark, also means that a comparably sized apartment in Copenhagen will have fewer sqm of effective space, than it’s American counterpart.
As a Californian, your average income after taxes would also be substantially higher.
@@tt9660 you are correct I would say the main issue in Denmark as mentioned in the video is the darkness and way too much rain, in the darkness period in winter it gets dark as night at 4 pm , summer if however extremely light the sun goes down around 10-11 pm. and rise around 4 am. , the summer can be very nice and usually not to hot but sometimes there aren't much summer but rain, rain, and more rain it's different from year to year
great video bro. love Danish people, everyone ive ever met from Denmark is a legend. you made some really honest points too though, i learned a lot
I just returned from a trip to Copenhagen. The city is surprisingly beautiful.
I can’t stop looking at the beautiful greenery behind him
Love your honesty.
I'm in Toronto and Copenhagen looks cheaper. Rent for a two bed is $3000+ per month. Eating out typically is $30 - $50. Also, there isn't much nature and what nature there is left is boring for the most part. Winters can be evil with temperatures dropping as low as -40(rare but does happen). Even the typical -20 it far too cold for me. Great video!
Thanks for sharing! Those winters sound brutal...! Doesn't get that bad here, luckily.
3000 CAD = 15,000 DKK... quite the same (I'm from Montreal)! Eating out is also the same price ... going brunching is about 250 DKK=50 CAD and that's because you order a coffee (not even a mimosa) :( but we pay a lot higher taxes in Denmark and also on investments :/
What about Vancouver?
There is so much nature in Canada, even in and outside of Toronto. Scarborough Bluffs, Rouge Valley, Niagara Gorge, Niagara Escarpment, The Bruce Trail, Tobermory, Kawartha, and Algonquin. That’s just a few. Everything else is spot on.
Bro trust me , As somebody whos from Slovakia and spend quite some time in Denmark, I'm more than happy to do all things that u just marked as cons. Denmark is insane in quality of living standard and once u came from way less developed ( Social Wellfare ,Politial culture, Lack of jenteloven,etc) country all those things are just funny to consider them as something bad :D Jeg elsker CPH og Danmark
Náhodou nevieš o nejakom fajnom zdieľanom ubytku? Pozerám hlavne cez findroommate, ale ak by si vedel nejako poradiť 😅
Same here. I am over 40yrs old and I have lived half of my life in southeast asia and half in the Middle East. I would rather have the cons he is pointing compare to the cons I have dealt with and the cons I am currently dealing. My husband is Danish, and likes to complaint too about so many things 😂😂, but after spending time in Dubai, Riyadh, and Philippines. The complaining became less. The only thing he complains now is the weather. Not invalidating anything here, but I swear the quality of everything in Denmark far outweighs the cons.
@@MommyBoodai Is there racism in denmark?
@ I wouldn't say there's none. I experienced it mostly in Billund Airport. KLM check in counter, even KLM flight attendants. I choose to just ignore it, it can be worst somewhere, what I mean racism is anywhere. That's the sad reality.
The rent is definitely higher than that. People pay 15k for one edroom and 22-25k for a flat with 2-3 bedrooms
Thanks for this video, I thought I was crazy for leaving cph after only 6 months of moving there from southern Italy. I can easily see through stuff pretty easily and noticed many of the points you mentioned but around my circle I was labelled crazy to leave Denmark as on paper is one of the best countries in the world. I now realise that most of the elements that contribute to a county being happy can't be quantified and measured. During my time there I've met people with deep mental health issues, passive aggressiveness, directness used as a mean of being aggressive and a great lack of empathy and a lot of people dismiss alcoholism as being "cultural". Man imagine saying hello to your neighbours and don't reply! That has happened to me many times and I get that it's polite to ignore but man, it costs nothing to be kind and reply!
Thanks for sharing! I could absolutely have talked about the alcohol issues as well - somehow it's just a a big part of our 'culture' to drink. A lot.
Me i live here . 12 years in Denmark , i speak fluently and i have an old danish woman as a neighbor and she avoids me if she see me outside , she try to avoid me 😅. But I learned to live in my own bobble .
Did you consider the possibility that you might've been a noisy neighbour?
sorry that was your experience, it very much depends on where you live and the people you meet in my family and among my friends there aren't much alcohol at all, Danes are very direct yes however 95% of the time what you may think is aggressive is actually irony or sarcastic, I'm not saying there aren't rude Danes there certainly is, but most of it is cultural misunderstanding it depends of whether you understand the culture and humor,I'm writing this because I notice that people from Northern countries, Germany, The Netherlands and the Slavic countries never ever say Danes are cold, rude or aggressive they say we are very open and relaxed where as people from other places are much more mixed in their judgement some are positive some are negative, there are some areas in Copenhagen where people are very social with their neighbours and others who barely speak , just remember you judge due to 1 place you lived
I (a Dane) recognize everything you describe here. To me your comment is very refreshing and freeing. I can feel almost paranoid sometimes, being nearly the only Dane I know, who see what you saw so clearly during your stay.
On the other hand I ALSO experience a lot of warmth and smiles, and have good friends. Put short: It's a mixed bag !
That's also to say, I believe you had some bad luck to go with your experience.
However, there's something weird about the Danish psyke, kind of like mentioned in the video: We hold our self in extremely high regard, while having massive blind spots.
I totally get you.
I am traveling Europe solo for a few months and have been strongly considering spending a month in Copenhagen, partly because of the popularity of badminton in Denmark. Not sure how easy it is to find people to play badminton with, but I would hope that that would be my way to make friends with some locals. This video is making me second guess Copenhagen just a little, but this video seems more targeted towards people who want to move there, rather than just spend a month. Thanks for the information!
Definitely aimed at people staying longer. And it isn't to scare people away either - perhaps just to have more realistic expectations.
Im not sure about the badminton, you can rent courts for sure, but if you want to play with some Danes, I would try to contact local clubs and perhaps see if you can drop in or something like that. Or maybe try out some Facebook groups to find people to play.
I would like to elaborate a bit on "Janteloven". It was invented by the Danish/Norwegian author Aksel Sandemose in his book "En flyktning krysser sitt spor" (1933), and is neither unwritten (because he wrote it), nor an official set of rules.
Many UA-cam videos present Janteloven as a really positive thing, but that is not at all how Sandemose intended it. This becomes apparent if you read the original wording.
While I do like certain aspects of it, because it tends to keep people from getting on too high horses, losing their connection to reality, it can also be too restricting. In any case, living by Janteloven as Sandemose intended it, cannot be recommended.
Janteloven is something very fucked up and sadly still dominates danish society . I have this fucking Jantelov. 👎
Janteloven is the major problem with Danes and how they are.
As a Dane, I agree on a lot of your points, but I do take exception regarding our nature...
I live in the north of Zealand and our nature is diverse. We have woods, Kattegat, beaches and fjords!!
Danes complain, bc we can!
For the majority, life is good or better...and bc we are comfortable, it's easier to nit-pick about the smaller things.
This video paints an odd negative/positive picture of Denmark.
Let's make one point clear, every country has it's good & bad sides, but here we are privileged enough to speak out against it and still live/love to be here! 😉
fx: Today it's pouring down rain, in the middle of summer, no worries!
We have had 10 days of sunshine and I would have loved to go to the beach, but I'm also happy for the free water, falling from the sky & onto my garden! 🌱
Totally agree. I visited Troldeskoven and area near Tisvilde and its so beautiful with nordic vibes.
I visited Kobenhavn in 2018, in February sadly, but I still loved it. I had long johns under my jeans, double socks, gloves and pretty warm jacket. But I was freezing still, extremely cold wind didn't help either. That, and having spent whole day out, we walked like 20km that day, to see as much as possible. It is properly cold, I'll give you that. Was still enjoying the beautiful architecture of old buildings with clipped roofs and bricks. You were lucky to be excluded from major battles in recent history. Unlike Serbia here, which was practically leveled in WW1 and WW2, then came the communists which destroyed the rest of buildings from the old kingdom.
It is expensive and I was expecting that, some things are just over your head, like having a pint of beer or any food except the hot dogs which are pretty good and somewhat cheap. We did find some locally brewed lager in Christianshavn for around 2,5 euros if I remember correctly. :)
Gonna have to visit Denmark next summer to properly enjoy it during warm, long days.
Yeah, that wind is the real culprit! Going in Summer definitely sounds right for you :)
- Many places are really expensive, but there are still some great deals out there; sounds like you found one! I hope to cover more of places like that in the future. Thanks a lot for watching and sharing your thoughts.
In the winter you really need wool: Woolen socks, woolen t-shirt, sweater etc.. I tend to buy food in the supermarket instead of the cafés. The cafes are just extreme with their silly prices.. Must be the high monthly rent that forces those prices..
I loved the video.im living here for 35 years.i totally agree with you with the first 3 reasons. Expensive.weather and landscape. I hate the landscape. There is nothing to see ( except of møns klint). Its all flat. Its also hard to make friends. I dont mind the High taxes. The weather is very depressing. That's why half of Danish people go to south Europe for holidays. And I refuse to pay 50 kroner ( 7 dollar) for a coffee. Thanks for a lovely honest video.
Haha, ain't that the truth! Glad Im not alone in thinking that. Thanks for watching and sharing your thought!
For me nature is number one . UK is also covered in boring farmland but there are at least some forests and mountain's . Especially Scotland.
Hi Adam! I've been living in Copenhagen for five months and I love it here. Danish folks are so awesome here. The only complaint I have is the amount of cigarette litter! :( I feel like the city is working on that and hopefully it becomes the norm to keep the city clean ❤ but other than that everything you mentioned is definitely validating. I would love to get to know more about the culture and the language more :)
It used to be A LOT worse with the cigarette litter, so it's definitely improving, although it's still quite bad (compared to other cities at least).
Hello, I am traveling to CPH in September. I just wanted to say thank you for the insight on what to expect (realistically) while visiting. Nothing wrong with wanting more from the people of your country. 😊
Thanks for watching! Hope you'll have a great trip :)
5:53 gotta disagree, Denmark has probably the worlds most beautiful nature in my opinion. Northern Jutland, west coast and Samsø shows the very best of the Danish nature which is extremely unique compared to the rest of Europe. It's about the small things here as we don't have impressive mountains or large pine forests.
There a some nice nature places in Denmark, but to call it the most beautiful nature in the world is quite insane.. I mean, you need to look no further than Sweden and Norway to have so much more diverse nature. But good to hear that you enjoy it here!
@@mandel94 That's subjective, I don't think it's insane. I've seen many parts of the world, the Americas, Caribbeans, most of Europe, middle east, I haven't seen nature anywhere that gets the same feeling like proper Danish nature.
bollocks mate, most beautiful ? Brazil would like to have a word. I just good northern Jutland and it looks like any sea town out there.
@@ivartorr1469 Been to Brazil, Florianópolis to be exact. It's absolutely beautiful and some of the wildest most dreaming nature Ive ever seen, but still I prefer and think some Danish nature is more idyllic.
@@FroddeB Could you please explain what makes you say that? genuinely interested as there might be something im missing.
I live in Jutland in a village. My flat is 150 m2 and I pay 5000 ddk 😊
Yeah be course it is Jutland. The country folk prices who receive subsidies from the municipalities north of Copenhagen.
@inpersonaDK I get absolutely no money from the government for my living
Well right now in the USA depending in what State you are living is very high, right now in Texas ,one bedroom is at least 1300 .00 dollars and Texas is one of the cheapest State
Depending where in Texas.
this video is really interesting. as a dane who grew up outside of denmark but has been living in japan for the past 15 years, it seems like denmark has a lot of similarities to japan when it comes to rules, not standing out, and avoiding confrontation.
The prices/cost of living seem pretty identical to Ireland, yet we lack a lot of the infrastructure and public services you have there. Not to mention the worse weather here 😅 I love our little Emerald Isle, but Copenhagen is great. I'd love to explore more of Denmark, as we go everybody year, but I'm curious if I'd be okay with mostly english (and a bit of Norwegian) to get around outside the city
These are the exact same reasons why my father-in-law says he left Denmark (he was born in Copenhagen, 1942}, along with high unemployment - but he left in the 1950's for California, USA.
Both were very different countries back then.
Today he lives in an area (very much not California) where the winter weather isn't any better, the days are just as short, but there's more scenic views, recreational opportunities and much hotter summers.
People where we currently live are very aware of anyone or anything outside of their preferred normative. It's incredibly homogenous, mono-cultural, and it's getting worse with people from other states moving here seeking "political refuge" who are driving up prices for the locals who cannot find employment that provides a sufficient income to afford the increases.
Needless to say, but I wasn't totally shocked by the prices in Denmark or Sweden when we last visited.
Sure, it's a bit expensive for some food, especially in trendy places or tourist areas, and alcohol is government controlled (same here) and overpriced.
There's a lack of diversity in grocery stores (I'm talking about numbers of stores, as well as items they sell) which leads to monopolized pricing, but if you stay away from certain brand names you can manage quite well on a budget.
You pay higher INITIAL taxes, but we pay out of pocket for more things - which are also taxed.
My only complaint was paying VAT, but at least you pay the price shown for the items, whereas here we always have taxes added on at the end.
It really equals out to be almost the same, and probably in your favor if you have any health issues requiring frequent visits to the doctor or pharmacy.
All in, I'd love to be able to live there and immerse myself in Danish culture for a few years - maybe longer if certain current events here don't cease soon.
No one place is everyone's utopia, but we both have it very good indeed!
Thanks for the honest view from a local's perspective.
P. S. Those bridge tolls are insane! But I enjoyed driving your well maintained roads. (Buy once, cry once.)
Right on everything, Spanish living here!
Your are right about the housing prices / rent in Copenhagen, BUT - if you own property and sell it with a profit, you don't pay any capital gains tax or anything normally (if you have lived in the property your self) !
Renting does how ever not give you that benefit - but you can get up to over 3000 Dkr every month in benefits depending on your income and how many you are in your family !!
I love this.
How are you on Møn and you show no forests or cliffs? ;0)
As a dane myself the whole "good salary" thing is kinda bullshit. Salary is pretty low in Denmark compared to other countries in the west because of the tax. Im a clinical dietitian with a masters degree and I earn rougly 18.000 dkk a month after taxes (2.500 usd). That puts me at merely 216.000 dkk a year (around 30 k usd) which is insanely low, with prizes for food being what they are in Denmark. Even in USA I would be considered poor.
In USA not only is the base salary (without masters degree) almost *TWICE* as high as in Denmark with a yearly average of 60.000 usd (420.000 dkk) but depending on where you live, you can easily pay 0% - 20% in income taxes. If you earn within the top 25th percentile or go private 100k usd a year is certainly within reach. Not to mention its incredibly hard to get a job in my field in Denmark, even with my masters and good grades it took me 3 years. I really should move out of this country lol
Damn that's crazy. And i know some people who work in warehouses with no education that make the same amount in Copenhagen.
@@REAL6 I worked as a no-skill based factory worker many years ago and I made more than I do now.
@@IvanKristiansen Im definitely considering it. But there are downsides to USA too, first off it costs alot of money to move country. In Denmark Im used to crime being very low. And Im not a fan of the whole woke anti-male feminism bs that takes up the American media, though we have it to some degree in Denmark too
What's the Melbourne connection in your name? Just interested.
@@miakey8082 This account is from 2006-2007, I dont know how to change the name lol. Back then I used to dance smth called the melbourne shuffle. I was like 15 then so yea the name is pretty dumb
I moved here 2 years ago perm from the UK (Manchester), it is a nice country and peaceful but very difficult to make Danish friends, as I get impression friends are for life from Primary school, also from Manchester we deal with things face to face and not a fan of the snitching thing, should have guts and be reasonable
it's a bit more relaxed living in danish countryside. there's more freedom because there's a bit less of an eye on you (especially government eye 😂). but it can be boring, especially if you're the cosmopolitan kind of person
Great video, summarizing everything pretty accurately. One addition to it however: Jantelov in my opinion is extremely important in today’s world and I would love to see more people living more “Jantelov based”. I am also commenting as a non Dane but living in Denmark for 10+ years, and see the shift in behavior of younger people.
Nevertheless, Denmark is a great country even with its flaws. The more you travel the more you understand why.
Well put! Thanks for sharing.
The price you said for how expensive an apartment is in Copenhagen would be considered a major bargain in cities in the United States.
Same for the food. $30 for a meal at a restaurant or $6 for a coffee is considered a good price in American cities. Those are prices you would pay for fast food like Five Guys and Starbucks respectively.
Damn, well, there goes my next US vacation!
But yeah, I suppose a lot of things (in many places) are just getting really expensive. And if salaries don't quite follow along, well...
Yes, you don’t have the same tax bracket in USA as Denmark.
@@thenordicadam
Therefore a great reason to avoid major cities while on vacation! Stay in the more rural areas and enjoy not only their inner culture, but save a lot of money that people normally waste on expensive hotels and restaurants in tourist areas.
Plus, in those places you'll be sharing your culture and knowledge with people who are likely as curious about you as you are about them - whereas in the cities you're just another "darn foreign tourist" to be ignored.
As a well traveled American, I could suggest a few places for you, if provided with some knowledge about what you are looking for when visiting.
The USA is vast and varied, despite the "united" namesake.
Good to know that not only Poles REALLY LOVE to complain about everything 😂
After 10 years in Denmark I found out that we Poles are left behind in complaining and drinking. Sitting and talking with Danes you can get really depressed especially when they are completely drunk 😂
Next content should be the cost of living in Denmark and Do and Donts in Copenhagen :)
Already in the works and coming soon! Thanks a lot, Ero!
@@thenordicadam and the difference between Asian and European 😅
The housing is really cheap compared to Miami Florida. For what you mentioned, you would have to double the price. We also don’t have any good nature here, the state is completely flat, hot and humid. The climate is good 3 months out the year at best.
Cheers.
Interesting! I guess it would make sense to look at what portion of the salary people spend on housing, to get a more comparable figure. Sounds like this would be higher in Miami too, though.
I went to Florida some years back, I loved the weather! But I suppose I was on vacation..
Thanks for sharing!
@@thenordicadamunfortunately salary hasn’t caught up with price hikes since the pandemic when a lot of people moved down here for cheaper living. It’s pretty rough right now for long time Miami natives to afford anything in South Florida. It’s not uncommon for a single person to pay 60% of their earnings in housing cost alone.
Median income in Miami is around 60k. We pay an average of 20% in federal taxes, no state taxes, but we also have to pay health insurance, a car since we don’t have good public transportation and education if you want a good one.
It’s pretty miserable but I imagine paying 50% of earnings in taxes is also miserable.
I’m not sure what the answer is cause it seems no matter where you go, the common person is the one being squeezed by either greedy government or corporations.
appreciate your self-criticism as dane. shed light on different angle about københavn thank you.
I live in Cph and I agree on everything, especially the mentality of the danes, the hypocracy, the mentality around rules like loving to make sure other follows the rules... it's so danish
I like your video a lot - very honest. I lived in Denmark for about 5 years. Vejle, Aalborg and Copenhagen (suburbs and city). Danes generally seem to be quite self aware about a lot of things, but one thing that most danes are hypocrites of - Janteloven. While each of them dont think they are special, as a nation - they always think collectively they are special. You have no idea how much indirect arrogance foreigners have to encounter in Denmark. And looking down upon other nations/countries. Aaaand, the smell of poop is just insane sometimes. In spring even in Frederiksberg(CPH) we had to close windows. :D If not for those two points, I absolutely loved Denmark, while nature is boring, you can always find a few gems to visit, and even small towns are full of charm and nice people. For example, Vejle is stunning, Aalborg used to be (imho, before they re-built whole fjord-front), and Arhus might be objectively the perfect city - size, location, amenities, events etc etc.
Tak for videoen. Meget interessant. Jeg vil stadig besøge igen (jeg bor i USA) men intet sted er perfekt.
Number 6: isn’t it the same everywhere in the world?
honestly the cost of living, food, and entertainment sounds very similar to where I live in Chicago.
Regarding Point number 4 :D i feel like alot of people just type a letter and give put it in your postbox etc. but ye not alot of us would ring the door bell and actually talk with them regarding the issue we have etc.
True - an anonymous letter, though, hah.
I'm a Dane and really appreciate this honest view. I live in our second largest city, so the stuff about house pricing and such is kind of similar.
I actually agree on everything, with the exception of Janteloven which I believe is universal and necessary, as long as it's not too emphasized.
I do not think we have it too emphasized here in Denmark. Not in general.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Franck! I appreciate it.
@@thenordicadam You're so welcome. Thank you for a pleasant high quality video.
Janteloven is far from universal. In many third world and second world countries wealthy people (the newly rich at least) absolutely enjoy flaunting wealth. For example, here in China it's common for rich people to buy fancy cars, luxurious bags and watches etc. And for middle class or lower class they also want the fancy shiny stuff. Lots of snobs here that would look down on people who wear off-brand or cheap stuff. Like we have our domestic shoe brand Anta thats affordable to many of us ($20+ a pair, comfortable, decent quality). If you wear these it would not be surprising when someone mocks you for wearing them. It's pretty uncommon anyone who can afford a fancy car drives something like a honda. If their lifestyle doesn't match up with their wealth and they try to be "humble", they will be poorly judged as a cheapskate. Life in China is a constant d*ck measuring contest. In comparison Denmark is a Utopia. And I've only talked about just one aspect of a society...
I’m watching this video from Brazil… Well… who lives here knows what I’m feeling about the things that you said 🤙🏼
Cool places. Wade sea.
Nature Resort,
thanks for your perspective on Denmark, and greetings from your friendly neighbours in Canada!
For nature and terrific views, go Sweden!!
There is a reason I live away from Copenhagen. Prices in Copenhagen are just insane. You can rent like 100-125 m2 for 4000DKK in Jutland outside the big cities.
Bro, except cafes Denmark is nowadays probably at the same price level than italy (after the turbo-ultra inflation). Here I am referring to groceries and eating out mostly. Cinemas are slightly cheaper in Italy... that's about it. Bowling and sport subscription are much cheaper in Denmark. I know danes like complaining, but come on! All combined together i would not even say Denmark is 20% more expensive, it is probably less by now! However in Denmark the salaries are twice at least. Thrice for some low-income jobs.
Thanks for sharing. Are these numbers just anecdotal, or do you have them from somewhere?
Using Numbeo to compare, cost of living in Denmark is 35% higher, and purchasing power is 47% higher (of course sites like this are not 100% accurate, but it's a decent starting point). Inflation has been around similar levels for both countries, according to Statista.
But, because Italy is relatively expensive, does that mean I can't say Denmark is expensive? I don't live in Italy.
@@thenordicadam depends on how you define anecdotal, I was born and raised in Italy, and I was there on vacation just a month ago, so I saw the prices. I paid 5 fucking euros for a deodorant. I was so angry. I can tell you for sure that numbeo is not up to the page for expensiveness in Italy, and the purchasing power option sucks quite a lot. There are better tools around, like salary converter tools (how much you would need to earn in place X to live with the same quality of life as in place Y)
Fair enough, but I guess my point is that expensiveness needs to be considered according to your salary. When your salary to cost of living ratio is higher than 90% of other countries (probably not so far off), I would guess that you are not really entitled to talk about expensiveness.
@@domenico26752 I spent a couple of months in Italy a year or two ago - and had to stick to smaller and 'cheaper' towns (in terms of rent at least), because it was definitely more expensive than I had anticipated.
I guess I both agree and disagree with you. I know being born in Denmark makes me very lucky and privileged compared to many other people. But things can always get better. And you need to at least talk about things before you can start improving (or at least not make things worse, lol).
For example, right now, shrinkflation is happening to soo many regular products here. I think talking about that could be pretty relevant, because it sucks.
But then, Im not entitled to do that, because we have high salaries in Denmark?
Again, thanks for sharing your thoughts - it helps me and hopefully others have more to think about!
Anche in Grecia
That Law of Jante permeates so many countries, not just in the Scandinavian or Nordic countries, but places like Australia, too. I could never tolerate people saying to me, "So, who do you think you are to act like you're so much better than us?" To me, that kind of remark comes from insecurity. You must feel pretty bad about yourself to constantly be putting others down who are doing better than you. In Australia, they call this attitude the "tall poppy" syndrome. If one person (poppy) grows too tall from success and starts to rise above the others, they cut it down (with criticism) so it's back in line with all the others. They do this as if to say it's okay to be successful, just don't be TOO successful to the point others start feeling insecure about it. I once met a man who immigrated to America from Australia who said he did so to get away from the tall poppy mentality. He loved that Americans celebrated other people's success and used it as motivation to achieve their own success. They didn't cut others down like that, and he was right. It's one of the many things I love about America.
Adam makes a great point that by not allowing others to excel and celebrate their talents, you create a society of sameness. It's sad but true when he said restrictive social attitudes like the Law of Jante make all Danes look and act like the same person because they're forced into conformity and muting their real personalities for fear of being socially ostracized. The result is a society of clones. I also could never deal with snitches and people getting up in my personal business by telling me how to live. As an American, I have too much independence and individuality for that. I'm sure Danes are nice people, but I won't be moving to Denmark!
Thanks a lot for sharing your perspective! 🙏
im from switzerland, but every-time i visit copenhagen 🇩🇰 its pocket friendly to me, and i find it not expensive, i love copenhagen,, I underestimate the weather in copenhagen And its crazy colder,the system is way better compared to other EU countries, The downside is the train in copenhagen is almost late all the time,, and need to maintained,
Coffee and cheese are a better deal to buy at ICA or another grocery store in Sweden, just over the bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo. Take Vitamin D boys and girls! Great video, though!
No worries, there's a will, there's a way. Nice place to live regardless!
Thank you for your video. It was great.
Thanks for watching!
I’m from the USA San Francisco Bay Area! I get taxed a lot (close to you) and pay twice the rent for the space. I wish I could be a citizen of Denmark. The social services are so amazing.
Edit: You talking about Denmark not being “that amazing” is the most Danish things based on your description of Danes. 😅😂
Hahah, finally someone catching on! 😉
Thanks for watching!
Very negative view... Do not agree with a big chunk of this. There is pros and cons with every single country. And then there is personl preference. I love Denmark, I am a Dane born and raised in Aarhus. I love our seasons and find people are very friendly and open, but most people just enjoy there space and privacy. Ask anyone for help with a smile and any Dane will help you out ☀️☀️
Also. Do not underestimate how damn lucky we are to have the least currupt state in the world + an insanely good welfare state with high quality health care. We are just a bit blind to actually see it I think. Blinded by privilidge to be annoyed that there are not Coconut palm trees and 30 degree sunshine year around..
I mean, it's in the title that this is a negative take! And that's the whole point - 'we are so privileged that we are not allowed to complain', and so you won't often find negative takes on Denmark (this video is aimed more towards foreginers tbh).
Well, I do it anyway here, but as I hope I conveyed, rather lighthearted. After all, I have lived many years abroad - but still choose to live here. Despite the negatives (which a lot are personal preference) it's hard to find a better place to live.
Thanks for watching and sharing your thoughts!
@alexanderfriis1: A ve bit triggered, aren't we ? 🤣🤣
Those are pretty much the same prices everywhere across western Europe. I bet you do have higher salaries though
For major cities in Western Europe, you are probably right. Salaries are quite high here for sure - next video will be all about this. Thanks for watching :)
Spot on, Adam!
However, re. lack of scenic nature, Denmark has a LONG coastline with endless clean beaches - and great sailing.
Absolutely. There are of course exceptions and some amazing nature in some places! But you have to seek those out. The rest is just fields :)
Thanks for watching!
Where would you recommend to stay for 7 days in September outside of Copenhagen and travel in?
With 7 days outside Copenhagen, you could see quite a lot. You could rent a car and travel around a bit. Here are some interesting places to look at:
- Helsingør, Hillerød, Roskilde, Lejre, Møn.
And you could cross the bridge and head to the island of Fyn and visit Odense - and head over to Jutland. Plenty of cool places over there - especially if you want more nature experiences. Heading up to the top of Jylland, Skagen, is a cool experience too!
@@thenordicadam You are absolutely right, you are making a guide, for all the others. "Live Like a Rich Tramp"
As suggested, renting a car is a great idea. Denmark is small so you can drive more or less from one end to the other in 5 hours. So with a week to drive around you could get to see a lot. If you travel to Copenhagen by plane I would recommend staying there for the first night and then driving around for the remainder of the week.
And don’t get me started on the Swedes. They consider themselves the IKEA of cultures: in theory, everything looks great... until you try to assemble it yourself and realize you’ve just got a bunch of wooden dowels and no manual! You do realize that “Svenska” translates to “Please stop smiling, we need to talk about property taxes"?
Big places 19000. - over 20.000
I pay similar in Pittsburgh pa.
great vid
THANKS!!
Denmark sounds like a dystopia.
It’s very much not.
ok, good, then stay away
I must say it depends on your lot in life in Danmark,
Because sometimes, yes it can feel like that
I dont agree with you. 1st Yes.. Denmark is expensive, but also the saleries are highest in the EU. Compared to my city Prague, the price of new flat is just 20-30% less than Copenhagen, but the saleries are 2-3 TIMES LOWER! Other thing i really dont agree is the NATURE! I visited many places and i can tell, that Denmark has one of the most cleanest nature ever .OFC it has no dramatic views like Norway or Iceland, but there are also many good places! Tisvildeje, Thy, Hirtshals, Gribskov.. I visited Troldeskoven and i was amazed! So no. Denmark does not look just like field and there are many projects and goals for reforesting.
Janteloven is one of the most beautifull things about Denmark.
this video is just making everything slightly more negative than it really is. i live in a completely renovated apartment in city center at half the price of what he said. Those prices are what you pay when you got ripped off. And the nature is nice
If you got an apartment like that for $1000, you are indeed one of the lucky ones. There are apartments like that for sure - but if you haven't been on a list for years or don't know anybody that can get you a foot in the door, it's very hard to get them (in particular for foreigners).
I'm not a big fan of the nature, as you could probably hear from the video, but if you like it, that's awesome. Thanks for watching! :)
You got extremely lucky then. I have been looking for an apartment for years in Copenhagen and what he says it's accurate.
Up to $5,000 dollars per month for rent is cheap bro, come on.
I agree with most of the points, it just sounds like you are more of an optimist than i am, however plenty of nature in Jylland 😉
I guess, After seeing alot of Danish people advocate to tax our population into the ground because of perceived environment damage, mind you, in a country that is less than one percent of the total impact, you end up becoming more pessimistic
I wish that people would stup using Janteloven to tell other negstive things about others.
Coz thats not hownit was made. It was madento respect orhers ans threat them right. And the not to think we are better than others is to keep up all geounded for somw level.
But never to tell someone that they aren't speciel and there are entrepreneur fair now and then to celebrate them abd showcase them and what they do, you might not kniwn this, but there is. I was at on back in 2003 and they also have other fairs for different categories, so dont spread misinformation about this please.
And pwopem that opens rheir own business Im simply just proud of. And we have Many small business here in Denmark, so if we didnt like that how come there are so many and many do so much to support out local shops/businesses.
Remember if everything is what you say, howndo we have Lego, Maersk, Vestas and so on, if people fidnt support or believe on others how woulf thry then have come this far..
And about hobbies, people can be themselves why would you bully someone for thwir interest? Makes bo sense, if soneonw bullies someone for that, thebbthat specific person is the problem, not the entire country. And we dont all dress rhe same, you might in Copenhagen, but we are all different people and therefore have different taste.
Sone might dress in black and formal coznof their work.
And just a side note, if you dobt likwnthe prices in Copenhagen, move to a smaller town nearby and get better rent and drive to Copenhagen instead.
And about the bridge, they kwpt the price too coz that also found out that the price tp keep it up to date also was very expensive, so I would rather gave a working bridge andnits also waaaay longernthan the others, so ofc the continued cost to keep it up to date is there. And if rhere are a bit more after all that andnthey thennuse ir to makenmore infrastructure Im happy, coz thennthey arent wasted.
Hope you have a lovely day 🌹
No-one forces you to stay here all the time. I spend October through March of every year in the Vietnamese tropics.
Take control of your life
thanks, very interesting
Thanks for watching!
tror ikke brormand forstår pointen og effekten af janteloven.
Even danish people have a hard time making friends. Loneliness is real issue here. Perhaps because we don't need each other to survive anymore, we have government support.
Store Vejleådalen på Vestegnen. Kæmpe naturområde.
If a nation is boring-that is a good thing. It's like going to the mailbox and seeing that it's empty-it's a good thing.
99% of tourisim in Denmark is in Copenhagen. We would not even have a word for tourist if Copenhagen did not excist.
What nonsense is that?? Do some research, 75% of Denmarks tourism is outside Copenhagen🙄
people snitching on people in denmark, I really don't think it is a general issue at all, jante loven only comes into effect if you act outta pocket while having money, or if you are being an idiot. Yes we are a flat country, yes we have so much farmland, but we also have very pretty wandering routes, and a buttload of awesome beaches and beautiful islands - basically I believe some of your points are missing it's mark :0)
Denmark is a good place, I thought it was perfect, until I learned about dog policies. I thought it was a progressive country such as Switzerland or Germany where you can take your dog inside of a cafe or restaurant or mall, but you cant even take your dog on bus during certain times in Copenhagen. Its the only big city where I have been to so far where there are so many restrictions. Even Spain, which is usually considered not dog friendly, has reformed its laws on dog welfare. I had to go somewhere else because it feels very restrictive and outdated. The young people loved my dog so much. The laws do not reflect what the citizens think.
That's one thing I love about Prague. You can carry your dog anywhere and they are welcomed.. To the point where, sometimes they cater for your dog with water bowls, places for them to sit and relax etc.. I see so many dogs riding thr bus at all hours. I totally love that abt the Czech culture. I think the only place you can't essentially carry your dog is in the grocery and that's justified..
I live in Denmark, I don't like sustainability I rather have my room full of Mylar Balloons. I don't dress so Danish I wear JNCO jeans and I don't listen to Danish or popular music. I don't like cold weather I prefer 30C heat.
we do have fantastic nature that you don't see all over Møns klint and Stevns klint, the Sandunes in Råbjerg mile and Grenen where the sea's meat , it is however correct no mountains and a lot of farm land, and although we certainly have woods we could use some that are larger because you are through them in 1-2 hours , otherwise I agree with most, I will say though the "jantelaw" depends on what kind of people you are around, I don't fell like people have to be like others and that we don't celebrate people with success I think it's more a myth that the truth Danes are so proud of Lego, Mærsk, Novo Nordisk, Danish Designers like Poul Henningsen, Wegner, Arne Jacobsen and the rest, not to mention "new Nordic cuisine" extremely prod of any sports athlete you can go on, but it's true people certainly don't like bragging, we like it when people are successful but they have to be humble about it, for me I see the main issue about not standing out is mainly in politics, Danes tend to all believe the same narrative, and it's the narrative being spread in the media, not many dare to speak against it, Danes will be among the last to learn the reality about what is happening in the world because they have way to must trust in their politicians and media
As the expat in Denmark. Spot on nature - super boring 🥱 but at least Danes makes the nature super groomed and they really care about nature. I love that!
Rules - yeah, some of the rules like 2 min after the parking time - 1000 dkk fine. I think the margin of human mistakes should be acceptable, jante law drives me crazy 😝 because it is not anchored to honesty more to fake humbleness, because underneath there is a sense of being better than everyone else (not within Denmark) ofc outside of Denmark 😁 trends - omg teenagers looks like copy paste, the same baggy clothes, dirty sneakers, the same haircut. Fiends - omg you cannot get close to Danes, they are not interested in other people other cultures… I call it Danish bubble. It is interesting to observe Danes how far from what they believe they are in fact they are 😉 tho I like Denmark because with all downsides the overall there is positive outcome to live in this beautiful country.
like a lot of Brits, I just love Copenhagen.
Solarium 9 minut twice a week
Fitness centeret
As a minority Dane, I can relate to that.
The rent you’re stating is just straight up a lie sorry. You’re rather looking at 3500-5000DKK for a bedroom which is still alot
If you rent a room in someone else's apartment or have roommates, that might be the case. Here I am talking about an entire apartment.
In some cases yes, but that’s still more expensive than it has to be and I think you should state that more clearly🙏
@@hansiboy8243 I think the prices I mention are pretty average for what you would find apartments for online. Are there some apartments that are cheaper? Yes, but as I mention in the video, if you're not signed up to some list for many years or don't know anybody that can give you a foot in the door, it's almost impossible to get those. And most of my viewers are not Danish, so if they were to move to Denmark they would likely fall into this category - and pay those prices.
@@thenordicadamI’d still say you can find whole 2 room apartments for 7-10000DKK without any connections as I’m on the market rn looking at a lot of possibilities
@@hansiboy8243 Yeah, I think in the video I say 9-10.000. So we're not far off :)
Good luck though, I hope you find something nice!
Also people in Denmark do NOT know how to clean up after themselves - crazy how many broken glass bottles and empty beers are left on the streets at night. I only visited for a week and I’d bet there were at least a few thousand that I could find.
Do you live in an area where there are a lot of bars/clubs which over-serve their customers (to obvious drunkenness)?
Interesting points! Sounds like The Netherlands, horrible
no Denmark is not perfect , people ther think that is ! Naiv , if you are a Dane i think it is okay , but here are many wrong thing , and you are right , ✌ I am a Dane , so i know .have a nice day 👍 .
Har I været på Bornholm??😅😅
living in denver, co is more expensive than copenhagan......
sounds like Brandenburg in Germany :D
After living more than 20 years in Copenhagen I moved out two years ago. I was so tired of the "talking classes" focussing on all kind of woke sillyness but zealously avoiding to face the real problems.
Kom lige med et et eksempel på 'woke' fra den 'talende klasse' der var så forfærdeligt at du måtte flytte fra København.
There’s more of us Jorgensens in Minnesota, maybe you would like it in the US better? Good luck!
Århus har meget skov og bakker
Det er mange år siden jeg har været i Århus. Det er vist et tegn på at jeg må en tur forbi - og måske lave en video! Tak fordi du så med :)
@@thenordicadam du skal se den uendelige bro, og moesgård skov, den er kæmpe
Copenhagen is cheaper than the US😢
No jobs in Denmark 😢
You are not from denmark … Hussein? You should go to muslim countries