Copenhagen, Denmark Report of what it's like to live there - 08/29/24
Personal Experiences from Copenhagen, Denmark
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
We’ve been in Albania, Liberia, Russia, and Mexico.
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Denver, Colorado. There are plenty of easy connections through Germany or Iceland. No issue at all.
3. What years did you live here?
So far, 2023-2024.
4. How long have you lived here?
A year.
5. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
State Department
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
Housing is spacious and really lovely. Mostly older apartments, but great spots around the city.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Things are pricy, for sure. But we can get 90% if things you get in the US minus most ethnic foods.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Maybe some hot sauce? It’s really not a big deal, though.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
Lots of options.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
The housing is often old (in a historic, not a run-down sort of way) so there are the sort of things that come along with that, but no real issues.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
It’s really uncommon. Labor is astronomically expensive, so household help (cleaning/nannies) is not super common. Perhaps a cleaning service or babysitter here or there.
3. Do you feel that it is safe to walk, run or hike outside? Are there areas where bike riding is possible? What is the availability and safety of outdoor space for exercising? Are these easily accessible?
Absolutely. This has got to be one of the safest places in the world. And biking is more common than driving.
4. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
There are gyms. They are expensive. Community pools are lovely and affordable.
5. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
Yes.
6. What English-language religious services are available locally?
One or two Catholic services and a handful of Protestant ones as well.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
Very little. Fluent English is the norm. Danish lessons are very common and free, but as diplomats, we are not allowed to enroll in them.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
Nope.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Yes.
2. What kind of vehicle(s) including electric ones do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, infrastructure, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car or vehicles do you advise not to bring?
You can bring anything. Some restrictions for older cars.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
Local phones.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No quarantine. Lots of vets. Just expensive.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
It’s pretty hard to break into the Danish work market. Most spouses work at the embassy or telecommute.
2. What volunteer opportunities are available locally?
There are some, but you have to look pretty hard to find them. There are one or two soup kitchens and churches often have programs, but it’s not super common.
3. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Fairly informal. Lots of smart blazers and tennis shoes.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
Nope.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Medical care is generally fine, just very anti-antibiotic. Generally doctors prefer to see you after a problem has become a fairly big issue. The med unit is great at bridging gaps.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Immaculate.
4. What do people who suffer from environmental or food allergies need to know?
Not too much? It’s probably mostly like the states?
5. Are there any particular mental health issues that tend to crop up at post, such as Seasonal Affective Disorder (winter blues)?
It’s very dark and wet here. That definitely affects some folks.
6. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Cool summers, winters hovering around freezing. Lots and lots of rain.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
There are two main schools. Most embassy families go to CIS, but we are at Rygaards. It’s a British curriculum and goes from k to 10th grade. It’s phenomenal. Incredible teachers, no bullying, academically rigorous, and well-organized. Copenhagen is a wonderful place, but Rygaards has been one of the most wonderful things about it.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
Not many. CIS theoretically accommodates special needs, but it is definitely not their strong suit. Rygaards is the same.
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Yes. They are expensive. CIS has afterschool programs, but after-school care usually only goes through elementary school. Kids are expected to (and do) have a huge degree of autonomy.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
At CIS, yes. Other places you need to cobble together local clubs if your kid wants to play something. It’s a bit challenging.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Moral is good, but like most Western European posts, the community is not particularly cohesive.
2. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
There are sports clubs, women’s clubs, and in general Danes speak English. It’s a bit challenging really getting into the Danish social scene, but I think with persistence it could be done.
3. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yup on all counts.
4. Is it easy to make friends with locals here? Are there any prejudices or any ethnic groups who might feel uncomfortable here?
Danes are a fairly homogeneous society and the term “4th generation immigrant” is a common way to describe people who have been living in Denmark for generations. Overt racism is not common, but subtle racism is very normal.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Wonderful.
6. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
So many. Really, any guide book could cover it.
