Västerås, Sweden 🇸🇪
#442
59.611099, 16.546367
Nomad Score:
64%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Västerås is a dynamic city located in central Sweden, known for its rich industrial history and proximity to Lake Mälaren. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 150,000 residents. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average download speed of 100 Mbps, with many cafes and coworking spaces offering high-speed Wi-Fi. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Swedish Krona (SEK). 1 EUR ≈ 11.5 SEK, 1 USD ≈ 10.5 SEK. Most major credit cards accepted. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable: Västerås has high-quality tap water. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telia, Tele2, and Telenor, with prepaid options widely available. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Most restaurants and shops accept Swish and major credit/debit cards, while SEB and Handelsbanken are popular choices for banking services. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, hostels, and Airbnbs. Average monthly rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in the city center is approximately 10,000 SEK. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, widely cashless; cards accepted almost everywhere. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com offer numerous short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Västerås provides affordable lodging at around 300 SEK per night. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Västerås Coworking is highly rated, providing flexible workspaces, meeting rooms, and networking opportunities. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Espresso House is popular among remote workers for its ambiance and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Monthly meetups organized by Västerås Startup Community at various venues. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Facebook groups like 'Expats in Västerås' for community events and social gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Taxi Stockholm and Uber are available for on-demand transportation. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bikesharing options via City Bikes Västerås. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Lögarängen Beach, located about 5 km from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Braathens Regional Airlines operates flights from Västerås Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | SAS and Norwegian offer flights from nearby Stockholm Arlanda Airport. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Well-connected via E18 highway, providing easy access to Stockholm and Örebro. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Västerås Central Station, with connections to Stockholm, Gothenburg, and Uppsala. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | SL access cards are available for unlimited travel within the city. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains and buses provide excellent access to surrounding cities like Örebro and Eskilstuna. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Västerås Hospital (Västmanlands sjukhus) is the primary healthcare facility, offering comprehensive services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yogastudion offers various classes and wellness programs. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fresh Fitness and SATS provide extensive gym facilities and group classes. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundry professionals are available at multiple locations throughout the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Foodora and Uber Eats cover most restaurants in Västerås. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Sill (pickled herring) is a local favorite, often available at traditional restaurants. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Café Bistron specializes in vegetarian and vegan meals. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Västerås Choklad is renowned for its artisanal chocolates and pastries. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Västerås Market held weekly offers fresh local produce and goods. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local e-commerce options include Coolstuff and CDON. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Ica and Coop provide grocery delivery services in the area. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Smedjegatan is the hotspot for nightlife, featuring various bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Västerås Seaside Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Systembolaget is the main chain for purchasing local and imported wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food stalls at Västerås city festivals provide international street food options. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Tandoori House and Timjan serve excellent Indian and Middle Eastern cuisine. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Västerås Castle and Västerås Cathedral are essential historical sites. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Djäknebergets Utsiktspark offers exhibitions and scenic views. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | Mälaren Valley is renowned for its historical significance and navigation history. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Västerås Cathedral, dating back to the 13th century, is a major landmark. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Västerås Guitars & Beer Festival is a notable annual event held every summer. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Västerås Arts District hosts various galleries and artisan shops. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Västerås Theatre is a prominent venue for performing arts. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | The Västerås City Market, held weekly, showcases local crafts and produce. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Västerås has a thriving music scene with venues like Västmanlands Teater. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Various murals around the city depict local culture and history. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | The Culinary School in Västerås offers various cooking tutorials. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Västerås Art Gallery features contemporary local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Västerås Town Hall is a fine example of neo-Gothic architecture. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Västerås is known for its rich industrial heritage, celebrated in local festivals. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Djäkneberget Park offers scenic areas for hiking and picnicking. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | North of Västerås, you can find the Tyresta National Park, known for its nature trails. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Lake Mälaren offers beautiful cycling and walking paths along its shores. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Djäkneberget viewpoint provides stunning views of the city and surrounding lakes. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The wetlands around Vallby Open Air Museum are excellent for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in Vallby Nature Reserve are available for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL and PostNord provide convenient parcel delivery options. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | MediaMarkt offers extensive tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Table tennis facilities at Västerås Sport Club are available for enthusiasts. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Västerås Akademi offers Swedish language courses for expats. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Västerås City Library offers ample study space and resources. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Västerås Culture Center hosts various community events and workshops. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming Hub Västerås provides a social environment for gamers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Cosmopol in Stockholm is the nearest major gaming hall. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 37,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,480,000 SEK). |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 28,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 40 m² = 1,120,000 SEK). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 33,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,980,000 SEK). |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 25,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 60 m² = 1,500,000 SEK). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. 30,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 2,400,000 SEK). |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. 24,000 SEK per m² (e.g., 80 m² = 1,920,000 SEK). |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 22%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Worldwide income basis for residents. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 57% for income above 703,000 SEK. |
| 🧾 VAT | 25% standard VAT rate. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, applicable. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Real estate tax is based on rental value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 3% tax on property purchases. |