Just moved to Denmark. Now what?

[PrimeJunta]

I've just relocated to Aarhus, Denmark, for a year and a half.

 

This is way cool so far. Very similar to Finland in most ways, which makes the differences stand out—like, better selection of higher-quality stuff in the corner supermarket, different fish at the fishmonger, generally better attention to "quality of life" stuff with what seems like more sensible rules that leave room for common sense (like a "dog forest" which isn't even fenced out, and just has a signpost saying 'dogs off the leash - but under full control,') much better cycling arrangements... but no sorting of garbage, weirdly old-fashioned banking with international credit cards not accepted in many places, general dearth of goat cheese, electric sockets up by the light switches instead of where they belong, near the floor.

 

Everbody also seems extremely laid-back, open, friendly, and welcoming.

 

Annoyed at not speaking the language, especially because it's so close I can almost feel it—I speak Moominswedish kind of OK, and it's close enough that I can understand written Danish pretty well. I also look pretty Nordic and people talk Danish at me. But no clue what they're saying. Going to enroll in some language classes as soon as I'm properly registered.

 

So, any Danes, or expats living in Denmark here willing to offer any pointers?

Edited September 3, 2014 by PrimeJunta

[kirottu]

1, Meet Rosbjerg

2, Consume alchohol

3, ????

4, Post pictures

[IndiraLightfoot]

Aarhus is a nice university city, with a great climate. It feels small for being such a populated urban place. Over one million people reside there. Have fun. For some reason, when I was there a couple of weeks, I noticed one big difference from the eastern Baltic. Almost every dinner and diner had steak as its main thing on the plate. I got flashes from Australia all over again. Mind you, this was 20 years ago, so things may have changed considerably in Aarhus, including food culture and diet habits. Plenty of smokers as well, back then. Also, enjoy the parks and the woodlands there: "Ud I den dejlige natur!"

Edited September 3, 2014 by IndiraLightfoot

[BruceVC]

I've just relocated to Aarhus, Denmark, for a year and a half.

 

This is way cool so far. Very similar to Finland in most ways, which makes the differences stand out—like, better selection of higher-quality stuff in the corner supermarket, different fish at the fishmonger, generally better attention to "quality of life" stuff with what seems like more sensible rules that leave room for common sense (like a "dog forest" which isn't even fenced out, and just has a signpost saying 'dogs off the leash - but under full control,') much better cycling arrangements... but no sorting of garbage, weirdly old-fashioned banking with international credit cards not accepted in many places, general dearth of goat cheese, electric sockets up by the light switches instead of where they belong, near the floor.

 

Everbody also seems extremely laid-back, open, friendly, and welcoming.

 

Annoyed at not speaking the language, especially because it's so close I can almost feel it—I speak Moominswedish kind of OK, and it's close enough that I can understand written Danish pretty well. I also look pretty Nordic and people talk Danish at me. But no clue what they're saying. Going to enroll in some language classes as soon as I'm properly registered.

 

So, any Danes, or expats living in Denmark here willing to offer any pointers?

 

So Gorgon, Chris92 and Ros all live in Denmark that I know of . I'm sure they will comment soon

[PrimeJunta]

Ha! I'm actually living just next to Riis Skov, which is super-nice, especially for the dog. Went for a little run with him there this morning actually. There's even a sort of outdoor gym there with a fantastic view over the Aarhus Bay; it really invites you to do a small workout after the run. It's a nice little forest, very civilized.

 

Don't have many pictures yet, but here's the view from our balcony this morning:

 

[Gorgon]

Move out of the sticks. 

 

 

Sorry, that's just the usual greeting from someone living in Copenhagen. 

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

1, Meet Rosbjerg

2, Consume alchohol

3, ????

4, Post pictures

Pretty much this.

[Marky]

Hej PrimeJunta, velkommen til.

If you have trouble understanding spoken danish, I suggest watching some tv with subtitles. It helps me when I'm learning a new language.

[Rosbjerg]

I'm way over in Copenhagen, Aarhus is like .. 200 km away or something! If you come to CPH by any chance however I'd be more than happy to show you around.

 

As for tips, get to know Danes now. When the colder months comes around (which will feel like early spring for you I imagine) we become asocial shut-ins.

 

 

edit:

 

Aarhus is a nice university city, with a great climate. It feels small for being such a populated urban place. Over one million people reside there. Have fun.

 

Plenty of smokers as well, back then. Also, enjoy the parks and the woodlands there: "Ud I den dejlige natur!"

 

There's barely a million in Copenhagen and less than 400.000 in the Aarhus municipal... and not many smokers any more either, we all went healthy.. even I quit!

[Meshugger]

Topical:

 

[Longknife]

The key is to claim the territory as yours so that other people from your home country don't try to come over and claim it as theirs.

 

 

Yesterday I encountered a waitress at my German cafe who not only expertly responded to an English customer without hesitation, but did so with an American accent, which is rare for northern Germany. (Most who practice their English would be taught British English) Her name was also Kimberly. I proceeded to interrogate her and discover she was an American German rather than a German American and didn't actually have American citizenship, just American family and one of them fancier green cards for easy travel there; not quite a dual citizen like me and also the other way around as far as where she was initially born. Lucky for her, or I would've had to kick her out on the grounds that I have claimed my town and am the only American allowed to be here. So start combing the streets for any Finnish people and weed them out so you can rule the streets with an iron fist without your country's leader finding out and getting mad at you.

[Gorgon]

The hibernation thing is true. It just gets too cold and dark to go anywhere. 

[PrimeJunta]

Eh, Finland's like that in the winter too, only even colder and darker I'd expect. I feel quite un-social between November and February too. I've been introducing myself to the neighbors a bit; there's a nice young couple just across, some old ladies downstairs, the concierge named Peter, and so on.

 

I wonder if there's a RPG club here somewhere? If there is maybe I'll join that...

[BruceVC]

Eh, Finland's like that in the winter too, only even colder and darker I'd expect. I feel quite un-social between November and February too. I've been introducing myself to the neighbors a bit; there's a nice young couple just across, some old ladies downstairs, the concierge named Peter, and so on.

 

I wonder if there's a RPG club here somewhere? If there is maybe I'll join that...

 

Prime we need some other details

 

• Why did you move to Denmark?
• Who are you staying with
• What are your hobbies
• Why are you staying outside of Copenhagen, I assume its work related?

[PrimeJunta]

Since you asked...

 

1. I am Prince Consort. My wife got a position at the university here, and I came with. The company I work with already has a distributed software development team so it was no problem to work remotely, so I could even keep my job.
2. We're renting our own place.
3. I have been known to play role-playing games from time to time. I have other hobbies but most aren't all that social (photography, writing, that sort of thing).
4. I think point 1 already covered that.

[PK htiw klaw eriF]

You're married?

 

Scratch drinking with Ros then.

[Longknife]

You're married?

Why would anyone do that to themselves...?

[BruceVC]

You're married?

 

Scratch drinking with Ros then.

 ....yeah probably a good idea

[PrimeJunta]

Walp, I'm now officially resident in Denmark. Got the CPR number, electronic ID and everything. Was very easy and pleasant, perhaps especially so for a Nordic brother. Don't wanna change my avatar yet though.

[Meshugger]

skäe du nu äte litche dänske pöölse å kartoffelsalat? De e god!

 

*imaginary danish used*

[Blarghagh]

Kartoffelsalat is German for potato salad, right?

[PrimeJunta]

Seems kartoffel is also Danish for potato, which no doubt amuses the Swedes and Norwegians no end, what with their potatis.

 

I can see 33 sailboats out of my window.

[Monte Carlo]

Look, you're in Scandinavia right? When are you going to start swinging in saunas with impossibly hot blondes?

[Rosbjerg]

We don't really do saunas here, that's more of a Finnish thing.

[Monte Carlo]

I respect the fact that you live there, an' all Ros, but I've seen lots of high-definition movies of said activities, to the point where I think they are utterly representative of life in NorSwedeMark.