I know that the majority of WSO is USA, hence the name, and if some are European here, they almost certainly are from the UK. I am moving from my corp strategy job that I've had for the last 2 years in the Midwest and moving to the Nordic region, getting my MBA, and getting married. I've been there almost 10 times over the last year and really enjoy the area, but I do know that it could be a slight hit in my career potential.
Anybody live in Stockholm/Copenhagen/Oslo have any insight into living in these areas? What's it like working in finance? Comp/work life balance/trajectory? Is there enough to do in your free time, or does it typically end up being a more laid back environment?
I feel like you'd massively shift your work-life balance scale. My experience is that people will work hard, but there's not much outside pressure to do so. Community involvement is prized higher than personal accomplishments.
Are you trying to find someone to marry there or bringing someone with you?
I met someone that was studying abroad actually and then she went back and lives in Sweden, I am moving for a 1.5 years to get my MBA then we'll decide on whether we want to come back or not. I wanted to do my research to see what my options would be if we end up staying.
I know Danske Capital, SEB, and Nordea provide some AM/PE, then there are obviously boutiques, I've got about 4-5 meetings with some guys who work in those two industries after I move, and have had a 4-5 phone calls since I've decided to move, I'm hoping I can make it work.
You should host a WSO meetup thingy .
Assuming she is a citizen and you're able to land a good job it's a great lifestyle. Pay will be a real kick in the dick, but working 40 hours a week, free healthcare/childcare/kids college plus 5-6 weeks vacation you can actually take is worth it.
I used to work for a Nordic firm, seriously dated a Nordic girl (was in your situation) and have lots of friends/old colleagues who live a really really great life over there.
Moved to one of the three cities you're mentioning 3 years ago and am not looking to move back any time soon. Comp is way lower than London, or any of the other hubs. I'm probably being paid 55-60% of what a similar profile would make in London. But I'm probably also working 55-60% of the hours that a similar profile works in London.
W/L balance is the best! 8 hours a day, 5 days a week and no one expects you to answer calls or emails outside of office hours. I have one day a week where I work from home, but some of my colleagues have two or three. At my bank we are forced to have 7 weeks of paid vacation (you need approval from HR and a manager if you wish to forfeit your vacation days) and as a man you get three months of paternity leave.
Trajectory is probably somewhat similar to what you already know.
Aside from Danske, Nordea and SEB I would get in touch with Carnegie
Please note that I'm in RM and that this obviously differ across firms and roles.
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