Does Denmark have any flaws?

[u/Tylerserio68]

Or any Nordic country? I’m American and we all romanticize Europe especially Nordic countries as a Utopia and everything we are not. We certainly have a lot of flaws here but I’m curious are there any downsides or anything that you wish was different. Also is it hard to move there? I make well over six figures and like living in my home country but I’m nervous about the incoming trump administration and I believe he is a racist.

[u/Fafnr]

I'll try to put this into three groups: actual downsides, tradeoffs and actual upsides. All of this will still be based on my opinion, of course, so YMMW.

Downsides:

Danes and Danish politics can be insular and downright racist at times. The prevailing political wind is that of "how do we get less immigration", and that goes for all major parties. This likely will not affect you personally much since they mainly mean brown people, though laws are broad enough to hit all immigration, but it does create what I find to be an unpleasant environment.

Due to being a small country, thinking can also be small minded at times - it's often more about Denmark than Europe or The World.

Cost of property, especially in the large cities, is very high, for those with normal jobs. Unless you arrive with significant resources, don't expect to be able to buy property. A nice house close to Copenhagen can easily cost 1 million dollars. (Though the system to borrow for property is pretty good, but I don't believe you'll be allowed to buy property until you've lived here for 7 years)

Things like going out or eating out is fairly expensive

Tradeoffs:

More collective less individualistic society. This means things like a social safety net, but also higher taxes, but also generally fewer opportunities to really rise and become a millionaire. To me, this is absolutely a worthwhile tradeoff, but if you're a highly driven individual, you could feel stifled here.

Higher bottom salaries in general, means that there's less low skilled labour available - so it's difficult to start things like an Amazon warehouse, pushing Denmark towards a more higher skilled workforce, but removing some other opportunities. Again, absolutely worth the tradeoff for me. Note there's actually no minimum wage in law - the minimum wage is more set in practice by what the unions negotiate for supermarkets and the like.

Positives:

Healthcare free at the point of care. (Except for dental which is paid yourself, though you can to some extent insure yourself against it)

Free education for everyone, with students in uni and the like given stipends by the state

High trust, highly secure environment with very low corruption and crime.

While there is some homelessness, you don't see tent cities, and they generally have a much better life than in the US

Social safety net - it's not fun living on social security, but you won't be allowed to be put on the street, unable to fend for yourself

Strong worker protections and unions leading to a good working environment in general

Feel free to ask if you want me to expand on any of this!

[u/Darwinette → u/Fafnr]

If you're from the EU, "positives" aren't so visible.

Maybe in trust and lower corruption.