LIFE in COPENHAGEN - renting, education and the Danes

I've been an expat in Copenhagen for over 2 years now, and in this video, I am sharing my observations about the people and life in this great city.
I also talk about the housing situation, give you a few tips on how to dress like a local and drop a few horrible jokes here and there.
As an immigrant living in Copenhagen, I am truly grateful for being able to be here and take advantage of the quality of life that Denmark has to offer.
Support the channel:
ko-fi.com/viktorfarkas
Come say hi on Instagram:
/ theviktorwolf
1:04 The Danes
3:28 The danish language
4:33 Housing and renting in Copenhagen
6:55 Higher education
7:45 General life in Copenhagen
Renting in Copenhagen:
deas.dk/
www.balder.dk/en
www.kab-bolig.dk/boligsoegende
www.boligportal.dk/en/
Rental help, legal advice etc.:
international.kk.dk/artikel/t...
llo.dk/om-llo/internationalt
renthero.dk/

[@Lemonz1989]

I moved to Denmark in 2009, and I feel like too many people move to Copenhagen when they move to Denmark. There are so many other nice, and cheaper, areas you can move to if you are able to. I live in Aarhus and love it. :)

[@viktor-farkas]

I lived in Aarhus for ~2 years while doing school. I get the charm of that city, but personally Copenhagen has a lot more for my interests and needs!

[@snowgoon]

When it is dark for 4 months of the year, what lamps you have in your home becomes very important. I love lamp!

[@Jackal.moon-wolf273]

I'm from Japan. I love Denmark. Denmark is very beautiful and food culture. Danish bread is very famous in Japan.

[@srenchristensen7898]

Well like 99% of danes loves Japan in return :)

[@Jackal.moon-wolf273]

@@srenchristensen7898 ありがとう❤️Thank you everything.

[@zigzagposers2955]

Food culture 😂😂I’m from Italy I was in Denmark all we talk is that they have no food culture , don’t know what you talking about, come to Italy next time see the food culture, cheers

[@uqs57bju]

@@zigzagposers2955 Because that comes from a place bias on your part. On this you guys are elitist to the extreme and I don't mean that in a good way.

[@Drescher1984]

I have talked to friend of mine, she is Danish and had signed up for some classes in Danish. The first day the teacher asked if everyone understand Danish, a couple of students said no. So she did the whole course in English.

[@koiyujo1543]

English is the number one spoken language in the world an American and a socialist Gen Z has around I believe 21 different accents danish I heard is hard to learn but I've heard some are enjoyable I would have to see about that and research more. The sense I am considering moving to Denmark including other ones on my list like Finland and Netherlands including Switzerland.

[@hardikdagia5635]

​@@koiyujo1543Hi, where did you decide to move?

[@julianetjrnfeltthers-jrgen7188]

I'm so glad you brought up the environment. It's so important, and you're right about people leaving trash everywhere..

[@marcelojavierzayassisa7389]

Really good vid, the honesty is great👍

[@lischa545]

I totally agree with the littering problem in Denmark. I live 20 meters from a bus stop with a large bin next to it, but for some reason people mistake my hedge for a bin and leave their shit there instead.

[@mercykaruchia]

I love your witty way of bringing out these issues..

[@citizenVader]

Nice video. You absolutely nailed it on the garbage situation at new year's eve. It's really a bad habit.

[@anjasomnium]

So cool video! I'm happy I've come along it) Thank you! Like the way you're speaking and the pace you create) I'm going to make a trip to Copenhagen soon for the very first time and....I've realized that it would be easier to look like Danes 'cause I have a black raincoat!

[@basquat76]

Trust me there's plenty of us Danes who doesn't understand why on earth people can't clean up the day after new years eve. They just leave it there and will completely ignore it for months if needs be.

[@viktor-farkas]

Ohh definitely, I am sure that the majority of people hate this too!

[@borisdreyer4729]

It has changed over the years. For 35-40 years ago people would take their thrash to the bin. Now a lot of the younger generation just throw everything on the street. But I feel that some of the kids are beginning to take more care of the environment. A lot of kids in the 1990 to 2010 was told to just throw things where they stood, because there where people hired to clean up and you paid them through the taxes. Pretty stupid and it created a whole generation of people only caring for themselves.

[@basquat76]

@@borisdreyer4729 The sad part is new years day is the perfect time to teach your kids that cleaning up after yourself doesn't just mean your room or home but outside too.

[@andrelunge5626]

Great video bro thanks for sharing all that! Ps.: Love the Joan Cornella in the background!

[@viktor-farkas]

One day when I’m rich I’ll buy a few Cornella statues for sure!

[@McPixelWizard]

I would recommend reading "The Year of Living Danishly" over "The Little Book of Hygge". I have read both books. In my opinion, the Hygge book is more about how people everywhere can make their homes and lives more comfortable and relaxed.

[@viktor-farkas]

Thanks for the tip, I'll check it out!

[@kalman_farkas]

another book I was recommended was "En flyktning krysser sitt spor" that includes the "Janteloven" by Aksel Sandemose. the Janteloven are sort of the gist of being someone from the Nordic countries

[@lameduck3105]

Hey, at 1:46 you show a bag of cream potatoes and not a plastic container of potato salad, as it is usually sold in. Potato salad in Denmark is mostly sold in plastic containers. What you showed was cream potatoes, meant to be heated in the oven and not eaten raw like potato salad.

[@viktor-farkas]

Whoops, that's my bad 😀 I never actually had either of them...

[@lucavivanco8781]

Such a good quality video

[@Manohikari]

The best review.

[@MegaSantaclaude]

Normal zombies: "Brains, braaaaains!" Danish zombies: "Lamps, laaaaaamps!"

[@viktor-farkas]

Just wait 'til you see them around a loaf of freshly baked rye bread...

[@mikkelwulff5639]

@@viktor-farkas Freshly baked rye bread? Where?

[@viktor-farkas]

@@mikkelwulff5639 👀

[@piraten6120]

Lovin`your "dry" humor...

[@hazdazzler]

What a lovely video! I love CPH

[@viktor-farkas]

Thanks a lot! I’ve got a bunch of other videos about this city if you are interested, and there’s more coming!

[@jameshiggins1505]

I,ve only been to denmark only once and I loved it, I also have many Danish friends. ❤😊

[@pernille8893]

I heard about a new study made on languages and the difficulties learning them. It said that Danish is so difficult to learn so even Danish babies need longer time speaking their mother tongue than other children around the world

[@viktor-farkas]

Damn, that’s crazy. For our kid it took a bit longer to start speaking, but they are trilingual so that didn’t make it any more easier for them. First word was in Danish tho 😂

[@_-martin-_]

While it is true that we have high taxes in Denmark I do feel the need to stress that our tax system is progressive or a ladder tax system. This means that low income families pay much less tax than high income families - the higher your income is the higher percentage you pay in taxes. This helps make a more happy and equal society. We also get a lot in return for our tax money compared to other countries and we have higher wages. Lastly but most importantly, the cost of living in Denmark is actually comparable to countries such as North America when you account for all expenses - Americans don't pay as high taxes but they pay expensively for their necessary insurances and services.

[@viktor-farkas]

Getting used to the high taxes took a while when I moved here, but I completely agree with you that we do get a lot back for what we are paying for. I am also very happy to contribute to a social system that helps out the ones that are in need, and compared to some places that I lived before, I can actually see where my taxes are going.

[@_-martin-_]

@@viktor-farkas In Denmark we have a mindset reflected by the popular saying "De bredeste skuldre skal bære de tungeste byrder" which you may have heard. It translates directly to "The widest shoulders should bear the heaviest burdens" - hence the richer you are the more you should contribute and in effect help the less fortunate. Also I would like to add that I am glad you are here - we welcome people who wants to come here to study/work and live the good life and contribute to our society. As you hint in your video, I am aware that our immigration laws have become stricter over the recent decades and I'm sorry for anyone who have to go through that. However, one has to understand that our strict immigration laws are a consequence of recent decades high influx of refugees which have put quite a strain on our welfare system. Denmark has suffered a lot of criticism for this but we can't help everyone and we have to strike a balance to protect our successful welfare system - it is a rational and justified decision. I think if anyone should be criticised, it is the villain that is America for starting all the illegal wars (Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, etc.) and conflicts destabilizing the Middle East and causing millions of migrants to flee to Europe.

[@Jan-wd1is]

@@_-martin-_ Yes, and our border is so wide open now. The traffickers and drugs are pouring in. Our president is a political puppet. I'm glad good people can come, but the crime is increasing.

[@Menhtrol]

@@viktor-farkas I would highly recommend checking out a video called A Very Basic Look at Taxes - Between Denmark and USA by Travelin' Young

[@alexp9452]

Hey Viktor, thanks for the nice video. I am considering moving to Copenhagen area with family with 2 small children and a lot of luggage with us. Do you have any tips/advice for the moving process? - e.g.how much luggage would you take and how would you move it from the airport to the apartment cause the taxi seems expensive... thanks!

[@viktor-farkas]

The airport is very well-connected with a train and metro station, so if your apartment is close to one of the lines it is going to be super easy. Taxis are indeed very expensive. You could download one of the taxi apps like TAXA and use their calculator to give you an idea for the price for the trip. I am not sure where are you moving from, but there are plenty of smaller moving companies that offer cross-country services within the EU, so maybe that could also be an option?

[@holikluc6056]

Hi, thank you for the video! Do you have any experience with day cares over there?

[@viktor-farkas]

I have another video that covers parenting in Copenhagen: kzbin.info/www/bejne/f5arkqCAmteAibMsi=HeAfOPeb0QFZW3P0

[@noemicristescu9037]

Hi Viktor ! Really like the quality of you videos. I am considering moving to Copenhagen with my family so that's why I came across your channel. Can I ask, u mentioned you live in the suburbs of Copenhagen, did you manage to rent through KAB, and if so how long was your waiting time? Were you renting from a private landlord while waiting? Thanks so much !

[@viktor-farkas]

We've moved since I made this video but yeah we used to rent from KAB. The place was in the Husum area, a two-floor townhouse (plus basement) and we paid around 6,500DKK per month. We got the place as a temporary student accommodation, so there wasn't really much waiting time, but only because we had a contract with a semi-fixed end date. These houses are being renovated now, that is why we had to move. Once renovation is finished the waiting time is around 20+ years for a place like this for a permanent contract. I heard from a friend that in the past (like 10 years ago) getting a place from KAB in the outskirts of Copenhagen wasn't that difficult, but I am not sure what is the situation now. I hope this helped a bit!

[@mohammadnasiri3918]

The sound is ridiculously bad 😢

[@drumstick74]

You're very observant, and I agree with all your points. I'd also like to say 'Welcome to Denmark'. Can I ask where you are from?🙂 If I should guess from your accent and last name, perhaps Hungary? I also live in Copenhagen, and I'm very embarrassed about the littering of my fellow townspeople after public events..! Sheer laziness and drunken stupidity are the main reasons for all the trash, like seen after the Distortion festival. Maybe we should make it *illegal* to throw trash in public (like in Singapore). Perhaps a fine of DKK 1.000,- would make people think twice.😉

[@Drescher1984]

Veggies wrapped in plastic is "good" for the environment. Because as soon as you harvest the veggies, they start to release CO². So I agree we need to find a better material to wrap them in.

[@viktor-farkas]

I'm not an expert in this field, but I have lived in other countries where packaging individual vegetables into plastic was not the norm, it was very surprising to see this happening when I moved here. Still, food waste is a huge problem here. If you are interested check out Matt Homewood on Instagram or LinkedIn who covers a lot of this topic and lives here in Copenhagen.

[@pamelahofman1785]

What country were you born in?

[@_-martin-_]

Ha ha - if you think Danes are wasteful then you need to take a long hard look at what is going on in other countries. Denmark is one of the few countries that have quite an elaborate trash sorting system. In fact, our waste and recycling plants are so efficient that we even import trash from neighbour countries. We are also one of the few countries in the world with a bottle deposit system. Yes, some Danes may act wasteful but I think this has more to do with the difference between rural and city folks. In the cities, thanks to our tax money, streets gets cleaned up by the county trash services and that is why cities like Copenhagen are considered the most clean in the world. Maybe this has the unfortunate effect that city folks are less mindful of their waste. However, in my experience, rural people, the people living outside the cities, know better and are much more mindful of their waste because they know nobody comes to clean after them.

[@viktor-farkas]

Of course, there are places that might be worse than Denmark, but to this day I find this issue very visible in my daily life here in CPH and as I mentioned in the video these are my observations. While it is great that our streets are getting cleaned regularly, that shouldn't give us a pass for justifying being wasteful, and we could all do much better with this. I guess the video implies a bit that I am talking about the Danes leaving their trash around the city, while in reality, it's the people who live here, which of course also includes the non-Danes like myself. Thanks for checking out the video!

[@_-martin-_]

@@viktor-farkas Oh, I definitely agree. There is no excuse for littering or being wasteful. I do still believe it is more of a lazy city folk thing - they should do better.

[@Saphie688]

Where I live we have trash cans for plastic, paper, cardboard, metal, glass, food and others and they are making a huge effort to do this I think it's a komunne to kommune thing I am not sure what kommune is in English

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

Your video set up/aesthetics is very ''Anna & Lotte'' (Danish kids show from the 70-80s) :)

[@viktor-farkas]

Just had a look and that is hilarious!!! 😆

[@pollutingpenguin2146]

@@viktor-farkas HAHA!

[@hmbp100]

where are you from?

[@yuthika_sagarage]

Hey Viktor, I’m considering to move to Copenhagen. What are the different suburbs which has very residential feel. Could you explain more about renting process. I’m moving in with our baby. I really find your perspective useful as an expat

[@viktor-farkas]

Glad to hear that you've found it useful! I lived in Vanlose/Bronshoj which could be a super nice area for a family w a young kid, lots of parks and playgrounds and stuff, and it is fairly close to the city centre by bike. But a lot of expats with families live near Gentofte as there is an international school over there. As for the renting process a comment here would be way too short to explain, perhaps you could find a video from 'Robe Trotting' or the "Travelling Young' channel they might have recorded one about it already. Or alternatively ask around in the Copenhagen subreddit and one of the 'Expats in Copenhagen' Facebook groups, people are usually quite helpful!

[@cheeesechilly]

Could you please tell How much is the tax in Copenhagen?

[@viktor-farkas]

Please do not take tax advice from a random person on the internet, but you can get a good idea of what to expect by using this calculator: hvormegetefterskat.dk/en

[@madsmller4030]

Sir!! We are in population, the half of that of Paris

[@Ph33NIXx]

As a dane I completely agree with you, What i hate the most in Copenhagen as well is all the trash the streets are littered with. My favorite day to walk through copenhagen is the one after the day all the school children go pick up the trash

[@2200bronx]

Hvad er det du snakker om? Skrald på gaderne? Hvor? Og dagen hvor skolebørn har samlet skrald op? Hvad årstal lever du i og hvor er du fra?🤦‍♂️

[@Ph33NIXx]

@@2200bronx engang om året går skolerne igennem københavn og samler skrald op. Det er det eneste tidspunkt du kan gå igennem indre by og ikke falde over folks McD papire, plastik kopper, cigaret skodder, snuspakker glas skår m.m.

[@hmbp100]

Sweden, is that it?

[@jenschristianbachmann6346]

Where are you from, Viktor?

[@viktor-farkas]

Was born in Budapest!

[@jenschristianbachmann6346]

@@viktor-farkas Beautiful city - I've been there twice! Welcome to Denmark! :)

[@UltraSuperDuperFreak]

Maybe it is because its been proving that recycling really doesn do much, that some dont care. It is only like 2-3% of the sorted plastic that actualy gets made into new items. Just a quick example i do recall. Alot of paper and cardbox cant be reused either. Alot of glass and metal cant be reused either. And then there is the cost of recycling being so high they lose ALOT of money on it, so it aint worth it. And we all know what the greedy firms needs each year. So some places dont follow the "laid rules" to save cost. And improve there stocks ! Its just some fancy s**t they refuse to admit has failed in the end. So the view of thsoe in pwoer looks good in people eyes. Clearly some thing does get reused. Which is great honestly . Sadly there is barely any impact of the major trouple sorting is for the world either. Im so glad i'll be dead before it goes totally wrong.

[@viktor-farkas]

I know that me peeling off the paper label from a metal can and putting them into separate bins will not do much to save the sea turtles. But I won't be a defeatist, I have children and I will do everything I can to try to set them a good example ✌️

[@vera_ah]

I think the international student situation might be a result of COVID

[@viktor-farkas]

To be honest, I am not totally sure why it happened, I have my own assumptions on this, but I just feel so bad for all the students who started their courses recently and this new policy means that they cannot complete their BAs...

[@larsblakrasmussen5820]

Tag et dansk kursus, det vil gøre det meget lettere at bo i Danmark.... Karma you know :-)

[@marieuglemoes3303]

When a dane says what it means i did not har you.

[@marieuglemoes3303]

hear

[@michaeljohn5085]

Jordskokker er ikke artiskokker😉

[@koiyujo1543]

As a socialist I've been considering moving to Denmark and countries like Finland as well because of it being social democracy Now let me clarify as you said in the last part of this you said everyone thinks it's perfect which it isn't I know social democracies aren't perfect because it's a limited form of socialism within a still mostly capitalist economic system so really there are still problems like exploitation, it's still unstable because capitalism is naturally unstable hence is why we all get a market crash or a recession every 10 or so years, etc but while I do approve it would make America much better it's not gonna solve everything within the workforce and our lives while yes it does have a high taxes and such but the taxes pay a lot for your life like transportation, education, medical care, etc I still want to see Denmark and other countries pushing to move towards democratic socialism would make Denmark much better but would still face some challenges like backlash capitalism from other countries and such. Seeing the stuff you talked about here opens up what I should expect and will be able to make my decision of what country I should move to if I ever decide to as an American for a much better life than the ideologically divided and horrible developed infrastructure country I live in. Plus I love Europe because it is much better than America While not perfect it's more strict on privacy, projects, people, etc I wanna get away from the country was born in because I hate the things it's done in its history and the horrible things it will do to keep itself at the top of the world stage as a global powerhouse superpower. Thank you very much for this video man it helps me out a lot keep it up, man!

[@drumstick74]

I'm a Dane. I think you're the first American I have seen on YT who has no problem calling him/herself a socialist. Most Americans think it means Communism/Stalinism, but it's not the same and noone wants that. Yes, capitalism has many flaws, but I don't want to live under a 100% Socialist State, either. I think we have found a good balance here in Denmark, where high taxes ensure free education and healthcare, and elections that make sure the people decide who should govern. Over the last couple of decades, my trust in politicians has dropped in general, so much so that I no longer have interest in politicians.🙂They're all the same, really, and their empty promises are not fulfilled.

Copenhagen is dirty? I thought it's only the UK's privilege in Europe.

[@viktor-farkas]

I think CPH is generally pretty clean, but when it comes to having some sort of event (private/public) out on the streets or in a park, then people seem to not care about what they leave behind. But, the amount of dog poop left behind got to the point that some people started sticking mini Danish flags into them out of protest...

[@jenschristianbachmann6346]

@@viktor-farkas The Danish mini flags are there not only to protest, but to warn others so they don't step on a dog poo!

[@mikeyestrada1674]

Danish ppl are too closed minded they live in a box and are insecure. Danish ppl hate success and would rather live all the same and look like each other. It’s kind of like sims 3 but in real life. It’s sad that they have to get drunk to socialize like normal human beings. Life isn’t perfect wether your from anywhere but Denmark has so much to progress in terms of many things. There’s barely any culture and culture food. The markets are dissected to only things they like. As an American my best advice is to disrupt and learn the empty cracks that need to be filled in. Stick out and be confident because confidence is key in Denmark it’s what danish ppl don’t have for any subject. They all follow this robotic safe system. I’m so glad the new generation of danish kids are now sticking out now and dress how ever they like. More loud and proud and kids no longer are following the old danish way. Aside from that Denmark is 10/10 to live. Just don’t be an asshole and you’ll blend in and ppl will be super super kind. I’m very privileged to live here. ☺(not all u Danes are close minded)

[@julianetjrnfeltthers-jrgen7188]

Kinda true.. I'm a teenager in Denmark, and I kinda wanna stick out, but I'm too scared to, because of the pressure from society. I wish people were more free, and didn't care

[@MrSlothJunior]

For the most part I disagree with those opinions. I don't think Danes are generally close minded or insecure. I don't think they hate success or that everyone wants the same kind of living or to look like each other. It is true however that we generally don't applaud bragging. Is that what you're mixing together? Our food and culture may not be widely renowned, and it may not seem like anything special. But it is there. We do have culture, even if you don't notice. It is true though that we generally don't value it as highly as Americans value theirs. The many events all year round are not as revered and celebrated as for example Halloween is in America. Perhaps with the exception of Christmas. But we do have them. So when you mistakenly say "There's barely any culture and culture food.", maybe what you mean to say is that it isn't as pronounced. Juliane, not wanting to stick out is not a Danish thing. That's a human thing. We are social animals and we fear exclusion. That's why you fear being different.

[@TheSkaarup90]

Its very simple people think the goverment should clean up after them because they pay a high tax.

[@finncarlbomholtsrensen1188]

Nonsense! Even small children are able to learn Danish in a few years!

[@mortenottosen4938]

Aarhus is better ^^

[@viktor-farkas]

I lived there for 2 years, it has its own charm!

[@mortenottosen4938]

@@viktor-farkas in general, jylland is just way better, if it wasnt for us, sjælland wouldnt have much food. plus people in the københavn area talks funny

[@julianetjrnfeltthers-jrgen7188]

@@mortenottosen4938 Hahah "talks funny". True tho

[@chengifoo7603]

Many thanks for the video - very refreshing and delightful listening to your observations and experiences with some humour thrown in :-). I have lived her for 20 years as a foreigner. Life is generally good hence the longevity of my Danish residence :-) Your point about waste and trash in public places is so relevant; people here just have a really bad habit of throwing cigarette butts everywhere...literally everywhere even around public trash bins:-). Where I live, I have been given 5 trash bins for garden compost, pap, paper/metal, plastic/food and drink cartons and food/other trash so the municipality has thought it through on how we should sort our waste. I have also been given a little green basket with accompanying biodegradable green plastic bags so I can collect my food waste in this green basket, bag it up and thrown it into the food/other trash bin. Wished they had offered to come into my kitchen and offer to remodel my current trash cupboard to accommodate their needs cos where do I fit in their green little basket?? 🙂