Stockholm offers an extremely broad variety of different districts and neighbourhood, each one with its own distinctive taste and charm. Deciding in which neighbourhood you want to live can be a hard task in the beginning.
This guide will give you an initial understanding of the different neighbourhoods to help you have an idea of what are good areas to live in Stockholm based on your needs.
In the city
Norrmalm (city center)
There are normally not so many available apartments here, as it is mainly a working and touristic area with offices and shopping malls around the central station. The few accommodations here are obviously very expensive.
Östermalm
The most classy, exclusive and probably most expensive area of the city. Many important business people and local celebrities consider it as the best area to stay in Stockholm and like to live and hang out here. There are lots of bars and clubs.
Södermalm
The 'hipster island'. Its night-life attracts mainly a younger crowd. Most of the ‘movida’ takes place between Slussen (north) and Medborgarplatsen (center). The other areas (south, east, and west) are more residential with the exception of some streets with an interesting nightlife.
There are also several residential areas for families, and small apartments for single persons and young workers. Beautiful parks and amazing coastlines offer great spots to enjoy summer activities.
Vasastan
Fashionable and expensive area. Many IT companies are located here. The nightlife is not so active, but there are bars and restaurants. Beautiful parks, for example Vasaparken, with plenty of activities during summer and winter.
Gamla Stan
The old town, living there is very expensive as the supply of accommodations is very limited. It offers mainly touristic spots with several souvenir shops, but also a few good bars to chill out in the evening.
Kungsholmen
The second big island in the city after Södermalm, Kungsholmen has a big residential area, although many companies are also located here. The island is more urbanized in the east, and it offers beautiful sightseeing opportunities in the west. Wonderful parks and green areas (Rålambshovparken and all the way westward to Kristineberg) with lots of activities during the warmer seasons. The nightlife here attracts mainly younger crowds and teenagers around Fridhemsplan.
Good Places within 15 from the Central Station
Solna/Sundbyberg
Very close and well-connected to the city center (both commuter train and subway). The housing here is often considerably cheaper than many areas in the city that are actually just a few minutes away. Here you can find nice neighbourhoods with lots of parks and green spaces. The nightlife consists of just a few bars (mainly in Sundbyberg), but it’s not a problem as reaching the city center is very convenient.
Årsta/Älsjö
Areas with both new and old housing. There are vast residential areas with houses especially in Älsjö. The main connection to the city is the commuter train, which doesn’t run late at night, although night buses are always an alternative.
Bromma
Mainly houses, this is a slightly more family-oriented district.
Liljeholmen/Hägersten
There is a brand new and growing residential area in Liljeholmen, with lots of IT companies located here as well.
The residential area of Hägersten, just south of Liljeholmen is very popular among Swedes. It used to be a more affordable neighbourhood, now prices have gone up a bit.
Affordable suburbs reachable by commuter train and metro lines
Commuter train
Sollentuna and Upplands Väsby (North)
Green Line
Hässelby Strand (North) and Farsta and Skarpnäck (South)
Red Line
Morby centrum, Danderyd and Ropsten (North) and Fruängen (South)
