Copenhagen was founded in the year 1000. Denmark’s capital and most populous city has a complicated and interesting history.
It began as a fishing village, originally known as Havn, that prospered thanks to the shoals of herring just offshore. In fact, little Havn so flourished that Hanseatic League members considered it a threat. They attacked until they finally succeeded in destroying the city’s castle. That’s one way to deal with unwanted competition.
Every country has an origin story. The United States was founded by puritans. Belize was founded by pirates. Copenhagen was founded by Vikings. Danes today are Vikings still, hale and hearty, tall and blond.
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Danes are often considered the happiest people on earth. Some surveys indicate that Danes enjoy the best quality of life on the planet. Maybe it’s all the stimulants. These merry folks imbibe more cups of coffee and more pints of beer per capita per year than any other population. In the 1700s, part of a Danish sailor’s compensation was 10 liters of beer a day.
Whatever the explanation for their decidedly cheery dispositions, a short trip to the city is enough to corroborate the position. These are happy people who are quick with a smile and always up for a chat. They have a word for it — hygge — which means taking real pleasure from ordinary, everyday things. Many Danes make time to enjoy life’s essential delights, including friends, family, graciousness and hospitality and the simple pleasures of coffee, beer and wine.
Residents get around their compact city on bicycles. Starting in 1910, Copenhagen has been carving out bike lanes. Most Copenhageners commute to school and work by bike. They do this every day of the year, regardless of the weather. No one seems to lock their bikes. There are huge masses of bicycles lined up, and passers-by stop to hop on one and ride off.
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The other great way to get around Copenhagen is on your own two feet. But remember to watch out for the bicycles. They are everywhere — in the streets, on the sidewalks, in the squares and parked in every possible space — and they have the right-of-way.
Over the past decade, Copenhagen has built a global reputation for its architecture, art and museums. However, the city’s most iconic attraction is less cultural. Smack in the heart of the city is Tivoli Gardens, a pre-Disney amusement park where locals come regularly to pass Friday evenings and Sunday afternoons. In fact, Walt Disney visited Tivoli when researching ideas for his park. You walk past the brick façade and turnstile gates of Tivoli coming and going through the center of town, so you are continually reminded of the simple pleasures and beautiful gardens within.
Georg Carstensen persuaded Denmark’s King Christian VIII to grant him a charter to build the park. Tivoli is Copenhageners’ private playground, and this has always been the intention. Wandering these garden paths, stopping for a cold glass of prosecco served by a lighthearted Dane, you will be able to forget your worries for a little while.
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All this contentment comes at a cost, of course. Everything is taxed and surcharged. The result is a cost of living that exceeds that of Paris. Consider retirement in Copenhagen if you think the costs are worth it for the high quality of life.
Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group.
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Retire in Copenhagen: Rich History and Real Pleasures originally appeared on usnews.com
