It always feels like coming home

Patrick and Leena dreamt about switching from a crowded Neatherlands to a life close to nature and a small town society. Canada or maybe Sweden? Read their story aboute how the moving load finally went to a small village above the Arctic Circle.

Since 2004, we've had plans to emigrate to a small village in Sweden. Initially, we considered living in Jämtland, but given that our eldest daughter was 10 at the time, we felt the transition from a city in the Netherlands to a small village in Jämtland would be too big for her. However, the dream of moving persisted, and Canada also seemed appealing to us.

In early 2020, as our youngest daughter turned 18, we continued to dream of peace, quiet, and nature. While our hearts leaned towards Sweden, practical considerations led us to consider Canada, especially since Lena, a nurse, wouldn't need to learn a new language there.

Attending the emigration expo in Houten in February 2020 provided valuable insights into both Canada and Sweden. We were particularly impressed by Sweden's support for nurses and other healthcare workers in learning the language, prompting us to ultimately choose Sweden, specifically Dalarna and Jämtland.

“We don’t want to leave anymore. After a trip by car it always feels like coming home when we return to Torne valley ”

The global Covid pandemic posed challenges to our plans, but we persevered. After gathering more information and visiting Sweden for the first time in April and May 2022, we became convinced of our decision to emigrate. Dalarna and Jämtland offered the tranquility and natural beauty we longed for.

After thorough research, we decided to relocate to Pajala municipality by 2023 at the latest, renting a house there for the first year. With the assistance of the Hej Hemby organization, whom we met at the expo, we found a beautiful rental house in Pajala and received support with practical matters before and after our move. Åsa and Johanna at Hej Hemby are both very warm and helpful people.

Settled in Pajala municipality, we cherish the absolute tranquility and nature of the region. In the first week we got a guided tour by Hej Hemby to see all service and for example adult education and association facilities. A really good thing aboute Pajala is that if you have a hobby or want to do something with a group of people there is always some kind of activity to find in this village what will interest you.
We feel truly at home and have found friendly and helpful neighbors. While we've faced challenges with the cold climate and long winter nights, we've found ways to enjoy life here and feel ready to build our future in this wonderful part of Sweden.

Here is our best advice for moving to Arctic Sweden:

Language Learning:

· Start learning Swedish as soon as possible. Effective communication is key to participating in the community. Even though English is widely spoken, learning Swedish is crucial for integration. People appreciate efforts to speak Swedish and are forgiving of mistakes.

· Take advantage of free Swedish language courses like SFI offered in every municipality.

Prepare for Winter Challenges:

· Understand that individuals react differently to long winters and dark December days.

· Have a backup plan in case the winter conditions become overwhelming. You can only find out what it is like for you by experiencing it yourself.

· Consider renting initially.

Consider Timing and Vehicle Modifications:

· Modifying vehicles for winter conditions is crucial, especially considering extreme temperatures. If possible, bring your Dutch car to Sweden in summer for adjustments. Understand that car modifications for Arctic conditions may require thorough research and preparation.