Try out living in Torne Valley!

Experience life in the Torne Valley, right on the Arctic Circle!

From northern lights to the midnight sun, spring ice break-up and mosquitoes, skiing and cloudberry marshes.
From tundra and mountains, river valleys, forests and farmland to archipelago and sea — the Torne Valley has something for everyone!

It’s hard not to fall in love with this place, and maybe that’s exactly why you might be our next “try-out villager”?

Below, we’ve gathered homes that are ready for you to move into if you want to test life up here for a limited time before deciding whether this is where your new life begins.

Since 2021, we’ve offered “try-out living” opportunities for anyone curious about life in the Torne Valley, lowering the threshold for moving here and letting you dip your toes into everything life on the Arctic Circle has to offer.

We get it, moving is a big step. That’s why our try-out homes are the perfect chance for anyone who’s interested in living here but wants to feel it out first.

Maybe you’d like to try working remotely from here, see how your children enjoy the area, or simply notice how your body relaxes when you drink a cup of coffee on the front porch. It’s an easy way to discover whether this place could become your future home village.
You’re welcome to send in your application today!

In the photo: Erik & Matilda, the very first participants back in 2021. They bought a house — and chose to stay in the North!

Trial living, what…?

Which house do you choose?

How does it work?

 

How do the try-out homes work?

  • On this page, we present homes that are available for rent in the Torne Valley and match suitable candidates with each property.

  • You apply via the form below.

  • Once we’ve received your application, we’ll schedule a digital interview with you. An interview is mandatory in order to move forward in the process.

  • We select applicants who are looking for a lifestyle change and who are genuinely curious about living in the Torne Valley.

  • You and the landlord agree together on the move-in date and all other details.

  • You sign the rental contract directly with the landlord and cover your own housing costs and any moving expenses.
    (Important: Hej Hemby does not cover any costs.)

  • At Hej Hemby, we make sure you have all the important contacts you need before your move and help you with tips on activities, hidden gems, and other useful information during your stay.

  • If you want to extend your try-out period or move to the Torne Valley permanently, we’ll of course help you with job and housing matching!

  • We would be delighted to follow your journey and share it on our social media channels to inspire others — but that’s naturally something we would agree on together.

Who are you?

  • You’re curious about what it’s like to live in the Torne Valley and in a rural area — with everything that comes with it.

  • You may be living on your own, as a couple, with friends, or with your family.

  • You can work remotely, study, or are interested in applying for a temporary position here (we’re happy to share tips on job openings that match your skills, though we unfortunately can’t guarantee anything).

The Uittenbogaard family came to Tornedalen in 2021 for a trial stay. They fell in love with the place and chose to move here full-time and build their new life here

Therese and Anton trial-lived in Övertorneå from February - July 2025.

Apply for try-out living

Please note that submitting an application does not guarantee a spot. Selection is made on an ongoing basis.

Ask us about life here!

Hi there! We are the Hej Hemby team. We help people who are interested in moving to the Torne Valley. Do you have any questions before you sign up? You’re always welcome to contact us!

Contact our moving-in guides:

Åsa Morin: asa@hejhemby.com
Johanna Funck: johanna@hejhemby.com