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VIDEO: Why is relocating to this city a smart move?

We meet three locals in central Sweden’s Örebro to uncover what makes this region so special and why they chose life in a smaller city.

Published: 14 September 2022 06:55 CEST

VIDEO: Why is relocating to this city a smart move?

Örebro, located between Stockholm and Gothenburg, is one of the nation’s fastest growing cities. It’s a vibrant region with an innovative spirit, charm and history, and a thriving arts and music scene. It’s a place where a centuries’ old castle sits alongside a state-of-the-art university with an AI and robotics lab, and where startups and creatives gather to work and collaborate.

In recent years there has been a worldwide trend of people relocating from big cities to smaller cities and regional areas. Sweden is no different. Today, more and more people have flexibility in how and where they work and are opting to make a ‘smart move’.

Örebro is proving to be one such place where people can have the best of both worlds. It’s lauded for being a city where nature is on your doorstep, life is more affordable and there is no commuter traffic – but you don’t have to compromise on a city lifestyle or impressive career opportunities.

Curious to know more, we took a tour of Örebro and talked to three people who call the city home.

Örebro: it’s happening here. Start planning your smart move today

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My Swedish Career: How falling ill inspired this Canadian’s start-up in Sweden

Denise Fernandes created her rehydration product after a bout of Vinterkräksjuka. Photo: private

For the Toronto native, despite having lived internationally between homes in Canada, the USA and the UK before moving to Sweden, she was unprepared for the onslaught of the seasonal illness.

“I had absolutely no warning!” she laughs. “My husband – who is Swedish – hadn’t told me about vinterkräksjuka. So, when my whole family became ill, it took me completely by surprise.”

“The illness is famous here. Now that I’ve been here longer, I’ve had people give me their stories unprompted – they’re almost like war stories, with people saying, ‘let me tell you about the Christmas when we all had the bug and we were staying in my parents’ house which only has one toilet.’ And after you’ve experienced it, the stories make perfect sense: it comes violently, everyone in the family gets it, you’re debilitated; no one wants to come and help you because if they do, they’re going to get sick. It’s a challenging thing.”

READ ALSO: Six common illnesses to avoid in Sweden this fall

To combat the bug which had taken hold of her household, with her husband and their two young children also unwell, Fernandes searched for over-the-counter rehydration remedies in Swedish pharmacies. Finding only one option, with what she considered excessive sugar content – and, armed with the benefit of a background in pharmaceuticals – Fernandes set about to create a “cleaner” alternative to the medication on offer.

“I worked with a lab for a year, researching all-natural formulations. And the product we’ve created – Dropp – is now on sale across the country in Apoteket [Sweden’s state-owned pharmacy],” she says.

“We've created it especially for a Swedish market – the label, ingredients, website – everything's in Swedish, so people can have complete control over what they're consuming. It's important here, people have a real understanding that artificial sweeteners aren't good for the body. It's just come onto shelves here, but the response has already been really positive.”

Denise Fernandes tested her rehydration product over 1,000 times before reaching the final formula. Photo: Private

Winter maladies aside, the move to Stockholm in 2015 proved to be a process of transition for Fernandes and her family.

The most difficult adjustment for the seasoned nomad was adapting to Swedish cultural norms. Fernandes describes Swedish people as “reserved” – not a trait she sees as naturally compatible with her Canadian roots: “As a North American, I probably speak ten decibels louder than the average Swede. I’ve even been ‘shushed’ in a yoga studio…”

“As a foreigner, you’re sort of embarrassed by your own loudness versus Swedes’ quietness,” she admits. “I’m much more aware of that now.”

Aside from being married to a Swede, Fernandes notes that she had no real exposure to Swedish language or culture before moving to the country. “Personally, as a Canadian who had lived in central London for around eight years and had studied in the US, I was struck by the fact that there was much less contact here with individuals you didn’t know, Swedes seemed hesitant to speak to people they were unfamiliar with. It took me a bit of time to pull myself back and not engage with strangers so much.”

READ ALSO: My Swedish Career: When you're based in Sweden, people take you seriously

When it comes to the local language, Fernandes receives Swedish tuition in an unusual form – from her own young children, who are both bilingual in English and Swedish.

“I spent a short period studying Swedish, but I started working as soon as we arrived in the country, so I didn’t have any real dedicated time learning it. I’ve learnt the most from my children speaking it to me and around me. I guess you could say that my children are my Swedish teachers! It’s their first language, so it’s natural for them to explain something to me in Swedish that they don’t have the words for in English. They correct my pronunciation all the time!”

Despite feeling she has a way to go before she’s mastered the Swedish language, she’s found making the effort in speaking it has had a huge positive impact, in both her personal and professional life. “Swedes are very tolerant and forgiving of people who don’t speak their language” she says, adding that this has given her the confidence to immerse herself in situations where Swedish is required – and she encourages others to do the same.

“Give it a try” she advises. “I was a bit hesitant because I’m not fluent, but I’ve been surprised by how you can get by. I’ve sat in meetings in Swedish and, through a mixture of hand gestures and words, you can make yourself understood! The reality is in Sweden people really want to see you succeed – and want to help you get there.”

And for those who have a burgeoning business idea in Sweden, Fernandes’ outlook is similarly positive: “If you’ve got a concept that you think could work, share it. In Sweden, there’s really no barrier to success. If it’s an idea that could benefit society, people will be receptive to hearing what you have to say.”

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