From Umeå to Örnsköldsvik – an easy commute

Living in Umeå and working in Örnsköldsvik has become a natural part of everyday life for Fredrik Lindahl. After two years as a commuter, he can confirm that it is entirely possible to combine a rich family and leisure life in Umeå with an exciting job in the neighboring municipality.

Fredrik, 36, grew up in Spöland, a small town 30 kilometers outside Umeå. After living in Stockholm and working as a labor law specialist, he and his wife, Karin, decided to move back to Norrland to build their future in Umeå. Today, they live on Ön with their one-year-old son, Axel.

The Right Career Move

When Fredrik was looking for a new job, he wanted to continue working in labor law and found an interesting position with the municipality of Örnsköldsvik. After a positive interview and a warm welcome from his future colleagues, the decision was easy—the job was the right fit for him, even though it required commuting.

“The best thing about Örnsköldsvik is the colleagues! There are so many highly competent employees, both within my own department and across the organization. They are incredibly friendly and do an excellent job. My colleagues have made it easy to settle in and become part of the organization—‘even for an outsider,’” Fredrik says with a smile. He adds, “The municipality of Örnsköldsvik has also been very considerate of my work environment and has provided equipment for my home office.”

A Welcome Pause in Daily Life

Fredrik commutes by train and finds that it works well. The journey takes about an hour and provides him with a much-needed break in his day.

“I often have a lot going on, and commuting gives me a chance to gather my thoughts. Sometimes I work from the train, and sometimes I just relax,” he says.

Fredrik rarely has time for long explorations of Örnsköldsvik, but during lunch breaks, he sometimes strolls through the city center. He has discovered his favorite restaurants, Mamma Mia and The Chef.

“I joke that my sense of direction in Örnsköldsvik is limited to the route between the central station and my workplace at Stadshuset Kronan. Occasionally, I get the chance to see more of the town, like when I have meetings in the northern part of the municipality,” Fredrik says.

Easier Than You Think

Fredrik has a tip for those who are curious about working in another city but still want to live in Umeå.

“The Umeå region has a satellite office in central Umeå where commuters can book office spaces and conference rooms. It’s been a great way to meet and network with others who commute to different locations.”

[Denna text ägs av och är skriven av Örnsköldsvik Kommun]