Linköping – return of the wanderers

My and Cecilia are home-comers with their roots and families in the Linköping area. Carl, a Stockholmer, applied to Linköping University and got a job, a romance and a new hometown into the bargain. Today they are all in their thirties, with all that entails in ways of career, house purchases, children, dogs and friends. So, what's it like to come back to live in Linköping?

What made you choose to settle down in Linköping?

My: For me, it was absolutely family. I moved from Linköping as a 16-year-old to study to become an event organiser in Hultsfred. Then it was Luleå University of Technology and their course Experience Production. My campus was in Piteå and I stayed there for a few years after my studies. Even though I had jobs and friends and everything, it was a bit lonely at times. 600 miles is a long way when you’re missing home.

Cecilia: I probably always knew I was going to come back. After upper secondary school, I lived in England for a few years. Then I moved home and started studying medical biology, got a master's degree and did research in leukaemia. Meanwhile, I worked a bit as a model and did quite a bit of photography. My interest in photography grew and I started to receive jobs here and there. In the end, I had a decision to make. Now I have worked as a photographer for many years with Östergötland as my base. For me, it's absolutely perfect to live here. I can commute by car or train to Stockholm and other major cities or take the flight directly from Linköping out into the world.

Carl: Initially, I moved here for university. Studying in Stockholm was never an option. Partly because of the difficulty of finding a place to live, partly because I wanted to try something new. The choice was between Lund and Linköping, but I didn't really hesitate. Several friends went to Linköping University and had a lot of positive things to say about it, and it was a decent move while still being close to the family in Stockholm. I was one hundred percent sure that I would continue my career in Stockholm afterwards. But once I started applying for jobs, I realised that the coolest technology was right here. The plan was to give it six months – first sort my thesis out and then go on to Stockholm. Now it's been five years and I'm still in Linköping!

What do you do in your spare time, and what is leisure time like in Linköping?

My: I spend a lot of time in the oak landscape and in areas nearby river Stångån, especially around Hackefors-Åbysäcken. I exercise a lot – running, biking and skiing. But now that I have my little daughter, I think I’ll be feeding ducks more than training. I also like to enjoy food, both eating at home and eating out. My favourite restaurant is Dahlboms, but the whole scene in Linköping has improved so much, with all the outdoor terraces and restaurants. It's also great that the pandemic has eased so that all the concerts are starting up again. I think Linköping is good at that.

Cecilia: With work, building our own house, family and toddlers there isn’t really so much spare time, but if I get a moment I read or hang out with my friends. We can sit in a café and drink tea and talk for hours. Besides that, I rarely visit the city centre at night time. I travel around so much because my photoshoots are always on-site with my customers. It's more comfortable to hang out with people at home in peace and quiet. I like to cook for groups and often invite my parents and friends over on the spur of the moment.

Carl: I've done a lot of orienteering. Now I mostly play golf and some hockey for fun, meet friends and go for walks. Since we got a dog, I've been spending even more time outdoors. We are a couple of friends who usually meet up for hiking and cooking on Sundays. We prepare food that can and simmer on the stove while we take a long walk. Another great interest of mine is beer and Linköping has a great selection of pubs such as Pitchers, Malt & Humle, Backen and De Klomp. They sell craft beers or their own brews.

Linköping has an ambition to grow further, what do you make of it?

Carl: An attractive city should be able to offer everything – exciting jobs, good housing, social activities, entertainment and shopping. There's an upper and lower limit, I think. If the town is too small, it doesn't have everything you need. If it is too big, it will be crowded and difficult to get around in. Linköping is just the right size.

My: I think a city should be able to measure growth in more ways than just population. There are many other things that could be developed, such as sports facilities, football fields, swimming pools and other things in the outskirts of the city.

Cecilia: I agree with My. Given how fast the city is growing, I feel that there is still something missing right there.

The people who live and work in Linköping - what are they like?

Carl: Because of the university there is a real mix of people here, so it is difficult to say exactly what makes a typical Linköpinger. I hang out with both craftsmen and academics, some born right here and some that have moved to Linköping from other parts of Sweden or abroad. You realise that people of the same ages generally have similar insights and problems. But something that I have noticed is that everyone is more relaxed here than in Stockholm. In the capital I can see now how people are stressed and run everywhere.

My: When I was young, I remember we had some kind of Stockholm complex. Everyone wanted to live in a capital city. But at that time, there were also significantly more people who came from what was then the real countryside, areas like Ullstämma, Harvestad and Ekängen.

Cecilia: When I meet people from Linköping in other places, many believe that they are being judged for their typical Östergötland-accent, but often in their favour. You can use it to your advantage if they assume you’re a mix of stupid and kind!

What do you think makes Linköping unique?

My: Everything connected to the university, that's the basis of a lot of what happens here. We are developing and growing faster than many other cities. Thanks to the tech industries, for example, we have a high average income which allows us to have this quality of life. Linköping also has a nice balance of city pulse and calm.

Cecilia: The geographical location, between Stockholm and Gothenburg, is almost unbeatable. Having that immediate proximity to the E4 motorway, the train and the plane is worth its weight in gold.

Carl: The proximity of everything I would say. Here I can bike wherever I want in fifteen minutes. For me, who grew up in outer Stockholm with traffic jams and subway station transfers, it is a great advantage. I also have to say the tech. Linköping is almost comparable with Silicon Valley. It’s completely insane that we have so many companies at that level!

If you were to entice someone to move here, what benefits would you highlight?

My: The career opportunities and proximity to everything, which is especially important when you have children.

Cecilia: The natural environment of both forest and grasslands. How easy it is to commute into town from outlying areas.

Carl: The job market and the social life with all associations and clubs.

Finally, will you stay?

My: Yes! With each year, I realise what you're getting here. And I could never move away from my family again.

Cecilia: I'm here for life!

Carl: The feeling that this is something temporary is becoming more and more distant for me. Just maybe an overseas move might tempt me away from here. I like it in Linköping.

Text: Lena Tedebro Palmér

About the interviewees

My Nelson

Grew up: In Rystad.
Lives: Right now in an apartment in Johannelund, soon in a house in Ljungsbro.
Family: Married to Konrad. A daughter of 1.5 years.
Works: At Softube as e-commerce Coordinator.
Likes: Food, wine, exercise, Stångån and the summer cabin by the sea.

Cecilia Möller Kirchsteiger

Grew up: In Mantorp.
Lives: In the countryside between Sjögestad and Mantorp.
Family: Married to Sebastian. Two daughters, aged 13 and 1.
Works: As a photographer, self-employed.
Likes: Nature, collective cooking and drinking tea with buddies.

Carl Sundelius

Grew up: In Järfälla, Stockholm.
Lives: Condo in Gottfridsberg. Looking for a house.
Family: Partner with Paulina and miniature poodle Winston.
Works: At Maxar Technologies as a civil engineer in AI and machine learning.
Likes: Beer, cooking, ‘old man hockey’ and golf.