Älmhult, through the eyes of a local

Originally from South Africa, Sebastian and his wife made the move to Älmhult six years ago after tiring of the commute from Malmö. They live in a house by the forest with the wilderness outside their window, just an eight-minute drive from the centre of Älmhult. “Our garden goes straight into the forest, which is really cool.”

It’s the combination of outdoor adventure and the beauty of changing seasons that makes life such a paradise for Sebastian and his wife, Alex. “In the height of summer there's a wall of green right around you from the forest, then we have the white of winter, the different colours of spring and the orange autumn colours. Each season brings its own beauty.”

Sebastian has the opportunity to explore the outdoors on foot, by bike, or on the water. “I enjoy gravel and off-road cycling through the forest trails, which gives you quite a thrill. And it never gets too hot here. We also own a kayak and love paddling to our favourite beach, which is difficult to reach by land and feels like our own private getaway, perfect for relaxing with a picnic. We often take visitors there, and they love it too.”

Surrounded by a thriving international community of like-minded people, forging new, long-lasting friendships was easy. Today, they spend time with their friends hiking and cycling, gathering for dinner at each other’s houses and even holidaying abroad together. “We have friends from all over the world and go camping together in the springtime. We all recently took a trip home to South Africa. It was great fun showing them my country. We've made a pact to go back to everyone’s country, something I’m looking forward to.”

Sebastian has a couple of favourite haunts. “The Lebanese Le Cèdre Brasserie is a favourite too. And if you’re after a good cup of coffee and a cinnamon bun it has to be the bakery at Loshult.”

According to Sebastian’s mother, they’re living in a dream world, a wonderful bubble. And it certainly sounds like that is exactly what it is.

“People think we’re living in a dream world, a little bubble. Which I suppose we are. It’s paradise for outdoor lovers and easy to make friends.”

Gina lives in Älmhult three to four days a week. She spends the rest of her time in Norrköping with her husband, striking a balance between work and home life.

“Norrköping is a bit like my hometown of Boston, so I love the contrast. Älmhult is that blend of the calm, cosy countryside with lots going on, as IKEA provides so many opportunities for you to enjoy and express yourself. I’m three years in and loving life. I enjoy chatting to my neighbours, many of whom have a long history with IKEA, and hearing their stories. Almost everything about the town is IKEA.”

Gina recently enjoyed a country music concert at Folkets Hus. “The old theatre is retro cool with big red velvet chairs; it holds at least 200 people and has some great gigs. I also love strumming away on my guitar and playing my ukulele with friends at Aktivitetshus. I’ve even started a ukulele group, and we’re lucky to have access to a recording studio for anyone keen to make music. It’s a great way to practise, connect with others, and explore music together.”

One of Gina’s favourite things about Älmhult is the events that IKEA organises, which include speakers, concerts, and more. “I even joined the world’s biggest pyjama party, which was so much fun – it ended up setting a Guinness World Record!”

Like most other locals, Gina loves the countryside around Älmhult. She borrows one of the free IKEA bikes and cycles to the lake for a swim, to buy an ice cream, or to immerse herself in nature. “After work is so nice. I just go home, dump my laptop and spend the afternoon watching the sunset. There’s a little pier by the lake where I’ll join other Älmhult locals to admire the red sun as it sets.”

Ask Gina about the best dish in Älmhult, and her answer might surprise you. “There are some great places to eat here, but if I’m honest I’d say my favourite dish is the chicken meatballs at the IKEA Museum restaurant.”

“It’s cosy, connected – and home to the world’s largest pyjama party.”

Born and raised in Älmhult, Jessica has watched what locals call "the village" evolve over the years while still retaining its cosy charm. Despite having lived here all her life, Jessica remains as proud and passionate as ever about everything that makes her hometown special. “Älmhult has everything you need. You can cycle everywhere: schools, sports, shops, nature; yet it’s just a few hours by train to big cities like Malmö, Copenhagen and Gothenburg, which you can explore before you return to the calmness of Småland.”

One of Jessica’s favourite places in Älmhult is the IKEA Museum. It brings back memories of the first-ever IKEA store and all the innovations that have come since. “If you’re looking for that perfect Instagram spot, then the large, yellow PS clock outside the museum is the place to go. I also like the old buildings around the square, which beautifully reflect the history of our village. The water tower is also well worth a look; it’s been a subject of inspiration for many artists.”

If you enjoy sport, then Älmhult has plenty to offer according to Jessica, who regularly attends strength, high intensity and yoga classes at the local gym. One of her passions is golf. “You don’t need to book in advance at Älmhult Golf Club. Most of the time you can simply turn up and play. It’s so accessible.” 

Jessica is proud of the Swedish “fika”, or coffee and cake culture you’ll find all around town. “Try the local ostkaka – translated as cheesecake, but don’t expect the sweet British cheesecake. Our unique dessert contains bitter almonds that balance out the sweetness. To really treat yourself, enjoy it with whipped cream – it’s so delicious!”

Like many people, Jessica can’t resist a bargain, which is why she recommends the local vintage and second-hand stores. One option is the swap store, where you receive tickets each time you drop off clothes. These tickets can be used as part-payment when purchasing something else. It's a great concept; after all, one man’s unwanted items are another man’s treasure.

“Work, school, football, golf. You can cycle to everything here. And don’t miss the fika.”

For Nazli, settling in Älmhult was an easy choice - both she and her husband work at IKEA. Nazli loves the security and tranquillity that comes with living in Älmhult, especially for her eleven-year-old daughter. “It’s a great place to raise a young child as there are so many activities – and it’s safe. It’s a close-knit community with plenty of other children for my daughter to play with. The doors are always open, and they can run freely between each other’s houses. And the nature is fantastic too. We love nothing more than walking our dog in the forest, picking wildflowers along the way.”

After work and at weekends in summer, the family enjoys swimming in the nearby lake, a lively meeting spot where they often gather with friends. “We love the lake in summertime - it becomes so vibrant. On a nice day, we just grab our swimsuits and head down for a dip. It’s where everyone hangs out, so it’s a great place to meet up with friends.”

Originally from Istanbul, Turkey, Nazli finds Älmhult culturally rich and diverse, which gives the whole family a sense of belonging. Her daughter attends the local international school and speaks Turkish, Swedish and English. “I feel I belong here, even though it’s a different country. There’s a diversity and a richness of culture that I find very interesting, especially because of my background in cultural studies.”

After the hustle and bustle of Istanbul, the idea of a quieter, more laid-back lifestyle was a welcome change. “I was ready for a calmer, slower pace of life. But here we are also close to lots of cultural and art events. We particularly love the annual three-day Älmhult Festival – there’s always something for everyone! From live music and interesting talks to an art exhibition and family-friendly fun. It’s packed with things to see and do for both adults and children.”

And while the festival is a highlight, the town has plenty to offer all year round. When it comes to food, Nazli has a go-to favourite: “The food is great here. My favourite dish is the burger with Västerbotten cheese at Blackbird Burgers. Don’t miss it the next time you’re in town.”

“Älmhult is calm and so safe for kids, with the added advantage of cultural diversity.”

When Shaveta got the chance to return to Älmult ten years ago she jumped at it. “I come from Delhi, so believe it or not I missed the clear, crisp cold of the winter. I was fascinated by the snow, the forest, the fresh air and all the open spaces. You don’t get those in Delhi.”

It’s the nature, open spaces and easy access to sport and culture that both she and her family love. “There are so many clubs and activities for the children to choose from, including football, gymnastics, badminton, table tennis, and even go-karting, as well as art and dance classes. The best thing is that everything is just a five-minute drive away. One of my colleagues introduced me to walks in the forest and picking mushrooms and berries to use when I’m cooking. We get inspiration from the famous botanist Carl von Linné and visit his birthplace in Råshult some Sundays. It’s an amazing journey through time to 18th-century landscapes and gardens.”

Not having a long commute to work gives Shaveta lots of time to do the things she loves, such as cooking and preparing food from scratch together with her Indian friends who have formed a community. “I save over three hours a day by not commuting, which gives me the time to do what I like. I meet people from lots of different cultures as well as from other parts of India. We have a strong community and often meet to celebrate our different festivals and holidays.”

Shaveta also praises the schools in Älmhult. “The International School makes relocating here easy for families from all over the world, even for shorter projects. There are also several excellent schools to choose from, making the transition even smoother for children. I moved my younger daughter to the local Swedish school since we plan to live here long-term, and that decision has made us all very happy.”

“I missed the cool, clear crisp air in winter, as well as having nature’s pantry full of berries, fruits and mushrooms on my doorstep.”

What happens when exciting freelance projects come up, but the commute feels too far? For Darja, a freelance textile designer originally from Stockholm and based in Gothenburg, balancing work and home life meant finding a flexible solution.

When project opportunities at IKEA came up, commuting daily from Gothenburg wasn’t practical, so she stayed in Älmhult during the week and returned to the city on weekends to be with her partner. “Living in both Älmhult and Gothenburg gave me the best of both worlds”, says Darja. “I could focus on work, enjoy the open spaces and hang out over a glass of wine with colleagues, then meet my boyfriend at weekends and put work on hold”.

One of Darja’s favourite things about Älmult was the freedom and fresh air of the local countryside. “Walking around the lake or following the forest trail to nearby Loshult was so calming. You don’t understand how lucky you are to be so close to nature.”

Darja found joy in hunting for second-hand treasures, kitting out her apartment – and her wardrobe – from the local church charity shop or from the many flea markets scattered around the nearby countryside. “You can buy everything from tables and spoons to clothes. It’s such an affordable and sustainable way to shop. And there are some real bargains still to be found, which is unusual these days.”

Being active plays a big role in Darja’s free time, with plenty of opportunities to move – or sit and create. “There’s a free activity centre at work called Aktivitetshus, so it was easy to find things to do in the evening, from fitness classes to an array of subsidised creative courses. One of my favourite activities was the ceramics course. As a designer, I loved having the chance to explore my creativity with different materials.”

Life isn’t all about work, but Darja found inspiration for her design projects through living in Älmhult. “My work is all about textures and colours, so living in Älmhult and experiencing the different shades and feelings of the seasons was great. So too was the IKEA Museum, where I could see how textiles had developed in IKEA over time.”

“If you love fresh air, freedom and fitness, then this is the place for you.”