The best rating Skellefteå can get

Turbulent. Yes, that's one word to describe the last six months in Skellefteå. But there is also another word. Love.

Moving to a place in a completely different part of the world or country means making a big change in your life. Saying goodbye to family and friends and moving to a different climate and society that is nothing like the one you are used to is an incredibly big step.

In recent years, thousands of people have chosen to take that brave step. More precisely, 13,000 of them.

And those 13,000 have chosen Skellefteå. Some have simply chosen to change their lives, some have done it for a dream job, and some simply want to be part of the green societal transformation that is still happening in Skellefteå, and throughout the world.

During this time, I have been lucky enough to meet some of these people. They testify of a love for the place, but also a love for the people here. When you need help, you get it. On the bus, in the grocery store, in the restaurant or on the street. They testify to a warmth even in the coldest days of January.

After that turbulent time, some of these people are now facing new changes and challenges. What remains is the love for Skellefteå. Many wants to stay, and they want to continue living their lives here. In this situation, we need to be brave, like the people who moved here. We have reasons to believe in the future and to take pride in our place on earth that we are creating together.

Love. We could not ask for a better rating.

The love for Skellefteå always remains.

Text: Karolina Sundström

Photo: Patrick Degerman