From urban hustle to rural serenity: How Victor and Siri found home in Östergötland
In a world where fast-paced city living is often celebrated, Victor Kilander (Frontend developer) and Siri Magnusdotter (Photographer & illustrator) made a bold choice that defied convention. Faced with the relentless noise, stress, and hustle of Stockholm, they decided to embark on a journey that many dream of but few undertake: a move to the countryside. Their destination? The picturesque landscapes near Vadstena, where open fields meet the shores of Lake Vättern, a place that soon felt more like home than the bustling city they left behind.
Frontend developer
The call of the countryside
For Victor, who grew up in Vadstena, and Siri, a native of Luleå, the decision to leave Stockholm wasn’t made lightly. Both had built their lives in the capital, but every visit back to Östergötland brought a sense of relief, a moment to breathe. “Every time we came back here, it was like we could finally exhale,” Siri recalls.
Their initial trips to the countryside were meant to be brief respites from city life. Renting a small cabin near the lake, they spent their summers soaking in the peace and quiet that the countryside offered. After several years of renting, they decided to buy their own cottage. It was during their first summer spent in their new place that they realized they didn’t want to return to the city. “We began to realize that the things we valued most were all right here,” Victor says. “Nature, tranquility, and a sense of space that just doesn’t exist in the city.”
The couple soon decided to turn the conventional approach on its head: instead of living in Stockholm and vacationing in Östergötland, why not live in Östergötland and visit Stockholm only when they wanted the city’s energy?
Photographer & illustrator
A leap of faith
Moving to the countryside represented a dramatic shift in lifestyle. Gone were the constant demands of city living—the packed schedules, the commutes, the noise. “Time is the biggest difference,” Siri explains. “In Stockholm, everything takes time. Shopping, commuting, planning social events. Here, we have so much more time for what we actually want to do.” The couple’s new life is marked by spontaneous bike rides to the lake for a morning swim, leisurely walks in the woods, and evenings spent under a vast, star-filled sky.
“It’s been surprisingly easy making new friends and acquaintances.”
Yet, the decision wasn’t without its fears. Both Victor and Siri worried about isolation and missing their friends and family. “We were moving here, all by ourselves at age 37,” Siri notes. “It’s a small village, and we didn’t know how we’d fit in.” But to their surprise, they found a warm, welcoming community. “People here are very open,” Victor says. “It’s been surprisingly easy making new friends and acquaintances.”
Rediscovering old passions
The move also allowed Victor and Siri to rekindle their shared passion for photography, the hobby that originally brought them together. “We photograph 500% more than we did before,” Victor laughs. The couple delights in capturing the changing seasons, the expansive skies, and the serene landscapes around their new home. “Every day is different,” Siri explains. “The light shifts, the weather changes, and it feels like there’s always something new to see and photograph.”
Their love for nature and the simple pleasures it offers has only deepened. “In Stockholm, the simplest thing becomes a project,” Victor says. “Getting out into nature takes time and effort. Here, it’s right outside our door. Whether it’s a morning swim in the lake or a hike up Omberg, we’re finding new ways to enjoy the outdoors.”
The unexpected joys of a slower life
As they settle into their new home, Victor and Siri reflect on the unexpected benefits of their slower pace of life. “I think we’re better at not taking things for granted here,” Victor muses. “We enjoy the small moments—lighting a candle, picking fresh berries for breakfast, or just watching the sunset over the fields.” Siri agrees, adding, “We tried to make the most of things in Stockholm, but here, it’s easier to be content. The possibilities for enjoying life are so much greater when you’re surrounded by nature.”
When asked what advice they would give to others considering a similar move, Victor doesn’t hesitate. “Just do it,” he says. “Think about the worst that can happen—and if you can live with that, go for it. We had some fears, but we realized that the worst thing would be missing our friends or not fitting in, and we could always go back if we needed to. But we’ve found that what we feared hasn’t happened. Instead, we’ve found a new way of life that suits us better than we ever imagined.”
Embracing a new chapter
Victor and Siri’s story is one of embracing change and finding joy in the unexpected. “If you’re feeling stuck or stressed, maybe it’s time to try something different,” Siri suggests. “Moving here has been the best decision of our lives. We’ve found a community, a rhythm, and a sense of peace that we never had in the city.”
“Sometimes, you just need to take a chance and see where life takes you. For us, it’s taken us home.”
The couple is a testament to the idea that happiness can be found in simplicity, in reconnecting with nature, and in being open to new experiences. As Victor puts it, “Sometimes, you just need to take a chance and see where life takes you. For us, it’s taken us home.”
