Maybe you’ve come across cross travel commentaries that say happiness is a way of travel, not a destination. To some extent this could be true but not until you make a visit to Umeå. Although not the largest or most exclusive city in Sweden Umeå has so much to amaze you from its fast growth and vibrancy of the young population that have made it their lovely home. For anyone really interested in living within a real modern metropolis with an open minded population, Umeå won’t disappoint.
It is basically a city of contrasts and there are numerous names for the central city of Umeå municipality. It has flourished particularly in the education sector with Umeå University ranking fifth largest in the country.
Also read: Housing and renting in Sweden
Quick brief about Umeå-the city of birches
Often, you will hear most Swedes referring to Umeå as the city of birches. The expansive Umeå will treat you to its snowy winters , sunny summer days, the coast and sea to the deep forests. It is all filled with activity in the city centre but at the end of the day, one can comfortably retreat to enjoy the quiet auroral nights.
Umeå city provides home to close to 130,000 people from different parts of the world thus making it a melting pot of cultures. In case you’ve earned an admission to study at Umeå university and wondering how life in the city would look like, be consoled that you’ll be happy to feel at home.
One thing that bothers the mind of any foreigner,especially the Africans arriving in Europe is anxiety about possible nuances of racism. Of course some small minded and simple thinking people could still be at large in Umeå but the best advice should be to ignore them as long as they don’t overreach your space.
Generally, those who live in Umeå exhibit tolerance, hospitality and a welcoming attitude to newcomers. There’s a key focus on cultural diffusion and Umeå showcases the best of Swedish cultural heritage. So many flock the city to come and witness as well as learn more about Swedish culture. The museums, physical features, cultural institutions, churches, nature reserves among other things are some of the great things you should be expecting to see.
Welcome to a visit of new life in the City of Umeå, Sweden
Moving to a new country or city isn’t an easy thing and anyone at the very least doing it ordinarily makes a couple of considerations. This can’t be any different from those making a move to visit or live in Umeå. As a starting point and in keeping up with the need to know your city, one has to trace Umeå way back in history.
To start with, someone with a work contract or reason to stay around the North coast of Sweden can choose Umeå. The city which has now become so glamorous and full of activity was founded by king Gustav II Adolf in1622.
Today, the city has become so vibrant and with fast growth that earns it the monicar “capital of northern Sweden.” The title is all for good reason as Umeå is the largest urban centre in this region. It is on its way to surpassing the 200,000-population mark by 2050.
If you walk around the city centre, you will also find out why the city is known to most Swedes as the city of birches. There were a whole lot of birches like about 2300 lined along the avenues.
In 1818, part of the city got burnt down and thousands of people were left homeless with absolutely nothing. However, after rebuilding, birches were planted as a natural fire barrier. Just for your knowledge, at least 50% of birch hardwood comprises water which explains its role as a fire barrier. Wow! What an interesting topic about Birches.
The aura around Umeå city is more intellectual as it acts as the home of Umeå University together with the sister the Umea Institute of Design. This is one of the greatest catchers and a talent nurturing centre welcoming talent locally and abroad. It has been ranked top school for product design for a number of times. It is this community of young people studying that plainly gives the city a young, vibrant feel.
Umeå city filled with nature and fun
Granting you an easy access to the coast, the city of Umea is located just 15km from the sea. It has mountains and deep forest at its doorstep making it a nature lover’s dream destination.
There is an element of untouched and wild nature of Vasterbotten close by. It is all about its proximity to nature reserves, wildlife and rushing rivers, hiking trails. This plainly means an everlasting opportunity to outdoor exploration, exercise, and great experiences awaiting.
The general climate in Umea is temperate, basically subarctic embraced with four major seasons giving you serious winters and fairly short but pleasant summers. The summers at Umea come complete with the midnight sun.
The effects from the Gulf Stream dwarfs and makes winters mild over Umeå. There are fresh winds blowing in from Kvarken which contributes to the cold temperature in the city even makes it colder than expected.
Experience the family friendliness of the people in Umeå
There is nothing as confusing as being to a new place with no one that knows you or someone and something of any sort of familiarity. However, when you visit Umeå, you will not fail to acknowledge the low levels of crime. In Umeå, there’s always a pleasant surprised of quiet, safe streets. The degree of honesty exhibited by the residents here is just so heart-warming.
Children in the city are always busy participating in activities that build them both psychologically, mentally, and physically. They have no time to idle, a factor which often promotes evil thinking. It is not a secret that the city municipality has found a treasure in children and invests heavily on the young people. The young generation participate in ski lopes, curling hall, ice hockey, skate park, into training facilities and many more
Enjoy culture and design in Umeå city
In 2014, Umea graduated to become the European capital city of culture and this indeed was for the good of it. There is a high degree of entrepreneurial and innovative spirit and also the presence of highly regarded museums. Vaven for instance, is the city’s culture dome, an architectural landmark covered with an innovative abstract as illustrated with the birch inspired aesthetic.
You get to see several museum houses, prominent libraries, cinema, and numerous restaurants and cafes. Umea hosts a number of events and activities all year round, especially concerts and vintage fashion markets. In the other parts of the city, you witness the contemporary art and design museum, Bildmuseet. There is just so much to learn and experience of Swedish culture and history.
