It is here we shall be!

Åsa grew up in Åland, but moved to Stockholm right after graduation for a career as an art director in the Nordic magazine industry. Janis has his roots in Latvia, but was born and raised in Sweden. For many years he worked in communications and marketing at the shipping company Tallink Silja, with the entire Baltic Sea as his field of work.

– We called ourselves Baltic nomads, says Åsa. We had our everyday life in Stockholm, the cottage in Kimito in Finland, and Janis with ties to Latvia. Åland felt like the middle ground, and my family is here too.

Already on his first visit to Åland, Janis fell for the place.
– Åsa wanted to show me something beautiful, so we drove out over the bridges towards Järsö. I was completely captivated – how beautiful can it be? Ever since, I've said that if we ever move to Åland, we should live on Järsö.

From thought to decision

The move from Stockholm happened quickly in practice, but mentally the couple had been on their way for a long time. The cottage life in Kimito was the whole family's favourite, but the distance made the weekends far too short. The idea of Åland therefore began to take up more space – first as a new holiday home, and over time as a new permanent home. When the right house on Järsö finally appeared, the decision was easy.

– It was almost too good to be true, with a waterfront plot, a double garage and room for everyone, says Janis. It's a dream come true!

The family also includes Janis's son and Åsa's twin sons, all of whom are approaching their twenties. None of them currently live at home full-time as they are studying in different places.

– But they enjoy it here and are happy to come home to Åland. It's great that they also appreciate the house and the location as much as we do, especially now that we've built a waterfront sauna, says Åsa.

Working remotely

The entrepreneurial spirit in Åland appeals to Janis, who is now self-employed in communications and destination marketing.

– It's fascinating that such a small archipelago has so many strong and international companies. There's a drive here, things are happening all the time.

Through his company he has clients spread across Europe, and most meetings take place digitally.
– That means I can be flexible about where I work. Often all I need is my laptop and a good connection. At home on Järsö we even have better internet than in the apartment in Stockholm, he says.

Åsa, in turn, works as art director for the Scandinavian fashion magazine Vogue, where much of the work is done in teams.
– I need to be in Stockholm a little more often than Janis for editorial meetings and collaborations, but I can also do a lot remotely from here. It requires a bit of planning, but it works well, she says.

Together they have found an arrangement where they can combine working days in Stockholm with their new life in Åland.
– We try to spend as much time here as possible. For us, Åland is home, they both say.

In the home office on Järsö, they share a large desk.
– We sit facing each other with our own screens, music in the background and a view of the sea. It's quiet and efficient – the only distraction is the swans swimming past, says Janis with a smile.

– With the time difference to Stockholm, I'm always first at my desk when I work remotely – that's a bonus, adds Åsa.

Island time and everyday luxury

Life in Åland is calmer. The simplicity of everyday life stands out.

– Everything is close by and things move a little faster, so you get more done. You can park right outside the tax office, walk in and have your matter sorted in a few minutes instead of it taking all day, says Janis.

– If you need a tradesperson, they often come the next day. That's a luxury that makes everything so much smoother, adds Åsa.

At first, their friends in Sweden wondered how they would cope with living in Åland during the dark winter months, but not even that has deterred Janis.
– It's rarely as wonderful as it is in winter! It storms, the sea looks almost terrifying – and then you have your waterfront sauna and your own little corner of the world. I love it!

Harder to get used to has been the unhurried Åland traffic.
– We still behave like impatient city drivers and have to hold ourselves back from honking!

Building a new life

Leaving Stockholm has brought changes to old habits and routines, but both have found new connections in Åland. Their social circle has widened and Janis now has his own Åland network. The children have also made their own friends.

– It feels good that we get to discover and rediscover Åland together. It's been a while since I moved away, so I don't really know where everything is anymore either, says Åsa.

Looking ahead, both see opportunities. Life with remote work is ticking along, but the goal is to work and live in Åland full-time. Åsa is waiting for the right job to come along and is open to trying something new.

Janis continues to work with his own company, but sees Åland's potential. All the opportunities for further development here spark new thoughts and ideas. He has also found a new dream – to become an apple farmer.

– The Åland apple orchards are so beautiful! So I've started doing my research – in theory I already know what needs to be done, he says with a laugh.