We have won more time together!

Before moving to Åland, Anna worked as a physiotherapist at one of Gothenburg's larger sports rehabilitation clinics while also researching chronic tendon ruptures, while Johannes was employed as a sales representative at a large global company.

- We really enjoyed living in Gothenburg and both had jobs we liked. At the same time, we've probably always thought that we'd move to Åland at some point, says Anna. It's been an ongoing discussion, and we also have close friends who've pushed for it and thought it was time, but for us it's always been about the future – maybe when we have children and they're about to start school?

New life situation

Then their son August was born, and with him came the need for more space. Living in the middle of the city in a 48 square meter apartment with a lively child wasn't sustainable in the long run.
- It becomes cumbersome to live in an apartment on the third floor when you have children, even if there's an elevator.

Was it time to move back to Åland, or should they try to find larger accommodation in Gothenburg? Johannes explains that he and Anna made a classic list of pros and cons of moving back home to Åland. 
- We always end up laughing when we think about it, but the downside was mostly about opportunities that would disappear, and we started listing things we weren't actually using anyway. Stand-up comedy, for example. How many times had we been to see stand-up during our five years in Gothenburg? Not once!

Ultimately, it came down to finances.
- To afford more space in Gothenburg, we would have had to move to a suburb, but then we would have lost what we liked about living in a larger city. By moving to Åland, we got much more living space for our money while ending up closer to family and friends – and that was ultimately what we had always envisioned. Why compromise on that?

Many advantages

The family now lives in a newly built semi-detached house in Möckelö just outside Mariehamn, together with little sister Thyra, who was born on Åland. The new home has plenty of space for the whole family, including a home gym of 14 square meters. On the generous lawn stands a trampoline, and a playground is nearby.

Before the move, Anna and Johannes thought their job opportunities would be more limited on Åland. The couple still concluded that work was indeed important, but not the most important thing. 
- But we didn't sacrifice anything by moving – instead, we gained more time together. 

They rather feel that they have achieved a simpler daily life where there is time for both the children and everything else they enjoy. Exercise, for example. For Johannes, it's also important to make the most of everyday life. He believes that life should be about more than longing for the weekend or vacation. 

- On top of that, we're free from commuting and queuing, which is an incredible luxury. If you have a 30-minute commute to work and 30 minutes back, working 5 days a week, that's 5 hours that just go toward getting to and from places. We can use that time for other things.

Working remotely

Career-wise, Johannes works remotely as an account manager for a new employer, the Swedish SaaS company Jobylon (Software As A Service). The remote life works well, but he enjoys alternating between his home office and days on-site in Stockholm, where he can stay in a hotel and order Indian takeaway.

- The ability to order food to the door is something I can miss on Åland. In a larger city, there are more culinary options.

The administration involved in a remote job is also not straightforward when you live in one country and are employed in another.
- I'm grateful that my employer handles that for me. They hire a company that is well-versed in the regulations and manages the payment of salary, taxes, and other fees. 

During the first period on Åland, Anna also worked remotely on research and completing her doctoral thesis. The plan is to continue working with research remotely going forward as well.

Self-employed

Otherwise, Anna is on parental leave with Thyra while also starting up her own company Nordenholm Fysio. To get help with starting her own business, she has turned to Ålands Näringsliv, which provides free advisory services to entrepreneurs.

- My idea is to continue staying close to sports and maintain my niche and profile within exercise and sports injuries.

In other words, both work and everyday life are good on Åland too. And on the family's list of advantages now also features access to a babysitter.
- Now we can actually be more spontaneous than when we lived in the big city!