Everything here is so easy to solve!
In times when queues and prices are skyrocketing in the big city, many wonder if there really isn’t a better life somewhere else. The Småland natives Lars and Åsa met through mutual acquaintances when they lived in Stockholm. But when their son was born, they faced a choice: stay or move? A house in Söderåkra settled the matter.
− For us, it was largely about what kind of childhood we wanted to give Finn, says Åsa as we sit around the coffee table in their living room in Fastlycke.
− In Södertälje, there is a constant background noise. Here, it’s completely quiet. The only thing I regret about our move here is that we didn’t do it sooner, says Lars.
Their house in Fastlycke is a dream from the turn of the last century, with carpentry craftsmanship over the porch and large rooms with double doors. Behind us, the fire has been lit in the tiled stove, a stately piece right in the middle of the room. We’ve been served coffee and the first gingerbread cookies of the year. Outside the windows, small and large houses are scattered, and in one of the small red houses, Lars has his workshop. Because that’s what he does: he builds. And not just anything, but acoustic guitars.
− To me, guitars were something you bought in a store. When I realized you could build them yourself, it was just ‘wow‘, he says.
His exclusive craftsmanship has found a market all over the world. When Åsa and Lars moved to Fastlycke in 2019, he had already worked many years in the business. Now he builds custom-ordered guitars for customers who know exactly what they want.
− That probably suits me because I like to work slowly and be patient. And I love working alone. But sometimes, of course, you have to travel and meet colleagues so you can talk things over, he says.
Åsa is originally an economist and has a background as an administrator at various government agencies. Now she works at the study association Sensus in Kalmar. The couple knew nothing about Torsås when they moved here. How do you manage to get involved in a small community? Åsa and Lars are intense in their conversation, taking turns speaking throughout the entire interview.
− My advice is to get involved in your surroundings, says Åsa, who in a short time has become both the local chairperson of the Nature Conservation Society, a scriptwriter for Torsås’s own revue group Revyarna, and also a substitute member of the municipal council.
− Check out all the programs and attend the events that are organized! You often meet the same people several times. Everything here is so easy to solve, she continues. And we’re lucky to have good neighbors. You almost depend on that when you live like we do.
− You can often feel more lonely in Stockholm, says Lars. There, you’re just one among many. Here, everything is very manageable, and everyone can feel that they are needed.
What do you think defines quality of life? What do you consider important in life?
− We can be a bit nerdy, Åsa says with a laugh. For a while, we decided we wouldn’t buy anything new, only secondhand.
− We try to shop some at local farm shops, and only then at stores. I think it’s important to support local, says Lars.
But surely there must be something you miss as former Stockholmers and big city dwellers? They actually have to think before answering.
− Really good Thai food with rice,” says Lars. That I miss. Otherwise, I think everything is here. The proximity to Öland, but without the housing prices. And just two hours to Österlen from here. We didn’t realize that until we moved here!