We Chose Helsingborg
“My Heart and Home is in Helsingborg
– I’m Here to Stay!”
Alejandro Bustos, a Colombian entrepreneur, came to Helsingborg in 2021 to reunite with his partner of the time, who was studying a Master’s Programme at Lund University Campus Helsingborg.
- From: Colombia
- Profession: Entrepreneur
- Lives in: Helsingborg
- In Helsingborg since: 2021
Alejandro had heard of Sweden and Stockholm before, but Helsingborg was a complete blind spot on his world map until he arrived. Alejandro has a background in Journalism and History and is very curious about new cultures. Despite going through a divorce during his first year in Helsingborg, he made the decision he wanted to stay.
Today Alejandro is self-employed and runs two companies in marketing and communication services, one company registered in Colombia and one in Sweden.
– I have found many new friends in Helsingborg, and I have no intention of leaving and going back to Colombia.
Alejandro’s Top 3
Things about living in Helsingborg:
1
“Helsingborg has the perfect balance
between a small
city and a big town!”
2
“The city has a rich cultural life, bars and restaurants but it is not too crowded and busy.”
3
“Helsingborg is a very safe city with a welcoming atmosphere.”
Anything that has surprised you since moving to Helsingborg?
I still can’t get over the fact that there is such an engaged and thriving expat community in Helsingborg, and a good mixture between Swedes and internationals. As an entrepreneur, I am impressed by the number of startups and innovation hubs a city of Helsingborg’s size can offer.
Another interesting fact I had no clue about before is that Helsingborg has Sweden’s second biggest harbour and is a very important logistic node in southern Sweden. For example, all bananas shipped to Sweden arrive at Helsingborg harbour.
Could you recommend Helsingborg to other internationals?
Yes, there is something here for everybody! No matter what your incentives are for moving to Helsingborg, there will always be activities and services to help and guide you. Helsingborg is also a greenhouse for new ideas, where you can find both public and private capital to develop projects. Swedes make really good friends as well.
– You might think about Swedes like popcorn, says Alejandro and laughs. They can be a bit hard at first, and when it’s cold, but once you warm them up and they trust you, they will pop and give you so much in return.
”We Want to Stay in Helsingborg!”
Kimberly and Kai Fischer and their two children left Germany
for Helsingborg in 2022. Kai was at the time working for Haldex
and was offered a position at their Head Office in Landskrona,
just south of Helsingborg.
- From: Germany
- Profession:
- Bor i: Helsingborg
- i Helsingborg sedan: 2022
It is a big project to move a whole
family to a new country and not everyone in the family
embraced the idea of moving.
– Our oldest child who was 9 years old at the time was very
much against moving, says Kimberly. However, now he
loves his life here and has made lots of new friends at The
International School of Helsingborg
The original plan was to stay in Helsingborg for about two years
and then move back to Germany, but that has changed. We are
really happy in Helsingborg and the whole family wants to stay
here.
Kimberly and Kais Top 3
Things about living in Helsingborg:
1
“The ocean and
closeness to
nature!”
2
“It’s not so
crowded, but
there’s still plenty
of activities and
exciting things to
see and do.”
3
“Everything is
so close and
convenient!”
We find Helsingborg a very family-oriented city. The city offers
a great variety of activities and fun things to do as a family. It is
also nice to have such a close connection to Denmark only 20
minutes away with the ferry.
Anything that has surprised you since moving to Helsingborg?
We were surprised to feel so welcome! Immediately upon
arrival, we were invited to a welcome reception at Helsingborg
International School and other social activities organised by
Helsingborg International Connections (HIC). We were not
prepared to meet such an engaged international community in
Helsingborg and that really made us feel comfortable and at
home right from the start.
Would you recommend Helsingborg to other internationals?
Yes, I think it is a good fit for anyone, both students,
professionals, and families! We once heard that Helsingborg
was referred to as the “pearl of Skåne” and think that is very
true.