When career meets quality of life
What began as a short adventure — moving from northern Sweden — became the start of an entirely new chapter. When Joel Bergström got a job at Hallsta Paper Mill, everything fell into place. Nearly seven years later, the family has put down roots in the idyllic Roslagen area, where both work and everyday life feel just right.
After working as an engineer in the northern Swedish city of Sundsvall, Joel and his partner Angelica felt it was time for a change. Their eyes turned south—towards the Uppsala region, just north of Stockholm. When Joel heard that Holmen’s mill in Hallstavik was hiring, he jumped at the opportunity.
“It felt like a perfect chance – an exciting job and just the right distance from our families in Sundsvall. At the same time, we got to discover a whole new environment. Hallstavik turned out to be an unexpectedly beautiful place to settle down, with nature right around the corner – the forest, the Roslagen hiking trail, and not least the fantastic archipelago, which we truly love,” says Joel.
The move marked the beginning of three and a half years of living in Hallstavik, where Joel quickly felt at home. He describes a can-do mentality, where much is driven by volunteer efforts.
“People here genuinely understand the value of supporting one another, and there’s a warmth and sense of community that’s hard to find these days. We moved from a larger city and quickly discovered the closeness and connection that comes with life in a small industrial town. It was the same for the kids – they made new friends right away.”
❞Working in maintenance is a continuous effort focused on improvement, development, and collaboration – exactly what I enjoy.❞
“The job opportunity ultimately convinced us to make the decision to move. I really enjoy working here – both at Hallsta Paper Mill as a workplace and with Holmen as an employer. There’s a strong sense of engagement and a culture I really value,” Joel says.
As the family’s needs changed and the kids grew older, they moved on to a townhouse in Björnö, just south of Norrtälje. Although it required a 40-minute drive to work, staying at the mill was an easy choice.
“Working in maintenance is a continuous effort focused on improvement, development, and collaboration – exactly what I enjoy.”
Meanwhile, the family has settled into everyday life in Norrtälje. As Joel points out, the town is small enough to retain its charm and character, yet big enough to offer just about everything you need.
“I’ll always consider myself a northerner. I love the rivers and the dramatic landscapes of the High Coast of Sweden. But the north is still there – with family and friends just a few hours away. By living here in Roslagen, we really do get the best of both worlds. Always close to home.”