Safety and Community in ByggVesta’s Student Housing

The situation for students and young people when it comes to housing is far from easy. To help address this, Nacka Municipality has worked actively to make it easier for students to find accommodation. The land where Aurora now stands is one of several municipally owned sites that have been designated for student housing competitions in recent years — a strategic initiative to expand access to affordable housing for young residents.

“It’s wonderful to finally see life and activity in the student housing at Ektorp! Students and young adults are priority groups when we build homes in Nacka. This beautiful project, Aurora, is part of a broader initiative by the municipality. The projects are now completed and occupied, and we’re proud to have contributed to improving the housing situation for students in Stockholm’s tough market. We’d like to thank ByggVesta for a great collaboration and an outstanding result,” says Cathrin Bergenstråhle, Chair of the Environment and Urban Planning Committee in Nacka Municipality.

The sense of life and energy at Aurora is partly thanks to the shared spaces designed to encourage spontaneous interactions — a cornerstone of ByggVesta’s student housing concept. By designing areas that make it easy to meet neighbors naturally, the company promotes a sense of belonging and community. At Aurora, residents can enjoy barbecue areas on the courtyard, as well as a tiered seating area resembling a small amphitheater. Recently, a new lounge and study room were also completed, and many tenants are eagerly waiting for them to open.

“I’m really looking forward to using both the lounge and the study room,” says Moa, one of the residents. “I previously lived in ByggVesta’s student housing in Norra Djurgårdsstaden, and we used the study rooms there all the time — for group work or when you just wanted a change of scenery to study.”

She continues: “Now that we’ve had such a beautiful spring, a lot of people have used the tiered seating outside as a study spot. It’s wonderful! Having coffee or hanging out there when the sun’s shining is perfect — there are always people around. And when it’s dark, the lighting makes it really cozy; it’s lovely to look out at from the window.”

It’s been about a year since the first residents moved into Aurora, and since then, new tenants have arrived in stages. Being the very first to move into a new housing development means you naturally become the ones who set the tone for the community. At Aurora, that spirit is clearly visible — people stop to chat in the courtyard, leave their doors open on warm days, and invite neighbors over for coffee. Through Aurora’s community app, YourBlock, residents exchange questions and tips, while the Facebook group is filled with posts about after-work gatherings and parties. Although there have been fewer large events this spring, many residents have instead gathered for barbecues and evenings on the outdoor steps.

“There’s a real desire among people to connect here,” says Moa. “I think it took about a month before we had our first courtyard party. Just as everyone finished grilling, it started raining, so we grabbed everything and ran into the bike room to eat instead.”

Lina agrees: “Yes, Aurora feels more welcoming and homey than any other place I’ve lived.”

Aya and Marika also highlight the friendly atmosphere: “People are kind — and so is the landlord! ByggVesta has been great from the start and done a lot to create a good community spirit. I’ve never felt unsafe or uneasy here.”

The lush green courtyard is an extension of Ektorp’s natural surroundings — with the oak trees of Nyckelviken and the calm waters of Långsjön just around the corner, it’s easy for residents to go for a run or take a break from studying. Despite its almost rural feel, Ektorp is only 20 minutes from Slussen and well-connected by public transport.

“For me — coming from Dalarna and sometimes missing the forest, and also wanting to go running a few times a week — the area is perfect. I’m so happy we live near Nyckelviken,” says Marika.

“Yes,” adds Moa, “one of the best things about living in Aurora is the location. Even though it’s apartments, it feels a bit like living in the countryside. But the buses run often, and getting to the university is really easy. I also love that I can bike down and take the ferry across to the city — SL runs them, so it’s super convenient. Last summer, when I worked on Lidingö, I took the ferry there every day.”

Aurora’s strategic location is no coincidence — when ByggVesta develops student housing, proximity to the city, nature, and public transport is always a top priority. Not only is it convenient, but studies also show that students in such environments tend to perform better academically.

To provide security for the future, tenants do not lose their queue points in ByggVesta’s housing system when they rent a student apartment. This allows students to focus on their studies, knowing they’ll have a better chance of getting a regular apartment with ByggVesta once they graduate.

Everyone we spoke to used the same word to describe Aurora — “homey.” It’s a genuine feeling that the residents clearly nurture together.

“In Umeå, there’s that small-town vibe where everyone knows everyone,” says Aya, who has lived in Aurora for nearly a year. “Here, it feels like there’s potential for that too. It’s a relaxed, friendly atmosphere — it really feels like home.”

At ByggVesta we build homes for everyone