When Jette and Poul Erik Lund retired they wanted something new in their life... so they moved to Vejle. Here, they enjoy the city's culture and tightly knit community with the other residents of their high-rise apartment tower.
The green treetops stretch up into a light grey sky as Jette and Poul Erik Lund look out of the windows of their 11th floor apartment. As they lower their gaze, the city's buildings and rooftops blend into view below the skyline. A living painting.
“Yes, it’s so lovely. I enjoy looking at it every day," explains Poul Erik, while Jette nods in agreement.
The couple live in a 130 square metre apartment in one of the iconic high-rise buildings collectively known as ‘The Five Sisters’. However, Jette wasn’t immediately sold on the idea when she first saw the building. She told Poul Erik that she didn’t want to live in such a ‘barrel’. But, by the time the fifth high-rise tower was put up for sale as project apartments, Jette was ready to sign under the dotted line.
“I could see they were going to be beautiful apartments with a unique view. They’re also located right here in the middle of it all. We’re incredibly happy to live here,” says Jette, who goes for a walk through the city’s streets every day and uses the shops when she needs to buy a gift.
Lots to offer close by
For 16 years, Fredericia was home to Jette and Poul Erik. They moved there when Jette took over the store she was working in. She enjoyed the company and many relationships she had with her customers in the store.
But when Jette chose to close the store to enjoy her retirement, she and Poul Erik could feel they needed a change in their lives. Before long, they’d set their sights on Vejle, even though their sons and grandchildren don’t live in the city.
“Vejle has everything, you know. I enjoy being able to go to choir group over at DGI-huset, down to the Fabrikanterne workshop and getting creative with the other ladies, or going to the cinema and theatre,” explains Jette who, with a laugh, calls herself 'entertainment crazy'. For months leading up to the Tour de France, she knitted yellow patches for the big jersey that was hung on display at the harbour. Her knitting needle and yellow yarn brought new acquaintances and good memories to think back on:
“It was just so nice. And after the Tour de France, I started going to Fabrikanterne even more often. I've also told the ladies down there that they need to come up to me soon for a coffee," adds Jette.
Poul Erik is happy for his wife's active social life, while he prefers a slightly more introverted everyday life. He likes to go with Jette to see the latest movies and theatre shows. He also follows Vejle Football Club and goes for bike rides out into nature.
New friendships and a strong community
Jette and Poul Erik's apartment tower consists of 48 rental properties spread over 12 floors. They know many of the residents from the numerous information meetings that were held during the building’s construction. Here, the seeds of their new friendships and tight-knit community were sewn, for which Jette and Poul Erik are extremely grateful.
“We care about each other and like spending time together. And when we hear that someone is feeling under the weather, we stop by to see how they’re doing and bring the ‘meals on wheels’. It means a lot to us that we can help each other in this way,” says Jette. Poul Erik nods from his seat at the head of the table in the bright kitchen-dining room. He’s happy to go round and screw in a light bulb or help with MitID, if one of the neighbours is having difficulty with it.
Of course, help also goes the other way. When Jette and Poul Erik are invited into town, they arrange for one of the neighbours to drive them there and back.
“Then we can relax better and have a few beers,” says Poul Erik with a smile, while Jette adds:
“We’ll never move away from Vejle.”
Translated by Tony Langford (Influentsy ApS)