Allright, so let’s walk you through this place, I have to say, as a busy estate agent, I come across a lot of properties in Uppsala, but this one here at Bellisvägen 238 in Tunabackar stands out if you're looking to try life in Sweden, especially if you're an overseas buyer or an expat dreaming about that little house with a big garden. And before I get too busy with my next viewing, here’s the real story about this cottage: what you see is what you get, no extra polish, no glamour, but loads of genuine Swedish allotment-living potential.
So, this is a cozy allotment house, about 30 square meters, so we're not talking about a large villa, but a snug place maybe for a single person, a couple, or even someone with a young child who wants that proper garden life. It's not a modern city flat; it's a real house, built in 1948, has its years, but it's been kept up by people who cared for it. The price, SEK 69,500, reflects both the unique lifestyle and the fact you’re buying into a community and a bit of Swedish summer life, not just four walls.
When you first enter, you walk up a traditional veranda—a Swedish "punch veranda", small but enough that you want to kick off your boots and leave the worries of the city behind. It gets good sunlight through the windows, which is always a big plus here when winter sometimes seems a bit too long. Inside, you've got a living room that doesn’t try to pretend it’s grander than it is. It’s open, with a fireplace—a really nice touch, but you'll need to get that inspected if you want to use it. I’ve got to be honest, this isn’t a place for big dinner parties, but it’s just right for quiet evenings in.
The kitchen is pretty functional, with a fridge/freezer, stove, oven, good cabinets. You’re set up for the basics. There’s a dining nook, works for 2-4, tight but friendly, perfect for those Swedish "fika" (coffee breaks, a national institution). Next to the house is the cellar—big, around 10 sq m, perfect for potatoes, winter apples, whatever you want to store. You’re not short of storage space here, which is rare for small cottages.
But where I think this place really shines is the garden—almost 500 sq m of properly managed land (and that’s big for Sweden’s urban areas). It’s a corner lot, quiet and a bit private, doesn’t get a lot of foot traffic. The lawn is tidy, you have two big apple trees, a lilac hedge, plus some berry bushes. Flower beds? Yes! And if you want to grow your own food, you’ve got the plots already set. For any expat missing their home garden, this is a proper “green therapy” spot. There’s even a flagpole, which sounds strange unless you know Sweden: everyone loves flying their flag on the long light-filled Midsummer nights.
Living here, you’re by the river Fyrisån, just a short walk over, and if you get a hot summer day (and yes, Swedish summers can surprise you), you’ve got a local bathing spot and a communal shower. Seriously—outdoor living is what this whole place is about, spring through autumn. Winters? OK, expect some peace and quiet, and make sure you’ve got a wooly sweater or two.
About the Tunabackar area: this part of Uppsala is known for being relaxed, really friendly, and it’s pretty international too because of the university crowd—it’s a student city, after all. The allotments are sort of a Swedish tradition; people come together in spring, plant, help each other, celebrate Midsummer with community parties, even organize flea markets. The local clubhouse is just a few minutes walk, with shared toilets, showers, laundry—you’ve got the basics, but not the luxury of a city aparment block. You get nature, space, and community instead. Uppsala city centre isn’t far away—maybe 15–20 minutes by bike—and you’ve got buses, so it’s easy if you want both countryside and city life.
The Swedish climate here can be pretty decent: spring is all about light evenings, summer is full of long days, in July you sometimes get daylight to midnight! Autumn usually means apple picking, late berries, and (sometimes) very beautiful colours. Winters are cold, with snow on and off, but nothing too dramatic.
As for daily life, this isn’t the place if you want to be right in the thick of the city bars and shops, but it’s a fantastic spot if you want to spend your weekends at home, maybe have friends round for a BBQ, or just grow your own tomatoes and relax after work. If you’re a family, you’ll have space for kids to run about, climb trees, pick berries. If you’re working remotely, it’s a very peaceful spot to clear your head.
Here’s a quick sum-up of what you’ll find at this place:
- 1 bedroom, suitable for 1-2 people
- Large, private garden plot (approx 491 sqm)
- Allotment housing association with facilities
- Good condition for its age (built 1948)
- Living room with fireplace (inspection before use)
- Functional kitchen (fridge/freezer, stove, oven)
- Walk-in closet for storage
- Big pantry cellar (about 10 sqm)
- Two water outlets for garden use
- Apple trees, berry bushes, lilac hedge
- Large shed for storage or tools
- Private, corner location at end of allotment lane
- Several seating areas outdoors
- Short walk to river and local swimming spot
- Annual running costs are budget-friendly
Honestly, this is Swedish small-house life at its best—nothing over-the-top, but everything you need for a simple, healthy, community-focused lifestyle. If you’re after a big, luxury bathroom and lots of space, this isn’t it (there’s no bathroom in the house, use communal)—but if you want a safe investment and a bit of peaceful Sweden, this could be the one. Let me know if you want a viewing, or more info—there’s never enough time in the day, but I’ll make it work!
