35 College Towns That Are Ideal for Retiring Professors and Book Lovers

8. Lund, Sweden – A Small Town with Big Ideas

Lund, Sweden, may be small in size, but it has long been a powerhouse of intellectual and literary culture. As home to Lund University, Sweden’s second-oldest university (founded in 1666), this town has been a hub for scholars, writers, and philosophers for centuries. Lund’s compact city center is filled with cobblestone streets, picturesque courtyards, and historic bookshops, creating an enchanting setting for retirees who wish to be surrounded by academia and culture. The Lund University Library, which houses over 12 million books and manuscripts, is an absolute treasure for book lovers who want access to rare and contemporary works alike. Beyond academia, Lund’s literary culture thrives through events like the Lund Literature Festival, where international and Scandinavian authors gather to discuss literature, poetry, and philosophy. Additionally, the city’s slower pace of life, combined with its close proximity to Copenhagen, makes it an excellent location for those who want the benefits of Scandinavian culture without the high cost of living found in larger Nordic cities.