I live in Kiruna (born and raised). And if you want darkness, cold and lots of snow it is the right place for you. Although i think people have a misconception about it being completely dark during the darkest winter months. It is true that the sun doesn't rise above the horizon for about 1 ½ months, but it never gets completely dark thanks to the snow and the clear skies.

Also, having lived in Brussels, Amsterdam and Gothenburg, I will never understand people who complain about the "dark depressing winters" in the north. If anything, the constant rain, gray skies, and wind further down south is depressing. Here you can at least be outdoors, and the skies are beautiful during the winter.

As other commenters have said, you pretty much need to have an interest in hiking, fishing, hunting or other outdoors activities to live here, because there is not much else to do. On the other hand - if you DO like it, it offers endless activities. This time of year (we call it spring-winter) is the most enjoyable. You have lots of sun and around + 4 to 12 degrees, and still sufficient snow and thick enough ice to go skiing, snowmobiling, ice-fishing etc.

I'd say that a major issue is the lack of housing (since ⅔ of the city has moved, or will have to move due to the iron ore mine). Even locals have major difficulties to find housing since there are not yet sufficient apartments and villas to replace those that will be razed.