Best Places to Live in Finland | 10 Fun Cities for Expats

Finland has become a place of great intrigue to many people for its exceptional quality of life and was recently ranked as the happiest country in the world for the fifth consecutive time by the World Happiness Report.

Many attribute this to the nature in and around Finland and the low levels of inequality and crime. That being said, it can be pretty expensive to live here, and it’s known to have brutal, dark winters.

But don’t worry just yet, as we’ve created a list of the best places to live here and some helpful tips. Read on and you’ll see just what we mean.

Tip: Look here for more cities to live in Europe.

Best Places to Live in Finland for…

1. Expats: Helsinki
2. English Speakers: Jyväskylä & Helsinki
3. Digital Nomads: Rovaniemi
4. Solo Travellers: Lappeenranta
5. Couples: Oulu
6. Groups: Jyväskylä

Top 10 Places to Live in Finland

1. Helsinki

Best City to Live for Expats

Cost of Living:

$$$

Helsinki is the capital of Finland, known for its cultural offerings and various architectural styles. Additionally, this city provides most of the comforts of a capital, such as fine dining, coffee shops, and markets. This serves the young and hipster vibe Helsinki has. The city’s also known to have the largest number of foreigners. It’s close to the Baltic Sea, which is why it’s such a beautiful location.

Tip: If you’re a shopping and design enthusiast, visit the Design District for some unique items from Marimekko, Artek, and Iittala.

Who Would Like to Live There: Expats & English Speakers

Pros:

• Highest income in Finland (about €4K)
• Many job opportunities
• Escapes dark winters of the North

Cons:

• Most expensive cost of living
• Not lots of space to live
• Can get busy due to tourists

2. Tampere

 Best City to Live for Digital Nomads

Cost of Living:

$$$

This city is located in South Finland between Lakes Näsijärvi and Pyhäjärvi and is the second largest city in the country. It’s not as inaccessible as other Northern cities as it’s only a 90-minute train ride from Helsinki. Additionally, it boasts beautiful scenery such as a beach, lakes, and forests.

Tip: For digital nomads, check out Crazy Town, a coworking space.

Who Would Like to Live There: Digital Nomads & Jobseekers

Pros:

• Best city to live in according to various Finnish surveys
• Lots of job opportunities
• Lots of restaurants and bars

Cons:

• High property costs
• Might be too small if used to metropolitan life
• Also challenging to make friends here

3. Espoo

  Best City to Live for Young People

Cost of Living:

$$

Espoo is only a 20-minute car ride from Helsinki and boasts more affordable accommodation options. It has a lively energy with many restaurants and clubs to keep you entertained. Additionally, it’s home to the Espoo Museum of Modern Art and close to the Nuuksio National Park, should you need a breath of fresh air.

Tip: If you enjoy Helsinki’s architecture, visit the Tapiola area and look out for the WeeGee Exhibition Centre.

Who Would Like to Live There: Young People & Digital Nomads

Pros:

• Cheaper than Helsinki while maintaining the big city amenities??
• Many international concerts, festivals, and cultural events are held here
• Good environment for raising children and business activity

Cons:

• Not many bars and restaurants
• Slow social situation
• Medical care is lacking

4.  Turku

 Best Place to Live for History Buffs

Cost of Living:

$$

Being the oldest city in Finland and the old capital, Turku is full of history. This is clear in the architecture, including the Turku Cathedral, Brinkhall Manor, and the 19th-century City Hall. Turku’s also home to the University of Turku – the biggest university in Finland. With this comes a large student population and a vibrant social scene. It’s also known for its lovely summers and interesting traditions.

Tip: If you feel like a break from Finnish life, consider taking the ferry to Sweden, which takes 17 hours (Flying only takes 1 – 3 hours). Read this post to learn the best places to stay in Sweden.

Who Would Like to Live There: History Buffs and Young Families

Pros:

• Less expensive than Helsinki
• Thriving social scene and bar culture
• Good universities and job options

Cons:

• Quite culturally different compared to other Finnish cities
• Locals can be sceptical of newcomers
• Lots of ugly apartment blocks

5. Oulu

 Best Place to Live for Couples

Cost of Living:

$$

Oulu is located at the meeting point of the Oulujoki River and the Bay of Bothnia. Here you are guaranteed stunning views and neoclassical buildings, a reminder of the old city. It’s the northmost city in Finland, with a population of around 200,000 and many global businesses. Additionally, the nearby beauty of the Lapland offers various activities, and the quirky vibe is perfect for couples.

Tip: Oulu is close to Lapland; visit here to see the Northern Lights.

Who Would Like to Live There: Couples and Families

Pros:

• One of the most affordable places to live in Finland
• Largest city in the North, so it’s not overfilled
• Very conducive business environment

Cons:

• Located in Northwestern Finland, so it gets little sunlight in winter
• Very wet and humid year round
• Bad city for making friends outside of work

6.   Jyväskylä

 Best Place to Live for Groups/English Speakers

Cost of Living:

$$

The city of Jyväskylä was the fastest growing city in Finland in the 20th century (and continues to grow). This is no surprise, as it’s stunning here. Known for being the hometown of Alvar Aalto, a famous Finnish architect, which is apparent in the various buildings he designed here. It’s lively here as a third of the population are students. In addition, there are many beaches, parks, and extensive bike paths.

Tip: If you love architecture, visit the Alvar Aalto Museum.

Who Would Like to Live There: Groups

Pros:

• English is well known here
• Close to nature so has good air quality and is not crowded
• Popular area for outdoor sports

Cons:

• Small social circles, so hard to make friends
• Very long, cold, and dark winters
• Can be quite remote from rest of Finland

7. Rovaniemi

  Best Place to Live for Solo Travellers

Cost of Living:

$$

Rovaniemi is the home of Santa’s Village and the capital of Lapland. It has the largest population hub near the Arctic Circle. Its quaint environment has several neighbourhoods to choose from and has affordable options. The downside is it is far from the rest of Finland. This can all be minimised when we consider the beauty it has to offer.

Tip: Make sure to have loads of thick winter clothing as temperatures average at -15°C

Who Would Like to Live There: Solo Travellers

Pros:

• Ideal for winter sports lovers
• Beautiful location
• Vibrant culture

Cons:

• Bad for people who hate the cold
• Quite small
• Very Christmassy year round

8. Savonlinna

  Best Place to Live for Older Couples

Cost of Living:

$$

Savonlinna is a small town of around 30,000. It’s surrounded by the natural beauty of the Saimaa lake region. It offers many outdoor activities, such as canoeing, swimming, and hiking. This area is perfect for those who love peaceful-town vibes. It’s also known for its Savonlinna Opera Festival, held during the summer. Lastly, it’s also close to the Kolovesi and Linnansaari National Parks.

Tip: Make sure to visit the incredible Olavinlinna Castle, which is well preserved with exhibitions about the battles that were fought here.

Who Would Like to Live There: Older Couples

Pros:

• Lots of natural beauty
• Pretty affordable prices compared to the rest of Finland
• Great for explorers

Cons:

• Could get quite monotonous and quiet
• Quite harsh in winter
• Not much to do if you’re not sporty

9. Vantaa

  Best Place to Live for Families

Cost of Living:

$$$

Vantaa is situated centrally in Finland. In addition, it’s a sprawling area with a lot of growth. As it’s a bit further from the capital, housing is more affordable, which is advantageous to families. Additionally, it’s a great location for shopping and business.

Tip: If you want to do something with kids, visit Heureka for interactive science exhibits.

Who Would Like to Live There: Families

Pros:

• Close to the airport
• Good place for families and quiet environment
• Central location

Cons:

• If not working in Vantaa, costs add up
• Not many restaurants
• Ugly architecture

10. Lappeenranta

 Best Place to Live for Students

Cost of Living:

$$

Lappeenranta is located in Eastern Finland and is a university city. As such, it’s more affordable than the bigger cities. It’s got a population of 73,000 and has fantastic services available. It’s only 30kms from the Russian border with train routes to St. Petersburg. Additionally, it’s located near Lake Saimaa.

Tip: Buy a Wallti bus card for €5 for affordable, accessible travel

Who Would Like to Live There: Students

Pros:

• Known as green capital of Finland
• One of the safest cities in Finland
• Lovely summers and moderate winters

Cons:

• Not very big social scene
• Very young population
• Harder to find employment here