12 Best Places To Live In Finland

It’s easy to feel daunted by the prospect of relocating to a new country. Finland, however, is known to be one of the happiest countries in the world and draws in plenty of expats each year with its high quality of life.

We’ll be looking at some of the best places to live in Finland for work, families, immigrants and more.

Let’s start by taking a look at the best places to live in Finland.

Sections

Best Places To Live In Finland

City	Reason
Tampere	Best for work
Kuopio	Best for affordability
Helsinki	Best for families
Helsinki, Kallio	Best for immigrants
Oulu	Best for retirement
Espoo	Best for young adults
Jyväskylä	Best for students
Turku and Helsinki	Best for food and nightlife
Lappeenranta	Best for singles
Helsinki, Kallio	Best for the LGBT+ community
Porvoo	Best for weather
Oulu	Best for beaches

Best Places To Live In Finland for Work

The best city in Finland for those who are planning to relocate to the country to work is Tampere. The city is Finland’s largest inland city and is well-connected to the rest of the country through the high-speed railway.

The main work industries in Tampere are manufacturing, agriculture, and the services sector. Many large businesses have a base in Tampere and Finland is known for offering high wages and a high level of job satisfaction for its employers.

Helsinki, Finland’s capital, is another fantastic option for those hoping to relocate to the country for job opportunities. The city is known to be a cultural hub, so is a great option for digital nomads also, or those who are hoping to find work in a creative field.

Cheapest Places To Live In Finland

It may not come as a surprise that the cost of living in Finland can be quite expensive, especially if you’re planning on moving to the country without a job in tow. However, some cities are more affordable for those who are hoping to relocate on a smaller budget.

Kuopio is located in the region of Northern Savonia and is a more affordable city than some of the bigger cities. It’s surrounded by outstanding natural beauty and is a popular town with tourists hoping to soak in some of Finland’s best scenery.

Housing, in particular, is especially expensive in Finland but the prices in Kuopio are reasonable with average costs between 650 to 800 euros.

Kajaani is another city which is good for those hoping to keep to a smaller budget. This town is located in central Finland and is popular with those who enjoy outdoor activities. Housing costs in Kajaani are roughly the same as in Kuopio.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Families

If you’re relocating to a new country with a family in tow then you’ll want to be sure the city you’re moving to meets your exact requirements. Luckily, Helsinki is one of the best cities in Finland for expats relocating with family in tow.

Located on the southern coast, Helsinki is one of the largest metropolitan areas in Finland. It’s known as a cultural hub and has plenty of museums, galleries, eateries and green spaces for you and your family to enjoy.

Housing in Helsinki is more expensive than in some other towns in the country, but wages are high. There is also good public transportation in the city and Helsinki is known to be popular with young adults due to the range of cultural hotspots and trendy districts throughout the city.

Another good option for expat families is Turku. Located on the southwest coast of Finland, the city is good for expat families because the cost of both housing and living is more affordable as well. Turku has a charming atmosphere and all the standard amenities one would expect from a modern city.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Immigrants

Helsinki is also the best city in Finland for immigrants – there is a large existing expat community in the capital and many are drawn each year by the high wages and amazing cultural atmosphere in the city. As mentioned previously, keep in mind that costs in Helsinki are more expensive, especially if you are planning on relocating without a job.

There are plenty of charming districts in Helsinki with colourful properties and fun, trendy vibes. Kallio is one of the most popular neighbourhoods with expats, especially creative digital nomads, artists and young professionals.

Tampere is another good city for immigrants, especially those who are hoping to take advantage of the active job market. It’s the second largest city in Finland and has good public transportation links as well as a thriving food scene.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Retirement

Finland is a wonderful country for expats hoping to retire. The country is known for its fantastic quality of life, friendly and welcoming residents and plenty of outstanding natural beauty. Do keep in mind that costs in Finland are relatively high in comparison to other European countries.

Oulu is a great city for those hoping to retire to consider. Located in central Finland, the city is popular for its waterfront square, exquisite food stalls and friendly atmosphere.

Residents are said to be very welcoming and Oulu has a relaxed vibe with plenty of cultural attractions and easy access to some of Finland’s most beautiful scenery.

Savonlinna is another option for expats considering retirement. The small town is located in the southeast of Finland in the heart of the Saimaa Lake region offering spectacular views of the lakes and easy access to Finland’s nature.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Young Adults

There are several cities in Finland which are great for young adults. Espoo is located on the north shore of the Gulf of Finland and borders cities such as Helsinki and Vantaa.

Espoo is popular with young adults as it is so close to the capital (it’s roughly a twenty-minute car drive away!) but is more affordable. It has a fun and lively cultural scene and many young adults enjoy the many festivals and concerts that are thrown throughout the year.

Helsinki is another good city for young adults as the capital has an active nightlife scene with plenty of bars and clubs, as well as a trendy atmosphere, particularly in some of the more bohemian districts.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Students

Finland is a great country for international students to consider studying in as it’s known for its safety and peacefulness. Jyväskylä is one of the fastest-growing cities in Finland and is home to one of Finland’s most famous architects, Alvar Aalto; his influence is clear in the surrounding buildings.

The University of Jyväskylä, in particular, is very popular with international students as it has a good international reputation and offers plenty of courses. English is widely spoken in the city and students make up one-third of the population.

There are plenty of activities in Jyväskylä for students to take part in such as hiking, trailing and other outdoor sports.

Helsinki is another good city for international students. Some of the best universities in the city are Arcada University of Applied Sciences, Hanken School of Economics and the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Food and Nightlife

Food lovers should consider moving to the west coast of Finland, as this is where Finland’s food scene is steadily flourishing. Turku is located on the southwest coast of Finland, straddling the Aura River, and is known as the food capital of Finland.

Finland’s cuisine consists largely of meat and fish, with many signature dishes containing freshly caught produce.

Turku is home to some of the best and oldest restaurants in the country, and there is no shortage of market stalls, cafes and eateries for you to discover in the city.

In terms of nightlife, the capital of Helsinki has some of the most active nightlife options throughout the country. There are several bars, nightclubs and venues hosting live music and parties for all types of audiences.

Best Places To Live In Finland for Singles

Lappeenranta is located in Eastern Finland and is one of the best cities in the country for singles who are hoping to move to a more rural city with a smaller budget. As a university city, the cost of accommodation and living is more affordable than in some of the bigger cities.

The population is made up of mostly students which is ideal for someone looking to meet new friends or form a new community. There are also good public transportation links in Lappeenranta offering easy access to other parts of the country.

Jyväskylä should also be considered a good option for singles. As another university city, there are plenty of housing options which are potentially more affordable, as well as being home to a large student and young adult population.

Best Places To Live In Finland for the LGBT+ Community

Finland is considered one of the most friendly and welcoming countries in the world for the LGBT+ population and Helsinki welcomes members of the community with a variety of gay bars and shops catered for the queer audience.

The Kallio district is often considered one of the most lively neighbourhoods for those interested in exploring the gay scene in Helsinki. There is a variety of bars and clubs for queer nightlife, but keep in mind that most venues shut between two and four in the morning.

Tampere is another city that is known to be LGBT+ friendly and while there is no ‘gay village’, as such, the bars and clubs are known to be welcoming and inclusive.

Best Places To Live In Finland for the Weather

Finland has distinct seasons when it comes to weather and different regions experience different weather conditions depending on where they’re located in the country and whether they be coastal or inland. When relocating to Finland one should expect the weather to change rapidly.

Porvoo is one of the best cities in Finland to consider relocating to if you’re hoping to soak in good weather – like all Finnish cities, the weather in Porvoo is still likely to be changeable and you can expect the early months to be cold, with July and August peaking with the warmest weather.

Savonlinna is another good option for those hoping to relocate somewhere that enjoys the sunshine. The town is located in the southeast of Finland, in the heart of the Saimaa Lake region.

Best Places To Live In Finland Near Beaches

Located where the Oulujoki River and the Bay of Bothnia meet, Oulu is a wonderful town for those relocating to Finland to spend lots of time by the water. Keep in mind that due to the climate and location of the country, most Finnish beaches experience more extreme weather conditions.

Relocating to Oulu provides access to some of the most stunning beaches in Finland including Nallikari Beach, Tuiran Uimaranta and Värttö Beach. As well as outstanding beaches, Oulu has some incredible museums, cosy cafes, and a rich cultural heritage.

Helsinki is another city that has access to a range of beautiful beaches, plus the additional benefit of being a metropolitan city with the standard amenities one would expect.