Finland is a beautiful country that is known for its stunning landscapes, clean air, and peaceful way of life. If you're planning to move to Finland and wondering which large city is the best to live in, you've come to the right place! In this article, we will explore some of the best large cities in Finland and why they're great places to settle down.
Each city offers its own unique character, lifestyle and budget. Whether you are a student, coming to work, or someone looking to settle down (with a family or without), there is a place to suit your particular needs and wishes amongst these locations!
WHY SHOULD I MOVE TO FINLAND IN THE FIRST PLACE?
Let's have a look at what these cities have to offer in general. All of these cities have good public transportation, access to nature and relatively easy access to healthcare and childcare. This is something that is widespread in all of the country!
The larger cities will have extra facilities such as sports halls and teams. You can easily access ice rinks for hockey, indoor swimming pools, an array of outdoor and indoor gyms and fitness centers, pitches for soccer and even American football! The expat communities in cities such as Helsinki, Turku and Tampere are very active in sports and team games.
Childcare and spaces for children are widespread and easily accessed in these bigger cities. You will find a variety of kindergartens, schools and nurseries at a very affordable price. There are even private ones that teach children in different languages such as English, German or Russian.
Most surprisingly, nature will be almost in your backyard in most Finnish cities. Even in Helsinki, that is the most populous city in Finland, you can find many parks, forests and nature reserves in easy-to-reach places. My favourite is the beautiful Kaivopuisto, which you can read more about here!
TOP 10 BIGGEST CITIES IN FINLAND
1. HELSINKI:
Helsinki, the capital city of Finland, holds the distinction of being the largest city in the country. Positioned on the shore of the Gulf of Finland in the southern region of the country, Helsinki offers residents access to beautiful coastal areas, nearby islands, and even beaches during the Summer months. Additionally, year-round swimming is possible at Kauppatori, where heated pools are available at Allas Sea Pool. Alternatively, you can take a dip in the cold, cold sea on an even colder winter's day!!
The city is renowned for its stunning architecture, with numerous Art Nouveau and Jugend buildings scattered throughout. Areas of note on beautiful architecture are Punavuori, Ullanlinna, Töölö and Kallio. Helsinki is also home to many of Finland's top universities, resulting in a vibrant student population.
Helsinki is a haven for music and arts enthusiasts, with a variety of live music venues, clubs, and large-scale concert halls. The Finnish National Gallery, which includes the opera, national theater, ballet, and museums, is another fantastic attraction for culture lovers.
The cost of living in Helsinki is higher compared to other regions in the country, and the rental market can be fiercely competitive. However, affordable housing can be found in neighboring cities such as Espoo and Vantaa. They have convenient transportation options for commuting to the capital.
Working options for foreigners are best in the capital. Helsinki boasts numerous company headquarters, startups, and technology firms, and the capital region is involved in initiatives aimed at developing cutting-edge healthcare solutions, intelligent cities, and modernizing industries. This creates a business and networking hub for international talent that is creative, extensive and full of opportunities.
2. ESPOO
Espoo, situated to the west of the capital city, is an integral part of the wider Helsinki metropolitan region. It's connected to the capital by a reliable transport system, which includes a metro line, trains and buses.
One of the key attractions of Espoo is its proximity to natural surroundings, including the popular Nuuksio National Park, offering abundant opportunities for hiking, biking, and skiing.
While living in Espoo may provide stunning views of the coastline and more living space than the capital, the location comes at a higher cost. The city presents a harmonious blend of urban and natural facilities, situated in close proximity to the capital. It also houses some of the most expensive areas in Finland, such as the luxurious Westend.
Aalto University, focusing on technology, science, arts, and business, is located in Espoo. This has contributed to its reputation as a innovative and techy hub focused on the latest startups and businesses.
3. TAMPERE
In recent years, Tampere has gained immense popularity, resulting in a competitive housing market. The city boasts the newly constructed Nokia Arena, a versatile venue for culture and sports events. The city also just started running its own tram network.
The city center's red brick buildings reflect Tampere's rich history of heavy industry and manufacturing, yet they have been renovated while retaining their original character. Surrounded by two lakes and a river flowing through the city, Tampere provides easy access to picturesque countryside and a plethora of outdoor activities.
If you have a passion for culture, Tampere is renowned for its vibrant cultural scene, boasting numerous theaters and concerts throughout the year. The city's oldest theater festival, the Tampere Theater Festival, occurs during the summer.
As a university city, Tampere is part of the intelligent cities and renewing industry initiatives, striving to innovate solutions for modern urban challenges.
4. VANTAA
Vantaa is on the east side of the greater Helsinki metropolitan area. It includes the Helsinki-Vantaa airport, and it is very well connected with various buses and trains to the city centre. The city is made up of several neighbourhoods, with Tikkurila as the main hub at the centre of it all.
Each suburb in Vantaa has its own services to a varied degree. Close to the airport, we have one of the biggest mall and entertainment venues in Finland, Jumbo and the close Flamingo Hotel and Spa. Outside of this, Tikkurila is extremely well connected. Other areas in Vantaa could be a bit more isolated and harder to reach. So, it is well worth it to research the area before moving.
Vantaa is cheaper the the rest of Helsinki and Espoo. This is because it's seen as a less upmarket, more rural area of Helsinki. However, this has its own advantages that you can find many own houses (omakotitalo) at affordable pricing. You are also able to buy a home with more land or more square foot meterage.
5. OULU
Located in the Northern Ostrobothnia region, Oulu is often considered the capital of Northern Finland, renowned for its technology, innovation, and esteemed university. The city is also an active participant in the future healthcare initiative and collaborates with other cities on the intelligent cities and renewing industry programs, ensuring excellent transport links throughout the country.
During the summer, residents can enjoy lakeside beaches, while autumn and winter present a stunning display of northern lights. The region's nature is unique, with the arctic circle less than 200 km away. Living in Oulu offers a distinctive experience of Finland's dark winters, illuminated by the aurora borealis, and sunlit nights during the summer when the sun never sets.
Families moving to Oulu can benefit from one of the nine schools offering basic education entirely in English. Additionally, the city's cost of living is relatively low compared to many other major cities.
6. TURKU
Turku, located on the southwestern shore of Finland, was once the country's capital and boasts a network of small islands to explore nearby in the Archipelago Sea. The city center is divided by the River Aura, and it has become a popular destination for those seeking to avoid the high cost of living in Helsinki.
As a vibrant university city, Turku offers an array of small cafes, restaurants, and old wooden buildings along the riverside. During the summer months, the city hosts several of Finland's most well-known music festivals, such as Ruisrock, Down by the Laituri, and the Turku Music Festival. The medieval Turku Castle is a must-see attraction, and the city has a rich history and culture to explore.
In the Kupittaa area, just outside of the main city center, you'll find the Science Park, which is home to over 300 biotechnology and technology companies.
Compared to larger cities, the cost of living in Turku is relatively low, and getting around the city is easy, even by bike. Turku is home to the Turku International School and one of Finland's two Swedish-language universities.
Another bonus of Turku, as well as any town in Varsinais-Suomi, or that western coast, is that you may survive on Swedish alone. This is a bonus for any foreigners that struggle to learn Finnish.
7. JYVÄSKYLÄ
Jyväskylä, located in Central Finland, is a bustling student city surrounded by numerous lakes. Throughout the 20th century, it experienced rapid growth and became one of Finland's fastest-growing cities.
The city is home to the annual World Championship event, Rally Finland, as well as an arts festival. Architect Alvar Aalto's works are scattered around Jyväskylä.
The area is known as the Finnish Lakeland, and the region's forests and lake landscapes are easily accessible. The cost of living is lower than in larger cities, and IT and biotechnology professionals should take note that Jyväskylä is the national center for cybersecurity and participates in a bioeconomy initiative.
Finding a job in Jyväaskylä can be a bit more difficult, but it's still much more open for international expats and students who don't know the language. There are many students living in the city, so this means English can be enough in the service sector jobs for some establishments.
8. KUOPIO
This is the cultural and economic hub in Eastern Finland. Kuopio is known for its beautiful lakes, which is also something the region, North Savonia, is famous for.
Kuopio is located on the shore of Lake Kallavesi, and there are many opportunities for sunbathing, swimming or fishing in the summer. There is a local dance festival every June. In the winter, like in most places in Finland, you cand try cross-country skiing, snowboarding, and other seasonal sports.
The cost of living is fairly low compared to other cities.
9. LAHTI
Lahti is located in the Päijät-Häme region of Finland on the shore of lake Vesijärvi, only around 100 km away from Helsinki and with good train connections to the capital. Close by, you can explore the UNESCO global geopark of Salpausselkä.
Lahti is beautiful and very vibrant in the summer. Winters can be a bit quieter, but the entertainment does not stop. The city is home to ski jumps, and it is known to house the most famous ski jump towers in Finland. Several international sporting events are held yearly, including as part of the FIS cross-country World Cup and the FIS Ski Jumping World Cup.
Lahti is small but it plays host to musicals and plays at the local theatre, and many different musical events throughout the year. The Lahti Symphony Orchestra hails from here!
Lahti can be cheaper than the rest of the country, and has a bit of a rough reputation. However, it's worth considering if living in a small town close to a vibrant harbour is your goal.
10. PORI
Pori, a city located by the sea, is renowned for its stunning archipelago. During the summer season, locals enjoy some of the longest sandy beaches in Finland at Yyteri. Kirjurinluoto, a nearby island, is an excellent spot for jogging and spending time.
Foreign nationals make up about 2.1% of Pori's population. The city experiences a significant increase in population during the summer months, with the number of people exceeding ten times the population during the winter. The very popular Pori Jazz festival, which attracts large crowds every summer, is one of the city's highlights.
Living expenses are relatively low as long as you are not seeking temporary accommodation during the main summer events. Getting a summer job in Pori is quite easy due to the influx of summer residents. Winters can be a bit more challenging.
As we can see, each of the biggest cities in Finland can offer an affordable, easily accessible lifestyle to suit everyone's needs! What was your favourite city, and is there extra information you want to know? Leave us a comment below and let us know what you think!
