moving to Finland

teemu · Post by **teemu** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 7:20 pm

I am thinking of moving to finland with my finnish husband and daughter. But reading these pages has really been turnign me off the idea. Does anyone have anything positive to say about living in Finland. I have spent lots of time there, but never actually lived there. There must be someone who would recommend a move and who actually likes the country.

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tuijatuulia · Post by **tuijatuulia** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 8:00 pm

where are you moving from? i could recommend that finland a good country to move into, in many areas. e.g. transportation, safety, education, nature, air quality are good.

see washington post journalist's exploring finland in http://blogs.washingtonpost.com/finlanddiary/ they had lots of comments on their diary from the public also, about finnish society.

sim · Post by **sim** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 10:43 pm

Well..

I think you'll find that most people on forums like this have something to complain about the country. Those that are happy (and there are those, too) usually don't see a need to proclaim their happiness on webforums.

This is not to say that everyone on this forum is unhappy - most certainly that isn't the case - but it's often just human nature to be more vocal when things are not going well than when they are.

There are lots of positive things to say about Finland - just like most other countries.

Check out http://www.nationmaster.com/graph-T/lif_hap_net if you don't believe there are any happy people here

karen · Post by **karen** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:14 pm

I love it here. I know lots of people who are very happy here. I know a few who aren't so happy. I think it has a lot to do with where you are coming from, what your life is like there, and what your expectations are regarding life in Finland. Your life in Finland will not be like your life where you are now, of that you can be certain.

If you have gotten a bad impression of Finland, I think you aren't reading all of the posts. The most negative posts are from people who have no family here. I know I would be miserable if I didn't have my husband's family. People who come here on their own and don't have a Finnish spouse/SO really have my sympathy.

Where would you live and does your husband have family here? Where are they?

Just like every other place, there are good and bad things about the country. So far the bad things have been so few and far between that I will gladly "suffer" them in order to have the good things.

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 11:35 pm

First of all the language - ifyou do not speak that much Finnish then this will prove an obstacle finding work. There are people who do not speak the language but they are in niche jobs, IT specialists & so forth. Usually in the 2-3 biggest cities. However finding some common job such as cleaning or waiting you need to be more or less fluent.

Also, if you are planning to move to Finland to "home" meaning the old homestead farm 300km from anywhere wherae all the relatives emigrated to somewhere else because of no jobs in the 1960's - there ain't jobs there nowadays either necessarily.

However tell a bit more of where you are at now and where you are planning to move, we might be able to target you more closer towards something viable.

I am a Finn and I am always asking people moving here are they mad or just crazy. Finnish people cannot appreciate the country, as the grass is greener on the other side of the fence...

karen · Post by **karen** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:02 am

Oi, ihana Panama!

RA · Post by RA » Thu Jun 30, 2005 8:57 am

Tadpole'sMommy wrote: I think it has a lot to do with where you are coming from, what your life is like there, and what your expectations are regarding life in Finland. Your life in Finland will not be like your life where you are now, of that you can be certain.

Just like every other place, there are good and bad things about the country. So far the bad things have been so few and far between that I will gladly "suffer" them in order to have the good things.

I so agree with this. And you do know that good news isn't vocalised as much as bad news right? It's easy to rant here especially to other people who can easily identify with what you're going through. Doesn't mean that people aren't happy here coz they rant now and then

Caroline · Post by **Caroline** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 9:58 am

teemu like others have said it really depends on what kind of lifestyle you are expecting in Finland and on how satisfied you are with your current situation in the country where you live.

If you enjoy simplicity, are non-materialistic, and don't mind not having much disposeable income, you'll probably do very well here. Also if you like a very slow-paced life and a lot of solitude Finland will suit you.

The unemployment rate is very high. Having the right connections is essential (or being very lucky). Also if you prefer a dynamic, competitive environment in which there is always something to do and generally a good variety of choices, you probably won't last long here.

But, if your primary reason for wanting to come here is so your husband can live closer to his family, then the above points probably don't matter much- you would come here regardless. However in that case I'd recommend making an agreement that you could all move along if it turns out to be difficult to live here.

I think sim has a good point that probably the reason why you don't see too many positive comments on here is because most expats who are truly content here don't see a need for forums like this. That's certainly true in my case, as I was so happy to find this forum at a time when I was starting to be dissatisfied with life here.

Rosamunda · Post by **Rosamunda** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 11:25 am

Caroline, I find your post rather patronising (almost insulting) since you seem to suggest (or maybe my English isn't so good these days) that those of us who live here out of choice (I come from France) and enjoy life here, are all boring, half wits who get fulfillment from sitting watching the birch trees grow.

OK so you live way up there and I have never been to Oulu so I don't know how "slow-paced" life is in Lapland (though it was my understanding that Oulu was a dynamic, fast expanding city with a fairly dynamic student population)....

There is plenty to do in Finland.

It's just different, that's all. Vive la difference!

karen · Post by **karen** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 11:43 am

Caroline wrote: I think sim has a good point that probably the reason why you don't see too many positive comments on here is because most expats who are truly content here don't see a need for forums like this. That's certainly true in my case, as I was so happy to find this forum at a time when I was starting to be dissatisfied with life here.

I'm very content here, but I love chatting with other foreigners and sympathetic Finns

.

miti · Post by **miti** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 12:16 pm

penelope wrote: OK so you live way up there and I have never been to Oulu so I don't know how "slow-paced" life is in Lapland (though it was my understanding that Oulu was a dynamic, fast expanding city with a fairly dynamic student population)....

I spend my time between Lapland and Oulu region (Oulu is actually not a part of Lapland) and I have to say that Oulu is indeed a dynamic city and there is plenty of stuff to do. If you want to take it slow-paced you can of course, but if you want to be more active there are plenty of possibilites as well. Aside for watching trees.

penelope wrote: There is plenty to do in Finland.

It's just different, that's all. Vive la difference!

Couldn't agree with you more

I am very happy living in Finland (and I came here out of my own free choice).

RA · Post by RA » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:07 pm

Caroline wrote: probably the reason why you don't see too many positive comments on here is because most expats who are truly content here don't see a need for forums like this.

I beg to differ on this. I think it's too much of a generalization to say people who are truly content don't see a need for forums like this. People do end up on forums like this for lots of various reasons other than discontentment. Like maybe just wanting to chat to other people outside your normal circle of friends, having extra time on one's hands, maybe someone's a bb addict, some may use this board to network and get new friends...lot's of people here actually meet up in person or so I gather? Others just use this as a passtime.

Being truly content doesn't mean that we have be smiling and happy and incredibly joyous all the time. In my books content means that I enjoy my life, I can be happy about the good things and I can also rant about the bad or have a heated discussion about daily things that occur. Perhaps I'm being naive or something but ultimately I don't think it really matters where in the world you are, contentment like happiness is really a matter of personal choice... YOU and only you can decide whether or not you'll be happy and content in your life.

scoobymcdoo · Post by **scoobymcdoo** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 1:59 pm

Hi

I love (that's love...not loathe) living in Finland.

I have been here since the beginning of the year and so far it has been great. I moved here because of the husband's job..neither of us are Finnish.

I would recommend learning some of the language before you move here, though this should not be a problem if your husband is Finnish.

I have made loads of friends including Finns...we have just been to a summer cottage with some Finnish friends of ours. There are a number of opportunities to make friends, especially if you have a child in tow.

Come to Finland, I'd rather bring Sophie up here than back in the UK.

Hannah

teemu · Post by **teemu** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 5:40 pm

I am from dublin. My husbands family live near enough to city centre in Helsinki. They also have a cabin near savonlinna, which is beautiful. i would probably move over first with my daughter to see if I could stand the winter. I am a qualifed teacher, and I actually got an interview in August for a school in Helsinki. I think I am very lucky. If I get this interview I will definately give it a go.

scoobymcdoo · Post by **scoobymcdoo** » Thu Jun 30, 2005 6:26 pm

The winter wasnt as bad as I'd been told it would be...sensible clothing and footwear. this winter though wasn't overly cold though. the darkness isn't a prob either...bit like living in the north of scotland.
what age do you teach? i used to do the 4 and 5 year olds until we moved here and Sophie arrived.

hth

hannah

excuse mistakes...typing one handed

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