Cost of living for a family of 4?

autourgos · Post by **autourgos** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 5:06 am

So, this is hopefully quite simple. I'm wondering how much income (BEFORE TAX) a family of 4 needs to live comfortably in Tampere, say on a monthly basis.

I ask before tax since I'm still trying to understand how the taxation works.

Thanks in advance.

**Sponsor:**

mof · Post by **mof** » Sun Dec 14, 2003 3:18 pm

speculative answer..

Gross 3000/4000 Euro

Speculative as I have no idea if you need a car or an exclusive residence and the age of your kids.

The Government will give you some cash for your rug rats each month and they also give the ankle biters free education (in finnish).

So your best bet would be to check the price of accomodation
http://www.dime.net.. clivk on etuovi.. or http://www.helsinginsanomat.fi then go to oikotie... knowledge of finnish would help..or buy someone who speaks finnish a beer and they can help you navigate,,

But at the end of the day it all depends how you come out here and in what role.. I mean come out here as a senior (director, head VP etc) ex pat for blue chip and they will pay for everything.. come here as a technical specialist and you might not get anything.

So I guess the best answer to your question would be another question:

How long is a piece of string... : /

TrishPaakkonen · Post by **TrishPaakkonen** » Sat Dec 27, 2003 6:50 pm

I would say at least 3000 euros a month before taxes.In Finland,they dont take into consideration if you have 2 children, 5 children ( as we do....2 here with us and 3 in the states) or no children. Taxes are all the same.
Plan to pay about 700 to 800 euros a month for a small 2 bedroom flat, though heat is exceptionally cheap ( about 20 a month) compared to the 300 a month we paid in NY in the winter. Food is also more expensive here than in the states. But one learns to manage. Gas is expensive...so plan to walk alot. I did find that with a small child..or in your case, 2 small children, public transportation is free ( buses, subways, trains, trolleys).Just board in the middle of say, the bus, park your carriage and it is free.
I stocked up on clothes for the kids on EBAY prior to our move here last August...since clothes are also expensive.
The kids and I borrow from the library and we now have very very basic cable which does have programs in English, Swedish and Finnish.
I dont know what the resident requirements are but... since I am married to a Finn, we get an allowance of 201 euros a month for 2 kids under the age of 18 and another 387 euros a month for Katja, our 2 yr old. One friend of ours gets about 600 euros a month for 2 kids under the age of 3. Good luck in your move. Finland can certainly be an adventure

Email me with any other questions: paakkonen@aya.yale.edu

Trish Pääkkönen, Espoo, Finland...just outside of Helsinki

dwarakln · Post by **dwarakln** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 12:56 pm

Hi
I'm planning to move to finland.Company ready to pay 3000Euros permoth before tax. I have small family(3Adults+1Child). And i would like to save some Euros also, Can you please suggest me cost of living and expenses in Finland which will be helpful before deciding to move to finland
and please let me know how much can I negotiate to company for my comfortable living.

Thanks
Dwarak

Hank W. · Post by **Hank W.** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:22 pm

Definition of "comfortable" living also varies.

Finnish salaries are generally low, so usually two young people shack up just to make ends meet (cheaper when two people pay rent). So both usually have careers.

mCowboy · Post by **mCowboy** » Sat Sep 15, 2007 3:24 pm

Hank W. wrote:Definition of "comfortable" living also varies.

Finnish salaries are generally low, so usually two young people shack up just to make ends meet (cheaper when two people pay rent). So both usually have careers.

so that's why Hank you wanted to shack up with me...?

I thought you loved me....

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