General cost of living

KarlMarshall · Post by **KarlMarshall** » Tue Oct 08, 2013 11:55 pm

Hi,

So I'm moving to Finland soon, and was just trying to work out my budget.
I'm looking at rent and it seems that for most studios in Helsinki is around 850Eur so think out side the centre is better and would give me a bit more space for the money, would there be any areas you, can recommend to look for something with a single bedroom separate from the living room for around this price going up for better condition and is this a reseasonable rate?

Also utility's, what would you guess at this sort of size a place I'm thinking electric and gas shouldn't come to much over 100eur? for a single/couple and food cost person, normally I'm pretty lean in meat, anyhow. And in the uk would spend about 350eur per month to eat for 2 when buying smart.

So the essentials really being 1400eur then travel and entertainment. Any advice is great.

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Honest · Post by **Honest** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 9:40 am

Also utility's, what would you guess at this sort of size a place I'm thinking electric and gas shouldn't come to much over 100eur? for a single/couple and food cost person, normally I'm pretty lean in meat, anyhow. And in the uk would spend about 350eur per month to eat for 2 when buying smart.

Gas is almost non-existent in finnish houses, electricity is used for everything. With 350 is manageable but can cause some serious nutritional deficiencies over the course of time. Food costs are higher than Uk here. May be you should add 100 to 200 more than your costs in the UK.

Pursuivant · Post by **Pursuivant** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 11:07 am

As a thumb rule "think London" and you'll find Helsinki is a bit cheaper. Transport costs are manageable if you have a travel card. As far as housing goes, heating is by distance so its included do what you pay for electricity is cooking, fridge, lights etc. Usually when you rent you may have to pay also the water rates extra on top but thats about 15 per person on top. 'Council tax' is taken off your paycheck along with other taxes so its not a separate bill... Food costs, takeouts etc. are far more expensive, but general food costs otherwise not if you go to Lidl...

atas · Post by **atas** » Wed Oct 09, 2013 7:59 pm

I believe Pasila area is generally cheaper, in that you can find bargains, like 600 euros/month for a studio or 850 for a bigger apartment. But I am not sure about the actual average. And you can always find bargains in any area if you are lucky and prompt.

kharnynb · Post by **kharnynb** » Thu Oct 10, 2013 9:20 am

If you want to live "on the cheap" and don't mind adding 20 minutes to your traveltimes, look into vantaa.
Especially Hakkunila is a very decent neighbourhood that has a lot of cheaper rentals by VVO (housing company).
Avoid Korso if you don't want to live near the resident drunks though ;D

Personally i'd prefer vantaa over itäkeskus etc. Pasila is not that cheap any more, sadly.

Flossy1978 · Post by **Flossy1978** » Thu Oct 17, 2013 6:21 am

VVO isn't cheap LOL.

I got offered two flats in the same area, same size. One wasn't VVO, but another company and it was 250€ less than the VVO flat LOL. Which one you think I took? LOL.

Ovenia is good.

850€ is a lot for a student to pay. You can sometimes get even two bedroom flats in the outer suburbs for that much. I guess not in the best of areas. Though there are no slum like areas here. And no dangerous areas here like in England. So it's not really an issue.

Yeah, England is way cheaper for food than here. And so much more choice. One person can live easily off 350€ for food a month. Maybe a stretch for two people, but it is doable. Lidl has cheaper fruit and vegies and much better quality than the normal stores.

Closer to the city you get, the more expensive it's going to get, basically.

cors187 · Post by **cors187** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 12:39 am

KarlMarshall wrote:Hi,

.

If you could rent a bedroom+Lounge-room+kitchen for 700/month , then most would feel Ok about it. 850/month might make you ponder looking for something cheaper all the time , but it might be a trade for new/old building, nicer balcony etc. 500-600 is not found very often at all,or has some special items attached.

Food-
7 euro a day does give you some variety. 7x30=210/month
5 euro a day , month after month, i want to see the full spreadsheet including time taken , variety , how-to etc.

20 euro a month covers utilities.

food shopping tips- After a while you begin to understand the 30% discount sticker system.
Ive know one Alepa shop that has (on often occasions) many 30% stickers on general meat items the locals dont seem to eat.

Bavarian · Post by **Bavarian** » Wed Oct 30, 2013 1:21 pm

Somebody posted this on Metro yesterday, which I think is appropriate:

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