Budgeting

[Vigi]

I've been trying to do my research but a lot of the resources I've found are already years old. I'm creating my budget for when I move to Finland for a school year abroad. It is for a family of 3(2 adults, 1 child). Turku is the area, and I'm having trouble finding the average costs for groceries(maybe I'm looking in the wrong places); the avg cost of rent living in the city center as well as the outskirts of the city. I would also like to know the different customs that Finland has that we don't have in the US. There are probably more questions but at the moment these are the only ones coming to mind. I know prices change but I would at least like to have an idea of those costs.
Thank you

[riku2]

and there are a million other differences as well - like how in the US 20 year olds drive BMW's but here many people even in well paying jobs travel to work by public transport without any shame attached. Or how often people eat out in the US compared to Finland (for both quality and cost reasons).

The whole tax system is also weighted to the concept that in a family both parents must work (since daycare costs are partly paid for by the state). if only on parent works then your income is much less and you are in effect "wasting" the daycare that would otherwise be available for you (since you're paying for it in your tax regardless of whether you use it or not). This may not directly apply to you but shows how the tax system is weighted towards 'expected' behaviour and if you do something different then you are at a disadvantage.

and if you buy the same kind of food in finland that people in the US or UK buy then it will cost you a fortune. I have seen those pots of instant porridge in the uk - 2 pounds for one serving (just add hot water), when I pay 3e for a 2kg bag of oats in finland that lasts me a month (how hard is it to put a scoops worth into a dish each morning?

[Vigi]

Yeah, I don't really take public transportation, but in my defense the city I live in has sucky public transportation. I do not mind figuring it out over there, I like getting lost and finding my way back. In my original post I meant more like social customs. When my daughter and I lived in Argentina for a few months taking her to birthday parties over there, all the parents just dropped off their kids. Over here Its more customary to stay with your children at their friends' parties even if the family is well known. Even though I will be moving to Finland I'm still learning about it which is why I'm on this forum to learn more

[Upphew]

When my daughter and I lived in Argentina for a few months taking her to birthday parties over there, all the parents just dropped off their kids. Over here Its more customary to stay with your children at their friends' parties even if the family is well known. Even though I will be moving to Finland I'm still learning about it which is why I'm on this forum to learn more

With Finnish apartment/house sizes... Might be quite stuffed if parent(s) stayed too to party.

[Flossy1978]

Finland is very safe. We often send our children to parties without going with. It's not normal for school age children to have their parents staying with them at parties. Our children are usually very free with their comings and goings because it is safe to, unless you live in Helsinki Centre. Still relatively safe, but it's a busy city.

As for public transport, it's excellent. In the Helsinki, Vantaa, Espoo areas you have trains, trams, buses and the metro system. It's very good and monthly passes are much cheaper than a car. Many Finns put their cars away in Winter and only use them in Summer. Even outside of the metropolitan area public transport is good. Of course if you live on some little dirt road out in the sticks, it could be an issue.

Your child will be fine and probably love being able to be freer in Finland.

From my experiences I never saw any parents who held their children on leads. Almost all Parents work and children are often left to their own devices before and after school from the age of 6-7. Children can be at home alone from the age of 7.

[Upphew]

From my experiences I never saw any parents who held their children on leads.

I was held on leash. Literally. I was about 4 years old, early 80s. I know other people too, about my age, that were kept from running around with same treatment

[Vigi]

I guess you're right Upphew, the apts would've been crowded. I remember having freedom when I was younger as we'll flossy, I guess I see things different now a days and I'm too paranoid to let my little baby go. Also things aren't as safe as they were when I was younger. We'll I guess in situations like that it's more of a wait and see how things go once we're there.

[Rip]

Also things aren't as safe as they were when I was younger.

Depends on what area you're talking about, but that is probably a myth. Things are just in news more nowadays.

[Flossy1978]

I don't mean a physical "lead".

Finland is not like where you are from. You will learn there are still safe countries where the freedom and safety of children hasn't changed that much over the years. Finland is such a country.

And now young children have phones and it makes it even safer.

Crime against strangers like you read in the news from America, England etc isn't very common in Finland.

You should come here with an open mind and forget the ways of your own country in regards to children. Learn how it is in Finland. Your child could blossom with the independence children have the ability to have, which is so rare these days.

[Upphew]

I don't mean a physical "lead".

I knew you didn't but I did

Crime against strangers like you read in the news from America, England etc isn't very common in Finland.

Indeed. In Finland you are in danger, statistically, when you are drunk and among friends.

[Pursuivant]

For food prices you can find say LIDL online. Or the K-Cituparket an S-Group shops

[Upphew]

K-Cituparket

Cittari is my new favorite shop: http://www.iltalehti.fi/perhe/2014101718756320_pr.shtml