Living in Jyväskylä

[sammy]

Some good restaurants, my favourite is a place called "Figaro".

The "poshest" (and the most expensive) is maybe still the one at the end of Yliopistonkatu, Pöllöwaari (Hotel Yöpuu). Used to be called Ranskalaiset korot but now seems to have shaken off that name. Only ever had a few 'business' dinners there, but it was quite good.

Another nice one, more homely, would be Kissanviikset (in the centre as well). If it's still there I mean

[donald]

Jyväskylä, one of the most nice cities in Finland.... but not to live in! Ok, as you have your family with you maybe you manage to build your nest around your own home and you're fine. But it is out in the woods, far from everything and the enormous number of 80'000 inhabitants will look notably smaller once you're there. Don't get me wrong, if you manage to make some friends there and build a social network, then it's the best place to be. Unfortunately, I couldn't and that's why I left that place ASAP. The term "lonelyness" gained a whole new meaning for me.

But there will be everything you need to satisfy your material needs. And the nature around Jyväskylä is unbelievingly beautiful, seen from the eyes from a central european.

There is an international community, ie the partying exchange students... Others I know is that some churches like the local Vapaakirkko sport an international community.

[sammy]

Don't get me wrong, if you manage to make some friends there and build a social network, then it's the best place to be. Unfortunately, I couldn't and that's why I left that place ASAP. The term "lonelyness" gained a whole new meaning for me.

Erm... but then again, isn't that equally true of any place in the world? For years, I felt very lonely in Jyväskylä -and I'm a f*cking native- but in hindsight, it's blindingly obvious that it was mostly nobody else's fault than my own.

Again, it's a smallish place but that as such doesn't stop anyone from being happy. Or does it? IMO it is not the fault of Jyväskylä if you happen to long for more people around you, more this, or less that. It's just a place.

defending the old home town here

[Hank W.]

I still think your man will enjoy the inbred quarter ....

[Mattlill2000]

I still think your man will enjoy the inbred quarter

It reminds me of a time in Parry Sound when we were first invited to a party, close to where we lived. There were 30+ people there and except for us, they were all related! No kidding. Country Life. Same as in here.

[cedric]

yes, i realize that it maybe a bit lonely there, hence my messages on this forum. i should be moving there in May, so hopefully i will have a nice summer to settle and brace for the winter good to know that people know Lievestuore! i have also bought a cottage/retirement home, so i really hope that i will enjoy the place!

[Karhunkoski]

If you like the outdoors, you will find numerous marked trails in and around the area. The facilities are first rate. Here is your local trail:

http://www.laukaa.fi/upload/docs/vatti/ ... kartta.pdf

I think you will be living on that rampant rabbit shaped niemi towards the right of the picture.

More details on what to do in your freetime here:

http://www.laukaa.fi/page.php?hid=29

and here:

http://www3.jkl.fi/tapahtumat/main.php?lang=_eng

and here:

http://www3.jkl.fi/maahanmuuttajat/vapaaaika.php

[Mattlill2000]

The Hankavesi summer theater is surprisingly really good, but its in Finnish. The Annual Suonenjoki Strawberry Festival is fun. Äänekoski has a top rate Jazz Festival and if your into jazz, its an absolute must. To financially support jazz they have started to bring rock bands and last year had Uriah Heap and there is going to be a big housewarming Cottage party this summer (I've been saying this for 3 years now )

[stewy]

i'd be up for a round of golf unfortunately i'm going back to australia for the summer... but anytime before may 10 and after august 25 would be good

[cedric]

well, let me know, i will be in Jyväskylä (Lievestuore) after the 15th May but on your return why not! hopefully the snow will not be falling by then

[donald]

Don't get me wrong, if you manage to make some friends there and build a social network, then it's the best place to be. Unfortunately, I couldn't and that's why I left that place ASAP. The term "lonelyness" gained a whole new meaning for me.

Erm... but then again, isn't that equally true of any place in the world? For years, I felt very lonely in Jyväskylä -and I'm a f*cking native- but in hindsight, it's blindingly obvious that it was mostly nobody else's fault than my own.

Again, it's a smallish place but that as such doesn't stop anyone from being happy. Or does it? IMO it is not the fault of Jyväskylä if you happen to long for more people around you, more this, or less that. It's just a place.

defending the old home town here

Yes, sure it is true for any place on earth. I just wanted to point out that Jyväskylä is a small place and options around Jyväskylä are few. Also, the poster asked for an international community, don't think there is much of it apart from the exchange students.

[Karhunkoski]

I guess it's all down to what constitutes "a community". There are a couple of groups of foreigners who hang together. But as said earlier, many of the foreigners are too busy integrating themselves and choose not to mix with other foreigners, if that makes any sense.