First steps after moving to Finland

[ilmainen_siideri]

I've recently moved to Helsinki and, let me tell, agencies will unlikely make things easier for you in your situation. I've been on the Vuokraturva's waiting list for 6 months now.. and I've been in Finland for several years, and a squeaky-clean credit and criminal records, and I don't smoke or have pets (including children), and on top of that a high salary. I had a similar situation with another agency as well, but I forgot their name.

Point is, go for Facebook and Tori. For Facebook, try these two groups
https://www.facebook.com/groups/helsink.ivantaa.espoo/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/235368102105/

Have a non-creepy and smiling profile pic, no weird !"#¤% in your likes or public posts, etc. Sit 30 minutes and create a good intro about yourself (4-5 FB lines max). Include who you are, what you're doing in the city, your smoking and pet situation, etc. Make the other person feel comfortable.
Save 1-1.5 lines for custom stuff. Look at their profile and pretend to like something they like, but not big stuff.

It took me 1 hour to find about 6-7 places on that group. I contacted all of them and got back 4-5 replies and went to see all of the places. In the end, I took one. Easy.

P.S. Did you say you're self-employed?

Thank you, I will definitely try this! As for agencies, did you try SATO?

[downhand]

9. Get library card (optional, of course, but very important to me )

The library system works really well here and it's very easy to get the card once you have a social security number. I would call this stage compulsory. I was very pleasantly surprised when I got mine.

[ilmainen_siideri]

The library system works really well here and it's very easy to get the card once you have a social security number. I would call this stage compulsory. I was very pleasantly surprised when I got mine.

I'm very excited about this Already have a list of books I've found on helmet.fi I want to get first!

[ilmainen_siideri]

Dress neatly, maybe even wear a suit and tie when you go to inspect an apartment. Smile, but don't get into small talk. Just quietly reassure the agent that you are a responsible and successful Finnish business owner with legal residency in Finland. Take paperwork to prove it. Take some bank statements showing money. No, they're not required, but do I think they might be persuasive.

You do have to get lucky as a foreigner I think, but it's not impossible. Go to enough viewings and you might be the best candidates there. I somehow was (without much Finnish and without a job - something about being an older lady must have told them I'd be a safe tenant).

Well, maybe I should dress not a suit, but an older lady's clothes?
Thanks for your advice. Even though I don't have a suit, I'll definitely follow your advice as much as I can. I am after all a Finnish business owner with a legal residency (still feeling weird about this – very new things to me). I'll bring my and my wife's work contracts and bank statements, as well as company's supporting documents. Basically, the documents we used to support the residency permits.

Thank you, tummansininen. I am feeling lucky!