Moving to Joensuu
Moving to Joensuu
Hello everyone! My friend has found a job in Joensuu and we are going to move there next year. I know it is a small town but we like nature and quiet and I thing it will be great for us. I have just a small worry about the attitude of the citizens towards foreigners, as we both don't speak Finnish. I know it depends mainly on each peron, but I have read some articles in internet about Joensuu, that make me worried. Also I would appreciate any information about cost of living, housing in Joensuu and job market as I have to look for a job there as soon as we arrive (I am a computer engineer). Thank you all in advance! Many hot greetings from Greece!
Hi,
I've only visited Joensuu a couple of times so I'm no expert - however, it seems to be a nice town (albeit quite small).
Indeed Joensuu was notorious some years ago when there was a group of skinheads (fascists and racists, to put it bluntly) causing all sort of shameful hullabaloo and generally making life difficult for foreigners. I do not know what the situation is nowadays however I believe that it has changed towards the better. At least I hope so. Maybe there's someone in the know on this forum? (but please, please let's not make this another racism discussion
)
By the way, check out the webcam http://www.jns.fi/webcam.html
(without any snow, the pictures may seem a tad depressing at this time of year
)
Job-wise, as an EU citizen you might wish to contact the local EURES advisers at the Joensuu employment office, for general info and advice on the job market in the area.
http://www.mol.fi -> In English
Anyway, maybe you'll get expert advice from those actually living there
Welcome to the Cold North
I've only visited Joensuu a couple of times so I'm no expert - however, it seems to be a nice town (albeit quite small).
Indeed Joensuu was notorious some years ago when there was a group of skinheads (fascists and racists, to put it bluntly) causing all sort of shameful hullabaloo and generally making life difficult for foreigners. I do not know what the situation is nowadays however I believe that it has changed towards the better. At least I hope so. Maybe there's someone in the know on this forum? (but please, please let's not make this another racism discussion
)By the way, check out the webcam http://www.jns.fi/webcam.html
(without any snow, the pictures may seem a tad depressing at this time of year
)Job-wise, as an EU citizen you might wish to contact the local EURES advisers at the Joensuu employment office, for general info and advice on the job market in the area.
http://www.mol.fi -> In English
Anyway, maybe you'll get expert advice from those actually living there
Welcome to the Cold North
edited due to accidentially double posting....
Last edited by schneemie on Tue Nov 08, 2005 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
i live in joensuu since end of august. i moved the from germany (the relationship with a finn reason...).
i don't know much about the employment situation as i am currently in the "integration for immigrants" process and don't work yet. in fact i have to undergo an evaluation week (whatever that means) by order of the employment office at the end of november.
regarding the people here i can second cory as everybody was nice and friendly so far. everybody i encountered spoke english or even german and they are quite talkative. the one or other official was happy when my bf came with me for translation, but it wouldn't have been necessary.
it is a really nice if small city. everything you need can be reached by walking if you live actually in the city, but everyboby owns a bike and as the city has no hills to mention, bikes are very practical.
joensuu is situated on both sides of the pielisjoki. the north side is the main and old city, the south side is the "newer" side.
can't give any information about housing, as we are living in student flat...
cost of living - depends on how you want to live i guess. prices are not much different than any other place in finland. there are the usual large shopping centers (kkkk-markets, prisma, lidl, s-makets etc)
i don't know much about the employment situation as i am currently in the "integration for immigrants" process and don't work yet. in fact i have to undergo an evaluation week (whatever that means) by order of the employment office at the end of november.
regarding the people here i can second cory as everybody was nice and friendly so far. everybody i encountered spoke english or even german and they are quite talkative. the one or other official was happy when my bf came with me for translation, but it wouldn't have been necessary.
it is a really nice if small city. everything you need can be reached by walking if you live actually in the city, but everyboby owns a bike and as the city has no hills to mention, bikes are very practical.
joensuu is situated on both sides of the pielisjoki. the north side is the main and old city, the south side is the "newer" side.
can't give any information about housing, as we are living in student flat...
cost of living - depends on how you want to live i guess. prices are not much different than any other place in finland. there are the usual large shopping centers (kkkk-markets, prisma, lidl, s-makets etc)
Joensuu is no longer the racist skinhead haven that it was in the 90's (apparently; I wasn't here in the 90s but I've been in Joensuu for a couple of years now).
I find it unlikely that anyone will give you any trouble in the streets, so you needn't really worry about that. There are always some foreign exchange students around, etc, so you probably won't stand out too much.
I find it unlikely that anyone will give you any trouble in the streets, so you needn't really worry about that. There are always some foreign exchange students around, etc, so you probably won't stand out too much.
Joensuu has high unemployment rate
Dear friends from Greece.
It is true what the others say about people in Joensuu. Generally they are very friendly and talkative. There might be some exceptions, like drunkards. Like anywhere, you should not walk alone when it is dark and late. I would not recommend this at all for African looking men. But the racistic incidents have decreased as far as I know!
Housing: it is really difficult to find a small flat, like studio- one bedroom, in Joensuu. I know what I am talking about. This is because of the student accommodation services are insufficient to provide flats for all students. They have to look from the private markets, then. The rents for studios are lower, of course than in Helsinki, but not much. A rent for a studio in a suburb is at least 320, and in the centre 400 euros. You are looking for a flat? Any idea which area ? Where will your friend work?
One sad thing is that the unemployment is high in Joensuu and in North Karelia.I do not know the latest rate, but something like 15% is not far from truth. I can check the latest rate for you. However, you can utilise your cultural experience, and Greek language skills somehow, because cultural skills are increasingly important for Finnish companies. You could also teach Greek for the students of theology, like private tuition.
There is an international Christian fellowship in Joensuu, with services once a month in various churches. contact person's e-mail is lea.m.honkanen@evl.fi, phone 013-826 908
In the summertime, as you know, Finland is at its best. You can take short cruiser trips daily to the surrounding lake district, and even long cruises to Koli area and Lieksa.There are long hiking paths in Koli area and you should be able to hike there from Joensuu,,,like 70 kilometres..a joke! And in winter, I heard about some international students who also made day trips to Koli, this time by a group taxi, to learn slalom. The trip is one hour/one way, price 12 euro per person/ one way.There are 2 slalom/ ski slopes there, one pretty easy, and it is good for beginners. You should be able to rent skis there, at least I have rented crosscountry skis. There is also a smaller ski resort much closer to Joensuu, called Lykynlampi. It is for crosscountry.
And what is very popular in Joensuu is icewhole swimming. The club of Icebears is one of the biggest and most active in Finland. Who can visit there as a nonmember, but there is a nominal fee. The club is really well maintained and worth of that experience. I have seen Spanish guys there and they were doing really well!!!
It is true what the others say about people in Joensuu. Generally they are very friendly and talkative. There might be some exceptions, like drunkards. Like anywhere, you should not walk alone when it is dark and late. I would not recommend this at all for African looking men. But the racistic incidents have decreased as far as I know!
Housing: it is really difficult to find a small flat, like studio- one bedroom, in Joensuu. I know what I am talking about. This is because of the student accommodation services are insufficient to provide flats for all students. They have to look from the private markets, then. The rents for studios are lower, of course than in Helsinki, but not much. A rent for a studio in a suburb is at least 320, and in the centre 400 euros. You are looking for a flat? Any idea which area ? Where will your friend work?
One sad thing is that the unemployment is high in Joensuu and in North Karelia.I do not know the latest rate, but something like 15% is not far from truth. I can check the latest rate for you. However, you can utilise your cultural experience, and Greek language skills somehow, because cultural skills are increasingly important for Finnish companies. You could also teach Greek for the students of theology, like private tuition.
There is an international Christian fellowship in Joensuu, with services once a month in various churches. contact person's e-mail is lea.m.honkanen@evl.fi, phone 013-826 908
In the summertime, as you know, Finland is at its best. You can take short cruiser trips daily to the surrounding lake district, and even long cruises to Koli area and Lieksa.There are long hiking paths in Koli area and you should be able to hike there from Joensuu,,,like 70 kilometres..a joke! And in winter, I heard about some international students who also made day trips to Koli, this time by a group taxi, to learn slalom. The trip is one hour/one way, price 12 euro per person/ one way.There are 2 slalom/ ski slopes there, one pretty easy, and it is good for beginners. You should be able to rent skis there, at least I have rented crosscountry skis. There is also a smaller ski resort much closer to Joensuu, called Lykynlampi. It is for crosscountry.
And what is very popular in Joensuu is icewhole swimming. The club of Icebears is one of the biggest and most active in Finland. Who can visit there as a nonmember, but there is a nominal fee. The club is really well maintained and worth of that experience. I have seen Spanish guys there and they were doing really well!!!
Last edited by toukokuu on Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:21 am, edited 1 time in total.
Thank you all!
Thank you all for your valuable information. Everything sounds great about Joensuu! I found the idea about Greek lessons extremely good. I could 't imagine why somebody would like to learn Greek so many kilometers away from Greece. I am a little sceptical 
about this icehole swimming but since I will be in Finland I think I will try it!!! So thank you all one more time and maybe I meet you in Joensuu! 
about this icehole swimming but since I will be in Finland I think I will try it!!! So thank you all one more time and maybe I meet you in Joensuu! -
Hank W.
- The Motorhead
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Re: Thank you all!
Well, as we have the "Greek Catholic Church" here, known as "Orthodox" and they have a presence in the East, so the Joensuu University's Department of Orthodox Theology is for some odd and peculiar reason the place that may cause the interest. Of course they might be even more interested in learning classical Greek.mpragma wrote: I found the idea about Greek lessons extremely good. I could 't imagine why somebody would like to learn Greek so many kilometers away from Greece.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
Re: Thank you all!
I'm not quite sure about this, but isn't the Finnish Orthodox church closer to the Russian Orthodox church than the Greek Catholics? Or is there any actual difference? My church history knowledge fails me at this very instant! Be as it may, they should be quite close to each other from the "theological" point of view (also on the virtues of learning GreekHank W. wrote:Well, cause we have the "Greek Catholic Church" here, known as "Orthodox" and they have a presence in the East, so the Joensuu seminary is the place. Of course they might be even more interested in learning classical Greek.mpragma wrote: I found the idea about Greek lessons extremely good. I could 't imagine why somebody would like to learn Greek so many kilometers away from Greece.
) - some traditions of the Finnish Orthodox Church however may be slightly -hmm- more Russian 
The Joensuu Orthodox parish, incidentally, seems to be the second largest in Finland, more than 5000 members. http://www.ort.fi/
-
Hank W.
- The Motorhead
- Posts: 29973
- Joined: Sat Jul 06, 2002 10:00 pm
- Location: Mushroom Mountain
- Contact:
Finland has "own-headed" autokefalic church under the Patriarchate of Constantinople vs. being under the Patriarch of Moscow. And it is called "Greek Catholic" (vs. "Roman Catholic") in Finnish or just plain "Orthodox" which are interchangeable terms.
But as the faith came via Russia of course the rite is closer to the Russian tradition.
But calling it "Russian Orthodox" is going to raise hairs -ryssänkirkko and all that.
But as the faith came via Russia of course the rite is closer to the Russian tradition.
But calling it "Russian Orthodox" is going to raise hairs -ryssänkirkko and all that.
Last edited by Hank W. on Wed Nov 09, 2005 11:12 am, edited 1 time in total.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
Re: Thank you all!
In addition to the more lofty, theological reasonsmpragma wrote:I could 't imagine why somebody would like to learn Greek so many kilometers away from Greece.
it should perhaps also be mentioned that Greece is not an unknown holiday destination among Finns; so this may also be an incentive for some people to learn a bit of the ancient lingo Just an idea out of the blue - you could check out if the local adult education centres (kansanopisto) or equivalent in Joensuu would be interested in having a Greek teacher. I don't know what their requirements are, actually. Do you have any sort of teaching experience / qualifications?(you must bear in mind, though, that a Greek teacher, especially at the opisto level, may also need to know Finnish... depends
)http://www.joensuu.fi/
Really?Hank W. wrote:But calling it "Russian Orthodox" is going to raise hairs -ryssänkirkko and all that.
Hospoti pomiloi! I've always thought the term could be used (at least in English) to make a distinction between the Russian traditions vs the Greek branch (even though they do not differ so much otherwise), without offending anyone... well, maybe I was wrr... I was wr... wrong (phew, managed to write that )But yeah, the Finnish "ryssänkirkko" does sound bad & is a no-no.
Greece has friends in Joensuu...
Hi again,
I checked the unemployment rate, and it is 14,7% on average for whole North Karelia area, so it is then little lower for Joensuu. It is the small surrounding municipalities that have the high unemployment, up to 20%.
For teaching Greek language, you will need to be creative to get a job. In Finland many people study languages in these evening schools, which are called "vapaaopisto" or "kansalaisopisto". There the teachers need to speak FInnish as well. But it is always worth of trying, like placing advertisements on university notice boards etc.
Below is the association for the Friends of Greece in Joensuu, which is part of the national association.
It is worth maybe joining the association, even though, again the activities are in Finnish. There you might even find people to teach Greek, but of course that should not be a polite reason for joining the association. Leena Turunen is the chair or leader to this association. Yes, maybe one day see you in Joensuu.I have family connections there.
4. Joensuun Kreikan ystävät ry (per. 1992)
Leena Turunen
Pakrakaari 5
80710 LEHMO
Puh. (013) 829 706
Gsm. 050 - 557 8182
leemai.turunen@netti.fi
I checked the unemployment rate, and it is 14,7% on average for whole North Karelia area, so it is then little lower for Joensuu. It is the small surrounding municipalities that have the high unemployment, up to 20%.
For teaching Greek language, you will need to be creative to get a job. In Finland many people study languages in these evening schools, which are called "vapaaopisto" or "kansalaisopisto". There the teachers need to speak FInnish as well. But it is always worth of trying, like placing advertisements on university notice boards etc.
Below is the association for the Friends of Greece in Joensuu, which is part of the national association.
It is worth maybe joining the association, even though, again the activities are in Finnish. There you might even find people to teach Greek, but of course that should not be a polite reason for joining the association. Leena Turunen is the chair or leader to this association. Yes, maybe one day see you in Joensuu.I have family connections there.
4. Joensuun Kreikan ystävät ry (per. 1992)
Leena Turunen
Pakrakaari 5
80710 LEHMO
Puh. (013) 829 706
Gsm. 050 - 557 8182
leemai.turunen@netti.fi
Last edited by toukokuu on Wed Nov 09, 2005 10:42 pm, edited 1 time in total.