We are also moving to Finalnd (Espoo) in November. What will the weather be like then? Is it worth buying suitable clothes before we come out or will they be cheaper to buy out there?
Here's to planning in advance!
Scooby
Wa are also moving in November
Hmm, southern coastal Finland, in November.
Rain. Cold, stinging, depressing, gawd awlful rain. For variety, you might get hail & sleet.
Cheap clothes
Ha 
You'll be wanting to shop at UFF then... 
No, seriously, if you're coming from somewhere warmer, then it can get a bit depressing. But I heard it said, that those who come in winter stay longer, because they have seen the worst of Finland. Whereas those who come in summer, like the long warm days, but get a nasty shock in winter, & often give up & go home. I came in February 1999 & I'm still here.
As for cheap clothes - there are many european countries that are cheaper, & the states is even more so.
But unless you plan to go hiking in early spring, you will not need much 'special' clothing. You leave your heated house, spend a few minutes warming up the car (& the buses ain't that cold). Then you get to your heated work place. Most places are sooo over heated, you can walk around in a t-shirt !
Good luck.
Rain. Cold, stinging, depressing, gawd awlful rain. For variety, you might get hail & sleet.
Cheap clothes
Ha You'll be wanting to shop at UFF then... No, seriously, if you're coming from somewhere warmer, then it can get a bit depressing. But I heard it said, that those who come in winter stay longer, because they have seen the worst of Finland. Whereas those who come in summer, like the long warm days, but get a nasty shock in winter, & often give up & go home. I came in February 1999 & I'm still here.
As for cheap clothes - there are many european countries that are cheaper, & the states is even more so.
But unless you plan to go hiking in early spring, you will not need much 'special' clothing. You leave your heated house, spend a few minutes warming up the car (& the buses ain't that cold). Then you get to your heated work place. Most places are sooo over heated, you can walk around in a t-shirt !
Good luck.
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scoobymcdoo
- Posts: 675
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You'll be used to the wet thenscoobymcdoo wrote:We are coming from the UK.
Thanks for the replies- I think a shopping trip to Cotswolds (or the like) will be in order for some waterproof warm gear!
Scooby
Don't buy stuff made by "Hawksheads Sportsware" If they're still going - If I remember rightly, it was pretty dodgy.
Frankly though, I got all my 'cold weather' clothing over here. As I said, you don't need much of it. If you're in Espoo/Helsinki, then I would hold off - it should be ALE! by then (that's SALE!, not BEER!), so you should be able to pick up some nice warm clothes. Check out the big supermarkets, like Prisma and City Market first - & sign up for a bonus card (S-group give th ebest returns. S-Group is Primsa, S-Market, Sokos, and most Osuuskauppa's)(K group have the Plussa card).[/b]
Coming in Novermber? Then this might be something for you 
But I think it's actually a page made for us here in Finland, for when we stare out of the window at the moment and wonder is it November already?
But I think it's actually a page made for us here in Finland, for when we stare out of the window at the moment and wonder is it November already?
"Remember-you can't beam through a force field. So, don't try it. "(James T. Kirk)
I recommend that you bring the minimum of English/Cotswold clothes...scoobymcdoo wrote:We are coming from the UK.
Thanks for the replies- I think a shopping trip to Cotswolds (or the like) will be in order for some waterproof warm gear!
Scooby
It is at best OK for Autumn but not OK for our winters..you have 11 months before you need autumn clothes..(We dont have a real spring the snow melts the sun shines usualy Mid April..then we have May and we all get drunk and wait/pray for summer..I do think it has arrived at last today!)
November has the reputation for being the worst month for weather..By that Finns mean..it does not know whether to snow or rain ..but it is dark and misserable with never even a gimpse of sun..When it does snow and stick to the ground (not just wet cold porridge)..then it is much better and brighter..the cold does not seem to mater. We dress for the minus 15C average and stay in doors if it get colder/windy.
When you get here you will find that we have some fine shops and you can buy clothes designed for Finland. That will last you several winters.
Where will you be living/working? ( I know you say Espoo..but Espoo is huge..25 kilometers by 10 kiolmeters)
How big is your family?
What ages?
Welcome...we will do all we can do to help advise you.
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happeningfish
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I'd say buy your winter clothes here: not because they'll be cheaper, but because here you'll get what you need. And what you need is a coat that's long, as in goes down to at least your knees. Trust me -- your thighs will thank you in January!
The nice thing about the Finnish cold is that it's much drier than Toronto cold, which makes it infinitely drier than UK cold, and so all you have to do to get warm is put on another layer.
The nice thing about the Finnish cold is that it's much drier than Toronto cold, which makes it infinitely drier than UK cold, and so all you have to do to get warm is put on another layer.
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Hank W.
- The Motorhead
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The thing is you really don't need the clothes beforehand. You'll be wearing "winterwear" at a time people are clad in shorts. Then it will be too cold to go outside. So you'll be inside as a couch potato. After getting a few layers of fat to insulate, you won't fit into your old clothes anyways, so then you have to wait for the 'ale' in the summer when they sell off all the winter clothes
I'd recommend though from the UK getting a wax jacket with a lining. And 2-3 sizes too big so it can bve worn as an 'overcoat'. And good tweed. A flat cap with turn-down ears is waht you appreciate in the winter. I've got an ankle-length oilskin and this summer I've not regretted once getting it.
I'd recommend though from the UK getting a wax jacket with a lining. And 2-3 sizes too big so it can bve worn as an 'overcoat'. And good tweed. A flat cap with turn-down ears is waht you appreciate in the winter. I've got an ankle-length oilskin and this summer I've not regretted once getting it.
Cheers, Hank W.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
sitting here like a lemon looking for a gin.
I have been trying to think which of the clothes which I bought from UK to Finland I actualy put to good use here..
Trousers/cords...Marks and Spencers..because they have the combination waist/leg that actualy fit me...Finnish sizes still baffle me....
My Tweed Jacket have not been out of the cellar for 5 years..doubt that they still fit..Lapin Kulta and Finnish eating habbits has seen to that..
Wax jacket game keeper style if it is a loose fit or well lined would be a good idea for the November sleaty weather...
Trousers/cords...Marks and Spencers..because they have the combination waist/leg that actualy fit me...Finnish sizes still baffle me....
My Tweed Jacket have not been out of the cellar for 5 years..doubt that they still fit..Lapin Kulta and Finnish eating habbits has seen to that..
Wax jacket game keeper style if it is a loose fit or well lined would be a good idea for the November sleaty weather...
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luddite
S,
I'm moving from the UK to Helsinki in August and I've decided to bring little or no Summer clothes. In fact with the sales on at the moment you may well save yourself some money. A must for Finland come Dec are thermals, which you are unlikely to find in the UK (unless you try the camping shops....and even then they are expensive).
Enjoy
I'm moving from the UK to Helsinki in August and I've decided to bring little or no Summer clothes. In fact with the sales on at the moment you may well save yourself some money. A must for Finland come Dec are thermals, which you are unlikely to find in the UK (unless you try the camping shops....and even then they are expensive).
Enjoy
My (Finnish) mother-in-law buys thermals for all of us on a regular basis; the kids have a cupboard full of them... never been worn. As previously stated, it is unbearably HOT almost everywhere (except outside) in Finland in winter. So unless you plan on an outdoor job... forget it. How many times have I put on the layers to go shopping down-town and ended up almost passing out from the heat in Stockmann, on the bus or wherever.... and thermals aren't the easiest of things to get out of in hurry. Which is why the kids refuse to wear them; the classrooms in school must hover around +25 degs C (maybe more) and they are never outside long enough to get really cold.
My advice: an excellent jacket, the best you can afford (with Gortex etc etc hi-tec lining) then you don't need extra layers (all the layers you need are actually in the lining of the jacket). Also good boots, mine have a sheepskin lining which is really warm but I get static shocks off everything I touch: the car, the kids...
Besides, in Helsinki last winter I don't think it got colder than -23, it is quite unusual to have prolonged spells of below -25 degs. And if you are moving around (skiing, nordic walking etc) you really won't feel the cold unless there is a mean north wind blowing right through you.
My advice: an excellent jacket, the best you can afford (with Gortex etc etc hi-tec lining) then you don't need extra layers (all the layers you need are actually in the lining of the jacket). Also good boots, mine have a sheepskin lining which is really warm but I get static shocks off everything I touch: the car, the kids...
Besides, in Helsinki last winter I don't think it got colder than -23, it is quite unusual to have prolonged spells of below -25 degs. And if you are moving around (skiing, nordic walking etc) you really won't feel the cold unless there is a mean north wind blowing right through you.
I came from the other side of the world (Australia) two years ago. This is a list of clothing and such that I have bought here, more or less that I would have never bought in Australia:
Winter jacket and pants
Gum boots
Winter hiking boots
Long johns
Jumpers
Ski gloves
Ice skates
Autumn jacket and pants (only bought this set last week)
All these are pretty much essential to your survival in Finland. The winter pants in particular I have been very thankful for when having to walk somewhere in a blizzard. The autumn jacket is new. Last Monday I had a million places to go, and the jacket keep me dry when the heavens opened.
Get all the stuff in Finland. Might be more expensive, but then at least you know that it is suitable for the weather. Advice will be better in Finland as well, because Finns are sent outside young to play in the snow for hours and they are just used to it. You'll also be able to pick from a greater variety and colours (somehow mine always just end up red though....) My woollens were knitted by my nan.
My winter wish list:
Nice black jacket for going out in
Cross country skis
more long johns
Windstopper hood (if you ride a mc or a snowmobile you will know what I mean)
Change your ticket. November's horrible! It is dark and wet.
Bring the summer clothes, two or three shirts and a few bottoms should be enough. "What is the best thing about the Finnish summer? It is so short."
"Whats the difference between summer and winter in Finland? It snows less in summer."
Winter jacket and pants
Gum boots
Winter hiking boots
Long johns
Jumpers
Ski gloves
Ice skates
Autumn jacket and pants (only bought this set last week)
All these are pretty much essential to your survival in Finland. The winter pants in particular I have been very thankful for when having to walk somewhere in a blizzard. The autumn jacket is new. Last Monday I had a million places to go, and the jacket keep me dry when the heavens opened.
Get all the stuff in Finland. Might be more expensive, but then at least you know that it is suitable for the weather. Advice will be better in Finland as well, because Finns are sent outside young to play in the snow for hours and they are just used to it. You'll also be able to pick from a greater variety and colours (somehow mine always just end up red though....) My woollens were knitted by my nan.
My winter wish list:
Nice black jacket for going out in
Cross country skis
more long johns
Windstopper hood (if you ride a mc or a snowmobile you will know what I mean)
Change your ticket. November's horrible! It is dark and wet.
Bring the summer clothes, two or three shirts and a few bottoms should be enough. "What is the best thing about the Finnish summer? It is so short."
"Whats the difference between summer and winter in Finland? It snows less in summer." No no no no! don't change it, November is a great time to move to Finland! I did it and don't regret it a bit, on the contrary. True the weather is horrible, the worst it can be in Finland, but I didn't have much time to worry about it; there was so much to do with finding a place to stay, new job, etc... and all was new and exciting, even the gloomy weather was kindof exotic back thenAlicia wrote: Change your ticket. November's horrible! It is dark and wet.
when the spring came I could hardly belive there can be so much light in Finland! and the summer was the best ever (not like this one arghhhhh 
also buying the clothes you need from here might be a good idea, something else to keep you busy during November
Well no matter how you do it, welcome to Finland and good luck with everything!