Move to Finland
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- čas přidán 14. 05. 2024
- If you are interested in moving to Finland (or any foreign country), here are 6 steps you should go through to decide if it’s right for you.
1. Immigration
2. Finding a Place to Live
3. Finding Work
4. Finding a Community
5. Cost of Living
6. Planning a Visit
FINNISH IMMIGRATION:
migri.fi/en/home
PLACES TO LIVE:
Helsinki - www.myhelsinki.fi/your-local-...
Espoo - www.visitespoo.fi/en
Vantaa - www.vantaa.fi/en
Tampere - visittampere.fi/en/
Turku - en.visitturku.fi
Oulu - visitoulu.fi/en/
FINDING WORK:
WARNING! THESE ARE FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES ONLY. I HAVE NOT USED AND AM NOT MAKING A PERSONAL RECOMMENDATION FOR ANY OF THESE SITES OR SERVICES
Pointer Potential - pointerpotential.fi
Work in Finland - www.workinfinland.com/en/
Sample of Facebook Groups:
Work from home jobs in Finland for English speakers
English speaking jobs in Finland
English speaking jobs in Helsinki
Finland - Jobs in Helsinki
English Speaking Jobs in Finland
Jobs for foreigners in Finland
FINDING A COMMUNITY
Sample Facebook Groups:
Americans in Finland
Internationals in Finland
Expats & Foreigners in Finland
Brits in Finland
#finland #visitfinland
Agree to come in winter. If you find it acceptable, summer will be a nice surprise and pretty much close to paradise on earth. I would argue that Finland is partially an acquired taste, slowly you acquire the Finnish mindset and you will notice when you return from abroad to Finland and feel like being home again, just like you explained in the other video. Plus simple things many Finns do not even think about, such as the fact that you get excellent quality drinking water from any tap. Just came back from Orlando a few months ago and the tap water had a strange swampy taste, hence I named it "gatorade".
While the tap water is perfectly safe to drink and tastes ok at worst everywhere, in some localities it's excellent. In Lahti, the water is pumped from an aquifer whose water has been filtered by a thick layer of moraine and it's excellent. It's better than bottled water. It's rich in minerals, which means its relatively hard, which is why my coffee machine needs to have the decalcification program run relatively often.
Love this video!! I learned so much
Glad you liked it!!
I agree about moving to Finland at winter with some additions:
Don't waste time in Southern Finland. Go to Lapland and spend some months in doing some Nordic skiing etc , whatever you do in skiing resorts.
Spend enough time getting accustomed to dressing for the weather in all situations.
Jyväskylä is a wonderful small and vibrant city with a university, lots of restaurants, cafés and outdoor activities in beautiful forests with many lakes. You could live there without owning a car as there are good cycling routes and a decent public transportation system. It is 3,5 hours by train from Helsinki and the train ticket costs around 43 euros one way.
@Fortuna88828 Outside of Helsinki and Turku, Jyväskylä is the other city I have visited the most so I agree with you. In particular, I like that it has a university with always adds extra energy to a city.
@@laterlife2931
If you are a bit more open minded and don't limit your observations just to science universities, you'll notice the other kind of higher education institutions in Finland. I am talking about universities of applied science (UAS). There are many more of those and some of them have several locations where they have activities.
The best way to go to Jyväskylä is of course by boat from Lahti.
Hey man! The winter is hard - i'm a native finn and still struggle with it sometimes. Vitamin D (together with intake of fat which aids absorption) is a must, and finding winter hobbies is a lifesaver for some people. Summer is great though!
Finding work can also be a challenge in the current economy, unless it's one of the few sectors with labor shortage.
Otherwise it's a great place, and you'll surely enjoy beautiful nature and lots of peace and calm :)
@cubicajupiter Vitamin D - already taking. Winter hobbies - I need to do that. Finding work - luckily I have the option not to work. I'm choosing that for now. Peace and clam - I am taking full advantage. 🤣
In the south where you and I live, the snowy season lasts about four months, i.e. from the beginning of December to the end of March on average. There's considerable variation from year to year, though. The summer season lasts about four months as well. It's officially defined as the time when the 24h average temperature remains above 10 C, which coincides with the time when birches have fully grown green leaves on them. That time period lasts from mid-May to mid-September.
So, in the south where most people live, the summer and the winter are, on average, both about four months long.
The spring is the shortest of the seasons, about a month and a half. It can be longer or even shorter, which means it can go from persistent snow cover to fully grown leaves on most deciduous trees in less than a month.
The fall is less colorful than in North America in regions with a similar climate because those regions are on lower latitudes in North America, which means more light. The color of the leaves here changes in a traffic lights pattern. They transition from green to yellow and to red after which they fall. In North America, it's typical for forests to have bright green, bright yellow and bright red leaves at the same time in the fall.The colors here aren't quite as bright.
The idea that in the south of Finland winters are six months long probably comes from a definition of winter that allows for a lack of persistent snow cover. To a Finn, it's not winter unless there is snow on the ground. I wouldn't call November a winter month here in southern Finland. It doesn't usually snow and if it does it usually melts in a few hours. I would call November late fall. Similarly, April is not a winter month in the south of Finland but early spring.
The far north (Lapland) is quite different. The winter lasts six months in Lapland and the summer only lasts for a couple of months. The middle is, well, in the middle of these two extremes. In Oulu, which is on the coast and in the middle, the fall is long and dark and the winter doesn't arrive as early as it does far off the coast to the east of Oulu. The spring and summer begin 2-3 weeks later than in the capital region, the rest of the southern/southwestern coast or the inland regions in the south, which can be good if you like skiing in daylight in the early evening but bad if you like to begin gardening early in the spring.
The ongoing April cold snap is uncommon. Daily maximums below freezing on the 21st of April can happen maybe a couple of times per decade. I have experienced 25 C and fully grown leaves on trees around this date (April 26). It was in Tampere in 2004. Summer came a full month early. The fact that it was almost 20 C a week prior to your making this video speaks to the instability of the weather in April. You can expect almost anything.
If you're going to buy a car, remember that you need different tires for the winter season. They are mandatory from the beginning of December until the end of February and at other times if the weather requires using them. You can choose between studded winter tires that are good in icy conditions or non-studded winter tires, which are optimized for snowy conditions. If I lived in the south, I'd go for the studded type because temperatures above freezing are commonplace even in the middle of the winter causing ice to form when it becomes freezing again.
Highways and motorways are meticulously cleared of snow, which is why they tend to be safe to drive on. Practically nobody uses snow chains here. Streets have grit spread on them in the winter season when necessary. Overwhelmingly the biggest natural hazard is slipping on an icy walkway or the driveway of your own home if you have neglected to grit it carefully. In fact, as a property owner or holder if you rent, you are strictly responsible for making sure your property is not dangerously slippery. If, say, a garbage collector or a mailman - or anyone who comes to your door - slips and falls because you neglected that, you are responsible and you pay.
@markkujantunen8298 thanks for your thorough comment. I hope anyone thinking of a move, reads it!
I live in the capital area, in the southern part of Finland, and have used winter tires without spikes more than 20 years. My son is also using winter traction tires without spikes and using then for daily commuting in the area. They offer some benefits even in this climate even though its more icy that in the north.
But of course you need to understand the conditions and adjust your driving style accordingly.
There are some days each winter when spikes would have been clearly easier. But those situations are very rare.
I have found this choice to come with the additional benefit that it has helped my son to become a careful driver, who is aware of the road conditions and knows how to adapt.
I have been driving in Finland almost 50 years. I learned to drive in more challenging road conditions without ABS and other assistive technologies. I like to emphasize that people should take learning to drive in slippery conditions more seriously and spend more time and money to become better at it.
Love it. You sir are a glutton for a punishment, stay warm. Greetings from Maryland
@mikeh2772 I guess I have settled into the simple life. If you spend 3 months away in winter, the winter can be charming. 6 months of snow is a bit too much, I agree.
seizures happens and I didn't go but I really like the country and their scilence and way of thinking and personal space. ❤
@iveiveve at least you can always visit! 🤞
Just happened to find this video and saw that you live in my hometown Salo! :D
@Elsuri313 I am happy you found me. I am waiting for someone I know to come up to me and say, I've seen your videos.
@@laterlife2931 it will be my goal to find you this Summer 😎
@@laterlife2931 I saw a man with red hoodie riding a bike today in Salo! Stopped him and talked with him a long time. Looked a lot like you 😆
@@Elsuri313 I am sure he enjoyed meeting you. Feel free to stop anyone that looks like me for a chat anytime you see them.
Thank you💛🌺. I truly appreciate this information. I do plan to visit Finland and tour a few of the cities. I'll come in the winter as you suggested. I'd love to meet up and treat you to lunch if you're available 😊.
@ingridthompson6512 I hope I will be around. Because winter is so long, I am planning to spend extended times abroad - somewhere warm - in winter but hopefully you catch me when I am at home. I'd love to meet up so let me know when you plan to make it. ❄
@@laterlife2931 Your video was perfect! After watching it, I'm thinking to visit in February 2025. If you're not in Finland then, maybe you'll be around in June 2025... I'm subscribed to your channel. So I'll be keeping up with you. 😊
@@ingridthompson6512 Hope to see you in '25! 🥳
Hi again🖐, is Turku or Tampere better as a meet up spot for you?
@@ingridthompson6512 Turku is close to me
My monthly cost of living (rent, electricity, water, food, etc.) here in Turku is around 1300€. If I eat outside more often and need to buy new clothes, kitchen things etc., It's like 1500-1700€ per month. I don't own a car so that's a big save.
@hextatik_sound I know my idea of a budget is high. When you are new it sometimes takes a while to settle down and spend less money. I am in the process of reducing my living expenses (so I can travel more).
I am a Nigerian viewer not an American. My name is Yemisi. Thanks so much for making this video based on my request to help me move to Finland. It's very educative. I'll really consider the steps. But im planning to migrate through the study route probably as a nurse. Thank you
@olaniranoluwayemisi4707 in case you are not aware, there are other channels that speak more to the student experience in Finland: applying for a university place, getting a visa, finding work as a student. I don't watch those channels but if you have not seen any, I can try to find a few that you can check out. Just let me know.
@@laterlife2931 Thanks a lot. I watched a particular one which I'd love u help me assess(wakawaka_doctor:-WORK AND STUDY IN FINLAND//MOVE TO FINLAND FAMILY) and I wouldn't mind you sending the ones you know. Thank you
Please, do not migrate.
Interviews remotely are easy and common.
If in person interview is needed , visiting Finland to do it and also to check potential employers and the work teams doesn't seem to me like too much. But there are countries and circumstances where getting a Schengen visa can be a challenging process.
In the US you probably think of the different states and school districts as something relevant in choosing where to move as a family.
Well, there aren't states in Finland, it's not a union of states, though there is Åland. There are old Finnish tribes and something left of them in regional dialects.
For a foreigner those don't make much difference. There are also older groups of immigrants, which can be relevant in some situations. New immigrants have concentrated on some areas. As everywhere else, bigger numbers of new immigration comes with challenges for the immigrants and the society. Something to be aware of while making decisions where to settle. What seems to be good for you initially might not be in the best interest of you and your children in the long run.
It's a complex situation with many factors.
As a 4 time immigrant, I agree that there are many complex situations. All we can do is try to make the best decision for our situation.
@@laterlife2931
Moving within a country can also come with challenges.
Immigration between countries comes with some additional "details".
I have worked in some foreign countries, including US, but always just temporarily.
What? Here Närpiö ore narpes we have alot of work and were a swedish community so the most of of the people here can english. So your are welcome, and if you have some questions were here to help! Greetings from Närpiö!
@Poison669 thanks for the warm welcome. I had to look up Närpio on the map,. That's too far north for me but I hope someone finds your post and takes you up on it.
Translations of terminology between different legislations in different languages is challenging. The legislation in Finland is in local official languages Finnish and Swedish.
There are official translation to English which is good guide in using the more correct terminology in English.
The Finnish Aliens Act includes definitions for key terminology including viisumi and oleskelulupa.
The Finnish Ministry of Justice has translated these as
viisumi - visa
oleskelulupa - residence permit
Residence permit is the relevant permit from the Finnish Immigration Services for immigration. It isn't a visa at all.
Visa is a different kind of visiting permit for different purposes from the Finnish Ministry of Foreigner Affairs.
These permits are from different authorities for different purposes.
This kind of divide of these permits is fairly unusual in the English speaking world and easily missed by foreigners.
Even some authorities mix them sometimes because they have noticed that some foreigners have trouble to notice or care about the Finnish terminology.
However there are benefits in being careful with the words, since correct words avoid some confusion, when everything is called visa. As an example there are useful D-visa and residence permit combinations, which start to sound strange, if both are called visa.
@just42tube I have noticed that Finnish vocabulary is much more specific than English. For us newcomers it is a causes confusion because what we think of as a similar word doesn't make sense in Finnish.
@@laterlife2931
One part of the problem is that English is actually more like a group of 400 languages.
There are many versions.
And the same words can have the same or different meanings in different versions. So words can be very precise in some context, say in some professional slang, and still mean something else in another context.
It's not an unknown feature in the Finnish language either (kuusi is a number and spruce) but less so than in English. That's my impression anyway.
@@laterlife2931
You reminded me about something I have been curious about all my life.
Why do foreigners call us Finns. It seems to be an old Germanic word, which is old Norwegian is used about Sáme people. The northern part of Norway has the name Finnmark to remind of the original use of the word.
Sáme people used to live also in the more southern parts of Finland.
The word Finn seems to have a history of mistaken Identity.
Then, think about the word Suomi, the name of the country in the local language, and what it means and where it comes from. There are theories, but nobody really knows.
Suomi - Suo (Swamp) makes sense, but it isn't proof that it's what it comes from.
Anyway, experiencing the swamplands of Suomi is needed to get an informed picture and understanding of Suomi. It can also give some historical perspective, if you can transport yourself in your mind back in time.
I Don't recommend the big cities. West coast is warmest, jobs are availabel also rental apartments are more affordable. For example Pori, Vaasa, Kokkola. In Helsinki area inclunding Vantaa & Espoo the rents are high, appartements you can afford are small. Do choose smaller cities 👍
@happyhermit4224 my experience from Salo is that small cities have small businesses and they are not as open to immigrants - especially if you are competing for a job that Finns want. I am happy in Salo because it didn't take much to convince me not to work but if I had to work, I would be very stressed out trying to find something suitable with my language skills, age and physical condition. However, I realise that other people may have a different experience. As for the west coast cities you mention, I have not visited any and am eager to explore them.
I planed to come before 3 years. but... I have epilepsy and many people said to me that I don't go because no one will hire me... etc.
@iveiveve it is true it is difficult to find work as a foreigner in Finland. I don't think it's that easy for Finns either if they are over 50. However, you only live once. Maybe go through the steps I mentioned and see what jobs are available in the area you want to move. Then decide if you want to give it a try. But you know yourself best so if it feels uneasy, follow your instincts.
You mentioned in this video or in some previous one about modeling and how somehow different looks can help getting gigs.
It definitely seems that the advertising industry is using minority looks more than their percentage is in the population.
I can think of several reasons for that.
Your observations are easily confirmed by simple observations of the advertisements around us.
It is more unexpected that this would be clearly a benefit for new immigrants. There are Finnish people with genetics and looks from all over the world. But perhaps all of them aren't so interested in modeling.
@just42tube I agree. If you look at advertisements in Finland, you'd think it was the USA, Canada or Britain. I often wonder if these models are actually Finnish. I think of it as a bit of fashion. For example in Asia, the fashion is to have white models.
@@laterlife2931
There are several possible reasons. Some of them are more business driven and fashion-like.
But there are also other possible reasons with more social responsibility type motivation, though thise too can turn into business benefits.
There is a history of adoptions of kids of Asian or African backgrounds. They have lived surrounded by different looking relatives, friends and others. Of course everyone of them has at some stage noticed to be different. Using POC people etc., any minority actually, in advertising has supported the feeling of being accepted and that differences are ok. Remember, small kids can be brutal and really difficult to each other. Being different or just a newcomer is not easy without challenges.
Some brands have wanted to refresh their image and looking more international has been one of these trends.
Nowadays that has also a counter trend, but since nowadays there are so many immigrants, looking local and homegrown can be done with a style, which isn't appearing to be excluding anyone.
@@laterlife2931
Not all of the advertising used in Finland is done in Finland.
Clearly international brands use productions done elsewhere using foreign models and just add Finnish language or something to target the message to the Finnish market.
Finland is just some percentage of the whole EU market, so this makes sense depending where and what you're selling.
@@laterlife2931
You mentioned English speaking countries. Those countries have had and have a big, oversized, role in the entertainment business and popular culture in Finland.
Advertising uses trends from there also in Finland. People are also more connected in many ways than say 40 years ago. People living in Finland are not limited to being part of only Finland. My kids have grown up using the internet and being part of their international communities.
My generation was building this interconnected world. Our kids have been part of it more or less all their lives.
Countries don't have the same cultural significance any more as they used to.
People are more often part of many "cultures".
Just a thought: If finding other foreigners is so important, wouldn't those countries where they come from be better destinations?😊
I understand that people want to find some peer support from others in similar situations. It's understandable emotionally and also for practical sharing of inform and experiences.
But it seems to often go beyond that and becomes more like a ethic community. And for some it seems to become a trap preventing or delaying significantly settling down and integrating to the society. Delayed local language learning is the main obstacle, I think, which is a result from concentrating on communities speaking mainly foreigner languages.
@just42tube I think it depends on the country. When I immigrated to the UK, I changed neighborhoods because I felt there were too many foreigners (and not enough Brits). I didn't move all that way to be around people I fled in New York. 🤣Finland is more difficult to navigate so even I look forward to making connections with foreigners.
In case of Finland, other foreigners are quite important unless you have extensive group of Finnish friends. Finland has a big problem with loneliness and making friends as an adult is extremely difficult even for natives. And if you are not the bar and club going type it will be even harder.
I have a several coworkers who used to live in Finland before and despite speaking fluent Finnish, they struggled to make friends among Finns, because Finns are very closed off. So no, if you are focused on making local friends, you are going to have a hard time. It's better to have other foreigners and ease yourself into the country that way. Otherwise it will seem quite daunting for many and lonely.
And just to clarify, I am Finnish myself.
@@Jonra1
Friend means many different things in different contexts and cultures. In some cultures it's an easy superficial relationship meaning not much more than an acquaintance.
One should be free to choose your friends and not been forced into it just by some convention, because then it means less.
Speaking is cheap. More is needed to create true friendships, at least in Finland.
But of course there are superficial people, who are eager to call people friends, if it's in their own interests.
@@Jonra1 I think it makes sense to make as many friends as possible be they Finnish or otherwise. It's just that other foreigners are more eager to make friends because they are in the same boat - of not knowing as many people. 😄
@@Jonra1Parkrun is a good way to make new friends. You don't even have to be a runner, you can walk the 5km. No-one becomes last as there are always volunteer tailwalkers. Post run chat in a nearby Café for those who wish. Volunteers are very welcome for many posts.