Moving to Finland

[user1493811040]

We are deciding to move to Finland with our 2 year old toddler, purely because I am a teacher and love the education system being a lot more independent and outdoor based as well as starting at 7 years in comparison to the rigid, competitive, mentally draining structure of education in the UK.

Can anyone give any advice on areas worth looking into to settle as a family where there are good public, primary schools. We are visiting in July so would like to consider a few places. I'm a teacher and my partner is an accountant. We would also look into buying a property with a garden. Any advice on weather, lifestyle, people, socialising, cost of living. All advice greatly appreciated. Thanks!

[Malermalergoni]

I can't speak for Finland completely though I have spent time there- but this is worth mentioning. Often in European countries where children start 'school' later, it is common for them to be in daycare from very early on, and if you're a sahm in the early years this can be quite isolating as far as meeting other mums. If you're working, no probs.
Finland is beautiful, really well set up for children, but I find it ££££ on the price scale, particularly food. I guess like anywhere, you find the ways of sourcing things affordably once you're there.
Beautiful Summers though and a wonderfully active lifestyle. Great people. Great Saunas ;)

[Malermalergoni]

Also weather...... Beautiful Summers (white nights) and totally freezing winters. Finns are wonderful. Learn to feel comfortable with long silences in conversations :)

[Judashascomeintosomemoney]

Hopefully Natsku will be along soon to help you!

[user1493811040]

Thank you so much.

[fiftyplustwo]

I'm a bit biased but I like Åland a lot. (Partially this has to do with language issues, I don't understand a word of Finnish.)

[user1493811040]

Well we don't speak any Finnish. So we need to be near schools that teach in English and also allow me to teach English as a foreign language. Which areas are good for this?

[fiftyplustwo]

I guess it sort of narrows down to Helsinki, then, but in all honesty I have no idea, just guessing.

[tendence]

There are definitely international schools in other cities too, but probably more in Helsinki. Here is one in Åbo/Turku for example:

www.utu.fi/en/units/tis/Pages/home.aspx

I'd suggest contacting one of the schools directly to get advice on employment opportunities.

One thing you might want to consider is the language issue: there is a large Swedish minority, and Swedish is, so far, a compulsory language in school, and the cities on the Baltic coast are "Swedish dominated". Do you want your child/ren to be educated learning "mainly Swedish" or "mainly Finnish"?

There is currently pressure on the state to allow Finnish speaking children to not have to learn Swedish - which would/might in the future decrease the Swedish speaking minority's influence on Finland.

Good luck!

[Natsku]

Hopefully Natsku will be along soon to help you!

Ooo I feel special now!

Helsinki is your best bet for teaching as a foreigner OP but Tampere also has a big international school, as well as international daycares which need English speaking teachers and is a damn fine city as well, but Helsinki is still the safest bet for anyone who doesn't speak any Finnish but getting a house with a garden means going far far out into the suburbs, or even Espoo or Vantaa. Transport is decent though so being out in the suburbs isn't an issue in that sense.