FINLAND | Accommodation | General information
General (student) housing situation
There are over 5500 exchange students living in Finland, so you are not alone. In Finland accommodation prices vary depending on region, location and quality. The rent for students in a shared apartment with self-catering possibility varies from 150€ to 300€ a month. If you choose to live in a studio in Helsinki Metropolitan area, you may need to pay up to 1000€ per month. There is often an extra charge for electricity and water. Finding accommodation in August – September can be difficult. If there is no room in student apartments, your other choice can be privately let accommodation. You need to prepare yourself to stay in a hostel while the arrangements for accommodation have been made.
www.eurohostel.fi
www.privatehotels.fi
www.pallontallaajat.net
Types of accommodation
- Student apartments
- Apartment let by private persons, companies or the city authorities
- Room; Living with a family
www.soa.fi (Suomen opiskelija-asunnot Oy)
www.alli.fi
www.suomi.fi
Finding Accommodation
You should arrange the accommodation in advance before you arrive to Finland. If you have not arranged your accommodation in advance, you will find advertisements for accommodation in daily newspapers and in the internet. First of all you can visit the offices which arrange student accommodation. Estate Agents can also be very helpful and reliable. Sometimes your placement company or the partner college can help you with the accommodation. There are several matters you should consider before you begin your search for accommodation.
Do you wish to live alone?
Are you ready to share?
What is your budget?
Location?
www.oikotie.fi
www.sato.fi
www.vuokraturva.fi
Some key questions
Having found suitable accommodation which matches your needs and wishes it is important to consider some of the following questions:
- Are the locks in the apartment secure and is it safe?
- Is the house multicultural?
- Is the apartment near to your placement?
- How is the public transportation?
- How are the appliances?
- How about the furniture?
- What kind of heating is it?
- Is there an extra charge for electricity and water?
- Do you have any allergies – for example to the cats?