FINLAND | Accommodation | Finding accommodation

General (student) housing situation

There are over 5.500 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 1.000€ 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 accommodations. You need to prepare yourself to stay in a hostel while the arrangements for accommodation have been made.

Before you start looking for an accommodation, you should ask yourself a few questions:

• Would I prefer to live on my own or share accommodation with others?
• What is my budget?
• Do I already have a preferred area where I would like to live?

Types of accommodation

• Apartments let by private persons, companies or the city authorities
• Room, living with a family
• University halls of residence: Is generally offered to students enrolled at a Finnish university

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.

Once you have found suitable accommodation that meets your needs and preferences, you should consider the following:

• Is the accommodation secure? (Check the locks on doors and windows)
• Is the accommodation multicultural?
• Is the accommodation located near you place of work?
• What is the public transport like?
• What equipment is available in the accommodation (furniture, appliances), and is everything working?
• What type of heating is it, and is there an extra charge for it?
• Are there extra charges for electricity and water?
• Do I have any allergies, for example to animals?