Your Guide to Living in Finland
This guide will help you gear up for life in Lappeenranta!
Phones and electronic stuff
Finland is great for phone connectivity and data availability. Most public spaces offer free Wifi, including airports, long-distance trains, public squares, libraries and so on. Electronic items tend to be expensive, so it’s a good idea to buy essential things like phones and laptops before you travel.
Sim cards: You can buy a prepaid sim card (starting €5.90) straight out of the airport at small shops called R-kioski. The big brands include DNA, Elisa, and Telia. All sim cards are available in all sizes (micro, nano etc.) and will have some credit already and 4G internet available. Both data and calling prices are relatively cheap. Post-paid contracts are generally available only after you’ve been living in Finland for a while, (2 years usually), but if you have an employment contract, it’s worthwhile to try to get one from a DNA/Elisa/Telia shop. Now, Moi.fi is probably the best (and newest) option for postpaid in terms of price vs. data.
Routers: If you’re living in a LOAS student apartment, they’ll ask you to get a RJ45 cord for using internet. Don’t forget this! It’s also a good idea to bring a wireless router with you since they tend to be expensive here (starting price €23). You can also order one from German Amazon, which delivers stuff to Finland for free for orders above €39. This is pretty useful, especially when setting up your new home!
Other electronic stuff can be bought from stores like Prisma, Gigantti, Power etc. or on online Facebook groups and second-hand shops (which always check if things are working before selling them).
Food in Lappeenranta
The prices of basic groceries are quite reasonable in Finland. Eating outside in restaurants tends to be expensive, but students get a huge advantage with the university canteens, which offer nutritious lunch (€1.8 onwards) with lots of salads. Don’t expect super-tasty food – Finnish food tends to be simple and not spicy – and you won’t be disappointed.
Everyone cooks at home quite a lot, so it’s a good idea to learn some basic stuff. There is a Turkish shop in Lappeenranta where you can buy spices and lentils etc. A Thai store is also located at the Teboil petrol station near the center, which stocks many Asian products. Most supermarkets are open until 9 pm on all days including weekends, which is quite convenient. The grocery stores also carry a good selection of international food items, including some spices. But it’s still a good idea to bring some basic ingredients from home, like spices and special things!
(You can write to me if you have specific questions about this, I’ll try to help!)
Let’s talk about the weather and winter
Wondering how I would cope with the Finnish winter was the biggest question on my mind when I first arrived. The Finns have a saying: “There’s no such thing as bad weather, only bad clothing.” With temperatures in Lappeenranta going below -20°C in winter, it’s important to dress right!
If you’re coming from a place with no real winter (like Asian countries), wait until you come here to do your winter shopping. You’ll need good boots, a warm winter coat, a scarf, a warm hat, winter socks, thermal underclothes, and a brave attitude! Expect to spend €150-€200 on these things if you buy them new. Buying a pair of ice spike grips will keep you safe from falls. Ice is the enemy, snow isn’t!
Finding and making a home
The student housing association LOAS offers accommodation to international students. Airbnb is a good short-term option, if you’re still searching for a place. Couchsurfing is another option, but usually good only for a day or so. The student groups on Facebook (like this and this) might offer some subleased apartments.
Student apartments in LOAS have some basic furniture, but you’ll still need to buy mattresses, pillows, duvets, linen etc. Jysk is a decent shop for buying these things, and they often have sales; it is possible to buy bed stuff under €100. You can also order from Ikea, who send up to 30kg of stuff to your local post office for €7.99 within a week or to your doorstep for €49 (which is great if you’re ordering furniture).
In Finland, it is totally okay to buy things from second-hand shops. I strongly recommend it; I’ve never had a bad experience buying from these places and it saves a LOT of money. You can buy household stuff like furniture, pots and pans as well as cutlery and dishes from second-hand stores like Kontti and Hyötyhalli for really good prices. See my Shopping Guide for more info about shopping on a budget.
Lappeenranta has libraries, a decent public transport system, plenty of sports facilities, and a crazy good environment. Check out the Resources and Recreation pages for more details!
I’ll be happy to help you in answering any specific questions about Lappeenranta, write to me here!