Tech news from expats for everyone

If you are into technology you've go to check out the new TechXpats Podcast from Helsinki. It's produced by a bunch of tech interested expats from the captial area. Every Wednesday they come together to talk about the lastest stuff happening in the tech szene. But they also talk about expats' life here in Helsinki.

Here are a few words from them directly:

Being expats ourselves, we decided to focus on the latest etch news, but also incorporate advice and information for other expats - as we're all aware of how difficult it can sometimes be when moving to another country and adapting to living in a whole new environment and culture. We regularly recommend apps and sites that can help people in their day-to-day lives, as well as take and answer listener questions on all things tech. In the coming weeks we will also be starting a weekly feature on startups. This will focus on not just local startups, but startups from around the world, from both locals and other expats.

We've got some really great guests and features lined up for future episode. So as we keep recording and producing, our podcast will hopefully become better and better (we're all still quite new at all of this), and we'll be able to help and entertain more and more people out there!

 

This week they indeed already have an exciting guest on the show. Adam Christianson from the MacCast podcast www.maccast.com will be discussing with Stephen, Ken, Guillermo and Anu.

Visit their Facebook, Twitter and Google+ page where you can also get in contact with them directly and ask questions or give feedback. Also check out their first episodes. You can get their podcast through iTunes or Feedburner.

Sweet stuff from the US and the UK

Are you a fan of Cadbury's? Or fancy a Pop Tart from time to time? Or maybe some super sweet, unhealthy but delicious Fluff? Yes, there are lots of nice treats from the US and the UK. But where to get them in Helsinki?

Therefore there is Behnford's at Keskuskatu. This small shop has almost everything your heart desires. And not only the sweet stuff. You also get cooking ingredients, sauces as well as teas and sodas here.

Check it out. They are open daily. You can also find their selection online.

Coming to work in Finland

Lots of you will already have faces some difficulties registering here in Finland. For foreigners that is not such an easy thing to do. You need to go to several different offices to visit, lots of paper to hand in and lots of forms to fill. 

At least when it comes to taxation and social security there is one place in Helsinki where you can get good support and helpful tips to make the whole process a bit easier and faster. Kela and Vero together run the INTO Finland at Kamppi. Here they specify on people that just recently moved to Finland and provide useful information. The stuff is friendly and well informed. They can also help you with other questions concerning registration in Finland.

The office is open on weekdays from 9.00 to 16.00. Waiting times are normally quite short here since they never have too many people visiting. You find INTO Finland in Salmonkatu 17 just above the Kela office. Use doorway A and go up to the second floor.

Good luck and success with getting settled in Finland!

European Union information center in Helsinki

This might be interesting for those of you who are EU-citicens and might need some information or advice about possibilities, duties and right that you have when you move or spend time in Finland.

In Malminkatu 16, close to Kamppi shopping center you can find the Representation of the European Commission in Finland. You can find info material on lots of different topics e.g. what you have to consider when moving within the EU. There is also always someone sitting at the information desk that can help you with problems or questions. Furthermore they arrange events and lectures on various topics. You should drop by and ask for their program. You can also find information about them on their website which unfortunately is just available in Finnish and Swedish.

Summer will come soon... Beware!

Pascal, import good

Drawings by Eric Leraillez | Script by Camille Scoccini

Pascal has moved to Finland. What a challenge for a Southern European! His Finnish friend Kari, joyful chap, always makes sure Pascal understands the small details that can easily lead to big misunderstandings when one is confronted to a new culture. A mix of gentle naivity and playful outlook over the land of Santa Claus. Enjoy!

Help for newcomers in Finland

Moving to a new country is always a big step. You have to get used to the new surroundings, the differences to your home county and you also have to fight your way through a lot of bureaucracy. To make things a bit easier Luckan, the Swedish speaking community for information, culture, art and cooperation offers help. Their bridge program aims to provide information and counseling service for people new in Finland. They arrange events in English language but also can provide you with personal assistance if you need help. You arrange a meeting or can just drop by at their information point at Simonkatu 8 any time. Most of their services are for free.

Getting acclimated to Finland already?

Pascal, import good
Drawings by Eric Leraillez | Script by Camille Scoccini

Pascal has moved to Finland. What a challenge for a Southern European! His Finnish friend Kari, joyful chap, always makes sure Pascal understands the small details that can easily lead to big misunderstandings when one is confronted to a new culture. A mix of gentle naivity and playful outlook over the land of Santa Claus. Enjoy!

Moving to Helsinki IV

During the last days I gave you some information about what to consider when moving to Helsinki. With those small hints you should be better prepared and ready to take a look at the recent offers on the market. But where should you search for places?

Links

Here are two really useful websites where you should be able to find a lot of offers and where you hopefully will find your new home.

http://asunnot.oikotie.fi/vuokrapalvelu

http://www.jokakoti.fi/vuokra-asunnot

And here is one more maybe quite interesting website for you. You should know that the biggest landlord here is the City of Helsinki itself. They offer apartments for reasonable rental prices. Find out more about how to apply to those under the following link:

http://www.hel.fi/hki/helsinki/en/Services/Housing+and+the+environment/Housing

Moving to Helsinki III

But where should you move? And how is it with the additional costs for an apartment? Here some more tips:

Location:

As in every bigger city there are differences depending on the location you choose. If you are searching for something with a low budget take a look at the area called Kallio. It is still pretty close to the city center, has great bus, tram and metro connection and offers a vivid nightlife. Especially for students it is a great choice. I wouldn’t recommend it for families that much though. As in most other cities too, the further you are away from the center the cheaper it gets. If you don’t mind living a bit further away you should also consider checking out Espoo and Vantaa. What? Never heard of them? Espoo is in face the second biggest city in Finland. But never mind. Those two cities are surrounding Helsinki and the prices here are a bit lower. But before you take any cheap offers always check how well the area where you want to live is connected to the center. You can find the connections on the website of the local public transportation company HSL. As your destination type in "Rautatientori" (Central Railway Station) or "Kamppi".

Additional costs:

Of course the bigger the apartment and the more people live there the more you have to pay for electricity and water (and maybe gas). One important thing you should know is that for water you pay a fixed price every month (between 10 and 15 Euros). You can use as much as you want. Maybe that has something to do with the huge amount of water that Finland holds (lakes and the sea). The price also includes the warm water. That means that in case the apartment has a normal radiator the heating is also included in the water fee.

To find out about the prices for internet and phone you can check from these companies:

DNA/Welho (mobile, internet, TV): http://www.dna.fi/

Sonera (mobile, internet, TV):  http://www.sonera.fi/

Saunalahti (mobile): http://saunalahti.fi/

You should know that in Finland most people don’t use landlines anymore. And the prices for calling are reasonable. So don’t bother trying to get a landline yourself.

To be continued!

Moving to Helsinki II

And here comes part two of useful information for finding a place in Helsinki:

Rent or buy:

In Finland it is very common to live in your own place. In contrast to most other countries and especially bigger cities renting is quite exceptional here.  But since I assume most of you interested in this topic are from abroad and are probably not planning on staying in Finland for ever I will focus on the rental market. The information here might still in most cases also apply for buying apartments.

Size:

Yes, size matters. Especially when it comes to living space. I guess the most challenging thing in Helsinki might be, to find a place where you want to live alone. Of course there are those small one room apartments but most likely they are very expensive compared to what you would pay if you live in a bigger place together. So if you come here as a student and are not planning on staying at university housing consider sharing an apartment with one or two classmates.

To be continued...

Moving to Helsinki I

Ok, the last days you had to read a lot about the weather here. Sorry for that! But now something useful. I want to open a new service category for you. Over the next days I will provide a bit of information to people who are planning to move to Helsinki or are already living here and searching for a new place to stay. Knowing where to find the apartments is one thing. But I think it is also quite useful to have some basic information about the apartment market in this city. That’s why I listed down some things you should know. Today I'll start with :

 

the price level

First of all you have to arrange yourself with the fact that Helsinki is probably one of the most expensive cities in Europe or even the world. There are so many rankings for the most expensive cities in the world that all come to different conclusions but let me tell you that Helsinki is quite often among the top 10. For an apartment in the center with one bedroom you pay an average rent of around 900 € per month. In Berlin you could probably get three bedrooms for that price. But also the living expenses are a bit higher here. It is quite obvious when you go out since especially the prices for alcohol are quite high. But also at the supermarket you will see a difference (especially with foreign products like cheese from the Netherlands). You’ll find a pretty good overview over the general price level here.

Stay tuned for more!