Espoo, Finland 🇫🇮
#515
60.204767, 24.656843
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Espoo is the second largest city in Finland, part of the Helsinki metropolitan area. |
| 👥 Population | Approximate population is 290,000. |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps (fiber optic available). |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 EUR ≈ 1.07 USD, widely accepts credit and debit cards. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable and of high quality. |
| 🔌 Power | 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Telia, Elisa, and DNA. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Banks such as Nordea and OP offer services tailored to expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include Airbnb, local property rentals, and apartments through housing companies. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and VRBO are popular. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Eurohostel Helsinki offer affordable stays within a short commute to Espoo. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | Spaces like Serviced Offices Espoo and Talent Garden Helsinki. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafes like Robert's Coffee and Cafe Esplanad offer good work environments. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Check Meetup.com for technology and startup-related events in the area. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups like 'Espoo Expats' on Facebook host regular meetups. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Bolt and Uber operate in the area. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | City bikes available through the City Bike platform or services like Lime scooters. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | The closest beach is at Koirasaaren – approximately 20 minutes away. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Finnair is the main regional carrier. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | KLM and Lufthansa provide international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | E18 and E4 highways are conveniently nearby. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Espoo's main transit hub is Leppävaara, providing access to multiple train lines. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Options include single tickets, day passes, and monthly cards via HSL. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Trains by VR (Finnish Railways) connect to Helsinki and other cities. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Espoo Hospital, specializing in various medical services. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga House Espoo and Kuntokeskus Esport offer classes. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Basic-Fit and Elixia are popular fitness chains. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Laundromats can be found in shopping centers, along with washing services. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Wolt and Foodora are popular food delivery platforms. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Karjalanpiirakka' (Karelian pasties) available in local bakeries. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Roots Helsinki and Green Hippo serve vegan dishes. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Try pastries at Café Regatta or Kaari Shopping Center. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Local markets like Espoo Market Hall offer fresh produce and snacks. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Local sites like Verkkokauppa and international ones like Amazon are available. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Services like K-Ruoka and Lidl offer grocery delivery options. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Otaranta and Tapiola boast bars and lively night scenes. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Brewery like Espoo Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Wine House Kompassi is popular for its selection. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks at events often serve local street food favorites. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Zocalo (Mexican) and Ethno (Asian) offer international options. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Espoo Museum of Modern Art and HopLop indoor play area. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | The Aalto University Art Museum and WeeGee Exhibition Centre. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Espoo Cathedral and the Seurasaari Open-Air Museum are notable. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Espoo Cathedral is a significant historical site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Espoo Day is a popular community event celebrated every September. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Tapiola has been named as a cultural hub featuring arts and entertainment. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Espoon Teatteri offers regular performances and events. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Possibly check out Koululaisten Tori for artisan local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Events at places like Espoo Cultural Centre host performances regularly. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The urban areas around Tapiola feature various street art pieces. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Classes available at Oodi Cultural Centre in nearby Helsinki. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Local galleries include Galleria Liisa, offering local artists' exhibitions. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The historic manor houses in the region draw many visitors. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Espoo is known for its preserved wooden houses and unique Finnish architecture. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Nuuksio National Park is nearby for hiking and outdoor activities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Nuuksio National Park is easily accessible and offers stunning nature views. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | The Coastal Path and the trails in Nuuksio are popular. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Espoonlahti offers beautiful views of the archipelago. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Nuuksio National Park is excellent for birdwatching enthusiasts. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated areas in Nuuksio National Park allow bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Posti and DHL offer delivery services throughout the city. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Local electronics stores offer repair services like Gigantti. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Community centers and gyms often set up table tennis tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Organizations like Suomalais-ugrilainen Seura offer Finnish language classes. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Espoo City Library provides quiet study areas. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Espoo's community centers host a variety of workshops and events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Cyber cafes and local gaming venues are popular among youth. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Helsinki, although a bit further, is a major hub for gaming in the region. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,300 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,700 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €108,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €180,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €132,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €224,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,200 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €176,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20%. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 25%. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Finnish tax residents are primarily taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Approx. 53%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT is 24%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Finland has CFC rules to prevent base erosion. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, calculated based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% for residential properties. |