Oulu, Finland 🇫🇮
#509
65.011873, 25.47168
Nomad Score:
66%
Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Oulu is a vibrant city located in northern Finland, known for its technology sector and beautiful natural surroundings. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 200,000 |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is around 100 Mbps, with many cafes and coworking spaces offering free Wi-Fi. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | Currency is Euro (EUR) and is widely accepted. 1 EUR ≈ 1.06 USD. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable, high-quality tap water. |
| 🔌 Power | Electricity is 230V, 50Hz, with Type C and F sockets. |
| 📶 SIM Card | Major providers include Elisa, Telia, and DNA. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Services offered by banks like Nordea, OP Financial Group, and Revolut are suitable for expats. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include hotels, Airbnb, and serviced apartments in the city center. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cashless payments are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Booking.com offer numerous options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostels such as Oulu Youth Hostel and Scandic Oulu City are affordable options. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | OuluHub is popular for remote work and networking. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café Merenneito is known for its cozy atmosphere and reliable Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Regular Meetups and tech events hosted at Oulu City Library and Oulu University. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | Groups like Oulu Expats on Facebook offer community gatherings. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Local taxis can be booked via the Oulu Taksit app. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | City bike rental services such as Oulu Bike system are widely available. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Nallikari Beach, located 10 minutes from the city center. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | Norra operates regional flights from Oulu Airport. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Finnair provides international connections. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Access to Highway E75, connecting to various northern regions. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Oulu Railway Station serves as the primary transit hub. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | Public transport passes, including monthly and single tickets, are available. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Train services (VR) connect Oulu to cities like Rovaniemi and Tampere. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Oulu University Hospital is the primary healthcare facility. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga Center Oulu offers various classes and wellness services. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Fitness24Seven and Hietasaari fitness center are popular choices. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Self-service laundries like Pesula Oulu are available across the city. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | Wolt and Foodora are popular food delivery services. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Karjalanpiirakka (Karelian pies) are a must-try local specialty. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like Kaarlen Cafe and Cafe Bisketti offer vegan options. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Chocolatier Oulun Suklaapuoti is known for its delicious chocolates. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Oulu Market Hall is a great place for affordable food shopping. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | Popular sites include Verkkokauppa.com and Gigantti. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Delivery services from K-Citymarket and Lidl are available. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | The Alppiharju area features numerous bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | Olvi Brewery offers tours and tastings. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Vini and Olut is a cozy wine and tapas bar. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Food trucks often gather at Oulu's marketplaces. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Several restaurants offer diverse cuisines, including Indian (e.g., Namaste) and sushi (e.g., Koi Sushi). |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | The Oulu Castle ruins and Nallikari lighthouse. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Oulu Museum of Art and Tietomaa Science Centre are worth visiting. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Oulu City Hall and the Market Square are significant historical sites. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | Oulu Cathedral is a stunning example of neo-classical architecture. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Oulu Music Video Festival and Oulu Christmas Market. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | The Rotuaari pedestrian street is the cultural hub of the city. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Oulun Teatteri is the main theater venue. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Oulu's Market Square hosts regular local markets. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Venues like 45 Special host live music events regularly. |
| 🎨 Street Art | Look for murals around the Rotuaari area. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Local cooking schools offer classes on Finnish cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Gallery Oulu features local artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | Various wooden houses from the late 19th century in the city center. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | The city's history is celebrated in various festivals and events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | The Oulu River valley offers beautiful walking and biking trails. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Limanmaki National Park is around 30 minutes away and ideal for hiking. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Well-maintained paths along the coastline and through parks. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | The Pateniemi area provides stunning views of the Gulf of Bothnia. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Hupisaaret park is excellent for birdwatching activities. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Designated fire pits are available in various parks, including Nallikari. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Posti and Matkahuolto offer reliable parcel delivery services. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Stores like Gigantti provide tech repair services. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Local community centers offer ping pong tables. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Finnish language classes available at Oulu Adult Education Centre. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | The Oulu City Library is a great place for studying. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Oulu Cultural Centre offers various community events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Several gaming cafes like K&D Gaming offer console and PC gaming. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Casino Helsinki is the nearest, located in the capital city. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €3,000 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €90,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,300 per m² (e.g., 30 m² = €69,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,800 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €140,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €2,100 per m² (e.g., 50 m² = €105,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. €2,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €200,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. €1,800 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €144,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 20% |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 30% |
| 🏦 Tax System | Finland has a progressive tax system based on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Personal income tax can be up to 56.95%. |
| 🧾 VAT | Standard VAT rate is 24%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Finland has strict CFC rules. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | There is an annual property tax based on assessed value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | 2% for residential properties. |