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South African Expats Moving to Finland: Your Questions, Answered

If you’re a new or soon-to-be expat in Finland, you probably aren’t quite sure yet what it will be like. That’s why we gathered the answers to some key questions you may have about life in Finland. If you want to ask more specific questions — or even share your own tips — join InterNations! You’ll be part of a community of new and experienced expats who love to help each other out.

What are the most common nationalities in Finland? As an expat in Finland, you'll meet people from many different cultures (especially if you're an 51�ԹϺ�����member!) The top nationalities in the 51�ԹϺ�����Communities in Finland currently are:

• Russians
• Indians
• Americans
• British

Which cities are most popular among expats in Finland? Some cities attract more expats than others. These are the cities with the largest expat communities in Finland:

• Helsinki
• Oulu
• Pori

How much rent do expats pay in Finland? Your personal situation plays a role here. Single expats spend on average 915 USD on their accommodation per month, while expat families spend around 1.560 USD. And of course, rents can also vary greatly depending on the location and city within Finland.

To give you an idea of what to expect, here are some rent averages for the most popular cities in Finland.

Average rent in Helsinki

• Single expats: 1.169 USD
• Expat families: 2.078 USD

Average rent in Oulu

• Single expats: 759 USD
• Expat families: 1.316 USD

Average rent in Pori

• Single expats: 572 USD
• Expat families: 928 USD

How safe is Finland? You may be wondering about safety. In general people perceive their personal safety situation in Finland as very safe. People rate the risk of falling victim to petty crime (such as pickpocketing or minor theft) as very low. They consider the chance of being the victim of violent crime (including mugging) very low. And, they rate confidence in the police force and related local authorities as very high.

How safe is Finland for women? Female expats rated the safety situation in Finland as very safe. This is based on the feedback of expat women living in Finland (rather than actual crime statistics). So obviously this can be highly subjective and depends on factors such as where people live.

Why South African expats move abroad (& how they like it)

Every year, we publish one of the biggest global surveys among expats — asking them about various aspects of their life, from work to leisure. Learn what motivated our South African members to move abroad, what keeps them there, and what they struggle with or miss about home.

Tips and Advice on Finland from Your Fellow South African Expats

Obviously, expat life in Finland goes well beyond shipping your belongings and taking care of red tape. Socializing with fellow South Africans is an important facet of living abroad and can be a huge stepping stone in getting to know the Finnish mentality and way of life. South Africans in Finland are a part of our community, calling cities such as Oulu, Pori, Helsinki, and many others home. You can use 51�ԹϺ�����to look for fellow South Africans in Helsinki, for example.

Wondering where to shop for South African delicatessen, want to discuss your national team's latest match, or simply talk to someone in your native language? Become a member of the Finnish 51�ԹϺ�����Community!

• Our network is the best place to meet expats from South Africa.
• On the Finland Expat Forums, you can get competent answers to all your expat-related questions: how to find a babysitter fluent in your mother tongue, where to get bobotie in Helsinki, etc.
• The 51�ԹϺ�����Places database for Finland has information on the nearest South African embassy and many other institutions.

From the thousands of lakes and little islands to its beautiful birch forests and coniferous taiga woods, you can meet supportive and friendly South African expats in Finland on InterNations.

Meet and Mingle with Fellow South Africans in Finland

Additionally, 51�ԹϺ�����hosts regular expat events and activities in Finland. Our get-togethers are sure to cater to your taste as well: as a member, you can partake in cozy gatherings to enjoy some Finnish poronkäristys, join one of our huge expat celebrations with hundreds of participants in Helsinki’s best locations, and much more. Want to discover Finland? Go on a weekend trip with your fellow expats to see the historical province of Uusimaa and other beautiful landmarks.

Our meet-ups and activities offer many wonderful opportunities to mingle with expatriates hailing from South Africa and dozens of other countries in a casual setting. Just sign up for your 51�ԹϺ�����membership and you’ll soon hear a cordial Siya namkela nonke, welkom, isibingelelo from our South Africans living in Finland!