What's it like to live in Helsinki?
In the capital no two days are the same. A vibrant urban culture and 1,200 km of cycling paths keep Helsinki residents on the move, while the sea breeze keeps minds refreshed. Everyday life runs smoothly in apartment living. At the heart of Helsinki lies a diverse cityscape, shaped by both its history and its people. This is a city for you.
Diversity, community spirit, safety and an overall great atmosphere keep Helsinki at the top of the list of the world’s best home cities. And no wonder, as we live in the happiest country in the world.
Transport links beyond compare
Wherever you are heading, in Helsinki it is easy to get there by tram, bus, train or metro. The Ring Rail Line connects the centre of Helsinki to the Helsinki-Vantaa Airport and therefore the entire world.
Helsinki is a great city for cyclists. You can ride almost everywhere in Helsinki on up to 1 200 km of cycling routes. For example, the Baana fast lane enables you to ride from Kiasma to Ruoholahti in just five minutes. Helsinki residents also love to walk, and who wouldn’t when the city is this beautiful.
As a SATO resident, you're always close to excellent transport connections, as our rental apartments are located at key commuting hubs and often along rail lines.
Home to headquarters
The Helsinki area has over 700,000 jobs, and the City of Helsinki alone employs nearly 40,000 people. The headquarters of major companies shape the cityscape, for instance, UPM near the Central Railway Station, Stora Enso and Sampo by the South Harbour, and Wärtsilä and Outokumpu in Salmisaari. International companies also have a strong presence in the city, and it’s not uncommon to spot employees from Google, Deloitte, IBM, KPMG, Bain & Company, and Siemens around town during lunch hours.
Helsinki offers fast connections to business hubs in neighbouring cities as well. For example, Fortum and Neste are located along the railway in Espoo, while Vantaa is home to companies like Finnair, Tikkurila and Vaisala.
Nearly 90 per cent of jobs in Helsinki are in the service sector (2025), with business services and public administration among the key employers.
Bubbling urban culture by the glimmering sea
Helsinki offers things to do every day of the week. The city’s bubbling urban culture coupled with stunning seafront scenery and closeness to nature is perfect for every stage in your life. The city offers its residents experiences around the year starting from local events like the Kumpula Village Party to world-class festivals, sports events and concerts.
Multitude of nature trails and paths for walks and runs start very close to the city centre. A morning jog along the seafront in Eiranranta, walking your dog around Töölönlahti Bay or a long hike to Mustikkamaa island will give you a great boost of energy. And the further you go from the centre the larger the parks and green areas get. Uutela is the place for eastbound residents, while the Central Park is an obvious favourite among many of those into enjoying the outdoors.
Did you know that wherever you are in Helsinki you are always within around 10 km from the seafront and that you can walk freely by it almost all around the city? Spanning more than 100 km, Helsinki’s coastline has so many places worth visiting: Fancy having a sauna with a seaview? Head for Hernesaari’s Löyly sauna. Perhaps bathing on a sandy beach? There are lots of fantastic beaches in East Helsinki. Curious about cannons? This time skip Suomenlinna and visit Vallisaari island instead.
SATOhomes near the sea shore
Smooth everyday living and top services
Helsinki is constantly evolving: along with new restaurants, services and events, new residential areas are being developed and unique neighbourhoods continue to thrive. If you want everything in one place, shopping centres from Kamppi to Itis are a great choice. If you prefer a more local feel, the streets of the city centre and its market halls offer charming boutiques and speciality shops. And we cannot leave you without mentioning the Helsinki Central Library Oodi! There’s a wide range of services and inspiring leisure activities available for everyone from young children to seniors.
Cities similar to Helsinki
Are you moving to Helsinki from abroad? Would it help you to know that Helsinki is like Stockholm’s Södermalm, Copenhagen’s Østerbro, Berlin’s Prenzlauer Berg, and Amsterdam’s De Pijp, mainly because they all combine a coastal setting, relaxed atmosphere, strong café and design culture, and easy access to nature. Nice, right? Welcome to Finland!