11.4.2012

Finns move most often for work-related reasons

Turku is the second best place to live in Finland

In a survey conducted by Taloustutkimus in February 2012, Turku was evaluated as the second best place to live in Finland. Tampere was evaluated the best place to live, receiving an overall rating of 7.84, ahead of Turku’s 7.47. 

Above: The market square.  Photographer: Esko Keski-Oja

In Taloustutkimus’ Kaupungit: Muuttohalukkuus 2012 survey, the views of Finns on 37 towns and cities as places to live, their desire to move to those towns and cities and their intention to do so were examined.

In the survey Turku placed amongst the medal positions when assessing the diversity of cultural events available, its pleasant living environment as well as study opportunities. Most of all, Turku residents appreciated the city's excellent recreational opportunities and location. The rest of Finland considered Turku’s educational possibilities its best asset, but regarded location negatively.

Nevertheless, nearly 40 percent of all students and school pupils, and those living in the greater Helsinki area could conceive of Turku being their new home town. In contrast, a similar percentage of those involved in agricultural or the working population could not imagine living in Turku. According to the study, 39 percent of Finns consider employment one of the most important factors for selecting their current place of residence.

Cities were evaluated on the basis of nine characteristics:

• The availability of work
• Opportunities for study
• Location
• A good place to raise children
• Recreational opportunities
• Social services
• A developing economic region
• A diverse cultural life
• A pleasant living enviroment

The highest ranked towns:

1. Tampere 7.84
2. Turku 7.47
3. Jyväskylä 7.37

The study was conducted as part of the Suomi Tänään (Finland Today) survey, which received more than 4,300 responses from Finns aged between 15 and 79 years of age in February 2012.

.