[Closed] Helsinki - September to December

Take a bike - go to Nuuksio national park a lot, it's rideable from the city, off-road if oyu start from the centre.

Do lots of sauna - if you are with friends hire a sauna cabin in the woods for an evening

It won't be warm, probably, nor will it be snowing by December. Well it might snow a bit but it won't stay and you won't be able to ski, not down South. You could probably fly up north though. Flights won't be expensive that early in the season.

It's fab.

Finns are nice, they have a reputation for being taciturn but it's only noticeable if you come from America I think.

Ace. Cheers mol!

Just been looking at pics of Nuuksio NP. Very nice indeed. That Route 2000 from Helsinki looks like a winner, too.

Lucky you, Finland is brilliant and Helsinki has loads going on.

You will catch the end of summer and have a proper autumn, it won't get silly cold by the time you leave but you could have snow.

You can go and watch Jokerit who play in the KHL or IFK who play in SMLiga

There are usually a lot of acts touring which will play in Hartwell Arena or there are a lot of small clubs, live music is very big in Finland, loads of really good bands.

Loads of cycling and bike shops who will be able to hook you up.

People are generous funny and a bit quiet until you put beer in them, Sauna will become a way of life.

Have a great time

😀

Cheers pigface, sounds brilliant!

And nothing's firm yet, just put my name in a hat. I don't know whose hat it is and how many other names are in it.

That Route 2000 from Helsinki looks like a winner, too.

Yeah I never managed to do it all in one go, but did most of it.

Take a GPS though as it's all very samey. Just ride flat out along undulating fire road and singletrack til you get tired, then go home. If it's hot, stop for a dip in one of the lakes. Bring some sausages or fish to barbecue at one of the fire huts too.

ride flat out along undulating fire road and singletrack

Well that's "What bike for Finland?" decided, then! Peregrine and a maybe a couple of different sets of tyres.

Gravel/hardpack tyres will be all you need. And possibly spikes 🙂

PS If you are on 26 I have some spikes you can have for a small fee!

I have spent limited time there, but did spend a very pleasant 4 days on my "minimoon" (sorry).

Great city, very cold (early November), definitely go for it (and tell us how you get on).

It was snowing on the 1st November fairly heavily on my visit, for what its worth.

can't help but am not long back from a tour of Scandinavia,. Helsinki wasn't on the original agenda but was added, sadly with not much time. Didn't see much, loved what I did. I'd avoid those little fish some of the food stalls sell, they were vile, everything else was just grand. Also overnight ferry to Stockholm in small, comfortable cabin was 24Euro (return, not each way) on Viking Ferries. Stockholm also very nice.

Well. I'm going!

😀

Missing the wife already 😐 But.

😀

Finland is a great place. Changed a bit since the demise of the USSR (their over bearing neighbour) and taken it's place in the EU, its been for the better mostly. People friendly and it will help if you like the Finlandia Symphony by Sibelius and also know who Pavo Nurmi is (that statue outside the old olympic stadium).

Going for a run across the frozen sea was fun first time, being passed by a car while on the sea ice interesting. Good food and beer. Turku(s?) is a good place and getting up above the artic circle is worth doing. Loads of running and cycle stuff in the summer, also in some place you would be considered a little weird if you don't xc ski.

It would be good to learn to like real hot saunas. as a regular visitor at one time, it seemed to be the sport to try and poach (in his own sweat) the visiting Brit. Fun fun.

I loved it there.

PS Emmerdale dubbed into Finnish was amusing the first time I watched it.

PPS Important! do not say they are Scandinavian, the Swedish are not well liked (similar to England Scotland thing).

Check the comparative cost of living on Numbeo.

Helsinki is an incredible city, lucky you! I spent some time there last October for work and would love to go back. It's not especially cold, temperature-wise, but the wind is very chilling! It can be fairly grim towards the end of the year when the days get shorter just because there's so little daylight. I've known a few folks who've had trouble adapting to that but those little SAD lamps are easily available and help. There's a Marks & Spencer now so Percy Pigs are easy to get your hands on; that's all that matters really.

I didn't notice any anti-Sweden sentiment that [i]mt[/i] mentioned, but then I haven't noticed a serious dislike between Scotland and England either so maybe his/her view is skewed.

The Sweden thing I didn't see in the whole year I was there, they are like cousins that are very competitive with each other. Sweden Norway and Denmark can all understand each other but Finnish is a whole world of pain as far as languages go.

Good point made about Russia, in Karellia the older Finns hated the Russians, look up your history the Winter War and the Continuation war.

Have a great time

What's the joke about people from Turku? I don't get it when my Finnish friends talked about people from Turku. Friends are from Helsinki.

😛

Op, I'm living in Helsinki atm. Send me an email if you want some local advice 🙂

Honestly it is also season for wet slush and darkness but it seems to be no problem for most expats. The skiing season might start in November or in February depending on the year but fat bike season is at least 12months ong.

The riding is bit more varied than fireroads even with obvious lack of mountains - there is fair amount of technical riding in the rocky and rooty Central park starting about 1km from Central Railway Station.

Tervetuloa suomeen!

I didn't find the darkness thing a problem at all, barely noticed it. You go to work in the darkness, and come home in it, just like you do here. The daylight at 11.30pm is a bit nuts, but full on hot afternoon sunshine at 10pm is much weirder. The real plus side though is that it's rideable until say 8.30 for months and months, because the dusk lasts much longer. I reckon you'll use lights far less.

I never found the darkness a problem either, it doesn't really get dark because there is snow on the ground and that gives the most amazing light. Coolest thing was cycling home at 2 in the morning in July and it being light but to the north was a false horizon where it looked like daylight. That was a stop and stare for 5 minutes.

What was really a pain was in the early spring when snow was melting during the day and freezing at night riding a bike on the frozen ruts was really tricky.

Thanks for all the replies and the all the enthusiasm. Very encouraging!

I'll be working in Salmisaari, possibly even with a window seat looking over the water to Lauttasaari. Or in the basement next to the bogs!

I know surprisingly little at the moment. I'm 99% sure that I'll be working for the same company, bu that's about it! I'm assuming I'm going over to do a similar thing that I do at the moment, but that's not been confirmed...

No idea how much choice I'll get in where I'll be living, but I'll have to insist on somewhere to put the bike!

I'll be back on when I know enough to ask some more specific questions. Cheers Hans, I'll be in touch!

For Swedish relations think enjoyable rivalry, for Russian relations think pragmatism required but wouldn't trust them as far as they can throw em.

Cycling in full combat dress with a dummy rocket launcher strapped to your back is no time to try and steer out of a rut on a snowy road - face plant with secondary of impact of the rocket launcher hitting your head was not my finest hour.

The cold feels different to what you experience in UK, which might sound weird, but it can be drier so even though it is colder it doesn't feel as cold. Still wrap up well!

Lauttasaari

I used to live there 🙂

I'm a frequent visitor for work too

Its a cool place, the people are great & super funny once you get to know them. Very amusing sense of humour

I'm guessing I'll 100% definitely need spiked tyres if I'm riding in November/December?

On-one have some at a tenner at the mo. (I need 700c, cheers though mol)

Not 100%, no. If it freezes, which it might, there tend to be lots of seeps across the trails which result in large ice slicks - you'll want spikes for those. Especially if it then snows 🙂

Cheers, mol. I might wait and see then.

I've got a call next week with the chap I'll be working for to talk logistics.

I many not have a choice, but any areas which I could ask to live in, or ask not to live in? Think I'm keener on views, greenery than, say, living above a bar and being able to go out on the raj at the drop of a hat.

Having said that, I guess I don't want to be stuck in retirement-ville either. and I guess the city's small enough that you can get from one side to the other pretty quickly.

Cheers again!

Areas like Töölo, Arabia, Katajanokka, Kalasatama, Alppila, Maunula, Huopalahti, Munkkiniemi, Pohjois Häägä, Etelä Häägä and Lauttasaari are all quite nice. Some have coastal views, others have decent forests or parks close by. The rental prices are quite high, but these diminish if you move east (East Helsinki) or north (Vantaa) and don't mind commuting. If it's a short stay, i don't suppose that the price difference really matters.

Most decent bars and restaurants are in the centre, but there's often a couple of cafes and dive bars in most suburbs. I live in Munkkivuori which is pretty sleepy, but 30mins from the centre by bus and very easy access to good biking areas.

As for tyres, the terrain is mainly granite, assorted rocks, deep mud/swamp and loads of roots. It's flat. The past two Autumns have been warm (i.e. above -5*C) and really rainy, without much snow or ice. Spike tyres are widely available here, so i wouldnt bother bringing any.

I'd recommend bringing decent waterproofs and lights for biking.

others have decent forests or parks close by

I used to ride out from Lauttasaari to Nuuksio, was about 10 miles or so. East Helsinki would be a bit of a trek.

Cheers guys. Work is paying for living expenses, so it's more a case of how much they're happy to stump up.

They might offer a car I can barter, I don't know. How useful is having a car? Both for getting around the city and for trips away? I'll be back in the UK for a few weekends.

I'm happy racking up the miles for trips away on the bike, and I'm guessing there's going to be plenty within Helsinki itself to keep me occupied for a month or two of weekends? Annoyingly, Steve n'Seagulls - www.youtube.com/watch?v=e4Ao-iNPPUc - are coming to London when I'll be in Finland!

Is there a cycle path alongside the 51? Mainly over the bridge from Salmisaari - I can see the side roads following it further out.

How useful is having a car?

Not necessary for getting around the city, or for getting to the local riding, but given a whole new country to explore who wouldn't need a car?

Is there a cycle path alongside the 51?

I don't think there is on that bridge, but you can go along the other bridge through Ruoholahti instead. Used to ride that way to get into town.. happy days 🙂

I used to ride out from Lauttasaari to Nuuksio, was about 10 miles or so. East Helsinki would be a bit of a trek.

There's good riding east of Helsinki. Point is, where ever you live, there'll be something decent within a couple of km. Lauttasaari is an exception though, although there are a few cheeky trails here and there. There's plenty of dedicated bike lanes in Helsinki, Espoo and Vantaa. It's very easy to cycle over here.

Hello again,

Accommodation choices time! What do people think of this selection? Location as much as anything.

Trad scandi wooden place, Limingantie
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2012751

Studio in Kallio
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/742710

bigger place, bit dated, Haaga ish
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1916513

smaller, simple, Lautassari
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1281446

I think I'll move once during my 3 month stay, but I'm torn between starting in the thick of it (Kallio) and making the most of being in the city in the while it's still light, or starting further out and making the most of the scenery.

good luck ned - from fellow Peregrine owner.
You'll sure notice a difference from London isn't it ? 🙂

Cheers Cal,

Yup, same latitude at Thurso! Looking forward to it.

And as it's unhelpfully on the bottom of the previous page, here's the latest:

Accommodation choices time! What do people think of this selection? Location as much as anything.

Trad scandi wooden place, Limingantie
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2012751

Studio in Kallio
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/742710

bigger place, bit dated, Haaga ish
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1916513

smaller, simple, Lautassari
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1281446

I think I'll move once during my 3 month stay, but I'm torn between starting in the thick of it (Kallio) and making the most of being in the city in the while it's still light, or starting further out and making the most of the scenery.

I would be out on the Island if it was my choice, scenery is all the same 😆 trees, water, rocks, trees trees, water etc etc

Easy cycle commute to downtown. The amazing thing about Finland is that the light changes as the seasons do. I hope you see that.

Hello Ned,
I've had a look at what the links. The airbnb prices are pretty good! You've found some good places.

Trad scandi wooden place, Limingantie
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2012751
--- Quite far out of the centre. But, it is a nice area. The arts department of the biggest university (Aalto) is nearby in Arabia. There's a nice bike shop closeby and it's nearby the first settlement of Helsinki.

Studio in Kallio
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/742710
--- This place looks really familiar. I swear I've been to a party at this address! If it's what I remember, expect a superheated appartment with odd nooks and crannies. Noisy neighbours and perhaps no lift. But, it's in the beating heart of Helsinki nightlife. Good transport links all night.

bigger place, bit dated, Haaga ish
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1916513
I live near here. A friend lives even closer. Great access to the city centre with the train from Huoppalahti station. Otherwise quite sleepy but close to lots of good riding.

smaller, simple, Lautassari
https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1281446
Looks good but it's in a fairly isolated part of Lauttasaari. The shops, bars, cafes and bus routes are generally found nearer the centre of the island

Hope that helps

Cheers Hans, Pigface,

So far, it's only the Haaga-ish one that's got back to me, so currently it's that one by default! She's also said it's available for the whole 3 months if I want. The Lautasaari one is pretty small, tricky if wife comes to stay (bed is a "bachelor's occasional") even trickier if anyone else comes out.

Hans, thanks for your comments, really helpful. By "superheated" do you mean really hot? As in temperature?

There is also this one,

https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1125179

Lovely apartment in what's apparently a nice area, (?) but I think it's too small really, and not sure about bike security - there's a bike place in the building to store it, apparently, but I'd be happier if it was in the flat - not really room in here, and it's on the 5th floor.

yep, just really hot. They build houses really well insulated here! I asked my gf about where she'd go, and she immediately said Kallio. Lots to do and see around there.

The> https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/1125179

I think Finland is one of the most honest places I have ever been. there was a decent mobile phone on a bench in the reception hall in our department at Uni and it was claimed after 3 days. Nobody took it, my mate lost his wallet in a bar and it was handed into the Joensuu police station. Bike should be safe, with usual precautions.

Where is the food market HansRey? I am in Helsinki end of September.

Houses are crazy hot, well to hot for me, the old CHP works very well there.

I figured that it wouldn't be the done thing to put the bike in the lift, and wouldn't fancy the stairs to the 5th floor! there's only

So I've got a choice between this place for 3 months if I want, the Haaga-ish place for all 3 months, or the Kallio place only available for the first month. Others aren't available.

This appeals to be honest, a decent bike ride every day, seeing autumn got to winter

The amazing thing about Finland is that the light changes as the seasons do. I hope you see that.

arg! choices, choices!

Houses are crazy hot

I think the Kallio place is out then! I hate sleeping in a hot room. And the bed's in the roof - hot air will stay up there even with window open.

So if I was going to split my time - centre in September and move out later, or start out and move in?

Starting in the centre and moving out when it's colder, wetter and darker sounds a bit odd. So Haaga for one month then move in, or Punavuori for 3 months...? Hmmm.

Ned one thing I should point out is that modern apartment buildings in Finland aren't the most showy affairs from the outside at least. Parts of Helsinki can look a little harsh, I was thinking this when travelling on a tram last year.

Where ever you decide to live you will have a good time. I guarantee it 😆

Bugger it. Punavuori it is. If I want a longer bike ride to or from work, I can go the long way round:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/dir/60.1594281,24.9377875/60.1851856,24.9079555/60.1850522,24.8603783/60.1634839,24.9029314/ @60.1761894,24.8235044,12z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!4m1!3e1

Cheers, Pigface!

Talking of harsh things, typing "Pigface" always stops me for a wee moment!

Punavuori is nice, too. I used to live there and I enjoyed it. If you're bringing a car then get a permit and check if a clothes washing machine is included in the rental (or if there is a communal machine).

It was the old redlight district of Helsinki (today, it is Kallio). Lots of nice bars and restaurants, as well as some cheaper joints down Iso Robertinkatu. The BrewDog bar is closeby as well as one of the best beer pubs in Helsinki, The Black Door.

.

Pigface - It's the Hakaniemen kauppahalli, or Hakaniemi Market hall. It'll be pricy, but better stocked than the two Finnish supermarket chains.

Are you over for work or pleasure? If you don't mind me asking...

http://www.hakaniemenkauppahalli.fi/
[img] [/img]

Not at all, going to watch Jokipojat in Joensuu, they are back in Mestis so have to support them.

Two nights in Helsinki each side of traveling to Joensuu, will see some friends as well.

Back in Feb to watch a couple of SM Liga games but we haven't sorted that out yet.

Entered my first 'cross race!

VPCX thing at Tuulisaari Park Sunday week.

And I've just found out the highest climbing wall in the Nordics is just round the corner from my office. Happy days.

Cheers for the Punavouri hints, Hans. We'll have to hook up for a beer at some point. If my plans to ride the long way to work actually happen, (14km v 2.5km) I'll be coming through Mounkivouri most days.

You enjoying it Ned?

Not there yet! Still in leafy surrey. One more day at work, ssuk, then off!

the climbing centre ( http://www.kiipeilyareena.com/) at Salmisaari is great. A little expensive but worth the cash. There are other bouldering centres dotted about which are very popular. Before being allowed to climb at SS, you may need to demonstrate that you have the correct skills and understanding to belay, etc. Quite normal stuff.

Yep, send me a message (mail in profile) if you fancy a beer or something. There's only one bar in Munkkivuori (a räkälä... basically a dive bar). The best ones are closer to the centre 🙂

Finland has a Swedish-speaking community (most famous member Tove Jansson, author of Moomintroll books) whose main city is Turku (Abu). Swedish is an official second language.

For background about ww2 I strongly recommend "Unknown Soldier" by Vaino Linna.

Finland has a Swedish-speaking community (most famous member Tove Jansson, author of Moomintroll books) whose main city is Turku (Abu). Swedish is an official second language.

For background about ww2 I strongly recommend "Unknown Soldier" by Vaino Linna.

Year of the Hare by Arto Paasilinna is a great book to read as well

Nothing to do with the war just a cool story.

I think Hanko is very Swedish isn't it Hans?

I think Hanko is very Swedish isn't it Hans?

Weather for today and next couple of days should feel quite familiar to anyone from UK. Welcome!

Cheers mmannerr.

So far so good. Sunny and mild, which I trust will continue through to mid-December.

Apartment is perfectly pleasant, a little smaller than the office I'm sharing with one other. Sat by the window on the fourth floor, with a view out to Lautasarri down to Melkki Melko and out to sea. I think I'll see some good sunsets from here!

Signed up for first CX race this weekend - VPCX on Sunday.

Just realised I could hire a mo'bike for the weekend if I fancied! Toss up between doing that while the weather's still good, and making the most of being out on the cross bike while the weather's still good. Choices...

Ned, Hans, I'm planning a trip to Helsinki next spring. We do lots of city breaks which involve walking for 4-5 hours per day, good food and bars, bit of live music and a central location. Where would you recommend? Is the 'nightlife' in Kallio intrusive? Have you found it outrageously expensive? I saw lots of Finns in Tallinn on the lash and Tallinn isn't particularly cheap. Any thoughts or guidance would be greatly appreciated. B

BillMC - Helsinki's a nice place to walk around. You'll easily see it all in 4-5 days. Two days are enough with local knowledge. It's not a vibrant capital city (such as London) and it's quite chilled. If you're interested in Finnish culture, it's particularly good as there is a strong Finnish revival at the moment.

I'd recommend staying with Airbnb. The hotels are nice (and the breakfasts are usually good) but you're looking at 150e per night including breakfast if staying central.

Tallinn is considerably cheaper than Helsinki. Many Finns go there for the cheaper (and better, IMHO) restaurants and bars. Tallinn is cheaper outside of the old town but not as scenic.

What about visiting Stockholm, Riga, Mariehamn or Gothenberg en route?

Thanks Hans, we always do Airbnb. Which area would you recommend?

If you want to be close to the centre with easy access to the underground system, I'd look for accomodation in Kamppi, Hakaniemi, Kaisaniemi, Kruununhaka or Kallio.
Eira and Punavuori are also very central and are near some big parks. Good tram and bus links there, but the nearest underground station would be Kamppi.

Other places with good bus/tram links are Töölö, Arabia, Katajanokka and Lauttasaari.

The single underground line has undergone a huge extension project and it's supposed to finish within a few months. It will run from Helsinki all the way into the middle of Espoo region. There's not a great deal to do in Espoo, it's more like a bunch of small villages and housing estates loosely connected together rather than a city.

send me an email if you want any more advice. I'm happy to help

Sorry, Bill, not much to add from my end, I've only been here a couple of days.

Love it so far, though. Beautiful ride home last night:

https://www.strava.com/activities/389296895

I have a Brewdog pub as my local in Punavouri. Some great beer, but you wouldn't get much change out of €50 if you wanted to get drunk.

CX race on Sunday (didn't come last) with Sauna after, beers, Jalo and a swim in the sea on the way home.

Getting into the swing of things! 😀

Sounds like it 😆

[img] [/img]

more to follow.

Beautiful day in Helsinki

Beautiful day in Helsinki yet again! Sunniest October since records began by a big margin. 😀 Warmest November day ever earlier this week.

Now the evenings are dark, I've been looking into live music. Just found out Sepultura are playing next week, only 10 mins stroll from my flat. Can't really think of many excuses not to go. Got plenty of black clothing, so no problem there (most of it technical outerwear, but still)

Just the fact that I don't particularly like them. Loved Chaos AD BITD though. Basically, I'd be going on behalf of my 14 year-old self. Hmmm.

I guess you are back now, did you enjoy Finland and any thoughts on the place you would like to share?

Will be interesting to hear experiences - September to December was unusually warm this year and this January has been very cold!

Yes cold weather warning last week in Helsinki.

Bump for Ned

Hey! Sorry I missed this before.

I had a great time. Would recommend it to anyone. Thanks for the advice and encouragement to go! I was lucky with the weather (see above) but did miss proper winter.

Very glad I took the bike with me. Perfect way to get around Helsinki and explore the city and further afield, and it gave me a nice excuse/reason into a couple of friendships/acquaintanceships - VPCX series: the 1st race was my first Sunday there, last race was my Last Sunday. Raced 5 of the 6 rounds, including the 10 year anniversary round up in a cottage near Tampere in 10 inches of snow. Good bunch of people, diverse interesting lot too. Post race beers, sauna, lake swimming. Mid-table obscurity was the zone I occupied.

Also met a guy I'd emailed about gravel routes - I invited myself along to a camping/biking trip he was planning - he said no problem. Great weekend up in Repovesi National Park with him and a couple of others: https://erikplankton.exposure.co/full-moon Went paddling with him in the Sipoo archipelago a little while later - dead calm, sunny, fishing (not catching), beers, sandwiches.

Met up with HansRey off here a couple of times for long-way-home beers and sunset watching at the Cafe Torpenranta.

My wife came over for a couple of weekends - went to see a couple of ice hockey matches, hired bikes for the Reitti 2000, visited Suomenlinna, mooching round town, concerts, museums. Lovely to see her.

Long weekend to Lapland as things were starting to freeze up - took the hammock up and hired a car for road trip from Ivalo - Utsjoki, downj the Norwegian border, into Norway (northern lights, -12, cold night in the hammock!) anad back to Ivalo.

Work was interesting, pretty similar to what I do here. 5th floor view south over the sea from Salmisaari. Couple of trips to Stockholm and Copenhagen.

Photo's and more thoughts to follow when I'm home this evening.

Brilliant so pleased you enjoyed it, I am going in two weeks for our ice hockey weekend.