Quality of Life
Compared to a metropolis, Turku offers a superb quality of life. The city of 200.000 people leading a region of 470.000 is big enough to have adequate urban services for an international professional. Still, there's no rush hour – where we come from, it's replaced with fresh air.
Move in with your family, and you might have the time of your life. We have an international school and kindergartens in English and French. Present economic growth creates career opportunities to people from different professional backgrounds. The compact size of the city means short travel distances and reasonable housing prices. If you want to live by the River Aura in the city centre, you certainly can. If you choose to have a house in the countryside, there are great options no more than 15 minutes from the city.
Don't worry, be happy
There’s no problem finding something to do,
and getting there is easy!
Nordic lifestyle has a strong connection with happiness and quality of life. In Turku you can let the kids out to play without worry – that's what the locals do. The society is as stable as it gets, and the nature is, literally, there for you (and everyone else).
Wanna go, pick wild berries in the weekend? In Finland you can, and it's called an "everyman's right". The closest national park to Turku is Kurjenrahka, situated just 40 minutes from the city centre.
Then, there's the Scandinavian Archipelago made up of over 40.000 islands and skerries. This natural wonder spreads between Turku and Stockholm, being the most numerous archipelago in the world. Living in Turku, you can take a day trip there – or have a cottage, boat or even island of your own. The people of Turku are known for their love of the archipelago, and many of them spend big part of their free-time there.
European Capital of Culture 2011
Worried about the restaurant scene? No need to. Turku is an up-and-coming destination among those who travel for food and wine. The archipelago offers seafood, virgin potatoes and traditional sweet black bread, and the strawberries, blueberries and cloudberries are the best in the world.
Our smart but casual restaurants have earned Turku a reputation as the food capital of Finland. Delicious! And the Old Market Hall awaits your visit, especially if you're a bit of a chef yourself.
Turku is pleasantly compact, but don't be mislead by the size. Originally from the 13th century, Turku has the soul of a European culture city – and it actually served as the European Capital of Culture in 2011. Rich in culture, Turku has a great selection of art and history museums.
Take a walk along the River Aura and reveal one of the best-kept secrets of Europe. Small is the new big, isn't it?
Flexible day care, active schools
There are a number of day care options for children under the school age: day care centres, private day care, three-family day care, nursery schools, outdoor nursery schools, open day care and playground activities. The activities emphasise physical exercise, the promotion of physical exercise and making exercise a part of the child’s everyday life. Turku also has a number of private day cares where a family can place their child with a voucher, private day care allowance or its municipal extension. Should the parents’ working hours require it, children are also offered evening, night or weekend care.
We are raising citizens of the world! Multiculturalism is seen in the everyday lives of pupils. More than 70 languages are spoken as first languages in Turku schools. Children have their own Adventure Park, Seikkailupuisto as well as many workshops and courses. Vimma Art and Activity Centre for Youth lets creativity flow – together!
Did you know one in three Turku residents is a student or a pupil?
That is why we invest in the youth. Together, our universities, the city and enterprises are building Turku into the best student city in Finland. Year after year, students from Turku score top marks in their matriculation examinations. Skilled youth find their dream professions in the Vocational Institute, and many are inspired to update their skills in adult education.