Expat Housing Guide: Moving to Helsinki

Helsinki's housing market is characterized by high demand and limited supply, making it competitive, especially in central areas. Prices have been steadily increasing over the past decade, with a slight stabilization in recent years. The market offers a mix of apartment buildings (kerrostalo), row houses (rivitalo), and detached houses (omakotitalo), with apartments being the most common in the city center. New developments are continuously emerging in areas like Kalasatama and Jätkäsaari. The market is relatively international, with English widely used, though Finnish documentation is standard. Rental properties move quickly, especially during summer and early autumn when students and new workers arrive.