Helsinki

The Good

• Exceptional Work-Life Balance: The culture strictly respects personal time; overtime is rare, holidays are generous (often 5-6 weeks), and "family first" is the norm.
• Flat Hierarchies: Workplaces feature low power distance, where juniors can openly challenge seniors and managers, fostering a collaborative environment.
• English-Friendly Tech Scene: Most software engineering roles operate entirely in English, meaning you can work effectively without fluency in Finnish initially.
• Proximity to Nature: Even in the capital, you are never far from forests, lakes, or the sea, making it easy to decompress outdoors.
• Safety and Stability: Residents consistently praise the feeling of physical safety, low crime, and the reliability of public services.
• Occupational Healthcare: Tech employers typically provide private occupational healthcare, bypassing some of the wait times associated with the public system.