News
05.11.2009
”We found a home that’s right for us” – Experiences with new living environments among those who migrate into, out of and within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area
The study focuses on the reasons for migrating within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, from the Helsinki Metropolitan Area to the surrounding municipalities and from other parts of Finland to the Helsinki Metropolitan Area from the perspective of the people who are moving themselves, the effects of physical, social and financial changes to how households function as well as the views of those migrating out of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area on how to improve the attractiveness of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area as a living environment. The study is based on thematic interviews with 24 people who have moved.
There are as many criteria used in choosing where to move to as there are people who move, but a desirable home, effective transportation infrastructure, a peaceful living environment and proximity to nature are highlighted by many interviewees as key considerations in choosing where to live. Families with children tend to move from city centres to areas with a good supply of single-family houses or to the countryside, not only to improve their living standards, but also to live in environments thatare perceived as being safer and better for children to grow up in.
Moving out of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area has the effect of increasing the use of one’s own car. Transportation by private car appears to be more of a necessary evil than a decision that has value in and of itself. Interviewees also justify the use of a private car on the basis of being able to get around faster and more conveniently compared to public transportation. The study indicates that people tend to pay more attention to time rather than kilometres when evaluating transportation options.
Particularly among those who use private cars, kilometres have lost significance with the development of road networks, vehicles and technology.
To many, the dream home is a single-family house in a peaceful living environment. Nevertheless, several people who have moved also prefer living in apartment buildings. Those who had input in the design and construction of their own home tend to feel that they live in their dream home. In improving the attractiveness of the municipalities in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area, living and transportation are seen as key considerations. From the viewpoint of living, reaching a more reasonable price level is perceived as important in improving the attractiveness of the municipalities in the area. Adding and improving green areas is also seen as a key factor in making living environments more attractive, as people want to feel that they are close to nature. Interviewees also wish to see the Helsinki Metropolitan Area become a safer and more peaceful living environment. Improvements in safety are considered a key factor in improving the attractiveness of the Helsinki Metropolitan Area.
In terms of traffic and transportation, the interviewees indicate that solving the problem of road congestion and developing public transport, especially on the East-West axis, are particularly important. For the most part, attitudes towards co-operation among municipalities in the Helsinki Metropolitan Area are positive. Interviewees expect co-operation to bring about improvements in the quality and efficiency of services. Another positive aspect of co-operation expected by interviewees is the streamlining of administrative costs and allocating the funds thereby saved to improvements in service provision. The issue of municipal unification, however, polarises opinions.
Tuorila H (2009) ”We found a home that’s right for us” – Experiences with new living environments among those who migrate into, out of and within the Helsinki Metropolitan Area. National Consumer Research Centre, Publications 4/2009.
