I'm a Connecticut yankee who has recently relocated to Lappeenranta, Finland.
I joined expat.com on 30 September 2011.
Pictures by elena.ba
I am studying Finnish and adjusting to life here. I spend the majority of my spare time reading, writing, and studying!
It is beautiful, quiet and calm here. I've found the people to be extremely tolerant and kind. Although I have heard stories to the contrary, in my experience, bureaucracy is incredibly efficient here.
The only complaint I can think of is that my family and friends aren't here in Finland, and that I can't visit them easily. Obviously, I can't exactly blame Finland for its lack of geographic proximity to Connecticut, USA!
My entire life and education.
It's beautiful and rural; it's home; my loved ones live there; ethnic food is abundant and fairly diverse; it's halfway between Boston and New York.
Healthcare is abysmal and expensive; the cost of living is high; there's a serious lack of decent public transit.