Leena and Jami

Roots already close to Ikaalinen

“Everyday life here felt surprisingly familiar from the very first day.”

Leena and Jami live in Tampere, but Ikaalinen is no stranger to them. Jami works as a paramedic in Ikaalinen and has been commuting for several years. When the opportunity to experiment with housing arose, the couple saw an opportunity to see if Ikaalinen could be the place where they eventually settle.

“Thoughts about having my own house have been on my mind for a long time. This experiment was a perfect fit.”

Nature begins at the doorstep – it also impressed the dog

Ikaalinen offered room to breathe. Nature is an important part of everyday life for Leena and Jami. Their dog Silli immensely enjoyed the forests, lakes and new jogging trails.

“It’s a luxury to have direct access to the forest from your front door. It makes everyday life easier – and the dog loves it.” Ikaalinen has invested in outdoor trails, and the diverse recreational opportunities were impressive: the sports services of the Valkean Ruusun areena, the Vatulanharju cross-country and running trails, swimming areas and quiet forests.

Their dog Silli loves the forest, outdoor activities and water games – and in Ikaalinen, all of these were available right at the door. “It’s incredible how quickly you can get to the forest. No bus trips or long commutes. Nature is part of everyday life here.” Mountain biking, trail running, beaches and jogging trails made an impression during the week. The silence also stood out: “There’s no background noise from the city here. It reminded me of how wonderful peace can be.”

Everyday life works – and that is crucial

The couple dreams of a terraced house or a detached house with more space. A yard for Silli, a corner for Leena to do crafts, and a stable for Jami for bikes and exercise equipment.

“Apartment living is starting to become a thing of the past. We miss space and our own peace.” The housing supply was impressive – prices, number of options, and availability of services.

Ikaalinen has almost all basic services: shops, health services, a library, schools and sports facilities.
The distances vary depending on where you live. Commuting is also smooth, and Leena is able to do a large part of her work remotely.

Lunch with the mayor and conversations with village residents reinforced the feeling that the community is genuinely welcoming.

"Ikaalinen showed what we want from our future home.”

“The week gave us a lot of answers. Ikaalinen could very well be a place where we put down roots in the future.”

The housing experiment was part of the Beautiful, Horrible Countryside campaign implemented by the City of Ikaalinen in autumn 2025. In the campaign, nine municipalities in Satakunta and Northwest Pirkanmaa welcomed a total of 42 experimenters interested in living in the countryside to live and experience everyday life for a week.