Since I moved to Finland nine years ago, the question I definitely heard the most was: “Why did you move to Finland from Italy?!”. This traces back to the mental image people have of Italians, as constantly sipping red wine while overseeing the sunset on a Tuscany hill. While I am a huge fan of Italy as a tourism destination, it’s not the most welcoming place to live if you are a woman, a mother, or young professional.

My husband and I, both Italian, migrated to Finland for economic and lifestyle motivations. I have put together a shortlist of blessings we hardly would enjoy in Italy. Finland is not the perfect country – no such place exists – and you’ll regularly find me criticising what doesn’t work here. However, it’s very clear to me that living in Finland is what enables me to pursue my personal values and dreams. This is why.

#1 Work-life balance

Work-life balance in Finland is possible, even encouraged by workplaces, policies, and peers. Office hours take place between 8 am and 4 pm, and many employers allow flexible hours and remote working. Daycare and schools schedules are in sync with working life. If your child is sick or you need to take few hours off for family reasons, no one blinks. No matter your role in the company, everyone understands if you have to reschedule a meeting to attend a parent-teacher conference. This all sounds reasonable, but I do not take it for granted. Italy is upside down on this topic and sometime I wonder why Italian employers choose to live in denial of the reality that people have kids and that the latter need adult care. My husband and I wanted kids, but it seemed like an impossible dream back in Italy. We moved here primarily because we knew the conditions were favourable.

#2 Gender equality

Italian society is a patriarchal one and it’s tough to be a woman there. The harassment is basically constant – I grew up thinking being groped in clubs was simply part of the female experience – and humiliations occur daily. Female employment rate is less than 50%, mostly because gender norms and inadequate policies force women to turns into housewives, willing or not. No matter how smart, well educated, or capable I was, I knew I had limited career chances back home. I noticed the huge difference in the first two months I spent in Finland. My new university classmates never once underlined I was a woman and treated me like a human being, a peer. I never considered this was even possible! I knew instantly that was how I wanted to feel the rest of my life. Finland still faces gender issues (for example domestic violence), but it always tops gender equality rankings worldwide.

#3 Support for families

There is a long list of governmental benefits awarded to families with children in Finland. Starting from the famous Finnish baby box, a huge package of goodies gifted to every family welcoming a child, families also receive a monthly payment for every child, a place in public daycare (which is excellent), and much more. There is also plenty of free or cheap events for families, and a lively cultural landscape for kids.

#4 Nature at our doorstep

I always wished my children would grow in close contact with nature. Around 72% of Finland’s total land area is covered in forest. Moreover, Nordic lifestyle is deeply linked to nature, with most Finns used to fishing, picking berries, hiking, cooking on open fire, collecting wild mushrooms, and so on. I love how life here is dictated by the regular rhythm of seasons. We live in an urban area, yet we are surrounded by forest and lakes. Our daughter just ended the year at her “forest daycare”, where she spent day after day playing in nature – no matter the weather – and learning to name plants, mushrooms, and animals. In a world plagued by environmental disasters and exponential urbanisation, it feels incredible we are allowed to enjoy the best of two worlds in perfect harmony, urban and nature.

#5 Career opportunities

Despite Finnish job market still being hard to navigate for foreigners, we both had a lively career in the past 8 years. As a woman, I am grateful I am allowed to work – as I mentioned in the paragraph above, it wasn’t for granted back in Italy. We have worked in different workplaces and accumulated a great variety of international experiences. We were given roles of responsibility, which is something you can hardly hope for back in our birth country.

#6 Our children’s education

The Finnish school system is renowned worldwide for being one of the best in the world. Not only the education delivered is of top quality, but the Finnish education system is low-stress for children. You can find plenty of articles online detailing its recipe for success. Back in Italy, school programmes are pretty much the same as 50 years ago (can you believe I was never delivered any sex ed, but one hour a week of Catholic religion for 13 years?!). Here, children learn also important life skills, like cooking, woodwork, and so on. As a family, we feel blessed that our kids can access the best education which, by the way, is 100% free up to college degree.

#7 A society founded on equality

Finnish society, like any, has its contradictions, but it is undoubtedly founded on the value of equality. There’s a collective agreement that every human being should access certain services and live with dignity. This becomes concrete in many ways. For example free education (and I mean free: no books, no uniforms, no fees) comes from the belief that every child has a right to it. Similarly, the welfare system – which is not source of shame and pretty much everyone claims some benefit from – grants a decent income for everyone. Access to healthcare is universal. It goes on and on. Again, there are issues we are working on, but the pull towards equality is strong and it’s one of the aspects I love the most about Finland. I often repeat that if there’s one place in the world where we can hope for positive change, that’s Finland.

#8 Kids’ independence

Back in Italy, I wasn’t allowed to go anywhere by myself until I was about 12. Not even the shop across the street. My parents worked turns as my drivers until I turned 18. This is unfortunately very common. The stereotype of the Italian child sees him living at home until he’s over 30. I’m afraid it’s quite realistic. Children in Finland are encouraged to grow independent since early years. For example, daycare staff hardly help 4 year olds to dress up to go outside. A 5 year old is supposed to be able to tie her shoelaces. School age children normally walk to school on their own! I love this. This aspect of my children’s upbringing is bearing fruits already now that they are 4 and 6. I can see how they are growing to be independent and confident problem solvers.

#9 The quiet

I didn’t really know what silence was before moving here. Italian people are famous shouters. I love the quiet nights here, not a sound polluting the air. I love to stroll in quiet forests, walking away from the sound of cars passing on the street. Even Helsinki city center is quiet! People are soft spoken and respectful of shared spaces. I have grown so used to this peace that I often struggle to sleep well when I travel.

#10 Honest people

One of the major sources of stress for my husband and me back in Italy was the fear of being cheated. Corruption in Italy is common place, not only in places of power, but also in everyday life. Professionals try to cheat you with false quotes or by selling you fake products. Italian people generally feel they are above the law. We felt under siege pretty much all the time. Here in Finland it’s the complete opposite: most people are honest and rule-abiding. Here we can relax and lower our defences.

What do you think, would you still like to live in Italy other than Finland? Italy will always have a special place in my heart and I hopefully will always be able to visit when I miss it. However, it’s crystal clear to me that Finland is the place for me to raise a family and enjoy life. Thank you, Finland.

P.S. Hey Finland, I won’t stop challenging your flaws simply because I love you, I want you to only grow better, and never lose your status of heavenly place. Yours truly XX.