Ciao a tutti,
Sono un ragazzo francese di 30 anni che sta pensando di trasferirsi in Lapponia, idealmente vicino al confine FIN/SWE o attorno all’area dei “tre confini”.
Sono molto sportivo e pratico le attività all’aria aperta: corsa, trail running, allenamento per la forza, escursionismo, trekking a lunga distanza, tiro sportivo, caccia, pesca, ecc.
Sono già stato in Lapponia due volte in inverno per viaggi in solitaria e autosufficienti:
- trekking sul Kungsleden da Abisko a Nikkaluokta
- attraversare il Parco Nazionale Urho Kekkonen è mio
Professionalmente ho conseguito un Master in cybersecurity. Tuttavia, non voglio più lavorare nel settore IT. Semplicemente non mi va bene. Non sopporto la vita d’ufficio, gli spazi aperti, la cultura aziendale e stare seduto tutto il giorno davanti agli schermi. Ho bisogno di qualcosa di più fisico, di più concreto, di più reale (idealmente all’aperto).
E possiedo un cane, un Malinois belga.
Quindi ho alcune domande:
Che tipo di lavori sono disponibili in Lapponia, soprattutto in inverno?
In particolare durante la stagione buia, cosa fanno effettivamente le persone per lavoro quando è la notte polare? Sono disponibile alla riqualificazione se necessario.
Quale stipendio è necessario per vivere “comodamente” in Finlandia?
Per confronto:
- Il salario minimo francese è di circa 1.440 euro al netto delle tasse
- Attualmente guadagno € 2.600 al netto delle tasse
- Pago circa 900€ di affitto per un appartamento con 2 camere da letto
Quale sarebbe un reddito realistico in Lapponia per vivere dignitosamente (non nel lusso, ma stabile e confortevole)? Soprattutto nelle città più piccole vicino al confine svedese?
Sono consapevole che spostare paesi non è solo una questione di paesaggi e idee romantiche. Apprezzerei davvero un feedback onesto e realistico, comprese le dure verità.
Grazie in anticipo!
https://i.redd.it/eip8re0kafjg1.jpeg
di Trekkos
25 commenti
You want a physical job in Finland without knowing the language? Good luck.
They do same jobs as everyone else, but there are very few of them available. In touristy areas like Rovaniemi and Saariselkä, there might be more tourist related jobs, but many are seasonal.
Also, near the three border crossing, there are no townS. There is A town, Kilpisjärvi. Lapland is very sparsely populated, there aren’t just random towns here and there, it’s literally mostly empty.
Your best bet is to stay in IT and do a remote job.
I would say that you might be able to get a temporary job, but you don’t speak Finnish. So I’m not sure what you could be doing. Also after winter, a lot of those seasonal jobs will be gone.
Finland is the highest unemployed country in Europe. That’s not a joke.
Do you speak the language(s)? – if you move to the border it’s gonna be extremely unlikely to find any job if you don’t.
There are often seasonal jobs, so no regular income if you will and ofc a lot related to tourism.
https://www.swedishlapland.com/work/
Think of someone wanting to move to rural France, it’s gonna be tough luck if they aren’t fluent in French.
I work in Lapland.
Winter is easy to find work with the main industry being tourism. I work as a guide, having gone to school for it and gotten the certifications. But unfortunately its not necessary and there are tons of inexperienced guides, but good ones with the right experience and background do well. Languages definitely help and there are a lot of French guests.
I would say to live comfortably, you need around 1500 euros per month. Finding a place to stay is difficult and usually you find a place that offers you a room/apartment as well as work. And again, year round is the issue.
Once the season is over, there isn’t much. Some places might hire you on for maintenance or summer trips, but not that many companies run summer trips and often you need better certifications like paddling or something.
In general, Finland isnt that easy to move and build a community. Maybe try a season of work and see if you actually like it
Winter jobs: Tourism. Can you teach skiing etc…
Summer: Erm eh. I mean…. Perhaps you can pick berries?
You would have zero income and same costs as now, good luck
None of this is realistic. You don’t speak Finnish. Hardly anyone lives there. I presume you’ve looked at a map and noticed the distinct lack of settlements. There are no jobs. Plenty of space for your dog I suppose.
not related to the post but i was wondering, what university course have you done? would it be possible for someone coming from a bachelor in economy/marketing move to something cibersecurity related with a master?
The job market is absolutely miserable right now, even for natives. I can’t imagine what it must be like for foreigners, ones that can’t speak the language no less.
Honestly, I’d suggest looking beyond the border to the West
A lot of this may seem brutal to you but it is not people just stomping on your dreams with no reason, this is a warning. Frankly, this plan is delusional at these times.
If you want to romanticise the north move to Norway and go cut some salmon
The dark season is bot that dark. Daytime is like dusk – you could easily read a book outside.
Would be easier for you to find a job in the French Alpes!
I’m from Finnish Lapland and born there. Lapland is the only place now where there is jobs available. I think there is few companies now who only hire French speaking guides as the French are main customers for them.
You do not need to speak finnish in Lapland 😊 after Helsinki the Inari area has the most international tourists.
If you have good skills with people and you enjoy the nature, I highly recommend to contact companies and search job as a wilderness guide, it is not that hard core. If company likes u you they might find you something for summers also.
And ask atleast 15€/h
But also recomment to come and try for atleast one winter season.
I did enjoy working few winters as a guide, it made the polar night easier when I was able to be outside for those few hours of daylight.
Now living in Helsinki and in office job so I feel you!
Honestly finding a remote job still in cybersecurity is your best bet, but you vould try to find one with less hours and find a balance between how much money you need for living & outdoor activities.
In such remote locations it’s hard without language, and you will also likely need a car because the distances are long.
Your other best bet would be become a freelancer while in france, see how you earn , then move. That way you could set your own hours.
Try IKEA Haparanda.
Try applying for tourism jobs in Lapland starting from September/October.
You could do some work in the tourist industry, such as tour guide, or anything else related with hospitality industry.
No idea about property costs but probably minimum wage goes quite far in Lapland.
In your shoes, I would look for a remote job in cyber, and as possibilities emerge, operate as a tour guide for French people or otherwise foreign trekkers in Lapland.
There is even a memetic idea that if your life does not work in the South, you can always go North and start a new life. Many people succeed. But do not underestimate the impact of the cold and the long distances. It is also super difficult to make friends when over 30, wherever you are. Facts of life.
My two words of advice: don’t.
Move to Kiruna instead and start working for LKAB.
Not Finland per se but maybe investigate the possibility to get a job in Kiruna and work for the mine. That would probably require some reeducation and maybe learning Swedish.
The language barrier is a main problem for immigrants in order to find a job, however, I will say that the easiest part of finland to get a job in English is lapland due turism.
There are hotels, hostals and summer cabins holders that require constant maintenance; reach those. My friends ( dutch and french as well) found jobs there for years in a row. Forget to apply via internet, call or go with your cv in hand.
Other side hustle you may consider is guide tourist, dog walker and caring.
One thing that has really not been mentioned here: I think it’s pretty common in Lapland to have multiple income sources. I know some people who e.g. work in tourism during winter, have some kind of sidekick in media/IT/other laptop work or run a small business on the side, or do construction or move to south during the summer.
Here’s a good tip for you:
Move to Finnish Lapland and work in Sweden or Norway.
I did this too and I’m a Finn.
There are *a lot* more jobs in Sweden and Norway and they pay you much much more than equivalent Finnish jobs.
The language barrier doesn’t matter so much to them, as long as you’re fluent in English.