Janne—Shared Apartment vs. Studio
Moving out, whether for the first time or not, can feel both exciting and terrifying, especially when you’re not sure where you’ll live yet. For many of you, this might be my first time living independently. Finding your student apartment and decorating it is quite a process.
I accepted my study place quite late in July and was nervous about whether I would get an apartment before my studies began. I checked nearly every shared apartment listed by TOAS and POAS and was starting to look into private apartments.
Luckily, I got a reply from POAS with an apartment offer near Mikontalo. It was relatively cheap (around 300 €/month) and close to Hervanta campus and the tram stop. Perfect!
In my application to POAS, I mentioned that I do not have any relatives or friends living in Tampere and that I really need an apartment. POAS considers your need for the apartment when deciding whether to offer you one. Unlike TOAS, they do not consider the date when you sent your application. This is why I recommend applying to POAS if you need an apartment fast.
For the first year of my studies, I lived in this shared apartment with one roommate. My parents helped me with moving and getting furniture and dishes. While looking for TOAS shared apartments, I also decided to apply for the cheapest studios they have in Hervanta. The waiting time for studios varies based on the location, usually from 6 months up to more than a year.
After about 8 months, I got a studio offer from TOAS. I pay around 370 €/month for this 25.5 square studio, and I am pretty happy with it. Nowadays, I look out for free giveaways in several Telegram groups, mostly for something to decorate my room with.
You can often find cheap furniture in these groups, as well as from the university. Sometimes there are free giveaways of old furniture at the university where you can get quite good chairs and tables, for example. If you are looking for new furniture, it might be worth checking out IKEA and other warehouses in the Tampere area.
Tanveer— Family Apartmental Situation
While student housing from TOAS may seem plentiful and easy to secure, the reality is quite different. The waiting times can be long, even longer if you’re applying for a family apartment. You’ll need to act smart and apply early. Uncertainty can be stressful, especially for international students, but don’t worry, good things take time.
I was moving to Tampere with my spouse and applied for apartments from both TOAS and POAS (Pirkan Opiskelija-asunnot) four months before our arrival. Unfortunately, I didn’t get an apartment within my budget and ended up rejecting the only offer I received, not realizing that doing so would push me to the back of the queue.
Ah yes, the queue. In Finland, queuing is a way of life. Whether for services or housing, everyone waits their turn; there’s no “priority service.” It’s part of what makes things fair for everyone.As my arrival date approached, I still didn’t have an apartment. And if you didn’t know, having a confirmed address is essential for entering Finland and registering for key services like population records and banking. Naturally, I was anxious.
I decided to post in several Facebook community groups looking for a temporary lease, which is perfectly legal, and luckily found one. After arriving in Tampere, I stayed there for a month while continuing to contact TOAS and POAS about my situation. Eventually, I received an offer for a family apartment from POAS that fit my budget, and I moved in.
POAS apartments include standard amenities such as heating, internet, electricity, and laundry facilities, all covered in the rent. Family apartments typically cost between €500 and €750, depending on size. They usually consist of one bedroom and a living room, labeled as “2H.”
POAS is a non-profit housing company owned by the City of Tampere that provides affordable housing for Tampere University students. Although it doesn’t have as many apartments as TOAS, its buildings are generally newer and better maintained. They might be slightly more expensive, but still far cheaper than private rentals, which I wouldn’t recommend unless budget isn’t a concern.
You can browse POAS apartments on their official website and apply directly there. Applications are valid only for a certain period, so remember to renew yours if it expires.
Happy apartment hunting, and tervetuloa Tampereelle, one of the most student-friendly cities in Finland!
Aisa —Living in My Little Studio
Getting a student apartment can be tricky and is often one of the first worries in the immigration journey.
One of the first questions you’ll face is whether to apply for a furnished or unfurnished apartment, something I personally struggled with at the beginning.
Here’s what you need to know: both options include a closet, fridge + freezer, stove, and usually an oven. If the apartment is furnished, it will also have a bed (without a mattress), a table, and a chair. I chose an unfurnished apartment in TOAS, since you need to specify which option you are applying for.
My tip for the first application: Don’t filter out too many apartments. If you limit your choices too much, you might end up waiting longer. I selected nearly 20 different places (smart move, right?!), and within about two weeks, I was offered one for 440 €/month. (Internet and facilities are included in the rent, but water is billed separately.)
As Janne mentioned in his part, TOAS isn’t the best with timing. Don’t be surprised if you write down August as your arrival date but get offered an apartment from July. Unfortunately, you can’t shift the start date, not even by paying from August. The only solution is to email TOAS, explain you can’t move in due to the visa, cancel that offer, and immediately submit a new application.
Personally, I’m glad I chose an unfurnished apartment; it gave me the chance to decorate from scratch. Just one piece of advice: bring at least a pillow and a thin blanket with you, so you have something for the first night (you’ll be exhausted after the trip!). Of course, you can also buy the essentials at 24/7 markets.
And finally, don’t underestimate the space: a 19 m² studio may sound tiny, but trust me, it’s more than enough for one person. With the right decoration, it can feel perfectly cozy.
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