A Distinctive way of life found in Iisalmi

23.03.2026

When Hanna Baumgartner, who grew up in the Helsinki metropolitan area, packed up her family’s life in Austria, few would have guessed that their new home would be in Northern Savonia. Yet, in the countryside of Iisalmi, she found a place she now describes as nothing short of paradise.

Hanna first met her Austrian husband in Sweden during a student exchange. Life eventually took them to Austria, where they spent ten years, bought a house, and started a family. Still, Finland remained a quiet dream in the background—especially for Hanna’s husband, who longed to better understand his wife’s roots.

“It was always a shared dream that one day we might move to Finland. My husband felt he could never truly understand me without having lived here as well,” Hanna explains.

The turning point came when Hanna’s grandmother’s house in Iisalmi became available for the family. At first, the idea of moving to Northern Savonia felt unexpected.

“I never imagined I’d end up in Iisalmi. I had visited as a child, spending time at my grandmother’s, but I had always lived in cities,” Hanna says with a laugh.

The family decided to take the leap. Their new life began in the small family home, and eventually they found a house of their own in the countryside, about half an hour from the center of Iisalmi. The renovation project has been extensive, but the surroundings and quality of life have made it worthwhile.

“Sometimes I think we’re living in paradise. The sunsets are incredible, and the peace and quiet—it’s just a wonderful place,” Hanna reflects.

Work and family life in balance

In Iisalmi, Hanna began working as Head Coach for a local women’s gymnastics club. When the family welcomed another child, she made a conscious decision to slow down their pace of life. Today, she divides her time between coaching, running a wellness business, and being a mother.

Being present in her children’s daily lives has been a deliberate choice—one made possible in part by the lower cost of living in Northern Savonia.

“Because housing and living costs are more affordable here, we’ve been able to build a life where both of us don’t have to work 40 hours a week,” Hanna says.

Her business operates largely online, with clients across Finland and abroad. Location is not a limitation—quite the opposite.

“The opportunity to run a business while raising a small child has been absolutely fantastic.”

From the children’s perspective, the move from Austria to Iisalmi has also been a positive experience. Hanna praises the local school and its atmosphere.

“The kids have an absolutely wonderful school and teacher. There’s this warm, small-school feeling. Compared to Central Europe, children spend much more time outdoors during the school day here, and school commutes are safe,” she notes.

Becoming part of the community through initiative and language

For international families, language is often a key question. Hanna’s husband did not speak Finnish when they moved, but he approached the challenge with determination.

“From the very beginning, he was committed to learning the language. After just one course, he adopted a bold strategy—he simply started speaking Finnish everywhere, dictionary in hand,” Hanna says.

Now, after more than five years, everyday life runs smoothly in Finnish, even though his entrepreneurial work remains international and home-based.

Their sense of community developed gradually through neighbors, children’s hobbies, and work.

“People here are incredibly kind and helpful. In cities, you might not even greet your neighbor, but here it’s different.”

At the same time, Hanna points out that in Finland, building connections requires initiative.

“If you don’t want to sit quietly in the corner, you need to take the first step. But once you do, people open up quickly.”

The small-town setting has also brought pleasant surprises.

“Iisalmi may be small, but there’s so much going on. There are an incredible number of hobbies and activities for children. Thanks to sports clubs, the music institute, and active associations, life is never boring,” Hanna says appreciatively.

A conscious and fulfilling choice

So how does life in Northern Savonia feel now?

“It has brought a new sense of meaning and peace to our lives. My husband loves Finland—and even the cold winters—more than I do,” she laughs.

In the end, moving to Northern Savonia became a deliberate and successful choice. Beyond a safe environment, the region has offered something even more valuable: the opportunity to build a life that truly feels like their own.