A city like candy

You can see the difference in the pace of walking. Having moved from Jyväskylä to Uusikaupunki, Elina finds many similarities between the cities—nature, waterways, and an easygoing atmosphere—but the sense of rush is notably absent in this small seaside town.

“The contrast between big and small cities is clear. Here, you can stop to admire the beautiful gates of wooden houses, peek into secret gardens, and sometimes even chat with someone along the way,” Elina reflects. “In a small town, you can truly focus on simply being present.”

Elina first visited Uusikaupunki nearly twenty years ago. At the time, she worked at Valmet Automotive, but a few years later she moved to her husband’s hometown, Jyväskylä.

In 2018, Elina returned to Uusikaupunki—this time for good. Her husband and daughter moved with her.

“We bought a wooden house near the town center, so we’ve really embraced the essence of life in Uusikaupunki. The only thing missing is a boat,” Elina laughs.

The whole family, including their Finnish Lapphund Hera, has settled in wonderfully. Elina returned to her former employer, and her husband also found work there. When they moved, their daughter started preschool, and last autumn she began seventh grade at the brand-new Wintteri school and community centre.

The town offers everything needed for a good everyday life in a compact package.

“We truly enjoy living here. All services are close by, we have our own theatre and museums, and for example Vakka-Opisto offers many lovely weekend courses,” Elina lists. “And nature is right here. You don’t even have to leave town to find yourself in a forest, on the shore, or at a campfire site.”

The family enjoys spending time together, and so far they have never run out of things to do.

“Sometimes we pick a theme for the summer—one year, we visited all the town’s beaches,” Elina says. “When we have guests from elsewhere, I take them to Myllymäki, the Wahlberg Museum House, or even Pilvilinna. There’s an incredible amount to see and experience here.”

The town’s long history creates a unique framework for everyday life. Since moving to Uusikaupunki, Elina has found herself paying more attention to the fact that the town has stood here for over 400 years.

“There’s something grounding about seeing history around you—especially in the wooden houses. It’s something truly special, even on a national scale.”

The Risunen family makes good use of what their hometown has to offer—cafés, restaurants, and events. For Elina, it’s important to support local shops so that the wide range of services remains close to home.

“In my opinion, the quality of local cafés and restaurants has improved tremendously in recent years, and there are more options now. And supporting them is not only important, it’s also enjoyable.”

Elina also sees the town as a whole developing in the right direction. As the cityscape is renewed, wooden houses are maintained, and new events are created, the atmosphere remains vibrant.

“I believe that when we speak positively about our hometown, that mindset spreads.”

The positive spirit of Uusikaupunki has spread within Elina’s own family in a very concrete way: both her brother and her parents have moved from Helsinki to Uusikaupunki, and her sister fell in love with the southwest coast and settled in nearby Taivassalo.

“We drove around town a bit, and they fell in love with the place too. It really is a charming town—almost like candy. And the people are sunny, they greet you and smile,” Elina says, laughing. “Soon half of our relatives will be living here—and why not? Surrounded by nature, the sea, and wooden houses, enjoying a simple, unhurried life.”