Lokalahti is a jackpot for families

Jennica Vesola beams as brightly as the late winter sun as she opens the door to her home in Lokalahti. Visitors immediately feel welcome.

Her children, Elli, Topi, and Sofi, are spending a relaxing winter holiday at home. Their Leonberger dog, Peppi, wags her tail happily, enjoying having the whole family together. Their father, Lauri, is at work, but Jennica has time to talk about family life in the countryside before her first client of the day arrives.

Five years ago, Jennica founded a wellness business. Now, her workplace is just a few steps from her home, making everyday life much easier.

“We renovated a space for my practice in the outbuilding, which was once Lauri’s grandparents’ home,” she explains.

The Vesola family is now the third generation to live in this house. Their home is located in the Lokalahti village center, close to essential services for families.

“From our window, we can see both the school and the daycare center. I can watch the kids walk to school from home,” she laughs.

The family moved from Mynämäki to Lauri’s childhood home. At the time, Jennica was expecting their youngest child, now 7-year-old Sofi.

“I already knew on our first date that one day we would live here in Lokalahti,” Jennica reveals.

For the family, the decision felt like winning the lottery, and for Jennica, it also meant returning to her roots. She was born in Uusikaupunki but spent part of her childhood and youth in Rauma.

“My mother’s grandparents lived on an island here in Lokalahti. They led a self-sufficient life, and that’s something I dream of too—but not just yet,” she says.

During their courtship, Jennica wondered why so many Lokalahti residents had summer cottages in the same town where they lived.

“Now I completely understand—we have one too, on an island.”

The cottage is just a 20-minute trip away. The children have become skilled seafarers and learned to swim there at an early age.

The Vesolas have also been renovating their house to suit their tastes, which has required a lot of work and time.

“Now I’ve learned to appreciate everything we’ve done, and sometimes I just think—wow, we’ve really accomplished something great,” she says.

Family life in Lokalahti is not only safe but also incredibly convenient. A cozy daycare and a sports-oriented school are nearby, and there are plenty of local hobbies for children. The school offers cooking, art, Minecraft, and sports clubs. There’s also a local 4H club. Each of the Vesola children has their own favorite activities. Topi plays floorball with the Nystars club in Uusikaupunki.

“We were looking for a fun winter hobby for him and found this one. He has practice twice a week, plus tournaments. Topi enjoys playing, and I enjoy meeting other parents,” Jennica says.

“Living in the countryside is great, but it’s nice to visit the city sometimes too,” she admits.

Their youngest, Sofi, attends a band workshop at the Vakka-Suomi Music Institute. Elli, on the other hand, has found her passion in anime, a hobby inspired by Japanese animation, where enthusiasts dress in character costumes.

This year, Uusikaupunki hosted its second annual cosplay event, bringing together young people dressed as different characters.

When asked what it’s like to be a teenager in Lokalahti, the Vesolas’ eldest, Elli, answers without hesitation:

“It’s a great place,” she says and immediately explains why: “Because it’s so peaceful here.”

Peace, the sea, and nature are also recurring themes in her mother’s words when she talks about their home.

For Jennica, balance of mind and body are key values in life. A trained practical nurse and registered nurse, she continually expands her knowledge of holistic well-being.

In recent years, she has consciously worked on seeing the good and kindness in the world around her.

“That’s something I want to teach my children, too,” she says.