“Moving to Uusikaupunki was the best decision of my life”
- Moving from the hustle and bustle of the capital region to Uusikaupunki brought both peace of mind and body to Emilia Remes. Her dream of owning a brick-and-mortar shop also became a reality in her new hometown. “Here, I feel like I’m not wasting my life,” she says.
A leap into the unknown—that’s how Emilia felt a little over three years ago as she packed her moving boxes.
She and her partner, Janne Lahtinen, had decided to make a big life change by relocating to a completely new place. Both were busy with their jobs in the capital—Emilia as a beauty therapist and Janne as a chef—but they longed for a more peaceful lifestyle.
– I think I was the one who first suggested moving to Uusikaupunki, Emilia recalls.
They considered several options, but Janne’s coastal hometown in Southwest Finland soon felt right for both of them.
– I spent half my life in Hanko, so life in a small seaside town was familiar to me. Hanko and Uusikaupunki have a lot in common—both are a bit tucked away, with quiet winters where people keep to themselves, and then lively, bustling summers, Emilia reflects.
Though she didn’t know anyone in her new town, the first few weeks proved the move was the right choice.
– I immediately felt a sense of freedom, like I was home. With the forest and sea nearby, it’s so easy to breathe.
Emilia had already been an entrepreneur in the beauty industry, but in Uusikaupunki, her dream of owning a physical store finally came true. Through her work, she’s also found friends.
– Of course, people in Helsinki are lovely too, but here, they’re more open. In the past, gaining a client’s trust could take years—here, it might happen after just one treatment. It’s been wonderful to see that a client can also become a friend.
She feels warmly welcomed and describes the locals as always having their “doors open.”
Recently, she quite literally stepped through one. – A client asked if my business could sponsor their floorball team. I agreed and then casually asked if I could try playing myself, she laughs. – They welcomed me with open arms, even though I’ve never played before and have no idea what I’m doing.
Now, she trains weekly with the Nystars women’s second team. The hobby has even become a shared one, as Janne, who coaches young players, took on the role of assistant coach for Emilia’s team.
The move has brought many changes to Emilia’s life, including positive effects on her health. She has a severe form of epilepsy that doesn’t respond well to medication.
– One major reason we chose Uusikaupunki was my condition. I needed a town where I could get everywhere on foot or by bike. Here, everything is close, she explains.
Her condition improved after the move, and a vagus nerve stimulator, implanted at the end of last year, has further helped. It has allowed her to work in peace and spend time alone when Janne’s workdays run late.
– The worst symptoms stayed behind in the capital’s rush. My stress levels have dropped, I’m much calmer, and my outlook on life is more positive, she says.
In addition to team sports, Emilia spends her free time outdoors with her mixed-breed dog, Betsy. Their townhouse doorstep opens straight to the forest and the sea, and she finds there’s always something to do in Uusikaupunki.
– This town has inspired me to take action. Now that I have time, I feel more energetic. Here, I truly feel like I’m doing something meaningful instead of just wasting my life, Emilia says. – Moving to Uusikaupunki was the best decision of my life.
