Seaside home in Pyhämaa melted Nicoleta and Marcus’s hearts

Pyhämaa is peaceful. The only sounds in the yard of Nicoleta Bleidele and Marcus Tiemann’s home are the whispering wind and birdsong.

Sitting in the living room of their seaside home, Nicoleta and Marcus share their thoughts about their current home country, Finland. The spring sun sparkles on the sea, visible through the kitchen window

“The happiest people in the world,” Marcus mentions.

In the UN’s World Happiness Report, Finland was chosen as the happiest country in the world for the eighth consecutive year.

Nicoleta, who moved from Latvia, and Marcus from Germany say the report’s results are easy to believe. They take turns listing things they appreciate about Finland: safety, free and high-quality education, cleanliness, and fresh air — none of which can be taken for granted in many parts of the world.

“Life quality,” Marcus sums up his view of the ingredients for a happy family life in Uusikaupunki.

Pyhämaa has been home to Nicoleta, Marcus, and 8-year-old Benjamin for two years now. Baby Erika, born in October, coos happily in her father’s arms on a Friday afternoon in April and then flashes a charming smile at Benjamin.

Nicoleta and Marcus met in Rauma four years ago. Love blossomed, and “the rest is history,” Marcus laughs, giving a gentle look to his partner.

Marcus is a qualified engineer. He came to Finland for the Olkiluoto nuclear power plant project, where he worked in project roles starting in 2018. He has now decided to take a career break and is currently on parental leave.

Nicoleta is a restaurant industry professional and hopes to find work in her field in Uusikaupunki. She describes herself as a social person who enjoys working with people.

The newcomers received a warm welcome in Pyhämaa. A complete surprise for the parents was a baby bonus given by the Raulio Small Farmers’ Association to families with newborns — which they received at the village’s Shrovetide event this year.

It was a happy coincidence that brought them to Uusikaupunki.

“We saw an ad online for a house for sale in Pyhämaa and decided to go check it out,” Marcus says.

The place immediately stole their hearts, and they knew they had found their home.

“There’s space, forest, the sea, and peace here,” Marcus describes happily.

Benjamin attends school in Pyhämaa and plays basketball. He’s also been improving his swimming skills at the Uusikaupunki swimming hall. Swimmers are thrilled with the new, modern swimming hall that opened this year in the Wintteri multipurpose building

“Now that we live by the sea, swimming is an important skill,” Nicoleta emphasize

For Nicoleta, who grew up in Riga, Latvia, water has always been an important element. As a child, she was an eager swimmer. The couple says the beautiful views from their yard never get old. Best of all, on very windy days, they can admire the sunset from indoors through the kitchen window.
Even the starry sky is clearer in the countryside than in big cities.

“We’ve also seen the northern lights here,” they say.

Summer is the favorite season for Benjamin, Nicoleta, and Marcus alike.

“Except for the mosquitoes – they’re not fun,” Benjamin chimes in.

Marcus thinks their home, located near the border of Southwest Finland and Satakunta, is also in a logistically excellent location. It’s only ten kilometers to both Uusikaupunki and Pyhämaa centers. Rauma isn’t far either.

“In our experience, services work well in Uusikaupunki, and we can get everything we need here,” Marcus says.

Nicoleta notes that buses run in Pyhämaa only during the school year, so in summer, it’s time to hop behind the wheel or onto a bicycle. Without a car, managing daily family life in the countryside would be difficult.

The children, home, and upkeep of their large yard keep Nicoleta and Marcus’s days full of action. If there’s any spare time, Uusikaupunki offers plenty of hobbies. Nicoleta has taken part in fitness classes, while Marcus enjoys going for motorcycle rides.

Nicoleta closely follows what’s happening in Uusikaupunki. She’s the one in the family who says first: Let’s go – time to head out!

^{Pyhämaa  (in Finnish)}