From a hostel to own student apartment

First own home in a student city

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When Katri Montonen, who is studying music education, began her studies in Jyväskylä, she did not move to the city right away. During her first fall, she commuted weekly from Helsinki and stayed at a hostel near the campus. “I got a discount and tried to get by with just a few nights' accommodation,” she says. 

Gradually, she realized that traveling between the two cities was becoming physically demanding and that the constant traveling was eating up a large chunk of her budget. The idea of a more permanent change began to seem natural. "I came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth keeping two homes, so I decided to move to Jyväskylä."

After deciding to move, things progressed quickly. Katri applied for an apartment from KOAS and, to her surprise, received an offer for an apartment in Tourula in less than a week. It was a newly completed property, which she was able to move into at the turn of the year.

“Everything fell into place very smoothly,” Katri recalls. The apartment turned out to be spacious and peaceful, and the lake view from the sixth-floor window made her new start in Jyväskylä easy.

Apartments in Jyväskylä are offered by Soihtu and KOAS

Student housing in Jyväskylä is provided by KOAS and Soihtu. Both offer a wide range of apartments to suit many needs, from shared apartments to family apartments. Currently, the most sought-after apartments are studios located near the city center and campus. Rent levels for student housing are often lower than on the private market, and the rent usually includes services such as internet, electricity, and use of common areas.

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Katri was pleasantly surprised by her new home. “My apartment is 30 square meters, which is bigger than my apartment in Helsinki. I immediately felt that there was more space here.” She was also impressed by the peace and quiet: “You can’t hear any noise from the neighbors, it’s really peaceful.”

The apartment’s equipment and the building’s services also brought positive surprises. “It’s really wonderful that the apartment has a dishwasher and the building has a laundry room and bicycle storage. I immediately felt that everything I need for everyday life is here.”

Many KOAS and Soihdun student apartments also offer common areas for group work, hobbies, or relaxation. A sauna, laundry room, gym, and bicycle storage are practical services that make everyday life easier and living more convenient. In many locations, such as Korttelikylä, which will be completed in 2023, and Kortepohja, there is also a student restaurant just around the corner.  

Short distances between home and campus

Many people who move to Jyväskylä say that "the city is just the right size." As a new student in Jyväskylä, Katri completely agrees.

“Two kilometers away, I’m already on the other side of the city center. I like that it’s easy to get from place to place here,” says Katri, who previously lived in the capital region.  

Katri usually cycles from Tourula to the Music Campus. Jyväskylä is known for being a hilly city, and Katri has mixed feelings about this:

“The hills took some getting used to, but I’m slowly getting used to them. At least they provide beautiful scenery,” she says with a laugh.