On the way to Kirsi’s house, you first head from Kuusamo in the direction of the Ruka ski resort. On a frosty morning, the sky resembles a marshmallow—painted in all pastel shades, with the lights of Ruka rising in the background. The road continues on a smaller path, leading to a cozy red wooden house waiting at the end.
Kirsi is 47 years old and originally from Helsinki. In her youth, she lived with her family in places such as the United States, Belgium, and Sweden, before returning to her hometown of Helsinki. Life in the capital area was hectic; Kirsi worked a lot, including many years at Stockmann. In 2010, she and her partner made the decision to move to Kuusamo, to her partner’s old family home.
The decision to move has not been one to regret. If anything came as a surprise, it was the distances and the lack of public transportation. If specialized medical care is needed, one has to travel over 200 kilometers for it.
“But these are challenges that can be overcome with the right mindset. It’s also about thinking in terms of time rather than kilometers”, Kirsi reflects. In Kuusamo, you can travel 100 kilometers in an hour, whereas in the capital, an hour’s journey might cover a much shorter distance. For a homeowner, the tasks involved in a wood-heated house might be seen as a challenge, but for Kirsi, chopping and carrying firewood is just another part of daily life.
Kirsi’s daily life currently revolves around her studies in hospitality management at Kajaani University of Applied Sciences. On-campus days in Kajaani are conveniently reached by bus. One of the best aspects of living in Kuusamo is the contrasts. If you crave hustle and bustle, you can visit Ruka during the high season. In contrast, peace and solitude are easily found in nature and your own yard. The slower pace of life has also left an impression on Kirsi. She recalls that at her first job in Kuusamo, someone told her, “Don’t rush, things will work out.” This phrase truly captures the essence of Kuusamo, where things do eventually fall into place.
I feel like I’m living on vacation.
“Kuusamo is a vibrant place because so many tourists come here. There are cottage owners, tourists who come through tour operators, and many others. It’s a nice blend of rural living and city life”, Kirsi notes.
Free time in the summer is spent tending to the garden and growing tomatoes. Mushroom and berry picking naturally mark the early autumn, and during the summer, there has been time to learn net fishing. Processing the catch has also become familiar—preparing vendace is done with the ease of a seasoned hand, thanks to guidance from the partner’s relatives.
“I feel like I’m living on vacation. Sometimes it’s unbelievable, just looking around and thinking, ‘Do I really live here?’ On a frosty winter day, it’s like a fairytale, and the crackling of wood in the oven is simply magical,” Kirsi summarizes her life in Kuusamo.
