Silence and good connections took the lead
Northern Savonia’s unified commuting area enables a diverse lifestyle and living arrangements, as experienced by the Vänskä family. The vision of the unified commuting area is seamless worker mobility regardless of residence or regional borders.
A unified commuting area with great connections
Matti Vänskä, a native of Savonia, spent years living elsewhere in Finland before returning to Northern Savonia with his family. Despite his time away, neither his Savonian identity nor his dialect ever faded.
Now working as a design engineer for the City of Kuopio, Vänskä is a seasoned commuter. From his home in Leppävirta, it’s a 30-minute drive to work in Kuopio.
“That half-hour in the morning and afternoon is a good time to organize my thoughts. In the morning, I map out the workday, and in the afternoon, I clear my head and transition to home life,” Vänskä explains.
According to Vänskä, most of the villagers in Leppävirta commute elsewhere for work. However, owning a car is not mandatory—carpooling is popular, and buses run regularly.
“We genuinely feel like this is part of the unified commuting area of Northern Savonia. It’s easy to move around, and the driving distances are reasonable everywhere,” says Vänskä.
The unified commuting area is not only about work but also about shared recreational opportunities. For instance, Vänskä’s daughter attends activities in Kuopio, while the parents make use of both Kuopio’s and Varkaus’s offerings.
Highway 5 as Northern Savonia’s lifeline
Leppävirta is geographically at the center of a triangle—Kuopio, Varkaus, and Pieksämäki are all approximately the same distance away.
Many areas in Northern Savonia, like Leppävirta, have excellent connections to surrounding cities. Highway 5, according to Vänskä, is the region’s lifeline.
“Highway 5 works very well. I hope its efficiency continues to be a priority in the future.”
Commuters are especially looking forward to the completion of the new Savilahti ramp in Kuopio, which will benefit those traveling from the north and south through the city’s busiest traffic zone.
“There are options”
The Vänskä family lived for years in Tampere, where they sought peaceful and unhurried living areas. In Leppävirta, they’ve found the best aspects of a smaller community: excellent basic services, the option for spacious living, and a more relaxed atmosphere. Vänskä also appreciates the personal touch found in smaller towns.
He encourages anyone feeling tired of the rush and noise of city life to consider moving to quieter regions.
“There are options, especially now with the rise of remote work. Housing costs outside growth centers are also in a completely different league.”
Calm but active Leppävirta
The Vänskäs, who returned to Northern Savonia from the Pirkanmaa region, ultimately chose Leppävirta after comparing cities.
“Although both my wife’s and my families are from Leppävirta, that wasn’t the deciding factor. The quietness won us over.”
In addition to its unhurried lifestyle, Leppävirta is full of opportunities for active outdoor enthusiasts. Along with stunning natural sites and fishing waters, the municipality offers numerous sports facilities, such as a ski tunnel and a multipurpose hall.
“Every winter, we clear a skating rink on our own shoreline for the kids, where we play games with both our family and other local children. Leppävirta is an excellent choice in every way.”
Text: Mainostoimisto SST
Photos: Matti Kotalahti
The article was written during the Future Savo project in 2020-2021.
