A small city with a big heart

South African-born Megan Järvinen moved to Sydney in 2009. Ten years later, she arrived in Kuopio, where everything immediately fell into place.

“I first visited Leppävirta in the winter of 2013 to meet my future husband’s family. I fell in love with this country from the very first moment. It was actually quite funny because I had never seen snow in my life. The friendliness of the people, the culture, and the scenery all made a huge impression on me. While my husband enjoyed the warmth of Australia, he missed Finland. The birth of our son in Australia and the desire to better balance work and family life were key reasons for our decision to move to Finland.

We initially planned to settle in Helsinki due to its job opportunities. After living in Sydney—a city of six million people—for 10 years, I thought Helsinki was the only place I could find work in Finland. I was worried I wouldn’t fit in or meet new people. However, while we were renting an apartment in central Kuopio, I started taking walks around the city with my son while my husband was at work. I realized I loved everything about Kuopio: the people, the scenery, everything.

Through new friends, I got a tip to apply for a job at Ahooy. A week later, I had an interview, and they offered me the position. It was incredible—I had a job just two months after moving here! Thanks to my new job, we bought a house in Rautaniemi and moved in. During my years in Sydney, I lived in a 17-square-meter studio apartment in the city center, and all I ever wanted was more space. Now, I live in a spacious home by a lake, surrounded by nature, just a short distance from the city center.

Kuopio is a city of opportunities, a wonderful place to live and thrive. There are amazing companies here, and the mindset is forward-looking. For such a small city on a global scale, so much happens here.

There’s a perfect balance between work and life here. Nearly everyone in this area can take a break by a lakeshore during the workday, far from the sounds of traffic and crowds. That pause brings peace of mind, clears thoughts, and allows you to return to work refreshed. Stopping to breathe is essential for health and well-being.

I’ve come to deeply value time with family. It’s been inspiring to see how people embrace the Finnish weather and enjoy the outdoors no matter the conditions.

While I sometimes miss the warmth and beaches of South Africa and Australia, I am truly happy here. This is my home. Kuopio is my home.”

Text: Maiju Korhonen

Photos: Megan Järvinen

The article was written during the Future Savo project in 2020-2021.