Last June, Inga and Juuso moved into the newly completed Koskelan Vaahtera, a modern residential block built in the historic Koskela hospital area. While their previous home in Pihlajamäki was larger, their new 42.5-square-meter two-room apartment at Koskelan Vaahtera had one absolute draw: it was brand new.
"We specifically wanted a new build. I work in renovation myself, so I didn't want to move somewhere facing pipe repairs, facade renovations, or anything like that. When I get off work, I don't want to come home to another construction site," Juuso explains.
Koskela’s excellent transport links have shortened their commutes. For Inga, the bus to her workplace in the Kivihaka neighborhood stops right outside their front door.
"Leaving just two minutes before the bus arrives is enough," Inga says with a laugh.
The connections in Koskela are so efficient that owning a car isn’t a necessity. While Inga and Juuso feel a car would be a nice convenience, the sheer cost of parking is quite high. Fortunately, daily services are within easy reach: a large Prisma supermarket is nearby, with K-Market and Alepa grocery stores even closer. A pharmacy, post office, and R-kioski are also just around the corner.
Outdoor adventures in stunning riverside scenery
Newly built apartment buildings are in limited supply, and Inga and Juuso were looking for a location close to nature. As a couple who enjoys outdoor activities and walking together, they didn't want to live right in the city center. Koskela is peaceful and offers superb outdoor opportunities. The charming Vanhankaupunginkoski rapids, with its park areas and coastal walking paths, is located right nearby.
"We’ve been thinking about getting a dog since we spend so much time outdoors anyway. Pets are welcome here, and many of our neighbors have them. It could be a great future hobby for us," Juuso says.
Enjoying quality time together at home
Inga works shifts, which means waking up at 5 AM for morning shifts and needing to get to bed early. During evening shift weeks, the couple sometimes only truly sees each other on weekends. For Inga, a tidy home is essential. She describes herself as a keen cleaner and sees a cozy home as the most important balance to a busy daily life.
The furniture was chosen carefully to ensure enough space for a proper dining table. It has already hosted game nights with friends. The open-plan layout is practical, allowing whoever is busy in the kitchen to still be part of the conversation. The couple enjoys cooking together and watching series either from the sofa or in bed. Having a TV in the bedroom also allows for slow, relaxed weekend mornings.
In terms of interior design, Inga has taken the lead. "I’ve given her pretty free rein, and it looks really nice now. Inga has put a lot of effort into this; I’ve mainly just been the 'mover' and heavy lifter," Juuso says.
Juuso did get to choose the new sofa and bed, along with a few paintings. The home is still a work in progress, however. "There’s quite little cupboard space here, so we’re looking to get some kind of chest of drawers next," Inga shares.
The lease was signed based on a virtual tour, and everything has mostly gone very well. Moving into a brand-new home has proven to be everything the couple dreamed of.
