Eighteen Reasons to Live in Somero

Since choosing to come and live in Somero in 2011, the question I have been asked most frequently is "Why Somero?" This is especially the case when I am working in Helsinki. People often can't understand why I wouldn't want to live nearer the capital and instead live "so far away".

What I would like to answer is this.  2012 has not been an easy year - for many different reasons.  I feel a little bit like I have been through a big storm and am just starting to find some sort of calmness again. But despite all the challenges of this year, the one thing I am certain about is that coming to live in Somero was the best decision I could ever have made. So to those of you, near or far, wondering what is special about this little town - here is my personal list of things I love about Somero.

• The people here are friendly. They have time to stop and talk to you and they remember who you are.
• People from Somero will help wherever they can, whether it is giving advice, helping find a service you need, putting you in touch with someone or starting your car when the battery has run out.
• The town centre is compact and you can find everything in it you need - banks, shops, a chemist, the post office, petrol.  Everything is within walking distance.
• There are several little cafes in the town centre and you will always be greeted by a smile.
• Both the school (Joensuunkoulu) and the sixth form college (Someron Lukio) have gone out of their way to make sure that Cameron and Lucie have been able to fit in, make friends and understand the language and their lessons. The fact that Finnish is not their first language has not proved to be a barrier at all, and this is thanks to the huge efforts of all the staff who have given them so much support.
• Somero is close to nature. You are never far away from fields, tress, forests and lakes. Beautiful.
• Somero is in the middle of a triangle made up of Tampere, Helsinki and Turku. You can get to any of these towns in just over an hour and the traffic is only a problem in the towns themselves, not at this end!
• Somero is clean.
• The church is very active here, and in a good way. Everyone who works for the church is welcoming, and they do a lot of work for the community, regardless of whether people are churchgoers or not.
• This is both a musical and an artistic town. There are frequent cultural events of all different kinds and everyone is made to feel equally welcome.
• There is a very low crime rate here. If a bicycle goes missing then it ends up in the newspaper, and if you accidentally leave your wallet or keys somewhere, the chances are you will get them back.
• Parking is never a problem. It is free and you are guaranteed to find a free place so you don't waste valuable time going round in circles looking for one.
• There are excellent sports facilities in the town. We have an ice hall, both indoor and outdoor tennis courts, volleyball courts, a sports centre, athletics track and a brand new swimming pool. Not bad for a small town.
• We have an excellent library. It is well-stocked, the staff are friendly, the internet is free and the surroundings are really spacious and inspiring.
•  It is not "cliquey" here. If you have an idea or a project then it is welcomed and you feel that people are genuinely supporting you in your venture.
• People here are proud to come from Somero. Of course there are still the odd complaints in the paper about bumpy roads or someone leaving dog poo in the park, but in general people seem satisfied to live here, and don't spend their whole time complaining about the town, unlike many other places where I have lived.
• There is strong sense of community here which has been lost from so many other regions. People still care about each other. Once you feel you belong to Somero you are made to feel as though you are part of something bigger, and that feels nice.
• The local newspaper keeps everyone informed about what is going on, still remembers to celebrate successes (which in the UK we have totally forgotten to do) and does not spend its time trying to put people down.

So, next time you ask yourself why it is worth driving for just over an hour to get home in the evening after working in Helsinki, those are my first 18 reasons. I have lived in loads of different places in many different countries - and I say without reservation that this is the best place I have ever found. If you don't believe me then come and see for yourself!