A tranquil place, but bigger cities just a stone’s throw away.

Sami Kupiainen and his girlfriend bought their home in Halli two years ago. The area is perfect for those who enjoy nature, and Sami’s workplace is right next door.

Sami Kupiainen, 47, moved to the countryside from the city with his girlfriend ten years ago. Life in an apartment building felt difficult when their hobbies were mostly related to outdoor activities. So longing to get away from the hustle and bustle had been brewing for a long time.

“At first, we rented homes in remote areas, but two years ago we bought our own home in Halli. At that time my workplace, CSI Composites, moved here from Vilppula,” Sami says.

“My girlfriend has two dogs, whom she takes out for walks right here in nature. My hobbies also are mostly outdoors – I pick berries, mushrooms, fish and cycle. Now I can do all of them stepping out right from our backyard.”

Sami feels that their life has settled down well in Halli. He has a job nearby, and his girlfriend works remotely in Jyväskylä.

“The internet connections work flawlessly, and it’s not a long drive to Jyväskylä a few days a week. My girlfriend travels also to other parts of Finland for work, and that has worked out well.”

Basic services are available.

Although Sami feels alien to city culture these days, he still appreciates the fact that Halli is close to larger places, such as Jämsä, Mänttä, Tampere and Jyväskylä.

“Halli has all the basic services from grocery stores to a health center, but sometimes we go to the grocery or hardware store in Mänttä for larger purchases. It’s less than an hour’s drive to Tampere’s hustle and bustle, and by car that’s fast and easy.”

The couple doesn’t miss living in the city. They are tied to Halli by their most time-consuming hobby – renovating their own house, and Sami also praises the atmosphere of the town.

“Although we’re not very social, but more of a hermit, we’ve been well received here. We’ve also lived in other small towns, so we have experience of different cultures. There is neighborly help here for those who need it.”

Check out Sami’s workplace, CSI Composites, a company that develops composite technology.