Neighbours in Vaasa apartment building buck Finnish trend of isolation

Residents of a Vaasa apartment building have built an uncommon culture of neighbourliness, regularly gathering for shared tasks and mutual support that research links to higher happiness levels.

Published by Yle, the story highlights a Vaasa housing company where neighbours routinely organise communal work days and social events, contrasting with national survey data showing that more than 70 per cent of Finns say their buildings hold no joint activities.

“People greet, smile and laugh, they do things together,” said Kari Tuovinen, chair of the building’s board. “If something needs attention, they step in, and it always feels good.”

Findings from the annual Kotionnellisuus (Home Happiness) study by the Finnish Housing Foundation indicate that neighbourhood cohesion and regular neighbourly help increase residents’ sense of well-being. Pirjo Sparf, who has lived in the building for 15 years, said helping others brings her satisfaction. “It feels wonderful to be able to give help, and it gives me a good feeling too.”

Ann-Mari Sandholm, communications and training manager at the Finnish Real Estate Management Federation, cited a Tampere case where weekly quiz nights led neighbours to notice when a regular attendee failed to appear. Concerned, they alerted building staff, who found the man had suffered a medical emergency and arranged urgent care.

The Vaasa building, constructed in the 1980s in the Palosaari district and home to about 200 residents, mixes ages but is largely long-term occupants. Residents shop for elderly neighbours, escort them to the communal garden shed, and sometimes accompany them to hospital. They have converted a former hobby room into a shared Club 36 space for parties, card games and weekly seated exercise classes led by two residents.

Each year the building holds at least 45 work days, including repainting bicycle shelters—a week-long project—and spring celebration events featuring sparkling wine and cream cake. “It’s not about hard work; it’s about enjoying time together,” Tuovinen said.

Nationally, joint events have become rare; the federation encourages housing companies to organise them as a way to foster familiarity and change attitudes toward neighbours.