I live in Toolo Towers and I LOVE IT!…read more I asked my taxi driver about the demographics of the neighborhood and he said "its not rich and it is not poor, its right in the middle." From what I read, Finland is a classless society, but to come from a finnish, that was interesting. I haven't explored much outside of Toolo, but all of the walking I have done, I felt safe and like if I wanted to go to the lake, city center or up north, everything is relatively close.

Töölö is where I live and I love it. It's exactly the perfect distance from the center and also…read moreclose to nature. Töölönlahti is one the most amzing parks in Helsinki and I live right next to it. We have the Olympic Stadium, Sonera Stadium and Jäähalli, where I can go see concert, football games etc. There are great restaurants, cafe's and bars in the Töölö area and more seem to pop up all the time. It's a very safe neighborhood with an old Helsinki charm.

Great swap meet. There is lots of variety and many booths. Everything I inquired about was…read morereasonably priced. It was unfortunate that the prices were not displayed. Most of the clothes looked almost new. The hours of operation are a bit confusing. I went there on Sunday from 11 to 13 and it was open. When I went on Saturday it was closed.

I love, love, love this neighbourhood of Helsinki situated on a peninsula close to the market…read moreplace. It is almost like a Finnish Jugendstil open-air museum with lots of residential houses of the early 20th century. If you have been to places like Vienna, Riga or Darmstadt, Katajanokka might not blow your mind, but while walking around you will surely discover your favourite floral or graphic ornament, your favourite window, door or balcony or even the house you would love to move in. Quite a lot of houses have been painted in nice shades of brown, blue and yellow and a number of decorative details are highlighted in white. Katajanokka is also a special place because of Hotel Katajanokka that used to be a prison ... a few nights in a prison cell ... well, I prefer my freedom ;oD!

Sunday market: prices high, but haggle-friendly…read more Also, let the record show: POLITE hagglers. I watched Finns use the style of "would you consider accepting?" English not all-pervasive, so can be tricky but - scored some vintage candleholders! Yelp note: bring cash.

This is a must-do in Helsinki especially if the weather is nice. We ate breakfast (delicious rice…read moreporridge and meat pies) sat in the sun and listened to polka music played on an accordion. A lovely experience. The market itself is fairly small, but in the summer includes both indoor and outdoor vendors of all varieties from crafts to antiques, baked goods, meats and farm fresh produce. It took us about an hour or so to eat breakfast and walk around. Worth checking out. Much less touristy than the South Harbor market square at the end of the esplanade.