Why I Chose Life in Tallinn, Estonia Over Spain (Surprising Reasons)
Ever since we left Spain, I’ve been asked a lot about how could I leave the land of sun and warmth all year round for Tallinn, Estonia, a place where winter lasts more than six months, where cold winds often blow, and nature isn’t exactly breathtaking. Especially since I love hiking in the mountains and being close to the sea. Not to mention, Tallinn is not among the cheapest cities in Europe.
Well, here’s the thing, first and foremost — we haven’t left Spain forever. We’ll still be going back several times a year because that’s where home is now, and I’m emotionally attached to this country. But the decision to live in Tallinn (yes, this is the city we chose as our base) was a conscious one, built on several factors that I’ll explain below.
To be honest, I never wanted to go to Estonia. I had this idea in my head that it is a country with a Soviet past, and I thought those traces would be everywhere (if you didn’t know, I’m from Ukraine, and the Soviet past still haunts me). I also had the impression that there would be a lot of Russian culture, which to this day is destroying my home country through missiles and drones.
And then there’s the weather – I’ve always hated the cold, and I can’t stand more than two days of rain without feeling down. So it wasn’t just that I didn’t want to move to Tallinn, I didn’t even want to visit Estonia as a tourist.
But my husband really wanted to visit. He’d been talking about planning a trip for ages, and this year, I finally gave in. While we were in Montenegro this summer for work and our project ended, we had a choice – either fly back to Tenerife into the summer or go somewhere new.
Since we’d already been almost everywhere in Europe, Estonia remained one of the few places we hadn’t explored. So we decided to head there, thinking it would be a cool place to escape the summer heat and explore something new.
And then we arrived in Tallinn – a city that immediately drew me in. It was love at first sight, and that love made me realize that I wanted to stay longer, experience all its seasons, and enjoy the rhythm of daily life here. So we stayed. We rented an apartment for a year, started buying things we needed, and slowly made it feel like home.
Why did Tallinn win me over (at least for a year)? Why did I choose it over Spain? I’ll explain all that below…
Living in Tallinn as a Foreigner – Why I Love It
Life in Tallinn Feels Like Scandinavia
One of the most unexpected surprises for me was discovering how much Estonia, especially Tallinn, feels like a slice of Scandinavia. It’s nothing like its Baltic neighbors Lithuania or Latvia, and definitely far removed from Russia.
Estonia’s deep Scandinavian influence is felt in the mentality, architecture, and overall way of life (I can tell since I spent a good amount of time in Denmark and Sweden). Despite being part of the Baltics, Tallinn shares no cultural or linguistic ties with its Baltic neighbors. Instead, its history of being ruled by Denmark and Sweden has left a lasting mark.
Thankfully, remnants of the Soviet Union are minimal (except for a few abandoned buildings from the 1970s-80s and Soviet-style apartment blocks), and Russian influence is scarce, besides the occasional Russian language here and there and Russian theater.
Tallinn, with its distinct neighborhoods, often reminds me of places like Copenhagen or Stockholm – but at a fraction of the cost. This accessibility is what struck me the most. I’ve always loved Copenhagen and dreamt of living there, but financially, it was out of reach. In Tallinn, this dream became a reality. It’s like living in a cozy Scandinavian neighborhood but without the financial strain, especially when it comes to housing.
Tallinn Offers High-Quality Housing
Speaking of housing, another reason Tallinn won me over is the quality of its homes. The city offers beautifully built apartments in a Nordic style, focusing on comfort and practicality. Older buildings, too, have been renovated and insulated, making them modern and well-maintained.
In contrast, one of my biggest complaints about living in Spain was the poor housing conditions. Most homes are ill-equipped for the cold, built with cheap tiles and uncomfortable furnishings. In places like Malaga (where we lived too), even when it’s +15°C outside, the apartments feel freezing in winter. I’ve never been as cold in Ukraine, even when it was -20°C, as I was in Spain during those damp, chilly days.
So in Tallinn, housing is one of the main reasons I wanted to stay. Apartments are well-built, adapted for cold winters, and even when it’s freezing outside, the homes are warm and cozy. It’s a level of comfort I never found in Spain.
Affordable and Easy-to-Rent for Long Term Apartments for Foreigners
During our time by the coast in Northern Spain, Andalusia and then in Tenerife, we faced a common problem that seems to exist across many Western European countries as well – it’s tough to rent a long-term apartment, even when you have the money on hand. Landlords are often cautious or have strange prejudices, making the rental process unnecessarily complicated.
In Spain, to rent a property, you need to show proof of income from a Spanish employer. No one cares if you have savings or earn income from another country -they only want to see a Spanish paycheck. If you can’t provide that, they’ll ask you to pay an entire year’s rent upfront. And even then, the housing quality is far from ideal. Due to tourism, prices keep rising, and you end up paying a lot for subpar apartments with cold tiles and outdated furniture.
Tallinn, on the other hand, was the complete opposite. We were surprised at how affordable housing was and how easy it was to rent. Even in late 2024, you can still find a beautiful one or two-bedroom apartment (around 50-70 square meters), with a separate storage room and parking space in a premium neighborhood for €800-€950 per month. If that’s too high, there are plenty of good-quality options in slightly older buildings or in areas further from the center for even less.
While we searched for our place, we came across great deals for as low as €500 a month — fully renovated apartments with all the essential furniture, where you’d only need to bring your personal items. It’s a breath of fresh air compared to the rental market in Spain (and in our experience in many other countries in Europe, not to mention the US), making Tallinn the perfect place to settle down for a while.
Tallinn is a Truly Digital City What Makes Life Easier
One of the standout features of living in Tallinn is its seamless integration of digital technology into daily life, benefiting both residents and non-residents alike. Estonia is renowned for being one of the most digitally advanced countries globally, and Tallinn exemplifies this innovation.
For non-residents, the digital landscape in Tallinn opens up a wealth of opportunities. With an array of e-services available, foreigners can easily access essential services without the hassle of navigating traditional bureaucratic processes. For instance, you can register your business, open a bank account, or even apply for permits online, streamlining your transition to life in the city.
The e-government platforms enable non-residents to manage many aspects of their stay from the comfort of their homes or while traveling. Filing taxes, accessing healthcare services, and dealing with administrative tasks can all be accomplished with a few clicks, making life significantly more convenient.
Additionally, public transportation is highly digitized, offering user-friendly apps that simplify route planning and fare payments. Non-residents can navigate the city with ease, knowing that Wi-Fi is widely available in public spaces. When it comes to home internet, it is also very cheap and super fast, perfect for people who work online.
This commitment to digital efficiency provides convenience and fosters a sense of community and innovation. In Tallinn, technology works to enhance the experience for everyone, which is excellent for new opportunities without the barriers often found elsewhere.
Weather in Tallinn Doesn’t Hinder an Interesting & Vibrant Life
What I appreciate most about living in Tallinn is that it provides endless opportunities for cultural development and a fulfilling lifestyle. The city is always buzzing with events, from theater performances that take place weekly in autumn and part of winter to constant exhibitions showcasing various art forms.
There are numerous interesting museums, libraries for work and reading, as well as a wealth of cozy cafes where to try the most delish cinnamon buns (ha, very important in this city!) or where to relax while it rains or snows outside.
Summers here are pleasantly cool. In fact, part of July and all of August spent in Tallinn felt like the most comfortable summer I’ve ever experienced. Winters, adorned with snow, are beautifully enchanting. Our new friends shared that last winter in their Kalamaja neighborhood, they even witnessed the Northern Lights, which has me excited for this winter!
Moreover, Tallinn’s location makes it incredibly convenient for travel. Scandinavia is just a stone’s throw away, and a ferry ride to Helsinki takes about the same time I used to spend commuting to work in Los Angeles. Budget flights are available to various destinations in Sweden and Denmark with Ryanair, making weekend getaways or city breaks easy and affordable.
If all that isn’t enough, Tallinn is well-connected to many other countries for quick escapes, ensuring that life here remains exciting and full of possibilities, regardless of the weather!
I’m not saying that Tallinn is the perfect place to live – like anywhere, it has its drawbacks. However, I personally can overlook them. For now, I really like this city and feel comfortable here. I can objectively assess that Tallinn is a good place where to live for many people.