Living in a Joo Kodit apartment in Kivistö: here the everyday services are close by and it's always nice to come home

73-year-old Mervi appreciates the ease of renting. In Kivistö, services, transport connections and nature are all close by, and her own home feels like a peaceful place.

Mervi Viljanen has lived in many different kinds of homes, including a house of her own and rental homes. She has also moved dozens of times.

Today, Mervi rents a home in Kivistö, Vantaa. What she particularly likes about renting is how easy it is: she can enjoy her home without having to take care of the tasks that come with living in a detached or terraced house. As a tenant, she does not need to worry about mowing the lawn or clearing snow, and if something goes wrong in the apartment, the maintenance team will take care of it.

This is something that Mervi appreciates dearly, as she has had the experience of living in a house that she owns. She and her husband built a house together, but over time, the upkeep began to feel like too much work.

– Living in your own house is wonderful, but there is always something that needs to be done around the house. It’s a lifestyle of its own, Mervi says.

Important everyday services are close by in Kivistö

Mervi moved to Kivistö in the spring. When choosing a new neighbourhood, it was important to her that everyday services were easy to reach.

– I moved here because the shops are closer. There’s also a doctor, bus stops and a train station just a short distance away. Everything I need is nearby, so I don’t have to travel far. It makes everyday life easier.

Nearby services and good transport connections make Mervi’s everyday life easier.

Kivistö turned out to be better than its reputation

– One of my favourite things about Kivistö is the forests, where I like to go for walks. They are great places to relax, enjoy the surroundings and think.

Mervi feels safe in Kivistö and says that the area is much better than its reputation from a few years ago would suggest.

– I don’t have to be afraid of anything here. People are really friendly and may say hello even if we don’t know each other. That’s another reason why I like Kivistö so much.

This is how Mervi describes the area to someone considering moving to Kivistö:

– What I like about Kivistö is how peaceful it is. It’s quieter in terms of traffic, even though there is traffic here too. Nature is close by, and so are all the services. What more could you ask for?

A studio apartment felt right for this stage of life

Mervi had previously lived in a Joo Kodit apartment. When searching for a new home, she viewed several options before finding her current apartment.

– And then this apartment suddenly came along, and I’m really happy with it, Mervi says with a smile.

Having previously lived in an apartment where bedroom is separate, Mervi decided to choose a studio this time. She no longer needed as much space for her belongings, and a smaller home felt more practical to clean.

– A smaller apartment is also easier to clean. That’s something I appreciate at this stage of my life, Mervi says.

When choosing the apartment, Mervi also paid attention to the balcony. She enjoys spending time there in the mornings and evenings, and it has become one of her favourite places at home. Another favourite is the corner of her sofa.

– It feels so good to sit here. Even though the sofa is quite short, I’ve actually slept better here than I did in my previous bed, Mervi says.

Mervi enjoys sitting on her balcony in the mornings and evenings.

Mervi appreciates the customer service of Joo Kodit

Having already lived in a Joo Kodit apartment once before, Mervi also chose a Joo home as her next apartment. In addition to the apartment itself, her positive experiences with Joo Kodit’s customer service influenced her decision to choose her home in Kivistö.

– I’ve always thought that Joo Kodit provides good service. If there has been a problem at home, such as an appliance needing maintenance, I’ve always received help very quickly.

Having moved dozens of times, Mervi has some advice for young people looking for their first home:

– Think carefully about what kind of apartment you really need. Do you need several rooms, for example, or would one be enough? It’s also worth considering what kind of neighbourhood you want to live in and how easy it is to get around from there.

Home is an important place to Mervi. She notices it especially after spending some time away.

– It’s always so lovely to come back home, she says with a smile.

Looking for a rental home in Vantaa?

Joo Kodit offers carefree rental homes in areas such as Kivistö and Keimolanmäki. Take a look at our available rental homes in Vantaa.