Nokia, Finland: Houses and Flats West of Tampere

Nokia sits beside the Nokianvirta river, a short drive from Tampere, one of Finland's largest cities with universities and a growing tech sector. The town has its own services, lakes and forests, and it is popular with commuters and families who want space.

Winters are long and cold, so check insulation, heating type and heating costs.

Apartments are usually shares in a housing company, so read the company's accounts, planned renovations and the monthly maintenance and financing charges. Houses are real property, so ask for a condition inspection.

Transfer tax is 1.5% on housing-company shares and 3% on real property, and non-EU/EEA buyers may need a Ministry of Defence permit for real property. See our Finland buying guide and mortgage guide.

Finnish homes are built for cold winters, but running costs depend on the heating system, so ask for last year's bills. District heating, ground-source heat pumps and electric heating all appear in the area, and wood-fired saunas are common in houses. For apartments in a housing company, a pending pipe or facade renovation can mean a large financing charge, so read the board minutes before you commit.

Tampere, Ylöjärvi and Kangasala are the nearby markets. See Finland property for sale.