If you’ve been scrolling Finnish housing sites and wondering what all these words mean, you’re not alone. The good news? It’s not as complicated as it looks — here’s a quick guide to help you figure out what kind of home you’re actually looking at 👇
🏡 Asunto = apartment or flat (general term)
This just means “a place to live.” You’ll see it everywhere: vuokra-asunto (rental apartment), omistusasunto (owned apartment). It doesn’t tell you much about the building type, though — for that, you’ll need the next terms 👉🏻
🏡 Kerrostalo = apartment block
This is your typical multi-storey apartment building — usually 3 floors or more, often with elevators. Common in cities like Helsinki, Tampere, and Turku. Great if you want access to public transport and shops.
🏡 Rivitalo = row house or terraced house
Think of it as a middle ground between an apartment and a detached home. You have your own front door, often a little backyard, maybe even a sauna — but you share walls with neighbours on one or both sides. These are super popular with families and often found in quieter areas just outside cities.
🏡 Omakotitalo = detached house
Your own building, your own yard, usually more privacy. Also: your own snow to shovel and heating bills to deal with. These can be dreamy, but might be overkill (and pricey) if you're just moving solo or don’t plan to stay long.
🏡 Paritalo = semi-detached house
Two homes in one building — you share a wall with one neighbour. Feels quite homey, usually has outdoor space. Good compromise if you want some privacy but don’t need a full detached house.