Tallinn, Estonia Report of what it's like to live there - 10/28/12
Personal Experiences from Tallinn, Estonia
Background:
1. Was this post your first expatriate experience? If not, what other cities have you lived in as an expat?
2. What is your home city/country? How long is the trip to post from there, with what connections? How easy/difficult is it to travel to this city/country?
Washington DC. Travel time is 14-18 hours depending on connections, usually connecting through Munich or Amsterdam.
3. How long have you lived here?
4. What brought you to this city (e.g. diplomatic mission, business, NGO, military, teaching, retirement, etc.)?
The contributor is affiliated with the US goverment, has been in Tallinn more than a year, a second expat experience.
Housing, Groceries & Food:
1. What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We are in a house in Pirita (suburbs). It is old and the layout is unusual. Our kitchen is small, with minimal storage and tiny appliances. We have a small fenced yard and a garage. The apartments in Old Town are newer and I think they are a better choice unless you need a yard for kids or pets. The commute is 20-30 minutes driving from where we live.
2. How would you describe the availability and cost of groceries and household supplies relative to your home country?
Groceries are slightly cheaper overall, however the produce is seasonal. It can take a couple trips to different stores to find what you want. I think you can find almost everything here, just not all the time.
3. What household or grocery items do you wish you had shipped to post?
Refried beans, vanilla extract, and cake mixes, if you use them.
4. What typical restaurants, food delivery services, and/or takeout options are popular among expatriates?
A meal at McDonalds costs about 6 Euro. There are definitely lots of decent restaurants available, though fewer with ethnic cuisine like Mexican or Asian. Steakhouses are expensive and pizza isn't great, but it is available. Restaurants are more expensive closer to Old Town.
5. Are there any unusual problems with insects or other infestations in housing?
There is about a month in May/June when there are a lot of mosquitoes. One nedds to use repellent or stay inside. No other insect issues.
Daily Life:
1. How do you send and receive your letters and package mail? Are local postal facilities adequate?
DPO or pouch.
2. What is the availability and cost of household help, and what types of help are typically employed by expatriates?
I believe it costs 50-100 Euro per day for housekeeping, depending on how big a house you have. I don't know about nannies.
3. What kinds of gyms or other sports/workout facilities are available? Are they expensive?
Yes.
4. Are credit cards widely accepted and safe to use locally? Are ATMs common and do you recommend using them? Are they safe to use?
We have a local bank card that works everywhere. Most places in Tallinn take credit cards.
5. What English-language religious services are available locally?
Not a lot. There are a couple of non-denominational services.
6. English-language newspapers and TV available? Cost?
Cable is inexpensive here and there are a few English channels. I think we pay 50 Euro a month for internet, phone, and cable with extra channels.
7. How much of the local language do you need for daily living? Are local language classes/tutors available and affordable?
None, but it is nice to know some and try. When I try to speak Estonian I usually get a smile and the speaker switches to English right away.
8. Would someone with physical disabilities have difficulties living in this city?
There are some pretty uneven roads, but some public transport has wheelchair access. Smaller restaurants and stores are not accessible.
Transportation:
1. Are local buses, trams, trains or taxis safe and affordable?
Local buses and trams are great! Taxis are affordable and safe. Tallinn has a zero tolerance law for drinking and driving, so taxis are always around downtown. I don't know about the trains.
2. What kind of car do you recommend bringing to post, given the terrain, availability of parts, burglary/carjacking risks, etc.? What kind of car do you advise not to bring?
A four-wheel-drive vehicle is a good idea for the winter and out of town trips. Snow or studded tires are mandatory in the winter. Toyota and Honda have dealerships here and we get our car serviced there without difficulty. I haven't heard of any carjackings.
Phone & Internet:
1. Is high-speed home Internet access available? How long does it typically take to install it after arrival?
Yes.
2. Do you have any recommendations regarding mobile phones? Did you keep your home-country plan or use a local provider?
You can get any kind you want here, iphones or pay as you go, most are reasonably priced with good service.
Pets:
1. Are qualified veterinarians and/or good kennel services available? Do animals need to be quarantined upon entry to the country? Are there other considerations regarding pets that are particular to this country?
No.
2. Quality pet care available (vets & kennels)?
Our dog has gone to a kennel twice and it seems good. We haven't needed a vet, but there are a few available that seem good.
Employment & Volunteer Opportunities:
1. What types of jobs do most expatriate spouses/partners have? Locally based or telecommuting? Full-time or part-time? Can you comment on local salary scales?
Not really. You need to look hard for something.
2. What is the typical dress code at work and in public places? Is formal dress ever required?
Business casual. Women wear skirts in the winter, but kids are bundled in snowsuits from September to April. For grocery shopping most people are dressed casually.
Health & Safety:
1. Are there personal security concerns to be aware of at this post? Please describe.
No.
2. Are there any particular health concerns? What is the quality of available medical care? What medical conditions typically require medical evacuation?
Tick-borne encephalitis is a recommended vaccine. Health care is adequate, but anything complicated gets medi-vaced. There are some interesting cures recommended here -- goose grease for a cough, vodka for a lot of other things.
3. What is the air quality like at post (good/moderate/bad)? Are there seasonal air quality issues? Does the air quality have an impact on health?
Good, except in the fall when there is burning going on and the smell isn't pretty.
4. What is the overall climate: is it extremely hot or cold, wet or dry, at any time of year, for example?
Winter starts around the end of Oct. It is mostly cold, wet, and dark until April/May. The summers are cool and drier. It can rain for a couple hours then be sunny with a blue sky. Always carry a raincoat and sunglasses.
Schools & Children:
1. What is the availability of international schools? What has been your general experience with them, if any?
ISE. It needs a lot of work and I would not recommend coming here if you have school-aged children. The curriculum is vague and seems to be about a year behind the US schools. Staff does not communicate well with parents or students. Our kids had a lot of difficulty with the slow pace and lack of instruction. Their schedule was half academics and half fine arts. The academics are mostly group work or silent reading, with no encouragement to do a good job or take any pride in learning. The music teacher was excellent and did great things. Other options here are homeschooling or the English College, but it only has a few of the lower grades. Both English College and ISE are IB schools.
2. What accommodations do schools make for special-needs kids?
3. Are preschools available? Day care? Are these expensive? What has been your experience with them, if any? Do the schools provide before- and/or after-school care?
Estonian preschool is quite good from what I hear.
4. Are local sports classes and/or activities available for kids?
Yes. Swimming, soccer, tennis are a few I know of.
Expat Life:
1. What is the relative size of the expatriate community? How would you describe overall morale among expatriates?
Small.
2. Morale among expats:
Good, unless they don't like winter and darkness.
3. What are some typical ways to socialize, either with local people or with other expatriates? Are there groups or clubs that you can recommend?
Restaurants mostly. There is some entertaining at home, but mostly with other embassy families.
4. Is this a good city for single people? For couples? For families? Why or why not?
Yes to all.
5. Is this a good city for LGBT expatriates? Why or why not?
Yes.
6. Are there problems with ethnic, race/racial minorities or religious prejudices? Gender equality?
No.
7. What have been the highlights of your time in this country? Best trips or experiences?
The White Nights and lots of snow in the winter. Tallinn is a small city and I enjoy that.
8. What are some interesting/fun things to do in the area? Can you recommend any “hidden gems"?
Winter sports like cross-country skiing, museums, restaurants, concerts, mushroom picking, clubs, exploring castles, some underground caves, sailing in the summer, movies, bowling and probably some more things too.
9. Is this a "shopping post"? Are there interesting handicrafts, artwork, antiques, or other items that people typically buy there?
Estonian crafts -- knitting. Juniper wood items.
10. What are the particular advantages of living in this city?
You can experience the White Nights in the summer. Tallinn is a UNESCO heritage site with lots of great old buildings to see.
11. Can you save money?
Not really. We spent a lot flying out for warmer weather.
Words of Wisdom:
1. Knowing what you know now, would you still move to this city?
I would come back, but not until my kids are done with school.
2. If you move here, you can leave behind your:
Large kitchen appliances and dishes.
3. But don't forget your:
Winter clothing.
4. Do you recommend any books or movies about this city/country for those who are interested in learning more?
My Estonia by Justin Petrone and John Bickerson Bolling
5. Recommended movies/DVDs related to this city:
6. Do you have any other comments?
This is an easy post unless you cannot handle the long dark winters. Plan to take a sunny vacation in Feb. or March and don't bring your school aged kids unless you plan on homeschooling.
