Living in Estonia

"I lived in Tartu for several years, married my Ex Estonian wife here in the US, where we had two daughters then moved to Tartu. My work schedule on TV 7-8 hours ahead meant being up at 2-3am, and 4 satellite hops, which were expensive. A lot of what has been said is true. Tartu is really nice and quaint, changing rapidly. I remember when the first Mcdonald's went in, and it's been invaded since then with all the junk food you can imagine. I spoke extremely little Estonian, which at times was difficult. My daughters and ex are fluent in English and Estonian, so I often had a translator. I grew up in Mn and Chicago, so Estonia is cold in Winter, but I have been colder. DARK, though, is absolutely pitch black. It can be depressing. There are indoor spas and things, but the darkness can take a toll. The opposite is true in summer when it's constantly light. I mean, at midnight, the sun is up, 2 am. It bothered me more than the dark. The good news and bad news is Tartu is small. With 120k people or so and the second biggest city in Estonia, well, anyone who dislikes small-town life, it's not for you. In fact, the entire country may not be, except for a visit. I remember when Estonia joined the EU and NATO. I remember when they didn't use the Euro, it all happened pretty fast. The Estonian economy changed rapidly. Prices came in line with Western Europe. Wages didn't meet the needs. And still don't for many people. In Tartu, employment can be hard to find. Anyway, I have mixed emotions about Tartu, little too small for me, but nice," remarked one expat in Tartu.

"Expats and digital nomads living in Estonia appreciate the country's high quality of life, with its low cost of living, excellent public transportation, and vibrant cultural scene. They also enjoy the fact that Estonia is a tech-savvy nation, with a strong digital infrastructure and a supportive environment for entrepreneurs. On the downside, some expats and digital nomads find the language barrier to be a challenge, as English is not widely spoken outside of the major cities. Additionally, the long, dark winters can be difficult to adjust to for those coming from warmer climates," explained one expat in Estonia.