Tallinn - Post Report Question and Answers
What is your housing like? What are typical housing sizes, locations, and commute times for expatriates?
We had a beautiful apartment downtown that was just a block from the old town. All the apartments we saw were only a short walk to the old town and were extremely spacious. Many were three to four bedrooms. Most people with children were put in houses in the suburbs outside the city. These houses were very spacious and modern but were not walkable to anything in the city. Some were close to the beach. - Sep 2023
My house is quite nice. Tallinn houses and apartments are affordable, and it is possible to rent a 100 sq meter apartment in the city center for less than a thousand euros per month. The websites city24.ee and kv.ee are the main place to look for housing. - Jun 2017
Like many posts, there are apartments in the city and houses in the suburbs. I have not heard one person complain about housing -- the apartments are big, most with balconies and views of the city and/or the Baltic Sea. All are walking distance from the great parts of downtown and old town Tallinn. Houses (which we live in) are excellent, with big yards, new construction, generous garages and modern appliances. Most US Embassy families live in Pirita, the suburb just on the edge of Tallinn along the sea -- a 20 minute commute to work. - Sep 2016
Tallinn is a small city. Traffic backs up on occasion, but you can get most places in less than 20 minutes. - Jan 2013
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. - Oct 2012
In-town apartments (easy commuting), duplexes a bit further from town, and single-family homes in the suburbs (30 minute commute in rush hour). - Oct 2012
The housing pool has large comfortable homes in Pirita, townhouses in Kristiine, and apartments near Old Town, some nicer than others. None with pools. All commutes depend on traffic and weather. Yards vary in size, most with nice trees in or around them. The few houses I've seen have closets, but I can't say that's the norm. Kitchens are hit and miss style wise, but for the most part they are nicer than average. Your oven will be tiny. Don't bother bringing that 14" baking pan or large cookie sheet. - Sep 2010
Lovely apartments in the center of the city, and nice houses in outlying neighborhoods. Commutes range from a 6-minute walk to a 30-minute drive. - Aug 2009
