Riihimäki is a dream place for seniors, because all services are nearby
Riksuu in love is a story series in which people from Riihimäki share their thoughts about their hometown.
Seija, 77, and Matti, 82, Hellström moved ten years ago from a single-family house in Lope to a brand new apartment triangle in Riihimäki's Peltokuja.
"It was great to get into a new barrier-free apartment with its own sauna and glazed balcony. All the services we need are nearby. Shopping center Atom is a five-minute walk away. We move the most by walking and only rarely use the car," say the Hellströms.
The family enjoyed themselves in Lope's detached house for almost 40 years, but then the yard work started tiring. Riihimäki's better services and hobby opportunities began to attract them.
"We moved here peacefully for almost a year. From time to time we went to Peltokuja to practice urban life. For a long time, we only had a sofa, a coffee maker and a few dishes. Lope's house was sold to a young couple in half a year."
Many older people live in the house, and everyone says hello in the yard and in the elevator. Spirit is good.
"There are pretty flower plantings in the yard, which several enthusiastic residents take care of. I was on the board of the housing company for four years and also the chairman for a year," says Seija.
Riksula is another living room
Riksula is a city meeting place established two years ago in the premises of a former travel center. There are daily clubs, events and chats.
Seija says that Riksula has become their second living room, where they visit almost every day. They both have a lot of friends there. It's a seven-minute walk. On the way home, we often stop at the Atom shopping center and sit down for an afternoon coffee at Prisma.
Matti thanks that he made a lot of new friends in Riksula. He especially likes CDs, karaoke and quizzes, but just socializing is also nice. Such a good group has formed there, where things slide. Coffee and buns are also available for a voluntary fee.
"The rickshaw is open on weekdays from 9 am to 15 pm and one day I spent six hours there, my wife already went to visit the house sometimes," laughs Matti.
At times, regular customers were worried about Riksula's future. When the Kanta-Häme welfare area was formed, it was not known at the beginning how it would work. In the end, Riksula stayed in the city, and the service continued as before.
"I've met many people in Riksula who have moved to Riihimäki from the capital region because of cheaper apartments or the proximity of a summer cottage," says Matti.
Asian flavors
A year ago, Piikinmäki's 53-step fitness stairs were opened near Hellström. You can get to the top of the hill either by stairs or by road. The stairs are flat, wide and pleasant to walk on. There are railings on both sides for support.
"I have often walked up the stairs. At the top of the hill, you can sit on a bench to catch your breath and walk down the road. The route is easy, and it is also suitable for seniors and people with knee problems."
Matti prefers to make a half-hour run back to Kastanjapuisto with his rollator. The retired gardener enjoys parks. He is also looking forward to the opening of the swimming pool so that he can continue his water running hobby.
The Hellströms also praise the health services in their hometown. Seija's heart problems were taken care of, and Matti received good treatment when he visited the emergency room in the summer.
“Next week I have an eye doctor. I can't read because of glaucoma. I can see far, but not near. Even Seija is sometimes like fog", Matti laughs.
The Hellströms occasionally visit the Cambodian restaurant Apsara. Go there every time the boy and his family come to the village. Riihimäki's museums and theaters are also familiar to the Hellströms, as they are big consumers of culture in retirement.
"There has been talk for a long time about Voimala, which is in poor condition, that a cultural center would be built there. We hope so, because it would be nice if there were concerts and events near us."
Matti concludes that being an old person in Riihimäki is like winning the lottery.
"We are so well taken care of here. Our study city Turku was another option when we moved away from Lope. But Riihimäki won the race."
Seija and Matti Hellström
- They live in Peltokylä in a three-room apartment.
- Mati had his own garden business in Lope for 40 years. Seija worked in Riihimäki for more than 30 years as a deputy city chamberlain.
- An adult son and three grandchildren live in Helsinki. They pick up their grandparents by car to visit.
- They enjoy visiting Riksula, outdoor activities and culture. Seija also attends the Kotokartano Foundation's senior activities, for example the Puistokulman leidit story group.