Environment & Energy

Helsinki has about 1/3 the population of metropolitan Seattle, where we live most of the time. It has about 3 times as much relative transportation infrastructure as Seattle, with about 10 modern commuter train lines, metro, trams, buses and ubiquitous wide asphalt pedestrian/bicycle sidewalks & trails. The bicycle lanes on wide sidewalks are also used by light electric scooters and robot delivery "boys". There are at least four really good grocery stores within easy walking distance from our apartment, many medical and dental services and everything else you need. Our neighborhood has nice parks, canals with foot bridges, and is introducing pneumatic garbage collection. When we return to Seattle it's hard to face the first required run to the grocery store - about 20 minutes car trip - through a hellscape of urban sprawl.