This as-told-to essay is predicated on a transcribed dialog with a digital marketer Aivaras Vilutis, about being a 28-year-old dwelling in Vilnius, Lithuania. The next has been edited for size and readability.
I grew up in a small Lithuanian city however moved to the capital, Vilnius, for college. I’ve lived right here most of my grownup life.
Vilnius is a rising metropolis filled with alternatives. In comparison with smaller Lithuanian cities, it has extra jobs and occasions, and there is a fixed inflow of latest folks.
Not too long ago, Lithuania topped the World Happiness Report rating for below 30s, with the nation’s younger folks ranking themselves 7.76 out of 10 on the happiness scale. I utterly perceive why, particularly as a teenager dwelling in Vilnius.
Younger folks can examine totally free in Lithuania
After I was in highschool, most classmates deliberate to both study a commerce in school or go to school.
The state funds larger schooling in public establishments. So long as you move your nationwide exams throughout highschool, you’ll be able to apply to a state-funded college with free tuition.
Though our levels are specialised, you’ll be able to nonetheless change your thoughts and change levels. I initially studied creativity communication however modified my thoughts. As a result of I would accomplished lower than half of my credit for the diploma, I might nonetheless change to a brand new bachelor’s and full it freed from cost. That is the usual follow in Lithuanian universities. Our schooling system did not put me in a field. I began and accomplished a level in neurophysics.
If I had accomplished greater than half the credit for my diploma, I might have needed to pay to start out one other diploma.
Throughout my four-year neurophysics bachelor’s diploma, I did a number of paid internships in science labs and traveled overseas for a semester at NASA, which the college paid for.
After I did an Worldwide Internship for NASA in America, folks mentioned they appreciated how specialised Lithuanian levels had been, which confirmed me that our schooling system is revered internationally.
I left college with none debt, giving me a robust monetary begin.
There are many job alternatives for younger folks
Lithuania has loads of laser, medical, and buyer help industries which were round for years. They’re nonetheless thriving and producing new job alternatives.
We’re additionally turning into a serious tech hub. Startups and tech firms are booming in cities like Vilnius, Kaunas, and Klaipėda.
Lithuania is dwelling to unicorn firms like Vinted and Nord Safety, and the federal government has began investing in tech growth by means of nationwide applications. My first job after college was in tech at a simultaneous language interpretation firm. I’ve additionally labored in digital promoting.
Vilnius is an reasonably priced location for younger folks
Whereas working in Vilnius, I’ve earned greater than my mother and father did of their small city. Salaries aren’t as excessive as in Western Europe, however they align with the decrease price of dwelling.
I by no means frightened about cash on my digital promoting wage. I ordered takeaway for many dinners and by no means turned down a social occasion for cash causes. I’ve nonetheless been in a position to journey to western nations in addition to to cheaper locations in Japanese Europe.
After I briefly lived in America and different European nations, the price of the whole lot appeared actually excessive in comparison with Vilnius.
I can discover a place to lease alone in Vilnius for 600 euros a month. Though I am not trying to purchase a home, my mother and father purchased a two-bedroom residence eight years in the past for round 80,000 euros. Home costs are dearer now, however nonetheless cheaper than in different European cities.
Going out with associates is affordable, making for a terrific social life. A beer prices 5 euros, and a median restaurant meal prices 10 euros.
As a single particular person, I can spend as little as 40 euros every week on groceries.
My associates and I attend a number of live shows or festivals a month as a result of they’re both free or very low cost. Nightclub entry is commonly 10 euros or much less.
The capital metropolis is energetic and inclusive
Autumn and winter may be very chilly in Lithuania. Folks get excited by the primary snowfall of the 12 months, however additionally they are likely to socialize lower than they do within the spring and summer season. The occasional particular person experiences seasonal despair when the seasons change, and folks exit much less, however most admire this calmer time.
In Vilnius, outside cafés stretch all through the Previous City, with folks catching up over espresso that’s simply nearly as good as in Italy.
The combination of metropolis and nature is completely balanced. There are lovely outside areas, and I run within the woods each morning.
In the summertime, my associates and I flock to one of many many lakes scattered round Vilnius.
Town is dwelling to many younger folks and is extra multicultural than different elements of the nation, so it feels extra open to minorities.
As a member of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood, I discover Vilnius very secure. Folks from the LGBTQ+ neighborhood transfer to town as a result of it is a youthful, extra accepting demographic, and the tradition is extra vibrant right here. Residing in a post-Soviet nation, it is tough to vary the views of older folks.
I want Vilnius to different locations I’ve lived as a teenager
I like my nation. I’ve lived elsewhere, together with in Portugal, America, and Italy, however I at all times needed to return to Vilnius. I missed the hipster bars, Lithuanian craft beer, and the forest greenery. It’s the happiest place for me as a teenager.
Nonetheless, outdoors Vilnius, the state of affairs is not nearly as good for younger folks. It is much less numerous, and there aren’t the identical alternatives, so younger folks typically transfer to larger cities.
I do not suppose folks in outdated age would classify Lithuania as one of many happiest locations on the earth. They do not need to depart, both, however in regional areas, there are fewer alternatives for them. The era spent most of their lives within the Soviet period and was not uncovered to the identical alternatives as we are actually.
I might love Lithuania to turn into extra multicultural. Our happiness rating for below 30s is nice publicity, however I am unsure it should encourage folks to maneuver right here.
You must dwell in Vilnius to actually perceive how welcoming and fantastic town is. There’s a vibe right here not like another place I’ve visited or lived.
