Developing Regions in Harjumaa Where It's Good to Live
Are you looking for a new home or planning to move to Harju County? Choosing real estate is not just a matter of price, but also a decision about quality of life, safety, and amenities. Harju County offers several developing areas that could be ideal places to live and invest. Let's explore in detail which municipalities and towns in Harju County offer the best living environment in 2025.
Harju County's most popular residential areas
Harju County is Estonia's most densely populated county with an area of 4,333 km², where over half a million people live. While Tallinn is certainly the heart of the county, there are also other developing areas that offer high quality of life.
Viimsi municipality - proximity to the sea and Tallinn's conveniences
Viimsi municipality is one of the more densely populated areas in Harju County (271.0 residents per km²) and its popularity is understandable. The municipality offers the charms of a seaside living environment combined with the conveniences of the capital, creating an ideal combination for residents who value both closeness to nature and good services.
Viimsi municipality offers:
Proximity to the sea and beautiful nature hiking trails, including the Viimsi Peninsula coastal trail
Good access to Tallinn services just 15-20 minutes away by car
Quality schools and kindergartens, including several modernized educational environments
Diverse leisure activities, from Viimsi Spa to cultural centers
Viimsi municipality real estate is more expensive due to its proximity to Tallinn, but many families find that the quality of life outweighs the higher price. Kinnisvara24 statistics show that new development prices here are comparable to Tallinn city center areas, but often offer more square meters for the same money.
"Viimsi is like a small town where everything you need is available, but with less stress," many residents of the area describe their home municipality.
Harku municipality - developed infrastructure and satisfaction
Harku municipality (14,356 residents, density 90.3/km²) has made significant investments in educational infrastructure, which makes it particularly attractive for families with children. Here are:
5 municipal schools and 8 kindergartens, which ensure good access to education
The new modern Vääna-Jõesuu kindergarten, which recently opened with playgrounds and a learning environment
The planned Tiskre kindergarten, which will ease the shortage of places in the area with growing population
Balanced development that combines urban conveniences and a natural environment
Satisfaction surveys show that residents of the Tabasalu-Rannamõisa, Harkujärve-Tiskre, and Muraste-Suurupi areas are most satisfied with their living environment. In contrast, in peripheral areas like Kumna-Tutermaa and Türisalu, satisfaction is lower, mainly due to lack of services.
If you are looking for a home in Harku municipality, it is definitely worth checking out rental apartment offerings before making a purchase, to get better acquainted with the area and find the neighborhood that suits your lifestyle and needs.
Rae municipality - rapid development and good connectivity
Rae municipality (17,968 residents, density 86.8/km²) is one of the faster-developing areas in Harju County. The reasons for its popularity are multifaceted:
Excellent connectivity with Tallinn for both car drivers and public transport users
New and modern developments that offer contemporary homes at reasonable prices
Noticeably more affordable price level compared to Tallinn, especially for first-time home buyers
Continuous development of the area with new shopping centers, parks, and leisure opportunities
Rae municipality stands out for its strategic planning – new residential areas are developed alongside necessary infrastructure, ensuring that residents don't have to travel far to access daily services.
Rae municipality new developments are particularly popular with young families who value both reasonable prices and modern living environments. From the new developments page you can find fresh offers that suit different budgets and needs – from compact apartments to spacious townhouses.
Harju County towns and their characteristics
Each town in Harju County has its own characteristics and advantages that may suit people with different needs and lifestyles.
Keila - compact and family-friendly
Keila (9,956 residents, 11 km²) is a compact town that charms with its slower pace of life while still remaining close to Tallinn. The town offers:
A quiet and safe living environment where everything is within walking distance
A good selection of educational institutions, including Keila School, which is known for its quality education
Reasonable real estate prices, which are significantly lower than prices in Tallinn and its immediate surroundings
Sufficient services for daily life, including shops, medical facilities, and sports opportunities
Keila's greatest advantage is its "small-town feel" – small enough to feel homey, but large enough to offer all necessary services. Many Keila residents appreciate the opportunity to work in Tallinn while enjoying a quieter home environment.
Maardu - developing infrastructure
Maardu (15,722 residents, 23 km²) has made significant steps in recent years to improve its living environment and is a good choice for those looking for an affordable place to live near Tallinn:
Renovated roads and streets that have changed the appearance of the town noticeably
Improved public transport connections, which make commuting to Tallinn and other areas of Harju County more convenient
Diverse population, which creates a rich cultural environment
More affordable real estate than in Tallinn, which makes it attractive for first-time home buyers
Maardu offers a good balance between location, price, and urban conveniences. It can be particularly attractive for young families or individuals looking for their first home.
Saue municipality - large, but well-managed
Saue municipality (21,711 residents, density 35.3/km²) is one of the municipalities with a larger population in Harju County, characterized by a good balance between rural peace and urban conveniences:
Balanced development where new residential areas are planned with necessary infrastructure
Good infrastructure, including train connection to Tallinn, which makes commuting convenient
Diverse housing options ranging from apartment building areas to detached houses and country homes
Green living environment with many parks, forests, and leisure opportunities
Saue municipality is a good example of how a larger municipality can offer diverse living conditions for different population groups while maintaining the area's identity and quality of life.
Buying real estate in Harju County: what to consider?
If you are considering buying real estate in Harju County, you should consider the following aspects:
Transportation options - how far your workplace is and what public transport options are available. Good connectivity with Tallinn is an important factor that affects both the convenience of daily life and the value of real estate in the future.
Educational institutions - the availability and quality of schools and kindergartens. Especially for families with children, it is important that educational institutions are close to home and offer quality education.
Availability of services - shops, medical facilities, leisure opportunities. The proximity of daily services makes life more convenient and saves time.
Future plans - the development plans and planned projects of the area. It is worth researching what developments are planned in the area, as these can significantly affect the value of real estate and quality of life.
Before buying real estate, be sure to familiarize yourself with the handover-takeover act and research how income tax is paid on real estate sales, to avoid surprises later.
"Thorough preparation is half the value of a home," an old saying goes, which is even more relevant today when real estate prices are high and the decision affects families' financial situation for years to come.
Renting vs. buying in Harju County
Before making a final decision, you should consider whether to rent or buy. Renting can be a good option for several reasons:
You want to get to know the area before making a long-term commitment. Renting for a year or two gives a good overview of whether the area meets your expectations and needs.
Your budget is limited or you want to maintain financial freedom. Renting does not require a large down payment and allows you to respond more flexibly to changes if needed.
You need flexibility to change your place of residence, for example due to work or family circumstances.
On the other hand, owning real estate provides stability and allows you to create a real home of your own that you can design according to your needs. Additionally, real estate has traditionally been a good long-term investment, especially in growing areas.
Kinnisvara24 offers a diverse selection in terms of apartment sales and house sales. If you decide to choose renting, it is worth familiarizing yourself with rental agreement terms and knowing that repair fund payments are the landlord's obligation.
Future perspectives in Harju County real estate market
Real estate forecasts for Estonia in 2025 show that Harju County real estate value will continue its upward trend, although the growth rate may be more moderate than in previous years. Particularly promising are areas where:
Active infrastructure development is taking place, such as new roads, cycling paths, and public transport connections
New services are being added, including shopping centers, schools, and kindergartens
There is good connectivity with Tallinn, allowing quick access to the capital's jobs and services
A nature-close living environment is maintained, which meets the growing trend of seeking balance between urban conveniences and nature
As a trend, it can be noted that when choosing a place to live, more and more people value the sense of community and the identity of the area – price alone and location are no longer the only decision-making criteria.
If you are considering buying real estate as an investment, it is worth keeping in mind the area's long-term development potential and demographic trends. In the case of Harju County, it is positive that the population continues to grow, which also supports real estate value growth in the long term.
Summary: finding the best home in Harju County
Harju County offers diverse housing options, ranging from a Tallinn city center apartment to a country home on the outskirts of a municipality. The best area depends on your personal preferences, budget, and lifestyle.
Viimsi, Harku, and Rae municipalities are all attractive options for those who value proximity to Tallinn but want a quieter living environment. Keila and Maardu towns offer a more compact urban environment, while Saue municipality allows most to choose a more nature-close lifestyle.
Kinnisvara24 helps you find a suitable home in any area of Harju County. Our real estate search allows you to filter offers according to your needs and wishes. Explore our offerings and find your ideal home in a developing area of Harju County!
