Tallinn's Surrounding New Developments Moving Increasingly Eastward

The eastern direction is emerging as the new hot area for new developments around Tallinn. While suburban sprawl previously occurred mainly to the south and west of the capital, the new attractive development areas have now become Loo, Lagedi, Kuusalu, Raasiku, Aruküla, Kehra and Aegviidu.

Why are the regions in Tallinn's eastern direction developing?

According to Urmas Uibomäe, director of the Kinnisvara24 portal, there are several reasons for the growing popularity of the eastern direction: "To the south of Tallinn, for example in Rae municipality, and to the west, opportunities for creating new developments have become limited. Over the last 10-15 years, a lot has been built there and good plots for development are scarce," he explained. Uibomäe cited as a second reason the high property prices in existing development areas, which are beyond the reach of many families. "Around Lake Harku, in Saue, Keila or Rae municipality, prices for new apartments and townhouses are already starting to resemble price levels in the capital. In settlements in the eastern direction, prices are currently much more affordable," he added.

Data from the Kinnisvara24 portal show that the number of new development offerings has grown over the year in Loo, Kehra, Raasiku and Aegviidu. The growing attractiveness of eastern direction settlements is also confirmed by the fact that this June, Estonia's first housing fair takes place in Jõelähtme at the Estonian Golf & Country Club Golf Resort. A separate village of 12 modern houses, created by top architects from Estonia and abroad, is being built there.

Good access to Tallinn city center by train increases the region's attractiveness

Real estate agent Nelli Kerde from the real estate agency Uus Maa emphasized that good rail connections to both Tallinn and Tartu are an important factor in the rising popularity of the eastern direction. "People have discovered train travel because it saves time. During rush hour, driving from around Lake Harku to the City Center for work takes the same time as taking a train from Kehra to the Baltic Station. Meanwhile, for the price of a townhouse plot in the Lake Harku area, you can get a 5-room, A-energy class detached house with a 2000 square meter yard in the Kehrametsa Homes new development," she explained.

Kerde further noted that train travel from Aruküla to the Baltic Station takes only 26 minutes and by car from Aruküla to Viru Square you can get there in 30 minutes, which is time-wise and logistically completely comparable to Tallinn's western districts of Laagri and Harku.

"Raasiku and Aruküla have been gaining popularity among real estate buyers for some time now, but now Loo and Kehra are also catching up rapidly," Kerde confirmed. According to her, these municipalities welcome developers and together they try to find the best solutions for new developments.

"Unfortunately, many people have formed the impression of this region as a poor industrial environment. As a former resident of Kehra, I can confirm that this is a myth," Kerde emphasized in conclusion.