Comments on: Data Matrix sighting in Tampere, Finland: Real Estate shopping

By: Jukka Eklund

Jukka Eklund — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 16:32:48 +0000

People, could we drop the technical terms QR and Datamatrix and just talk about 2D codes or 2D barcodes? Nokia’s reader (and most other ones out there) read both standards anyway.

By: Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:19:48 +0000

you’re absolutely right! thanks for the correction.

By: thigh bone

thigh bone — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 14:45:35 +0000

that’s actually a data matrix code, not a QR code

By: Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 13:16:31 +0000

Prices are nice here in Tampere, if my 3 month part time contract turns into something full time and more permanent then I might consider moving back to Helsinki.

By: Topy

Topy — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:18:25 +0000

Oh btw Stefan planning to move in Helsinki/Espoo/vantaa area or is there some special reason to stay in Tampere other than prices?

By: Topy

Topy — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:14:15 +0000

“That’s a good deal,

Here in Vancouver, something like that would go for at least $500,000 or 312,000EU

I thought property in Europe was more expensive than it is here… Jeez, too bad I can’t speak whatever they speak over there in Finland”

Thought if you go to capital area those prices sky rocket. I believe that Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities so no contest here =)
Helsinki was something like 31th on that list.

By: Maciek

Maciek — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:09:54 +0000

Real estate auctions are very popular in the UK. I have seen a couple of them in the US and personally I think it’s a better idea than the current system that’s being used in the US: Here you list at a higher almost unreal price and then wait for people’s best offer. Auction works better because you can list lower and have the price climb up so if the demand is higher – you may get more than you were expecting. I think I may be selling my house “auction style” when the time will come. And having an internet site is even better..and then when geeks go shopping..you better make that QR code ready

By: Henrikki

Henrikki — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 12:04:56 +0000

@suden: you are right, it’s an auction item! This is a new way to sell/buy apartments. This is the first time I hear about it (not that I have followed real estate that closely).

By: Stefan Constantinescu

Stefan Constantinescu — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:47:19 +0000

@Suden: Thanks, I’ll have to take you up on that one day.

@Henrikki: Trust me, my Finnish is not getting any better haha.

@Zak: What @Jen said is true, salaries here are not as high as they are in the states. With the collapse over the dollar that has happened over the past ~ 8 months that difference is not as large, but still in the double digits.

By: Suden

Suden — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 09:04:29 +0000

This is off topic, but to correct little:

It’s an “auction item” with starting price 169k€. I’d guess if you want to buy that apartment you probably have to pay a couple tens more.

However it still sounds almost free. Here in Espoo it would be (almost) a bargain if you get one room with that price. 3 rooms + sauna starts from 250k€ even in the cheaper locations (talking about new apartments here).

Off topic nr. 2: Thanks Stefan for your personal touch in tech-blogging. Next time you’re visiting Espoo feel free to drop in

By: Henrikki

Henrikki — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 08:09:04 +0000

stefan: your Finnish is getting better! And @zak: that is what we speak here.

Prices in Tampere are some (depending onthe location at least)30 % off of the prices of similar apartments in Helsinki.

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 06:35:35 +0000

Erhemm. Somehow I suspect in Vancouver, the same job would earn you more.

By: Zak

Zak — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:36:19 +0000

Lucky Europeans,

Cheap property AND phones that actually have fully functional 3G! I bet more than half the people living here have no idea what that is

By: Zak

Zak — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 02:34:19 +0000

That’s a good deal,

Here in Vancouver, something like that would go for at least $500,000 or 312,000EU

I thought property in Europe was more expensive than it is here… Jeez, too bad I can’t speak whatever they speak over there in Finland

By: Maciek

Maciek — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 22:31:23 +0000

Hmmm…interestingly the unit has a dry sauna, balcony, two bedrooms, living room, a clean looking kitchen with white cabinets …just scanned Stefan’s QR Code shot..you have to enter your name and a phone number and then you can see the listing LOL…

I was doubtful N95 would read a picture of a QR code (taken with another phone) but amazingly it did..

Give it a try.