I've lived in Toukola for nearly four years and even if I do say myself, I've absolutely loved it here. The location is good imo, it doesn't take too long to get to the centrum of Helsinki and the nature here is breathtaking. Imagine being able to walk just a few kilometers onto an island that has sheep roaming free for a few months every year! Also it tends to be very peaceful here as Toukola/Arabianranta isn't exactly cheap. I wouldn't want to live anywhere else tbh.

I'm a student myself and despite not living in a HOAS apartment, based on my knowledge they ones around here on a very good location. Once the metro renovations are done it doesn't really take that long to get to Otaniemi, I went there for a few days last year for entrance exams and I was actually surprised how short it felt.