Due to the rising cost of housing in the US, more people are moving away from the country in order to save money on living.
There are various expat websites and Reddit channels that are dedicated to American expatriates.
Oliver Russell, 24, was one of the first individuals to leave the country.
Although he’s an American, Oliver Russell is half-Finnish, which means he can maintain his dual citizenship.
He grew up in California, but after moving to Colorado, he was not allowed to receive in-state tuition. This made studying for business school almost impossible.
Oliver was always a fan of Helsinki, and he took advantage of Finland’s free college education program for its citizens.
After settling into his new home, he met a young Dutch woman named Helena Tomaszewaska. They started flirting and eventually decided to get a summer home in Finland.
The couple initially thought that they would be able to afford a home in Finland, but they soon realized that the houses were expensive.
They also didn’t want to spend a huge down payment. According to Russell, he fell in love with Finland’s summer cottage culture and wanted to own a home in the country.
They started looking for a property that was within their price range. Unfortunately, they didn’t find the right one.
Then, one day, Russell came across a property that was on the market for over a decade. It was a lucky find for the American couple as it was within their budget and was located on an island.
The property was only worth $31k, and it was overgrown with moss, tries, and bushes.
Since no one had lived on the island for over a decade, they would have had a hard time making it habitable.
That said, their large detail didn’t deter them from continuing with their plans.
In order to build a log cabin on the island, Russell and Tomaszewska decided to do it themselves.
In a video that was shared by the man, he can be seen cutting down trees and removing bark from logs.
They purchased the property in March 2024. They have been working on the structure since then.
They have built a platform deck and an outhouse to provide them with somewhere to rest while they’re working.
According to Russell, they used logs to make the frame, and they sourced decking materials from a hardware store.
He also noted that they are currently constructing a shower structure to allow them to wash their clothes on the island.
The couple wanted to establish a base camp so they could stay in place while the construction of their home was taking place.
The Finnish government reportedly requires a certain portion of the island to be used for a sauna. It is not clear if this is an official requirement or if Russell and his girlfriend made an arrangement with the government.
The couple is currently focused on the shower structure, and they hope to have the entire log cabin finished by next summer.
Their 2025 target might seem ambitious since they are both college students, but they are confident that they will be able to finish the project.
The lack of neighbors has decreased the chances of getting unexpected visitors.
However, a trip to the town for toilet paper or milk would require a boat ride. Ideally, they’ll have a large storage area.
