Rustic eco villa conscious living in Hausjärvi, Finland

Details

• 

  Description

  In the summer season, I live in this 100-year-old loghouse that we renovated for my family about 15 years ago. This place provides a very peaceful stay near a small village, surrounded by old wooden villas and wild gardens. My dream is to develop this place into an eco-community that provides mindful and creative services year-round. I run retreats occasionally and this summer 2024 three retreats are coming up. I would also need help in preparations for that.
  
  I have only half a hectare of land around the house and most of it is wild at the moment. The plan is to develop the garden slowly into a farming area (in the back) and a garden area (in the front).
  
  My place is located just 80 km from Helsinki to the north and you can easily get here by commute that takes about 1 hour (from Helsinki 11€) and around 40 mins from the airport. Riihimäki is the nearest city that has attractions as well (museums, restaurants, shops, etc.)
  
  I will provide healthy meals and a comfortable sleeping area in this unique one of a kind, rustic villa.
  
  A little bit about myself: I’m a visual designer and artist by education and work-life experience. I have traveled the world and lived abroad a few times. I have a multicultural family that visits my farm from time to time. My work (besides the house) is all online, location-independent, and international.

• 

  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  General Maintenance
• 

  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  This is a very rare and unique opportunity to learn traditional skills of farm living with a traditional log house. Very Scandinavian experience. Learn about sauna, working with a wild garden, and farming from scratch. This place can provide an opportunity for very creative projects.

• 

  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

• 

  Help

  Variety of work provided based upon your skills and expertise:
  
  - Building a wooden fence. This a dream project for someone who wants to get to know traditional fence-building techniques. Skills required: creative problem-solving, enthusiasm, curiosity to learn traditional ways, stamina, patience, and physical strength.
  
  - Fixing the sauna in my yard. We are not renovating it, but it needs some 'cosmetic' fixes here and there. Skills required: working with clay or cement. Ability to work with wood (Minimal fixes for the wooden sidings). creative problem-solving, enthusiasm, curiosity to learn traditional ways, stamina, patience, and physical strength.
  
  - Greenhouse: I have an old greenhouse that might have to be taken down.
  
  - Gardening: Very basic gardening work based upon the month. I.e. lawn mowing, weeding, raking.
  Farming: preparing the soil and helping with planting, weeding, or harvesting.
  More advanced, if you have experience: gardening work with tools like axe, scythe, and knife should be familiar (or willing to learn).
  
  - Preparations for the retreats: Food preps one week beforehand. The retreats are only on the weekends (once a month). Skills required: knowledge of smooth functioning in the kitchen and preferably cooking vegetarian.

• 

  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Finnish: Fluent
  Swedish: Intermediate
  German: Beginner
  French: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  I always wanted to learn French, Italy, and Espaniol :)
• 

  Accommodation

  The house has two bedrooms for guests. I have lots of beds since I run retreats from time to time, but I’m looking for a few volunteers only. If you are a couple, you can share the bedroom upstairs that has two beds. I am open to any arrangements.

• 

  What else ...

  I have a yoga studio and mats for you to do your practice any time you need. My place has easy access to anywhere since it’s just 1 km away from the commute. The train takes just 10 minutes to the nearby city of Riihimäki. From there you can visit all the attractions you wish. There are swimming places nearby: a river with a swimming area and a deck just 2 km away. A very beautiful lake with a swimming area and a deck is just 6 km away. I have two bikes you can borrow. The grocery shop, pizzeria, and post office are in the village, just two km away from the house.

• 

  A little more information

  • 

    Internet access

  • 

    Limited internet access

  • 

    We have pets

  • 

    We are smokers

  • 

    Can host families

• 

  Can host digital nomads

  I work as a digital nomad myself. So, please welcome! My place is an ideal setting :)

• 

  Space for parking camper vans

  I have one parking spot for a van

• 

  Can possibly accept pets

  Nice-behaving dogs are welcomed

• 

  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

• 

  Hours expected

  Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week