Creating a self-sustaining lifestyle in Őrség, Hungary

Details

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  Description

  Dear Workawayers,
  
  HERE YOU CAN READ ABOUT HOW IT STARTED:
  
  After 15 years of a beautiful, meaningful, joyful and spiritual wandering in the world, I decided to settle down and start a self-sustaining lifestyle in my beloved country, Hungary. In August, 2018 I was very fortunate to be able to purchase a beautiful piece of land in one of the most attractive part of Hungary, in Őrség. Őrség is located in the West at the border of Slovenia and Austria. The area has been announced as a World Heritage thus it is a very ancient, powerful and energetic part of Hungary. The village - where I own a 3300 m2 land with a river at the hedge - called Szőce. It is a very small village but with a very big heart.
  
  This area is full of touristical attractions, lakes, rivers, thermal spas, tracking places and very high energetic places. I would mention here the Energy Field in Dobrovnik/Slovenia that has 26 energy spots where just by sitting tremendous healing can be experienced by the visitors. So indeed, Őrség is full of magic and attractions.
  
  My dream is to start a self-sustaining living on my land. I already have a yurt and a mobile home that will serve as my home. Besides these things the land and the whole project have to be started from scratch. Basically I have no experience in farming, plantation, ground working, building compost toilet, shower, etc so I would love to host anybody and everybody who can help me in all this. In a longer term I wish to host retreats on the land and build a community as well, but this is for the more distant future.
  
  I'm planning to start the field works in June and can host 2 Workawayers at the same time. As the project starts from scratch, all the tools, machines, etc need to be rented or purchased, depending on the possibilities. I'd be very happy to share this project work with anyone and everybody who has skills, experiences and knowledge about self-sustaining living, and in return they can discover the beauty of this World Heritage called Őrség.
  
  Personally me I have no experience or knowledge about self-sustaining living. I wish to exchange your knowledge with mine that concerns yoga, health, vegan life style, etc. The most important is that we both learn something new on the way and spend quality time together.
  
  I hope to host you soon!
  
  UPDATE 2023 MAY:
  
  Dear Workawayers,
  
  4 years has passed since I started this project in Hungary and there are many things that were fulfilled and changed since then. I would like to give you an update about these changes.
  
  With the help of 3 helpful workawayers, 4 local people, my parents and many others We managed to put the Yurt on to land with a temporary foundation. We built a summer kitchen, planted 12 fruit trees and the hedge that serves as the fence for the front. The garden was started & maintained by 3 gardeners but this year I would like to build
  Wooden Raised Planters.
  
  If you feel like you would be a great support to this project please feel free to contact me.
  
  Much Love,
  Tara
  
  Update – April 2026 🌿
  
  So much has grown and changed here since my last update in May 2023!
  
  The biggest new step is that there is now a cozy 20 m² tiny house ready for living. It is warm and comfortable, with a wood stove, so staying here during winter is absolutely possible. It is simple and close to nature living: there is still no indoor water or toilet yet, so those facilities remain outside for now. But the tiny house is a lovely and peaceful space to stay.
  
  There is also now a small cat house where my four cats happily live and rest.
  
  Another beautiful addition is the Walipini underground garden, with four raised beds already producing vegetables. It is a very special and inspiring place for anyone who loves gardening and self-sufficient living.
  
  The outdoor garden space has also developed again, with around 20 m² of planting area, ready for a new season. At the moment only spring onions are planted, so I would love help from someone with gardening experience who enjoys planting strong vegetables that can handle changing weather conditions.
  
  And finally, the yurt has moved to its final place, now standing on a raised platform. It has become a magical and peaceful space, available for those who especially wish to experience yurt living.
  
  The living fence plants have grown beautifully, and the whole land is becoming greener, softer, and more beautiful every year.
  
  What help is needed now 🌱🔨
  
  At this moment I would especially welcome:
  
  A gardener – someone with practical knowledge, creativity, and love for growing food.
  
  Someone who enjoys nature, simple living, and helping a place continue to evolve with care.
  
  Accommodation 🏡
  
  Workawayers can stay in the tiny house, which is the most comfortable option. The yurt is also possible if someone dreams of staying in a yurt atmosphere.
  
  Important to know ✨
  
  Cleanliness is very important to me. I care for the spaces every day, so I appreciate someone who is naturally tidy, respectful, and happy to keep shared spaces clean.
  I also prefer non-smokers, and ideally someone vegetarian—or happy to live vegetarian while staying here on Shiva’s Love Land.
  
  If you feel connected to nature, peaceful living, creativity, animals, gardening, and building something beautiful together, you are very welcome.

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Farmstay help

  General Maintenance
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  Interests

  

  Vegetarian or vegan

  

  Sustainability

  

  Pets

  

  Gardening

  

  Yoga / Wellness

  

  Nature
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  All the Workawayers can benefit from the beautiful sightseeings in Őrség, thermal spas, tracking, lakes, nature, touristical attractions, energy and healing fields located very close to the land. This is one thing.
  
  The other thing is that I'm very happy to share everything that I learnt during the 15 year of wandering in the world:
  
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Yoga daily practices
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Meditation techniques
  *️️️️️️️️ Working out
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Breathing techniques
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Inner work methods
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Vegan/vegetarian lifestyle
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Hula-Hooping
  
  I wish to work on this project with Workawayers who would be happy to work and also spend time in nature and do daily yoga/meditation practices together with me.

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  Help

  Shiva Love Land is a small evolving nature project based on simple living, creativity, and connection with the land. I welcome Workawayers who would enjoy sharing daily life, learning together, and contributing in the spirit of cultural exchange.
  
  The help here is not about replacing professionals or doing heavy construction work. It is about participating together in light, practical, and meaningful everyday projects while exchanging ideas, skills, stories, and experiences.
  
  Depending on the season, we may do things such as:
  
  * planting vegetables, herbs, and flowers together
  * preparing garden beds and caring for the growing spaces
  * harvesting produce and learning about simple self-sufficient living
  * helping keep outdoor spaces beautiful, tidy, and organised
  * small creative improvement projects around the land
  * general seasonal tasks connected to country life and nature living
  * caring for the atmosphere of the place with mindfulness and respect
  
  I especially enjoy hosting people who are curious about gardening, sustainable lifestyles, creativity, animals, and peaceful living close to nature. You do not need to be an expert—motivation, kindness, and a positive attitude are more important than experience.
  
  Tasks are always done together where possible, with conversation, exchange, and learning as the main intention. I am happy to share what I know about living simply, growing food, creating spaces with limited resources, and following a more natural rhythm of life.
  
  I also love learning from my guests: new perspectives, practical ideas, recipes, languages, cultures, and different ways of seeing the world.
  
  If you are looking for a peaceful place, meaningful exchange, and hands-on experiences connected to nature, you may feel at home here.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Hungarian: Fluent
  Dutch: Intermediate
  Russian: Beginner

  This host offers a language exchange
  Spanish or Russian
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  Accommodation

  I can accommodate 2 Workawayers at the same time. It is optional:
  
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Tent for the most adventurous ones. The tent would be placed on the land.
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Mattress in the Yurt when it is not under maintenance.
  *️️️️️️️ Bed in my tiny house for 2 persons, facilities remain outside.
  
  The bath can be taken in the outside bath, in the small stream at the end of the land, or very occasionally at the neighbour. The food will be prepared on the land. As I follow a vegan/vegetarian lifestyle, the food I will provide will always be 100% plant based, either raw or cooked outdoor. I have to inform you that non veg food can be taken by the Workawayers only outside of the land and it would remain the responsibility of the guest. As my philosophy is based on non-violance, I do not support non veg eating on the land. But I can promise you that all the food will be prepared with love and will be very tasty and delicious...

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  What else ...

  To reach Szőce from Budapest or Vienna is possible by bus. There are major cities around this village such as:
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Sopron
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Szombathely
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Zalaegerszeg
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Graz
  
  Activities:
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Energy park in Dobrovnik/Slovenia
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Vadása tó - one of the greatest lake in Hungary
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Thermal spas
  *️️️️️️️️️️ Tracking & Biking ( Bikes will be provided)
  
  Bus stop is located not far from the land.
  
  Workawayers would be picked up by me in any of the big cities around the village. This has to be arranged before arrival.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Space for parking camper vans

  This host can provide space for campervans.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  This host has said they are willing to accept those travelling with a pet.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  Two

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  My animals / pets

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