The rising cost of living has become a major concern for many, with individuals feeling the pressure to take out loans just to afford basic groceries. Among the most pressing issues is the skyrocketing cost of housing—both in terms of rent and home purchases. This trend has led many to extend their renting periods or even move back in with their parents due to financial constraints.
In light of these challenges, some Americans are choosing to relocate abroad in search of a better quality of life at a lower cost. Entire Reddit communities are dedicated to discussions about expatriate living and Americans seeking to become expats.
Oliver Russell, a 24-year-old American with dual citizenship, made the leap earlier than most. Born in the United States, he also holds Finnish nationality, thanks to his heritage and connections through family and friends in Finland.
Russell grew up in Laguna Beach, California, and later moved to Colorado. However, he faced a hurdle when he was denied in-state tuition, making it difficult to afford business school. This prompted him to explore Finland's free college education system, which had long been a dream of his.
After settling into his new life in Helsinki, he met Helena Tomaszewska, a 20-year-old from the Netherlands. As their relationship progressed, the couple began searching for a summer home, a common practice in Finnish culture. However, they quickly discovered that homes were pricey, and the down payments were daunting for the young couple.
“In Finland, the summer cottage lifestyle is a significant part of the culture. I would come out here every summer and wanted my own place,” Russell shared with SWNS.
While browsing real estate listings, they stumbled upon an unexpected opportunity: an island. This property had been on the market for a decade, and to their surprise, it was within their budget. The couple purchased the 2.5-acre island for just $31,000.
However, the island was heavily overgrown with trees, bushes, and moss, having been uninhabited for over ten years. Nevertheless, the young couple was undeterred and eagerly embraced the challenge.
“Our goal is to build a log cabin ourselves, even though we have no prior experience, and turn it into a functional summer cottage,” he explained in a video where he can be seen chopping down trees and preparing logs.
Since acquiring the island in March 2024, Russell and Tomaszewska have made several trips to prepare the land for a permanent structure. They have already constructed a platform deck for camping and an outhouse to provide a basic resting area during their work.
“We created a frame using logs we cut down and sourced some decking from a hardware store. We've built an outhouse, and I’m currently working on a shower structure to allow us to wash up while on the island. We wanted to establish a comfortable base camp for our future construction efforts,” Russell told LadBible.
There’s a unique requirement for the island: a portion of it must include a sauna. It’s unclear whether this stipulation comes from the Finnish government or is a mutual agreement between Russell and Tomaszewska, but they plan to prioritize this feature after completing the shower.
While aiming to finish the entire cabin by next summer might seem ambitious—especially as both are full-time students—there's little doubt they will succeed in this significant project and have ample time to enjoy their island getaway.
Living on an island with no neighbors significantly reduces the likelihood of uninvited visitors. However, a trip to town for essentials like milk or toilet paper would necessitate a boat ride, so a spacious storage area may be a wise addition to their plans.
Would you consider living on a remote island?