58-year-old Päivi moved alone to a dilapidated granny’s cottage in the countryside—“The abandoned home instantly stole my heart”
Despite her commute stretching to 60 kilometers and her daughter’s concerns that she might be lonely in the countryside, Päivi Suvanne bought an old farm in Tyrnävä in North Ostrobothnia. She has brought the lace doilies left by the previous owner back to use and dreams of a vegetable garden. “I don’t want to look back in 20 years and think, why didn’t I move when I still had the chance,” says Päivi.
I spent my childhood in the countryside, where I learned to value nature and security. That’s why I’ve always dreamed of returning to rural life. However, I ended up living in a rowhouse and spent time at a summer cottage in the area where I grew up. Last autumn, I sold the cottage and thought I’d start traveling or rent a cottage occasionally. But I quickly realized those options weren’t for me and began regretting selling the cottage.
I decided I wanted something that was truly my own. I saw an ad for a dilapidated holiday home. Initially, I went to look at the place just out of curiosity, but it instantly stole my heart. It felt like the buildings were welcoming me. The farm had been vacant for a long time, and even the lawn had grown half a meter high. I thought, I want to save this place, because I believed in its potential.
“Something inside me felt at peace the moment the place became mine.”
I bought the farm in August. Something inside me felt at peace as soon as the place became mine. Throughout the autumn, I would bring some of my favorite belongings to the house after work, until the moving truck delivered the last pieces of furniture in September. My commute extended to 60 kilometers, which I drive almost daily. Luckily, the neighbor has promised to clear the garden of snow in the winter.
A house built in the 1960s, another from the early 1900s, and five other buildings like granaries and a tractor garage were included in the purchase. Exploring them has brought me immense joy. For example, I found bags full of beautiful lace curtains and tablecloths left by the previous owner of the house. I’ve washed them and displayed many. Some of the handicrafts were left unfinished, and I now dream of completing them. There were even three or four looms in the main room, one of which still had the warp in place. Maybe I’ll get to weave a rug on them someday. Old items like milk churns and tools tell me about the farm’s history. Honoring that is important to me, so I’ve planned a small museum in one of the granaries.
I have budgeted for major renovations, like replacing the plumbing and water heater, and I’m eagerly anticipating using the old masonry stoves in the house. I still need to learn how to tackle various small carpentry jobs. For example, the well needs to be fixed so I can get water for the sauna.
“There were even three or four looms in the main room, one of which still had the warp in place. Maybe I’ll get to weave a rug on them someday.”
Everyday activities, such as gardening and carrying firewood keep me active and energetic. I’m in good physical condition now, but who knows what the situation will be in 20 years. When that time comes, I don’t want to have to think, why didn’t I move when I still had the chance.
My eldest daughter gently asked if I might feel lonely. I replied that I’m lonelier in the rowhouse. Even though moving to the countryside might not have been the most financially sensible choice, I couldn’t imagine living anywhere else. Living in a rowhouse was easy and more affordable, but here, my dog can run free and we can both enjoy being close to nature. When guests have come to visit, they’ve understood the charm of this place. Even my daughter said that this is just like grandma’s house from my childhood, that is, my own childhood home.
From my window, I can watch the neighboring farmer driving his combine harvester, and I remember what it was like as a child to observe the cycle of nature up close. Even though life in the countryside is different to the city, I know that this is exactly where I belong.
