Oliver Russell, a 24-year-old business student, and his girlfriend, Helena Tomaszewska, 20, purchased a two-and-a-half-acre island in Finland for just $31,000. Originally searching for a summer house, Oliver found the island on a real estate website, and the couple jumped at the chance to buy it, as it was cheaper than a traditional home. The island had been vacant for ten years, so the couple immediately began working on making it livable.
After arriving in June 2024, they started building a temporary base camp, including an outhouse and decking. Their long-term goal is to build a log cabin, but Finnish regulations require that one-third of the plot be used for a sauna cabin, which will be their first major project. Both students, Oliver and Helena are balancing school with their island project, spending weekends working on the land.
Despite the challenges, Oliver described the process as fun and surreal, noting how peaceful and secluded the island feels. They have learned a lot through the experience and plan to continue working on the island at their own pace. The couple is excited about the potential of transforming the island into their dream summer getaway.
