Chved's family moved from Helsinki to Riihimäki: We built the house of our dreams in Riihimäki

Riksuu in love is a story series in which people from Riihimäki share their thoughts about their hometown.

When Chvedi's family of three had lived in an apartment block in Helsinki's Vuosaari for ten years, they started looking for one more room.

Now, Darina and Anton and their children Liana, 5, Katalina, 11, and Maximilian, 13, have been living in Riihimäki's Metsäkorpi area for more than two months. A forest landscape opens out from the large windows of the bright living room of the 125-square-meter house.

"Nature seems to come inside. For me, enjoying morning coffee on the terrace is an everyday luxury. Sauna is a favorite place for Anton. Each child has its own room. We wanted them to experience living in a detached house," says Darina.

The family's parents thought that the children who were approaching their teenage years might resist moving to a new city, and Darina emphasizes the importance of "marketing".

"I was excited that you will get your own rooms, new friends and you can ask friends to spend the night in the village. Katalina just invited three of her classmates who live in the neighborhood to her birthday party. They visit each other diligently. There were Lithuanian exchange students in Max's class and one stayed with us for a week. Max is going to Lithuania for a return visit in the spring."

Profit in the land auction

The Chveds had first looked at lots and houses in Helsinki and Uusimaa. The prices were terrible.

"In Some, I came across Riihimäki's land auction. My husband suspected that we probably couldn't afford the plot. That was it, but I put a reminder on my calendar five minutes before the store closes. When the reminder came, a year ago in May, we were returning from a holiday in Cyprus and were just scanning our passports. I gave one last shout and hung up the phone.”

When Darina overcame the scream, Anton turned white, and a small panic hit him. But soon they went to see the plot.

"Anton's smile revealed that this was a good deal! We immediately got to know the neighbors who were digging the foundation. We heard that his father does land work, and we ordered a job from him. Things started rolling."

The Chveds bought a 125-square-meter house package, which was slightly modified with the architect. Much was done by the couple themselves, as the couple has renovated their two apartment buildings together from floor to ceiling. Darina has designed kitchens for others as well. Anton has a masonry business.

"We did the foundations and the paintings ourselves. Antoni's birthday was celebrated with friends and family at the painting booths. I also painted the exterior walls of the house. Inside, we have used quite ordinary, inexpensive and timeless materials. The wonderful tiling in the kitchen space, the fingerboard in the living room and the fireplace are luxurious details."

The 1 square meter plot bought at the auction was affordable, 150 euros. In Helsinki, the equivalent would have cost at least 7 euros. After selling their own apartment, with an additional loan of 000 euros, the family got a new, distinctive detached house.

"You would think that anything would have happened to a first-time builder. But this was a positive experience. We started in September 2022 and moved into the house in July 2023. The house was born in nine months like a baby. Of course, the year has been difficult, as the entrepreneur spouse has been busy both at work and with his own building. I've kept the family's palette together."

The Vuosaari home was sold 1,5 months before moving to Riihimäki. Darina enthuses that the construction went really well. As the prices of raw materials rose, we had to take out a little more credit, but construction was still much more affordable than buying a new house.

"We didn't want a terribly big house, because maintenance takes time and money. Basic needs are enough for us. We are minimalists and we like open spaces. We hardly bought any more furniture."

Darina has already found local Facebook recycling groups. He got seedlings in the yard almost for free by bringing a bag of soil. Darina took apples from her father's yard to a neighbor and later received lingonberries and applesauce from him.

"I have a really good feeling about the change in Riihimäki. In Uusimaa, we would live expensively, there would be no financial room for maneuver and the quality of life would only be survival. It's great that this opportunity came to us by chance and we seized the moment. We built a house in less than a year. There's no need to worry in advance that everything in construction will be difficult."

Have a good day in Riihimäki

Everyday is already going well. Katalina is in the 5th grade at Pohjoinen school and Max went to the 7th grade at the Harjurinte school. Liana is in Uunilinnu's kindergarten. Darina appreciates that all children are taken into account individually there.

"I worked as a yoga instructor in Helsinki, and I'm going to look for a new clientele here."

A small tradition has already formed for the girls in the family. They go to Laurell's cafe in the center on Fridays, when Darina picks up Liana from kindergarten and takes Katalina to gymnastics practice.

"Riihimäki is a safe place. The city strives to increase the number of residents, but also to develop services for us residents. For example, I easily got an appointment at the health center. The schools are good, and you can get remedial education open to everyone three times a week if you want. The middle school offers robotics, music and cooking, which Max is really excited about."

Reija Ypyä

Riihimäki's current plot offer

• Metsäkorpi, immediately available lots, some by auction. Lot sizes 512—1570 m². Prices from 19 to 000 euros.
• Korttionmäki: 24 plots available. Plot sizes 874—1256 m². Prices around 29-000 euros.
• Hevosenkenkä-Juurevantie coming up with 6 lots for sale during the rest of the year. Plot sizes 526—623 m². Prices 20—000 euros.
• Future lots for the housing fair area in Kokkoo and Herajoki in 2027.

Anton and Darina Chved

• Darina was born in Kharkiv, Ukraine in 1987. Anton was born in Tallinn in 1985.
• Darina moved to Finland in 1996, Anton in 1997.
• Darina is a yoga instructor, model and housewife. Anton is the CEO of the company Shved Oy, masonry and construction work.
• Darina enjoys yoga, traveling and cooking, Anton does crossfit and going to the gym.