The REAL Cost Of Owning A Cheap House In Sweden

Keeping a Small Swedish Cabin

The narrator breaks down the costs of maintaining a small log cabin in the Swedish countryside, which he bought for £10,000. These figures reflect a modest property that is often unoccupied; they are not representative of the general cost of living in Sweden.

Basic Running Costs

• Electricity: About £35 per month while the cabin is empty. During his stay, he has used the heating and supplemented it with a small gas heater that warms the room quickly.
• Water: Roughly £40 per year to maintain a shared, spring-fed system, including its pump and pipes. After the reservoir is cleaned and refilled, the water may be discoloured briefly before running clear.
• Waste collection: About £60 for May to August. He plans to ask the local council whether he can receive an exemption when the cabin is unoccupied and expects the annual cost to be under £100.

He estimates the cabin’s basic running costs at around £520–£540 a year, though the exact total is uncertain. This excludes the purchase price and is compared with a single UK mortgage payment.

Travel and Future Plans

Travel costs are estimated at around £150 per person, plus about £150 to hire a car for ten days. The narrator hopes to visit three or four times a year, which could add substantially to the overall cost.

He is also considering building a second, £7,000 off-grid cabin in the future, with solar power and water. Moving to Sweden permanently would bring additional costs, including transport, insurance, food and the upkeep of both cabins.

For now, the cabins offer an affordable way to enjoy Sweden. A permanent move is more complicated because of Brexit-related limits on freedom of movement, as well as family, pets and work commitments in the UK.

Locations, People and Services Mentioned

• South Wales
• The Swedish countryside; the specific area is not named
• Eon electricity
• A shared, spring-fed water system
• The narrator, Natasha and their sons