How is life in Latvia in Amatciems – eco-village premium class

Olga and Sergey met in Krabi on one of meetings Then the guys told us about the village Amatsiems in Of Latvia. And since we have always been interested in the topic of eco-settlements (and once lived in the ecological settlement of Glorious in the Moscow region), I asked Olga write a post about how they have there in Latvia, especially since there he is a premium class, which means everything must be of the highest standard. Still, in Russia in eco-settlements, as a rule, they move ordinary people, not millionaires.

It will soon be four years since my husband and I first arrived in Amatciems. It turned out here by accident. Stumbled into Internet note on the “city of the sun”, it is intense at that time I walked around the net and decided to go to Latvia for a couple of days – to visit friends in Riga and see with my own eyes. Thought to take a walk an hour or two, look at the unusual houses with a reed roof and admire the beautiful nature. But it turned out so magical that we did not want to leave. To the picturesque landscapes that we admired in the photos, the air was added – thick, pine, delicious, – the atmosphere of comfort and coziness and beautiful people. Eventually Now we are starting to build our own house in the eco-village premium class called “Amatciems”.

The content of the article

• 1 And here “eco”
• 2 Ban on fences and wooden houses, or the rules Amatciems
• 3 How much does a house build?
• 4 The inhabitants of Amatciems – who are they?
• 5 Fruits, fish and medieval city
• 6 City without wires, but with deer
• 7 Violators – why they are not here
• 8 Unicorns, Peppers and President of Latvia

And here “eco”

The prefix “eco” in the name of the village is associated with the attitude to the nature of its owner and founder, the Latvian businessman Chiris. Aivar Zvirbulis – that’s actually his name (we learned this later three years, because everyone calls him Chiris), – he comes from these places Once he sold one of his main businesses – the printing house, bought land here and began to “play” with the territory – to do picturesque slopes, planting pines, digging lakes. And then I decided that life in harmony with nature can please not only him, and slowly began to create a village, picking up people in neighbors similar ideology. Today in the village “buried” more 20 million euros, it continues to expand, Chiris predicts that in 20 years there will be already 500 houses (now 100), and the concept of living surrounded by nature, without fences and contrived restrictions will become a trend, and many more such “Amatciems”.

Today, on average, about 20 deals are made per year. for the purchase of real estate in Amatciems. Until 2000, bought in mainly Latvians and sometimes foreigners, after the adoption of the law, who could apply for a residence permit after buying a property, they began to buy all Russians. Soon the law will be tightened – the amendments will start to operate from September 1, now real estate needs to be bought for the sum from 250 000 pr to all Latvia (previously it was possible to get by buying 150,000 in Riga and 75,000 regions), plus, which is less pleasant, you will need to give 5% of the amount transactions in the state treasury. But it is unlikely to hit hard sales, a residence permit for buyers of this village – not more than a bonus. I have not met a single person who bought here is a house for a residence permit, for this purpose it was easier to get an apartment in Riga or in some small village outside the Riga region. AT Amatciems real estate in the amount of 75,000 in general never It was, the price threshold of entry is higher here, if we talk about the area with home – it is close, if not equal, to the new norms. And for them empty the plot, by the way, will no longer be bought.

Ban on fences and wooden houses, or on the rules Amatciems

Life in harmony with nature with minimal intervention – so, You can probably describe the ideology of Amatciems. To the rights of nature not violated, in Amatciems there are a number of rules that comply with all villagers.

The most important of all the rules by which Amatciems looks so impressive – the lack of fences. Thanks to this all The territory looks like a single whole, and this is the task of the houses – to fit into landscape, not nature – to adapt to people.

Landscape is the main thing that distinguishes Amatciems from all the others. settlements visually. There are solid hills, forests and lakes. Plots designed in such a way that from one house as much as possible it was visible neighboring. Each site is mandatory access to the water – or to its own small lake, or to the “common” Mostly, when buying a house, some of the water is also purchased. By the way they often ask if mosquitoes eat here, since there is so much water around, – and so, at the dacha in the Moscow region there are many times more of them. Not that that mosquitoes do not exist at all, but they do not interfere with life, you can safely sit in the evening on the veranda, without splashing chemicals.

Our site of 0.26 hectares (26 acres) is the smallest in the village. we spent a week, proceeded the village up and down, pretending the location of the house and hit the sun on the bed in the future bedroom, and eventually chose what they dreamed of – a small but cozy the area between the two mountains, with its own little forest, overgrown with soft moss In the summer, we regularly find mushrooms there and pick berries. Have Most of the residents of the plots are much larger, there are several sizes which are calculated in hectares.

Another rule – houses can only be wooden, only natural colors, with a roof of one of three types – red shingles, shingles and reeds. The idea of our house is a little disturbing. last rule and now we will start negotiations with the construction committee to get approval. We want to do first in Amatciems green roof, that is, herbal. We do not present yet, how Chiris will relate to this idea He personally assures all projects houses, so as not to violate the overall style of Amatciems. If his everything is fine, according to Latvian law, you will also need to get official building permit, that is to collect a lot pieces of paper. So it’s easier, of course, to buy a finished house so that avoid all this bureaucratic red tape and save nerves.

How much does a house build

We are often asked why we bought the site, and not ready home, because it is not only easier, but almost always more profitable. The thing is that I am very picky about interior design, I I want to thoroughly plan the space, and such flexibility in layout gives only frame house. At the same time all the houses for sale – from timber, in Amatciems only this year began to build frame houses, while there are two or three of them for the whole village. It was assumed that our will be the first, but we have something strongly tightened with a construction site

A house from a bar dictates the interior – whether you like it or not, you get wooden not only outside, but also inside the house. Do plasterboard walls are expensive and not practical. Wooden houses on my taste is wonderful, if you spend your holidays in them, but for the permanent I live personally they are not comfortable. Plus at home here not from small ones – average footage from 300 meters. We originally planned a house of no more than 200, and now completely “cut” the project on two floors and 75 meters contain everything we need. Every extra The meter is not only large sums for construction, it is also finishing, furnishings, heating, repair, and, trite, cleaning.

Regarding housing prices – on the Amatciems website are real figures, no additives and cheating will not, they can be trusted. Ibid whether it is for sale only a plot, or there is already a foundation, foundation or whole house. How much will it cost to build a house from scratch you can only say very well – from 1,500 euros for square meter, if we are talking about a house from a bar, and from 1,000 euros, if we talk about the frame house. In our experience, I can say that These figures are the minimum, they are calculated on the basis of the house, which It stands on a flat surface (and not on a slope, like many houses here), has a roof of shingles or tiles (cane much more expensive), without large and numerous windows, with a primitive heating system and minimal trim. If you put the heat pump – system, which digs into the ground and using the temperature difference organizes heating or cooling the house, you can add to the total amount of about 20,000 euros, but in the future it will save on electricity. If you cover the roof with reeds – you can safely add the same amount, and so on. Amatciems is still a village premium class, there is no need to wait for low prices. On the other hand – for the amount for which you can build a good house, in Moscow you can only buy a two-bedroom apartment somewhere not very close to the metro.

Residents of Amatciems – who are they?

For the most part people in Amatciems buy property secured for whom money is not the main question just want to live in comfort, peace and quiet, with peace of mind letting children ride bikes. There really you feel very safe. It is paradoxical, but there really is not the slightest fear of leaving, say, a bike at home, or go for a walk, do not lock the locks. Yes, and at night, when real, rustic pitch darkness is coming, absolutely not scary to go for a walk or go to visit. However, just in case all houses are connected to the alarm (fire and security), on territory is on duty the car of one of the private security companies.

There is a guest house in Amatciems called Dzeni, there anyone can stay, but most often the rooms are rented those who either look after the property in the village, or have already bought and is building When we came, we always stayed there, now in the summer they rented a room in one of the houses, because in Zeni everything has already been booked. And so often happened – you go to cook dinner in the communal kitchen, and there already someone is sitting, eating. Invite for table, sit down, talk – about nature, about ecology, about ideology Amatciems. People all at one at such dinners come across open pleasant, interesting. And then someone is so completely sincere, without any claim to show off, just to continue the conversation, says: “What do you think, is it possible to build a helipad here? Let’s discuss with Chiris, if those who wish are gathered. “Or “I tried the local beer here – I didn’t like it, I decided to open my own brewery. I learned what and how, only 500 thousand are needed! “No matter how Twist, the environment has an impact on us, and to be among the financial wealthy, self-reliant people motivates.

Now in Amatciems about 110 plots are sold, for a hundred of them stand at home. At the same time, all the year round, in Amatciems 19 families live – six of them are Russians, the rest are Latvians. Their life no different from the life of people who live in good cottage settlement. Houses have everything you need to live: heating, hot water, sewage, internet, in many houses baths or jacuzzi, saunas and other joys of civilization are installed. For food and for the solution of domestic issues people travel to The nearest city is Cesis – 15 kilometers away. There is also hospital, supermarkets, kindergarten, school.

Fruits, fish and medieval city

Cesis is in itself a completely wonderful town – quiet, medieval, with cobbled streets, beautiful and well preserved architecture, with everything necessary for life. Soon there open the concert hall, where they will give concerts of classical music, which is written including our closest neighbor, for some famous Latvian composer. To a larger and more modern city – Sigulda – from Amatciems kilometers 30. There is a cinema, restaurants, sports entertainment, hypermarkets. And before the capital – 70 kilometers – an hour or less, depending on how you comply speed mode If you wish, you can go from Amatciems to Riga get on the bus (stop – 3-5 kilometers), and by train – from Cēsis, but generally without a car here is uncomfortable.

We usually go for cereals, oils and other long-playing products in Cēsis, and fresh vegetables, fruits, berries are bought on a small market that comes to Amatciems every summer Saturday morning. There are going to farmers who themselves grow environmentally friendly products. In my opinion, very cool buy potatoes from a person who personally planted it, raised and collected.

The funny thing is that all local natural fruits and vegetables, insanely fragrant, grown in live gardens, sun-drenched, cost cheaper than in an ordinary Moscow supermarket. When I I get after all this luxury in a Moscow shop, I have tears come to my eyes – how can you eat these rubber tomatoes that don’t even smell?

We take dairy products from the neighboring family Latvian farmers, a liter of milk from a cow costs 50 euro cents (20-25 rubles depending on the course). Nearby there is also a fish a farm where sturgeon, salmon and trout are bred, but given for sale only trout – 4 with a small euro per kilogram. The rest of the fish released into the river for the resumption of the population.

Many residents of Amatciems provide themselves with fish, catching it right at home. There is some amount you need to pay for fishing licensed, but usually, if the pond is small, it is exclusively yours the point is to run a fish into it and then catch it. So do the owners of the house where we are now renting a room – they let out in the pond trout, carp and someone else we feed every day pearl barley. My husband and I tried to go fishing, but, having caught carp, understood that we were too sorry for him, let go and promised more Do not take the bait.

Our fate is to collect mushrooms, which are growing in the neighboring forests so much so that as soon as the season begins, we stop driving to score. For lunch, mushroom soup for dinner – potatoes with mushrooms or Italian pasta with them. Walked through the village – and complete basket collected. By the Latvian law, by the way, you can pick mushrooms and berries on any, even private, territory. But according to the unspoken Amatciems rules to take mushrooms and berries on foreign sites, It is considered not very decent, so we go to harvest in neighboring forest or on your site. There is growing lingonberries and blueberries

City without wires, but with deer

Another distinctive feature of Amatciems is all communications. here are buried in the ground, so the wonderful views do not spoil the endless poles with electric wires, as happens very often, even in the most lovely places. Every house has a sewage system, electricity, water supply. In a few years, Chiris plans build your own electrical substation, while the question is being discussed, will it be a hydroelectric station on the nearest Amata river or windmills. Also, high-speed Internet is being brought to the village right now. make a branch from some cable that goes either to Germany, or from it. They say there will be the fastest internet in Of Latvia. This combination of unique beauty of nature and modern technology – just what us so hooked in Amatciems.

Imagine yourself sitting in your home office, working through high-speed Internet, and behind the window on the lawn graze wild hares – A very real picture! Animals here a lot. We are not once seen hares, which at first was adopted (not laughing) for deer – they turned out to be so huge, and in fact, the deer themselves. Also there are foxes here – our hosts complained that if we buried under A bush of fish remains to fertilize plants; at night a fox will come and digs up everything.

Even at some point beavers settled in the largest lake. Their noticed when photographing the village from the air. At first rejoiced, because beavers live only in very clean waters. But then the beavers began to cut trees and swamp swiftly the terrain is, after all, their essence – and they had to to relocate.

In order not to frighten the local wildlife (and local residents) is prohibited keep pets on the street, dogs must be either under control of the owner, or inside the house. This is also one of the rules. Amatciems.

Violators of the rules – why are they not here

Sometimes I met on the Internet comments, they say, what else rules, they are not written at the legislative level, who is right forbid to do on your own site what you want? I like that position seems strange. If you are not satisfied with the local order, look for the place where you are satisfied, or where you are nothing will not prohibit, the benefit of such – the majority. In reality in Amatciems there is no one who tries to fight with the local “authorities” in face Chiris and violate the rules. Probably all thanks preliminary “face control”.

This, of course, not like in nightclubs – no one looks at what you came and what you wear. Just before buying all the potential the tenants must meet with Chiris. It does not look like some kind of official interview, just a friendly conversation, which allows you to understand whether new people will fit in well existing conditions. Now those who want to come to build a two-meter fence around the house and put it on a chain Caucasian Shepherd Dog, they themselves already understand that here they will be uncomfortable. But before that was the case.

On our first visit we were told a very significant case. The project developed at a rapid pace, and at some stage it took the attraction of external financing, that is, a loan in the bank. They bought lands, gave credit, but then a crisis struck – and sales froze. And so, on the eve of regular payments, when free there was no money, a man came to Amatciems who was ready literally get the packs out of the pockets – and get a considerable piece land. Chiris went with him to watch the options. Stopped out. And then Chiris noticed that a man parked his car right on road. When asked to move, he answered something like “Nitsche, wait. “Here it became obvious that this man does not fit Amatciemsu. Despite financial interest, the man was told that he had better go look for housing in the direction of Jurmala. And literally through a few days another person showed up – with more correct ones thoughts about the world around us – and bought a lot more, what was going to the first one.

“Will you sell us?” – then we asked timidly, still on in fact, without seriously considering such an option, they arrived just look. “You – yes.” My future husband and I were only Began to build a joint life, have not yet discussed the issue joint real estate. But so we hooked this village, that puzzle began to take shape on its own – and about a year later we acquired plot.

Unicorns, Peppers and President of Latvia

Our site is called “Vienraji”, which is translated from Latvian means “unicorns”. All plots in Amatciems instead of numbers have names, and all names are somehow connected with nature and / or by the forest. The first plots were called easy, but when the score went on dozens, sales office workers, who, in fact, deal with almost all issues, had to open botanical dictionary – and look for natural names there. therefore everyone was very happy when we asked ourselves to name our plot, – we bought it on an unmarked territory, therefore it was possible. We did not know then, but in Amatciems everyone knows and calls each other not by name, but by name plots. That is, they represent us not as Olga and Sergey, but they say something like “this is vienraji.” Next to us are Peppers, Nasturtium, Buttercups and many more things that can not cope google translate The house opposite, by the way, almost bought Chulpan Khamatova, but in the end chose some other site.

Famous people in Amatciems are not uncommon – last summer to visit came, for example, the president of Latvia. I do not know, he bought here plot, but do not be surprised to meet him somehow on the evening walk

If you have any questions, I will answer with pleasure, but for now I will go feed the fish and water the plants. Drinking tea brewed fresh mint, thyme and sage, damn nice!

Olga Zakharova – http://frequenttraveller.ru Part of the photos taken from the official site – http://www.amatciems.lv

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