How has Ust-Narva and life in the house changed since 1949?

The history of the house

The house in Ust-Narva has been in our family since 1949. It was inherited by my great-grandfather, who worked as a fisherman, from the local state farm. Since 1990, I have been coming here regularly, and since 2005, I have been more actively involved in managing this property.

Location and amenities

This house is located right by the main road, just two hundred meters from the beach. It has two floors, with two rooms on each level, plus a veranda. Among the modern amenities in the house are:

• Electricity
• Cold water
• Water heater

News about sewage

We previously had a septic system installed, but two years ago a new sewage system was implemented in Ust-Narva. This was made possible by a grant program from the European Union and the Estonian authorities. According to EU regulations, cities must have a unified sewage system, and its absence could lead to fines.

In Ust-Narva, there was a need to update the systems in several thousand homes, and almost all the roads were dug up to install new pipes, including my section.

Financial costs for connection

As for the connection to the sewage system, the installation of pipes along the roads was funded by a grant. However, from the street to the house, this stage had to be paid for out of pocket. The official cost of the work was 1,200 euros, but I managed to negotiate with the workers, and in the end, it all came to 800 euros.

First, a project was developed and approved by the local water utility. Then, pipes were installed up to my property, and a manhole was also set up. After all the work was completed on the damaged area, fresh sod was laid down, and now it looks even better than it did before.

The situation with the sewage system

Ust-Narva can now be considered a city with amenities, but this doesn't apply to everyone. Almost half of the houses still lack sewage systems, especially for pensioners who either do not want changes or cannot afford such expenses. There are quite a few of these houses on one street.

Other utilities

As for garbage disposal, we have a contract under which a special truck from Narva comes twice a month. During this time, I put out a 70-liter waste container at the gate, which costs me 1.5 euros a month. Our waste volumes are not large, but it should be noted that we have a compost pit, we burn paper, and glass can be returned for recycling for money.

In addition, the authorities in Narva are launching a campaign before the summer season to prevent garbage from being dumped in the forest. A truck comes to collect construction waste and old furniture for a small fee, and sometimes even for free.

Gas connection

As for gas: the pipes are laid along the street, and those who want can connect gas to their homes. Almost all the neighbors have done so. I'm also considering connecting, but since we are rarely here in the winter, it's not very cost-effective for us at the moment. It's much cheaper to use the firewood we have left over from the Soviet times, plus we cut down a few trees on the property.

The issue of providing firewood is actually not a complicated task. You can find numerous advertisements on this topic in the newspapers. But what is the total cost of maintaining your home? We mainly spend time in the house only during the summer and on vacation days.

Usually, over a period of one and a half months of electricity consumption in June and early July, I manage to pay only 40 euros. The main electrical devices I use include a chainsaw, a lawnmower, a kettle, and an iron. Throughout the season, the water expenses amount to about 20 euros, and the annual land tax is around 30 euros, although we have certain benefits for 20 acres of land.

Don't forget to mention the insurance, which costs 60 euros for coverage of 100,000 euros. Although this expense can't be considered mandatory, for peace of mind, I prefer to have an insurance policy. In total, the annual expenses amount to about 400 euros.

Average housing costs in Estonia

If we look at the information about average housing expenses in Estonia, I would note that I pay all my bills through an online catalog, using my personal account. If necessary, I interact with the water supply company or electricians via email — all requests and inquiries are processed online.

Nevertheless, such situations are quite rare: issues related to replacing water meters and similar matters can be counted on one hand.

Ust-Narva: life and population

Now let's change the subject. When you enter Ust-Narva, it gives the impression that this place is almost deserted. It seems that mostly only tourists live here. I learned that in 1986, the population of Narva-Jõesuu reached its peak — in the summer, the number reached 10,000 people, but this is explained by the fact that many came to the sanatoriums and children's camps.

Currently, around 1,500 people live here during the warm season, including working citizens and Russians who own summer houses.

Real estate and its owners

Owners of launched real estate properties, such as old children's institutions and pioneer camps, are actively trying to sell their properties at inflated prices. Often, a registered legal entity is required to formalize the transactions, even though such operations are not common practice.

Lease of real estate objects

As for renting, many people do indeed earn income from this process. However, short-term rentals in this area are not a popular option. Owners often prefer to lease their spaces for a longer duration, such as for the entire summer season. When my acquaintances were looking for temporary rental options for a month, they found it quite difficult to negotiate the terms with the landlords.

However, the situation is changing; tenants are becoming more flexible in their requests. Platforms likeAirbnbandBookingThey are gaining popularity by offering a variety of accommodation options.

Construction of housing for personal use

There is also a category of people who build homes for their own needs, usually a few lines away from the coast. These are often not permanent residents, making trips only for weekends or short vacations. Most of them are affluent individuals arriving in luxury cars, including from cities likeMoscoworTallinn.

Some of them even arrive in cars with Swedish license plates, although such cases are not widespread.

Current real estate listings in Estonia

In Estonia, you can find interesting real estate. For example, a house in the area.Haryumaa, which is listed for sale for1,390,000 eurosThe area is181 square metersThere are four bedrooms and all the necessary amenities.

There is also an offer to sell a plot of land with an area of8.95 hectaresnear Tallinn with a house that can be used for agricultural purposes. The plot of land can be divided into smaller sections, which could be profitable for future sales, making it an attractive choice for investors. Its location is quite appealing, as you can reach the capital in just15 minuteson a good asphalt road.

Real estate prices

Nevertheless, with such a large number of properties on the market, sometimes the prices seem unjustifiably high. For example, a house in poor condition next to a hotel.Meresuuvalued at400 thousand euroswhile for250 thousandIt is possible to find a similar house in the vicinity of Tallinn, such asPyritewhich is famous for its developed infrastructure and resemblesRepinoin Russia.

Old buildings and their owners

InUst-NarvaThere are many ancient buildings. Their owners are alive, but for many of them, restoration is not affordable. Some owners do not want to part with their homes, realizing that it will be difficult to find something comparable in the future.

In recent years, there haven't been many requests for purchases, whereas in the 90s, the interest was significantly higher.

Hotel construction

The active construction of hotels near residential buildings can be seen as both a positive and a negative aspect at the same time. For example, across from my house is an abandoned building — a former sanatorium.Krenholm Manufacturing, built inin 1995On its second floor, there used to be a table tennis setup where tourists played late into the night, which caused some discomfort for the local residents.

Thus, the proximity of new hotels to old houses can significantly affect the overall perception of life in this area.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I would like to share my thoughts on life and household in Ust-Narva, which have become an integral part of my life and our family's legacy. This house, passed down to me from my great-grandfather, holds not only memories of the past but also hopes for the future. In recent years, our town has undergone significant changes, primarily due to the installation of sewage systems, which has made life more comfortable for many residents, although not for everyone.

Observing the development of Ust-Narva, I see how our opportunities have grown – new asphalt, clean streets, and organized waste disposal create a sense of modernity and care for urban improvement. Undoubtedly, not all changes have been received positively; elderly people sometimes are not ready for change and prefer to stick to familiar methods. Nevertheless, it is precisely thanks to such modern initiatives, like the EU grant, that our city is changing and transforming.

Household aspects

It's important to note some everyday aspects of life here. I feel like I've returned to earlier times when even ordinary things, like garbage collection, are organized very conveniently and with minimal costs. In this sense, even being far from a big city, I feel in a familiar atmosphere where everything is well thought out and logically organized.

Life in Ust-Narva

In general, life in Ust-Narva is not standing still, and although the population has decreased in the summer over the years, the nature and tranquility of this place continue to attract people, including from Russia. I take pride in being a part of this story and look forward to what the future will bring.

If someone were to ask me what this house means to me, I would say that it is not just a place where I spend my summer vacations, but also a symbol of change, a deep connection with nature, traditions, and modern trends.

Harmony of the past and present

In the end, the house in Ust-Narva is not just walls; it is our history, our journey, and what we create around us. Every new project, every improvement is a step towards making life here better. It is this harmony between the past and the present that drives me forward, encouraging me to cherish every moment spent in this amazing place.