Hello,

at the moment I have plain ordinary electric connection, and I'm paying for a big company for the electricity I use... the connection was already installed to the house when I bought the place, so it was an easy start. I'd like to install solar panels etc. to minimize the amount of electricity I have to buy, but I haven't yet been able to save money for proper equipment.

I think there are some web sites listing land for sale in Finland, and at least this one seems to have english version too: http://www.nettiasunto.com/en/advSearch.php?hty=gnd_fst&ctg=S

Also, I think that one good way to find a place in Finland would be to look for a job in countryside. (http://www.mol.fi/mol/en/index.jsp) For example, if you'd find something for a summer, you can ask the employer for accommodation, and then get to see the surroundings, maybe make friends with local people, and see how you like it. That way, when people know you, you might find a place which is not "officially" for sale. This was also the case with my hosue - I didn't pick it from a list of places for sale. I called the owners directly, asking if it could be possible to negotiate about buying the place. After a moment of hesitation they agreed.