Home building: "The craftsmen said we are the worst builders ever"

Julia, 35, and Ralf, 41, were drawn to the idyllic charm of village life, envisioning a "picture-perfect" setting for their children. Ralf, who grew up in a rural environment, always envisioned a traditional life path: a family, a house, and children. The couple found their ideal plot of land unexpectedly after previous buyers withdrew, and with Julia's parents living nearby, the location also offered practical benefits for childcare.

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The wish came more from me. I grew up in the country, in a house. My life plan was always rather old-school: wife, house, children.

Their journey to homeownership was far from smooth. The couple recounted dealing with uncooperative architects, navigating tricky structural engineering problems, and enduring considerable conflict with the construction workers. These challenges tested their resolve throughout the building process.

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This idyllic village world appealed to us. And every time we drove back to Leipzig on Sundays, we no longer felt like living in the big city.

Despite the hurdles, they managed to bring their dream home to life, utilizing a combination of resourcefulness and modern tools. They employed a vintage DDR concrete mixer and relied on a few YouTube videos for guidance. This DIY approach allowed them to overcome some obstacles, but the experience ultimately pushed them to their limits, highlighting the complexities of self-directed home construction.

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Here, many children of the same age grow up, it is more sheltered.