Riding Out Blackouts in the Countryside: Ukrainian Realtor Names Price Tags for Village Rentals

Rural Rentals in Ukraine: What It Costs

According to ХВИЛЯ: As Russian strikes on Ukraine's power grid have made blackouts a recurring part of life, some city residents are looking at country homes as a place to wait out the outages. Realtor Viktor Nesyn told UNIAN that living autonomously in a village requires serious money. A house with modern, city-style amenities rents for at least 30,000 hryvnias per month, while a more traditional cottage with all conveniences in the yard can be rented from 5,000 hryvnias per month. Accommodation with running water, sewerage, and heating also starts at 30,000 hryvnias per month, and permanent homes on joint dacha plots can range from $1,000 to $3,000–$5,000.

Nesyn also warned about the practical downsides of rural life: electricity, water, sewage, and stove heating all come with complications. Cities generally get power back faster than small towns and villages, and in a snowstorm repair crews may not be able to reach remote areas, leaving residents without electricity for long stretches. Mobile service in villages can be unreliable too, because operators' base stations depend on the same power grid. Homes with piped well water are rare; more often there is a pump in the yard or a traditional well. Instead of central sewage, many village homes rely on cesspits that have to be emptied at the tenant's own expense. Wood-burning stoves also require know-how, from stocking firewood to managing the draft and lighting the fire correctly.

Outlook and Advice

Nesyn does not expect a mass rush of city dwellers to the countryside. “I don’t see heightened demand, and there’s also no real trend of city people moving out to villages,” he said.

His advice to potential tenants: “Write your wish list on paper before meeting the owner or their representative. That way you won’t forget anything and won’t get an unpleasant surprise later.”

At the start of the full-scale war, rental prices in cities such as Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi doubled or tripled, which may also have an effect on rural housing costs. With instability forcing people to adapt, renting a village house remains a relevant option for many Ukrainians.

The broader shift toward rural housing reflects the demands of the moment, especially the need for autonomy and comfort during energy crises. While lower rental prices may be tempting, tenants should carefully consider the risks and realities of living outside the city. Ukraine's rental market stays fluid, and external pressures can quickly reshape supply and demand.