“No one can say where life will lead, but it is always possible to return to where home is,”
says Deivids Stasjulis – a digital content creator who, together with his wife Despina from Greece, is currently living in the countryside of Kurzeme and showcasing Latvian rural life to the world on his YouTube channel.
Deivids is 29 years old. He grew up in “Ķirši” in Medze parish, South Kurzeme Municipality – a place filled with vivid childhood memories and experiences that later shaped his life choices. Today, together with his wife, he is gradually restoring his countryside home in Kurzeme and documenting this process in his videos on the YouTube channel @DoBeDIff.
“I like to show real life – not just beautiful scenes, but also the work behind them. Rural life is not easy, but it offers a sense of freedom and peace that is hard to find elsewhere.”
Interestingly, most of his YouTube audience is outside Latvia – especially in the United States, where people are fascinated by stories about life in the European countryside.
The journey away from Latvia
Deivids left Latvia as a teenager. After finishing the eighth grade, he moved to Northern Ireland to live with his father. There, he completed secondary school and later began studying engineering.
The first years abroad were not easy. School in Northern Ireland was very different from Latvia – especially at the beginning, when his English was not yet strong. Moreover, he studied at a Catholic science and mathematics school, where he was the only student from another country.
“The school was very demanding, and I had to adapt to a completely different environment,” he recalls.
Life across different European countries
Life later took Deivids to other countries as well. He spent some time in Greece, where he met his future wife, Despina. Later, they moved to Berlin, hoping to find opportunities in the video and film industry.
However, life in a big city proved more challenging than expected. After a few months, they found themselves in a difficult situation and were forced to leave their accommodation.
“At that moment, we realised we had to make a quick decision. The next day we bought tickets to Latvia,” Deivids says.
Within a few days, they were already in Liepāja. Spending nearly a year there allowed them to see Latvia from a different perspective and realise that it is possible to build a future here as well.
A journey that changed everything
After that, the couple set off on a van trip across Europe. The original plan was simple – explore different countries and then return to Greece. However, this journey became a turning point.
“This year inspired Despina to consider living in Latvia long-term,” says Deivids.
After the trip, they returned to Greece, but soon made an important decision – to invest and buy a house in Latvia. Shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic began, they once again set off across Europe in their van – this time heading to Latvia, to their new home in Kurzeme.
A new life in the countryside
Starting a new life in Latvia was not easy. The first years were spent renovating the house while trying to establish their own business.
“We decided to build our own business rather than look for jobs. It meant more risk, but also more freedom,” Deivids admits.
The first two years were particularly challenging – both financially and practically. However, through persistence and hard work, they gradually found stability. Today, Deivids and his wife have established their own video production company and have been working professionally in filming for several years.
A life that inspires others
Alongside his professional work, Deivids активно creates digital content. On his YouTube channel @DoBeDiff, he shares everyday life in the Latvian countryside – home restoration, work, closeness to nature, and simple daily moments.
“Many viewers write to me saying they are inspired by this lifestyle – seeing that it is possible to start over, restore an old house, and live closer to nature.”
His videos attract viewers from around the world, especially from the United States. Through his stories, he shows that rural life can be fulfilling, creative, and inspiring.
Learning through experience
When returning to Latvia, Deivids was not aware of the services provided by remigration coordinators. Most issues had to be solved independently – learning through experience and sometimes through mistakes.
“If there is an opportunity to help people return to Latvia, it is definitely very valuable,” he emphasizes.
Latvia is home
Today, Deivids is confident that returning to Latvia was the right decision.
“No one can predict where life will lead, but I would encourage Latvians to consider returning. Nowhere feels as good as home.”
In his view, Latvia has everything needed for a fulfilling life – nature, culture, and people.
“Latvia is developing rapidly. We need to believe in our country and appreciate what we already have. Living in your own land is a completely different feeling,” he says.
About remigration coordinators
If you have questions or need support in returning to Latvia, we invite you to contact a remigration coordinator. Based on your needs, and in cooperation with municipalities and other public institutions, an individual support plan can be developed.
Remigration coordinators can provide assistance with:
- services for families,
- housing issues,
- employment and business opportunities,
- social and everyday matters.
More information about these services is available at: www.paps.lv
More about remigration in Kurzeme can be found at: www.kurzemesregions.lv/remigracija, where you can also explore other return stories.