House Hunters International - General Discussion

[sempervivum]

Apricale, Italy: stunning location, but did this village look kind of poverty-stricken? OTOH, there was an English realtor there, so maybe it's full of expats. Other than the population (573), there doesn't seem to be any information online about this place (in English). As older folks, these 2 should be worried about medical/emergency access.

The final renovated place was very sterile looking, imo. Also, they didn't even show the big rooftop terrace, which was the best part of the house. 

Also, their house in Holland MI was the very definition of 'McMansion'- hideous. However, the couple themselves seemed nice.

[Kemper]

Tuscany...interesting episode.  I was also wondering what happened to the father.  The mother/son did seem close; on the surface it looked like a really wonderful relationship.  But when she would start going on about the past, he would make kind-of snide comments about hearing these stories many times before.  Right out there on the teevee.  I was embarrassed for her (even though she was a bit much); and why would he be spending four years in a boarding school in Italy?  Yes, there was soccer involved, I think.  But still.  Yes, he seemed like a typical teenager (how old was he?  Maybe 18?); but really really spoiled.  Didn't they say she had MS?  Stairs could be real problem; but I guess what was on the market was what was on the market.  

[LittleIggy]

13 hours ago, sempervivum said:

Apricale, Italy: stunning location, but did this village look kind of poverty-stricken? OTOH, there was an English realtor there, so maybe it's full of expats. Other than the population (573), there doesn't seem to be any information online about this place (in English). As older folks, these 2 should be worried about medical/emergency access.

The final renovated place was very sterile looking, imo. Also, they didn't even show the big rooftop terrace, which was the best part of the house. 

Also, their house in Holland MI was the very definition of 'McMansion'- hideous. However, the couple themselves seemed nice.

I agree. I was disappointed in how glaringly white and modern most of what was shown was. The living room looked like a hotel lobby.

Costa Rica: I caught up on this one with the woman from TX who took her mother with her to house hunt. The mother was a hoot. I loved the comment re: what if you have too many glasses of wine and trip over the incline and fall into the jungle? 😆

[Dehumidifier]

On 11/7/2020 at 5:21 PM, Kemper said:

.  I was embarrassed for her (even though she was a bit much); and why would he be spending four years in a boarding school in Italy?  Yes, there was soccer involved, I think.  But still. 

To be away from his smother? imagine your mom telling everyone in the supermarket about your conception! Guessing here🙄

[buttersister]

Thanks, Dehumidifier, I almost spit out coffee on the keyboard.🤣

[aghst]

On 11/3/2020 at 7:49 PM, Grizzly said:

Amsterdam. Omigod I love this realtor! "Don't be so delicate." When the wife said she could see herself living in Europe and then rattled off her wish list, I'm thinking, no you won't like living in Europe.

 

On 11/3/2020 at 9:18 PM, Grrarrggh said:

Yikes, not only was she a quintessential ugly American but they had the guts to lie about researching prices. 

Yeah Sarah is usually not that cross or snarky but this couple was being unrealistic.  In fact she’s usually chipper, to a fault.

But is she not American herself?   Not very tolerant of newbies.

They made the right choice though.  $300 above their budget.  You can spend that much easily per night in Amsterdam hotels.

 

 

[biakbiak]

1 hour ago, aghst said:

But is she not American herself?   Not very tolerant of newbies.

Except it’s all fake so she wasn’t their realtor and they weren’t actually newbies.

[NosyCat]

I love the realtor in Amsterdamn and I usually think she is dancing around what should be said straight out but she was a bit harsh in this episode. I would have called her out on making such a nasty comment to me like that. I certainly wouldn't want to give her the commission.  The wife had an annoying way of speaking but they weren't nasty to her.  

Someone needs to write a new script for the house hunters. Not many move to another part of their own city without doing research. Who would move across the world having done little or no research? 

[NosyCat]

Sorry to post right after last one but the Mom and son in Italy really irritated me. The son was so indulged and rarely could muster a smile on his face. I just can't imagine allowing a 14 year old to live so far away for 4 years just because he wants to do it. Surely, there are soccer schools, or whatever he was there for, closer to home.  Beautiful location but not of fan of the annoying mother and son. 

[amarante]

The Italian son lost me when he told the realtor in Italian that his mother "ruined" everything. It was in the captions.

Curious as to what the real story is because sending your 14 year old child to boarding school in Europe because of a soccer program is beyond bizarre. There are incredible soccer training programs in the US if a kid really wants to take it to that level and I suspect that Florida, because of its temperate winters, probably has some.

Honestly I can't see the lure of locating to an isolated village in Italy. The town also seemed to be NOT very friendly to those with mobility issues. Forget the stairs in the apartments - it's all those hills and poorly paved streets. 

[buttersister]

Spent time once in Bellagio on Lake Como. Watched older women leave their homes carrying a plate, going to a nearby restaurant and returning with a plate of vegetables or something. These were not wealthy women, by any stretch, but they wore a skirt and jacket, carried a handbag and wore chunky heals while maneuvering the cobblestone streets and many stairs. Guess it's what you're used to.

The Whiners of Lucca: Leave Lucca alone and just move to Bikelandia, guy. As for the writer wife, that book will be self-published. Cause you know who only writes when they feel inspired to do so? Amateurs.

Oh look, they took the one that was "over" their budget that matched them exactly. 

[Malvina]

15 hours ago, buttersister said:

 

The Whiners of Lucca: Leave Lucca alone and just move to Bikelandia, guy. As for the writer wife, that book will be self-published. Cause you know who only writes when they feel inspired to do so? Amateurs.

 

Large part of Elizabeth George‘s “Just One Evil Act: A Lynley Novel” was set in Lucca. The walls, the towers, the hills - it’s all there. No need for another book 😁.

[copshop]

Quote

Apricale, Italy: stunning location, but did this village look kind of poverty-stricken? OTOH, there was an English realtor there, so maybe it's full of expats. Other than the population (573), there doesn't seem to be any information online about this place (in English). As older folks, these 2 should be worried about medical/emergency access.

The final renovated place was very sterile looking, imo. Also, they didn't even show the big rooftop terrace, which was the best part of the house. 

Also, their house in Holland MI was the very definition of 'McMansion'- hideous. However, the couple themselves seemed nice.

Agree their house in the US did not scream adventurous, but the couple themselves were great--the kind of people I love to meet on vacation, so inspiring! I was very curious how many bedrooms they ended up with, etc. The producers of this show make me crazy. I think the true fans hate the fake drama and want the boring details.

This was a great eye candy episode. It's a hill town so it seems isolated, but it's really close to the coast where all the people are. That part of the riviera does not get as much attention as the part near Genoa, not sure why. I thought it was gorgeous and that episode took me straight to Italy. I could practically smell and taste it. I am so glad this season has been Europe focused. Between this and Lorraine Bracco, I am getting my Italy fix.

[Dehumidifier]

Her slow talking was driving me crazy.

[eel21788]

53 minutes ago, copshop said:

 I think the true fans hate the fake drama and want the boring details.

The only reason I'm watching is to find out what you can get for your money in different parts of the world. Everything about the people's back stories is superfluous to me.

[copshop]

Eel I swear I could watch a show about immigration rules and real estate, lol.

 

[ArtFossil]

21 hours ago, buttersister said:

The Whiners of Lucca: Leave Lucca alone and just move to Bikelandia, guy. As for the writer wife, that book will be self-published. Cause you know who only writes when they feel inspired to do so? Amateurs.

Oh look, they took the one that was "over" their budget that matched them exactly. 

I just started watching the Lucca episode and I'm already rolling my eyes. Sixteen years to process a life-changing experience? Really? Sixteen years?

[StatisticalOutlier]

17 hours ago, eel21788 said:

The only reason I'm watching is to find out what you can get for your money in different parts of the world. Everything about the people's back stories is superfluous to me.

I watch it to see what housing in different parts of the world is like, which is why it irks when they don't show the damn bathrooms.

[badhaggis]

33 minutes ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

I watch it to see what housing in different parts of the world is like, which is why it irks when they don't show the damn bathrooms.

me too! That's a huge pet peeve of mine!

[Grizzly]

Galicia. I could listen to realtor Nick all day! What an interesting part of Spain, a region I didn't know about. Wonder how much the renovation will be.

[ArtFossil]

Barcelona: When I hear "price point" I want to throw my wine glass at the TV. But since I'm watching on my computer, I shall restrain myself.

[Dehumidifier]

Another Smother -- this time dragging the best friend, ...excuse me..., child, to Galicia.

[Grizzly]

Bologna. What a charming couple. I thought she'd consider all the kitchens to be small but she liked them. My only issue with the place they picked is I can't stand such a small shower.

[chessiegal]

I don't get the no oven complaints. Can you not use countertop ovens in other countries? I have a good sized Breville countertop oven/toaster etc that I use every day. I hardly ever use my regulars oven. It uses propane and is huge. 

[sheetmoss]

On 11/11/2020 at 3:37 PM, amarante said:

The Italian son lost me when he told the realtor in Italian that his mother "ruined" everything. It was in the captions.

Curious as to what the real story is because sending your 14 year old child to boarding school in Europe because of a soccer program is beyond bizarre. There are incredible soccer training programs in the US if a kid really wants to take it to that level and I suspect that Florida, because of its temperate winters, probably has some.

Honestly I can't see the lure of locating to an isolated village in Italy. The town also seemed to be NOT very friendly to those with mobility issues. Forget the stairs in the apartments - it's all those hills and poorly paved streets. 

Madonna lived in Portugal for awhile  because her son  was in a soccer program.

Maybe as good as the programs are in the US - it's not the same as training in an area where the populace lives and breathes soccer?

Edited November 14, 2020 by sheetmoss

[buttersister]

Boston to Paris. Heh, Ryan asked for a temp transfer to Paris and they gave him an unpaid year-long sabbatical. She was worried she’d resent him after awhile? Lmk if anyone sees a report of a guy found at the bottom of the Seine.

Adrian rents places in the Marais. Just putting that here.

[TVForever]

10 hours ago, Grizzly said:

Galicia. I could listen to realtor Nick all day! What an interesting part of Spain, a region I didn't know about. Wonder how much the renovation will be.

 

10 hours ago, Dehumidifier said:

Another Smother -- this time dragging the best friend, ...excuse me..., child, to Galicia.

I read the comments before watching the episode this morning. I was braced for another "annoying" kid episode. I have to say, though,  I did not mind this mother-daughter pair. I also enjoyed learning a little about the region. I knew the name Galicia, but knew nothing about its Celtic orientation. Interested to learn more.

This would also be another good candidate for a followup episode. Would be nice to see what they do with the place they chose.

[chessiegal]

2 hours ago, TVForever said:

 

I read the comments before watching the episode this morning. I was braced for another "annoying" kid episode. I have to say, though,  I did not mind this mother-daughter pair. I also enjoyed learning a little about the region. I knew the name Galicia, but knew nothing about its Celtic orientation. Interested to learn more.

This would also be another good candidate for a followup episode. Would be nice to see what they do with the place they chose.

I thought the mother daughter relationship was fine too. I'm an only child. My father worked nights, so growing up it was my mon and me during the week. We were best friends, She was a mom first, but we were very close.

[Dehumidifier]

The daughter did not look all that thrilled to me to be following her mother's dream. She kept mentioning wanting to be near town. I thought she would probably rather spend her school breaks hanging out (literally in her case!) with her friends in Detroit.

[StatisticalOutlier]

On 11/13/2020 at 7:32 PM, chessiegal said:

I don't get the no oven complaints. Can you not use countertop ovens in other countries? I have a good sized Breville countertop oven/toaster etc that I use every day. I hardly ever use my regulars oven. It uses propane and is huge. 

For the Bologna couple, for example, those kitchens were tiny, and a countertop oven would take up a lot of space.  And for serious cooks, I think they're not big enough to hold even a half-sheet pan.  I have an overhead microwave/convection oven that I'm sure has more capacity than countertop versions, and there are things I don't cook because I don't have the room. 

But speaking of the Bologna couple, only one person has commented on them.  Maybe HGTV is right, that conflict creates interest?  The woman was so agreeable.  Even these teeny tiny kitchens, she said okay, I could make it work, although I'd really like an oven (and sure enough, in the follow-up she was roasting vegetables on a sheet pan).  Minuscule bathroom?  No problem; it's only a year.  The only real issue was a sofabed that has to be deployed every night and has a thin mattress over a rod in the middle of their backs.

FWIW, Mr. Outlier is a car guy and looked up the school the HH's attending, and it's real.  It's an MBA focused on getting a job with Ferrari or McLaren or one of the other big dogs.  If he accomplishes that, and she starts working as a nurse practitioner, they might both be getting their dream careers.  And in the meantime, some lucky Italians have a nurse practitioner as their babysitter. 

Edited November 15, 2020 by StatisticalOutlier
missing word

[DonnaMae]

The Bologna couple were nice, and I think they chose the best apartment that was $1,400 a month. However, I am so tired of the word "charm".  Why did she have to repeat that word so often?  All you need to do to see the charm is to open the window and look at the beauty of the city.  Enough already!

[chocolatine]

I liked the Bologna couple, but had to raise an eyebrow at the wife saying she'd never heard of Bologna before her husband asked her to move there with him. Where did she think spaghetti bolognese comes from?

[Crashcourse]

2 hours ago, StatisticalOutlier said:

The only real issue was a sofabed that has to be deployed every night and has a thin mattress over a rod in the middle of their backs.

Ahhhh....that brought back memories of me and my sofabed in my early twenties.  It was fine then, but I couldn't wait until I could afford an apartment with a bedroom.   My back started killing me.  The couple looked young enough so maybe it won't bother them for the year that they'll be there.  

Edited November 15, 2020 by Crashcourse

[DonnaMae]

Didn't the Bologna couple choose the $1,400 apartment that had a real bed?

 

[DonnaMae]

23 hours ago, Grizzly said:

Galicia. I could listen to realtor Nick all day! What an interesting part of Spain, a region I didn't know about. Wonder how much the renovation will be.

Me too.  He had a lovely British accent and remined me of Max von Sydow.  Nice man.

[chessiegal]

7 minutes ago, DonnaMae said:

Didn't the Bologna couple choose the $1,400 apartment that had a real bed?

 

Yes they did - $1400 a month, $100 over budget and in the center city. 

[copshop]

Bologna: They were nice but I can't stand it when young people complain about stairs, or a ten minute walk. I could not stay in any of those places for even three nights, though the one with the terrace looked the most livable to me (and looks like it could accommodate a counter top oven). I wonder how they fared for a year, or however long the school school was. 

Does anyone else's DVR cut off the end of HHI, it's so annoying, and I have conflicts that make extending each episode a pain.

If I was producer, we would all now know if her credentials are valid in Italy, but I don't care enough to google it.

[aghst]

Arezzo - Kind of uninspiring properties thought the views from the last one were great.

In fact, that is one part of Tuscany which seems more worth seeing than I would have thought.

[Dehumidifier]

Does this couple looking in Granada know that the Muslims were invaders in Spain? You'd never know it from the way the wife is talking.

[Sheikh Yerbouti]

From Botson to Granada, Spain. A cultural take we very rarely see on the HH franchise, and one I would love to see more. The storyline was a view of Alhambra for a Muslim family moving to explore the Islamic history of Moorish Spain. The third house had a perfect view but was $100 over budget. I’ve posted about my budget peeve before. No way an engineer and NP would not have a $100 leeway. Glad they focused on each tween having an own bedroom to justify the final choice.

[biakbiak]

12 hours ago, Dehumidifier said:

Does this couple looking in Granada know that the Muslims were invaders in Spain? You'd never know it from the way the wife is talking.

People celebrate contributions of invaders all the time from the Romans to Crusaders to colonizers. 

[aghst]

Montpelier, France - Choices were kind of drab but the one they chose was the only one that provided the space they needed.

Family deserves a gap year after what their young son went through.

But this part of France must have been uninspiring to Adrian for her not to do it?  She's done Nice in addition to Paris.  I thought she also did a Bordeaux episode as well?

They've have a few episodes in the Languedoc but Adrian didn't do those.

Besides Nice and Paris, you'd think they'd have some more in Provence.

[Grizzly]

Florence. The son requested his own room. I want to know who is he sharing with now?

[Dehumidifier]

32 minutes ago, Grizzly said:

Florence. The son requested his own room. I want to know who is he sharing with now?

I left the room for a bit and didn't hear that, but it sounds like maybe he has been sleeping in the parents' room since his accident? Maybe he's trying to say "you guys can relax now, I'm OK."

[buttersister]

So where was the kid’s school located? Outside the city in the direction of the stable home? Or in town with an hour commute a day? 

Tuscan countryside. Sigh.

[aghst]

The Lucca couple, they said surviving the tsunami in Asia made them want to travel more and work less?

Sounds like they were already traveling and they replaced work with biking and writing.

Great atmospheric town.  The residents do their passeigiata on the top of the walls.

Seems like ideal place to get away from the rat race, though with the airports nearby, they can go elsewhere.

 

The Cotswald episode was nice but as much as the wife went on about English charm, she caved to the husbands demand for more practicality and short commute.  Either that or she really played along with the script about English charm, which Richard has seen too often on this show.

 

Noosa couple the wife seemed to be the dominant one but in the end the husband got the more roomy place that he wanted.  Even though English is not their native language, she was good at being sardonic, mocking him about who would cook and clean in the big palace home, threatening to file divorce papers if he chose the too big and expensive place.

[NYGirl]

I LOVED the Florence episode, especially that I was there last summer.  Every time I see the Duomo my heart races.  It was just so beautiful.  In fact the whole city and countryside is beautiful.  

Anyway I would have jumped at the first apartment.  It was just so beautiful..and the outdoor space was to die for.

The husband was probably the boss in that marriage.  I can't believe he got his wish to live in the country.  Now they need to drive to the city for the kid to go to school every day.

[doublestandard]

FYI

Adrian Leeds Group
@parlerparis

APARTMENT NEEDED FOR HHI TAPING!

Between Monaco and Menton: Rental value to 1100€mth (no need to be a rental) 2bdrm Furnished w/wout balcony A great view

Taping takes about 4 hrs

Owner to sign releases

If you have access to such a property: info@adrianleeds.com  

Thanks!

 

[aghst]

That's a good sign, they are still filming or planning to film, to keep the pipeline of episodes going.

But France imposed measures recently to decrease coronavirus infections so maybe they're just trying to line up things.

Oh that's a wonderful part of the Riviera too.

[Grizzly]

1 hour ago, NYGirl said:

I LOVED the Florence episode, especially that I was there last summer.  Every time I see the Duomo my heart races.  It was just so beautiful.  In fact the whole city and countryside is beautiful.  

Anyway I would have jumped at the first apartment.  It was just so beautiful..and the outdoor space was to die for.

The husband was probably the boss in that marriage.  I can't believe he got his wish to live in the country.  Now they need to drive to the city for the kid to go to school every day.

I got the impression the husband was an introvert. Since he and the son were the ones who had traumatic accidents, mom was going to make them happy. They can always try the city center in a year after everyone is comfortable with Italy. With covid, they're probably grateful to have all that room. My pet peeve with this show is everyone acts like they can never move again.