House Hunters International - General Discussion

[TVForever]

The Amsterdam one - is that wife really going to bike ride 30 minutes to work each way every day in all kinds of weather?

      

         And I think she's taking the girls to school too. Should be interesting.

 

         For those who know: I know that Amsterdam is the land of bicycles, but is public transportation widely available, and if so, is it widely used? Or does everyone really get about by bike?

Edited February 12, 2016 by TVForever

[IrishImport]

Re: bicycles in Amsterdam. I have been there and yes, they do ride bicycles to get around their daily lives, in the city center and elsewhere. Beware when walking because bicycles have the right of way and they ride fast! There is plenty of mass transportation too though with city center buses, trams and trains. The main train station downtown is quite a sight because it has a huge bicycle garage next to it with thousands of commuter bicycles!

[proserpina65]

For those who know: I know that Amsterdam is the land of bicycles, but is public transportation widely available, and if so, is it widely used? Or does everyone really get about by bike?

 

The public transportation in Amsterdam is stellar, and most likely is how the wife is going to get the girls to school and herself to work in bad weather.  I think I heard the realtor say something about there being plenty of it near that last place.

 

I liked that second apartment, and the bathroom in particular, but even I have to admit that having to go upstairs and then downstairs to get from the bedroom to the bathroom in the middle of the night would be a dealbreaker.

Edited February 12, 2016 by proserpina65

[Babalooie]

As usual, the apartment with the fewest boxes ticked was the one chosen.

[proserpina65]

As usual, the apartment with the fewest boxes ticked was the one chosen.

It was way under budget though.  Guess that was the most important box. ;-)

 

Knowing how artificial this show really is, I wish they'd use more realistic alternatives.  Like there'd only be one or two differences in which place ticked which boxes.  Oh well, I'm just here for the foreign country porn anyway.

[IrishImport]

All right, Dublin couple last night... What was with the "huge yard" in second house??? It was a dirty little cement back stoop. Even a "patio" would be an enormous stretch. Yes it's city living but calling that a huge yard? Several times?!? No.

[KLovestoShop]

Maybe I'm weird, but I don't get the obsession with having a bathtub, especially in areas where tubs aren't the thing to have.  Last night, the couple who were moving to Mexico so he could photograph weddings, the wife was just whacked out on a bathtub.  I realize that they have a small child, but with this woman, it was nothing but, " I need my tub.  There's no tub.  I must have a tub".  The child will grow up and he won't need a tub in a few years.

[Spunkygal]

I hope that "huge yard" has good drainage when it rains. It looked grungy to me. But I knew the wife would get her way and the hubby would have his 20 minute walk to the bus.

When are they going to bring back our favorite realtor, Richard Blanco, in London! They should give him his own series.

[SmithW6079]

Are you kidding me, Dublin couple? A 20-minute walk for "Irish charm" and then a 40-minute bus ride? Tell me how you like that charm when it's cold and rainy and miserable. That job of his must be in an industrial park outside of town.

The city center apartment might not have had "charm," but it was right in the middle of everything; there's your "charm." The wife got a job right away, so that it was over budget wouldn't make it that big a deal. (And I always wonder what these ex-pats mean by "charm." Do they think the residents of these countries live according to some kind of Hollywood stereotype?)

I agree with the poster above about the "huge" backyard. The balcony in the first place was bigger than the "huge" backyard.

Oh, God, the Mexico couple. Could they have been any more obnoxious and annoying? Shut the fuck up about the bathtub.

Edited February 18, 2016 by SmithW6079

[magemaud]

Apparently, Mexican couple's little "Easton" (said a hundred times) will be scarred for life if he's not bathed in a tub!

Edited February 18, 2016 by magemaud

[izabella]

OMG, get a cheap plastic wading pool and stick in the floor of the shower.  Use the handheld nozzle to fill and rinse.  He won't be little forever.  Why are these people so unimaginative?

Edited February 18, 2016 by izabella

[proserpina65]

I don't usually bother with episodes where the house hunters want a second/vacation home, but I watched the Marrakech episode last night because d'uh, Marrakech.  I would've chosen the last house which was only a little over budget in a country where bargaining is a big part of the culture since I really liked that one a lot (I actually liked the kitchen), but I understand why they went with the fixer.  The wife was obviously very confident in her reno abilities, having done it in England multiple times, and of course they didn't have a fixed time frame for moving so the renovation taking almost a year wasn't a problem.  And it did look quite nice when they were done.

 

And now I want to get on a plane to Marrakech asap.

[proserpina65]

Oh, God, the Mexico couple. Could they have been any more obnoxious and annoying? Shut the fuck up about the bathtub.

 

That, and going on about how the 2 bedroom place wouldn't be big enough for Easton and an office.  OMG, you don't have to live there for fucking ever!  Choose the cheapest place in the short term until you know your freelance photography business will actually support your family.  Yeah, I know, they'd probably already been living in Mexico for months, if not years, by then.  So stop making it a thing, stupid show.  (And yet, I still love this show because it shows me places I'm never likely to actually get to.)

Edited February 18, 2016 by proserpina65

[AlleC17]

I was pretty floored when the Dublin couple chose that place with a 20 minute walk followed by a 40 minute bus ride.  I loved the apartment, but that commute would have been a deal breaker for me.  And yeah...the 'huge yard' was a wee bit of an overstatement.  lol  But they can put out a grill and entertain!  Maybe I am a people hating recluse, but I don't entertain on the scale of any of these HH.

 

The Mexico couple made me laugh over the obsession with the tub.  It is pretty easy to do a makeshift tub as explained a few posts above.  Sheesh, get a grip.  Just think of all those Mexican children raised with *gasp* NO tubs!!!  Horrors!

 

I was pretty enthralled by the Marrakech episode.  All of those places were beautiful!  I never would have gone for the reno one, but that is only because I loathe renovations, but it turned out really lovely.  My favorite one was the one with the pool, but really, any of them would do.

[Homily]

:small voice:  No tub would be a deal breaker for me if there was anyway I could find a place that had one.  I've lived without tubs and while I won't say it was hell, it wasn't a lot of fun either.  If I'm already compromising on other things I can see digging in my heels about a bathtub!

[CherryAmes]

My husband used to laugh at me when I'd get annoyed if we stayed in a hotel or B&B and they only had a shower - until we were house hunting in England and were shown a few places that didn't have a shower.  Suddenly it wasn't so funny.  Apparently it was ok for me to take a shower when I'd rather have a bath but the world as we know it had come to an end at the mere thought of him not being able to take a morning shower!  The poor thing :).

[izabella]

I was pretty enthralled by the Marrakech episode.  All of those places were beautiful!  I never would have gone for the reno one, but that is only because I loathe renovations, but it turned out really lovely.  My favorite one was the one with the pool, but really, any of them would do.

 

Those riyadh's are pretty amazing.  I alwasy wonder about bugs, mosquitoes, and birds, though.  So many of the rooms are open to the courtyard or have a window with the decorative metal grates - that would not keep anything out, including bird poop.

 

Are there no flies, no mosquitoes, no bugs and no birds in Morocco?  I know it's desert, but even Death Valley has natural life.

[NYGirl]

Faroe Island girl looks out window in apt #1 and exclaims "what a beautiful view". It was a rock. I was like WTF.

I would think view is not that important in an area that doesn't have many options.

All of a sudden her mother mentions an available apt?

I can't believe they took that expensive apt but I guess it was their best bet.

[AlleC17]

:small voice:  No tub would be a deal breaker for me if there was anyway I could find a place that had one.  I've lived without tubs and while I won't say it was hell, it wasn't a lot of fun either.  If I'm already compromising on other things I can see digging in my heels about a bathtub!

 

No need for a small voice  :-)  It's the reason that the HH use...they couldn't possibly bathe a child with no tub...that merits scorn.  lol  I love a nice, long soak too, and since I have no tub presently, plan on including one when I redo my master in the (hopefully) near future.  

[Vivigirl10]

I'll admit I don't know anything about the Faroe Islands so I must ask....what would a young couple have to DO there?  Yes, the landscape was beautiful and the little homes were quaint.  But they're coming from Grand Rapids, a city with a lot going on....restaurants, cultural events, nightlife.  Frankly, I thought the guy had a bit of "what have I gotten myself into" look about him!

[laredhead]

I had the impression that the move to the Faroe Islands was temporary and not a life long thing.  i was intrigued by the comment about the undersea tunnels that connect the islands.  Yes, the sudden memory jog of the mother about the apartment was a little theatrical, but at least we got to see some of the countryside while they were waiting for that "surprise".  Now I'm off to do some reading about the Faroe Islands.  HHI can be educational.

[Kohola3]

My only comment about bathtubs is one offered by a friend:  sitting in butt water.  No thanks, give me a shower any day.

[stillhere1900]

My only comment about bathtubs is one offered by a friend:  sitting in butt water.  No thanks, give me a shower any day.

 

My only comment about bathtubs is one offered by a friend:  sitting in butt water.  No thanks, give me a shower any day.

 

100% agree.

[SmithW6079]

I had the impression that the move to the Faroe Islands was temporary and not a life long thing. i was intrigued by the comment about the undersea tunnels that connect the islands. Yes, the sudden memory jog of the mother about the apartment was a little theatrical, but at least we got to see some of the countryside while they were waiting for that "surprise". Now I'm off to do some reading about the Faroe Islands. HHI can be educational.

I just came here from doing some reading about the Faroes because of this episode. :-) I totally want to visit, and since it's not too far from Iceland, I could add it to my itinerary. I found it intriguing that there are no trees, and that temperatures in winter and summer vary only about 10 degrees.

I liked the couple. They weren't spoiled and demanding; in fact, they were grateful for the apartment (they reminded me of the Czech or Slovak couple from HHI several years ago who were so happy to have their own place, even if it was small).

From what I read on Wikipedia, most of the Faroese economy is still based in the fishing industry. The guy said he was starting work in a hotel; I figure he was going to be a desk clerk or something. There must be some kind of tourist industry too.

Plus, puffins. https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/a/a1/Dreierprofil.jpg

Edited February 20, 2016 by SmithW6079

[AnnaMayWong]

I have viewed the House Hunters programs for a few years(...more recently, Property Brothers,...) and, until my recent foray into this forum, I did not realize the wide-ish range and high-ish level of their mendaciousness.

⤴Thus, my following query[ies] ⤵.

What exactly is the structure of The Show ?

The characters have already purchased homes and have  been living 'there' awhile AND it's ALL  reenactments of decisions from 'back when' ?

Or

The 'buyers' have no connections to the presented homes whatsoever and are fabricating The (entire) Wild Hunt ?

[IrishImport]

Your first guess is closest, BookElitist!

[chessiegal]

One way to get info on how these shows are done is to go to the show's web site or the production company's web site and see what the requirements are to be on the show.

[Peanutbuttercup]

I think the Faroe Islands is mostly known for TRIGGER WARNING FOR EXTREME ANIMAL CRUELTY

its whale slaughters: think the movie The Cove, but worse, and with whales instead of dolphins. They drive huge pods of whales onto the beach and basically hack them to death. The entire bay turns red with blood. I think a lot of people boycott them as a tourist destination on this basis.

Edited February 25, 2016 by Peanutbuttercup

[RococoChanel]

Holy shit the Eindhoven couple.

 

There was something off about them. It seemed like they were reciting lines the entire episode. I realize that HHI is not really the most realistic of shows, but come on. They sounded like wooden actors. It was jarring. I had to shut it off after they showed the first home I was cringing so hard.

 

And the wife was so mean to her husband. The whole "it wasn't love at first sight for me" *giggle giggle* in the beginning was soooo rude. Admittedly the dude wasn't handsome but that's your husband! Be nice to him.

[biakbiak]

The voices didn't bother me or their line readings it was the repetition of calling their dogs "the boys" and their cats "the girls," annoyed the shit out of me!

[RococoChanel]

That annoyed me too and I'm a pet owner (and my kitties are my babieeeeeees lol). I kept thinking they actually had kids! Just... a weird couple. I've also never heard someone say "doag" for "dog," even with a southern accent.

[NYGirl]

OMG how annoying they were. They actually bought a house for their dogs and cats and not themselves. They got a 3 bedroom so the "boys" could have one room and the "girls" another.

[crazycatlady58]

I think the Faroe Islands is mostly known for its whale slaughters: think the movie The Cove, but worse, and with whales instead of dolphins. They drive huge pods of whales onto the beach and basically hack them to death. The entire bay turns red with blood. I think a lot of people boycott them as a tourist destination on this basis.

I am so glad I read this in the morning, not at night, hopefully I will forget this before I go to bed so I will be able to sleep.

[KLovestoShop]

The Eindhoven couple bugged the crap out of me.  I understand loving your pets, but when anyone makes them more human than pets, I just have to wonder.  And what was with eating french fries and ice cream?  I've never heard of that before, and the thought of that just turned my stomach.  

[Peanutbuttercup]

I am so glad I read this in the morning, not at night, hopefully I will forget this before I go to bed so I will be able to sleep.

Ack, I am sorry, I should have done that better. I've gone back and fixed it with spoiler tags and trigger warning for anyone coming later :(

It makes me very sad and distressed too.

 

eta: switching gears to the Eindhoven couple, was he laying out strips of turf directly on top of gravel? And thinking that was going to turn into a lawn? I am not a lawn & garden expert, but I don't think it works that way?

Edited February 25, 2016 by Peanutbuttercup

[SmithW6079]

Mrs. Eindhoven supposedly lived in The Netherlands for a year, not working, and never thought to learn how to ride a bike in her spare time?

I had dogs that I used to refer to as "the boys" but not the way this couple did. It was nauseating. I also never looked for housing to accommodate them, other than making sure the place accepted pets and my preference for a ground-floor apartment.

The husband had a weird accent, almost as if he had an appliance in his mouth or something.

The Sydney couple was annoying. I've had commutes of 60-90 minutes, and it infuriates me when a spouse or partner has no comprehension of how exhausting they can be.

The apartment they chose had such a weird layout. The "bedroom" looked like it was just an alcove -- the bed was halfway into the hallway -- and it seemed like you had a twisted navigation to get through the apartment. At least they were in the heart of town.

[laredhead]

i wonder how long the Sydney couple plans to be in Australia because at one point he said they had put their belongings in storage in the U.S, and then later he commented that they had a large bed that was being shipped over.  Can't you buy a big bed in Australia?  Why pay shipping, unless the company he works for is footing the bill.  The apartment they chose did have a weird floor plan and since they don't let their dog into the kitchen or the bedroom according to the husband, the poor dog is basically living in one small room, except for walks to the park.  I liked the other two apartments a lot more, but the one they chose was the best for his commute time, and as it turned out for hers as well since they ended up in the same building.      

[laredhead]

Just got around to watching the Eindhoven episode and agree with all previous comments.  Seriously, how long does it take for an adult to learn to ride a bike?  The wife had mostly negative comments about everything, including the food, but I knew they would take the last house because that was what she wanted.  After their comments about the bed in the master bedroom looking like it was in a cave, they had not changed it in the reveal sequence.  I was lusting after the range in the kitchen of the first house.  

[OSM Mom]

My only comment about bathtubs is one offered by a friend: sitting in butt water. No thanks, give me a shower any day.

Thank you. OSM Dad and I bought a new house two years ago. It's got a huge garden tub in the master. Which has never been used and probably never will. But it's pretty.

[TVForever]

Thank you. OSM Dad and I bought a new house two years ago. It's got a huge garden tub in the master. Which has never been used and probably never will. But it's pretty.

 

        Makes a great mini-pool for the kids, though,lol!

[Homily]

My only comment about bathtubs is one offered by a friend: sitting in butt water. No thanks, give me a shower any day.

 

I guess your friend finds humour in insulting  others? Whatever.

Edited February 26, 2016 by Homily

[jcbrown]

Good grief the mutual pity party and lack of affect in the British couple looking in Italy last night. I didn't really get why either of them wanted to be with each other. When she commented that he had gotten to do whatever he wanted for his entire life I thought she should put some of their house hunting money to therapy. Not sure why they rubbed me so much the wrong way but they were just such sad sacks.

[OSM Mom]

Makes a great mini-pool for the kids, though,lol!

Hey! Now that's a great idea! Seriously. I never thought of that.

Makes a great mini-pool for the kids, though,lol!

Hey! Now that's a great idea! Seriously. I never thought of that.

[RococoChanel]

Whoever called the British couple in Italy sad sacks was right. LOL

 

You're in southern Italy! Smile! Go to a beach! Eat some lemons! LIVE!

[Dewey Decimate]

Funny, I thought the British-to-Italy couple was sort of odd, but not especially negative. They seemed to have something nice to say about each place, especially the views. More than once they looked out and said "what a wonderful view!" when I damn well know that too many of our typical American HHers would have only bitched about the rooftops with what looked like HVAC equipment on top. I did worry for them on the motorcycle, though. Don't know if it was the tightness of the leather pants or arthritis setting in, but damn, she was having some trouble getting on.

 

As for the bath-shower debate, I split the difference. Don't take a bath often (seems like so much wasted water!), but when I do, first I rinse off the important bits with the shower, then pull the stopper as I wash hair, condition, and so on. (Sorry, tmi!) Add a little more hot water and it's good to go. For that reason, while I appreciate the aesthetics, I have absolutely no interest in the separate shower and tubs seen in most newer builds. Old school for me!

[AnnaRose]

As for the bath-shower debate, I split the difference. Don't take a bath often (seems like so much wasted water!), but when I do, first I rinse off the important bits with the shower, then pull the stopper as I wash hair, condition, and so on. (Sorry, tmi!) Add a little more hot water and it's good to go. For that reason, while I appreciate the aesthetics, I have absolutely no interest in the separate shower and tubs seen in most newer builds. Old school for me!

 

I prefer the old school shower/tub combo also.  I turn off the water, soap and rinse, and then take a bath.  Nice clean water.  No butt-water for me!   And easier to clean just a tub rather than a tub plus a huge separate shower.

 

I also don't get the dual sink nonsense either.  I would much rather have the extra counter space and one less sink to clean.

[TwirlyGirly]

For those of you who are cat owners but who won't take baths because of "butt water":

 

[stillhere1900]

Thank you. OSM Dad and I bought a new house two years ago. It's got a huge garden tub in the master. Which has never been used and probably never will. But it's pretty.

 

Dh and i bought a house with a huge oval tub, 11 yrs later, and it has never been used When we were first looking at the house, my first thought was 'damn! how much water would it take to fill that tub ?

[Kohola3]

For those of you who are cat owners but who won't take baths because of "butt water":

 

Yet another reason why would never own a cat!

[CherryAmes]

For those who worry about "butt water" I hope you never use hot tubs, saunas or swimming pools.  Especially public swimming pools!  Lot of stuff goes into that water that you really don't want to think about if you're squeamish about your own or your families body bits!

 

On topic - I tried to watch an episode the other way with a couple relocating to Senegal.  At first I assumed they were Mormon missionaries but then they showed them drinking booze so figured nope, that's not why they were there.  Turns out he works for the World Bank or some such and had a reason for being there -- which is more than you can say for most of the participants of HHI who end up in less than nice locations!  I found the episode unwatchable though because they still seemed, even going in there with their eyes wide open, to have such unrealistic expectations of what they wanted and a smaller budget than made sense given he was over their for his job.  I found it way to fake and producer driven.

Edited February 29, 2016 by CherryAmes