House Hunters International - General Discussion

[doodlebug]

I agree with those who think there was more than meets the eye to the Chicago to Dakar story.  I expect that the move was only a very temporary one because, as a partner in an architectural firm, the father wasn't going to be able to live there long term unless he sold his interest or retired. Maybe that is the plan, but, if they need his income to survive, and I suspect they do; not likely to be the answer.  I also thought it was the case because the eldest son was getting his own room while the boy/girl twins would be sharing a bedroom.  That's fine for younger kids, but, in a year or two, a brother/sister sharing a bedroom is not going to work.  I wouldn't be surprised if it wasn't a 6 month stay or so, long enough for her to work on her educational project and then home again.  The fact that they were keeping their home in Chicago was also a giveaway.

The kid was annoying, it was obvious production was feeding him lines.  Stop.  Just stop.

[Pickles]

I agree with everyone about the Dakar move most likely being a brief one. I am thinking six months to a year max. They must have plenty of money to maintain their Chicago home and pay $3700 a month in Dakar. Was the wife in charge of setting up some kind of study abroad program? Would her employer have been fitting the bill? Maybe she is some big deal in higher education. I can't remember if they showed her name. If they did, I hope someone googled.

[Ohwell]

I agree with everyone about the Dakar episode.  I just wanted to add that I thought Lemine the real estate agent was a tall drink of water.

[MartyQui]

Googled the Dakar people...the program is only 9 weeks, so she was really temporary, which explains the husband’s staying behind.  She’s actually got a fascinating career, I’d kind of like to read her book.

[CrazyInAlabama]

Was the Dakar episode a HHI Family edition?  Please tell me it's not.      And that was just to get publicity for the program, and for no other reason.     

[mojito]

Odd man out, I guess. I didn't find myself questioning much in the Dakar episode. My guess is that the family will be there at least a couple years. At least these kids were actually going to live and socialize with local people. I wonder what kind of school the kids will attend? 

I liked Lemine, the real estate agent, and the boy. He was just a typical kid, I thought. His talking head was as informational as any and neither he nor his mother were obnoxious with their demands (oh c'mon, of course a kid'll want his own room, don't hate on him for that). 

"I don't have anything to do with it. I don't have money." The kid knew his place.

[Ohwell]

While the kid wasn't as annoying as some of the others I've seen, I did wonder if they were sneaking in a HHI Family episode.

Also, they kept showing shots of the obviously well-off American kids getting tennis lessons and taking what I think were beach yoga lessons, and that kinda got on my nerves, given the poverty rate in Senegal.

Edited November 18, 2018 by Ohwell

[LittleIggy]

10 hours ago, MartyQui said:

Googled the Dakar people...the program is only 9 weeks, so she was really temporary, which explains the husband’s staying behind.  She’s actually got a fascinating career, I’d kind of like to read her book.

Was the program associated with a university?

2 hours ago, Ohwell said:

While the kid wasn't as annoying as some of the others I've seen, I did wonder if they were sneaking in a HHI Family episode.

Also, they kept showing shots of the obviously well-off American kids getting tennis lessons and taking what I think were beach yoga lessons, and that kinda got on my nerves, given the poverty rate in Senegal.

 

That’s why I kept thinking “I bet you could hire someone cheap to be your housekeeper” when the mom talked about how hard it would be on her to keep the first house clean.

The kids were taking surfing/boogie board lessons, I believe.

Edited November 18, 2018 by LittleIggy

[tvrox]

One thing I did like about the Senegal episode was that the mom said "We can make 3 bedrooms work" making it clear that if guests do come visit the older son can move in the twins. This was different than most HHI episodes where they insist on a spare bedroom for use just on the rare occasions someone happens to visit!

[TVForever]

On 11/17/2018 at 12:32 AM, LittleIggy said:

(heard Ofeibea Quist-Arcton say “DaKARRR” in my mind every time it was mentioned) 

Bless her heart, she’s “ruined “ me forever, lol!

I hear her voice whenever I read or hear “Dakar” too!

8 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

The kids were taking surfing/boogie board lessons, I believe.

It looks like Malika Surf Camp. I follow them on Instagram and dream of surfing in Senegal someday.

[Pickles]

20 hours ago, MartyQui said:

Googled the Dakar people...the program is only 9 weeks, so she was really temporary, which explains the husband’s staying behind.  She’s actually got a fascinating career, I’d kind of like to read her book.

Thanks for the info. That makes sense with the husband staying behind. Maybe he'll make one trip over to visit. I can understand the wife taking the kids for a 9 week cultural experience. 

[Kohola3]

20 hours ago, MartyQui said:

Googled the Dakar people...the program is only 9 weeks, so she was really temporary, which explains the husband’s staying behind. 

Also explains not selecting a place that needs to have furniture purchased.  And why 3 bedrooms is no big deal.  You can make do with pretty much anything for a couple of months!

[Ohwell]

10 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

The kids were taking surfing/boogie board lessons, I believe.

Ah, ok thanks.

[ForReal]

I watched a couple with three kids moving to Guatemala. The husband was going to teach at the university; the wife came across as kind of unreasonable. She wanted four bedrooms, a big yard, in walking distance of the downtown, but still in budget, and she didn't seem to care about her husband's commute. All of her wishes made sense, but she didn't make a good impression, I thought.

[Patti Jean]

I watched the Guatemala as well.  I thought the wife was being rather unreasonable as well.  Poor guy just wanted his volcano views and a reasonable drive to work.

Did anyone else think the man's voice sounded a lot like Dr. Sheldon Cooper?

[javajeanelaine]

Bryce in the Dakar episode was SO annoying. 

[LittleIggy]

12 hours ago, Patti Jean said:

I watched the Guatemala as well.  I thought the wife was being rather unreasonable as well.  Poor guy just wanted his volcano views and a reasonable drive to work.

Did anyone else think the man's voice sounded a lot like Dr. Sheldon Cooper?

I heard on NPR this morning that one of those volcanoes was erupting and people were being evacuated.

[LittleIggy]

Three’s Company in Melbourne: What an odd setup. No doubt Miguel was footing most of the bills since the ladies didn’t seem to land very high paying jobs (barista!). The question is why.

[Kohola3]

7 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

The question is why.

The question indeed.  That whole thing was just bizarre.

[Patti Jean]

9 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

Three’s Company in Melbourne: What an odd setup. No doubt Miguel was footing most of the bills since the ladies didn’t seem to land very high paying jobs (barista!). The question is why.

The dog was the most mature and tolerable of the bunch.

[Ohwell]

Melbourne:  Yet another questionable episode, wondering what's up with the people.  I've stopped even paying attention to their "stories" and just watch the house/apartment porn. 

[mojito]

I thought to work in Australia, you had to be young and come over with some skills and/or degrees in something useful. Not getting how the women were able to make the move unless they were very wealthy. I wonder if Miguel's income comes from prize money? He's a little long in the tooth, it seems, for that to work out much longer. Strange episode.

[MartyQui]

I looked up Miguel, the tennis info says he's only 24 (!), and hasn't won any tournaments.  Family money?  Who knows.

[LittleIggy]

9 minutes ago, MartyQui said:

I looked up Miguel, the tennis info says he's only 24 (!), and hasn't won any tournaments.  Family money?  Who knows.

Depending on where he placed in a tournament, I assume Miguel would get some prize money.

[doodlebug]

1 hour ago, LittleIggy said:

Depending on where he placed in a tournament, I assume Miguel would get some prize money.

There are also not a lot of Latino tennis players.  It could be he has some sponsorships from businesses based in Central or South America that support him as he attends the tennis academy.

[wovenloaf]

4 hours ago, mojito said:

I thought to work in Australia, you had to be young and come over with some skills and/or degrees in something useful. Not getting how the women were able to make the move unless they were very wealthy. I wonder if Miguel's income comes from prize money? He's a little long in the tooth, it seems, for that to work out much longer. Strange episode.

They could have gotten a working holiday visa, which would let them have temporary jobs while they are there. 

[CrazyInAlabama]

Or as others suggested, maybe Miguel's family is financing the house, and living expenses, and the women were just along for the ride.     I just watch for the house porn too, U.S. and International, so reality isn't really attached to whatever story we're told anyway.      

[LittleIggy]

Bordeaux: Adrian! 😄 I liked the place they picked. I liked all three apartments, but I have to agree with the tall guy: WTF was up with that bed/bath (and Beyond!) room? That was bizarre! Doggies were cute. What was the attorney going to do? He didn’t look old enough to retire. I assume his hubby will continue being a flight attendant. 

[LittleIggy]

Bordeaux: I loved that table that revolved out into four, and I adored the butterfly print chairs.

[proserpina65]

On ‎11‎/‎01‎/‎2018 at 3:35 PM, Kohola3 said:

Personally, I'd love to live adjacent to a cemetary. No noisy neighbors, generally the grounds are well kept, lots of places for birds if they left the trees.  I find that so peaceful, no pun intended.

I get it logically, but I just have a hang up about cemeteries at night.  It's a zombie thing.  Crazy, I know.

 

On ‎11‎/‎02‎/‎2018 at 11:03 AM, HZAnita said:

I was just in Umea this summer and it is so charming and fabulous!  I am so jealous of that couple (+1)!  I love my sisters, but I can't imagine having any of them THAT close!  He is one understanding husband.   Unless they have some sort of "understanding".... :/

Sister wives!

[hula-la]

On 11/13/2018 at 9:08 PM, pep4 said:

Australia to Rome:  So fake, she was living the entire time with boyfriend Luka (on the 2nd floor.)

I haven't seen this episode yet, being in Canada, but I love your reference to Luka on the 2nd floor.

[LittleIggy]

Lake Como: Why were they buying a house there just to vacation there for two weeks a year? Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what the situation sounded like to me.

[CrazyInAlabama]

My guess is the condo in Como is an investment, and that the only time they'll ever be there is during the filming of HHI.     

[Tony]

The wife in the Lake Como episode is way too grating. She's probably the one at parties who's running around making everyone use a coaster.

Living with a Debbie Downer like that would give me cardiac problems too.

[sempervivum]

Lake Como- Boy, talk about opposites attract. She was such an annoying worry wart and he made everything into a joke, despite all the 'workaholic' talk. I didn't really understand how 2 bedrooms were going to work, given that their son and daughter were too old to share, IMO. I also never understand how taking a relatively short vacation that involves basically 2 days of traveling (to/from) is in any way 'relaxing'.

[Irlandesa]

12 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

Lake Como: Why were they buying a house there just to vacation there for two weeks a year? Maybe I’m wrong, but that’s what the situation sounded like to me.

 

2 hours ago, CrazyInAlabama said:

My guess is the condo in Como is an investment, and that the only time they'll ever be there is during the filming of HHI.     

Yes.  I'm not sure how it works when purchasing international properties but there are different types of real estate loans.  One is a mortgage for a primary property and the other is for investment properties.  But there are rules associated with investment property loans and one of those rules is that you can't reside there for more than two weeks a year.

[SmithW6079]

I want to start smacking every moronic American who spouts, "But I'm really looking for that [name of country] charm." 

Thoughts on recent episodes:

The family moving to Germany, who had the choice to live in one of three countries within commuting distance. The dad was a little odd, but I really liked that the family was pleasant, and that he was actually teaching them when they went sightseeing.

What was with Miguel? He was a douche with a capital bag (h/t "American Dad"). Maybe he's sleeping with both of the ladies, and he has an enormous ... personality, which is why they put up with his douchiness. 

The two gay guys moving to France were OK, although the taller one got to be annoying. And what was with that full-sleeve tribal tattoo he was sporting? It just smacked of "I'm getting older and refuse to admit it, so look, I got cool tribal tats to show how young I still am." I liked the second apartment the best. Wasn't that the one with two flights of stairs? Quelle horreur!

The Lake Como family was odd.  He kept going on and on about getting to Milan for work, but this was going to be a vacation home?

Just saw two tonight: one was the neurobiologist (or whatever she was), studying in Leiden. I think, by the age of 30, that you need to stop acting like you're a 20-year-old just starting out. She made some odd choices in hair and make-up, and while it was nice to see her with "friends" at the end, I'm not so sure how I'd feel about being labeled a "weirdo," as she did to them. I thought the apartment in The Hague was the nicest. I could see not wanting a commute, but it wasn't like the second place, out in the suburbs somewhere.

The other was a family moving to Italy. The wife was -- of course -- kind of obnoxious, at least at first. She softened a little by the end. I thought the third house was the nicest, especially the views, but if I recall, that was the farthest from his job, and I thought people working on military bases had to be within a certain distance.

[LittleIggy]

Leiden: It bugged me when she called the place in a more suburban area of Leiden “industrial.” It wasn’t industrial. It was residential. And talking about a “big girl apartment” sounded so stupid. I liked the place in The Hague the best, too.

Maya Riviera: They both annoyed me. She was so negative, and he sounded stupid for wanting to be “where the action is.”

[doodlebug]

Just watched the Leiden episode:  Good God, you're 30 years old with a PhD, girl!  Talking about being a 'big girl' and 'adulting' is about a decade too late.  I suspect she was rather sheltered in her life prior to moving, living in a small town with the whole family surrounding her and it's stunted her emotional maturation.  The fact that she selected an apartment in a neighborhood filled with college students kind of cemented for me that she needs to grow up.  Somehow, I don't think the 20 year old neighbors are all that interested in making friends with a sheltered 30 year old.

On a shallow note, maybe moving to The Netherlands will spur her to work on her looks.  She is not a particularly pretty girl and the long stringy hair and bright red lipstick are not helping at all.  She needs to tone it down, maybe one of the 20 year old college students in her building will help her with a makeover.

That third apartment in The Hague was amazing!  The fact she passed it by in order to live in an apartment with a dorm fridge and no stove or microwave just indicates how immature she is.

Edited November 23, 2018 by doodlebug

[ML89]

On 11/20/2018 at 11:58 PM, LittleIggy said:

Bordeaux: Adrian! 😄 I liked the place they picked. I liked all three apartments, but I have to agree with the tall guy: WTF was up with that bed/bath (and Beyond!) room? That was bizarre! Doggies were cute. What was the attorney going to do? He didn’t look old enough to retire. I assume his hubby will continue being a flight attendant. 

I liked it too and I was with the tall guy on the first one. They had a Urban Oasis house for HGTV with that kind of set up (ironically, in South Florida) and I know I would just lie in bed looking at the water stained shower walls...  I'm thinking the attorney had made his money in med mal or something else with big payoffs (I had an old colleague who basically retired off a big win). I was against the second place the moment I saw you had to hike upstairs to the bathroom from the kitchen/living. I had a townhouse like that and it got to be misery.

Also, yay, Adrian! 

[Tony]

The Bordeaux one was just weird. I wasn't sure if I was watching HH or a sitcom. Both guys were trying way too hard to be witty like they were auditioning for their own show. And Adrian was just being Adrian.

Anyone else immediately lose interest as soon as it's revealed that the hunters are searching for a rental instead of buying?

[chessiegal]

Quote

Anyone else immediately lose interest as soon as it's revealed that the hunters are searching for a rental instead of buying?

Almost all of HHI episodes are rentals. Rare to find someone buying. Ratings must be good enough to keep it on the air.

[LittleIggy]

Thailand: Can’t believe they picked the place with the “dorm kitchen.” What did the husband do for a living?

[Irlandesa]

8 hours ago, Tony said:

Anyone else immediately lose interest as soon as it's revealed that the hunters are searching for a rental instead of buying?

I'm here for the tourist shots of the locales and the international house porn.  For that reason, it has never mattered to me that the house/apartment/abode is already selected when they film.  And I don't care if the people are there for a few months or forever.

Besides, buying internationally is a different ball of wax than buying in the US.  Heck, it's a different ball of wax buying in a smaller town vs. buying a house in the city.

[LennieBriscoe]

Lake Como: And here I thought the husband was the annoying one! Not to mention the son who piped up with, "Shouldn't we pick a place where Dad can relax?" Even if "relax" means "having an easy commute to Milan."

Leiden: She's crazy! But I gather she wanted Instant Companionship, so noise and lack of amenities took a back seat. 

I will say,  though,  that HGTV does a pretty good job at travel scenery!

Edited November 24, 2018 by LennieBriscoe

[ForReal]

9 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

Thailand: Can’t believe they picked the place with the “dorm kitchen.” What did the husband do for a living?

I wasn't clear on whether they were married, but I kinda hope not because they didn't seem too compatible. I don't recall what he did, but he was the only one working, apparently from home, so his need for quiet seemed reasonable. She wanted to be in Thailand with him to experience his home country, but she wanted to have a kitchen and access to restaurants and cafes to continue her chef studies? Sounded reasonable, but considering homes in Thailand don't have ovens (?), it didn't sound like it was going to work well for her to practice being a chef in any home they chose. If she couldn't deal with that, perhaps she shouldn't be there. Individually, they were both nice, but as a couple, they seemed doomed. They were rather cavalier about each other's needs and wishes, but maybe that was just the editing.

[SmithW6079]

18 hours ago, Tony said:

Anyone else immediately lose interest as soon as it's revealed that the hunters are searching for a rental instead of buying?

 

17 hours ago, chessiegal said:

Almost all of HHI episodes are rentals. Rare to find someone buying. Ratings must be good enough to keep it on the air.

 

9 hours ago, Irlandesa said:

I'm here for the tourist shots of the locales and the international house porn.  For that reason, it has never mattered to me that the house/apartment/abode is already selected when they film.  And I don't care if the people are there for a few months or forever.

Besides, buying internationally is a different ball of wax than buying in the US.  Heck, it's a different ball of wax buying in a smaller town vs. buying a house in the city.

I don't really care that HHIers are renting vs. buying, since we've all figured out that most of these moves aren't really long-term relocations. Like @Irlandesa, I'm here to look at different apartments in different parts of the world and do some TV sightseeing.

10 hours ago, LittleIggy said:

Thailand: Can’t believe they picked the place with the “dorm kitchen.” What did the husband do for a living?

 

56 minutes ago, ForReal said:

I wasn't clear on whether they were married, but I kinda hope not because they didn't seem too compatible. I don't recall what he did, but he was the only one working, apparently from home, so his need for quiet seemed reasonable. She wanted to be in Thailand with him to experience his home country, but she wanted to have a kitchen and access to restaurants and cafes to continue her chef studies? Sounded reasonable, but considering homes in Thailand don't have ovens (?), it didn't sound like it was going to work well for her to practice being a chef in any home they chose. If she couldn't deal with that, perhaps she shouldn't be there. Individually, they were both nice, but as a couple, they seemed doomed. They were rather cavalier about each other's needs and wishes, but maybe that was just the editing.

I believe he said he was a graphic designer, and she was going to culinary school or just wanted to learn "authentic" Thai cooking. If it's authentic Thai cuisine she's after, and most homes in Thailand don't have ovens, why would the lack of one be so distressing?

For someone who said he had once been a monk, he was kind of a douchebag (especially at the end, when he was posing in the mirror). I didn't quite understand the "oh no, where will I put an office" because at least two of the places were two-bedroom apartments. You put your desk in the second bedroom.

That was a truly awful "kitchen" in the apartment they chose -- a microwave oven and a dorm-sized fridge. I don't cook & I would find it frustrating. She made a big deal that "he bought me a burner," but she poo-pooed that first apartment with its one burner.  The third place was the nicest one, I think, although he was a dick about the plane noise -- it certainly wasn't as bad as the first house, which was directly in the flight path of the airport.

I agree they were probably doomed. If I remember correctly, she (at least) viewed the move to Thailand as a way to rekindle their relationship, free from the stress of Calgary. Honey, you're not even married to him, and now you're in a country where you don't know anyone, don't know the language, and stuck with someone who doesn't consider your needs. Time to dump him, go back home, and start over.

[LittleIggy]

Thailand: I don’t think he had been a full-fledged monk. I think he meant he studied at the temple because his mother sent them there when he was a child.

I didn’t understand the whining about “where to put my office” either. That is what an extra bedroom is for.

[mojito]

Quote

Thailand: I don’t think he had been a full-fledged monk. I think he meant he studied at the temple because his mother sent them there when he was a child.

Yeah, if I remember correctly, he said he was nine. I thought he was treating it as a joke, his short period of being a monk at that age.

[chessiegal]

I remember watching a travel show where they said all young men were required to spend some amount of time at as monastery as part of their upbringing. Can't remember where exactly but it was an Asian country.