airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3065 posts, RR: 2 Reply 1, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1266 times:
I too am a huge fan of House Hunters International, but not regular House Hunters.
Favorite destinations are any of the European ones. I liked one they did out in the Azores, and one in particular in Amsterdam. There was one in Dubai, too, that I liked.
ScarletHarlot From Canada, joined Jul 2003, 4673 posts, RR: 59 Reply 2, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1264 times:
Love this show. Love love love love. It's always fascinating. The Caribbean ones are usually the least interesting to me. Europe (particularly Portugal) and Asia are the best.
airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3065 posts, RR: 2 Reply 3, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 5 hours ago) and read 1253 times:
Quoting ScarletHarlot (Reply 2): The Caribbean ones are usually the least interesting to me. Europe (particularly Portugal) and Asia are the best.
Agreed with the Caribbean ones. Too many episodes on those locations to care anymore. We get it...there are nice beaches!
AKLDELNonstop From New Zealand, joined Apr 2006, 305 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (1 year 4 weeks 1 day 4 hours ago) and read 1235 times:
I actually really like this show too - both House Hunters and House Hunters International. Great way to see different cities across the world and of course the real estate market in those cities.
luckyone From United States of America, joined Aug 2008, 1585 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (1 year 4 weeks 23 hours ago) and read 1152 times:
I used to enjoy this show until I learned that the entire thing is staged and then was usually able to figure out which house they were going to buy because more often than not only one house would be empty!
For example, I know for a fact that the episode about Dominica was filmed in a house that the couple had been living in for almost three years by the time the episode was filmed. They actually had built the house themselves.
flyerboy1990 From United States of America, joined Jul 2010, 168 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (1 year 4 weeks 22 hours ago) and read 1135 times:
I LOVE House Hunters Int'l! My family would sit down together and watch a lot of the HGTV shows.
As others have said, the Caribbean ones are so repetitive and boring now. I prefer the European ones. And the few Middle East (Isreal, Dubai) episodes were a nice surprise. I also love the African ones (Botswana?, Egypt, SA). I would like to see more.
But there is this newer show that I just saw a few weeks ago where it shows American families living abroad. The episode I saw was about Tokyo and how CRAZY expensive it is (from housing to fruit!). I think the show's concept is great!
stasisLAX From United States of America, joined Jul 2007, 3266 posts, RR: 6 Reply 11, posted (1 year 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1113 times:
I love the House Hunter shows where the Americans are moving to Europe or Asia, and the Americans bitch and moan that there aren't 3 full bathrooms in the houses presented and that the kitchens don't have new cherry wood cabinets or stainless steel restaurant-grade appliances. One American couple moving to Budapest from NYC was the ABSOLUTE worst - you could tell that the wife was a complete sociopathic bully and that the poor husband was utterly scared to death of making her unhappy in the house hunt.
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety!" B.Franklin
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2657 posts, RR: 12 Reply 12, posted (1 year 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1109 times:
Quoting airportugal310 (Reply 9): Where did you learn this? I'd like to read more...
Quoting luckyone (Reply 6):
I used to enjoy this show until I learned that the entire thing is staged and then was usually able to figure out which house they were going to buy because more often than not only one house would be empty!
I'm completely bummed to find this out. The Mrs. and I watch this show a lot.
"I contacted HGTV's media relations department and asked for a comment. Here's part of the response I got back:
As you know, the pursuit of the perfect home involves big decisions that usually take place over a period of time -- more time than we can capture in 30 minutes of television. ... We're making a television show, so we manage certain production and time constraints, while honoring the homebuying process. To maximize production time, we seek out families who are pretty far along in the process."
I was going to mention this, but glad someone else beat me to it...the ignorance of some (mostly American) people is just astounding! You are moving to somewhere ELSE, which is not going to be like the place you just came from. GTF over it please...and thanks!
We are somewhat spoiled in the US, yes I get that, but don't carry that over onto a show and make the rest of us look bad. My parents own plenty of property in Portugal, and I by no means expect the same over there as I do here. Anyone who does any research prior to moving would know this...
flymia From United States of America, joined Jun 2001, 6297 posts, RR: 6 Reply 14, posted (1 year 4 weeks 21 hours ago) and read 1100 times:
The three brands of it are entertaining. I enjoy seeing the different homes in different areas especially the prices. Its a decent show but I also fall asleep to it often
"It was just four of us on the flight deck, trying to do our job" (Captain Al Haynes)
SmithAir747 From Canada, joined Jan 2004, 1599 posts, RR: 33 Reply 15, posted (1 year 4 weeks 20 hours ago) and read 1088 times:
I absolutely love House Hunters International--especially the ones filmed in the UK, Europe, and Australia/New Zealand.
I lived in London for 3 years (2004-2007), and really, really miss it. So I am quite chuffed when a London or UK episode comes on, and I get to see the housing market there. I plan to move back to London, some day. I would love to have a nice studio or one-bedroom flat there (I am a bachelor, and will remain so for the foreseeable future, so that is all the room I need) in either a townhouse row or a tower block, in the centre of London.
I would not mind having a flat in the new "Shard" tower at London Bridge--just across the street from my alma mater, King's College London (Guy's Hospital campus)!
All the other European episodes are equally attractive to me--ever since I first travelled to Europe in 1994, I have been bitten hard by the Europhile bug. HHI is a great way to see the European housing markets.
I also love the ones filmed in New Zealand and Australia.
So far, I have not seen one filmed in Calgary, AB, where I will be moving at the end of this year for my postdoctoral fellowship. I would love to see the housing market in Calgary, so I know what to expect (once again, I'm interested in a studio/1BR flat in a downtown tower block, close to transit and everything; I don't need a suburban house).
Like everyone else, I immediately ignore any episodes filmed in the Caribbean or other beachy destinations. I have no interest in tropical or beachy destinations; I want to be in a beautiful old European city.
As for the domestic USA brand of House Hunters, most of the episodes I have seen feature generic suburban houses or McMansions or things like that. However, I have seen some gems--like mid-20th century houses, or old houses, or urban flats. As long as it has character in it or history or style, I like it. But the cookie-cutter tract houses and McMansions induce a yawn.
SmithAir747
I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made... (Psalm 139:14)
EA CO AS From United States of America, joined Nov 2001, 12559 posts, RR: 64 Reply 16, posted (1 year 4 weeks 19 hours ago) and read 1083 times:
I got addicted to HGTV while laid up with a broken knee in November 2010, particularly House Hunters and House Hunters International. I actually prefer the domestic version to International (I primarily watch for decorating ideas, storage solutions, etc.) but LOVE LOVE LOVE the Caribbean ones. Yes, they're repetitive but it's always nice to have that dream of "Here's what my money could buy if I won the lottery."
"In this present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem - government IS the problem." - Ronald Reagan
I like the ones where they go to places where all the homes have a lot of character, like Merida (in Mexico) or Morroco (the Medina homes). I also enjoy the ones in places that are dear to my heart, like Boston (New England, in general), New Orleans or New Zealand (the Paris one tend to be very depressing, once you see how much real estate costs there and how tiny the apartments are). As others have said, the Caribbean ones tend to be boring, but I do enjoy watching the Fiji ones (as they tend to have amazing homes).
Quoting ScarletHarlot (Reply 2): Europe (particularly Portugal) and Asia are the best.
Really? I really don't tend to like the ones they shoot in Portugal - it is usually a bunch of Brits trying to move to the ass-end of Portugal countryside yearning "for the simple, laid-back life" in a half-crumbling old farm-home. They do realize the 21st century has actually arrived in Portugal, correct? The country isn't that big, even in the middle of nowhere you can get all the modern comforts, let alone near Tomar (near where they have shot a few episodes, and which is close to one of the most industrialized areas in the country).
Quoting luckyone (Reply 6): I used to enjoy this show until I learned that the entire thing is staged
Thanks for ruining it for us. To be far, if I was buying a home I would look at a lot more than three alternatives...
Quoting stasisLAX (Reply 11): you could tell that the wife was a complete sociopathic bully and that the poor husband was utterly scared to death of making her unhappy
Ah, I love those episodes, where you have a really high-strung control-freak wife, or someone who just wants to spend all the money the couple has and some it doesn't have. Got to feel sorry for the poor husband, but feel glad when he gets his wishes.
Read this very carefully, I shall write this only once!
dragon-wings From United States of America, joined Apr 2001, 3920 posts, RR: 0 Reply 18, posted (1 year 4 weeks 17 hours ago) and read 1051 times:
I like the show, but the show is mis leading. Nobody buys a house after seeing only 3 houses. I don't know how many houses they show people buying but it way more than 3. And did you ever notice when the buyers set their budget the house they pick is over the budget a lot. And when one of the 3 houses is un finished the buyer almost always picked the un finished house.
Flyer732 From Namibia, joined Nov 1999, 1334 posts, RR: 27 Reply 20, posted (1 year 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 980 times:
Quoting dragon-wings (Reply 18): Nobody buys a house after seeing only 3 houses.
I've seen quite a few episodes where they'll say they've seen X number of houses before this one, the producers are simply showing their top three options.
DesertJets From United States of America, joined Feb 2000, 7673 posts, RR: 18 Reply 21, posted (1 year 4 weeks 6 hours ago) and read 971 times:
Quoting luckyone (Reply 6): I used to enjoy this show until I learned that the entire thing is staged and then was usually able to figure out which house they were going to buy because more often than not only one house would be empty!
The easiest way to figure out which one they buy is to pick the most expensive one.
Quoting stasisLAX (Reply 11): I love the House Hunter shows where the Americans are moving to Europe or Asia, and the Americans bitch and moan that there aren't 3 full bathrooms in the houses presented and that the kitchens don't have new cherry wood cabinets or stainless steel restaurant-grade appliances.
That is the most infuriating part. That or when they realize their ridiculously oversized king sized bedroom set won't fit in a
Stop drop and roll will not save you in hell. --- seen on a church marque in rural Virginia
swissy From Switzerland, joined Jan 2005, 1734 posts, RR: 5 Reply 22, posted (1 year 4 weeks 5 hours ago) and read 959 times:
enjoy the show very much!!! Always smile when the budget is "small" and they want it all or complain how everything is not big enough...compare to their home back home
New country new rules! When I moved to beautiful Canada I moved up!! all bigger compare to the good old CH
Love the Scandinavia, country side France and Spain/Portugal..
canoecarrier From United States of America, joined Feb 2004, 2657 posts, RR: 12 Reply 23, posted (1 year 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 946 times:
Quoting Flyer732 (Reply 20): I've seen quite a few episodes where they'll say they've seen X number of houses before this one, the producers are simply showing their top three options.
I'd always thought that was creative editing to keep the show under a half an hour. I figured they had looked at more and the producers just show a sample of the ones they looked at.
Quoting SmithAir747 (Reply 15): So far, I have not seen one filmed in Calgary, AB, where I will be moving at the end of this year for my postdoctoral fellowship. I would love to see the housing market in Calgary, so I know what to expect (once again, I'm interested in a studio/1BR flat in a downtown tower block, close to transit and everything; I don't need a suburban house).
I doubt you'll see an episode in Calgary Francis. It seems like most of the Canadians on this show are looking somewhere else for a winter getaway.
Quoting DesertJets (Reply 21): The easiest way to figure out which one they buy is to pick the most expensive one.
That's not always true. The one we saw on the Sunshine Coast near Brisbane the other day the couple rented the cheapest house they "looked" at.
Quoting airportugal310 (Reply 13): I was going to mention this, but glad someone else beat me to it...the ignorance of some (mostly American) people is just astounding! You are moving to somewhere ELSE, which is not going to be like the place you just came from. GTF over it please...and thanks!
I don't know, I think you see that across the board. I remember the episode in Thailand or somewhere, where the Australian yoga teacher was looking for the best "zen" place she could find. Or, the Australian (not to pick on Australia) who moved to Croatia. Both mentioned space quite a bit.
airportugal310 From United States of America, joined Apr 2004, 3065 posts, RR: 2 Reply 24, posted (1 year 4 weeks 3 hours ago) and read 940 times:
Quoting canoecarrier (Reply 23): I don't know, I think you see that across the board. I remember the episode in Thailand or somewhere, where the Australian yoga teacher was looking for the best "zen" place she could find. Or, the Australian (not to pick on Australia) who moved to Croatia. Both mentioned space quite a bit.
No you are right with that. I'm referring more to the people who go "oh this is not how it is in the States" etc...when they are in Europe in particular.
Rock Lobstah!
25 canoecarrier: As an aside, are any of you fans of Rick Steve's travel shows on PBS here in the US? If you're in the Pacific Northwest he's fairly popular. I admit t
26 zippyjet: Does Suzanne Whang host the International version of House Hunters? I get a kick out of both shows. Especially on the domestic version when a house wi
27 airportugal310: Indeed. When I go and visit my parents on select weekends (they don't have more than basic cable) he is always on PBS with his shows...and he does a
28 lewis: I do watch the show every now and then, it is interesting to see what real estate looks like (and costs) in other countries. Europeans tend to do that
29 ScarletHarlot: I just love being able to see Portugal. It's not generally on the radar over here - I'm sure you noticed this more than me! I do agree that it does t
30 texdravid: I don't find this show amusing or entertaining in the least. The main reason is the people who look for these 2nd homes in the Carribean or elsewhere.
31 type-rated: When the House Hunters show first aired about 11 years ago it was kind of funny. When the buyers would walk into the house you could see the obvious d
32 KaiGywer: I guess I'm a nobody. We looked at 1, then looked at 2 more, then went back and looked at number 1 again a different day. Then signed on it Different
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To be far, if I was buying a home I would look at a lot more than three alternatives...
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