Alex left Berlin in search of short-term opportunity, but when she got to Seattle she found much more. She met Fernando and fell in love, and now, 17 years later, the couple has built a life together in Seattle. They'd planned to move to Alex's native Germany eventually, but when her long divorced parents unexpectedly reunited, the timeline was accelerated. Moving early is exciting, but the couple wants to avoid dipping into their retirement savings, so money will be tight. They'll need to consider every option, including renovation, if they want to make Berlin work without using up their retirement savings.
Constant travelers Nick and Tracey have lived in four US cities in six years. Before they settled down permanently, they wanted a chance to experience Europe as a family. With Nick landing a job in Wiesbaden, Germany, the family looks forward to making their dreams come true. Wiesbaden has become an investor's haven, leaving few openings for renters, so Nick is laid back in his wants for a property, he only wants to stay under budget and have a yard. But after years of travelling, Tracey wants a new and modern stand-alone home as House Hunters International explores Wiesbaden, Germany.
June and Arunas met in 2004 when they were both living in the Dublin area. She's from Ireland and he's from Lithuania. They married in 2007. After the rat race life of Dublin started to get to them they began to dream about life away from the city and possibly living on a farm. When June was offered a healthy severance package they jumped at the chance to figure out what they wanted to do next and where they wanted to live. So they bought a van and travelled Europe for three months looking for places to settle down. After visiting with Arunas' family in Lithuania for a few weeks they decided to stay and buy a house.
Matt and Susan Treadwell love traveling, and were living a gypsy life, moving to a new country every year or two. Then came Budapest, Hungary and two kids. Time passed quickly and before they knew it, 10 years had passed and they were still there. When an opportunity came up for Susan to work in Barcelona, Spain, they jumped on it. But self-described country boy Matt, didn't want to live in another, even bigger city. He wanted some land spreading out far and wide, so hitting the internet, they discovered a little artists village about 45 minutes away called Sitges that sounded right up their alley, with narrow cobblestone streets, beautiful architecture and fabulous beaches. Not to mention great weather. But they still have to come to an agreement about whether to live out of town by the beach, or in town near the train to Barcelona, so Susan's commute doesn't increase to over an hour.
Argiris and Ashley's worked hard at keeping their long distance relationship going. She was a Canadian who couldn't find a job in Greece. He was a Greek with obligations to a football club and immigration issues. After a difficult 10 year courtship Ashley was offered a lectureship job in Swansea, Wales. As Argiris' EU citizenship allowed him to move anywhere in Europe this was their chance to be together. Ashley is ready to enjoy their lives together in the Welsh countryside but with Argiris retiring from football he wants to be where the jobs are, in the heart of the city.
As a New York native, John thought raising his kids in small town Idaho was making them too sheltered. Seeking diversity, he looked for jobs on the east coast, when he was presented with an amazing opportunity to work on the island of St. Thomas. He thought it would be the perfect change for the family, but his wife Karin is afraid of venturing out of her comfort zone. He hopes an island home will do the trick, but Karin wants a cozy condo so her kids can still feel a community. This couple tries to strike the balance when House Hunters International sails into St. Thomas Island.
Adam and Clare met in Australia when he was in the Navy and stationed in Queensland. When Adam left the Navy he moved to Clare's hometown of Windsor, England to be with her. Newly married, and ready for a slower-paced life, they decide to move to his native Australia. They settle on the Swan Valley area just outside of Perth because it has the benefits of being near a city but isn't crowded. It will be the perfect place for them to shift gears, change careers, and really start enjoying life.
Canadian Cara Haberman met American Jed Fix while attending university in New York City. After graduation, she landed a job in New York that held her work visa to live in the states, while he went to Senegal with the Peace Corp. After two years, Jed returned and both held jobs in international development in New York when a job offer that was too good to pass up came to Jed from Dakar. So Cara decided to leave her job, and risk her US work visa, so she could go with him. Cara has never been to Dakar and Jed is concerned that she doesn't quite understand how difficult life can be in a developing country. Although Jed had lived in Senegal, it was in a tiny village, not a big city like Dakar, so this will be a new experience for him too. Until Cara finds a job there, they will be living off of one income, so they may not be able to afford what westerners are used to, although they are looking forward to a much bigger apartment than their tiny one in New York. Take a walk on the wild side with Cara and Jed, in Dakar, Senegal.
Mauro grew up in Argentina with dreams of being a master chef and met his wife Lili while working in a restaurant in Australia. Now that they have a new baby son, Mauro is moving his family from the city of Melbourne to the developing Dandenong Ranges mountain community where he has a chance to live his dream of opening his very own restaurant. They want to live close to the restaurant to spend more time together as a family, but with so much time and money tied up in their new business, Mauro would prefer to avoid any renovation by finding a turnkey home. Lili, on the other hand, is more concerned with finding a spacious modern home that's baby-friendly and great for entertaining guests. Find out which sensibility prevails when House Hunters International goes to the Dandenong Ranges, Australia.
Mom and dad measure the quietness of an area by whether or not they can hear palm trees blowing in the breeze. But their teenage boys want all the action that comes with living near one of the world's best beaches. The property that pleases all will come with a high price tag. Mom has plans to open a coffee shop here on the island but she may have to sacrifice the budget for the business if she wants everyone to be happy. Along the way, random roosters and back porches with air conditioners raising a racket, not to mention the traffic near Seven Mile, conspire to keep the parents from their peaceful paradise.
Blake and Katie first met as kids on the school bus. After high school and university, they caught the travel bug and have spent every spare moment touring the world. But a surprise phone call has led Blake to a new career opportunity in Hong Kong and for the first time in their shared life, Blake and Katie must settle down and find their first permanent home. Hong Kong is the worlds most crowded and expensive real estate market. Prices for tiny apartments climb higher and higher. And real estate agent Michael tells the couple that for every available property, as many as fifty couples are ready to buy. Time and space run out quickly in Hong Kong.
Bret and Virginia have been married for five years. They both enjoy discovering new things together. As a couple they have always wanted to experience living abroad. So when classical musician and teacher Virginia landed a new job in Japan, they knew it would be a great new opportunity for them to learn about a new culture. Virginia would like a home with easy access to transportation, while Bret is more interested in a place with a great ocean view. Finding a new home for themselves and a new concert grand harp in Kanagawa, Japan won't be easy.
When Stratis and Gyorgyi had their first child about a year ago, it didn't take long for them to realize they wanted to be closer to family, and fast. Lawyers by trade and living abroad in Brussels, they made a deal that they'd move to the home country where work struck first. Gyorgyi quickly found a job as an environmental lawyer in Athens, and they were off to Stratis's home country. Athens is a famed ancient city that both Gyorgyi and Stratis love, but for all its history and splendor, the one thing that this old town lacks, green space, is the one thing that environmentalists Gyorgyi and Stratis want most. With a modest fixed budget, a new baby, and high expectations for their eco-demands, Gyorgyi and Stratis will have to think creatively if they want to find eco-friendliness in one of the world's oldest towns.
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