Back to the country etc

I love Escape to the Country, but some of it seems unrealistic to me. A retired couple thinking of moving to a 5 bedroom house with 10 acres in the middle of nowhere? Are they sure they know what they’re taking on in their later life? And those comments, often heard, “i can just imagine myself sitting there with a glass of wine in the evening”, “very light and airy”, “that’s where the Christmas tree would go”. Annoying. Predictable. I love it though and tune in most afternoons or watch on Catch up. I love Kirsty & Phil’s programmes too. I just love houses!

It does annoy me though when the programme shows them properties totally different from what they asked for and right out of the area they wanted.
Yes, often in a different county! I'm sure the TV programme often takes them to a cheaper location just to show a bigger house. That's why I like Kirstie and Phil as they try to work this through with the buyers.

I saw that programme where the couple had 1.5 million to spend. The houses were huge as one would expect but the fellow thought the rooms were too large in a couple of houses. What did he expect- the same size as in a two up and two down?

What was going through my mind was how on earth could one keep this house clean?

So many of them want to keep chickens, goats etc. You can tell they haven’t a clue. And then they have an hour’s drive each day to their place of work. So unreal.

Occasionally you get a couple who actually find and buy their ideal house. It does annoy me though when the programme shows them properties totally different from what they asked for and right out of the area they wanted.

I’ve often thought that their prime motive for going on those shows was, ‘Ooh, we’ll be on the telly!’

Plus more often than not, demonstrating to all and sundry how big their budget is, and how discerning they are - ‘We couldn’t possibly live with that!’

I really used to enjoy HUTH - used to watch while ironing - until newly retired dh nicked that spare room for his lair, aka study. It was often a useful lesson in what not to do, though some of the buy to let investors were sickening.

I particularly remember one, who bought a 4 bed house in a cheap area, did it up very cheaply and turned the dining room into a 5th bedroom, so he could let it to a woman with 7 children. He knew exactly what rent he’d be getting (housing benefit rates at the time) and it amounted to a massive yield - 14% IIRC. His gloating over what he’d be making courtesy of the taxpayer was something to behold.?

And of course, they all want to be part of the community.

Usual requirements- good schools (if they have children), idyllic little pub within staggering distance, all amenities, good train links to the capital, community shop selling artisan bread, eggs, local honey, (“ Would love to help out here”), veggie patch, hens, ducks, goats, the odd donkey, all clucking and munching away in the 4.5 acreage.

They need to factor in that most schools, pubs, shops, GP surgeries, buses, have closed down or moved away.

Oh, and the broadband coverage might not be good.

Not many theatres or bijou restaurants in the village either.

I’m always astounded at the budget some very young couples have on Escape to the Country. Recently a mid 20’s pair had £1.5 million. They were leaving a modest terraced house in Sarf London for a detached in Surrey with 3 acres. And, why on earth do older, retired couples always want a listed property with a narrow perpendicular staircase, way out in the country with 10 acres and no public transport for when they become infirm. Ah. Living the dream (soon to be nightmare!)

I often watch but do find it a bit predictable. I suppose it wouldn't have the same interest if it was Escape to the Country for £200,000 or less.

I watch most of the ‘House’ programmes, Homes under the Hammer, Home or Away, Place in the sun, if I try to name them all I’d get the titles wrong! I get so cross when they make a low offer, although they often get the house!
I like the American ones too, Good Bones which is a mother and daughter who fix up homes is very good.
In the U.K. though I only watch the areas I like, Coastal or Hampshire, where I’m from, or Oxfordshire ( whereI live), when we were thinking of moving to Wales we used to watch that area as well.

MawtheMerrier

Do you mean “Escape to the Country” ?
Love it and all property porn.

Me too. A real propertyaholic here!

Yes, don't you just love the couples who are downsizing to five bedrooms and ten acres?! I rise above these pretentious idiots because I like seeing the houses. (Nosey!). Just love when the host says 'would you like to see inside?'. (No, I'll just buy it without viewing now that I'm on the doorstep!!)

Do you mean “Escape to the Country” ?
Love it and all property porn.

I am sure you are right about that Shazza. Same used to apply to Wanted Down Under( pre Covid ). Some of them were obviously never intending to come and didn’t have the entry requirements in any way, shape or form. I used to laugh at the cost of houses because they would be totally different by the time they got here - often 12 months at least.

I always say to my DH about halfway through place in the sun ‘I bet they are only there for a free holiday’

Must admit to watching escape to the country, the thing that irritates me the most, wanting a large kitchen, they are shown one,, they then say ”that’s too small”, and there are only two of them, aargh. It’s the same with a place in the sun, only there they try to get the property as cheaply as possible, and offer sums that I think as an insult. Must admit to smiling when the ridiculous offer is refused.

Oh good heavens yes. I can’t stand them.
I hate to say it, but sometimes I’m just so envious (only with the UK coast and country ones; I’ve no desire for an apartment in Lanzarote).
But, yes the people.
I remember one particular couple looking for a property in rural French.
The were very sniffy about one beautiful French house because,
it was ‘too similar to our place in Spain’
?