Escape to the Country : Kent [Series 14: 16] - Habits Of Local Communities

Escape to the Country : Kent [Series 14: 16] - Habits Of Local Communities!
Nicki Chapman is in Kent, property shopping with a young family who are desperate to break free from the capital to find their perfect rural home in Kent, with a generous £900,000 budget. While in the county, Nicki visits historic Hever Castle, where Anne Boleyn and Henry VIII did their courting.
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► Subcribe: goo.gl/HK9MHW
Hope you enjoyed it!
Thanks for watching!

[@pietracuore]

This couple was so sweet. I liked how she said "We are lucky enough to have a budget of £850,000" and "it would be an honour to live in a house like this". And that "it is a grown-up house". Modest, not presumptuous people. Even if they worked hard for the money, they don't take their good fortune for granted. Although rents in London are expensive, yet split between the two of them, they could have saved up a lot of money. It would be nice to use one of the annex buildings of the mystery house for a set of parents or grandparents. Too bad they couldn't just change jobs to somewhere close by. I loved the mystery house.

[@margiesaunders7966]

Love

[@violetwilliamson1300]

the mystery home is gorgeous...historic ....fabulous...and beautiful scenery!... I love how she said it would be an honor to live here!

[@deannakinsman6790]

One of my ABSOLUTE FAVORITE presenters...Nikki❣❣❣ I love this show!! RARELY do we have these lovely old homes with original designs and features from bygone era's in America!! That's what I love about this show...❤👏❤ I have to agree with them about house number 2...doesn't seem like "home" at all. It was gorgeous though!!! Absolutely fell in love love love with the mystery house❣❣❣ The commute would definitely be worth it to own that home...❤❤❤

[@kellyk.3855]

Nikki & johnny...love them

[@bonisiweviolet3841]

Plpp

[@penelopelambson9128]

“ Once the old historic features are gone, you can’t get them back” I wish more people would think of this before tearing old homes apart.

[@PaulaJoW]

Me too! It's heartbreaking when beautiful properties are demolished.

[@karlawhite5835]

I was going to make the same comment. People think that tearing out the original and replacing it with mass produced modern products to “update” the property is appealing. Just the opposite, they have only succeeded in ruining the original property, turning it into an antique shell with a modern interior that is a dime a dozen, and IMO is jarring and out of place. More than likely someone else will want to rip it out in ten years time as it will be filled w dated styles of today, not the classic beauty of the long past that had made it special. What a shame.

[@mandydeane5824]

I rent a social housing victorian property they desecrated all the original features.

[@robertdesantis6205]

Conservation & preservation are foreign ideas here in most of the US. 😢

[@susiesimmons2796]

This episode was an absolute delight in every way! The mystery house would be a dream come true for a young couple who want to spend a lifetime living a quality of life few could even dream of. I wish this couple the very best and then some. Nikki was also more than on top of her game in this episode.

[@andreaandrea6716]

Oh! I love this guy... he says "It's a big chunk of England!" ... what a lovely couple.

[@karent-s7639]

Hey, Andrea x2: I've really enjoyed our "chat" on another ETTC and would love to continue it. Trouble is, youtube is too public a forum. I'll see if there's a way to communicate without giving out personal contact details to the world...I'll do some research but meantime please know I enjoy your comments.

[@irisheyesofbelfast]

Lovely couple! They absolutely appreciate the old. Mystery house was a dream come true. I hope they get it. Wishing them and their family the absolute best.

[@brendatajik6150]

Thank you for sharing this with the USA viewers!💗

[@kellyk.3855]

Agreed!

[@karent-s7639]

If the point of the mystery house in these program(me)s is to challenge the potential buyers' expectations, this episode offered three mystery houses. The couple made it very clear from the start that they wanted to purchase an olde worlde house in the countryside. So first they're shown a place pretty much in a town, and then one that might as well have been built the month before. The mystery house is actually the one that meets their requirements best, despite having the challenge we expect.

[@storykeeper8684]

What great parents, to prioritize being closer to the kids in school and not losing quality of life with a long commute! A house like the "mystery house," and the other buildings and grounds, would require attentive management, and other lifetime economic adjustments.

[@jamesr1703]

I like that they all removed their shoes upon entering the sterile house. This was a rule in my household growing up.

[@shelski4218]

The mystery house was a once-in-a-lifetime house!!! If I was at young couple I'd go for it!!❤️❤️❤️🇺🇸

[@PaulaJoW]

"It's a big chunk of England." hahaha I can guarantee Dan will get very tired of ducking under those doorways and beams in the mystery house. We had a few doorways like that in our house and the charm of them does become an annoyance. Absolutely stunning property though. I love it when you can see the beam structure in the walls. To die for.

[@leonidplyatt]

That's true 😁👍

[@motheroftwo5551]

I can completely understand them not wanting to commute more than an hour away from their jobs. Finding a good place to work is not that easy especially in a remote countryside. Also, though the house, additional buildings, and grounds are lovely, having to commute more than 2 hours a day, 5 days a week (more than an hour to and from work) can be brutal and takes away from time with your family. They would have a lovely home but very little time to enjoy it. I know this from personal experience. I am sure they will find a home that is closer to work that will meet their needs and wants. Waiting and being patient for a place that meets all your requirements is smart.

[@FigaroHey]

But surely a doctor and a dentist can 'find work' anywhere? I should think that sleepy villages or small country towns would be begging for doctors and dentists. Do they HAVE to work in London?

[@rosestewart1606]

I would have thought they would be better off finding jobs in the country. Surely there is space for a doctor and a dentist somewhere in Kent? Then they wouldn't have to spend any time commuting while their children are small

[@maureencreason1963]

NOOOO!!! I can't believe they took a pass! It was perfect for them. Damn, I get so disappointed when I fall in love & they don't take purchase. Ok, yes I still LOVE the show.

[@handebarlas6248]

Neither can I Maureen. I was shocked on hearing they took a pass. Unbelievable. Honestly...

[@runningfromabear8354]

@@handebarlas6248 It's also very sad for children when their parents leave before the sun is up and are home long after the sun goes down. My parents did that for a couple of years. I only saw them for about a half hour per day M-F and on weekends. I had childcare and school. The commute does mean something.

[@noelleewen2946]

@@handebarlas6248 Whats unbelievable is that you aren't considering a 4 hour commute 5 days a week with 3 kids and all the upkeep a house like that would require. 🙄

[@ninared6816]

Would love to see more updated episodes. Perhaps at least 2020 or 2021. Delightful show I am addicted to.

[@svardm]

Me too 🙂

[@faytheweber8578]

2 full time working couples who commute....who is going to maintain all those acres? And they never discuss cost of utilities, heating such big houses. Only once in all the episodes I have watched did the woman say worried about what it would cost to heat and the work to keep it clean and maintained.

[@bluezauza]

One of the most lovely couples in the series, and that mystery house is a dream for history lovers. I sure would want it :)

[@williamurquhart5169]

Very much so.

[@JacksFlamingSenseOfIndifferenc]

Very much so.

[@tamayagarner1542]

I'm always surprised that no one speaks of property taxes or how are we going to heat this place! Also Escape to the country often goes beyond the travel distance stated. We all know commuting puts a lot of stress on a couple

[@lydialangfordjoiner765]

I love this show. Thank you for sharing this episode!

[@suecox2308]

I like the way the program slipped in that much smaller house for a lower budget--very nice. And that mystery house--wow!!

[@-_James_-]

"lower budget"? The only house that didn't exceed their actual budget.

[@aliceschreiner1189]

what a lovely, humbling couple

[@cynthiasmith398]

It is interesting that all the sticks they found were so nicely cut! Love the episode though. Lovely family..

[@smoothsailingmp]

Greatest escape you've ever shown.....and I've watched it a number of times....thank you

[@jamesr1703]

They're both the perfect height for the mystery house. Not many couples are as small as they are.

[@thetessellater9163]

Whilst the mystery house was beautiful, the olde-worlde beams, etc hide the fact it is probably poorly insulated, very hard and very expensive to keep the house warm. I thought the second house, with newer standards of insulation, etc would be their best choice. Character can be added, with clever furnishing and fittings. Pleasant, polite and unassuming couple, best of luck to you.

[@rosestewart1606]

I'm not surprised they didn't like the second house because I hated it. An all white house isn't intended to have children in it. It was refurbished for a retired couple and it shows.

[@horsecamp09]

I WANT the mystery house--wow wow it is amazing.

[@FigaroHey]

For that mystery house, wouldn't it be worthwhile relocating their jobs? They are a doctor and a dentist, aren't they? Surely doctors and dentists can find work anywhere? Not to mention being able to rent out some of the outbuildings as holiday lets or even board a horse or something. There are ways that property could make money. I think if I were the woman, I'd be so tempted to chuck the career and become a stay-in-paradise mum. Or chuck the London career and set up as a country doctor close to home (if that's allowed in Britain).

[@lesliespiers8407]

first house id knock out the dining room wall, extend the kitchen, knock out office & make it an lrg dining room.LOVE the livingroom & bedrooms. second house is overwhelming, the mystery house OH HELL YEAH!!!!

[@diannabellamy6086]

I love this couple and wish them well.

[@bluebear6570]

House no. 1 - just too much traffic noise! House no. 2 is way too sterile for my taste, but house no. 3 is just a dream. I´d give an arm and a leg for it!

[@pedroeduardo6878]

Like a "show room" was great for second home...a lovely couple!

[@traceymars]

Really nice spacious houses! I like the modern one that looks almost new inside even though it doesn’t have as much character. Unfortunately this place would cost about $30 million where I live.

[@shicruisin7004]

How cute! They have 3 kids, & still think of THEMselves as NOT grown up enough for these houses, lol! :D

[@oraclex2976]

Admirable to have £900,000 available for a new house in the country - especially at that age. And that common sense prevailed.

[@pinkcloudsnightlightbell]

Don't know if it's fake I think they might have really been that rich in which case.... Jesus Christ

[@pietracuore]

@@pinkcloudsnightlightbell he has an 11 year old daughter. He is not as young as he looks. He may have practiced dentistry for 10 or more years so has accumulated $.

[@pietracuore]

@Kuchi Kopi And she's a doctor. I never said they would have accumulated solely on his wages -- there are her wages, inheritances, gains on previous properties...

[@gordonbricker1670]

@@pinkcloudsnightlightbell There's no need to use our LORD'S name in vain. (Gordon's wife)

[@gordonbricker1670]

@@pinkcloudsnightlightbell There's no need to use our LORD'S name in vain (Gordon's wife)

[@pattyfarghaly1821]

Love that mystery house. It's worth the travel.

[@TheMusachioedBrony]

As an American, I would have done whatever it took to live in that mystery house, including ditching the London jobs and trying to find ones closer to home. I know easier said than done, but trying at least.

[@joycehenderson4178]

I agree with you Mary Anne, even though I don't know what her job might be, but I would think that she could let out the buildings to tourists to compensate for her pay. Plus I'm sure she has to pay dearly for childcare also. She could be a stay at home mom and enjoy her home.

[@d.d.mac.3773]

@@joycehenderson4178 They said in the program that she's a doctor and he's a dentist so I doubt she'd want to be a stay at home mum.

[@handebarlas6248]

I agree entirely. I am really surprised that they didnt go for it. Very odd.

[@znycelondon5313]

Joyce Henderson They said at the beginning what they did!!! She is a doctor he a dentist😏

[@thetessellater9163]

@@znycelondon5313 - both of whom could be earning £150k pa in London!

[@karengomez9046]

Loved the land and all of those houses thank you for showing it

[@tigermoon44]

Mystery house said it all!!

[@Shub99]

Who has the time to keep the huge houses clean ...? The second is a space ship or a mausoleum or something extremely expensive to upkeep ...

[@naku775]

Shub99 The second house is a white dream, alas, we are mundane people who have to work

[@janridout2715]

Sometimes I have to wonder if the buyers are paid actors, hardly anyone proceeds with the purchase.

[@annasoboleva3141]

Could it be because the buyers are not usually seeing any right home? Personally I can see very few homes shown here I would want to buy. Conversions don’t work to me. It’s never good. Modern houses are no good either. Extended places are not very good. The only place is good to me - the one that was built as a completed family home in the first place. The homes use yo be built in a reasonable way long ago, around 100 years ago. Those use to be places with a nice lay out, convenient, useful, practical. Cosy. It use to be a proportion and a harmony in the houses. Not any longer. The youngest homes acceptable are those ones built in 30-s, before the war.

[@Dathan]

The homes all seemed too large for the couple, in my opinion but I know they would want one to grow into as a family. I kind of liked the first one.

[@jeanniecampbell1374]

I would have been happy with 1 room in that last house ...stunning !

[@brianoconner2972]

She is CUTE! And looks absolutely amazing in the beginning. He’s a lucky man

[@maggiesatterfield2402]

The mystery house was a dream house. I think there were outside influences that took over...not just the commute. I suspect grandparents had a say in how far out it was from them.

[@FigaroHey]

Why would that be the case when there were furnished outbuildings that the grandparents could live in or stay in long-term?

[@margretherandall5689]

Sweet couple, they like historical good for them. Mystery house gorgeous ❤

[@fastsetinthewest]

My family emigrated from the Maidstone area in 1870 to Genesee County, Michigan on Bristol Road near Duffield Road. The family became very successful. Nice video. Eaglegards...

[@vandalmeida.30.09]

Beautiful energetic young couple...♡.. house #2 is maravilhosa 👏👏👏😉👌😁💞☘🇧🇷. But,... #3 is perfect!

[@sonaterese799]

Sorry they had to pass on their dream home but it was lovely that common sense prevailed. While the children are growing up they do have to be prioritised and the strain of the commute would have gradually destroyed their family life

[@juliawitt3813]

Surely you can be a doctor and a dentist anywhere you want......so very strange.

[@thetessellater9163]

@Kuchi Kopi - Plus, they could have local private patients they don't want to lose.

[@cinderron11]

What a delightful young couple.

[@brendamiller8140]

Two smart kids with so much time on the road no time for family. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💞💚🥰🤗

[@sandyjuntunen4088]

I get irritated when they show someone a house that's over their budget, or is missing a part of their requirements that can't be fixed by room in the budget left after purchase. But these old shows sure beat some HGTV fare, haven't looked at it in years.

[@vanityfair001]

I myself would have loved to purchase house number 1 or 2! Those are Dream Homes to me.

[@carausiuscaesar5672]

Scotland for me! Lovely!

[@bettycogswell9851]

I am so disappointed they didn't take the mystery house. It was perfect.

[@devinity5391]

The mystery house has very low ceilings and doorways.

[@kmo2959]

People were shorter in medieval times. A height of 5 ft 5 in would be considered tall by many.... hence, lower ceilings and doorways.

[@nspector]

I can understand passing because of the commute.

[@shicruisin7004]

Unimaginable how one can chop off the head of someone you slept with, lived with, ate with, laughed with, was in love with at some point.......I had a terrible marriage too, and yes one has those thoughts when ur mad, but you can't actually DO it.....??!??

[@lunawhitewolf1733]

all of those propertys are amazing but you never mention the Rates bill each yearly as more house biger the bill

[@alansimpson2647]

They should have shown them what they want from the start not like new build.

[@chelu4u]

Love coming back to this episode even though it's from a different channel than Oxxlex I think I spelled that wrong anyways 👍

[@shicruisin7004]

Was hard to watch this video, what's with the over brightness????

[@orsors2129]

They probably didn't buy any because the producers don't listen to the prospective buyers. Primarily, a large eat-in kitchen where everyone can gather.

[@mojobudda]

I loved house no. 2 the best. But house no. 3 was awesome, apart from having grade 2 listed status, that would really put me off.

[@jeaniespinks4205]

Do they ever pick a house on the show

[@supposedly1-2]

they should have tried to suit the two of them as people rather than just spend all the money.

[@barbarahamme2760]

This was 2013. Prices today would probably be double.

[@Angelina25676]

Ι certainly wouldn't pay almost 900.000 pounds for any house if it meant 3+ hours of commute back and forth to my work day after day. House no 1 was much better for this family,I don't think they really appreciate how convenient it is to have the children 's school to your doorstep. But if it were for myself I would certainly go for house no 2. All it needs is a coat of paint in the right colours and the proper furniture to reveal its beauty. Away with "period features" like low ceilings, claustrophobic boxy rooms and weird angles you don't know what to do with.

[@AvaT42]

It is a shame they turned down the mystery house they loved it so much. The other out building apartments could have been rented out for extra income.

[@imahick5723]

so many people have gorgeous homes that they are never in because of their commute. Even an hour with young children is a lot. The children will be raised by day care workers. I hope they reconsier.

[@heatherjephcott5022]

And they could just find a job in the nearby village or town - possible with a doctor and dentist.

[@andreaandrea6716]

Very astute comment re. the 2nd house; "It doesn't feel like a 'home' ... " and that it's a show piece. You can't have great expanses of white without great paintings to go on them. The place looks soulless ... and then, you put a whopping great big t.v. screen on one of the walls and the place screams 'New money I have no cultural references all I know is electronics.'

[@pratibhapanghal]

Liked the first one

[@rebeccaphillips4824]

They’ll never find another like house #3

[@NC-ij9rb]

The mystery house is gorgeous but it’s a bit too short tho.

[@TheBooty28]

850 k..is their budget? They are rich.

[@d.d.mac.3773]

They said in the program that she is a doctor and he is a dentist.

[@pinkcloudsnightlightbell]

Right??!

[@1951razz]

Hi folks, how do you find current shows, I’ve seen most of the old ones? I tried the website they show in the lower right corner.

[@Temptation666]

i hate 2. I could never ever live there. Would be afraid to touch anything in case i broke something. The Mystery house is gorgeous I want to steal the Tardis and go back to 2013 to tell them that in a few years they would have to work from home anyway. maybe if they had known they could live with those years of travle

[@pawel7923]

Chart Sutton is 13 miles west of Tonbridge??? I think you mean East???)

[@platinum11110]

Why everything looks so yellow and bright, couldn't watch the thing

[@robertdesantis6205]

Overexposed 😮

[@milasiergieiva437]

👍

[@VB-lz5cx]

Wow. Property in UK is overpriced.

[@thetessellater9163]

It is a market price - that which you can sell for - what other way is there? Because Kent is nearest to the financial centres of London by train, many well paid people buy houses there. Further from these work locations get cheaper, as there is less demand. How else might the prices be set, please elucidate.

[@pepta]

And this was filmed in 2013! I wonder what you would pay now?

[@leonidplyatt]

@@thetessellater9163 that is because of Putins friends.They buy up expensive real estate and therefore the prices for it grow like mushrooms.It becomes inaccessible to ordinary citizens of the UK.

[@miarrem]

I wonder how a young couple can afford so much

[@steveevans7019]

What a surprise! They didn’t buy the house they liked the most, just like every other couple on this programme. Apparently the commute was too far but if you want to work in London, a 1-2 hour commute is realistic. They continue to search. I suspect that their actual budget is £700k and the most they can afford is £800k. Why the programme always goes for the highest available budget when making a shortlist, I don’t know!

[@7Sandie]

The few episodes I have watched that this presenter hosts, I find she always goes to the limit, this couple said 850 thousand pounds, but for the very very perfect home, 900 thous,

[@countrysue980]

☺

[@sylpau50moi57]

!!!

[@andreaandrea6716]

Not "Less cars"!!! FEWER cars. "F E W E R", people!! Please let's PRESERVE our beautiful English Language!!

[@melissagannon5711]

Not so many much motors.

[@andreaandrea6716]

@@melissagannon5711 precisely.

[@yuniyonson]

I agree with you...well said.

[@pinkcloudsnightlightbell]

This couple gives me the hives.

[@thetessellater9163]

oh, you keep bees?

[@TheBooty28]

How does this show make money...most people never make an offer.

[@kathleenmartin7498]

Shows like this are never set up to make money off house sales. They are basically for entertainment. The shows are sold to networks from the producers, if they aren't already owned by the network. Money is made off of advertisers.

[@BritGirlJay]

@@kathleenmartin7498 Actually this is on the BBC so they have no advertising on or between the shows at any time. They 'make money' selling these shows to other networks, abroad, as you said.

[@kathleenmartin7498]

@@BritGirlJay thanks for sharing how the BBC operates in regards to advertising. I think some people assume that the presenters are actually realtors trying to make a living selling the featured homes, which is not the case.

[@countrysue980]

@@MonogramistaML most of the millions live in other countries and don't see it until years sfter the show is filmed. If the house hasn't sold by then, it isn't going to sell. 🤔

[@supposedly1-2]

that first house is too big for that family unless they can afford a housekeeper or the like , since they both work full time and have two hours a day in commute. The second one is worse for them, its a beautiful house but not right for them. i think they'd have done better to stick below their real budget of 850. but no this show goes max or over they hardly ever go below the budget by much. the third house is great but again way too big with rental property. they need to lower their budget and look for a starter family home instead of anything like these three they showed them. two small kids a step kid and having to clean all of that and work full time a house that big is just too much work!

[@TMPreRaff]

This is a great series, but each of the "hosts" do end up pressing a hard-sell on the buyers. Irritating.

[@marcusnl66]

They should’ve taken the mystery house ... sad to see they’re shaved of their jobs. Meaning that with no job, no house. I believe they maximized their credit, like most Brits... living on credit.

[@countrysue980]

With one a doctor and the other a dentist, they may not need a huge mortgage.

[@shelski4218]

I think someday they're going to regret their decision, unless they make millions of dollars and they can have anything they want!!!

[@tinamccann8968]

I wonder if some of the people featured in the show's episodes are really legit --- they pretend to want a buy a house but really are in it for have a good time and to be on tv? This couple's budget seemed incredible --- something about them didn't match the budget. In the end, the house of their dreams was a bit far for the commute --- a bit of a lame excuse. The closing shot of them walking together with the husband's wandering hand on her rear...how classy!

[@countrysue980]

One is a doctor and the other a dentist. Why doesn't their budget match them? 🤔

[@MsElke11]

First house, too yellow! Second, too white!! Third, too LOW!! Too much money for two little kids!

[@dobbsiancant7736]

this show is an utter let down,week after week. all tease.

[@countrysue980]

Then don't watch it. 😝

[@crystalhealing847]

Stop stealing content