From Renting to Owning: Our Northern Norway House Hunt (part 1) | Adventure #22

It’s time for us to hunt for a new home in Northern Norway. After renting, we’re looking to buy our first house!
Follow us in the transition process from renting to owning a home in Northern Norway. We’ve been renting our house for the past year, but the time has come that our landlord wants to sell it.
This first part captures the beginning of our house hunting journey, exploring different properties, and comparing them to our current rental (which might as well become our first purchase). We discuss the pros and cons of each house we visit, share our thoughts and fears about the future while driving around Northern Norway. From Senja to the Lofoten islands, from charming homes nestled between mountains and fjords to isolated countryside houses, we are actively looking for our dream home.
The only black spot is that we’re still waiting for documents and have no loan secured yet! So it’s still hard to anticipate the future for now even while house hunting and we stay hopeful that we won’t need to rent again and will be able to buy. But we keep our fingers crossed and enjoy the life we still have here as much as we can and take advantage of these stunning mountains to let the river wash away our worries and ground us in the gift of today and making us cherish the simple joys.
Whether you're interested in the challenges of moving to a new country, the house-buying process in Norway, or simply love stunning natural landscapes, I hope you found pleasure in this vlog of our life in Norway in the turmoil of uncertainty.
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🍵 Wanna support the channel and my work? Buy me a tea: buymeacoffee.c...
(OK you can also buy Yoann a coffee… Tell us whose side you’re on! 😁)
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[@someones_journey]

A video a bit more messy this time, but it translates well our reality from these past weeks! 😅 I hope you liked it though! Sending you all my love 💚💚💚

[@imallierambles]

I'm watching from the U.S. and so glad KZbin suggested your video to me. I've become a subscriber and love your peaceful presentations. Looking forward to watching your wonderful journey from across the planet!! 🌎

[@someones_journey]

It's still seems so unreal for me that you can be watching from so far! 🤩 Thank you so much for your lovely comment, I'm eager to be sharing with you the upcoming ones then! 😍❤️

[@EntreprenerdInsights]

Nice to see what houses on the market look like up there, thanks for taking us along!

[@someones_journey]

Thanks!

[@michelleadonis3233]

Oh l so want the very best for you. I was getting all emotional for the two of you, but you gave me a good laugh I that one kitchen 😂. So far " your" current house feels, where you are happiest. I am sending you soooo much love and positivity and hoping if " your " house now is not meant to be, the right one will just jump out, like a miracle in front of you. So looking forward to the next video❤❤ 🏡❤❤✨🌈✨💫🙏💫😘😘😘🌠🌠

[@someones_journey]

Thank you so so much 🙏🙏 Viewing these houses and comparing to our current reinforces the fact that there are lots of things that we like about this one, really a lot. And that we might keep in might that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence. Hahaha happy to have brought some joy with our silliness 😜 As always, thank you so much for your presence, your support and your energy! ❤️❤️❤️

[@VooDooQ3]

It's wonderful to see how you're looking for your new home! You're incredibly positive guys! Thank you 🙏

[@someones_journey]

Thank you so much for this. I felt like I've only been complaining lately, so it's nice to have another perspective on how I go through all of this 😅 ❤️❤️❤️

[@christinepetten3656]

I love you both....thanks for your videos ❤

[@someones_journey]

❤❤❤

[@BurimPrroi]

Herzlichen Glückwunsch :D Gut dass ihr habt gekauft das Haus wo ihr auch gewohnt habt für zwei wichtige Grunde: 1. Ihr habt gewohnt und ihr weist ob ist alles in Ordnung oder da gibt es versteckte Mangel die sehr Teuer werden können. 2. Ihr habt den Umzug und den Umzug stress gespart und damit auch nichts ist gebrochen durch den Umzugsbewegung :D Liebe Grüße aus Düsseldorf ;)

[@someones_journey]

Thanks!! 😍 Yes you're completely right and these were two things that also impacted on our decision, in addition to the whole delayed paper things with the taxes and the loan. See you soon for new adventures! 😊

[@BurimPrroi]

@@someones_journey yep. I will wait for the new uploads ;) Have a good start in the week :)

[@someones_journey]

@@BurimPrroi Thanks a lot, you too!

[@PeterFarnan-j7o]

Really enjoyed the video, i'm sure you will find the right house for you soon.

[@someones_journey]

Thanks a lot , we hope so much!❤️🥰❤️

[@SereneMindMeditations]

I sincerly hope you'll get out of this turmoil with everything you deserve and some gained serenity that comes with a stable home! ✨✨

[@someones_journey]

Thank you so much!🙏

[@Cc-lp2xi]

Very cool to see house hunting with you in Norway. Last summer we were lucky enough to stay at a friend's house in Bergen and a variety of Air BnBs as far north as Ålesund and as far south as Kristiansand and I'd say your current rental ticks lots of boxes. You may find better, but your location (minus the road) is stunning. Bonne chance pour ta recherche d'une maison!

[@someones_journey]

So happy to bring you along! Nice that you could also experience different housings during your stay here! Yes the more we visit, the more we appreciate the one we're living in now and, as said in another comment, I believe that the grass isn't always greener on the other side of the fence and we should keep this in mind. Merci infiniment!! ❤️

[@NoBrain161]

Fingers crossed for you guys, everything comes to those who wait 🤞💙

[@someones_journey]

I hope so much!

[@SailorGerry]

The third house you looked at, where you were concerned about the basement and (perhaps) poor drainage around the foundation. FYI (for your info), there are many YT videos about dealing with installing 'French drains' (perimeter drains) around the base of a foundation, dealing with moisture entering foundation walls, insulation solutions, 'enscapulating' crawl spaces, etc., etc., albeit mostly focused on North American practices, nonetheless, stiil relevant for a 'cold climate' country as Norway. Solutions this end of the world (Canada) can be expensive, given the severe shortages of construction labour, but if planned correctly, some of the 'solutions' need not be too expensive. Very interesting video and very beautiful scenery. Best of luck!

[@someones_journey]

Hey thanks a lot for that! I haven't looked at videos yet but surely will. In between we had some advices of friends who've done it and... From what we've understood is that depending on the extent of the problem, doing the whole draining might no be enough to recovery the "sanity" of the foundations and then it's kind of a never-ending financial whole. Of course everything should be well planned as you said and firstly well calculated and integrated into the budget. But given the "time emergency" we're in and the fact that it will be our first experience as house owners, we thought it was a bit too sketchy 😅 But I think it can definitely be a super experience in the future and it's not for nothing that this house ended being sold almost twice the asking price despite this problem + the complete renovation of the roof required. Thanks a lot for stopping by, for the advices and kind comment! 😊😊

[@lantcalen]

I am excited for your searching! I hope you find the place you want :D

[@someones_journey]

Thank you so much! Excited to share it with you and we stay fingers crossed on this yes!! 🤩🤩🤩

[@ivar-22]

Wishing you both good luck in the house search , but don't get too stressed. I understand the emotions you feel with this first purchase but it's not like a final or forever one . A house can be bought and sold and in case it doesn't come right now you can always find your dream house later 😊 . And thanks for the house tours 😊

[@someones_journey]

Thank you for your kind message 🥰🥰 Yes you're completely right, I'm in the process of letting go a bit of that pressure and, as you say, if it's not the "perfect" house now, it leaves us more time to look further and it's already such a great opportunity anyway! Was super happy to bring you along, thanks for being here! 😊😊

[@SharmanSomerset]

One of my favourite things to do is house hunt for a future Norwegian home, and now I get to join you on your adventure. It’s wise to have other options and a hit list of needs and wants, although your heart will know when you find it. And I’ve always wondered about those sinks, Yoann’s suggestion might not be accurate but until I’m told otherwise it shall be known as a fucking sink, which makes me think of a grumpy plumber as a Brit- “oh that fucking sink’s blocked again!”. Anyway, good to see you’re both taking time out to have fun, it’s really important during this period, big love to you both x

[@someones_journey]

So happy to share this with you! Yes I think too, especially as it's going to be our first purchase it was essential to compare. Hahaha I love this!! 😂😂❤️ Thank you so much, sending you lot of love ❤️❤️❤️

[@SharmanSomerset]

@@someones_journey all that love is boomin back atcha, good luck with the mission x

[@LullaBy-u4c]

This must be pretty stressful... I'm sending you all my good vibes! ❤❤❤

[@someones_journey]

Thank you!

[@mclaren122]

we got an ld house for about 5 weeks ago..but we used 1 one year to find rigth house for the mony we had to spend. so I understand. we were luky. it was a good hous, but we had to go and fix some...and then some more. but now it great. But it is passible, even if it take time. I just hope that you get a good house very soon., so you two can continue enjoy life, and not stress. all the best.

[@someones_journey]

So cool, thanks for sharing this! I now have so many questions! But here are my main ones: what type of fixes did you do (like small things inside or big things as the fundations or the roof)? And did you do all these fixes by yourselves? I think you're very right, when getting into such project, you have to calculate very well the budget of the renovation in the budget for buying the house. Thank you so much for you wishes 😊😊

[@mclaren122]

@@someones_journey I got a carpenter to the big important things. eletircan did that stuff. But if is ok for him you can do like me.Ddo the cable your self. But he look over and contect it up. When it comes to the small things like painting. floors. straight walls in houses if needed..It is all up to what you want to..or want to learn....like me. But I got a lot of help!. and ohh nothing goes as planned. When it comes to how long you are gone use on it....bak to planns never goes as .... And it cost about 1/3 more then you think. atleast. But pleace just ask more if you need too.

[@someones_journey]

Very interesting thanks! That's also a smart thing, pairing a bit of work that you can do yourself and then having it checked and finished by an expert! Spares some costs while keeping the safety and quality! Yes I think it's also about what we want to learn and the time you have to do it. Feels a bit scary, but we will definitely be able to do some things in the house we'll buy. Though the drainage and complete roof felt too much for our first house, in addition to the other smaller things 😅 And as you said, depending on the amount of work if you have to leave the house for a while this is not really practical! That was already a lot of info, thanks a lot!

[@IvanovTchaikonsky]

velkommen til nord-Norge!

[@someones_journey]

@@IvanovTchaikonsky Tusen takk!! 😊🥰

[@shotthroughthelens7836]

I understand the committment you feel with this first purchase, but it's not a forever one! A house can be bought and sold and you'll be able to find your dream house later if it doesn't come right now 🤞✨✨

[@someones_journey]

Completely right! ❤️

[@ulfvagen1140]

It is maybe possible to make a wall bethween the road and the house. To renovate using hired help, is quite expensive in Norway these days. These contractors have lots of jobs, and therefore prices are high. If you can do most of the work yourself, then the cheaper/older houses might make sense. (but you will live in dust/dirt during the renovation.) Good luck to you. 😊 (ps.it might be possible to get a better price on existing house, before the owner hire a realtor.)

[@someones_journey]

Thanks a lot for this! You're right about the wall and I was actually suprised of how few houses by the main roads have these walls around here! The thing in the house we rent is that we are in a valley and the sound resonates widely (we hear the cars and trucks coming from each end of the valley way before they pass in front of the house), so a wall would for sure reduce the direct sound, but not the resonance I imagine. Yes that's what we concluded in the end. And as we have no experience in house renovation, it's a dangerous bet to go for renovating objects. We'll try to find a house that has at least healthy foundations and roof. Then we can learn to improve the interior 😊😊 Thanks a lot!! 😊😊

[@lalogal]

The red house looked like it needed some new drainage pipes and insulation outside the wall. Thats the most important improvement besides new roofing bøying an old house.

[@someones_journey]

Yes that's exactly what we learned visiting the various houses. Most of the older ones have moisture problems in the foundations and need these new draining systems, which is expensive from what we've been told and doesn't necessarily solve the problem completely 😅 This is why we've decided not to try such projects for our first purchase. Hopefully we'll be able to find a house that has healthy "hat and shoes" as a friend said, speaking of the roof and foundations 😃😃

[@drobbins678]

Success in the house search, I'm sure it is hectic.

[@someones_journey]

Thanks youuu! 🙏🙏 Yep, learning new ways to cope with stress 😁

[@HH-zb5ul]

Which is better and more comfortable : renting or owning ?

[@someones_journey]

Hard to say for real as we haven't bought yet, but definitely renting is "easier" as you don't really have to take care of anything but paying the rent (e.g. if something breaks down in the house), but owning is, I imagine (hope?) more fulfilling in the sense that it's an investment that you make and you have more freedom with truly making the place your own... Even if it's a bit scarier for me 😊 So I'd say owning is better and more comfortable long term.

[@runningonemty8566]

🕊❤

[@someones_journey]

🥰🥰

[@1dkappe]

My Swiss cousins were able to afford a house purely by inheriting.

[@someones_journey]

Given the prices we've seen around here, that doesn't suprise at all! They must have been very happy 😊

[@1dkappe]

@@someones_journey well, given that a relative had to die for them to inherit a house, the happiness was tempered.

[@lisabroaddus4737]

Love your videos! Please don't play music in the background while you are speaking. Very distracting and unnecessary.

[@someones_journey]

Thank you so much! And thank you for the feedback! Can I ask if you're talking especially about when I talk directly to the camera or when there is the voice over (or both)? Take care! ❤️

[@lisabroaddus4737]

@ Really, both instances. I’ve noticed a lot lately, that content creators seem to be more one or the other, music through out videos, or very sparingly or not at all so that the viewer can hear sounds of nature, cooking, etc. The latter is what I definitely prefer, but know that it’s a personal choice. Music is like art, very subjective to an individual. Also, and more importantly, if you have auditory issues, or are neurodivergent, sometimes music playing while someone is speaking, is super distracting. Yes, there is close captioning, but you spend so much time reading, you miss a lot of the video. Again, I know this is my personal opinion, but thought I’d put it out there for a different perspective. Either way, nice videos!

[@someones_journey]

​@@lisabroaddus4737 Thanks a lot for your answer ❤ I completely agree regarding impariments and different neurotypes, but then I feel that it takes a whole other type of content to be fully adapted. And I completely agree also that the subtitles are definitely not of real help in these cases. I feel, for my content, that music is also really a way to convey emotions and a certain atmosphere to the visuals. But it's also true that I'm sometimes scared of leaving the raw sounds without the "back up" of the music and your comment definitely encourages me to dare to do this more! Then I also know that it requires some really close attention to sound recording and using different mic, which I'm sometimes lazy to do 😁 But again, very good motivation to stop being lazy and do the work! Thank you so much for the conversation and for sharing your point of view that is 100% valuable!

[@Viking-rp7oc]

You kept saying «our house» to the house you live in now….😂😂😂 Come on🤪

[@someones_journey]

I knoooooow 😱😱😂 It's because it's shorter than "the house we're currently renting" 😜

[@Viking-rp7oc]

Noooo it’s becouse you whant to buy it and live there for ever🤣🤣🤣

[@someones_journey]

Maybeeeeeeeee, I don't knooooooooow, I don't know anything anymoooooooore 😂😂😂