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Ok, so I watched both episodes of the new show "Living Abroad" on Friday 3/30/12. The first was of Americans living in Tokyo, the second of those living in Dubai.

Interesting show. I don't know if these were just tests or not, because they're not showing up on next week's schedule at all. I was amazed how little complaining the people did compared to the house hunter international style shows, though. Tokyo's cramped and rushed lifestyles, and Dubai's very strict and somewhat "non woman friendly" environment - everyone seemed to enjoy living in the places they chose. Amazingly different than the sometimes dippy attitudes we show Americans having when looking at homes in the home hunter shows.

The host, Chi-Lan Lieu, does much better in this series than she did in a brief stint with Designed to Sell in Atlanta, though honestly, if she used the word "expat" ONE MORE TIME in the show I think I was going to throw a shoe at it. We get it... we're "Expats"... ok, move on, please - we've learned our new word for the day !!

Other than that, decent show.

Yeah, the show didn't make me want to scream, so I guess it was pretty good.

(Sad, isn't it, that that's my criterion for a good HGTV show these days?)

I was hoping it is a new show, meaning a regular series, as I really liked it. The families were nice and seemed pretty normal (not complainy). I would love to see other places.

No wonder you haven't seen new episodes, if they were nice and acted normal. that is not what HGTV is about they want DRAMA

Considering this is how the episodes are listed on the Living Abroad information pages:
American Expats Living Abroad in Tokyo
HLVAB-102H
American Expats making their own desert oases in Dubai
HLVAB-105H

I'm guessing there are at least a few other episodes we haven't seen yet (101, 103, 104, and more?)

quote:

Originally posted by Greg 30127:

... I was amazed how little complaining the people did compared to the house hunter international style shows, though.

... Everyone seemed to enjoy living in the places they chose...

I noticed the same thing and thoroughly enjoyed the two episodes I watched.

I hope it will return, but as someone said, it probably won't due to the lack of drama

After seeing only two episodes I really like this show and where it's heading. I've been watching HGTV a long time and have seen it run the gamut from overly dramatic to substantive, informative and sometimes even thought-provoking. This shows starts to go in the direction of the Travel channel which has gotten vastly better in the last few years: combining cultural immersion with the cool/unique housing situations that can be found in other countries. Seeing yet another starched-shirt couple buy a brick townhome is not really my cup of tea so this show might draw me back to my previous HGTV obsession. I especially love actually seeing/hearing how the living situation plays into the daily lives of the "expats."

Agree, it was good so we probably won't see it again. (Never that thrilled with that host, however.)

Felt as if they were including the info that you'd love to hear on HHI but don't b/c they're too busy reciting the canned HHI/HH lines. That's if you can stomach watching HH/HHI!

Sorry I missed this show; it sounds good.

RErocker, you mean no one said, "Wooowwwww...I love this space! It actually pops! Great for entertaining too. But I'm not a fan of the outdated bathrooms. And where would little Winston/Madison play? I mean, we're sooo close to the neighbors."

I guess I am in the minority re: my feelings on this show. I accept that it's HGTV, but they spend an inordinate amount of time showing the expat's homes. If you regularly watch HH Intl., you've already seen what types of homes are available in many destinations.

I would enjoy more info on how their lifestyle has changed. What is particularly challenging about adjusting to that culture for an American? What was unexpected? Living Abroad does touch on some of these topics, but only just.

I've seen Shanghai and Amsterdam so far. I think most Americans have an idea of what living in Europe is like. Why not show Toronto too?

The families/couples I have seen so far love it, and seem particularly well-adjusted. Anyone who is an expat (or knows one) knows moving to a different culture is challenging.

Living Abroad feels sugar coated....or at least dusted. Show some people struggling in less glamorous destinations. Maybe I'm weird in not wanting to see a "toothpaste commercial"?

I liked the Amsterdam show, I like looking at the homes. I hope they make more episodes.

quote:

Originally posted by psionicdfw:
I guess I am in the minority re: my feelings on this show. I accept that it's HGTV, but they spend an inordinate amount of time showing the expat's homes. If you regularly watch HH Intl., you've already seen what types of homes are available in many destinations.

I would enjoy more info on how their lifestyle has changed. What is particularly challenging about adjusting to that culture for an American? What was unexpected? Living Abroad does touch on some of these topics, but only just.

I've seen Shanghai and Amsterdam so far. I think most Americans have an idea of what living in Europe is like. Why not show Toronto too?

I so agree. I like learning about the differences between living there versus here and what every day life can be like. I could have been happy with less attention paid on the home in which the ex-pats lived. I watched the Amsterdam show, and I'd like to see more people living in more average-sized homes and talking about the things they let go of, how they made things fit, how the more modest living has changed them.

I've spent 5 weeks in Canada and came away feeling that it was like the US with a touch of class (Ottawa and out in the boonies 5 hours northeast of Vancouver) but I would like to know what kind of differences Americans see and feel when they live there.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: santa_fe,

quote:

Originally posted by santa_fe:

quote:

Originally posted by psionicdfw:
I guess I am in the minority re: my feelings on this show. I accept that it's HGTV, but they spend an inordinate amount of time showing the expat's homes. If you regularly watch HH Intl., you've already seen what types of homes are available in many destinations.

I would enjoy more info on how their lifestyle has changed. What is particularly challenging about adjusting to that culture for an American? What was unexpected? Living Abroad does touch on some of these topics, but only just.

I've seen Shanghai and Amsterdam so far. I think most Americans have an idea of what living in Europe is like. Why not show Toronto too?

I so agree. I like learning about the differences between living there versus here and what every day life can be like. I could have been happy with less attention paid on the home in which the ex-pats lived. I watched the Amsterdam show, and I'd like to see more people living in more average-sized homes and talking about the things they let go of, how they made things fit, how the more modest living has changed them.

I've spent 5 weeks in Canada and came away feeling that it was like the US with a touch of class (Ottawa and out in the boonies 5 hours northeast of Vancouver) but I would like to know what kind of differences Americans see and feel when they live there.

I think some of the things mentioned would fit better on TravelNetwork, not HGTV, but I'd also like to see some of the things mentioned.

quote:

I think some of the things mentioned would fit better on TravelNetwork, not HGTV, but I'd also like to see some of the things mentioned.

ITA.

"I think some of the things mentioned would fit better on TravelNetwork, not HGTV, but I'd also like to see some of the things mentioned."

Agreed. This show is in a weird middle ground as to which channel it would fit best. Perhaps landing on HGTV meant more of a focus on the homes.

I do not think the homes I have seen so far are representative of the locales. They focus on people who dropped north of $1,000,000. It feels like an opportunity for the expats to brag on their lux digs - "look at my walk-in closet - no one has these here", vs. a documentary on typical living in city "X". It's more of a guide as to how to live like an American while abroad if you have enough cash to pull it off. I wonder how they found these people?

I know one of the Amsterdam and the Norway expat was renting, I think two of the Amsterdam's expats rented. Certainly didn't think much of the Norway home, can't think of this show as bragging.
I thought they did well pointing out the differences, like that skinny staircase and the pulley systems. The Mom and son now share the bathroom, overall some not so nice changes.
Oh well, I liked it.
Can't imagine living in the dark for two months.

quote:

Originally posted by psionicdfw:

It feels like an opportunity for the expats to brag on their lux digs - "look at my walk-in closet - no one has these here", vs. a documentary on typical living in city "X". It's more of a guide as to how to live like an American while abroad if you have enough cash to pull it off. I wonder how they found these people?

Agreed. It's still interesting nevertheless.

I just watched the new episode about Geneva. I spent a semester there studying over thirty years ago, and I guess I won't be back. I don't feel like spending $40 on fondue. When I was there it was four Swiss francs to the dollar; now they are equal. Plus the average salary is more than double what a typical American makes. Now that I'm a retired teacher and make less than a Swiss waiter, I have to visit cheaper places. I'll bet there are some good deals on trips to Libya now.

Geneva looked exactly the same. It sounds like they are very protective of their environment. I remember the "jeton" water spout in the lake, the rows and rows of vineyards, and the incredible Alps. Amazing!

I just watched the Tokyo episode and this one seemed to spend as much time on life in Tokyo (vending machines, fish and other food, trains, etc) and lifestyle as it does on living spaces. In low tones, the host and a long-time resident visited a capsule hotel (someone was sleeping in one of the capsules). It looked like a space age dog kennel.

Two of the families that were interviewed, of course, lived in super extra-large apartments but one guy lived in a 400 square foot apartment. Both he and one of the families talked about how they don't miss the things they don't have.

Maybe this show is a "gateway" show to get us to watch more Discovery Channel. Lots to learn.

Well, it's been a few weeks now and I haven't seen the program airing again.

Did I miss it, or has anyone else seen it lately?

You missed it because I have a series recording setup for it on my DVR and a new episode just aired 9/27. I haven't watched it yet but plan to tomorrow. It was in Vienna. There are 2 new episodes airing Thursday at 11pm ET and 11:30pm ET. The first one is Living Abroad in Paris and then the second episode that night is Living Abroad in Prague. My DVR showed that they will be re-airing episodes on 10/12 during the day (2-4pm ET). Hope this helps.

Sorry, should've said that the date for those 2 new episodes on Thursday is 10/4 at 11pm and 11:30pm ET. Just wanted to make sure it didn't get confused with the 10/12 date, which is the reruns.

I just caught the Tokyo episode. I really enjoyed it. If I can find more episodes I will watch them!!