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KIM: When Andy first said, "We're gonna move to Iceland,"
I said, "You're nuts.
You're a Texan."
Huh.
NARRATOR: Everything Andy knows about Iceland
he's learned from his wife, Kim.
ANDY: She's part Icelandic.
I lived here as a teenager.
I've heard that 10% of the population
has left Iceland,
so there should be a lot of homes available.
NARRATOR: But trading hot summers for hot springs
won't be easy.
KIM: Most Texans have no clue what Iceland's about.
Looks like lamb, lamb.
Whoa, and a lamb's head.
[ Laughs ]
Life in Iceland has changed quite a bit.
ANDY: What is with the broken windows in this place?
I don't think that is safe at all for Luke.
That's really far.
"Aah! Scary."
NARRATOR: Take the plunge...
He's looking at you, Luke.
...as "House Hunters International"
goes all the way to Reykjavik, Iceland.
Price is going up.
[ Doorbell rings ]
-- Captions by VITAC --
Closed Captions provided by Scripps Networks, LLC.
All right. We finally made it.
We're here.
Kim may be a Texan at heart,
but there's still nothing like coming home to Mom and Dad.
Hey!
[ Laughter ]
When I left Iceland at 17,
I had no desire to come back and live.
I was gonna go make a new life in America.
A 4-year-old has arrived.
We loved life in Texas.
We really had a home there.
What have y'all been into?
MAN: Well, just working.
My parents have been here for 17 years
running a radio station.
We had heard that the economy had really taken a turn
and they had cut back on the employees and everything.
ANDY: They had to scale back,
and so we wanted to help out and try to do what we can.
Now we're gonna show you where you're gonna go to work
'cause we got a lot of work to do.
Wow.
I'm still pinching myself that we're actually doing this.
I know there's gonna be some differences --
weather, language, work environment.
But I'm looking forward to the challenges, as well.
MAN: Yeah, we'll make some room for you.
We're gonna put you in the studio before too long,
use that talent you have.
Well, you know, give us a moment to --
[ Laughter ]
...to unpack our suitcases, you know?
Yeah.
KIM: I had to really search my soul to come back to Iceland.
But we just really felt in our hearts
that it was time to give back and just make a difference.
[ Doorbell rings ]
NARRATOR: Iceland was settled in the early Middle Ages
as a refuge from harsh Viking rule.
Reykjavik, the country's capital,
was named for its biggest attraction -- hot springs.
But today, it's better known for an economy in hot water.
With most Icelanders going from owning to leasing,
rentals are scarce,
and that doesn't bode well for these Texas transplants.
Hi.
Nice to meet you face-to-face.
We really would like something that's comparable
to what we've been in in the States.
Like, we lived in a three-bedroom, two-bath house.
Okay.
And we need it to either be furnished
or have lots of closets
because we just came with, like, suitcases.
Mm-hmm.
It would be really important
that we be close to Luke's school,
Okay.
I mean, and, also, it would be nice
if we had a large refrigerator.
We've heard, like, a lot of times,
you have to go downstairs for the laundry,
so I'd really like it to either have a view or have windows.
And also storage.
At least a parking place.
It would be great if it was updated.
And we would like it to have a bathtub.
Yeah, I mean, that's pretty much it.
I mean, I don't want to be unrealistic.
Okay, so, what is your budget?
Probably somewhere around...
$1,500.
...$1,500 U.S.
Well, I'm sorry to tell you,
but I don't think your budget will cover a single house.
JóHANNA: Here in Iceland, it's mostly apartment buildings.
I know they have to settle,
and maybe they're not ready to settle,
but they have to decide right away if they want an apartment
because they go pretty quickly.
NARRATOR: With a Texas-sized wish list
and a modest $1,500 budget,
Jóhanna comes up with a property in the heart of the 104,
a district that's central to her client's needs
but may be lacking in curb appeal.
So, here we are in area 104.
Oh, okay. Where we wanted to be.
Yeah, where you wanted to be.
It's a three-bedroom apartment, 1,200 square feet.
Oh. That's a good size.
It's $1,500.
ANDY: Okay.
But it's not redone or anything.
I mean, it just looks like it's --
But just wait until you come inside.
Okay.
Now, what's this space over here?
Oh, this is the roof of the garages.
ANDY: There should be a banister or railing to keep --
Whoa!
KIM: I can see our little guy
just running up here out of curiosity
and running off the back of the porch.
ANDY: Definitely a concern.
My first impression was,
"What have we gotten ourselves into?"
Here's the place.
Okay.
Nice carpeting.
Hey, it's all carpet.
Like it's...
Looks a bit dated.
Can see that it's gonna get a little bit dirty.
Yeah.
Okay.
ANDY: It's a decent size.
Wow. It is a good size except it's old appliances.
I can tell that.
ANDY: The kitchen is a bit dated,
not modern, not what I was looking for.
The fridge that it comes with is a bit small.
But it is functional, and it's not a bad kitchen.
Now, what's going on with the door system here?
Why do we have two sets of doors?
Okay.
but now they've opened it up.
KIM: It's very big.
Yeah. Good size, for sure.
Lots of windows. That's what you wanted.
There's not really a view except for the other houses.
Now, the windows seem a little fogged over.
Is that just because they're dirty, or is that --
No. They are --
ANDY: Just typical with older windows.
The seals get broken.
But that's what you wanted -- natural light.
And you're gonna appreciate them
come wintertime.
That's true. That's true.
JóHANNA: This is the bathroom.
It doesn't have a bathtub.
Yeah, that's obvious.
Uh-oh. Is it broken?
You know, I'm a little surprised.
It's light. It's clean.
And so, I was like, "This is gonna be it."
But then you get to the shower, and I was so disappointed.
I can't believe that the price in the market
is still as high as it is for what you get.
What is with the broken windows in this place?
Okay.
KIM: Okay.
ANDY: I did think that the bedrooms
were a good space.
The size of them is adequate.
And all the bedrooms have built-ins.
That way we don't have to buy expensive furniture pieces.
And that's what we're kind of looking for.
But it definitely needs some work.
So, what do you think, guys?
Number one -- I like the location.
I mean, the thought of being close to the daycare
and close to shopping.
And my parents.
I don't like that it doesn't have a view.
You know, the kitchen is a little bit dated,
and it doesn't have a bathtub.
Yeah.
We didn't bring stuff.
I mean, it's at the top of the budget,
Mm-hmm.
Okay.
Okay.
Wow. This is really cute.
NARRATOR: Big Texas dreams meet Reykjavik realities.
How much is this a month?
Wow.
It's above your budget, but...
It's not even a single-family home
that we were after at the beginning, you know.
Yeah.
So, how much further is this place?
I think I can see the smoke up there.
Well, I think we're getting close, Luke.
NARRATOR: Kim and Andy have traded the Texas plains
for the badlands of Reykjavik
to lend a hand with her family's business.
KIM: Luke is one of 13 little cousins.
I think it's gonna be different for him.
Oh, it stinks.
It's that sulfur smell.
LUKE: It smells like chicken.
Smells like chicken.
But I think this is gonna be a completely new adventure,
and I'm really excited to see how he adapts.
All right, geyser. Here we come.
Get our jackets on.
No, thanks.
You don't want to miss out on this.
You freezing?
Maybe when you get up here
closer to the steam, it'll warm us up.
You ready?
Look at it boiling.
Like, once it has enough pressure, it "boom!"
ANDY: I think most people, especially my family in Texas,
were shocked and thought we were kind of crazy.
Most of them picture Iceland in their minds as Eskimos.
Getting really close, Luke.
It had a little burp there.
Excuse you, water!
I was very drawn to getting a different perspective of life.
Come on.
It's got to get a little bit more pressure.
NARRATOR: Kim was excited to give Iceland another go,
but with so few rentals on the market and only $1,500 to spend,
the only thing that's bubbling over now is her frustration.
KIM: Whoa!
That could really be dangerous.
KIM: You know, the kitchen is a little bit dated,
and it doesn't have a bathtub.
NARRATOR: With so much competition for housing,
Jóhanna doesn't have much time.
She finds an updated space with potential,
but it's farther from work and family
in Reykjavik's pricy downtown.
JóHANNA: This is a three-bedroom apartment with a garage.
KIM: Okay.
And then we have a shared garden.
Luke would love this.
He could play out there, and there's swings over there.
That's so cute.
So, how much is this a month?
Wow.
It's above your budget, but...
It's not even a single-family home
that we were after at the beginning, you know.
I know.
So, here we are.
Oh.
It's got some nice new tile in the entry.
ANDY: Yeah, it looks nice.
Mm-hmm.
And then we have a kitchen here.
Okay.
It's green.
JóHANNA: These are not original cabinets.
Yeah.
ANDY: Yeah, the cabinets aren't so bad.
Okay.
But at least you have space for your fridge here.
So, it doesn't come with a fridge?
This house doesn't?
No. The owners can supply furniture if you want.
That's no problem.
Is it extra cost?
Okay.
So, it's already over our budget, and then...
Yeah, and then some more.
...more on top of that.
Okay.
It doesn't have a bathtub as you wanted, but a nice...
Oh.
Oh, it's missing a light bulb.
Oh, it's missing the light.
KIM: What can I say about it?
I mean, it's been partly redone.
Like, the bathroom's been redone.
Then the other parts of the house haven't,
so it's kind of like a mixed bag.
Oh!
This is a nice size.
And look at the view.
You can see the Pearl and...
Oh, yeah.
You really are in the middle of town.
ANDY: You know, Kim likes old-charm houses,
so I think the kitchen
and the older charm that the house has in general
works for her.
I was looking for something more modern.
And so, it's okay for me,
but it's probably not my number-one choice.
KIM: Now, what is this room?
JóHANNA: It used to be a living room.
Oh, okay.
Yeah.
Okay, so, this is the living room.
Yeah.
I'm just not sure I like the way this thing flows.
It's kind of an odd setup.
The kitchen is on one end of the house,
Yeah.
You're not gonna want to cook
and then carry it across the house
into the dining room in here.
The budget is so high, in my opinion, from Texas,
and what you get for your money here
is just not as much as you thought.
So, I guess we'll have
to provide our own washer and dryer?
The owner can provide it
if you want the whole apartment furnished,
but it's gonna cost you even more.
Yeah.
Price is going up.
ANDY: I just don't know at this price
if the value is here.
Oh, I hate to be over budget by that far,
and then we would have to add furniture.
Yeah. Keep in mind things move quickly here --
something we're not used to.
I know.
Oh, it's bubbling.
NARRATOR: Will their simmering frustrations send them sky-high?
KIM: Well, it's a really big building,
and it's something I'm totally not used to.
KIM: So, what are you thinking?
ANDY: I'm thinking it's pretty expensive.
NARRATOR: Kim may have history here,
but Iceland's financial crisis changed everything.
And like her husband, Andy,
she's finding she has a lot to learn.
Life in Iceland has changed quite a bit since I was 17.
Whoa.
$40 a kilo.
Holy cow.
Okay.
One of the things we love about Texas is beef.
Lots of beef.
All righty.
When we lived here before, it was a lot easier
to get stuff in the stores,
and now it's like they only buy a limited number of things.
What else can we get?
I don't know.
Looks like lamb, lamb.
Whoa, and a lamb's head.
That is utterly disgusting.
[ Laughs ] Well, you know, it could be dinner.
No, it can't.
No.
Stop, stop, stop.
But compared to finding a rental for just $1,500,
food shopping is easy.
Keep in mind things move quickly here --
something we're not used to.
I know.
KIM: So, I guess we'll have
to provide our own washer and dryer?
JóHANNA: The owner can provide it,
but it's gonna cost you even more.
Price is going up.
Jóhanna knows that budget has become a big issue,
so she takes a chance with an affordable property
that offers an entirely different kind of living
but one that's even farther from the action.
JóHANNA: Welcome to...
Oh, thank you.
So, what's your first impression?
Well, it's a really big building,
and it's something I'm totally not used to, but...
Seems a bit far out.
Yeah, it's not, like, in the middle of town.
Okay.
And the pricing here is great.
Okay.
And he will leave some furniture for you, and...
That's good news.
Also, we have a laundry room in the apartment.
In the apartment. That's good news.
Good. Let's have a look.
Yeah. Let's look at it.
Yeah, this is...
Pretty nice.
Okay.
Oh, I'm so excited.
Bathroom's immediate.
Wow, it has the bathtub I've been wanting!
It is a big bathtub on top of that, and a shower.
And it's updated.
They've got, like, slate on the wall.
That's nice.
It's very modern.
And I really like that.
Here we have the master bedroom.
Okay.
And great view from the balcony here.
Oh, look at the view.
The view's amazing.
It was so open and airy with those windows,
which led you to an amazing balcony.
And you're like, "This is nice."
However, when I looked over the side, I was like, "Aah! Scary."
I don't think that is safe at all for Luke
'cause he is 4 and he would climb up there.
That's really far.
ANDY: Unfortunately, the location
was on the outskirts on the edge of town,
not really a walking distance
to anything that is a priority for us.
It's probably a little bit smaller
than what we would really like,
but it's brand-new, updated, modern.
I really like it.
Oh, and here it is. The laundry room.
The laundry room.
The kitchen and living room is all open area.
Now, that's nice, Andy.
And it's modern.
Modern. And it looks like it...
Yeah.
Yeah. Okay.
So, that's nice.
And, again, it's furnished.
Yeah, but it looks, to me, like a really updated apartment,
brand-new,
and then the furnishings is rather, you know, antique,
which, I mean, that's the style.
But I'm not sure that's what we're going for.
ANDY: No, some of it's definitely gonna have to go.
And so, when does he want a decision about this?
Uh, right away. He's moving next week.
Oh, oh.
So, it's kind of like the pricing is really fair,
Yeah.
I can see that.
I mean, we're just gonna have to compromise on something.
Just seems a bit tight, but I think once you get
some of this furniture that we don't want out of here,
it may be doable.
Yeah.
We're gonna have to start really considering
which one we want to go with and move quickly.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: Location...
size...
or cost?
Something's got to give.
Uh-oh. Here we go.
Getting closer.
[ Sighs ] It's been a long day,
and we've seen a lot of houses.
Yeah.
NARRATOR: After 18 years in Texas,
Kim has returned home to Reykjavik
with a family of her own.
But in the wake of an economic crisis,
she's finding that Iceland
is not the land of plenty she remembers.
With $1,500 in their pocket,
they wanted something a little bit country.
Whoa!
But even with a family-friendly $1,500 price tag,
House 1's rough edges might be a little too rock 'n' roll.
What is with the broken windows in this place?
From the outside, House 2 looks the part...
How much is this a month?
Wow.
It's above your budget.
...and its insides underwhelm.
ANDY: I'm just not sure I like the way this thing flows.
You're not gonna want to cook
and then carry it across the house.
NARRATOR: At $1,200, House 3 is under budget and full of perks.
KIM: Wow, it has the bathtub!
Oh, and here it is. The laundry room.
JóHANNA: The laundry room.
NARRATOR: But can these Texas transplants
adapt to high-rise living?
I don't think that is safe at all for Luke.
That's really far.
I think I've got one in mind
All right.
You want to do the whole "rock, paper, scissors" thing?
Okay.
Ready.
Yeah.
I agree with you.
Yeah.
So, what do you think of the high-rise?
Well, the high-rise is one of my favorites.
Just because of the views.
They're just absolutely breathtaking,
and it's something that we don't get
Mm-hmm.
And it's modern, which is something that I was looking for.
A nice change from what we're used to in our house.
I like the views, but at the same time,
I'm a little bit nervous with Luke.
I just can see him plummeting to his death.
Yeah, I mean, it's not a good play area for Luke.
But it does come furnished,
the only one that really was furnished,
even though it wasn't our taste or style.
And I do love the bathtub
That's true.
It's very important to me.
And we got to keep in mind
that it fits our budget really well.
Right.
There's a lot of pros to that.
It was nice and big.
It had the three full bedrooms with built-in closets.
Windows in each one.
Big windows lets lots of natural light in each room.
But they didn't have the view that you wanted.
Definitely zero view.
No view at all. And no tub.
How do you feel about not having a tub?
I'm not happy about that.
I'm not even gonna lie.
Yeah.
I mean, I really feel like it's between modern and furnished
Right.
Oh, yeah.
Bathtub or no bathtub.
Oh! And the bathtub.
So, I think I know which one I'm thinking.
All right. Let's have it.
I think it's got to be the central.
Yeah. Me too.
I feel like that's it.
I mean, we came to do what we came to do
and have people over and enjoy our time while we're here.
Yeah. I agree.
We're gonna do it.
All right. Let's do this thing.
[ Laughs ]
It's 10 minutes after 3:00 and a beautiful day.
We've had a little bit of rain and some sunshine and more rain,
and now it's sunshine again.
Typical Iceland weather.
KIM: We really don't have any regrets.
We feel like we totally did the right thing.
We are happy to be here on London radio.
We've learned a lot, and we really have enjoyed ourselves.
We felt like this is exactly what we needed.
Hey, hey! Come on in!
Have you got settled in?
KIM: We chose the central apartment.
It was kind of a mess in the yard and everything,
but we just really wanted the location.
Chicken!
Looking good.
That's a big change.
[ Kim laughs ]
KIM: Yeah. It looks good, huh?
It really does. Wow.
WOMAN: This is really a special treat for us
to be able to have breakfast at your house.
I think my mom and dad are overjoyed.
My mom never expected us to live in Iceland
and never expected that she would ever have a grandchild
that lived close.
This is a gift. This is such a gift.
Yeah, well, just wait till my parents come over.
Then we'll all be together.
[ Laughter ]
Wow. Look at this. Seals.
Yeah, buddy.
They're gonna get something good.
Oh.
He's looking at you, Luke.
It's been great. You know, we wanted adventure.
And that's what we got.
We call it an adventure of a lifetime.
All right, Luke.
You ready to go?
All right. Let's roll.
All right. Let's rock 'n' roll.