0:00:02 > 0:00:05I'm standing at one of the crossroads of Central Europe.
0:00:05 > 0:00:07Over my left shoulder I have the Swiss Alps
0:00:07 > 0:00:09and, over to the right, is Austria.
0:00:09 > 0:00:11But I am in neither of those countries.
0:00:11 > 0:00:14So where am I? Find out in just a moment.
0:00:32 > 0:00:35On today's programme, in the quest for the perfect property,
0:00:35 > 0:00:39our house-hunters come face-to-face with some hard facts.
0:00:39 > 0:00:43Whether I can find something in my budget that I love, I don't know.
0:00:43 > 0:00:44I don't know it's possible.
0:00:44 > 0:00:48But we're not ones to give up on love, as the search continues.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50I'm a little bit shellshocked.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52It's incredible. Absolutely incredible.
0:00:56 > 0:00:58Welcome to Escape To The Continent.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01We're next to the majestic waters of Lake Constance,
0:01:01 > 0:01:04whose northern shore is in southern Germany,
0:01:04 > 0:01:10although its 150-mile coastline also touches Austria and Switzerland.
0:01:10 > 0:01:12And whereas on the land, the boundaries between
0:01:12 > 0:01:15those countries are clear, out in the lake they're not.
0:01:15 > 0:01:18There's no binding agreement between the three countries.
0:01:18 > 0:01:21So if I sailed out on a raft into the middle of the water
0:01:21 > 0:01:23I would be in no man's land.
0:01:23 > 0:01:26It's a very popular area for German holiday-makers
0:01:26 > 0:01:28but also, increasingly, for British ex-pats.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32After all, where else could you wake up and have breakfast in Germany,
0:01:32 > 0:01:34cycle into Switzerland for a hot chocolate
0:01:34 > 0:01:36and end the day with supper in Austria?
0:01:38 > 0:01:42Lake Constance is located in the most southerly part of Germany.
0:01:42 > 0:01:45To get here, it's less than a two-hour flight from the UK
0:01:45 > 0:01:49to the airport of Zurich, just across the border in Switzerland.
0:01:49 > 0:01:52The lake itself spans two German states -
0:01:52 > 0:01:54Bavaria and Baden-Wurttemberg.
0:01:54 > 0:01:58Lake Constance is the water's international name
0:01:58 > 0:02:01as it's known as Bodensee to the German locals.
0:02:01 > 0:02:04It's 39 miles long and over eight miles wide
0:02:04 > 0:02:07and is the third largest lake in Central Europe.
0:02:07 > 0:02:12Along the shoreline, the towns and villages are steeped in history,
0:02:12 > 0:02:15with many boasting castles, abbeys and churches.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17Where the River Rhine meets the lake
0:02:17 > 0:02:21is the thriving university city of Constance.
0:02:21 > 0:02:24Being close to neutral Switzerland during the Second World War,
0:02:24 > 0:02:27Constance was spared from bombing, which has preserved
0:02:27 > 0:02:31its beautiful cobbled streets, characterful colour-washed houses
0:02:31 > 0:02:35and a magnificent 11th century Romanesque cathedral.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Situated on its own island in the eastern part of the lake
0:02:40 > 0:02:41is the town of Lindau.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45With records dating back to the year 882,
0:02:45 > 0:02:47the town has so many historic buildings
0:02:47 > 0:02:52that the whole area has been listed as a historic monument.
0:02:52 > 0:02:55The lake itself is a centre for watersports, sailing
0:02:55 > 0:02:57and, in summer, swimming.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01It's also just a stone's throw from the Swiss and Austrian Alps,
0:03:01 > 0:03:03whose snow-covered peaks are a great backdrop
0:03:03 > 0:03:06for hiking in the summer and skiing in the winter.
0:03:06 > 0:03:11All this, along with spectacular rural scenery at every turn,
0:03:11 > 0:03:15makes this area an appealing region and a visual treat.
0:03:17 > 0:03:21The popularity of Baden-Wurttemberg makes it quite a pricey place
0:03:21 > 0:03:22to buy property.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26The average detached house here comes in at £247,000,
0:03:26 > 0:03:29which makes it one of the most expensive areas in Germany.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31That said, it's about £30,000 cheaper
0:03:31 > 0:03:33than the equivalent property back home.
0:03:33 > 0:03:35The thing to remember about Germany
0:03:35 > 0:03:38is that this is not a nation obsessed with home-owning.
0:03:38 > 0:03:42Unlike the UK, where two-thirds of us own our own properties,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46here in Germany, more than 50% rent, and are quite happy to do so
0:03:46 > 0:03:48without any sense that this is a lesser option.
0:03:48 > 0:03:52So here we are in Lake Constance, where renting and buying are both
0:03:52 > 0:03:55good options, but what has brought our buyers here today?
0:03:55 > 0:03:57Let's meet them and find out.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Today's buyer is Sue, who is house-hunting with
0:04:01 > 0:04:04her daughter Amanda - one of her three grown up children.
0:04:04 > 0:04:09It's just me involved in the move but I'm bringing my daughter Amanda along
0:04:09 > 0:04:12just to show me and let me know whether I'm doing
0:04:12 > 0:04:14the right thing or not.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17I'm probably the most opinionated out of the...me and my brothers,
0:04:17 > 0:04:21erm, and the most honest, as I like to call it.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25And I will tell Mum if she shouldn't move somewhere
0:04:25 > 0:04:27or be realistic with her.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Sue's current home is on the market. It's a three bedroom barn-conversion
0:04:31 > 0:04:33in the village of Washford in Somerset -
0:04:33 > 0:04:37a beautiful place but one she is ready to move on from.
0:04:37 > 0:04:38I have been here seven years now
0:04:38 > 0:04:42and I don't tend to live in a house more than seven or eight years,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44so I'm ready for a move on now.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Now is the time to do it, before I get too old.
0:04:47 > 0:04:52And, erm, would just like to start a new adventure in life.
0:04:53 > 0:04:56The decision to go to Germany hasn't come out of the blue.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58Sue has lived there once before.
0:04:58 > 0:05:02We moved over there when Amanda was six weeks old
0:05:02 > 0:05:04and were there for four years.
0:05:04 > 0:05:06We actually lived in Immenstaad
0:05:06 > 0:05:10and it was a beautiful area then and really liked it.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12I don't remember much of living there
0:05:12 > 0:05:15but from previous holidays it's been just beautiful there.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Everyone is really friendly
0:05:17 > 0:05:20and it's by the lake and the walks are incredible.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Sue currently works as an accountant -
0:05:22 > 0:05:25something she plans to continue after she's moved.
0:05:25 > 0:05:26At present I have my own business
0:05:26 > 0:05:30and I spend two days a week working at home doing that.
0:05:30 > 0:05:33The other three days I work in Taunton for a company,
0:05:33 > 0:05:36so what I plan to do, because obviously I need some income,
0:05:36 > 0:05:39is to give up the paid employment
0:05:39 > 0:05:42and take my clients with me across to Germany
0:05:42 > 0:05:45and, erm, just carry on doing the same as I do now
0:05:45 > 0:05:48because most of it is on the internet anyway,
0:05:48 > 0:05:50so they don't actually need to see me.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53The idea is to free up much more time for her hobbies,
0:05:53 > 0:05:55in particular her passion - sewing.
0:05:55 > 0:06:00I've recently got into patchwork and quilting,
0:06:00 > 0:06:04so I've got a few quilts on the go at the moment which I'm trying to make.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Also, I like dress-making as well.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09But, by moving away, there are big sacrifices to be made.
0:06:09 > 0:06:12The biggest concern about me moving over there
0:06:12 > 0:06:14is leaving my daughter behind.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Obviously, I won't be able to see her as often as I do now.
0:06:17 > 0:06:19Me and my mum are extremely close
0:06:19 > 0:06:22so I am going to really miss her when she goes.
0:06:22 > 0:06:23We do spend a lot of time together
0:06:23 > 0:06:26and she supports me through everything.
0:06:26 > 0:06:30We go shopping or we do lots of activities together.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34- Spending money!- Spending money, yeah, that we don't have.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37I know she'll never be lonely because she's such an amazing
0:06:37 > 0:06:40person that she'll always meet people and make friends,
0:06:40 > 0:06:43but I worry that she's going to miss England too much.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45And me, obviously.
0:06:45 > 0:06:49And for Sue it's a big step but the time is right to take it.
0:06:49 > 0:06:52I don't want to be in ten years' time thinking,
0:06:52 > 0:06:55"I wish I'd done that ten years ago and now I can't do it."
0:06:55 > 0:06:58So now just seems the right time to do it.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Sue wants to be as close to Lake Constance as possible.
0:07:07 > 0:07:10Having lived in the small town of Immenstaad in the past,
0:07:10 > 0:07:14we're concentrating our hunt along this part of the shoreline.
0:07:14 > 0:07:17I'm meeting Sue and her daughter down by the lake
0:07:17 > 0:07:19to learn more about her plans.
0:07:20 > 0:07:23- Welcome to Lake Constance, you two. - Thank you.
0:07:23 > 0:07:25We're here in November, which is way out of season,
0:07:25 > 0:07:28but you probably remember that from when you lived here.
0:07:28 > 0:07:32- Yes, absolutely. Hopefully snow next month.- Yeah.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Amanda, what's your role in the proceedings this week?
0:07:35 > 0:07:37Erm, to be the level head, more so.
0:07:37 > 0:07:40Mum, you're more of a... romanticise things
0:07:40 > 0:07:43and I'm here to be a bit more practical.
0:07:43 > 0:07:45Mm, probably. Yes.
0:07:45 > 0:07:49Tell me what you're looking for. Tell me the spec of the property.
0:07:49 > 0:07:51Well, I want at least two bedrooms.
0:07:51 > 0:07:55I want a little bit of outside space, even if it's only a balcony.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57I need some sort of outside space.
0:07:57 > 0:08:00And it's got to be within walking distance of the lake.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04When you say you want to be within walking distance of the lake, how far would you walk?
0:08:04 > 0:08:07- A couple of miles, I think. - Oh, right.
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- So a 20 minute walk?- Yes.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11Yeah, that seems reasonable.
0:08:11 > 0:08:15- Remind us again of your budget. - £230,000.
0:08:15 > 0:08:18So this is quite a buoyant area. Prices went up 4% last year.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22- Are you aware of a pressure on your budget?- Yes.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26I know I'm not going to be able to afford a house, it has to be an apartment.
0:08:26 > 0:08:29And if you had to compromise, what might be able to go?
0:08:29 > 0:08:34Well, I would like a lake view but I know that's probably a compromise...
0:08:34 > 0:08:36That's another thing, not a compromise.
0:08:36 > 0:08:39You've just added one more thing to your list.
0:08:39 > 0:08:42In terms of the actual finances of coming over here,
0:08:42 > 0:08:45you've got a property in Somerset which is not sold yet.
0:08:45 > 0:08:47No, unfortunately.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49Here in Germany, it's much more acceptable
0:08:49 > 0:08:51to rent a property long-term.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53Would that be an option,
0:08:53 > 0:08:56if you kept your property in England and rented here?
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Erm, I have thought about it,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02but I've lived in a house and owned my own house since I was 19, so...
0:09:02 > 0:09:06you think, it's really weird going into rented accommodation.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09OK, so we've got all our ducks in a row, as it were.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12- Now we just need to find some houses that you like.- Absolutely.
0:09:12 > 0:09:16- We've got four lovely houses lined up, including a mystery house. - Brilliant.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19- So, erm, gehen wir?- Ja. Naturlich.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24With a budget of £230,000, Sue is looking for a property
0:09:24 > 0:09:27with two bedrooms to accommodate visiting family,
0:09:27 > 0:09:31enough living space to allow for her accountancy work and sewing hobby,
0:09:31 > 0:09:33she'd like some kind of outside space
0:09:33 > 0:09:35but it's the location which is key,
0:09:35 > 0:09:39in a village or small town less than a 20-minute walk to the lake.
0:09:40 > 0:09:43We've got a line-up of impressive properties,
0:09:43 > 0:09:46all of which offer something different but uniquely German.
0:09:46 > 0:09:48And we'll end up with our mystery house,
0:09:48 > 0:09:52which could put into question everything Sue thought she wanted.
0:09:57 > 0:10:00To kick off our German lakeside adventure,
0:10:00 > 0:10:02we're heading to the town of Meersburg,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05which sits right on the banks of Lake Constance.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07A beautiful medieval town,
0:10:07 > 0:10:10it has been attracting tourists for centuries.
0:10:10 > 0:10:12It boasts not one but two castles.
0:10:12 > 0:10:16The old fortress was originally built in the 7th century,
0:10:16 > 0:10:18and the newer one in the 18th century.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21There's a majestic baroque palace.
0:10:21 > 0:10:25Meersburg's cobbled streets and quiet squares are home to cafes
0:10:25 > 0:10:30and shops, which serve the population of around 5,000 people.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33It's surrounded by vineyards which produce a rose wine
0:10:33 > 0:10:36but the town's real appeal is its position
0:10:36 > 0:10:38right on the shores of the lake.
0:10:38 > 0:10:42I wanted to show you Meersburg before we look at the house.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44- This is where the first house is. - Wow! Wow!
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Do you remember this from when you lived here?- Yes, absolutely.
0:10:47 > 0:10:52- Was this a premium destination? - Definitely. It's somewhere we'd always have a day out to.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55I love Meersburg. It's beautiful. Really nice.
0:10:55 > 0:10:58- Would you be happy leaving your mum here?- Absolutely.
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- Happy coming over to visit me! - Yeah, exactly.
0:11:00 > 0:11:02Let's go and look at the house.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05'Just a 15 minute walk from the lake in a quiet cul-de-sac
0:11:05 > 0:11:09'in the newer part of the town is the location of our first offering.'
0:11:09 > 0:11:11- Here we are, property number one. - Wow.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13- Nice.- Looks nice.
0:11:13 > 0:11:16It is an apartment, not the whole house.
0:11:17 > 0:11:19So disappointing!
0:11:19 > 0:11:22- It's this ground floor flat here. - Oh, wow. Brilliant.
0:11:22 > 0:11:25- So you've got access to the garden. - Yeah, exactly.- Which is nice.
0:11:25 > 0:11:26I really like it.
0:11:26 > 0:11:29On the first look, it's a really good location for you.
0:11:29 > 0:11:33Close enough. Yeah, it's good to be on the ground as well.
0:11:33 > 0:11:35- Shall we have a look inside? - Great. Yes, please.
0:11:36 > 0:11:41The building is about 20 years old and is kept in very good condition.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45The apartment itself was completely refurbished in 2005
0:11:45 > 0:11:48and it's a light, bright space.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Come in.- Wow.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54It's tastefully decorated.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Very nice, isn't it? Very nice.
0:11:56 > 0:11:59- Looks very neat. - Feels really homely as well.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01Mm, it does, actually, yes.
0:12:01 > 0:12:05I see there's a little corner around there so maybe that would do for
0:12:05 > 0:12:09a desk for office space or something, or my sewing space, of course.
0:12:09 > 0:12:14Obviously, this is the kitchen and living room and dining space.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16It doesn't seem that crowded, really.
0:12:16 > 0:12:19You think, I could see myself stood there in the kitchen.
0:12:19 > 0:12:24The thing about the kitchen, you know this strange thing about Germans and their kitchens...
0:12:24 > 0:12:26They take them with them. It's very odd, isn't it?
0:12:26 > 0:12:28You could buy the kitchen
0:12:28 > 0:12:31but it would be an extra, sort of, almost £2,000.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34Yeah, for that sort of money, you'd rather go and buy your own.
0:12:34 > 0:12:38- What's good about it is it has underfloor heating.- Ooh.
0:12:38 > 0:12:41- Yes, my feet feel warm. - It makes your feet feel warm.
0:12:41 > 0:12:45And, as you know, in German apartments that's all run centrally
0:12:45 > 0:12:46so you pay a fee.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49It's about £160....
0:12:49 > 0:12:50a month.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53Let's move over here and we can see this space.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56It's actually quite a nice space here.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- This would be a lovely place to work.- It would, actually.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02I could get my desk in here and have it looking outside.
0:13:02 > 0:13:06- Your sewing machine as well, maybe. - Maybe as well, yes.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08You do have this lovely terrace
0:13:08 > 0:13:11so you can step out and this is all yours.
0:13:11 > 0:13:13- This is actually your area. - Oh, right. That's quite nice.
0:13:13 > 0:13:16- There isn't a second bedroom here. - Oh, right.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20If I had two bedrooms, this would be fine, no problem at all,
0:13:20 > 0:13:22but when you think about, there's only one bedroom,
0:13:22 > 0:13:25you think, I want the children to come and stay and visit me,
0:13:25 > 0:13:29and then there's not a great deal of space for that then, is there?
0:13:29 > 0:13:31OK, well, let's look at the bedroom.
0:13:32 > 0:13:34'There is a reasonably sized bathroom,
0:13:34 > 0:13:37'which is next to the one and only bedroom.'
0:13:38 > 0:13:40It's lovely, isn't it?
0:13:40 > 0:13:42- It's a good size, actually. - And the fire place.
0:13:42 > 0:13:44Huge cupboards as well.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47And there's still a lot of space left in the room, even with those.
0:13:47 > 0:13:50What sort of... Obviously, if there was a second room
0:13:50 > 0:13:55that would be ideal, but in terms of your bedroom, is this about the size you're looking for?
0:13:55 > 0:13:57Yes, this would be lovely. Really nice.
0:13:57 > 0:14:00I really like it. It's a shame it hasn't got another bedroom,
0:14:00 > 0:14:02but this room is really huge.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04It is. It's a good sized bedroom.
0:14:04 > 0:14:09I thought it would be quite nice to look at the communal garden and also talk about price.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11- Ooh, yes.- Lead the way!
0:14:12 > 0:14:15'As is common in many German apartment buildings,
0:14:15 > 0:14:17'the laundry is found in the basement area,
0:14:17 > 0:14:19'where residents have their own washing machines.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22'The final internal facility provided is a lock-up bike store.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25'And outside there are more shared areas.'
0:14:25 > 0:14:28How do you feel about communal gardens?
0:14:28 > 0:14:32Well, normally they're not a problem. You never know with neighbours.
0:14:32 > 0:14:34When was the last time you lived in an apartment?
0:14:34 > 0:14:39- When I lived here.- Do you think your mum would be good at dealing with neighbours at close quarters?
0:14:39 > 0:14:41Yeah, I think so.
0:14:41 > 0:14:44She's a really friendly person so she likes to chat.
0:14:46 > 0:14:49It would be a good way of getting your German up to speed.
0:14:49 > 0:14:52Yes, absolutely. Having to talk to your neighbours.
0:14:52 > 0:14:55At least I have the front garden if I want to be on my own.
0:14:55 > 0:14:58What do you think this is on the market for?
0:14:58 > 0:15:00Ooh, difficult.
0:15:00 > 0:15:02I think I'll go for something like 225.
0:15:02 > 0:15:04225. What do you think, Amanda?
0:15:04 > 0:15:06- 215.- 215?
0:15:06 > 0:15:09Well, actually, this is on the market for...
0:15:09 > 0:15:11- 155.- What?!
0:15:11 > 0:15:13- Just over, yeah.- Really?!
0:15:13 > 0:15:15- Yeah.- Oh, wow.- Wow.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19- So you would have a lot of money to play with.- Wow!
0:15:19 > 0:15:21But, obviously, that's not quite what you wanted.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24- But just to get your bearings. - It's a lot, lot cheaper.
0:15:25 > 0:15:28I didn't think it would be under 200.
0:15:28 > 0:15:31- Wow. Amazing.- Go and have a look and I'll see you out the front.
0:15:31 > 0:15:33Thank you.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37For around £75,000 under budget,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40this is an impeccable ground floor apartment.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43There may only be one bedroom but the space is very generous.
0:15:43 > 0:15:46It comes with private and shared gardens,
0:15:46 > 0:15:48is located in a beautiful medieval town
0:15:48 > 0:15:52and is within Sue's limit of a 20-minute walk to the lake.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55I really like the property. It's got a lovely feel to it.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58Mum wouldn't have to do any work which would be nice.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02She could just move in and live here and it's close enough to shops and the lake.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05It's a perfect location as well for her.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07I really like this apartment. It's really nice.
0:16:07 > 0:16:10It's just a shame it doesn't have that second bedroom.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13I mean, the price is definitely a consideration.
0:16:13 > 0:16:17You think, ooh, with the money I could pay for the children
0:16:17 > 0:16:19to stay places, but I don't know, I really don't know.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22It depends what else we see, really, I suppose.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I think it will probably be ruled out. The size is a bit of an issue.
0:16:25 > 0:16:29It's just a little bit too small for what Mum needs.
0:16:29 > 0:16:32- All done?- Yeah. - Didn't get lost?- No.
0:16:32 > 0:16:33Definitely not.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35- Right, let's go.- OK.
0:16:41 > 0:16:45For Sue, the move to this area is not a step into the unknown,
0:16:45 > 0:16:48rather a return to a place she knows pretty well
0:16:48 > 0:16:50as she lived here 26 years ago.
0:16:50 > 0:16:52Amanda was just a small child at the time
0:16:52 > 0:16:55but, together, they've been back and visited over the years.
0:16:56 > 0:17:00Ooh, it's nice being back in our favourite bakers in Immenstaad.
0:17:00 > 0:17:02I know. It's nice.
0:17:02 > 0:17:05- Oh, danke.- Danke schoen.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08You probably don't remember but, when we lived here,
0:17:08 > 0:17:11I used to cycle down here quite often in the mornings
0:17:11 > 0:17:15with you on the back of my bike and get some nice bread...
0:17:15 > 0:17:18for either breakfast or lunch or whatever meal was coming next.
0:17:18 > 0:17:21- Lovely.- Yeah, really nice.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23Are you a bit nervous, though?
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Erm, yeah.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28You're bound to be, it's such a big change, isn't it?
0:17:28 > 0:17:32And, obviously, I'm so used to having you around,
0:17:32 > 0:17:34which you're not going to be,
0:17:34 > 0:17:38and it's going to be all different... it's going to be very different from
0:17:38 > 0:17:40what I'm used to at the moment.
0:17:40 > 0:17:42But I just feel the need for an adventure.
0:17:42 > 0:17:45- It's exciting though, coming over. - Yes, it is.
0:17:45 > 0:17:48- I am going to miss you a lot though.- I know.
0:17:48 > 0:17:50I'll miss you too.
0:17:50 > 0:17:52- But at least I can come here a lot. - Exactly.
0:17:52 > 0:17:55You'll have to come for lots of long weekends.
0:17:55 > 0:17:57Yeah, try and get rid of me!
0:17:58 > 0:17:59I'm moving too.
0:18:09 > 0:18:12For our next property, we're heading further east
0:18:12 > 0:18:16along the shores of Lake Constance to the town of Friedrichshafen.
0:18:16 > 0:18:19It's a bustling town with a population of 58,000,
0:18:19 > 0:18:23so it's bigger and busier than the places Sue will be used to
0:18:23 > 0:18:25but it's a great option.
0:18:25 > 0:18:27Right on the shores of Lake Constance,
0:18:27 > 0:18:30running out of its port are ferry services
0:18:30 > 0:18:34to towns further up the lake and across the water to Switzerland.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38With all the amenities you would need and just a five-minute walk
0:18:38 > 0:18:41back from the water's edge is a modern residential estate
0:18:41 > 0:18:43which is the location of our next offering.
0:18:45 > 0:18:49So this is the property, this is the block, and it's on the second floor.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53It looks fine. It looks well looked after again, doesn't it?
0:18:53 > 0:18:57- Do you know the area?- Not very well but we used to come here shopping.
0:18:57 > 0:19:02It's not a small village like Immenstaad and Meersburg.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05It's not as nice as Meersburg, obviously,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08- but it's still near the lake so...- Yeah, true.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11Yes, we were inching you closer to the lake.
0:19:12 > 0:19:14Everything that comes with that.
0:19:14 > 0:19:16OK, let's go in.
0:19:17 > 0:19:20'Built in 1982, this modern block is in good condition
0:19:20 > 0:19:22'but there's no lift in the building.
0:19:22 > 0:19:25'Access is up two floors of stairs.'
0:19:26 > 0:19:27Come in.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31- It's not on the ground floor.- No, definitely not on the ground floor.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34- Is it OK being up a couple of flights of steps?- Yeah.
0:19:34 > 0:19:38- What do you think of the living space here?- It looks quite good.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41There's room for everything you'd need, isn't there?
0:19:41 > 0:19:43I like it. It's a nice, good space
0:19:43 > 0:19:46and it's pretty blank so you could do what you want with it.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Yes, absolutely.
0:19:47 > 0:19:51Also, you've got more space to eat and drink
0:19:51 > 0:19:54so you've got a dining room here and then a kitchen...
0:19:54 > 0:19:56Oh, yes, that's nice, isn't it?
0:19:56 > 0:19:59- I expect that will be going. - No, the kitchen is included.
0:19:59 > 0:20:01- Ooh, that's good.- Astonishingly.
0:20:01 > 0:20:05Through here you've got a separate wing that's got an office,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09which could also be a double bedroom and its own bathroom.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13'Just like the guest bathroom, the en-suite to the master
0:20:13 > 0:20:15'is slightly dated in its avocado decor
0:20:15 > 0:20:18'but in a two-bedroom apartment it's a real bonus
0:20:18 > 0:20:20'to have a second bathroom.'
0:20:20 > 0:20:23- This is your bedroom - the master. - Oh, nice.
0:20:23 > 0:20:25A good size, isn't it? Very bright.
0:20:25 > 0:20:30There's a lot more space. I can see where I'd put my office desk.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32And also my sewing desk.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34- Yeah.- So that works.
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Is it ringing your bells in terms of, I love it?
0:20:39 > 0:20:42No, no. There's no, "I love..." about it.
0:20:42 > 0:20:47It's practical, it would work fine, but I wouldn't say I loved it, no.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Whether I can find something in my budget that I love, I don't know.
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- I don't know if it's possible. - It should be a head decision but with a bit of heart as well.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59- If you can capture both, then... - She's very practical, isn't she?
0:20:59 > 0:21:00Absolutely!
0:21:00 > 0:21:03Let's go to the back and you can see what you can see.
0:21:04 > 0:21:07'There is plenty of space within this property and there's also
0:21:07 > 0:21:10'further storage space in a lockable room down in the cellar.
0:21:10 > 0:21:13'In terms of fulfilling Sue's request for outside space,
0:21:13 > 0:21:16'what this apartment has is a large balcony.'
0:21:16 > 0:21:20You've got a balcony with real grass. Not quite real, but...
0:21:21 > 0:21:24- Could you imagine having breakfast here?- Yes.
0:21:24 > 0:21:25- Sundowner?- Yes.
0:21:25 > 0:21:28What do you think this is, budget-wise?
0:21:28 > 0:21:31Well, it's a lot bigger than the last one so it's more than that.
0:21:31 > 0:21:33Erm, 210?
0:21:34 > 0:21:38- 195?- 195. Well, if you split the difference, you're about right.
0:21:38 > 0:21:43- It's actually on the market for just a shade over £204,000.- Oh, right.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49- Seems about right. - But it doesn't seem it's really plucking your heartstrings.- No.
0:21:49 > 0:21:52- No, I'm sorry.- That's the most emphatic "no" I've ever heard.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55Go and explore the other rooms. It might win you over.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Maybe.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01Priced at well under Sue's £230,000 budget limit
0:22:01 > 0:22:04and offering the spec she's after with two bedrooms,
0:22:04 > 0:22:07good living space and a separate kitchen and dining area,
0:22:07 > 0:22:09it also offers a nice balcony.
0:22:09 > 0:22:13The property is just a five-minute walk from Lake Constance
0:22:13 > 0:22:15but it is in a larger town.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19I could see her living here but I'm not sure if she would
0:22:19 > 0:22:21live in Friedrichshafen.
0:22:21 > 0:22:24I think a smaller town would be more suited.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27Erm, from a practical point of view, it works.
0:22:27 > 0:22:29There's plenty of space.
0:22:29 > 0:22:32Whilst it works, I don't think, this is great, I'd love to live here.
0:22:32 > 0:22:34Obviously I need to think about it
0:22:34 > 0:22:37because I need to know what my budget will get me.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39Whether I can get the heartstrings as well.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43But if all I can afford is the practical, then this does suit.
0:22:44 > 0:22:46I'm very on the edge.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49It would depend on the next two places that we view.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52It is, for me at the moment, a little bit of a no.
0:22:53 > 0:22:57- Let's draw a line under that one, shall we?- Yes, I think so.
0:22:57 > 0:23:00Now, it's time for you to find somewhere
0:23:00 > 0:23:02to lay your head this evening.
0:23:02 > 0:23:04And I know that you really wanted to be by the lake.
0:23:04 > 0:23:06Ah, yes?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09So how are we going to make that happen?
0:23:10 > 0:23:11Follow me and let's see.
0:23:13 > 0:23:17Back in Immenstaad, we've arranged for Sue and Amanda to stay
0:23:17 > 0:23:21in a lakeside holiday apartment during our time in southern Germany.
0:23:22 > 0:23:23Here we are.
0:23:23 > 0:23:25- BOTH:- Wow!
0:23:25 > 0:23:28The sun has just about set over the lake.
0:23:28 > 0:23:30- Yes.- Incredible.- Wonderful.
0:23:30 > 0:23:34- And this is where you're going to be spending the week.- Oh!
0:23:34 > 0:23:36- That's amazing. - I hope you're very happy there.
0:23:36 > 0:23:39Yes, I'm sure we will be. It'll be brilliant.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Sadly, it's not something Sue's budget would stretch to buying
0:23:43 > 0:23:45but the apartment can be home for the week.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49The view's amazing. It will be better in the morning when it's light.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52You can still see across the lake, can't you?
0:23:52 > 0:23:54- Are you really excited to move back? - Yes.
0:23:54 > 0:23:57I am, really, yeah.
0:23:57 > 0:24:00- Here's the new chapter in your life. - Absolutely. Thank you.
0:24:11 > 0:24:14It's the morning of our second day in Germany.
0:24:14 > 0:24:17Our house-hunter Sue is planning to move here from Somerset
0:24:17 > 0:24:20and, with her daughter, we're searching for a property
0:24:20 > 0:24:22near their beloved Lake Constance.
0:24:23 > 0:24:28Sue's £230,000 budget is a little tight for a lake view
0:24:28 > 0:24:31but at least their rented apartment has one.
0:24:31 > 0:24:34Day two on the shores of Lake Constance and I've come back
0:24:34 > 0:24:38to Immenstaad to pick up Sue and Amanda from their rental property.
0:24:38 > 0:24:39Ladies, are you ready to go?
0:24:39 > 0:24:42It's a bit of a tease, giving them this apartment,
0:24:42 > 0:24:46because this amazing view is exactly what Sue's budget won't stretch to
0:24:46 > 0:24:49but I'm hoping today's house will give them a lot of what they want.
0:24:49 > 0:24:52- Hello.- Did you sleep well? - Absolutely.
0:24:52 > 0:24:54Very good. Well, time to get back on the road.
0:24:54 > 0:24:56- We've got other houses to visit.- OK.
0:24:58 > 0:25:03'For our next option we're heading back to the town of Friedrichshafen.
0:25:03 > 0:25:06'It's the commercial and industrial hub of the area
0:25:06 > 0:25:11'and is world famous for one very notable export - the Zeppelin.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15'At the turn of the century, Ferdinand Graf von Zeppelin
0:25:15 > 0:25:19'set up a factory here and produced the first airships.
0:25:19 > 0:25:22'The industry all but ended around the time of the Second World War
0:25:22 > 0:25:24'but, today, Zeppelins offer tourists
0:25:24 > 0:25:27'pretty spectacular flights over the lake.
0:25:27 > 0:25:30'On a road heading out of town is our next property.
0:25:30 > 0:25:34'I'm starting our tour in the quieter gardens in the rear.'
0:25:34 > 0:25:36Oh, I'm excited about this one.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39Wow! Oh, that looks lovely.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- This is a historic property. - Yes.
0:25:41 > 0:25:43It's all been rebuilt in the '80s
0:25:43 > 0:25:46but, actually, it's a late 19th century mill.
0:25:46 > 0:25:48- Really?- It was the flour mill.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51And because this brook splits just behind there,
0:25:51 > 0:25:54there's a mill race that flows underneath the building.
0:25:54 > 0:25:58Wow. It's lovely. I didn't expect to find anything like this here
0:25:58 > 0:26:01because you don't normally see very many historic places.
0:26:01 > 0:26:04But, no, it looks lovely. It looks really nice.
0:26:04 > 0:26:09- The setting is lovely out here. - Amanda, what are your thoughts about the location?
0:26:09 > 0:26:11Yeah, I think, next to the road is a problem,
0:26:11 > 0:26:15but this bit makes up for it, I think, massively.
0:26:15 > 0:26:19It would have to depend on if it's quiet up there or in the apartment.
0:26:19 > 0:26:23- The apartment I want to show you is at the top.- Oh, my goodness.
0:26:23 > 0:26:27It's going to keep you fit because there's quite a lot of stairs.
0:26:27 > 0:26:28Oh, my goodness.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32'This converted mill has been made into three huge apartments,
0:26:32 > 0:26:34'each taking up a whole floor.
0:26:34 > 0:26:38'The one we're looking at is the entire top floor, up in the eaves,
0:26:38 > 0:26:40'and is unfurnished.'
0:26:40 > 0:26:43- Look at this hall! - Look at the size of it! It's huge!
0:26:43 > 0:26:46Look at these doors as well. Oh, wow!
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Come on to the balcony.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52- This is incredible. - Amazing, isn't it?
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I wanted to bring you out here first.
0:26:55 > 0:26:56Oh, that view.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59Up here, on a clear day, not today, you can see the Alps.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04- Oh, how wonderful.- Not quite a lake view but as good as.- Yeah.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06It's just wonderful.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08Better than I thought I'd ever see here.
0:27:08 > 0:27:12- It's perfect.- I didn't expect to find anything like this.
0:27:12 > 0:27:13- No?- Not at all.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16The main room here is the one right in front of you
0:27:16 > 0:27:19and it's got that lovely... what they call a kachelofen,
0:27:19 > 0:27:21which is like a tiled oven.
0:27:21 > 0:27:24It acts like a huge radiator.
0:27:24 > 0:27:27You stoke it up with fuel and it just radiates heat.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30But what's interesting about this property is,
0:27:30 > 0:27:32you've got underfloor heating throughout
0:27:32 > 0:27:36- and that's supplied by the solar panels on the roof.- My goodness.
0:27:36 > 0:27:40- And the electricity is supplied by the turbine from the mill.- Wow.
0:27:40 > 0:27:43- That makes it cheap to run. - Cheap to run and very green.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47One of the other great things about this flat is it's huge.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Oh, my goodness.
0:27:49 > 0:27:53'The floor space of this apartment is over 1,500 square feet,
0:27:53 > 0:27:55'which is around the size
0:27:55 > 0:27:59'of an average four-bed detached house in the UK.'
0:27:59 > 0:28:00Oh, wow!
0:28:00 > 0:28:03- This is a big old kitchen. - It's huge!
0:28:04 > 0:28:06Look at the nice cupboards as well.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09- And...they're staying. - Are they?- Wow.
0:28:09 > 0:28:14- It's just beautiful.- And nicely done. - It is. It's really nice.
0:28:14 > 0:28:18Is it the sort of place you could imagine living?
0:28:18 > 0:28:20Absolutely. Absolutely.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23Really. It is absolutely stunning.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25You'll probably be more pleased to know
0:28:25 > 0:28:28- this flat has not two bedrooms but three.- Really?!
0:28:28 > 0:28:30- Probably even four.- What?!
0:28:30 > 0:28:32Wow.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Two of the bedrooms are of a similar size and have skylights,
0:28:37 > 0:28:39making them big, bright and airy.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42All the bedrooms are served by a large WC
0:28:42 > 0:28:44and a spacious family bathroom.
0:28:44 > 0:28:49Upstairs, there's an enormous loft, which could give more storage,
0:28:49 > 0:28:53an area for sewing or become the fourth bedroom,
0:28:53 > 0:28:56but we're going to take a look at the master.
0:28:57 > 0:28:59This is nice as well, isn't it?
0:28:59 > 0:29:00Absolutely amazing.
0:29:00 > 0:29:05I didn't think I'd find anything with this sort of feel or character
0:29:05 > 0:29:08and the space as well.
0:29:08 > 0:29:11Yeah, I'm a little bit shellshocked at the moment. It's incredible.
0:29:11 > 0:29:16- Absolutely incredible. And it is... it's made for you, I think.- Yeah.
0:29:16 > 0:29:19Absolutely. It feels...it just feels right.
0:29:19 > 0:29:23Just brilliant. It's going to be out of my price range, isn't it?
0:29:23 > 0:29:25Let's talk about that later.
0:29:25 > 0:29:28There would certainly be space for the family to stay.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31Yes, which would be really nice. They could have a bedroom each.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35You wanted some outside space. Boy, do we deliver out here.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37- What, even more than the balcony? - Even more.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42'This property is set in large, mature gardens which are beautiful
0:29:42 > 0:29:46'but must be looked after by the apartment owners.'
0:29:46 > 0:29:49The garden is divided into three between the three apartments
0:29:49 > 0:29:52and each one has its own little summer house.
0:29:52 > 0:29:56- You're this little bit, including this rather nice box garden.- Yeah.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00- Amazing, isn't it?- You weren't expecting this, were you?
0:30:00 > 0:30:01Absolutely not.
0:30:01 > 0:30:03It's huge, isn't it?
0:30:03 > 0:30:07- It's the apartment that keeps on giving.- Yes, absolutely.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10How much do you think this is on the market for?
0:30:10 > 0:30:12Erm, I would say about 250.
0:30:14 > 0:30:17I think, yeah, 265. A little bit more maybe.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19Wow. Look at the pain on your face.
0:30:19 > 0:30:21LAUGHTER
0:30:21 > 0:30:23Well, again, if you split the difference,
0:30:23 > 0:30:27- it's actually on just over 257. - Oh, right.
0:30:27 > 0:30:29That's quite a bit over your budget
0:30:29 > 0:30:32but it's been on the market for a while and the vendor
0:30:32 > 0:30:36is open to offers, one, and, two, the turbine belongs to the property
0:30:36 > 0:30:39and there are other people in the house who would be interested
0:30:39 > 0:30:42in buying it off you so that could offset the price.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45If I could get it down low enough.
0:30:45 > 0:30:48I'm sorry it's not like a super bargain, but...
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Yes. I didn't expect it to be.
0:30:50 > 0:30:53Why don't you go inside and have a look or explore the garden
0:30:53 > 0:30:55- and I'll see you out the front. - Great.
0:30:56 > 0:31:02'So it's over budget by £27,000 but there are negotiations to be had.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05'This is a characterful millhouse conversion
0:31:05 > 0:31:08'which delivers on so much of what Sue wants.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10'It has up to four bedrooms, huge living spaces
0:31:10 > 0:31:13'and a balcony with views out to the Alps,
0:31:13 > 0:31:16'but it is a little further from the lake.'
0:31:16 > 0:31:18Wow. Look at all this space.
0:31:18 > 0:31:20Wow. It's huge.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22It's massive.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25You could all come and stay together at the same time
0:31:25 > 0:31:27- and plenty of space for all of you. - Exactly.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30This apartment is absolutely wonderful.
0:31:30 > 0:31:33The kachelofen and beautiful kitchen.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34What doesn't it have?
0:31:34 > 0:31:38Yes, this apartment has massively sucked me in as well.
0:31:38 > 0:31:40It's just beautiful.
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Everything about it is perfect for her
0:31:42 > 0:31:45and it's like it's been made for her.
0:31:45 > 0:31:47Very impressed.
0:31:47 > 0:31:49The price could be a bit of a challenge.
0:31:49 > 0:31:53But I am very interested in it. I love the place.
0:31:53 > 0:31:56Aside from the price, everything seemed exciting about this house.
0:31:56 > 0:32:00- Are you still excited now that you've seen upstairs?- Absolutely.
0:32:00 > 0:32:03And hopefully, with negotiation, you can find some way.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06- There's always a way if there's a will.- Maybe. Maybe.
0:32:06 > 0:32:11- It would be awful to give up on the place.- Exactly. Don't give up.
0:32:11 > 0:32:12Come with me.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21'Even though Sue has lived in Germany before,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24'making this move on her own is a big step
0:32:24 > 0:32:27'but it's one many Britons have already taken.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31'There are currently over 100,000 ex-pats now calling Germany home.
0:32:31 > 0:32:35'One of them set up a social group for English-speaking residents
0:32:35 > 0:32:39'in the Lake Constance area, which now has over 250 members.
0:32:39 > 0:32:43'She knows a lot about people's experiences settling into this area
0:32:43 > 0:32:47'so I'm taking our house-hunters to meet Amanda Davies.'
0:32:47 > 0:32:49So we're almost in Austria here, are we?
0:32:49 > 0:32:51We are. We're really close to the border.
0:32:51 > 0:32:54Right on the German-Austrian border.
0:32:54 > 0:32:56You're an expert because your partner's Austrian.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59He is, and I've been in Germany for 17 years now.
0:32:59 > 0:33:03You've brought us here. This is a fabulous looking structure.
0:33:03 > 0:33:05- What is it?- It's called the Skywalk.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08It's quite a recent attraction in this area.
0:33:08 > 0:33:10You can walk around and get some fabulous views.
0:33:10 > 0:33:13- Are you scared of heights? - I hope not.- I hope not too!
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Let's get on the top and we can talk some more.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18'The Skywalk in Allgau is essentially
0:33:18 > 0:33:22'a long suspension bridge 40 metres up in the air.
0:33:22 > 0:33:26'14 poles support 3,000 metres of steel rope,
0:33:26 > 0:33:28'creating a platform through the tree tops
0:33:28 > 0:33:31'with views across three countries.'
0:33:31 > 0:33:33Ah, so high up!
0:33:33 > 0:33:36Amazing. Great views.
0:33:36 > 0:33:40- You might notice it's quite cold up here at the moment.- Absolutely.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43One thing that I really like about living here is the climate.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46In summer you get a real summer. Really hot.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It can get up to about 35 degrees no problem.
0:33:49 > 0:33:53All of the towns come to life, all of the cafes are open
0:33:53 > 0:33:57and you have this very Mediterranean feel to the towns around the lake.
0:33:57 > 0:34:00But in the winter you get a proper winter and you get snow.
0:34:00 > 0:34:04Most people here have a set of winter tyres and summer tyres
0:34:04 > 0:34:09and a lot of British people have never heard of switching tyres. I hadn't when I came over.
0:34:09 > 0:34:13- So which way is the lake?- The lake is just over in that direction.
0:34:13 > 0:34:17- You can just see it, yeah.- And this is Germany spreading out behind us.
0:34:17 > 0:34:20And then, in front of us and all around, it's Austria
0:34:20 > 0:34:23going towards...then the Swiss Alps after that.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26Wow. That's what I like about this area.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29You can travel to so many different countries
0:34:29 > 0:34:31just in an hour's car ride or whatever.
0:34:31 > 0:34:33It makes it really interesting.
0:34:33 > 0:34:36We go over the border into Austria to buy our petrol.
0:34:36 > 0:34:39It's literally ten minutes down the road and it's about
0:34:39 > 0:34:4315 to 20 cents a litre cheaper than it would be in Germany.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Amazing to be so close and yet so different.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48And in the other direction, the Swiss and the Austrians come to
0:34:48 > 0:34:52Germany to the supermarkets because it's cheaper than where they live.
0:34:52 > 0:34:55So there's a lot of coming and going.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58- It's getting quite nippy. Shall we head down?- Yes, please.
0:34:58 > 0:35:03- She's going a bit blue. Shall we find somewhere a bit more hot chocolaty?- Yes!
0:35:03 > 0:35:04After you.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08'This easy cross-country living is thanks to the Schengen Agreement
0:35:08 > 0:35:12'which abolished international borders between member states.
0:35:12 > 0:35:15'26 countries across Europe are signed up, including some that
0:35:15 > 0:35:18'are not part of the European Union, like Switzerland.
0:35:18 > 0:35:21'It's one of the many things that has changed
0:35:21 > 0:35:24'since Sue last lived in the area over 20 years ago.'
0:35:24 > 0:35:27What changes have you noticed, because you've been here quite a while now?
0:35:27 > 0:35:30One thing that immediately springs to mind
0:35:30 > 0:35:33is that there was no real Internet connection when I first came over.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36You couldn't Skype or e-mail like you can now.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39Is the internet good everywhere or do you have to be careful?
0:35:39 > 0:35:43I think you do. There's still some outlying villages where the coverage
0:35:43 > 0:35:46isn't quite as good or as fast as you possibly need
0:35:46 > 0:35:49- when you're going to be working. - Definitely. Yes.
0:35:49 > 0:35:53- That's a big consideration when you move here.- Yes.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55What else would be your tips for integrating?
0:35:55 > 0:35:59I'd say it was crucial at the beginning, when you come here,
0:35:59 > 0:36:01to get to grips with the language.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03It will really enhance your experience.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05That's perhaps your priority.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09You can prepare for that in the UK by doing evening classes.
0:36:09 > 0:36:11That's what I did before I moved here.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14Whilst I speak some German, I'm not fluent.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18And...you can...I can go and talk to people, I can go in the shops,
0:36:18 > 0:36:22no problems at all, but when it comes to getting to know people,
0:36:22 > 0:36:26you need more conversation and more language than I actually have.
0:36:26 > 0:36:29If you've got existing hobbies and interests,
0:36:29 > 0:36:33the Germans do love their clubs and societies, so I would suggest
0:36:33 > 0:36:36getting involved with different groups of people
0:36:36 > 0:36:38who have the same interests as you.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41You will soon find they accept you as one of their own
0:36:41 > 0:36:43and you'll soon find your feet.
0:36:43 > 0:36:48They're very nice people and they're not deserving of the reputation
0:36:48 > 0:36:51they sometimes have amongst British people.
0:36:51 > 0:36:54They're much, much warmer and friendlier.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57So my brother lives in Berlin and I've noticed quite a difference
0:36:57 > 0:37:00between the people in northern Germany to southern Germany.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04Do you think there's a difference between the locals here or...?
0:37:04 > 0:37:08I've only ever lived in the south but I have visited the north.
0:37:08 > 0:37:10I would say the southerners are a lot more relaxed.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14The Bavarians, anyway, have got a reputation for being very...
0:37:14 > 0:37:16relaxed and almost like party people, really,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19compared to the rest of Germany.
0:37:19 > 0:37:22They do like their tradition, but most small communities over here
0:37:22 > 0:37:27do have their own local wine fests and beer festivals as well,
0:37:27 > 0:37:31and the big festivals do draw out just about everybody from a town.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34'And when Sue does come over, there are a few other
0:37:34 > 0:37:37'logistical details she'll need to think about,
0:37:37 > 0:37:42'particularly as she wants to continue working as a self-employed UK accountant.
0:37:42 > 0:37:45'UK earnings must be declared to the German authorities
0:37:45 > 0:37:48'but there is a double taxation agreement
0:37:48 > 0:37:50'so you avoid paying tax twice.
0:37:50 > 0:37:53'But it's a complex area so worth getting professional advice on.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57'Medical insurance is compulsory for all residents.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59'Usually, this is arranged by your employer
0:37:59 > 0:38:03'so self-employed workers like Sue must arrange it themselves.
0:38:03 > 0:38:07'It's highly recommended to use an independent broker
0:38:07 > 0:38:09'to advise on the many options.
0:38:09 > 0:38:12'The rental sector in Germany is huge.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15'As rents are controlled and tenancies long,
0:38:15 > 0:38:17'for many it's the preferred option.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21'As a consequence, however, there's much less housing stock available
0:38:21 > 0:38:23'in the sales market.'
0:38:32 > 0:38:34'It's the morning of our third day
0:38:34 > 0:38:37'here on the shores of Lake Constance in Germany.
0:38:37 > 0:38:41'Our house-hunter Sue from Somerset, accompanied by her daughter Amanda,
0:38:41 > 0:38:45'is looking for a property within her budget of £230,000.
0:38:45 > 0:38:48'But as well as house-hunting, Sue and her daughter are also
0:38:48 > 0:38:52'exploring the area for activities she could involve herself in
0:38:52 > 0:38:55'as she plans on making the move here alone.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59'As Sue is keen to devote more time to her quilting and patchwork hobby,
0:38:59 > 0:39:02'we found an atelier in Friedrichshafen for them to visit.'
0:39:02 > 0:39:05- Hello. I'm Laura.- Hi. I'm Sue.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07- Come in and let me show you around. - Wow. Brilliant.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12'Laura Comer has lived in Germany for over 30 years,
0:39:12 > 0:39:15'settling down by Lake Constance in the mid '80s.
0:39:15 > 0:39:19'16 years ago, she opened her quilting and patchwork atelier.
0:39:19 > 0:39:22- I've got a little bit of fabric here.- Wow!
0:39:22 > 0:39:25That's amazing! All that fabric.
0:39:25 > 0:39:28- I do have a weakness for fabric. - Me too. I just love it.
0:39:28 > 0:39:33'Laura's shop is a treasure trove of fabrics, ribbons and threads.
0:39:33 > 0:39:36'She also runs courses in machine quilting.'
0:39:36 > 0:39:39- Would you like to have a go at it? - As long as you can help me.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41- I'll do my best.- Thank you.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45- I've prepared a sample. - OK. Brilliant.
0:39:45 > 0:39:48'Quilting involves sewing two or more layers of fabric together
0:39:48 > 0:39:52'with the needlework being both functional and decorative.'
0:39:52 > 0:39:54Some people do this amazingly quickly.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56I can't, I have to do it slowly.
0:39:56 > 0:40:02But you do get used to the sound of the machine and...the speed.
0:40:05 > 0:40:09'In free machine quilting, rather than the machine moving the fabric,
0:40:09 > 0:40:12'it's done by hand and is tricky to perfect.'
0:40:12 > 0:40:15Not very curvy curves, are they?
0:40:16 > 0:40:20As you're doing it for the first time, it's not really surprising.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22That's really good.
0:40:22 > 0:40:26- You've got to try and keep moving it at the same...- Try to keep moving.
0:40:26 > 0:40:29It's a bit like driving a car. After a while you know
0:40:29 > 0:40:32what the sewing machine sounds like at the speed you like.
0:40:33 > 0:40:34Ooh!
0:40:35 > 0:40:40- Lost control there.- You have to go home and practice 100 hours.
0:40:40 > 0:40:41Absolutely, yes.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44'Developing her hobbies will be a great way for Sue
0:40:44 > 0:40:48'to begin integrating when she finally makes the move here.'
0:40:48 > 0:40:50Well, it was really nice that you were here
0:40:50 > 0:40:54- and I hope you'll come back again. - Oh, I'm sure I will.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57- OK.- It's been absolutely brilliant. Thank you so much.- Thank you.
0:40:58 > 0:41:02That was so much fun. I really enjoyed that.
0:41:09 > 0:41:11Our choice of Mystery House
0:41:11 > 0:41:13goes against everything Sue thinks she wants.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16We're heading inland to the village of Heiligenberg.
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Rather than a 20-minute walk,
0:41:18 > 0:41:20it's a 20-minute drive from the lake,
0:41:20 > 0:41:23but along that drive, the prices do drop.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Up in the hills, the picturesque village is dominated
0:41:27 > 0:41:30by the Von Furstenberg family castle.
0:41:30 > 0:41:32Dating back to the 13th century,
0:41:32 > 0:41:37it was overhauled in the 16th into an impressive Renaissance palace.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40Heiligenberg is known locally as the viewing terrace of the lake,
0:41:40 > 0:41:44and on a clear day, the views are spectacular.
0:41:44 > 0:41:46I've brought Sue and Amanda to a cafe in the heart of the village
0:41:46 > 0:41:49to talk Mystery Properties.
0:41:49 > 0:41:51Now, can you guess why we might have brought you here
0:41:51 > 0:41:53- for the Mystery House? - I can't walk to the lake from here.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55You cannot walk to the lake from here
0:41:55 > 0:41:58but I've taken you up to a very, very charming town.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02This was the first place in Lake Constance to have a tourist hotel.
0:42:02 > 0:42:03- Ooh.- Wow.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05Is there a property that takes your fancy?
0:42:05 > 0:42:08Well, I quite like the turrets on that building over there.
0:42:08 > 0:42:11Ah, you have a very discerning eye, because that, in fact,
0:42:11 > 0:42:13- is the first hotel. - Oh, the first hotel, really?
0:42:13 > 0:42:17That is... That is the hotel, built in 1806.
0:42:17 > 0:42:20- Wow.- And it is also...
0:42:20 > 0:42:23- possibly your home.- Really, really?
0:42:23 > 0:42:26- Not the whole thing but... - LAUGHTER
0:42:26 > 0:42:27This is your Mystery House
0:42:27 > 0:42:30because you get a lot more for your money, up here in the hills.
0:42:30 > 0:42:32So take a final set of your coffee,
0:42:32 > 0:42:33because we are going to explore
0:42:33 > 0:42:38- the beautiful hotel house. - Mmm, amazing.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41The building is, of course, no longer a hotel.
0:42:41 > 0:42:44In the 1970s, it was converted into luxury apartments.
0:42:44 > 0:42:46There are 15 of them,
0:42:46 > 0:42:48and the one we are looking at is up on the first floor.
0:42:48 > 0:42:52It was refurbished three years ago, and is currently unoccupied.
0:42:52 > 0:42:53Look at the size of this hall,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56- it's even bigger than the last one. - Yes, it's huge.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58- Wow. - LAUGHTER
0:42:58 > 0:43:01This was built in the flourishing of what they called Jugendstil,
0:43:01 > 0:43:03which was the German version of Art Nouveau,
0:43:03 > 0:43:05and you can see this beautiful, kind of, stained-glass window.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08- Yeah, beautiful, isn't it?- Mmm. - And a lot of the details
0:43:08 > 0:43:09are from that period,
0:43:09 > 0:43:12including the panelling, and these fabulous floorboards.
0:43:12 > 0:43:16- Yeah, yeah, look at the size of them. They're huge.- Yeah, amazing.
0:43:16 > 0:43:18This wood is actually similar to
0:43:18 > 0:43:19what wood you have in your house now.
0:43:19 > 0:43:21Yes, it is, actually, yes.
0:43:21 > 0:43:23Is it your sort of style?
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Could well be.
0:43:26 > 0:43:28Like most properties in Germany,
0:43:28 > 0:43:30- the heating is governed by the whole house.- Mmm.
0:43:30 > 0:43:33- So you pay a service charge of about £300 a month.- Great.
0:43:33 > 0:43:36But that also includes a sink fund for any repairs and stuff.
0:43:36 > 0:43:38Oh, right, so that's everything.
0:43:38 > 0:43:41- Yeah, but that's for heating and water, and everything.- Yeah.
0:43:41 > 0:43:42Come on through here,
0:43:42 > 0:43:44- and I want to show you the balcony. - Ooh, balcony.
0:43:44 > 0:43:46'Next to the living room is the dining room.
0:43:46 > 0:43:49'This has access to the front balcony,
0:43:49 > 0:43:51'which overlooks the pretty square.'
0:43:51 > 0:43:53- Ha-ha.- Wow.
0:43:54 > 0:43:57- It's a nice view, isn't it? - Yeah, it's very pretty, isn't it?
0:43:57 > 0:43:59See the nice statues over there, as well.
0:43:59 > 0:44:01- It's just really nice.- Mmm.
0:44:01 > 0:44:04So we've got this lovely wrought ironwork in the Jugendstil style,
0:44:04 > 0:44:06and the shutters, but I do need to flag up,
0:44:06 > 0:44:09this is a... This is what they call Denkmalschutz,
0:44:09 > 0:44:11- so this is what we would call listed in the UK.- Mmm, yeah.
0:44:11 > 0:44:14And the facade is up for a renewal.
0:44:14 > 0:44:16- Oh, right.- So that will cost quite a lot, a bit,
0:44:16 > 0:44:19- so you need to budget about £10,000. - Ooh.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23- Yeah, but I think you're being very unfair to me.- Unfair?
0:44:23 > 0:44:26Well, I wanted a place next to the lake,
0:44:26 > 0:44:29and I wasn't going to have anything that wasn't next to the lake.
0:44:29 > 0:44:31And now you bring me up here, and I'm thinking,
0:44:31 > 0:44:34- "Well, it's so nice up here."- Ah.
0:44:34 > 0:44:35Ha!
0:44:36 > 0:44:39- It's not fair.- Well, that's the idea of the Mystery House, really,
0:44:39 > 0:44:40- is to just maybe...- Yeah.
0:44:40 > 0:44:43- Because obviously, the lake is very expensive.- Absolutely.
0:44:43 > 0:44:45So you could either have something
0:44:45 > 0:44:47- that doesn't really give you what you want, by the lake...- Mmm.
0:44:47 > 0:44:52..or you could come up here, and have this enormous apartment.
0:44:52 > 0:44:55- Live in the lap of luxury.- But let's continue with the interiors.- OK.
0:44:57 > 0:45:00There are two generously-sized bedrooms in this apartment,
0:45:00 > 0:45:04that continue with those stunning original floorboards,
0:45:04 > 0:45:06and there's a main bathroom, which has a modern finish,
0:45:06 > 0:45:08and is fully fitted.
0:45:08 > 0:45:10The same can't be said for the kitchen...
0:45:10 > 0:45:13- As you can see, the kitchen is not here.- Oh.
0:45:15 > 0:45:18- It's a, sort of, nod to a kitchen.- Yes, slightly.
0:45:18 > 0:45:21But you would install your kitchen. I mean, all the plumbing is here,
0:45:21 > 0:45:23- but it's just in terms of... put one in.- Yeah.- Mmm, yeah.
0:45:23 > 0:45:25The same is true of the en-suite.
0:45:25 > 0:45:28The master bedroom has an en-suite already there
0:45:28 > 0:45:31- with all the plumbing, but no actual en suite.- Ah.
0:45:31 > 0:45:34- It's a good size, you could get a nice kitchen in here, couldn't you? - Mmm.
0:45:34 > 0:45:36I suppose the question is, in here, does it feel you?
0:45:36 > 0:45:38Not sure at the moment.
0:45:38 > 0:45:39I think I need to, sort of,
0:45:39 > 0:45:43wander about, and sit down and have a think about it and see how I feel.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45But I'm a bit overwhelmed at the moment,
0:45:45 > 0:45:48- cos it's not what I expected to see. - Mmm.
0:45:48 > 0:45:50But it is quite difficult to imagine,
0:45:50 > 0:45:53because it's so blank at the moment, but it is a huge space,
0:45:53 > 0:45:56which would mean you could bring all your stuff with you.
0:45:56 > 0:45:58- Wouldn't have to downsize. - Obviously, yes.
0:45:58 > 0:46:00- Which would be nice. - Yeah, very nice.
0:46:00 > 0:46:04- It is lovely, but it's just a bit overwhelming at present.- Mmm.
0:46:04 > 0:46:08- Well, let's go out the back and I will tell you the price.- Right.
0:46:08 > 0:46:11The style of this apartment is called Altbau,
0:46:11 > 0:46:13which is the old German style of high ceilings,
0:46:13 > 0:46:15big doors and large spaces,
0:46:15 > 0:46:18and out the back, there is an extra outdoor area.
0:46:20 > 0:46:23- So this is all yours, this area at the back.- Oh, wow.- Wow, it's huge.
0:46:23 > 0:46:26Nice little extra space, you could have a barbecue here.
0:46:26 > 0:46:29Oh, easily, yes. You could have a few tables, couldn't you?
0:46:29 > 0:46:31I think this is the sort of place that you need to wander around
0:46:31 > 0:46:33- and imagine what you could do in these spaces.- Yes,
0:46:33 > 0:46:34yeah, absolutely.
0:46:34 > 0:46:37- Cos it is a lot of space.- Yeah.
0:46:37 > 0:46:40How much do you think it costs?
0:46:40 > 0:46:45Well, it's going to be cheaper than being down by the lake,
0:46:45 > 0:46:48so that brings the price down, but then, it's a listed building
0:46:48 > 0:46:49and it's very big...
0:46:50 > 0:46:52So I would say about 215.
0:46:54 > 0:46:57Erm, about 200, 205?
0:46:57 > 0:46:58In this instance, you're both wrong,
0:46:58 > 0:47:00because it's on at 210.
0:47:00 > 0:47:02- Oh, right, wow. A surprise. - That's amazing.
0:47:02 > 0:47:03So, well under budget,
0:47:03 > 0:47:06- and there's a bit of space for negotiation, perhaps.- Yes.
0:47:06 > 0:47:09- Yeah. - It's been on the market for a year.
0:47:09 > 0:47:11- Mm-hmm.- And you do have to budget in the things like
0:47:11 > 0:47:14- putting in the kitchen, putting in the bathroom...- Yeah, so...
0:47:14 > 0:47:17- Mm-hmm.- ..and also that facade money.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:47:17 > 0:47:19So that would probably take you up to your budget.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21- Yes, it would, wouldn't it?- Mmm.
0:47:21 > 0:47:24- But at least there's enough in the budget to cover it all.- Yeah.
0:47:24 > 0:47:26- Think so?- Yeah, which is good.
0:47:26 > 0:47:27So it's doable.
0:47:27 > 0:47:29- Yes, absolutely.- But is it... Is it desirable?
0:47:29 > 0:47:31That's what you have to decide.
0:47:31 > 0:47:34Well, go inside and get more inspired.
0:47:34 > 0:47:37Perfect. That is like a perfect Mystery House.
0:47:37 > 0:47:39You see, it's not what Sue wanted
0:47:39 > 0:47:43but it might be what she begins to want.
0:47:43 > 0:47:45For £20,000 under budget,
0:47:45 > 0:47:47this huge Art Nouveau apartment
0:47:47 > 0:47:49offers almost twice the space
0:47:49 > 0:47:50of a similar-priced flat
0:47:50 > 0:47:52down by the lake.
0:47:52 > 0:47:53With two large bedrooms
0:47:53 > 0:47:54and two living rooms,
0:47:54 > 0:47:55there's space for guests,
0:47:55 > 0:47:58an office and a sewing area.
0:47:58 > 0:47:59It needs kitchen and bathroom
0:47:59 > 0:48:00units fitting,
0:48:00 > 0:48:03but there is money in the budget for that.
0:48:03 > 0:48:04The two outside spaces
0:48:04 > 0:48:05have nice views,
0:48:05 > 0:48:06and whilst it's not within
0:48:06 > 0:48:08walking distance from the lake,
0:48:08 > 0:48:12it is located in a beautiful village.
0:48:12 > 0:48:14I like the character of it.
0:48:14 > 0:48:17I mean, there's the lovely stained glass, the huge rooms,
0:48:17 > 0:48:19the beautiful floorboards...
0:48:19 > 0:48:22And it's just full of character and it's got loads of space.
0:48:22 > 0:48:23I think, practically,
0:48:23 > 0:48:26this apartment is the best apartment we have seen so far,
0:48:26 > 0:48:30although, it has massively thrown a spanner in the works for her.
0:48:30 > 0:48:33The only problem is that it's not walking distance to the lake.
0:48:35 > 0:48:37- So this is the master bedroom? - Mm-hmm.
0:48:37 > 0:48:39- Nice panelling.- It's a huge space.
0:48:39 > 0:48:41Could fit your huge bed in here, also.
0:48:41 > 0:48:44- My huge German bed.- Yes, yeah. - LAUGHTER
0:48:44 > 0:48:48- Amazing.- And this is the en-suite. - Mmm.
0:48:48 > 0:48:52- Bit of a shortage of bath and sink, and whatever, but...- Yeah,
0:48:52 > 0:48:54- yeah.- Plenty of space to put them in, though.
0:48:54 > 0:48:56This apartment does have some downsides, of course.
0:48:56 > 0:49:01It's not totally ready to live in, so it would be extra work to do,
0:49:01 > 0:49:03and it's not by the lake,
0:49:03 > 0:49:06which obviously is the biggest downside of it.
0:49:06 > 0:49:08But it is a beautiful apartment, so it sort of...
0:49:08 > 0:49:10is a lot if I start to think,
0:49:10 > 0:49:14"Maybe I could live here. Maybe this could be the one."
0:49:14 > 0:49:16I'm just totally confused.
0:49:18 > 0:49:21I know I have thrown eine katze among the pigeons
0:49:21 > 0:49:22- with this one but... - Absolutely, yes.
0:49:22 > 0:49:24..it is the last property I've got to show you
0:49:24 > 0:49:28- so we can find a place to get a little kaffee...- Mm-hmm.
0:49:28 > 0:49:30..and think things through.
0:49:30 > 0:49:32- Mmm, good idea.- Right, got lots of thinking to be done, I think.
0:49:32 > 0:49:34- Mmm.- Good, follow me.
0:49:41 > 0:49:44Lake Constance is home to three main islands,
0:49:44 > 0:49:47the largest of which is Reichenau.
0:49:47 > 0:49:50With a population of 3,500,
0:49:50 > 0:49:52it appears a largely agricultural place,
0:49:52 > 0:49:57but in the year 2000, it was inscribed as a World Heritage Site,
0:49:57 > 0:50:00due to its important religious and artistic past.
0:50:00 > 0:50:03Reichenau means "blessed land", and in the Middle Ages,
0:50:03 > 0:50:07it was an influential Benedictine monastic base.
0:50:07 > 0:50:10Known for its scholastic and cultural significance,
0:50:10 > 0:50:13the religious order was founded here in 724,
0:50:13 > 0:50:15and in the 200 years that followed,
0:50:15 > 0:50:20it became a world-famous centre for painting illuminated manuscripts,
0:50:20 > 0:50:24something that has become known as the Reichenau School Of Painting.
0:50:24 > 0:50:27The monastery operated for 1,000 years,
0:50:27 > 0:50:30until it was closed in the 19th century.
0:50:30 > 0:50:33I'm meeting guide Gunther Anders to learn more about this special place.
0:50:33 > 0:50:36Gunther, so you get a good view of the whole island, 360?
0:50:36 > 0:50:38- Ja.- Ah... - GUNTHER LAUGHS
0:50:38 > 0:50:41So just get my bearings here, what's that over there?
0:50:41 > 0:50:42Well, that's Switzerland.
0:50:42 > 0:50:45- Oh, so Switzerland's that way, and so that's Germany over there.- Ja.
0:50:45 > 0:50:47So tell me, when was the, kind of,
0:50:47 > 0:50:49the great historical flourishing here?
0:50:49 > 0:50:55Well, that was at the turn of the eighth and ninth century,
0:50:55 > 0:51:01but the foundation of the monastery goes back to 724.
0:51:01 > 0:51:03And what sort of activities did they do?
0:51:03 > 0:51:06At the beginning of the ninth century,
0:51:06 > 0:51:08they started wine-growing here.
0:51:08 > 0:51:11Is there a, kind of, monkish liqueur that they...
0:51:11 > 0:51:13- No, no, no.- No Benedictine?
0:51:13 > 0:51:17Not... Not here, no. No, they were just interested in...
0:51:17 > 0:51:19in wine-growing, here. Ja, probably.
0:51:19 > 0:51:21Now, of course, they had vegetables,
0:51:21 > 0:51:26they had gardens and it's the first herbal garden here.
0:51:26 > 0:51:30This herb garden actually is a model.
0:51:30 > 0:51:31In many monasteries,
0:51:31 > 0:51:35you find the kind of garden with 24 plants,
0:51:35 > 0:51:38mostly medicinal plants, ja.
0:51:38 > 0:51:40So essentially, it was a centre of learning.
0:51:40 > 0:51:42Ja, I'm going to show to you.
0:51:44 > 0:51:47Since the monastery's foundation in the eighth century,
0:51:47 > 0:51:5025 religious buildings were built on this sacred island,
0:51:50 > 0:51:52and a few are still standing.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56One of them is the ninth-century church of St George,
0:51:56 > 0:52:00and it's what's inside this building that is most significant.
0:52:00 > 0:52:04These murals are the oldest wall paintings north of the Alps,
0:52:04 > 0:52:07and it's almost a miracle they have survived.
0:52:07 > 0:52:11Gunther, these are amazing. And it's incredible, all the colours.
0:52:11 > 0:52:13Has this been restored, or has this always been this bright?
0:52:13 > 0:52:18Well, in 1878, the paintings were rediscovered.
0:52:18 > 0:52:22They had been whitewashed over in the baroque period,
0:52:22 > 0:52:26and the baroque period, wanted to have more light.
0:52:26 > 0:52:28- So they whitewashed all over the paintings?- Ja.
0:52:28 > 0:52:32- These are incredible, the colour and the detail is amazing.- Ja.
0:52:32 > 0:52:38The intensity of colours is not so good as it was, of course.
0:52:38 > 0:52:40- It's still pretty striking.- Ja.
0:52:40 > 0:52:42Erm, the images are depicting what?
0:52:42 > 0:52:44What's the story?
0:52:44 > 0:52:52- Well, the north side shows us Christ's miracles.- Right.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54Also, one of the most striking things are these...
0:52:54 > 0:52:57This very, kind of, abstract... the sort of, three-dimensional
0:52:57 > 0:52:59kind of detail all the way around the bottom.
0:52:59 > 0:53:04Ja, now this is a meander, a decoration, ja,
0:53:04 > 0:53:08which dates from early Greek art,
0:53:08 > 0:53:12and was, in the Carolingian Renaissance,
0:53:12 > 0:53:13was brought back to Europe.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15OK, it's very striking.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19But the Reichenau monastery wasn't just about art and learning.
0:53:19 > 0:53:21The monks cultivated the land
0:53:21 > 0:53:24and granted fishing rights to the vast lake.
0:53:24 > 0:53:27'When it closed, the Reichenau fishermen inherited rights
0:53:27 > 0:53:29'to their section of the lake,
0:53:29 > 0:53:32'and today, fishing is still a part of the island's economy.
0:53:32 > 0:53:34'I'm meeting local fisherman Urs Riebel.'
0:53:34 > 0:53:37- Urs, hello.- Hi.- Hi.
0:53:37 > 0:53:38I see people are fishing already.
0:53:38 > 0:53:41Yeah, I think they are fishing pikes.
0:53:41 > 0:53:43So this is the bit of the Bodensee where you can still fish?
0:53:43 > 0:53:45- Right, right.- Ah.
0:53:45 > 0:53:49But here's just an area for the people who live on Reichenau.
0:53:49 > 0:53:51What about if you were a pleasure angler, if you wanted to
0:53:51 > 0:53:54come and just do some fishing on the lake, is that a possibility?
0:53:54 > 0:53:57- Sure, yeah, sure, that's possible. - Is that popular?- Yeah.
0:53:57 > 0:53:59How is the current, kind of,
0:53:59 > 0:54:02- situation for fishermen on the island?- Yeah, it's getting harder.
0:54:02 > 0:54:06100 years ago, it was about 200 fish here,
0:54:06 > 0:54:07and now it's about 40.
0:54:07 > 0:54:10- Did you grow up on Reichenau? - I grew up here, yeah.- Ah...
0:54:10 > 0:54:13And my dad, my grandpa, and everyone.
0:54:13 > 0:54:15So it goes back how many generations?
0:54:15 > 0:54:17- I don't know, nobody knows.- Ah...
0:54:17 > 0:54:20- It's... - Maybe even back to monastic times.
0:54:20 > 0:54:21Maybe.
0:54:21 > 0:54:24- Anyway, thanks very much, I'll let you get back to fishing.- Thank you.
0:54:24 > 0:54:25- Thank you.- Thanks, bye.
0:54:25 > 0:54:27'As I leave this holy island,
0:54:27 > 0:54:30'with its traditional local industries and artistic treasures,'
0:54:30 > 0:54:33we are coming to the end of our time here on Lake Constance.
0:54:33 > 0:54:35Tomorrow will be our final day.
0:54:45 > 0:54:48It's our last morning on the shores of Lake Constance,
0:54:48 > 0:54:51and time for Sue and Amanda to leave their lakeside apartment.
0:54:51 > 0:54:54- It's a glorious view, isn't it?- Mmm.
0:54:54 > 0:54:57- It's been such a great week, though. - Ah, I've really enjoyed it.
0:54:57 > 0:55:00Yeah, but a shame the mountains haven't appeared on our last morning.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03- Mm-hmm.- But never mind,
0:55:03 > 0:55:05- it's been just absolutely wonderful. - Mm-hmm.
0:55:06 > 0:55:10Ah, well, bye-bye, Immenstaad, and bye-bye, Lake Constance.
0:55:10 > 0:55:13- Till next time.- Yes.
0:55:13 > 0:55:15All that remains is to pack up and think about
0:55:15 > 0:55:19what are the next steps in making Germany Sue's future home?
0:55:23 > 0:55:25We're almost at the end of our adventures
0:55:25 > 0:55:27looking for property around Lake Constance,
0:55:27 > 0:55:30and although we haven't found Sue that beautiful property
0:55:30 > 0:55:32right on the lake, cos it's just too expensive,
0:55:32 > 0:55:35I think we've got two strong contenders.
0:55:35 > 0:55:38I'll be interested to see how she and Amanda feel this morning.
0:55:45 > 0:55:47Well, we managed to get you to the lake one more time.
0:55:47 > 0:55:50Sadly, not a property on the lake. Sort of a foregone conclusion,
0:55:50 > 0:55:53- cos we knew the budget was not quite there for that.- No, definitely not.
0:55:53 > 0:55:57But of the properties that we showed you, which ones are the contenders?
0:55:57 > 0:55:59- I have an idea.- I'm sure you do.
0:55:59 > 0:56:03It was the mill property, cos that was wonderful,
0:56:03 > 0:56:04and of course, the Mystery House.
0:56:04 > 0:56:08- Mmm, so the Mystery House really threw a cat among the pigeons?- Yes.
0:56:08 > 0:56:11Right, and any clear winner of those two?
0:56:11 > 0:56:15Oh, I don't know, I've been, sort of, thinking about it half the night
0:56:15 > 0:56:19and I just can't quite get my mind around it, really.
0:56:19 > 0:56:23The mill was beautiful, but I think practically, the garden was too big.
0:56:23 > 0:56:25Really, so the garden was too big in the mill property?
0:56:25 > 0:56:28Well, I mean, it would take an awful lot of work,
0:56:28 > 0:56:29cos it was huge, wasn't it?
0:56:29 > 0:56:32And whilst I'm hoping to have more time,
0:56:32 > 0:56:34I don't really want to spend my time gardening.
0:56:34 > 0:56:35- I'd rather spend it sewing.- Mmm.
0:56:35 > 0:56:37And I think the Mystery House is
0:56:37 > 0:56:39definitely a more practical option for you.
0:56:39 > 0:56:41Yeah, it was a bit too far away. It's...
0:56:41 > 0:56:43We're back to that same dream again,
0:56:43 > 0:56:46and that is part of the dream, is to be near the lake,
0:56:46 > 0:56:50so that would be giving up one part of the dream, moving out there.
0:56:50 > 0:56:54Amanda, having spent some time looking at properties,
0:56:54 > 0:56:57I mean, are you a bit worried about your mum coming out on her own?
0:56:57 > 0:57:00At the beginning of the week, I was a little bit more worried
0:57:00 > 0:57:02but after meeting Amanda, it was quite nice
0:57:02 > 0:57:06and it shows there's a lot of other English people here, as well.
0:57:06 > 0:57:08And at least you've got people that you can talk to,
0:57:08 > 0:57:11- and, you know, join in to clubs, and...- Mmm.
0:57:11 > 0:57:14I think it really shows that it is feasible that you can move here,
0:57:14 > 0:57:16and I think there's a lot of different options.
0:57:16 > 0:57:18And it's shown us different areas, as well,
0:57:18 > 0:57:22that we wouldn't have necessarily looked at, I think, which is good.
0:57:22 > 0:57:23I still love the area,
0:57:23 > 0:57:26and we've met some really nice people this week,
0:57:26 > 0:57:28and talked to other people.
0:57:28 > 0:57:31And you'd think, "Oh, right, OK, I still can do it."
0:57:31 > 0:57:33- It is possible. - It feels like the right place?
0:57:33 > 0:57:35Yeah, it still feels like the right place to come.
0:57:35 > 0:57:38I might not be able to find anything for a little while,
0:57:38 > 0:57:40but it is possible, there are places out there.
0:57:40 > 0:57:43- So the dream is still alive but it's just a little slower, perhaps.- Yes.
0:57:43 > 0:57:46Yes, yeah, it's going to take a bit longer, I think.
0:57:46 > 0:57:48It's been lovely showing you around this area,
0:57:48 > 0:57:49and I do hope that when you get home,
0:57:49 > 0:57:52there'll be a phone call saying "Your house is sold...
0:57:52 > 0:57:56- We can only hope, can't we? - "..proceed to Germany."- Wow, yes.
0:57:56 > 0:57:57- Vielen Dank.- Bitte schon.
0:58:03 > 0:58:07Even in winter, with the Alps still stubbornly hidden from view,
0:58:07 > 0:58:09Lake Constance has proved a delightful place to
0:58:09 > 0:58:12look for property, and I do hope Sue finds a way of squaring the circle
0:58:12 > 0:58:14and getting her house by the lake -
0:58:14 > 0:58:17either by rental or by selling her home back in Somerset.
0:58:17 > 0:58:19And I hope that you stay tuned
0:58:19 > 0:58:22and watch us next time on Escape To The Continent.