My Favourite YouTube Channels

Is it weird that the thing I like most about owning a Smart TV is that I can watch YouTube on a big screen? I love YouTube so much, and watch it far more than any other app. Since I’m always on the lookout for suggestions of fun things to watch, I thought I’d share some of my favourite YouTube channels in case they might be of interest to you..

I should add that my preference skews very clearly toward quirky, feel-good content, related to travel, Europe, moving abroad, and slow living.

These are some of my favourite YouTubers.

Her86m2 is the loveliest YouTube channel that features a young Vietnamese woman, along with her husband and young daughter, living a quiet life in Northern Germany.

What I like about it: it’s beautifully shot, dreamy, gently and makes me desperately want to own a home in the country and grow a garden.

Favourite episode: the one where they spend time in Normandy

How to Renovate a Château (Without Killing Your Partner) features Anna and Philipp, a couple who move to Normandy to buy and renovate a chateau. She’s a Brit who used to work for the designer Balmain in Paris, and he’s a Tyrolean DOP with a dry sense of humour. They were originally featured on the British Channel 4 show called “Escape to the Chateau DIY”, and ended up starting a YouTube channel during the pandemic.

What I like about it: They’re smart, thoughtful and don’t take themselves too seriously. Also, their chateau is beautiful.

Favourite episode: the one where they visit Avignon

YesTheory started off as one thing but is becoming another, and I would say that I am more drawn to what it is now than what it started off as. Their motto is: “Seek discomfort” and they believe that life's greatest moments and deepest connections exist outside our comfort zone.

What I like abut it: it’s longer form and they have a good budget so they have time to really sink their teeth into a subject. I also think that some of their hosts are really compelling.

Favourite episodes: the one where they voluntarily get locked into a Korean prison and the one where they travel to the “worst” country in Europe

Maison de base stars another artist couple - Ebonie and Martin, and their channel focuses mostly on the properties they’ve renovated - first in Portugal, then in Italy. The production of the videos is on the more basic side but their creativity, style and getting to see what they’ve accomplish, makes up for the lack of production value.

What I like about it: They approach everything they do - from their home renos to cooking - with a thoughtfulness that I appreciate. I also like that they seems to be working with a limited budget but still manage to do so much.

Favourite episodes: They have a 2-part video that gives you the lowdown on how they built a house on their own in Portugal, and then moved to Italy to renovate an old home - part 1 is here and part 2 is here.

Beneath the Surface features an American couple in their 50s who sold everything they owned in the US to move to Europe to be closer to their kids. The downside to this channel is that they don’t post videos that often. The upsides are that their story is super compelling, and the production is great.

What I like about it: see above

Favourite episode: their whole story is interesting so I recommend starting at their first video here and moving forward from there.

Honourable mentions:
Laura Bronner - an American woman who’s been travelling and living all over the world since 2010

Elina Osbourne - a Japanese Kiwi who loves hiking and the wilderness (I got super invested in her series about hiking the Pacific Crest Trail)

HappyGoLuckTravel - yet another couple in their 50s who travel and are passionate about richer, more connective and authentic experiences

Brian and Carrie - Americans in their 50s who sold everything and slow-travel full-time on a budget of approximately $2000US/month

Who are YOUR favourite YouTubers? Gimme the scoop!