Presenter: This is Brave Decisions. Hello and welcome! In our studio today is Patricia Davison, a 26-⁠year-⁠old artist, who has just bought a house in terrible condition in the middle of nowhere. Good morning, Patricia! Thank you for joining us today!

Patricia: Good morning! Thank you for inviting me.

Presenter: So, why did you do it? Have you already started regretting it?

Patricia: Not in the least! In fact, I’m still extremely excited and pleased.

Presenter: You will have to explain this.

Patricia: Ok. It has always been a tradition in North America for young people to become independent right after school graduation. Of course, in college students are still more often than not supported by their parents. But as soon as they graduate and get a real job, they should be able to live on their own, and that’s how it’s always been, but not anymore. Everybody knows how high the price of accommodation has become in the last twenty years or so. It is very expensive both to rent or to buy your own place. Especially if you live in a major city like New York, Los-⁠Angeles, or Toronto or Montreal  — if you are a Canadian like me. Even if you manage to get a job in a big corporation, your entry-⁠level salary doesn’t cover the rent. So you either need roommates or you have to stay in your parents’ home, which, as I’ve already mentioned, is not traditional, but happens more and more often these days.

Presenter: So, you decided to find a solution to this problem.

Patricia: Absolutely. Well, to be honest, it was not a planned decision. I remember I was once quite frustrated thinking about the high rent I was paying and wondering whether I would ever be able to buy my own home. I was looking at the map of Canada on one of the real estate sites and losing all hope. The smallest houses in British Columbia where I lived cost 300 thousand dollars. But then an idea struck me. I’m an artist and I work from home. I don’t have to live in or anywhere near a big city. So I started looking at some far-⁠away places. I didn’t really want to live in the far north, but equally unpopular places like Nova Scotia seemed like an interesting possibility. And I was shocked at how cheap houses were there! The house I’ve finally chosen is huge! And it cost me only 65 thousand dollars. I even had enough of my own money for the down payment! I didn’t have to borrow money from my parents. It’s just a 10-⁠year mortgage. I couldn’t believe my luck!

Presenter: But you are forgetting the state it is in!

Patricia: It is true that it requires a lot of work. After all, the house is 150 years old! But I’m not afraid of it! I’m an artist. In fact, while at university, I once took a course of both interior and architectural design and have never had the chance to use that knowledge. I think the time has come to do it.

Presenter: Are you planning to hire professionals for the more difficult areas?

Patricia: I think I will have to. Even though I know how to fix electricity, I wouldn’t want to do it completely on my own. And I’ve already had professional plumbers fix all my water pipes and bathrooms. As for everything else, though, I think I will manage with a little help from my brother and friends.

Presenter: Have you already started?

Patricia: Oh, yes! I’m not losing any time. I’ve already finished my bedroom and study. They look beautiful! I’ve also started a you-⁠tube channel where I’m sharing my experience. It’s got quite a following! It makes me happy that my experience can inspire other young people to get their own homes.

Presenter: Well, good luck with your big project, Patricia!

Patricia: Thank you!