Drew and Jonathan Scott are trading urban renovations for rural adventures in their latest HGTV venture, Chasing the West. The Property Brothers stars guide families through the complex transition from city life to ranch living, drawing on their own farming background to provide authentic advice.
The show tackles more than property hunting. Drew and Jonathan challenge families to confront the harsh realities of rural life before making life-changing decisions.
"If you've ever watched HGTV and wanted to yell at the screen because of homeowners' decisions, you'll have plenty of those moments watching this show," Drew explained.
Elaborating:
"But hopefully we can guide them in a slightly better direction."
The series marks a return to the brothers' farming background. Both grew raised on farms in the Pacific Northwest and on a family ranch in Alberta, Canada, where everyday duties taught them valuable work habits. Jonathan, who is engaged to actress Zooey Deschanel, and Drew, who has two daughters with his wife Linda Phan, think the program tackles rising concerns about city living expenses and speed.
Their purpose goes beyond entertainment to encourage people to reassess their priorities and lifestyle choices.
What is Chasing the West? Details explored
The Scott brothers' childhood on 160 acres of farmland provides the foundation for their latest project. Jonathan recalled the constant demands of ranch life, from mending fences to caring for sick animals.
"You learn about hard work and you get that work ethic young, but I wouldn't trade it for anything," he said.
These experiences weren't always easy. Jonathan joked about telling Deschanel's children stories of walking uphill both ways to school, noting that in his case, the tale was actually true. Even winter grocery trips required saddling horses for the journey into town. Drew, father to son Parker and daughter Piper, expressed his family's desire to return to that lifestyle.
Chasing the West goes deeper than traditional real estate shows. The brothers focus on preparing families for the reality of ranch ownership rather than simply showcasing beautiful properties.
Jonathan stated that the show attempts to actually help families make the major transfer from city life by providing more than just property possibilities; he and his brother make it a point to be candid when they believe someone isn't completely contemplating the reality of the transition.
This honest, hands-on approach distinguishes their program from normal house-hunting shows, emphasising long-term success over instant triumphs.
Drew emphasised that the series presents significant difficulties with severe ramifications. Unlike scripted reality shows, Chasing the West deals with families making permanent life changes.
The show balances entertainment with education, providing viewers with realistic expectations about rural living. The brothers use their expertise to prevent costly mistakes and failed transitions.
The Scott brothers hope their series encourages viewers to examine their own priorities. Jonathan highlighted growing concerns about urban living challenges, including escalating costs and increasingly hectic lifestyles.
Chasing the West’s family-focused messaging
Both brothers emphasised their commitment to establishing healthy, supportive settings for children, emphasising the need to provide children with pleasant experiences and opportunities to be creative. For them, assisting families in making significant adjustments is more than just finding new houses; it is also about providing children with a stronger foundation.
Chasing the West goes beyond the standard HGTV show by combining personal beliefs with professional expertise to guide families through important life transitions with honesty and compassion. The show invites viewers to thoroughly consider what sort of lifestyle would best serve their family in the long term.
You can watch Chasing the West starring Drew and Jonathan Scott on HGTV Wednesdays at 9 p.m. ET/PT, with new episodes streaming the next day on discovery+ and Max.