Oliver Grant Says, "Housing in Seoul Was Too Expensive"—Why He Moved to Texas with His Family

[Financial News] YouTuber Oliver Grant and his wife opened up about taking out a short-term private loan while settling in the United States.
On the 10th, the YouTube channel “Mipji Aneun Gwanjong Eonni” released a video titled “200,000-subscriber YouTuber Oliver Grant! The Real Reason He Left Korea for the United States with His Two Daughters, Cherry and Sky, Revealed for the First Time.”
In the video, Oliver Grant and his wife, Manim, met Lee Ji-hye and Moon Jaewan. He cited the burden of Seoul’s housing costs and his desire to live closer to nature as the reasons they left Korea and returned to the United States.
Explaining why they chose Texas, Oliver Grant said, "After living in Seoul, I found housing prices far too expensive. Also, I had always grown up in the countryside, so we went to Texas, where we could live close to nature."
The couple had 60 million won in savings at the time. Manim said, "Converted into Korean currency at the time, it was about 500 won per pyeong," adding that the expansive land had captured her interest.
The couple planned to buy the land first and then build a house with a bank loan. However, their plans changed when Oliver Grant found it difficult to obtain a conventional home loan in the United States.
Eventually, the couple took out a short-term private loan through a relative’s introduction. Oliver Grant said, "The condition was that we had to repay it all within one year," while Manim explained, "The condition was that our land would be confiscated if we failed to repay it."
Oliver Grant said they did not have many alternatives at the time. "We had no choice," he said, adding that he thought, "This is the only way. I have to work like crazy."
It took about six years to complete the house. To reduce labor costs, Oliver Grant worked at the construction site himself, handling tasks such as installing equipment. His father, who had been a carpenter, also helped.
The couple later left Texas and moved to Minnesota with their two daughters, Cherry and Sky. They cited climate change as the main reason.
Oliver Grant and his wife said they began considering the long-term living environment for their daughters as the Texas heat grew increasingly severe. When choosing a new place to live, they also considered water resources, the healthcare system and school districts.
The move was also financially burdensome. When estimates for a full-service move reached about 35 million won, the couple left behind much of their furniture and took only what they needed. The trip from Texas to Minnesota would take about 14 hours by ordinary car, but towing a trailer made the actual journey about 20 hours.

Meanwhile, Oliver Grant married webtoon artist Jeong Da-un in 2016. The couple has two daughters.


[email protected] Han Seung-gon Reporter