Edwards Family Wanted Down Under


Edwards Family

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Moving your family halfway around the world

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is one of the biggest decisions of your life.

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But if you've been dreaming of it for more than a decade,

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can the reality ever match your expectations,

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especially when you know it'll be the hardest choice you'll ever have to make?

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For more than ten years, the Edwards family have been living in limbo.

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Keep on going back and forth thinking,

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"What's the best thing to do?"

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So it really is driving us insane.

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And after a week of highs...

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There's the sea! ALL: Aw!

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..and lows...

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-Oh, my life!

-..they'll have to make the toughest decision of their lives.

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But will they choose with their heart or their heads?

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The future now is down to us.

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I want to make a decision this week so that we can get on with our life.

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23% of New Zealand's population were born overseas.

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Many people emigrate there for a more relaxed pace of life

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in this country of beautiful scenery.

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But the move isn't always right for everyone

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and many return home with their dream in tatters.

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The Edwards face some big decisions as they experience the reality of life in New Zealand.

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At the end of their week Down Under,

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they'll have to decide their future -

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whether to stay in the UK or to make the move for good.

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To make that choice, they travel over 11,000 miles,

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cross three continents and spend 23 hours in the air.

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And the long flight has given them a chance

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to think about the distance from loved ones and the week ahead.

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The decision is right in front of us now. We've done a lot of research,

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but it's now in your in face.

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"Are you going to go for it? Are you going to weigh it up and make a mature, sensible decision?"

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-It's a lot to take in.

-I'm excited.

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-Oh, yes. It's still fabulous.

-Yeah, this is a decision for the family.

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This week is going to be the difference.

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We're going to try and enjoy it, aren't we? Not even try, we WILL enjoy it, won't we?

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-We will enjoy it!

-Yeah.

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As they set off for a week that could change their lives,

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it's a world away from their home in Dudley.

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Plumber Clive and learning support assistant Tracey

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are parents to daughters Alanis, 13, and eight-year-old Naomi.

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Clive and Tracey are born and bred in the Midlands,

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but have long thought about a change.

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All this time I've spent here, I need to go somewhere else,

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somewhere which is going to be a little bit different and exciting.

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So I'll go round the corner and think, "I haven't seen that before,"

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instead of the same old thing over and over.

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New Zealand has been on their minds for over a decade.

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The idea to emigrate started ten or more years ago on holiday with friends.

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We talked about it for hours and hours.

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They went and did it, the rotters,

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and they're in New Zealand now, and I'm very, very jealous of them.

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We thought to ourselves, "Could we actually do it,

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"and will it really make a big difference to our life if we did?"

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And in 2007, after returning from a visit to New Zealand,

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they were all set to take the plunge,

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only for terrible news to hit the family.

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Mum, out of the blue, announced that they discovered breast cancer.

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It was just, "Hang on a minute." Everything stopped.

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Even though Tracey's mum is now in remission,

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the decision to move won't be any easier to make.

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If we now then say we're going to go for it, actually,

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what if she then has a relapse?

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What if... What if, what if? That kind of thing.

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'So I'm really concerned whether it's the right decision

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'for the extended family.'

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I'm getting upset now.

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But a move won't just mean leaving Tracey's mum.

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For Clive, it means saying a long goodbye to his family.

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There's 13... Yes, 13 brothers and sisters. Come family get-togethers,

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everybody comes together. We just have a good time.

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I'm going to miss them, but whatever it takes to make my family happy,

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that's what's important to me.

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But after ten years of talking about New Zealand, they're still no closer to a decision.

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When Mum and Dad start talking about moving to New Zealand,

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I usually just put the headphones in and close it all out.

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We keep going back and forth thinking,

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"What's the best thing to do?"

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I just yak, yak, yak about New Zealand all the time.

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Is it better in England or is it better in New Zealand?

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So it really is driving us insane.

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I really, really do think they should stop talking about it

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cos I just get a bit bored of the situation.

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It's like, "Oh, should we get the visas?"

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"What property shall we have?"

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-"Do you want to go to Auckland or the south?"

-They moan a lot.

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We need to make the decision and we've made a pact that this is it.

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Now or never.

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Either do it or don't do it and just live life.

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Because at the moment, we're waiting to live life.

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The Edwards are caught between two different worlds.

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They know just how painful emigrating will be for them and the people they love.

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But for the past ten years,

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they've been wondering if the grass really could be greener Down Under.

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It's time they found out.

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The Edwards want to see if New Zealand's largest city, Auckland,

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could be the ideal location for a new start.

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The city environment should offer good work opportunities for Clive

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and plenty of activities for Alanis and Naomi.

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But the benefits don't come cheap, with Auckland's property prices the highest in the country.

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For the next week, home is the historic suburb of Devonport,

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just across the bay from the city.

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They'll be staying in a two-bedroom apartment,

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close to shops and restaurants and minutes from the beach.

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It should be an ideal location for the week ahead.

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-Oh, this is nice.

-What do you think?

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Oh, it's nicer than I expected it to be.

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For such a quaint old house, you didn't expect it to be so modern.

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The kids look to have settled in,

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but for Tracey and Clive, thoughts turn to the week ahead

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and the big decision they have to make.

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To be honest, I don't know if I really want to like it,

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because if I...if I like it,

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then we're going to have to come.

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If I don't like it, then the decision's made for us.

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It might be perfectly all right, within our reach,

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and then I chicken out and think,

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"I can't leave everybody," or think "It's just too nerve-wracking,"

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cos I have a tendency to do that as well.

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I want to make the decision this week

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so that we can get on with our life.

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Back in the UK, the Edwards have just sold their three-bedroom, shared ownership house in Dudley.

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They've raised £35,000 towards a deposit on a potential house in New Zealand,

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and they've worked out they could afford a budget of around £180,000.

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But for that price, there are a few must-have items on their wish list.

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In the home we're in now, we are so squashed.

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We can't do what we want to do.

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We could do with two bathrooms. I've got three girls.

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They take ages to get ready, so I'm just there waiting, waiting.

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I'm hoping that we can afford something that has slightly bigger rooms.

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Slightly? What am I saying? It's got to be huge!

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To give the family a taste of Auckland's property market,

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we've arranged for them to see some local houses up for sale.

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We'll show them three choices based upon what they want from their ideal home,

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what they can afford, and the real cost of property Down Under.

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After seeing for themselves what's on offer, we'll reveal the price of each house.

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Their search begins in Albany, on the north edge of the city.

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It's Auckland's fastest-growing suburb

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and popular with families, due to its proximity to the beaches.

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This two-bedroom modern house is on a small development

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and offers the Edwards a low-maintenance home,

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close to schools, shops and parks.

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But what will they make of it?

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-Mmm...

-Uh-oh.

-A bit council-y.

-Don't like it.

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Been there, done that, lived in high-rises when we were first married.

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Not a great start. Let's hope the interiors go down better.

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OK... Ew. No.

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-No?

-No.

-Oh, dear.

-No, no, no.

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-This is a holiday home.

-That's exactly what it is.

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Nice view, but this would be classed as your garden.

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It's not very promising.

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The outside hasn't impressed,

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so it's upstairs to check out the bedrooms.

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It's got an en-suite. That potty in the corner.

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-No.

-Nah.

-Nah.

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-If this is all we can afford...

-No way.

-Not interested.

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-Not interested at all.

-Let's just shut the cupboard door and walk away.

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And with just one other bedroom,

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the house is falling short of their needs.

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-Oh, my goodness.

-Can you imagine it?

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They'd just be absolutely at each other's throats.

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Where's the main bathroom?

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Oh. What's that?

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So it's both en-suite. This is exactly the same as the other one.

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-Should we find out how much it is?

-Yeah.

-Not that it matters.

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Doesn't matter what it is, I don't want it.

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-They'd have to pay us.

-They'd definitely have to pay me.

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This is such a good room.

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-Mum and Dad really don't like it.

-He kept going, "No, no, no, no, no, no. I don't like it."

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So the first house hasn't impressed.

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But what's the verdict on the price?

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Will their £180,000 budget be enough to afford a house they don't like?

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-What do you think?

-What's the matter? Aw!

-Is it so traumatic?

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Let's see how much the price is.

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We think it's going to be about £80,000.

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-Er... £80,000?

-You've probably got no idea how much it is!

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-It doesn't matter how much it is.

-I know. Hopefully it's how much they're going to pay us.

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-Whoa.

-Oh, my life!

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-160, you're joking.

-£160,000?!

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-You'd get a huge house for that!

-We could get a lovely house with a lovely garden back in England.

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If this is all we can get...

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-I wouldn't be interested.

-It's not worth it.

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Cos we'd have to sit in the home and feel,

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"Oh, this is lovely. This is just what we're looking for,"

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-to help you cope with all the emotional side of leaving everybody.

-Mmm.

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If you came here, you'd think

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you'd lost everything and took a step back.

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Shocked by the size and price of the first house,

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the Edwards' dream of moving to New Zealand has taken a step backwards.

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Could the next house offer them more of what they want?

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The second property is in the sought-after area of Forrest Hill.

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With good schools and close to the city,

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it's popular with families.

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This four-bedroom weatherboard house comes with plenty of potential, which should appeal to Clive.

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-Hallelujah!

-Thank goodness for that! THEY LAUGH

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-ALANIS:

-I was so scared!

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I was frightened to look.

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-Not bad, not bad. Nice, light room.

-It's a relief.

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It's an absolute relief compared to that not-so-nice house before.

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-This looks like it needs work.

-Yeah, but that's not a problem.

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It's just cosmetic.

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-It's just cosmetic, really.

-You hope.

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After the last house, it's a far better start.

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There might be just a little bit of work in here.

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'60s or '70s, this must have been done.

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Let's see what it actually... Not much pressure.

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But that's not a problem.

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-That's something I... Oh! That's old!

-OK!

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A bit of New Zealand plumbing hasn't put Clive off,

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but Tracey may need more convincing that it's worth giving up the UK for.

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With four decent-sized bedrooms, there should be enough space for everyone.

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That's quite nice. Nice size.

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-I feel more positive about this house than the last one.

-The size is good.

-The size is all right.

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The children away in the other room. Can't hear them.

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Are they OK?

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-They might have been electrocuted.

-Yes!

-Maybe we should check!

-Yeah.

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With just the garden left to inspect, can it convince Tracey this is the house for them?

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The whole point of us coming was for the big, open space, so...

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If that space was at the back, then you're getting there,

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because I've got to feel that I can come out and go,

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"Ooh! This is lovely."

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With a small outdoors and plenty of work needed indoors,

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it looks like this property is another big no for the Edwards.

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But if it's double the size of the first house,

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will their budget cover the cost?

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-This is going to be a lot.

-I would say...

-190, 200...

-180, I'd say.

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-Let's have a look.

-Let's have a look. 180.

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-Oh, 203.

-See, I was right!

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£203,000, approximately.

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-It's the area. It's very nice.

-A lot of potential,

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but it might be too much out of our price range

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when you actually put in the amount

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to actually do the property up to the standard it needs to be.

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The second house didn't win the Edwards over

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and it's price confirmed Clive's money worries.

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Getting more from their budget means moving further out of the city.

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The district of Browns Bay is a popular area,

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with beaches and shops close by.

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This four-bedroom weatherboard house should offer plenty of space and a bigger garden.

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Estate agent Carolynn Le Mac is there to meet them.

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We've got a home here that I think fits most of your requirements, if not all of them.

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Have a wander. We'll meet-up at the end and see what you think.

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-OK, thank you.

-Fantastic. Let's have a look.

-Looks nice.

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-Aw...

-That is lovely.

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-Oh, my life.

-That is very nice. Have you wiped your feet?

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-What an entrance.

-Excellent. Where do we start? Let's go in here!

-ALL LAUGH

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-Oh.

-Look at that.

-I love it, I love it.

-Oh, sweet.

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-Oh, my days.

-Look at the garden, Mum.

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-Is that an orange tree?

-Yeah, looks like it.

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-Oh, let me in it!

-Can you imagine?

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Is that the sea? That's the sea! ALL: Aw!

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The kitchen... It's a galley kitchen. It's still quite small but it's got everything you need.

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WATER SPRAYS

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CHILDREN LAUGH That works!

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Water pressure's OK, then! A little bit severe.

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And there's something else that should keep Clive happy - three bathrooms for the girls.

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And for artist Tracey, one of the bedrooms is made to order.

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Oh, you know what this is. This is my art studio.

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Imagine sitting there and, again, you got that beautiful view.

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-This is exactly the kind of garden I was thinking of.

-Yeah.

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-Jungle... Exotic-looking.

-Yeah.

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-Smothering the house.

-Yeah.

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-Hard to maintain.

-Yeah!

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-There's a gate here. Hang on.

-Is that more? More garden?

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-I don't know.

-Hold on.

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Is this a separate room?

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-Oh! Oh, oh, oh!

-I haven't seen this.

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-It's like a granny flat, isn't it?

-A granny flat!

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-Is it an annexe, you call it?

-Annexe, yeah. OK, that's good.

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So it looks like there's a whole separate flat with the house.

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Maybe Carolynn can shed some light on it?

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What's with that...? Is it an annexe, or is it...?

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That's what we term a granny flat,

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so it gives an extra income for most New Zealanders.

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One option, if you want the full site, the garden,

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the bigger home closer to the sea,

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obviously that's going to cost more money,

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so one way of doing that is having a home

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that perhaps can bring in a bit of extra income.

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This house seems to have everything the Edwards are looking for,

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but can they afford it?

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A lot rests on the turn of this card.

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So what do you think of the house?

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I think it's a lovely house, but we're going to have to pay a lot.

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-You think?

-It's going to be megabucks.

-You think?

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Do you like it, Nay?

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-I've got one word to sum all this up.

-What is it?

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-Wow.

-Is it?

-Yeah.

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I think you just don't get your hopes up,

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because I think it's going to be way out of our league.

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-Go on, shall we have a look?

-Yeah, go on then. OK, Mum.

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Can't look!

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Oh, right.

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£278,000,

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or, with the income, £190,000.

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-So, 278 just as it is, everything...

-Which we can't afford.

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..with the granny flat.

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-Or if we rent out the flat, it's 190,000.

-190.

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That's pretty good.

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For what you're getting and where you are.

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-Yeah, I think that is very good.

-Yeah, it's brilliant.

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So the dream house could be possible for the Edwards

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if they're prepared to subsidise the mortgage.

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They've seen three very different properties.

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The first was bang on budget but fell well short

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of Tracey and Clive's expectations of living Down Under.

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The second offered size and potential,

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but it came with a small garden and a big price tag.

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Finally, house number three offered the Edwards the space

0:19:210:19:25

and location they wanted, and a possible way to afford it.

0:19:250:19:28

So after a day of house-hunting, have they seen enough

0:19:280:19:32

to justify moving to the other side of the world?

0:19:320:19:35

Based on the properties we've seen today, we are going to vote for...

0:19:350:19:41

ALL: New Zealand!

0:19:510:19:53

-Is it New Zealand or is it English?

-Which one?

0:19:550:20:00

Which one are you going to go for?

0:20:000:20:03

Don't do what we do if you don't want to.

0:20:030:20:05

-Which one do you want?

-Are you undecided?

-No...

0:20:050:20:07

Do you want to go in the middle like that?

0:20:070:20:09

-Which one do you want?

-I have no idea.

0:20:090:20:12

I was expecting Naomi to be unsure.

0:20:140:20:17

Right from day one she's always said, "What about the family?"

0:20:170:20:22

And it would break her heart, I think, if it came to leaving.

0:20:220:20:27

She would be very upset, I think.

0:20:270:20:30

Auckland's property prices have come as a real shock to the Edwards,

0:20:360:20:40

but there's still a chance they can afford their dream home,

0:20:400:20:44

so it's vital Clive and Tracey find work that pays enough to keep the move alive.

0:20:440:20:49

Back in Dudley, Clive works as a plumber for a housing trust,

0:20:490:20:53

earning around £23,000 a year.

0:20:530:20:56

As he's on a modest income,

0:20:560:20:59

the family can't afford to take risks on employment in New Zealand.

0:20:590:21:03

To get a feel for work Down Under,

0:21:030:21:05

Clive is spending the morning with a local firm.

0:21:050:21:08

There's a lot riding on it,

0:21:080:21:10

and he needs to be sure New Zealand can offer the right opportunities.

0:21:100:21:14

It's all about the job,

0:21:140:21:16

because if I haven't got a decent job, can't afford the house.

0:21:160:21:21

So what I want to find out today is just how they work in New Zealand,

0:21:210:21:24

whether they live to work or they work to live.

0:21:240:21:28

Clive's arranged to meet manager Shawn Cain who may be able to offer him some advice.

0:21:280:21:33

Tell us a little bit about what you've been doing and your qualifications.

0:21:330:21:37

Level three electrician, also level three plumbing as well.

0:21:370:21:41

OK, from our point of view having somebody who's got both traits

0:21:410:21:44

and be registered in that would be a big bonus.

0:21:440:21:48

That's good news, but is there work to go with it?

0:21:480:21:52

In the last three or four months it has definitely got busier, things are feeling better out there,

0:21:520:21:57

but, with the likes of Christchurch's earthquake, there's a lot of work coming up.

0:21:570:22:02

In the next two to three years, we're going to need 3,000 electricians.

0:22:020:22:06

With so much rebuilding going on in New Zealand,

0:22:060:22:09

there looks to be plenty of work - but will his skills transfer?

0:22:090:22:13

So, to be able to work in New Zealand, what would I have to do?

0:22:130:22:16

-What sort of qualifications...?

-To bring your qualifications to New Zealand?

-Yeah.

0:22:160:22:20

You do a written examination, and a practical examination as well.

0:22:200:22:25

It's all very well, but Clive's only got one thing on his mind.

0:22:250:22:29

That is exactly what I needed to know,

0:22:290:22:31

but what I really want to do now, I just want to do a bit of plumbing.

0:22:310:22:34

Any opportunities to do that?

0:22:340:22:36

Sure, what we could do is go and see one of the guys on a job site.

0:22:360:22:41

It's a bigger job site and you'll be able to see the fittings we use,

0:22:410:22:44

the plumbing, all that sort of setup.

0:22:440:22:46

As Clive heads to the site, Tracey's also out and about.

0:22:460:22:50

It's vital she too finds work to help afford the lifestyle they long for.

0:22:500:22:55

At home, she's a support worker assisting deaf students at her local college.

0:22:550:22:59

To help support the family income in New Zealand,

0:22:590:23:02

she'd like to continue her work as a communicator.

0:23:020:23:05

To find out if that's possible, she's meeting up with Gail Harris,

0:23:050:23:10

a teacher at a local college.

0:23:100:23:12

Is there much demand around the island for support workers for the deaf?

0:23:120:23:18

In New Zealand, most of the people who work

0:23:180:23:22

in deaf education - communicating - are generally trained interpreters.

0:23:220:23:28

We do have some communicators in some areas

0:23:280:23:31

when we can't get an interpreter.

0:23:310:23:33

So the interpreter's course - is it full-time, and how many years is it?

0:23:330:23:39

Currently it's two years.

0:23:390:23:40

And there are course fees, at least about 4,000, something like that.

0:23:400:23:44

Yeah, expensive. It's like that back home.

0:23:440:23:47

It's not the news she was hoping for.

0:23:470:23:50

Taking a two-year course would been paying fees

0:23:500:23:52

and dealing with the drop in income.

0:23:520:23:55

While Tracey finds out more,

0:23:560:23:58

Clive is talking his language down on site plumbing.

0:23:580:24:03

-It seems to be quite similar.

-Yeah, I imagine it would be.

0:24:030:24:06

Yeah. In the end, sealing water's the same, it's just different ways of doing it.

0:24:060:24:10

It's been fantastic, thanks a lot for all your help. I really appreciate it.

0:24:100:24:14

-Hopefully I'll be working with you in the future.

-Yeah, you might be.

0:24:140:24:18

-Excellent. Take care then, see you.

-Bye.

0:24:180:24:21

Happy with his prospects,

0:24:210:24:22

Clive's keen to flush out a couple more important answers from Shawn.

0:24:220:24:27

Just to give me an idea, what sort of hours would I be doing,

0:24:270:24:32

what sort of pay might I get?

0:24:320:24:34

The average hours for our guys is between

0:24:340:24:36

sort of 30 and 45 hours on average a week.

0:24:360:24:38

Pay-wise, the average salary is around 60,000 New Zealand dollars a year,

0:24:380:24:43

plus any on-call call-outs and stuff on top of that.

0:24:430:24:46

So that's going to be about £30,000 on the current...

0:24:460:24:52

-OK.

-Yeah, that's not too bad. That's good, that's good.

0:24:520:24:56

Working full-time, Clive could earn £7,000 a year more than at home.

0:24:560:25:02

But Tracey's extra income is crucial

0:25:020:25:05

and could make all the difference between the UK and life in New Zealand.

0:25:050:25:09

So what would be the average wage if I was a fully-qualified interpreter?

0:25:090:25:13

It would be around 37,000 plus, as a starting rate.

0:25:130:25:18

-New Zealand dollars?

-New Zealand dollars, yes.

0:25:180:25:21

So with the exchange rate, it's about 18,000, 19,000 a year.

0:25:210:25:25

Well, that makes sense for an interpreter.

0:25:250:25:28

So if Tracey was to retrain and work full time,

0:25:280:25:31

she could earn more than she does at home,

0:25:310:25:34

but at a cost of time with the family.

0:25:340:25:36

Does she think it's worth it?

0:25:360:25:39

If I had to train as an interpreter here,

0:25:390:25:41

if I had no choice, to get employment,

0:25:410:25:44

then I'm not so sure that I would go for that

0:25:440:25:46

because of being taken away from the family.

0:25:460:25:49

It's a big decision. Retraining wasn't in the New Zealand plan

0:25:490:25:54

and would set the Edwards back financially.

0:25:540:25:56

But will it affect their final vote?

0:25:560:25:59

Based on my job prospects in New Zealand...

0:25:590:26:04

I'm going to vote for...

0:26:040:26:06

New Zealand.

0:26:120:26:14

UK.

0:26:190:26:21

I've stuck with my UK job because I love it. I absolutely love it.

0:26:210:26:28

I love the guys I work with.

0:26:280:26:29

I don't know if I'm willing to give it up

0:26:290:26:32

cos I've only just sort of really settled in to that.

0:26:320:26:35

I voted for New Zealand because it...

0:26:350:26:38

Basically, they're going to pay me more than in England.

0:26:380:26:41

So, in the end, our quality of life is going to be better,

0:26:410:26:45

so, as regards the job aspect of things,

0:26:450:26:47

I think New Zealand's going to be the best thing for our family.

0:26:470:26:50

New Zealand seems to be offering good work prospects.

0:26:500:26:54

But with some strings attached, it's left Tracey and Clive

0:26:540:26:57

pulling in different directions.

0:26:570:27:00

After a long day, they meet up to chat things through.

0:27:000:27:05

How do you feel about what you've seen and what you know about it all?

0:27:050:27:10

I like the job,

0:27:100:27:12

but because I haven't got a firm job offer,

0:27:120:27:17

I would basically have to chance it.

0:27:170:27:20

That's too... That's nerve-wracking, though, isn't it?

0:27:200:27:25

But, then, if we want to live here, there's no other option.

0:27:250:27:29

You know what, though? It doesn't even matter what we want.

0:27:290:27:32

If the figures don't add up,

0:27:320:27:34

-if it is really tight and not much difference...

-Yeah. Yeah.

0:27:340:27:40

..it doesn't matter if you WANT to live here,

0:27:400:27:43

-it's not sensible to live here.

-Yeah, yeah, absolutely.

0:27:430:27:46

With plenty of question marks on their work prospects,

0:27:500:27:54

the Edwards' final decision is looking hard to make.

0:27:540:27:57

If this move is going to come off,

0:27:570:28:00

both Tracey and Clive need to find out once and for all

0:28:000:28:03

if they can afford it.

0:28:030:28:05

We've prepared a breakdown of the family's everyday expenses.

0:28:050:28:08

Based on their calculations,

0:28:080:28:11

they'll find out if they can afford to live in New Zealand.

0:28:110:28:14

So if Tracey chose not to retrain as an interpreter,

0:28:140:28:17

would they be worse off?

0:28:170:28:18

Right, combined totals. Right, UK - £27,250.

0:28:180:28:24

New Zealand - 33,800.

0:28:240:28:27

So our first tick for New Zealand.

0:28:270:28:31

So let's do the houses, then. Monthly repayment.

0:28:310:28:36

£752 per month.

0:28:360:28:42

Which is all right. That sounds OK to me

0:28:420:28:44

because that's what we're expecting to pay for a new home in the UK.

0:28:440:28:50

With no difference between mortgage payments at home and in New Zealand,

0:28:500:28:55

life Down Under is looking affordable.

0:28:550:28:58

But what about the everyday costs?

0:28:580:29:00

Groceries - £500 a month.

0:29:000:29:02

£639 in New Zealand.

0:29:020:29:06

But maybe what we'd have to look at is

0:29:060:29:09

if we'd get a little bit of land as well, just growing some food of our own.

0:29:090:29:14

You're crackers, you!

0:29:140:29:16

We're going to have to! Have you seen the prices?

0:29:160:29:19

So what's the bottom line?

0:29:190:29:21

Will the Edwards be better or worse off in New Zealand?

0:29:210:29:24

Well, how much better off, on a monthly basis,

0:29:240:29:27

are we going to be in New Zealand to the UK?

0:29:270:29:31

-£209 better off.

-Roughly.

0:29:310:29:37

We will end up living very similar to what we do at home,

0:29:370:29:43

but your advantage is it's not the West Midlands.

0:29:430:29:47

It is by the sea.

0:29:470:29:49

And it's lifestyle.

0:29:490:29:53

I thought we'd sit here and it'd be, "Are you joking?

0:29:530:29:56

"You, Edwards family, you ain't got a chance!"

0:29:560:30:00

But that's really pretty cool, isn't it? That we can stretch to it.

0:30:000:30:04

As long as we can find the jobs.

0:30:040:30:07

It's all about the jobs, I think. It really does show, though,

0:30:070:30:10

that it is doable.

0:30:100:30:12

As long as we can get all these necessary things in place,

0:30:120:30:17

we could be living in New Zealand.

0:30:170:30:20

Yay!

0:30:200:30:21

The figures look good,

0:30:210:30:23

but a lot hangs on Tracey and Clive earning the right salaries.

0:30:230:30:26

So will they trust the numbers and vote for New Zealand?

0:30:260:30:30

Based on the costs of living, between New Zealand and the UK,

0:30:300:30:34

we choose...

0:30:340:30:36

BOTH: New Zealand.

0:30:430:30:45

I knew you'd choose New Zealand again.

0:30:450:30:48

-Well, it just looks right on paper, doesn't it?

-Yeah.

0:30:480:30:51

Because the cost of living isn't astronomical,

0:30:510:30:54

it's still within our reach, so that's really encouraging,

0:30:540:30:59

because there was a danger that it would be just...

0:30:590:31:02

the decision's made for you with the figures.

0:31:020:31:06

But it's not made for us, the decision is still ours.

0:31:060:31:09

True. What she said.

0:31:090:31:12

Working out they can afford the life they want

0:31:150:31:18

has helped Clive and Tracey take a big step towards emigrating.

0:31:180:31:22

But what's always been at the heart of their dream

0:31:220:31:25

is finding a lifestyle the family can enjoy together.

0:31:250:31:28

And with Alanis and Naomi still unconvinced about New Zealand,

0:31:280:31:32

there's a great deal at stake.

0:31:320:31:34

So to give them a taste of what Auckland has to offer,

0:31:340:31:38

they're spending the morning down at Mission Bay.

0:31:380:31:42

With plenty of cycling paths,

0:31:420:31:44

getting around on two wheels is a perfect way to see the sights,

0:31:440:31:47

even if the bikes aren't quite what they're used to in Dudley.

0:31:470:31:51

Where's the breaks, man?

0:31:510:31:53

Hang on. Break!

0:31:550:31:58

BELLS RING

0:31:580:32:01

-Oh, yeah. Brilliant!

-Faster.

0:32:010:32:03

Nice and quick. Excellent.

0:32:030:32:06

Excellent.

0:32:170:32:18

But the ride isn't just for fun.

0:32:180:32:21

It's also the best way of getting to their next activity

0:32:210:32:24

and this one has even more wheels!

0:32:240:32:27

I tell you what, it'll tone up your legs,

0:32:270:32:30

cos they're killing already.

0:32:300:32:32

Oh, my goodness. I don't know how you stop!

0:32:320:32:37

It's a new sport for the whole family

0:32:370:32:39

but the kids look like they've got it mastered.

0:32:390:32:42

Oh, my life! It's nothing like ice-skating, is it?

0:32:420:32:45

-Yes, it is. Just do the same thing.

-Oh, my days.

0:32:450:32:50

-How long did you actually put your rollerblades on for?

-Like, five minutes.

0:32:500:32:55

-Why don't you put them back on?

-No, thank you.

0:32:550:32:58

-They hurting your legs? Oh, man. Oh, man.

-Oh, my days.

-I'm young, I'm young!

0:32:580:33:04

Now, you see, I've been here half an hour

0:33:070:33:09

and I'm skating like a champion.

0:33:090:33:12

This is what it's all about.

0:33:130:33:15

Just life and them being able to just be children. Just enjoy...

0:33:150:33:19

enjoy playing.

0:33:190:33:21

Instead of, you know, having them in the house playing game consoles.

0:33:210:33:28

The problem is is that you have to have the opportunity

0:33:280:33:31

and you have the opportunity by having,

0:33:310:33:34

you know, the right places to go.

0:33:340:33:36

So if the beach is just down the road,

0:33:360:33:39

the kids will have the opportunity to get there.

0:33:390:33:41

-It's nice having a choice, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-We don't have the choice.

-That's what it's all about.

0:33:410:33:46

Seeing Alanis and Naomi happy has brought home just why

0:33:480:33:51

Clive and Tracey want to make the move.

0:33:510:33:55

Are they any closer to making a decision?

0:33:550:33:57

So how would you feel if we were still talking about it in ten years time from now?

0:33:570:34:01

We'd be talking on Skype because I'd be here.

0:34:010:34:04

THEY LAUGH

0:34:040:34:06

Or should you say, WE'LL be here.

0:34:060:34:09

Oh, you're going as well? Deserting us?

0:34:090:34:11

So after a taste of what life in New Zealand can offer,

0:34:110:34:16

has it done enough to win their votes?

0:34:160:34:19

Based on the lifestyle, we're going to vote for...

0:34:190:34:23

ALL: New Zealand.

0:34:320:34:34

I knew you'd choose New Zealand!

0:34:350:34:38

-It's a sign!

-It's a sign.

-It's a sign.

0:34:380:34:42

-Brilliant.

-Good decision.

-Excellent. Good decision.

0:34:420:34:44

THEY LAUGH

0:34:440:34:47

After years of indecision,

0:34:470:34:49

it looks as if the Edwards are one step closer

0:34:490:34:52

to making the biggest choice of their lives.

0:34:520:34:55

What we've experienced today, what I've seen, I know it suits us.

0:34:550:34:59

I know it suits us. I know we could fit in.

0:34:590:35:02

But it's whether finances allow

0:35:020:35:05

and your emotions allow,

0:35:050:35:07

so we've got some more thinking to do, I think.

0:35:070:35:10

Do I really want to stay here?

0:35:100:35:13

I think I could see myself happy here.

0:35:130:35:16

I think there's adventures to be had over here.

0:35:160:35:22

I think Mum and Dad are very confused. One day, they're going,

0:35:220:35:26

"Oh, yeah, I'd love to live here. It'd be so nice."

0:35:260:35:30

And then the next they're going, "I don't want to."

0:35:300:35:34

Sometimes we just said, "Oh, stop talking and talking.

0:35:340:35:37

"Let's just move!" Sometimes we go like that.

0:35:370:35:41

Alanis and Naomi enjoying the Kiwi lifestyle

0:35:440:35:48

is exactly what Clive and Tracey wanted.

0:35:480:35:51

And yet, after their ideal day,

0:35:510:35:53

they're still torn between home and New Zealand.

0:35:530:35:56

Could seeing messages from back home

0:35:560:35:59

finally help them make up their minds?

0:35:590:36:01

Right. So this is it now.

0:36:010:36:04

We're going to see all the messages from the family.

0:36:040:36:08

We'll get the girls in.

0:36:080:36:10

Yeah, I think it's a good thing for them to actually see it

0:36:100:36:12

cos they're going to know, then, what they're going to be missing.

0:36:120:36:16

Kids? We're going to have a look at the video and the messages.

0:36:160:36:22

-You ready for it?

-Mmm-hmm.

0:36:220:36:25

Play.

0:36:250:36:26

Hey, guys. Clive, Trace, girls.

0:36:280:36:31

Hello, Clive and Tracey.

0:36:310:36:32

Hiya, Tracey, Clive, Naomi and Alanis.

0:36:320:36:38

Tracey means a lot to me. She's been there for me through

0:36:380:36:41

some pretty rough times.

0:36:410:36:43

She looks after me, not that I need looking after,

0:36:430:36:46

but she does.

0:36:460:36:48

If they move to New Zealand, I will be devastated.

0:36:480:36:51

There's no other way to put it.

0:36:510:36:54

I can't imagine what life will be like with them not here.

0:36:540:36:59

You know, as a parent, it's a long way for them to go.

0:37:010:37:06

You know, I'm not so happy about it, to tell the truth.

0:37:060:37:10

My dad died when I was younger, so my Uncle Clive

0:37:100:37:13

has really took the place of my dad for us

0:37:130:37:15

because he's a lot like my dad.

0:37:150:37:17

When I think about them going,

0:37:170:37:20

I think about all my memories, when I was younger,

0:37:200:37:23

and he's always been there. It's a shame cos my children will miss out.

0:37:230:37:26

We want them to be happy and if this makes them happy,

0:37:260:37:31

then I'll be happy for her.

0:37:310:37:33

Really think about this seriously.

0:37:330:37:36

I know it's something you've wanted to do for such a long time,

0:37:360:37:39

but we will seriously, seriously all miss you.

0:37:390:37:42

We love you all so much, so we'll see you when we get back.

0:37:420:37:46

We really care about you, we're missing you now,

0:37:460:37:49

but if it works out, don't think about us, think about yourselves.

0:37:490:37:53

You're very important to us and we want to see you happy,

0:37:530:37:56

so, please, please, get it right, have a good look around,

0:37:560:38:00

check it all out and we'll see you soon, I'm sure.

0:38:000:38:04

Now, if you decide to stay permanently...

0:38:040:38:09

..you just know I love you to bits, all of you

0:38:100:38:14

and I'll miss you terrible. If it's the right thing to do,

0:38:140:38:18

you've got to be 100% on it,

0:38:180:38:21

but go for it.

0:38:210:38:23

I hope you're having a nice time. I didn't want you to go.

0:38:230:38:27

I really missed you, really, but I haven't got no choice.

0:38:270:38:31

Anyway, I might come and visit you sometime.

0:38:310:38:34

Bye for now, anyway.

0:38:340:38:36

That was nice.

0:38:380:38:39

No, it wasn't!

0:38:390:38:41

THEY LAUGH

0:38:410:38:43

Oh, right.

0:38:450:38:46

-Do you think you want to go?

-You'll miss Nanny?

-Don't know.

0:38:460:38:52

You want to go home or do you want to stay here?

0:38:530:38:57

It's hard, isn't it? It's made you confused, yeah?

0:38:580:39:01

You've got your life,

0:39:010:39:04

you like living your life.

0:39:040:39:06

You're just, like, cutting the foundation.

0:39:060:39:09

Everything that you've based your person on,

0:39:090:39:15

who you are as a person, is gone. You've got to start all over again here.

0:39:150:39:19

Seeing the people closest to them

0:39:240:39:27

was a heart-breaking experience for the whole family.

0:39:270:39:30

But if the Edwards can't face leaving the people they love,

0:39:300:39:34

they'll have to wave goodbye to their dream for ever.

0:39:340:39:37

After ten long years, it's time for them to make their final choice.

0:39:370:39:43

This week has been refreshing.

0:39:460:39:50

Yeah, refreshing.

0:39:500:39:53

It's helped me to realise what's important.

0:39:530:39:56

Well, I say... I did know what was important,

0:39:560:39:59

but what needs to be the number one priority.

0:39:590:40:03

Clive is very considerate of what other people want and need from him,

0:40:030:40:08

so I've been trying to encourage him to be downright selfish.

0:40:080:40:13

What I was doing was that I was thinking,

0:40:130:40:15

"What do the kids want? What does Tracey want?"

0:40:150:40:18

But I really wasn't thinking what I wanted,

0:40:180:40:21

so I think this week has just helped me to realise

0:40:210:40:24

what I wanted as well.

0:40:240:40:26

So it did actually make the decision a lot easier.

0:40:260:40:30

The future now is down to us.

0:40:300:40:35

It really is.

0:40:350:40:36

It could swing either way, I'm convinced of that.

0:40:380:40:41

It could swing either way depending on our emotions.

0:40:410:40:45

I'm excited about what's going to happen in the future.

0:40:450:40:48

In the near future.

0:40:480:40:50

What about you?

0:40:520:40:53

I don't know what's going to happen in the near future.

0:40:530:40:57

It's finally time to decide and find out once and for all

0:40:570:41:01

where the Edwards' future lies - at home or in New Zealand.

0:41:010:41:06

Based on our experience this week in New Zealand,

0:41:060:41:09

our final vote, individually, is for...

0:41:090:41:13

ALL: New Zealand.

0:41:240:41:26

-You've got UK. Why do you think UK, then?

-Family.

0:41:280:41:33

Family, I knew it!

0:41:330:41:35

That's a nice quality that you've thought of the family.

0:41:350:41:40

That's no problem. So, there's a little bit more discussion, then.

0:41:400:41:43

I think we know it's exciting

0:41:430:41:45

and we've experienced it

0:41:450:41:48

and I think New Zealand would be a better place for us here.

0:41:480:41:51

We know it suits us,

0:41:510:41:53

we know we can afford it,

0:41:530:41:56

and see if we can get here, in the end, for a happy ever after.

0:41:560:42:00

But it's still scary!

0:42:000:42:02

THEY LAUGH

0:42:020:42:04

But we're still in discussion.

0:42:040:42:07

-We will have a family conference.

-Yes.

-And see what's the way forward.

0:42:070:42:13

Do you need an ice-cream after all that?

0:42:130:42:16

THEY LAUGH

0:42:160:42:18

I'm absolutely raring to go now,

0:42:190:42:22

because it's been ten years where we've just faffed on.

0:42:220:42:26

It's just been, "Shall we? Shan't we?"

0:42:260:42:29

It's just been irritating.

0:42:290:42:31

We've irritated ourselves with indecision,

0:42:310:42:35

so now that we've made this choice, enough of that.

0:42:350:42:38

Get on with it.

0:42:380:42:40

We've just got to take the bull by the horns and just get here.

0:42:400:42:44

So, New Zealand, here we come.

0:42:440:42:46

New Zealand, watch out. We're coming!

0:42:460:42:49

It's decided!

0:42:510:42:53

The Edwards have chosen to make their dream move to New Zealand.

0:42:530:42:58

Getting Naomi on board may take a little time

0:42:580:43:01

and a lot of ice-cream, but after ten years,

0:43:010:43:04

the family can finally look forward to a new life Down Under.

0:43:040:43:08

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:200:43:23

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0:43:230:43:26

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