Mungur Family

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0:00:02 > 0:00:04Two near-death experiences had cheated Nazeem Mungur

0:00:04 > 0:00:06of the life he once knew.

0:00:06 > 0:00:09He can no longer work, he no longer drives.

0:00:09 > 0:00:14Most days, it's the same four walls, day in, day out.

0:00:14 > 0:00:16Missing out on family life,

0:00:16 > 0:00:18he was convinced that moving down under

0:00:18 > 0:00:21could help him become the dad he was desperate to be.

0:00:21 > 0:00:24The dream for me is that we'll move out to Australia

0:00:24 > 0:00:27and I'll get substantially better.

0:00:27 > 0:00:30While a trial week in the country worked wonders...

0:00:30 > 0:00:31It's a complete different change for him

0:00:31 > 0:00:34cos in the UK all he does is be in the house.

0:00:34 > 0:00:36..did the financial cost mean that the dream was over

0:00:36 > 0:00:38before it had begun?

0:00:38 > 0:00:40That's quite a big shock.

0:00:40 > 0:00:41Not happy.

0:00:43 > 0:00:44Not happy at all.

0:00:44 > 0:00:47But the big question is,

0:00:47 > 0:00:50where are Nazeem, Joanne and the family now,

0:00:50 > 0:00:54in the UK or living down under?

0:01:15 > 0:01:18Home to no fewer than 200 nationalities,

0:01:18 > 0:01:22Australia boasts a vibrant, multicultural society

0:01:22 > 0:01:25and with the promise of an easy-going outdoor lifestyle,

0:01:25 > 0:01:29it's no wonder the country remains an irresistible pull for Brits

0:01:29 > 0:01:32seeking a better life down under.

0:01:32 > 0:01:34Not everyone stays for good, however,

0:01:34 > 0:01:38almost half of those who emigrate end up returning home.

0:01:38 > 0:01:42Nazeem's injuries had left him a shadow of the parent

0:01:42 > 0:01:45and partner he wanted to be.

0:01:45 > 0:01:49A warmer climate, he believed, would make a big difference.

0:01:49 > 0:01:52But did the reality of life down under mean a move

0:01:52 > 0:01:55was nothing more than a pipe dream?

0:01:55 > 0:01:59We sent the Mungurs for a trial week to discover if Australia

0:01:59 > 0:02:02could enable them to lead the normal family life

0:02:02 > 0:02:04they were all desperate for.

0:02:04 > 0:02:06To get from Manchester to Brisbane,

0:02:06 > 0:02:11the Mungurs had to spend a gruelling 22-and-a-half hours on a plane.

0:02:11 > 0:02:13When they finally arrived for the first time,

0:02:13 > 0:02:17the distance from the UK had hit home for Joanne.

0:02:17 > 0:02:19My biggest concern is, um, family coming to see us,

0:02:19 > 0:02:21my parents especially.

0:02:21 > 0:02:23They're not used to doing long-haul flights and I think, um,

0:02:23 > 0:02:25they would really struggle with it.

0:02:25 > 0:02:29The long journey had given Nazeem plenty of time to think.

0:02:29 > 0:02:31Quite a bit apprehensive to sort of find out where we're going to be

0:02:31 > 0:02:35in the future. Hopefully Australia will meet all our expectations

0:02:35 > 0:02:37and this will be where we sort of settle down as a family.

0:02:37 > 0:02:40There was a lot hanging in the balance for the week ahead.

0:02:40 > 0:02:42It's got to massively deliver for me.

0:02:42 > 0:02:44I'm the one that needs convincing.

0:02:44 > 0:02:46- Yeah.- I want to have the nice house,

0:02:46 > 0:02:49I want to be in a nice area and I want the right job as well.

0:02:49 > 0:02:52I've worked really hard to where I've got to in the UK so far...

0:02:52 > 0:02:54It's got to deliver, definitely.

0:02:54 > 0:02:56Otherwise, I'm not going to come, at all!

0:02:56 > 0:02:58Joanne had set the bar high.

0:02:58 > 0:03:02The next seven days would've had to impress if Nazeem was to get the

0:03:02 > 0:03:04fresh start he desperately wants.

0:03:04 > 0:03:07When we first met them, the Mungur family were

0:03:07 > 0:03:08dad Nazeem, mum Joanne,

0:03:08 > 0:03:11five-year-old Katie, and Tom, who was three.

0:03:11 > 0:03:14They live just outside Leeds.

0:03:14 > 0:03:17Nazeem and Joanne had tied the knot nine years previously,

0:03:17 > 0:03:21but one year later, their lives were thrown into turmoil.

0:03:21 > 0:03:25I was on a night shift at work and Nazeem was at home

0:03:25 > 0:03:27and I got a phone call to say that he was in A&E

0:03:27 > 0:03:29because we'd had a house fire.

0:03:29 > 0:03:34An electrical fault had set the house ablaze with Nazeem inside.

0:03:34 > 0:03:36Talking about it now, I can feel the heat on my skin.

0:03:36 > 0:03:39Apparently, the flames were literally chasing him

0:03:39 > 0:03:41- out of the door. - I could've died in it.

0:03:41 > 0:03:45It was a devastating time for the couple and things were about to get

0:03:45 > 0:03:47much worse when, two weeks later,

0:03:47 > 0:03:51Nazeem was involved in a near-fatal car accident.

0:03:51 > 0:03:54I was stationary at some red lights

0:03:54 > 0:03:58and a very large car hit me from behind at speed.

0:03:58 > 0:04:02Fighting for his life, Nazeem had to be cut from the car.

0:04:02 > 0:04:05When I went to A&E, he was attached to drips and monitors,

0:04:05 > 0:04:07he was on a spinal board,

0:04:07 > 0:04:10there was loads of doctors and nurses around him...

0:04:10 > 0:04:13It was... It was really shocking to see.

0:04:13 > 0:04:16The pair were struggling to comprehend their misfortune.

0:04:16 > 0:04:18How can this happen to us?

0:04:18 > 0:04:20We've just lost our house

0:04:20 > 0:04:23and I potentially have lost my ability to walk,

0:04:23 > 0:04:25it was that, that serious.

0:04:25 > 0:04:28It was as if our world was ending, really.

0:04:28 > 0:04:31Nazeem's injuries were life-changing, but against the odds,

0:04:31 > 0:04:35the couple began to rebuild their lives, and eight years on

0:04:35 > 0:04:37the Mungurs were a family of four.

0:04:37 > 0:04:40- What?- Do you not, um...

0:04:40 > 0:04:43- Yeah.- ..have to have pink and white?

0:04:43 > 0:04:47But Nazeem was still struggling with everyday life.

0:04:47 > 0:04:52Having chronic fatigue syndrome and having chronic pain, on a bad day,

0:04:52 > 0:04:57I can't make a cup of tea because I can't figure out the order

0:04:57 > 0:04:59to make a cup of tea in.

0:04:59 > 0:05:01He can no longer work.

0:05:01 > 0:05:02He no longer drives.

0:05:02 > 0:05:07Most days, it's the same four walls, day in, day out.

0:05:07 > 0:05:10Frustrated at needing constant medication,

0:05:10 > 0:05:13Nazeem feared he was missing out.

0:05:13 > 0:05:15Taking more painkillers causes more fatigue,

0:05:15 > 0:05:17but if you're sleeping 18 hours a day,

0:05:17 > 0:05:20you're sleeping your whole life away.

0:05:20 > 0:05:22Having cheated death twice already,

0:05:22 > 0:05:25he was determined not to let life beat him.

0:05:25 > 0:05:27You need to move on.

0:05:27 > 0:05:29You need to achieve something past that.

0:05:29 > 0:05:31Although he'd never been,

0:05:31 > 0:05:34Nazeem was now convinced moving to the other side of the world

0:05:34 > 0:05:37could help him claim back the life he wanted.

0:05:37 > 0:05:41I see Australia as a potential place where I can get better

0:05:41 > 0:05:43in myself and come off my painkillers.

0:05:43 > 0:05:46Family holidays abroad had fuelled Nazeem's belief that living

0:05:46 > 0:05:49in the sunshine was the tonic he needed.

0:05:49 > 0:05:52When it's cold and wet in England, I get a lot more pain,

0:05:52 > 0:05:56whereas when we travel out to a warm country,

0:05:56 > 0:05:58I'm able to do and achieve a lot more

0:05:58 > 0:06:00and I get significantly less pain.

0:06:04 > 0:06:08By moving to Australia he would be able to get his life back and he'd

0:06:08 > 0:06:10be able to interact more as a family,

0:06:10 > 0:06:14we'd be able to do more as a family, so it's a huge dream for him.

0:06:14 > 0:06:18Ultimately, Nazeem's goal was to be more hands-on with Katie and Tom.

0:06:18 > 0:06:21It's really heartbreaking when the children want to play with you

0:06:21 > 0:06:23and you have to say to them, "Actually, no,

0:06:23 > 0:06:26"I can't play with you today because I'm in too much pain."

0:06:26 > 0:06:29I'd love to be able to do that.

0:06:29 > 0:06:33At the moment, it's not achievable, but in Australia, it should be.

0:06:33 > 0:06:37Nurse Joanne understood what a move would've meant for them all

0:06:37 > 0:06:39but as the family's sole breadwinner,

0:06:39 > 0:06:42the decision to start again in a country they'd never even visited

0:06:42 > 0:06:44wouldn't be taken lightly.

0:06:44 > 0:06:46There's a massive amount of pressure on me.

0:06:46 > 0:06:49What if the jobs are not there? What if the houses are terrible?

0:06:49 > 0:06:52And I wouldn't want to give up on everything that we've achieved in

0:06:52 > 0:06:54England to...

0:06:54 > 0:06:57..to move to Australia to do it, if it's not going to be there.

0:06:57 > 0:06:59She was also worried about cutting off

0:06:59 > 0:07:03the strong family support network they had in the UK.

0:07:03 > 0:07:05Can you sort me iPad out again, please?

0:07:05 > 0:07:07LAUGHTER

0:07:07 > 0:07:09We're going to be away from everybody

0:07:09 > 0:07:11that can potentially help us.

0:07:11 > 0:07:13Are you hungry, sweetheart?

0:07:13 > 0:07:16- Yeah.- To think that we're going to be out there,

0:07:16 > 0:07:18doing it all by ourselves, is...

0:07:18 > 0:07:19..is really difficult.

0:07:19 > 0:07:22The next seven days would be their chance to find out

0:07:22 > 0:07:24if Nazeem was right,

0:07:24 > 0:07:26as the couple decided once and for all which side of the world

0:07:26 > 0:07:28their future lay.

0:07:28 > 0:07:29I think if we're not in agreement,

0:07:29 > 0:07:31somebody's going to be really disappointed.

0:07:31 > 0:07:33I'm hoping...

0:07:33 > 0:07:36I'm hoping it's not Nazeem cos I think he's been through enough,

0:07:36 > 0:07:38but I'm not going to commit to something that's going to be

0:07:38 > 0:07:40worse off for us as a family.

0:07:40 > 0:07:42I'm pinning everything on this dream.

0:07:42 > 0:07:45For me, it literally is everything.

0:07:45 > 0:07:47- It's a new chance at life. - It's a new chance at life.

0:07:50 > 0:07:52For their trial week down under,

0:07:52 > 0:07:55the Mungurs visited Queensland on the east coast,

0:07:55 > 0:07:59also known as the Sunshine State, ideal for Nazeem.

0:07:59 > 0:08:03The final leg of their journey took them to the suburb of Broadbeach

0:08:03 > 0:08:04on the Gold Coast.

0:08:04 > 0:08:08What did they make of their first taste of Australian living?

0:08:08 > 0:08:10- Wow!- There's a lake.

0:08:10 > 0:08:13This looks very nice.

0:08:13 > 0:08:15- Wow.- Wow, this is a nice entrance hall.

0:08:15 > 0:08:19- It's huge.- Oh, it's a lot bigger than what I thought.

0:08:19 > 0:08:21It was a positive start.

0:08:21 > 0:08:23Look out the back. Katie.

0:08:23 > 0:08:25The house backed onto a lake.

0:08:25 > 0:08:27I think that's better than a swimming pool.

0:08:27 > 0:08:29It's nice, I like this terrace thing as well.

0:08:29 > 0:08:32Nazeem was already picturing himself at home here.

0:08:32 > 0:08:35- Can you imagine having breakfast outside?- Breakfast every day.

0:08:35 > 0:08:38Back indoors, the positivity continued.

0:08:38 > 0:08:40Wow, it is really nice.

0:08:40 > 0:08:44Look at this dining room! It's nice and open-plan, I like that.

0:08:44 > 0:08:47Only in the country a few hours, it already looked like Joanne

0:08:47 > 0:08:50might not be the tough customer she thought she was.

0:08:50 > 0:08:52- Look at that view!- That's amazing.

0:08:52 > 0:08:55Oh, I could definitely see myself waking up every morning,

0:08:55 > 0:08:56looking at that view.

0:08:56 > 0:08:58Just what Nazeem had hoped to hear.

0:08:58 > 0:09:01- If this is what homes are like, I absolutely love them.- Yeah.

0:09:01 > 0:09:04Nice open-plan, nice big garden...

0:09:04 > 0:09:06So far, I'm feeling positive.

0:09:10 > 0:09:11Back in the UK,

0:09:11 > 0:09:15the Mungurs lived in a four-bedroom detached house near Leeds.

0:09:15 > 0:09:18It was the same house that had caught fire eight years ago.

0:09:18 > 0:09:20The property had been completely renovated

0:09:20 > 0:09:22but the memories hadn't gone away.

0:09:22 > 0:09:25It's a lovely house, the area's lovely,

0:09:25 > 0:09:29but I've got no emotional attachment any more.

0:09:29 > 0:09:34The couple's budget for a home in Australia was £250,000.

0:09:34 > 0:09:35We want family space.

0:09:35 > 0:09:38I'd love a really, really big open-plan kitchen,

0:09:38 > 0:09:41dining room and lounge. I live in the kitchen,

0:09:41 > 0:09:44so being able to see the kids just playing with their toys...

0:09:44 > 0:09:48For me, storage is something that we desperately need.

0:09:48 > 0:09:51A nice single-storey house, where we're all on one level.

0:09:51 > 0:09:54Unfortunately, there's been about four occurrences on the stairs

0:09:54 > 0:09:57where I have fallen down the stairs.

0:09:57 > 0:09:58I think a swimming pool's our dream...

0:09:58 > 0:10:03- Yeah.- ..but I think grass for the kids or some open space

0:10:03 > 0:10:07where they can just vent and let off some steam.

0:10:07 > 0:10:10A big requirement for us is obviously being within a maximum of

0:10:10 > 0:10:1345 minutes' drive to a place of work for Joanne.

0:10:13 > 0:10:16We don't want to move to Australia

0:10:16 > 0:10:19and we see even less of her than we do now.

0:10:20 > 0:10:22To give them an idea of what was available

0:10:22 > 0:10:24on the Gold Coast property market,

0:10:24 > 0:10:27we had arranged for the couple to view three properties -

0:10:27 > 0:10:28two close to budget,

0:10:28 > 0:10:32and a third which should've been everything they were looking for in

0:10:32 > 0:10:35a dream home. With the children being looked after by a childminder,

0:10:35 > 0:10:38Joanne and Nazeem began the search.

0:10:38 > 0:10:41First stop was the suburb of Ashmore.

0:10:41 > 0:10:44With plenty of schools and parks on the doorstep

0:10:44 > 0:10:46and a brand-new teaching hospital nearby,

0:10:46 > 0:10:50it could've been the perfect spot for nurse Joanne.

0:10:50 > 0:10:54Did this spacious four-bedroom home fulfil the Mungurs' needs?

0:10:54 > 0:10:58- What do you think?- Interesting.

0:10:58 > 0:11:00Interesting, that's a nice word.

0:11:00 > 0:11:01Steps...

0:11:01 > 0:11:03With his restricted mobility

0:11:03 > 0:11:06it wasn't the perfect entrance for Nazeem.

0:11:06 > 0:11:08Hang on...

0:11:08 > 0:11:09Don't like this bit.

0:11:09 > 0:11:13Maybe things would improve inside.

0:11:13 > 0:11:15Oh, this is nice.

0:11:15 > 0:11:17That was more like it, but...

0:11:17 > 0:11:20It's really dark.

0:11:20 > 0:11:21Feels really small.

0:11:21 > 0:11:24I like the wooden floor, that's nice.

0:11:24 > 0:11:25Well, that was something.

0:11:25 > 0:11:29- It just feels a bit claustrophobic. - Yeah, quite hemmed in.- Yeah.

0:11:29 > 0:11:33Feeling closed in was the last thing Nazeem needed

0:11:33 > 0:11:35and things went from bad to worse.

0:11:35 > 0:11:37Oh, that kitchen's horrendous.

0:11:38 > 0:11:41Yeah, the kitchen is quite hideous.

0:11:41 > 0:11:43We couldn't live in a kitchen like that.

0:11:43 > 0:11:45The main bedroom was modern and spacious.

0:11:45 > 0:11:47Wow.

0:11:48 > 0:11:51- This is amazing.- Oh, I love this.

0:11:51 > 0:11:53Walk-in wardrobe, that's what you want.

0:11:53 > 0:11:57That's my dream. Yeah, I think I could fill this!

0:11:57 > 0:12:00And Nazeem approved of the shower.

0:12:00 > 0:12:04- That's really good access for me. - Mm. It's what we need.

0:12:04 > 0:12:07The room led directly to an outdoor area.

0:12:07 > 0:12:09Wow, it's nice.

0:12:09 > 0:12:12We've got a hot tub - excellent - and look at the garden patio,

0:12:12 > 0:12:13it's amazing.

0:12:13 > 0:12:16Unfortunately, though, it wasn't long before Nazeem's energy

0:12:16 > 0:12:18took a dive.

0:12:18 > 0:12:20- Quite dizzy.- All right, OK.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24It was a reminder of why this move would be so important for him.

0:12:24 > 0:12:26Right, get your bearings.

0:12:26 > 0:12:28Rallying round, Nazeem was impressed with the garden.

0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Looks amazing. - Absolutely, no, I can't...

0:12:31 > 0:12:34I'm overwhelmed. The kids would love it as well.

0:12:34 > 0:12:38- It's not a swimming pool, but it's halfway there.- Yeah.

0:12:38 > 0:12:41Although access would have to be rethought.

0:12:41 > 0:12:45- We could obviously move it and then ramp it over that way.- Yeah.

0:12:45 > 0:12:47Despite their earlier misgivings,

0:12:47 > 0:12:50the couple had warmed to this property.

0:12:50 > 0:12:53As I've gone through the house, it seems really, really nice.

0:12:53 > 0:12:55I like it. The master bedroom's amazing.

0:12:55 > 0:12:57I could definitely see myself there.

0:12:57 > 0:12:59The kitchen is the biggest let-down for me.

0:12:59 > 0:13:01- Yeah.- I was expecting a bit bigger.

0:13:01 > 0:13:04For me, this room, I'd probably redesign completely.

0:13:04 > 0:13:07- That's a lot of work, though, isn't it?- It's a lot of work.

0:13:07 > 0:13:11So, was this property within their £250,000 budget?

0:13:11 > 0:13:13So, how much do you think it is, then?

0:13:13 > 0:13:15Um, I think I'll go with...

0:13:15 > 0:13:16..probably 235?

0:13:16 > 0:13:18I think it's going to be a bit higher than that,

0:13:18 > 0:13:22so I think it's probably like towards the top-end of our budget,

0:13:22 > 0:13:24about 245, 250.

0:13:24 > 0:13:27- Shall we have a look, then?- Yeah.

0:13:29 > 0:13:30- Wow.- Whoa!

0:13:30 > 0:13:33That was £65,000 over budget.

0:13:33 > 0:13:36- It's well over our budget. - I'm really disappointed,

0:13:36 > 0:13:38I thought that would be worth a lot less than that.

0:13:38 > 0:13:41For the work that needs doing on the house to meet our needs,

0:13:41 > 0:13:42I don't think it's worth it.

0:13:42 > 0:13:45It had been a disappointing start.

0:13:45 > 0:13:47Hopefully the next place was more affordable.

0:13:47 > 0:13:49It was situated in Nerang,

0:13:49 > 0:13:53just 30 minutes from Surfers Paradise, close to the motorway

0:13:53 > 0:13:56for access to Brisbane and popular with families.

0:13:56 > 0:14:00But was this modern three-bedroom property the Mungurs' idea

0:14:00 > 0:14:02of a perfect Aussie home?

0:14:02 > 0:14:04You wouldn't want to come down this in the snow.

0:14:04 > 0:14:06I don't...

0:14:06 > 0:14:08Thankfully, we don't have that here.

0:14:08 > 0:14:11That is a really steep driveway.

0:14:11 > 0:14:13The idea got a thumbs up, though.

0:14:13 > 0:14:16It seems a really quiet street, really nice, yeah.

0:14:16 > 0:14:18I love it already.

0:14:18 > 0:14:20This is nice. It's open-plan.

0:14:20 > 0:14:21It's really light.

0:14:21 > 0:14:24It's airy, there's a nice outside feel about the house.

0:14:24 > 0:14:25- Yeah, that's what we want.- Yeah.

0:14:25 > 0:14:27First impressions were good

0:14:27 > 0:14:29and the kitchen seemed more suited to their needs.

0:14:29 > 0:14:31I've got the work space, that's what you need,

0:14:31 > 0:14:33and I'm also in the lounge with the kids.

0:14:33 > 0:14:36- It's so much better than the last house.- Yeah, yeah.

0:14:36 > 0:14:38And this kitchen, I mean, it's handmade, it's amazing.

0:14:38 > 0:14:41But the main bedroom led to a difference of opinions.

0:14:41 > 0:14:43I love the red walls in this room.

0:14:43 > 0:14:47Oh, I hate them. It's a nice room, it's a nice size...

0:14:47 > 0:14:49- Yeah.- Needs a bit of decoration.

0:14:49 > 0:14:51Oh, that's nice as well.

0:14:51 > 0:14:53- Yeah.- A nice big walk-in wardrobe.

0:14:53 > 0:14:55You've got loads of extra room now.

0:14:55 > 0:14:57Yeah, it's obviously not as impressive as the last house,

0:14:57 > 0:14:59but it's a good size.

0:14:59 > 0:15:01At the end of the day, it's a bedroom.

0:15:01 > 0:15:04The en-suite had an unusual layout.

0:15:04 > 0:15:08Ooh, I like this! Goes all the way through.

0:15:08 > 0:15:11So it's like part en-suite, part family bath.

0:15:11 > 0:15:14However, the garden fell short on space for Katie and Tom.

0:15:14 > 0:15:18- It's quite small.- There isn't as much running around space.

0:15:18 > 0:15:21But this property was full of surprises.

0:15:21 > 0:15:24Oh, wow!

0:15:24 > 0:15:26I'm in love with this house.

0:15:26 > 0:15:28I think that this makes up...

0:15:28 > 0:15:32- ..for definitely not having a garden.- Yeah.- Look at that.

0:15:32 > 0:15:34- That's an amazing pool.- Perfect.

0:15:34 > 0:15:36- Kids will be very happy with that. - Yeah.

0:15:36 > 0:15:39And it wasn't just the children who would benefit from a pool.

0:15:39 > 0:15:41It'd help strengthen my back muscles up.

0:15:41 > 0:15:44One thing we want from Australia is a healthy outside lifestyle and

0:15:44 > 0:15:46- this, this gives us this.- Yeah.

0:15:46 > 0:15:49This has exceeded expectations, definitely.

0:15:49 > 0:15:52- It's exactly what we're looking for. - Yeah.

0:15:52 > 0:15:55This property may have helped convince Joanne to move,

0:15:55 > 0:15:57but was it somewhere they could've afforded

0:15:57 > 0:16:00on their £250,000 budget?

0:16:00 > 0:16:04I think I'm going to go for 350.

0:16:04 > 0:16:06So I'm going to say...

0:16:06 > 0:16:07..270.

0:16:11 > 0:16:13- BOTH:- Wow!

0:16:13 > 0:16:17That was £10,000 under budget.

0:16:17 > 0:16:18I was well over!

0:16:18 > 0:16:21I'm really surprised at the price, but it's actually...

0:16:21 > 0:16:22It's a really, really nice surprise.

0:16:22 > 0:16:25- I think I'd be ready to move tomorrow.- Yeah.

0:16:25 > 0:16:26Things were going well for Nazeem

0:16:26 > 0:16:29and there was still one house left to see.

0:16:29 > 0:16:31It was in Maudsland,

0:16:31 > 0:16:35this suburb had the country-living feel the family were after

0:16:35 > 0:16:38and good transport links making it accessible for commuting.

0:16:38 > 0:16:41We believe that this modern three-bedroom family home

0:16:41 > 0:16:43could be the dream house,

0:16:43 > 0:16:46but did it have the wow factor for Nazeem and Joanne?

0:16:46 > 0:16:49Here it is on the right. Wow, it looks really nice.

0:16:49 > 0:16:52Wow. I love the street as well.

0:16:52 > 0:16:54- It's nice and quiet.- It looks like a really... Yeah.

0:16:54 > 0:16:56The positivity continued inside.

0:16:56 > 0:16:58Wow, this looks nice.

0:16:58 > 0:17:00I love this entrance hall.

0:17:00 > 0:17:03I like the door as well. It's nice.

0:17:03 > 0:17:06- This is amazing. - It's a lovely kitchen.

0:17:06 > 0:17:08I love it, it's really nice and open-plan.

0:17:08 > 0:17:11I can see myself cooking here, I can see myself watching the kids play.

0:17:11 > 0:17:13It's just perfect for me.

0:17:13 > 0:17:15I really, really, really like it.

0:17:15 > 0:17:17It's a house ready to move into.

0:17:17 > 0:17:19- Yeah. I want to move now.- Yeah.

0:17:19 > 0:17:22The outside area was a winner, too.

0:17:22 > 0:17:26- Wow.- I can see ourselves here cooking on a barbecue outside.

0:17:26 > 0:17:28I can see YOU cooking on the barbecue outside.

0:17:28 > 0:17:31- Yeah.- The kitchen's my domain, the barbecue's your domain.

0:17:31 > 0:17:33The alfresco feel was just what they were looking for.

0:17:33 > 0:17:36Standing here, we can see everything inside...

0:17:36 > 0:17:38- Yeah.- ..and everything outside, it's just...

0:17:38 > 0:17:39It's just absolutely beautiful.

0:17:39 > 0:17:42Moving on, the upbeat mood continued.

0:17:42 > 0:17:44Wow.

0:17:44 > 0:17:46- Oh...- This is impressive. - I like this.

0:17:46 > 0:17:50- It's just so modern, it's so new. - Yeah.- And it's a wet room as well.

0:17:50 > 0:17:53- Yeah. Especially having kids around. - Yeah.

0:17:53 > 0:17:56The main bedroom had all the space they needed.

0:17:56 > 0:17:59- Ooh!- Wow.- This is impressive.

0:17:59 > 0:18:02But the proximity to the road might have presented a problem.

0:18:02 > 0:18:04There's a truck just gone past, so...

0:18:04 > 0:18:08Working night shifts, it's really important to have a cool,

0:18:08 > 0:18:13quiet bedroom away from the road, and it is a little bit noisy.

0:18:13 > 0:18:16However, moving outside, their spirits soon soared.

0:18:16 > 0:18:18- BOTH:- Wow.

0:18:18 > 0:18:21That is beautiful.

0:18:21 > 0:18:24The large garden offered plenty of room for the children to play

0:18:24 > 0:18:27and a pool was the icing on the cake.

0:18:27 > 0:18:31- I think us and the kids would be really happy here.- Yeah.

0:18:31 > 0:18:32It was the dream house.

0:18:32 > 0:18:37All Joanne and Nazeem needed to find out was how much it cost.

0:18:37 > 0:18:40So, how much do you think it's worth, then?

0:18:40 > 0:18:44I think it might be sort of top-end or higher than what our budget is.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47I'm afraid to look, cos I just like it too much.

0:18:48 > 0:18:50Um... I'm genuinely really, really nervous about this one.

0:18:50 > 0:18:53- Yeah.- Cos I think this is our house.

0:18:53 > 0:18:57I think I'd probably go in again at 350.

0:18:57 > 0:19:00I think it's probably about 300, 310.

0:19:01 > 0:19:03Let's do it.

0:19:09 > 0:19:12That was £13,000 over budget, but...

0:19:12 > 0:19:14Whoa!

0:19:14 > 0:19:17- That's impressive.- It genuinely feels, like, achievable, it's,

0:19:17 > 0:19:19it's within reaching distance.

0:19:19 > 0:19:21It looked like Joanne was won over.

0:19:21 > 0:19:24I mean, this is moving me towards Australia, definitely.

0:19:24 > 0:19:26It's so much for our money. It's unbelievable.

0:19:26 > 0:19:30- You think this is definitely sort of for us?- Definitely.

0:19:30 > 0:19:33Their day exploring the Gold Coast properties had given the couple

0:19:33 > 0:19:36a real insight into what their money might've bought them

0:19:36 > 0:19:37in Australia.

0:19:37 > 0:19:41Property number one's outdoor spa had hit the spot,

0:19:41 > 0:19:44but indoors was on the gloomy side, and so was the price.

0:19:44 > 0:19:47The second house was perfect for outdoor living

0:19:47 > 0:19:49and at £10,000 under budget,

0:19:49 > 0:19:52they felt it might've been a home from home.

0:19:52 > 0:19:55But the third property was the dream house and although over budget,

0:19:55 > 0:19:59it would've been worth stretching the purse strings for.

0:19:59 > 0:20:01So when it comes to homes down under,

0:20:01 > 0:20:04was it the UK or Australia?

0:20:04 > 0:20:08Based on the properties we've seen today, we've decided to vote for...

0:20:11 > 0:20:14- Australia.- Australia.

0:20:14 > 0:20:17This house, it's just perfect, it really is perfect.

0:20:17 > 0:20:19I think it's going to be amazing for us here.

0:20:19 > 0:20:22We can see we can get a lot better houses for our money out here than

0:20:22 > 0:20:26we can in the UK, so I think this is definitely the place for us.

0:20:26 > 0:20:29And just sat out here, I just feel so happy, just sat in this garden.

0:20:35 > 0:20:38Having discovered a house that would help improve Nazeem's life

0:20:38 > 0:20:41was all very well but as the sole breadwinner,

0:20:41 > 0:20:44Joanne knew the pressure was now on her to find a job

0:20:44 > 0:20:47with a decent salary if they were ever going to afford it.

0:20:47 > 0:20:51Back home, she was a sister in an intensive care unit in Leeds.

0:20:51 > 0:20:54It was a job she was passionate about.

0:20:54 > 0:20:55I absolutely adore my job.

0:20:55 > 0:20:57Seeing that appreciation in, like,

0:20:57 > 0:21:00a relative's face or a patient's face, to say we've actually done a

0:21:00 > 0:21:02good job there and we've actually helped them through

0:21:02 > 0:21:05a difficult situation, it is really rewarding.

0:21:05 > 0:21:08But working long shifts meant little time for the family.

0:21:08 > 0:21:11It is a fine juggling act. I'm stressed a lot of the time.

0:21:11 > 0:21:12I feel like I've missed out on loads.

0:21:12 > 0:21:16With just one wage coming in, she had a lot on her plate.

0:21:16 > 0:21:18I've got to go out and make the money because Nazeem can't.

0:21:18 > 0:21:21The job needs to be there, we want to be able to have a nice and

0:21:21 > 0:21:24a good lifestyle, I don't want to be skimping and saving,

0:21:24 > 0:21:26I want to actually enjoy my life out there.

0:21:26 > 0:21:29And if we can't do that, there's no real point leaving.

0:21:29 > 0:21:33We had arranged for Joanne to visit the Gold Coast University Hospital.

0:21:33 > 0:21:36She was met by director of nursing, Paul Nieuwenhoven.

0:21:36 > 0:21:38- Hi.- Hi, Jo. Good to meet you, I'm Paul.

0:21:38 > 0:21:40It'll be a pleasure to show you around this facility.

0:21:40 > 0:21:44Paul introduces Liz, a fellow intensive care nurse.

0:21:44 > 0:21:45- Hi, I'm Jo.- Hey, Jo. I'm Liz.

0:21:45 > 0:21:48So we've had a lot of trauma so far this morning, um...

0:21:48 > 0:21:50- OK.- Helicopters, you know...

0:21:50 > 0:21:51- Yeah.- Our last helicopter was last night.

0:21:51 > 0:21:54- It is a busy, busy place. - I work in quite an old hospital,

0:21:54 > 0:21:56- so it doesn't have all these modern facilities.- Mm.

0:21:56 > 0:21:58In fact, that's what is really exciting for me,

0:21:58 > 0:22:01- that's the kind of work environment I want, so...- Yeah.

0:22:01 > 0:22:02- This seems to fit with what I need.- Yeah.

0:22:02 > 0:22:05Impressed, Joanne was keen to find out about the kind of

0:22:05 > 0:22:10work-life balance she might have got as a nurse in a hospital like this.

0:22:10 > 0:22:11It's a 38-hour week.

0:22:11 > 0:22:13The vast majority of our staff

0:22:13 > 0:22:15prefer to work 12-hour-shift arrangement.

0:22:15 > 0:22:17And you're free to swap with colleagues,

0:22:17 > 0:22:20so if you've got something that comes up that's urgent,

0:22:20 > 0:22:24it's pretty flexible in terms of getting the shifts that you actually

0:22:24 > 0:22:26need for your work-life balance.

0:22:26 > 0:22:29Just what Joanne needed to hear. She was also keen to know

0:22:29 > 0:22:31if working there could have enhanced her career.

0:22:31 > 0:22:34We'd take you off for a short period of the year so we can upskill you,

0:22:34 > 0:22:36provide you with education,

0:22:36 > 0:22:41and that also gives the opportunity for your managers to get to meet

0:22:41 > 0:22:43with you, to discuss your own professional development needs.

0:22:43 > 0:22:45That seems really fantastic, I'm absolutely...

0:22:45 > 0:22:47I'm so surprised at that, that's really good.

0:22:47 > 0:22:49Time now to talk money.

0:22:49 > 0:22:52So, over here, as a registered nurse,

0:22:52 > 0:22:55how much would I be making as a nurse?

0:22:55 > 0:22:58A nurse in Queensland is probably the best-paid nurse

0:22:58 > 0:23:00in the public sector in Australia.

0:23:00 > 0:23:03You would probably be starting on a salary in the order of

0:23:03 > 0:23:06about 82,000, but on top of that, you earn shift penalties,

0:23:06 > 0:23:09so you can add 20-25% on top of that.

0:23:09 > 0:23:15That was about £10,000 more than Joanne currently earned in the UK.

0:23:15 > 0:23:19Knowing she could up her salary and skills and see more of

0:23:19 > 0:23:21her family had put Joanne's mind at ease.

0:23:21 > 0:23:24So, had the day done enough?

0:23:24 > 0:23:26I've had a really interesting day, I've seen a wonderful hospital,

0:23:26 > 0:23:29there's lots of opportunities for me here, and based on that,

0:23:29 > 0:23:31I'm going to vote for...

0:23:34 > 0:23:36..Australia.

0:23:36 > 0:23:38I've just got a really good feel about this hospital,

0:23:38 > 0:23:41the opportunities are there for me to develop and also

0:23:41 > 0:23:43I think we're going to be really happy here.

0:23:43 > 0:23:46I think I'll be happy so therefore everybody else will be really happy.

0:23:50 > 0:23:53The potential move down under for the Mungurs was all about improving

0:23:53 > 0:23:56Nazeem's health so he could play a more active role

0:23:56 > 0:23:58in his family's life.

0:23:58 > 0:24:02Australia's subtropical climate could improve Nazeem's condition,

0:24:02 > 0:24:05so the family decided on a day out in the Australian sunshine

0:24:05 > 0:24:09to give everyone a taste of how their future life could look.

0:24:09 > 0:24:12The family spent their day at a wildlife park,

0:24:12 > 0:24:15first getting up close and personal with a slippery character.

0:24:15 > 0:24:19- Wow!- Wow, look at this! - That looks beautiful, doesn't it?

0:24:19 > 0:24:22- What is that?- There you go.

0:24:22 > 0:24:24THEY LAUGH

0:24:24 > 0:24:27- I like that. - Do you like the snake?

0:24:28 > 0:24:32Days like this were few and far between back in the UK.

0:24:32 > 0:24:34- Wallaby Way!- Should we go this way?

0:24:34 > 0:24:37- Yeah.- So, this is little Kicky.

0:24:37 > 0:24:40Keep her right with her tummy up like a baby.

0:24:40 > 0:24:42She's really cute.

0:24:42 > 0:24:45- They seem to really like it here. - It's really nice here.

0:24:45 > 0:24:49- The kids are happy.- I think if we moved here we could actually spend

0:24:49 > 0:24:51- quite a lot of time coming to this park.- Definitely.

0:24:51 > 0:24:55Being able to get out and about with Katie and Tom was a huge part

0:24:55 > 0:24:58of Nazeem's dream and time spent in the Aussie sunshine

0:24:58 > 0:25:00was already working wonders.

0:25:00 > 0:25:02I'm taking less painkillers already,

0:25:02 > 0:25:05so I've actually enjoyed it more today than I would in the UK because

0:25:05 > 0:25:07if we come out for a couple of hours,

0:25:07 > 0:25:10I'm either having to put a heat pack on cos my back's really sore

0:25:10 > 0:25:12or just going home early.

0:25:12 > 0:25:15Although she had had reservations about giving up their life

0:25:15 > 0:25:19in the UK, the excursion had given Joanne time to reflect

0:25:19 > 0:25:22on how much moving really could help Nazeem.

0:25:22 > 0:25:25It's a complete different change for him because in the UK all he

0:25:25 > 0:25:28- does is be in the house.- I don't feel as much of a prisoner here

0:25:28 > 0:25:29and that's only in the short space of a week.

0:25:29 > 0:25:31He's been putting the laundry on,

0:25:31 > 0:25:33he's been sort of filling the dishwasher,

0:25:33 > 0:25:34he wouldn't do things like that in the UK.

0:25:34 > 0:25:36What's he going to be like in a month's time?

0:25:36 > 0:25:37That's what I keep thinking.

0:25:37 > 0:25:40- And what's going to happen in three months' time?- When we got married,

0:25:40 > 0:25:42I wasn't like this. I hate my life,

0:25:42 > 0:25:45I hate the way I am and that's not the person I want to be.

0:25:45 > 0:25:48I know moving here is not going to fix everything,

0:25:48 > 0:25:50but certainly it can go a long way.

0:25:50 > 0:25:53Even if his health is improved by 20%, it's just,

0:25:53 > 0:25:55it's just massive, it really is.

0:25:55 > 0:25:58It had been an inspiring day for the family.

0:25:58 > 0:26:01So, was it a done deal when it came to choosing between lifestyle

0:26:01 > 0:26:04in the UK and Australia?

0:26:04 > 0:26:07So, we've had a really great day at the wildlife park here today,

0:26:07 > 0:26:08so now it's time to vote.

0:26:13 > 0:26:15JOANNE AND NAZEEM: Australia!

0:26:15 > 0:26:17I don't know!

0:26:17 > 0:26:21Katie, why did you choose, "You don't know"?

0:26:21 > 0:26:25Cos...they're both best places.

0:26:25 > 0:26:27I voted Australia because it's really,

0:26:27 > 0:26:29it's really amazing over here.

0:26:29 > 0:26:32Um, we've had a really, really wonderful day here.

0:26:32 > 0:26:34We haven't had the weather to contend with,

0:26:34 > 0:26:35it's just been amazing.

0:26:35 > 0:26:38It's been really great because I've just wanted to get out and about

0:26:38 > 0:26:40with the kids - which is what they've wanted us to do -

0:26:40 > 0:26:42and been able to do it here.

0:26:48 > 0:26:50In spite of Katie's indecision,

0:26:50 > 0:26:54Joanne was feeling more confident about a life in Australia,

0:26:54 > 0:26:57meaning Nazeem could've been within touching distance of the active,

0:26:57 > 0:27:00healthier life he yearned for.

0:27:00 > 0:27:03But would the financial cost of the move see his hopes dashed?

0:27:03 > 0:27:06The couple needed to work out if they could've afforded

0:27:06 > 0:27:07to live down under.

0:27:07 > 0:27:11To help them, we had prepared a comparison of expenses.

0:27:13 > 0:27:15Basing their calculations on the dream house,

0:27:15 > 0:27:20the couple's mortgage in Australia would be £200 more per month

0:27:20 > 0:27:23and that's not the only thing going up down under.

0:27:23 > 0:27:25Gosh, all these bills seem to be more.

0:27:25 > 0:27:30For me, the gas and electricity is like...double.

0:27:30 > 0:27:34Adding up the figures revealed they would've been over £1,000 worse off

0:27:34 > 0:27:37every month in Australia.

0:27:37 > 0:27:39That's extortionate.

0:27:39 > 0:27:42It looked like Nazeem's dream was in trouble.

0:27:42 > 0:27:45We wouldn't be able to afford to live here at those prices.

0:27:45 > 0:27:48But Joanne was able to see a potential healthy boost

0:27:48 > 0:27:50to her income in Aus.

0:27:50 > 0:27:54£722 more?

0:27:54 > 0:27:57That's... That's, like, wow. That's, like, amazing.

0:27:57 > 0:28:00It was a huge increase, but was it enough?

0:28:00 > 0:28:05Australia income versus Australia outgoings is minus £35.91.

0:28:05 > 0:28:13So, overall, we're going to be minus £322.75 worse off.

0:28:13 > 0:28:17OK, that's quite a big shock.

0:28:17 > 0:28:18Not happy.

0:28:19 > 0:28:21Not happy at all.

0:28:21 > 0:28:23The outcome was not what the couple were hoping for,

0:28:23 > 0:28:27but the sums were based on Joanne's basic salary.

0:28:27 > 0:28:31They said I could potentially make up to 25% more for unsociable hours.

0:28:31 > 0:28:35So, virtually, with 25% on top of that and we're almost

0:28:35 > 0:28:36breaking even, then.

0:28:36 > 0:28:40He was trying to remain optimistic, but how would Joanne vote?

0:28:40 > 0:28:43Would his prognosis convince her to take the plunge?

0:28:43 > 0:28:46We've been looking at finances today and it's definitely been an

0:28:46 > 0:28:49eye-opening experience, and based on that, we're going to vote.

0:28:55 > 0:28:58- UK.- Australia.

0:28:58 > 0:29:01I chose the UK...

0:29:01 > 0:29:05..purely because I think the pressure would be too much.

0:29:05 > 0:29:09I understand what you're trying to say and, yes, it is quite a bit,

0:29:09 > 0:29:11a lot more pressure. Although it doesn't look the best now,

0:29:11 > 0:29:14there is definitely light at the end of the tunnel in terms of things

0:29:14 > 0:29:18- we can change.- I don't think I'm in a happy place right now.

0:29:18 > 0:29:19I think it's just sort of...

0:29:19 > 0:29:22We've been shown the best parts of Australia, I've seen the jobs,

0:29:22 > 0:29:25I've seen everything and now, down to finances, it's just...

0:29:25 > 0:29:27I just feel really disappointed.

0:29:34 > 0:29:38Joanne's financial fears meant Nazeem's hopes of a better future

0:29:38 > 0:29:40in Australia could've been in doubt

0:29:40 > 0:29:43and there was one more hurdle to overcome -

0:29:43 > 0:29:45leaving behind family and friends who had supported them

0:29:45 > 0:29:48over the years would be a tough call.

0:29:48 > 0:29:51While the children were looked after by a childminder,

0:29:51 > 0:29:53the couple sat down to watch messages from home.

0:29:55 > 0:29:58- Right, shall we do this?- OK.

0:29:59 > 0:30:01Hi, Nazeem, Joanne.

0:30:02 > 0:30:05- Hiya.- Hi, Naz. Hi, Jo.

0:30:05 > 0:30:07Hello, Joanne and Naz.

0:30:07 > 0:30:10Naz is a really nice, friendly guy.

0:30:10 > 0:30:13He likes to get involved and wants to be part of it all,

0:30:13 > 0:30:14- doesn't he?- Yeah.

0:30:14 > 0:30:20JoJo is a very nice daughter-in-law, she's like a daughter to me.

0:30:21 > 0:30:24When they're together, they're a happy family,

0:30:24 > 0:30:27they do everything together.

0:30:27 > 0:30:31They're just going through life as it comes and that's...

0:30:31 > 0:30:34- What can you do?- Naz and Joanne have been through the mill.

0:30:35 > 0:30:38But I think it's brought them closer together.

0:30:40 > 0:30:43As much as we would miss, miss them all...

0:30:43 > 0:30:46And if it's the right choice for them, then we'd embrace it

0:30:46 > 0:30:47and tell her to go for it, definitely.

0:30:47 > 0:30:54It's extremely difficult to imagine life over here without them.

0:30:54 > 0:30:56If they make the decision to go...

0:30:58 > 0:31:01..it'll be very hard.

0:31:04 > 0:31:08Unfortunately, you've now got a rather big decision to make...

0:31:08 > 0:31:10..and all I can say is...

0:31:11 > 0:31:14..think carefully and go with your hearts.

0:31:14 > 0:31:18Life is what you make of it and if you go with the interest of making

0:31:18 > 0:31:21a go of it, you'll do well.

0:31:21 > 0:31:26Your dad and I wish you a long and happy life together over there.

0:31:27 > 0:31:33If you decide to make Australia your home, we're going to miss you...

0:31:49 > 0:31:51That must feel really hard.

0:31:55 > 0:31:56I'm starting now...

0:31:59 > 0:32:02I think that's the hardest thing about coming over here,

0:32:02 > 0:32:05it'll be saying goodbye to friends and family.

0:32:05 > 0:32:08It's harder to make a decision now than it was...

0:32:08 > 0:32:11- ..an hour ago, yeah. - Before seeing that, yeah.

0:32:15 > 0:32:19The trial week had shown the couple how Australia could've made

0:32:19 > 0:32:21a real difference to their lives.

0:32:21 > 0:32:24I'm feeling better in myself, I'm feeling more upbeat.

0:32:24 > 0:32:26It means the world to me to be able to say yes to the kids,

0:32:26 > 0:32:28rather than having to say no all the time to them.

0:32:28 > 0:32:31I've absolutely loved seeing Nazeem flourish this week.

0:32:31 > 0:32:36His mood is dramatically changed. He's upbeat, he's positive.

0:32:36 > 0:32:38But although moving down under could have helped transform

0:32:38 > 0:32:42the family's future, Joanne realised it would come at a huge cost.

0:32:42 > 0:32:44Just seeing everybody crying and upset

0:32:44 > 0:32:46about the thought of us leaving,

0:32:46 > 0:32:48it just tears me up inside, really.

0:32:48 > 0:32:50I don't know if I could do it right now, um...

0:32:51 > 0:32:54I'm just all in turmoil inside, really.

0:32:54 > 0:32:58Without Joanne on board, Nazeem knew his dream would come to nothing.

0:32:58 > 0:33:02She's the one that's making this move work and she's the one going to

0:33:02 > 0:33:04work every day, so it's quite hard putting that pressure on her.

0:33:04 > 0:33:08I've seen how much positive there is out in Australia with my health

0:33:08 > 0:33:12and wellbeing, and I don't really want to go back to the UK.

0:33:12 > 0:33:15If she's not entirely happy, then we can't move.

0:33:16 > 0:33:20So, with their destiny dependent on the final turn of the cards,

0:33:20 > 0:33:23where did the family's future lie?

0:33:30 > 0:33:32NAZEEM AND JOANNE: Australia!

0:33:32 > 0:33:35- Australia.- Australia!

0:33:35 > 0:33:40I think Australia, this week, has given us a brilliant lifestyle.

0:33:40 > 0:33:43It's shown us what we can actually do out here.

0:33:43 > 0:33:46We came out to Australia knowing we had to tick two boxes...

0:33:46 > 0:33:49Basically, improve my health and create a better work-life balance,

0:33:49 > 0:33:52and it's ticked both boxes.

0:33:52 > 0:33:54I love the beach and the sun.

0:33:54 > 0:33:56- Do you like the playgrounds?- Yeah.

0:33:56 > 0:33:59I think we should just, like, apply now, basically, we're just,

0:33:59 > 0:34:02- like... What's the point in waiting? - That's how I feel as well.

0:34:02 > 0:34:05- HE LAUGHS - Hey!

0:34:11 > 0:34:14It was an unforgettable week for the Mungurs.

0:34:14 > 0:34:17Despite an element of financial risk,

0:34:17 > 0:34:21seeing how family life could be transformed down under

0:34:21 > 0:34:25had convinced everyone Australia should be their new home.

0:34:25 > 0:34:31So, 12 months on, are they living at home or away?

0:34:31 > 0:34:34It's 2017 and the Mungurs are in...

0:34:34 > 0:34:36..the Gold Coast near Brisbane.

0:34:36 > 0:34:39And it's been a dramatic year.

0:34:39 > 0:34:42The week after we made our final vote to stay in Australia,

0:34:42 > 0:34:47I got back in contact with the hospital that we were shown around

0:34:47 > 0:34:51and they were really enthusiastic, they were really pleased with my CV,

0:34:51 > 0:34:55so they put me on an interview panel the following week.

0:34:55 > 0:34:58So, we landed in the UK, I think that night I actually had

0:34:58 > 0:35:01an interview at three o'clock in the morning

0:35:01 > 0:35:03and they offered me the job pretty much straightaway.

0:35:03 > 0:35:08Wow, but this fantastic news came with some strings attached.

0:35:08 > 0:35:11The problem was, or a blessing in disguise, is the hospital said,

0:35:11 > 0:35:14we want you to start as soon as you can.

0:35:14 > 0:35:16So, it was a very big shock to the system.

0:35:16 > 0:35:20Suddenly we'd gone from making a decision, let's move to Australia

0:35:20 > 0:35:21in about a year, two years' time,

0:35:21 > 0:35:26to suddenly the hospital want us out straightaway and they want us

0:35:26 > 0:35:30out in the next six months and can we really...really achieve that?

0:35:30 > 0:35:33Nazeem and Joanne started on their accelerated timetable,

0:35:33 > 0:35:36planning to move to Australia before Christmas.

0:35:36 > 0:35:40They had dozens of things to arrange from the sale of their house,

0:35:40 > 0:35:41to schools for the children...

0:35:41 > 0:35:44..and then, a major setback.

0:35:44 > 0:35:49While we were still in the UK, I discovered a lump in my neck.

0:35:49 > 0:35:53We went to see a surgeon, an ENT surgeon really quickly, um...

0:35:53 > 0:35:57He did a scan of it and he really wasn't sure what it was,

0:35:57 > 0:36:01so his decision was, "Look, you're going to be moving

0:36:01 > 0:36:03"to Australia, this could be something really serious.

0:36:03 > 0:36:05"We need to get it out, we need to assess it

0:36:05 > 0:36:07"and find out exactly what it is."

0:36:07 > 0:36:10On the back of that, I went in for what we thought

0:36:10 > 0:36:12was a routine operation.

0:36:12 > 0:36:14And then there was a dramatic turn for the worst.

0:36:14 > 0:36:17Nazeem had suffered complications from the surgery

0:36:17 > 0:36:19and was having severe trouble breathing.

0:36:19 > 0:36:22The next thing I knew, my neck was starting to swell up

0:36:22 > 0:36:24after I came back from the operation.

0:36:24 > 0:36:26So, I thought this was quite routine

0:36:26 > 0:36:28and my neck's starting to swell up to the point of

0:36:28 > 0:36:33it was quite out here, I couldn't swallow, I couldn't breathe.

0:36:33 > 0:36:37When Jo got there, she sort of took one look at me,

0:36:37 > 0:36:40she sort of said, "Look, something's wrong here."

0:36:40 > 0:36:43She got the doctor involved, she got the consultant involved

0:36:43 > 0:36:45and he took me back to theatre within ten minutes.

0:36:45 > 0:36:48During the operation, I had, a couple of times, the consultant

0:36:48 > 0:36:52actually came out and he knew we were coming to Australia

0:36:52 > 0:36:54and he actually came to me and said, "He needs a tracheostomy,

0:36:54 > 0:36:57"but I know you're going to Australia

0:36:57 > 0:37:00"and that would put a spanner in the works, that would stop you going."

0:37:00 > 0:37:02I was absolutely petrified when this was happening.

0:37:02 > 0:37:06I was crying, I was just so frantically worried

0:37:06 > 0:37:09and being by myself as well, I was just...

0:37:09 > 0:37:11Thoughts go through your head of what would happen

0:37:11 > 0:37:13if he didn't survive.

0:37:13 > 0:37:15After the house fire and the car crash,

0:37:15 > 0:37:18this was the Nazeem's third close brush with death.

0:37:18 > 0:37:21Joanne was concerned that his recovery would delay

0:37:21 > 0:37:23or even call a halt to their new life.

0:37:23 > 0:37:25This was supposed to be a routine operation

0:37:25 > 0:37:27and this could've really killed him.

0:37:27 > 0:37:31I thought this, the situation with Nazeem's...

0:37:31 > 0:37:34Well, the complications from surgery were severely going to affect us

0:37:34 > 0:37:36coming to Australia

0:37:36 > 0:37:40but it's almost like we were that motivated to come to Australia

0:37:40 > 0:37:43that he went through such a lot in that week,

0:37:43 > 0:37:45he went through two major operations in a day,

0:37:45 > 0:37:48spent some time in ICU and then rehabilitation on the ward

0:37:48 > 0:37:52and things like that, but we were still, we were still so motivated

0:37:52 > 0:37:54- to come to Australia...- Yeah. - ..that it's almost like

0:37:54 > 0:37:56he didn't complain about it.

0:37:56 > 0:37:58He just, he just got on with it and did it.

0:37:58 > 0:38:00And after Nazeem was given the all clear,

0:38:00 > 0:38:05amazingly, the family landed in Australia in December 2016.

0:38:05 > 0:38:08The couple are renting a home in Coomera in Gold Coast

0:38:08 > 0:38:10and are delighted with the house and area.

0:38:10 > 0:38:12When we landed in Australia we actually stayed with friends

0:38:12 > 0:38:15for a month and they were, they were brilliant.

0:38:15 > 0:38:18They let us, I mean, use their house like our home.

0:38:18 > 0:38:20We had all the flexibility and everything

0:38:20 > 0:38:22and then we actually found this rental.

0:38:22 > 0:38:25The area that we're living in now sold us Australia, basically.

0:38:25 > 0:38:29We knew this was the area we wanted to live, so as soon as we came out

0:38:29 > 0:38:31here we were looking for houses in this area.

0:38:31 > 0:38:34And we looked at that many houses

0:38:34 > 0:38:37and actually really didn't like them, there was a bit of this

0:38:37 > 0:38:39that we liked, a bit of what we didn't

0:38:39 > 0:38:41and then suddenly found this one.

0:38:41 > 0:38:44- It was brand-new into the rental market.- Yep.

0:38:44 > 0:38:48It's been well looked after, it's got solar panels, which it's...

0:38:48 > 0:38:51For us having solar panels in the UK, it's like we wanted

0:38:51 > 0:38:55- solar panels out here cos we know how much it can save us.- Yeah.

0:38:55 > 0:38:58It's walking distance to Katie's school, 20 minutes to Joanne's work.

0:38:58 > 0:39:01- Yep.- So, basically, it ticked all the boxes for us.

0:39:01 > 0:39:03So, we're close to loads of amenities,

0:39:03 > 0:39:07close to local schools and it's only like a 20-minute drive to work,

0:39:07 > 0:39:09it literally did tick every box.

0:39:09 > 0:39:11And they have big plans for the future.

0:39:11 > 0:39:14We love this house but it's nowhere near ideal for what

0:39:14 > 0:39:18we would want, so we've looked at it from the perspective of,

0:39:18 > 0:39:22well, we're planning to build a house in the next six months

0:39:22 > 0:39:25to 12 months. So from that side of things,

0:39:25 > 0:39:28we've got a lot of experience now in terms of how we would lay the house

0:39:28 > 0:39:32out in Australia and what we would do differently.

0:39:32 > 0:39:34Being whisked away from the UK suddenly,

0:39:34 > 0:39:36Joanne had to hit the ground running in her new job.

0:39:36 > 0:39:38When I first started work in Australia,

0:39:38 > 0:39:40I didn't have a work-life balance.

0:39:40 > 0:39:42I felt like I was working all the time,

0:39:42 > 0:39:44I was working five days a week and they were long shifts.

0:39:44 > 0:39:46But now I've started a new job,

0:39:46 > 0:39:49I'm a clinical facilitator on the unit

0:39:49 > 0:39:53and working three to four days a week gives me an extra day at home

0:39:53 > 0:39:56and I'm also able to do longer hours.

0:39:56 > 0:39:59And it's just brilliant, I've got more flexibility in what

0:39:59 > 0:40:02I'm working so I can work around the family,

0:40:02 > 0:40:04family's just not fitting around to what I'm doing all the time,

0:40:04 > 0:40:05which is perfect.

0:40:05 > 0:40:09However, the main drive to move to Australia was Nazeem's health.

0:40:09 > 0:40:12Had the change in climate really made a difference?

0:40:12 > 0:40:16Since being in Australia, my health has improved dramatically.

0:40:16 > 0:40:19I've gone from taking like 30 tablets a day

0:40:19 > 0:40:21to hardly taking any painkillers a day.

0:40:21 > 0:40:24So that's quite a big achievement in itself to go from, like,

0:40:24 > 0:40:27opiate morphine level painkillers

0:40:27 > 0:40:29to just being able to manage my pain on paracetamol.

0:40:29 > 0:40:31And I purely put that down to the fact

0:40:31 > 0:40:33that it's a lot warmer out here,

0:40:33 > 0:40:35I'm in a lot less pain because of it.

0:40:35 > 0:40:38So because I'm able to have a lot less painkillers,

0:40:38 > 0:40:39I don't have as many side effects,

0:40:39 > 0:40:42so that means I can now, like, get out and about more.

0:40:42 > 0:40:45I can walk around, we walk around Coomera Lake

0:40:45 > 0:40:48and that's like a 4km walk and we'll try and do that

0:40:48 > 0:40:50at least once a week.

0:40:50 > 0:40:54Now, in the UK, I would never even have been able to attempt that.

0:40:54 > 0:40:57Out here, it's just amazing.

0:40:57 > 0:41:00Naz's health since we moved to Australia has massively improved.

0:41:00 > 0:41:04He is a young, fit, healthy man at present.

0:41:04 > 0:41:06He is able to do everything that I can do.

0:41:06 > 0:41:10We're going for long walks, he's able to look after the kids,

0:41:10 > 0:41:13he's able to drive and he's also reduced all the medication

0:41:13 > 0:41:15that he was taking in the UK, so all the painkillers,

0:41:15 > 0:41:19he's literally on basic amounts and that's as and when now,

0:41:19 > 0:41:22as opposed to every day. You can see the look in his face,

0:41:22 > 0:41:23he's just a completely different person.

0:41:23 > 0:41:26We went camping for the first time ever as a family last weekend

0:41:26 > 0:41:29- and it was absolutely amazing, wasn't it?- Yeah.

0:41:29 > 0:41:30It was brilliant.

0:41:30 > 0:41:32We're going for walks in the mountains,

0:41:32 > 0:41:35we're just more outside, we spend all our time outside, which is...

0:41:35 > 0:41:37That's what I wanted for the kids

0:41:37 > 0:41:39when we decided to come to Australia.

0:41:39 > 0:41:42Nazeem is now playing a full role in his children's life,

0:41:42 > 0:41:46something that would've been unthinkable just a few months ago.

0:41:46 > 0:41:49We love being able to go out and do things more with me

0:41:49 > 0:41:52because I wasn't able to do things with them.

0:41:52 > 0:41:56Thomas complains when we walk Katie to school, every time we walk...

0:41:56 > 0:41:59- Every day.- Every day, he complains walking to school,

0:41:59 > 0:42:01but he absolutely loves it and when you say to him,

0:42:01 > 0:42:03"Look, in the UK, I wouldn't be able to do this,

0:42:03 > 0:42:07"I wouldn't be able to play with you." And he says,

0:42:07 > 0:42:10"Actually, yes, I'd rather be here cos you can play with me."

0:42:10 > 0:42:13And although they've only been here a few months,

0:42:13 > 0:42:15the couple have no regrets at all.

0:42:15 > 0:42:17I definitely feel like I'm living the dream life

0:42:17 > 0:42:21just because we're in Australia. The weather's perfect,

0:42:21 > 0:42:24we're able to do loads of family activities outside,

0:42:24 > 0:42:27we're able to get the kids fit and healthy,

0:42:27 > 0:42:29- we're getting fit and healthy.- Yeah.

0:42:29 > 0:42:31We're just so active as a family.

0:42:31 > 0:42:34It's just perfect, it's exactly what I wanted to do.

0:42:34 > 0:42:38For me, personally, being able to take less painkillers,

0:42:38 > 0:42:42being able to be a lot more healthy in myself,

0:42:42 > 0:42:45that's obviously the biggest thing personally.

0:42:45 > 0:42:48But from the perspective of the family, I certainly think

0:42:48 > 0:42:50the best thing for Australia is a better work-life balance

0:42:50 > 0:42:53because it's great to be able to spend time together

0:42:53 > 0:42:56as a family because that's what we want to do.

0:42:56 > 0:42:59When I see Nazeem now, he's the person who I met,

0:42:59 > 0:43:01like, 12 years ago.

0:43:01 > 0:43:05He's the person that I met at university who was carefree,

0:43:05 > 0:43:07he didn't have any health problems

0:43:07 > 0:43:09and it's almost like we've been given that time back together

0:43:09 > 0:43:13cos we've got this fresh start.

0:43:13 > 0:43:14The transformation to their lives

0:43:14 > 0:43:18that Australia has provided is immeasurable

0:43:18 > 0:43:22and within such a short period of time since leaving the UK,

0:43:22 > 0:43:26the family is clearly beginning to thrive.

0:43:26 > 0:43:29We wish them all the very best for the future.