0:00:02 > 0:00:04The McGuinness family were desperate for a better future.
0:00:04 > 0:00:06If we can't afford to make ends meet,
0:00:06 > 0:00:09what kind of upbringing is that going to be for the children?
0:00:09 > 0:00:11But could they agree on what it is?
0:00:11 > 0:00:13My mind's made up, I want to go to Australia.
0:00:13 > 0:00:15This, to me, this is the dream.
0:00:15 > 0:00:18Especially when mum was far from convinced.
0:00:18 > 0:00:20It's just too small. Just wouldn't buy this one.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24- So it's a no, then? - It's definitely a no.
0:00:24 > 0:00:28So the question is, where are the McGuinness family now?
0:00:28 > 0:00:30The UK or down under?
0:00:51 > 0:00:56Australia's famous laid-back way of life, sunny climate and almost
0:00:56 > 0:01:0030,000 miles of coastline have made it the chosen destination for Brits
0:01:00 > 0:01:03moving abroad, but life down under doesn't always
0:01:03 > 0:01:06give you the kind of paradise you imagine.
0:01:07 > 0:01:11David McGuinness had talked about moving to Australia with his wife
0:01:11 > 0:01:14Jeanette since their first date,
0:01:14 > 0:01:17but could he convince her to uproot their young family from their
0:01:17 > 0:01:20tight-knit Liverpool home?
0:01:20 > 0:01:24That was the decision facing them in 2011.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Now, six years later, we will find out where the family landed.
0:01:31 > 0:01:34After 24 hours and having crossed three continents,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37the McGuinnesses landed in Brisbane,
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and the sheer distance from home had dawned on Jeanette.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43When I seen, you know, when you look on the in-flight map,
0:01:43 > 0:01:46you're watching that, and you see how many countries you
0:01:46 > 0:01:50actually fly over and you realise to yourself how far away it is then.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52The family home was in Liverpool.
0:01:52 > 0:01:56They were 36-year-old David, his wife, Jeanette, who was 31,
0:01:56 > 0:02:01and their children, Gabrielle, aged four, and two-year-old Sean.
0:02:01 > 0:02:0518 years ago before he met Jeanette, David went on a holiday to Sydney,
0:02:05 > 0:02:09and he was convinced his family's future lay on the other side of the world.
0:02:09 > 0:02:12Even though I only went on a holiday,
0:02:12 > 0:02:14I got a good feeling from the country.
0:02:14 > 0:02:18However, Jeanette was reluctant to move anywhere.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21I love Liverpool, it's where I was brought up.
0:02:21 > 0:02:23I get homesick even when we go away for the weekend.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25I phone up to see what's happening at home.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31It wasn't just a holiday fantasy driving David to uproot his family.
0:02:31 > 0:02:35His carpentry business had been badly hit in the recession.
0:02:35 > 0:02:38Two or three years ago, I was flying, I had lads working for me,
0:02:38 > 0:02:41I was earning, I was on a good wage.
0:02:41 > 0:02:45Now, the last year and a half, two years, all my prices have
0:02:45 > 0:02:48gone down a third. I've still got the same bills,
0:02:48 > 0:02:51in fact I've got bigger bills now than I did two years ago.
0:02:51 > 0:02:55It's just no lifestyle for the children to bring them up in.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57If we can't afford to make ends meet,
0:02:57 > 0:03:01what kind of upbringing is that going to be for the children?
0:03:01 > 0:03:04On top of this, they were both worried about increasing UK crime rates,
0:03:04 > 0:03:08particularly in their area where they'd both lived since childhood.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11It's getting worse. When we were younger, there was drugs
0:03:11 > 0:03:14and everything around, but they have guns now and stuff.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18I don't want my kids going to areas where they could potentially mix
0:03:18 > 0:03:21with that type of people.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23With the employment situation in this country now,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26we're not going to be able to afford a better area than where we live.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Both David and Jeanette were born and raised in Liverpool.
0:03:29 > 0:03:32They both had lots of family living close by and Jeanette was
0:03:32 > 0:03:34particularly close to her mum.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38She's with her mum every single day, I'd say.
0:03:38 > 0:03:40They do everything together.
0:03:40 > 0:03:44David, I don't think he's realised how hard it is going to be
0:03:44 > 0:03:48for me, not being able to see me mum and dad.
0:03:48 > 0:03:50For David, the move held no fears.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55My mind's made up, I want to go to Australia, in fact, I'd go tomorrow.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59I'm there already.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02With so much at stake, Jeanette was torn about the decision.
0:04:02 > 0:04:07The main reason to go is to give the children the best life we can possibly give them.
0:04:07 > 0:04:11And I don't know whether that life is in Australia or here,
0:04:11 > 0:04:13surrounded by the family.
0:04:13 > 0:04:16It's just hard decision for me to make, very hard.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17I don't know which is best.
0:04:21 > 0:04:24Their quest started in the city of Gold Coast,
0:04:24 > 0:04:27in the east of Australia, close to Brisbane.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Gold Coast offered all the benefits of city life with plenty of sandy
0:04:31 > 0:04:34beaches for families to enjoy the Australian lifestyle.
0:04:35 > 0:04:37And with a thriving business community,
0:04:37 > 0:04:40there were good opportunities for both David and Jeanette.
0:04:40 > 0:04:44However, property prices here were among the highest in Australia.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48Their base for the week was this three-bedroom house
0:04:48 > 0:04:51close to the city and beaches. But did it impress?
0:04:53 > 0:04:55Wow! Look where you're staying.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58It's nice, it's lovely and clean.
0:05:01 > 0:05:02It's all one level, isn't it?
0:05:05 > 0:05:08Jeanette sounded like she was being a bit polite.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10Perhaps the rest of the house got her excited.
0:05:10 > 0:05:12- What's in there?- A purple one.
0:05:12 > 0:05:13Toilet.
0:05:14 > 0:05:16- Is that the only toilet? - I don't know.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22It wasn't going well. Maybe the outside space could win her over.
0:05:22 > 0:05:27Oh! It's got a swimming pool. I don't think it's in use, though.
0:05:27 > 0:05:28- It's winter.- Yeah, I know.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33Come on, then. Wow, this is nice, isn't it?
0:05:35 > 0:05:37And there's the barbecue.
0:05:37 > 0:05:39Watch these... I don't like those steps.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46- One, two, three.- Got holes in.
0:05:47 > 0:05:49Isn't that a nice pool?
0:05:49 > 0:05:54Would you like a swimming pool, Gabrielle, in your own house?
0:05:54 > 0:05:55It would be nice, wouldn't it?
0:05:55 > 0:05:58The swimming pool got everyone's vote, however,
0:05:58 > 0:06:00it wasn't just the steps that had Jeanette worried.
0:06:00 > 0:06:03Could be too many spiders hiding underneath.
0:06:03 > 0:06:04That's what she doesn't like.
0:06:04 > 0:06:07I'm petrified of spiders, so...
0:06:07 > 0:06:10Especially ones that can kill you.
0:06:10 > 0:06:13In my garden, I haven't really got any plants,
0:06:13 > 0:06:17because I don't like spiders, and plants house spiders.
0:06:19 > 0:06:20I couldn't come out here.
0:06:23 > 0:06:27David had just one week to convince Jeanette that their future lay there.
0:06:27 > 0:06:29Spiders or not.
0:06:32 > 0:06:34Back in 2011,
0:06:34 > 0:06:37the McGuinness family lived in a four-bedroom detached house in the
0:06:37 > 0:06:39Waltham area of Liverpool.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43They had spent time and money turning their house into a family home.
0:06:43 > 0:06:46They'd wanted somewhere that would fulfil all their needs
0:06:46 > 0:06:49within a budget of £200,000 in Australia.
0:06:49 > 0:06:51I'm looking for the type of house that I've got.
0:06:51 > 0:06:55Detached, three bedrooms at least, a nice garden
0:06:55 > 0:06:58so that the kids can run around.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01And in a nice, safe, secure area.
0:07:01 > 0:07:05My dream house, ideally, if we could afford it, in Australia,
0:07:05 > 0:07:08would be a two-storey house with four bedrooms,
0:07:08 > 0:07:10front and back garden.
0:07:12 > 0:07:13Enclosed back garden.
0:07:14 > 0:07:16With a playroom downstairs.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22We gave the McGuinnesses a taste of the property market on the Gold Coast.
0:07:22 > 0:07:26We showed them three houses based on what they wanted from their ideal
0:07:26 > 0:07:30home, what they could afford, and the real price of property down under.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35After showing them what was on offer, we revealed what each house cost.
0:07:35 > 0:07:37First stop was Biggera Waters,
0:07:37 > 0:07:40just five miles north from the centre of the Gold Coast.
0:07:40 > 0:07:43This quiet neighbourhood was popular with families.
0:07:43 > 0:07:47Property one was a three-bedroom town house set in a residential complex.
0:07:47 > 0:07:51This meant access to a shared swimming pool and tennis courts.
0:07:51 > 0:07:53But did the resort-style setting appeal?
0:07:53 > 0:07:57It seems safe enough. I saw neighbourhood watch signs as I came
0:07:57 > 0:08:01in which makes me think, is there a lot of crime around here?
0:08:01 > 0:08:03I don't know.
0:08:03 > 0:08:07But did the inside impress more?
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- Dining area.- It's too small.
0:08:09 > 0:08:12It reminds me of like a compact flat.
0:08:12 > 0:08:14It reminds me of holiday accommodation.
0:08:15 > 0:08:19I don't think Jeanette meant a dream holiday.
0:08:19 > 0:08:20Garden's big enough.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23It's a shared garden.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25So you've got no private area in the back.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31Was David's Australian dream falling at the first hurdle?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33- Like it, then?- It's just too small.
0:08:34 > 0:08:37The upstairs was the last chance to win her over.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39It's nice, it's nice.
0:08:39 > 0:08:43Do you think you could fit a double bed in here?
0:08:43 > 0:08:45Nice size, can you fit a double bed in here?
0:08:45 > 0:08:48Yeah, and you'd fit a double bed in this one as well.
0:08:48 > 0:08:52It was beginning to sound more positive but the layout had them puzzled.
0:08:52 > 0:08:55Someone's got a bad architect here, two doors.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57That's what it's for.
0:08:57 > 0:08:59You close the bedroom door...
0:08:59 > 0:09:02- And it's en-suite. - ..and it's an en-suite!
0:09:02 > 0:09:03LAUGHTER
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Someone else can get in from the side anyway.
0:09:05 > 0:09:09The upstairs had given them a laugh but had it convinced them?
0:09:09 > 0:09:11Wouldn't leave our house in the UK to come to this house.
0:09:11 > 0:09:15No, if this house was in the UK, I definitely wouldn't buy it.
0:09:15 > 0:09:20It's just too small for a family of four, especially with all their toys.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29So the McGuinnesses were both underwhelmed by the size and garden
0:09:29 > 0:09:32of this house but did the price make a difference?
0:09:32 > 0:09:33Let's have a look.
0:09:39 > 0:09:42Same as our house was in the UK.
0:09:42 > 0:09:43Yep.
0:09:46 > 0:09:51It does worry us a bit, as to whether we could make a life out
0:09:51 > 0:09:53here, the lifestyle that we want.
0:09:53 > 0:09:55We definitely want a bigger house.
0:09:56 > 0:10:00- And we're not going to get it. - I'll have two jobs.
0:10:03 > 0:10:04I don't know.
0:10:04 > 0:10:07That was a huge blow.
0:10:07 > 0:10:10If they weren't impressed by the properties they could afford,
0:10:10 > 0:10:12David's dream of moving was in trouble.
0:10:13 > 0:10:15They set out to visit property number two,
0:10:15 > 0:10:19which David hoped would make a better case for living in Australia.
0:10:19 > 0:10:21Property two was situated in the Nerang area,
0:10:21 > 0:10:26a popular neighbourhood close to the countryside and not too far away
0:10:26 > 0:10:28from those all-important beaches.
0:10:28 > 0:10:34This house offered all the peace and quiet that they wanted, but did they like it?
0:10:34 > 0:10:36Wow.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39- Nicer than the last one. - Yeah, it is, it's bigger.
0:10:39 > 0:10:41I think the views are fantastic.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Lovely views.
0:10:43 > 0:10:46I could see me sitting here.
0:10:46 > 0:10:47Don't jump on the beds.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53This is a nice bed, en-suite.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54That's a bonus, isn't it?
0:10:54 > 0:10:57It was a good start, but Jeanette had already spotted a downside.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59I don't like the kitchen.
0:10:59 > 0:11:01- Why don't you like the kitchen? - It's very basic.
0:11:01 > 0:11:05Obviously you'd have to put in a new kitchen in it if you bought this house.
0:11:06 > 0:11:10- Would you block it off?- No, because then it feels too cramped in here.
0:11:10 > 0:11:14But then I could take this wall off, would be a lot bigger kitchen.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18I don't know whether, it's just the layout, I don't know what it is,
0:11:18 > 0:11:19I just can't put me finger on it.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22Well, is it because it's separate, you need this blocking off?
0:11:22 > 0:11:24- Doorway?- I wouldn't buy this house.
0:11:24 > 0:11:28Why wouldn't you buy this house? It's better than the last one.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31David was trying really hard to convince Jeanette.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34But with so many Australian homes being open plan,
0:11:34 > 0:11:36this layout was a big problem.
0:11:45 > 0:11:46I need somewhere with outdoor space,
0:11:46 > 0:11:48so the kids can run their energies off.
0:11:48 > 0:11:51I don't particularly want a pool, because if you wanted to go swimming,
0:11:51 > 0:11:53you can always go out to a swimming pool.
0:11:53 > 0:11:58You don't need a pool but you do need a bit of outdoor space for them
0:11:58 > 0:11:59to run round in.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01If the garden was to be mainly for the children,
0:12:01 > 0:12:03what did Gabrielle make of it?
0:12:04 > 0:12:07Oh, dear. That was a no, then.
0:12:07 > 0:12:09It was time to find out the price.
0:12:09 > 0:12:13The good-sized rooms and view seemed to have won Jeanette over
0:12:13 > 0:12:15but the garden changed all that.
0:12:15 > 0:12:18Did the price convince them, or was it out of reach?
0:12:24 > 0:12:27You can get a lot of house back in the UK for 217.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30- With a garden.- That's what you're paying in Australia.
0:12:31 > 0:12:34It's over our budget, though.
0:12:34 > 0:12:37This is all we can afford and it's even over our budget.
0:12:37 > 0:12:40I'm not really surprised, because I had done a lot of research
0:12:40 > 0:12:44on the housing market in Australia, before we come over.
0:12:44 > 0:12:46So I do know things are expensive.
0:12:46 > 0:12:48It's well over what our house is worth.
0:12:48 > 0:12:50This house was a disappointment.
0:12:50 > 0:12:53It didn't have the garden space Jeanette craved for the children.
0:12:53 > 0:12:57And even if they liked the house, it was over their budget.
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Everything now hung on the final property.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Tweed Heads was 16 miles south of Gold Coast,
0:13:04 > 0:13:07close to some of the country's best beaches for surfing
0:13:07 > 0:13:10and it was a good place to live the Australian lifestyle.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15The third house was a five bedroom home.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18Sean and Gabrielle were left with a childminder, so David and Jeanette
0:13:18 > 0:13:21could have a good look around the house themselves.
0:13:22 > 0:13:25- Bit dark, isn't it? - It's dark but it's nice.
0:13:25 > 0:13:26- It's cosy.- It's cosy, yeah.
0:13:32 > 0:13:35- It's the nicest kitchen. - Yeah, it is.
0:13:35 > 0:13:38That's nice, and you could fit a table and chairs there.
0:13:38 > 0:13:39No problem.
0:13:42 > 0:13:43- This is bigger.- Double bedroom.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47Nice views.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49That is lovely views, isn't it?
0:13:49 > 0:13:52It was a promising start and there were still the garden and
0:13:52 > 0:13:54swimming pool to check out.
0:13:54 > 0:13:57Nice decking area, barbecue, lovely views.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59Dive into the pool.
0:14:00 > 0:14:04It was going well, and then Jeanette spotted some major problems.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07It's just not child friendly whatsoever.
0:14:08 > 0:14:10Couldn't even consider buying a house like this,
0:14:10 > 0:14:12- it's just not child friendly at all.- Not very well built.
0:14:12 > 0:14:14God, that's awful.
0:14:14 > 0:14:15He is insured.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20And there was still the downstairs to explore.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24Well, how do you get down to that bit?
0:14:24 > 0:14:26Under all those trees?
0:14:26 > 0:14:27I'll stay up here.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31I'm not going down because there'll be loads of spiders.
0:14:31 > 0:14:35- Look at all the spiders everywhere.- I'm going in.
0:14:36 > 0:14:40They're in the house. Here you are, there's more rooms downstairs.
0:14:40 > 0:14:44- Jeannette.- But you've got to go to them down an outdoor stairs?
0:14:44 > 0:14:45Yeah.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Just watch out for the spiders.
0:14:50 > 0:14:52Do you know what? I don't even want to see it.
0:14:54 > 0:14:55Look, they're everywhere!
0:15:05 > 0:15:08This is lovely. This could be another little living area or a bedroom.
0:15:09 > 0:15:14David, put it back! Get lost, get away from me now.
0:15:14 > 0:15:15Get away from me.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17Go away.
0:15:17 > 0:15:20David's joking around didn't help to change her mind.
0:15:20 > 0:15:23This house would've given them all the room they needed, however,
0:15:23 > 0:15:27the state of the downstairs had Jeannette wanting out.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30This would be like my Bushtucker Trial, staying in this house.
0:15:30 > 0:15:34- Shall we stay for the night?- No. - I love it. I want to buy it.
0:15:34 > 0:15:36- I could live here with the lads. - You know what?
0:15:36 > 0:15:39I couldn't even say that I could do this house up and live in it
0:15:39 > 0:15:41because I just couldn't.
0:15:41 > 0:15:43- So this is a no then? - It's definitely a no.
0:15:45 > 0:15:48Come on, let's get out of here.
0:15:48 > 0:15:51Argh! Something's just touched me.
0:15:51 > 0:15:55After another promising start, the house hadn't gone down well
0:15:55 > 0:15:58with Jeannette, but could the price have turned things around,
0:15:58 > 0:16:00if it had been within their budget?
0:16:00 > 0:16:03Go on, let's see how much it is.
0:16:03 > 0:16:05Let's see how much we're spending.
0:16:10 > 0:16:13So we're definitely not moving to Australia then,
0:16:13 > 0:16:14cos we can't afford nothing.
0:16:16 > 0:16:18We can't afford anything...
0:16:18 > 0:16:21But there's other houses.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23You've seen some on the internet.
0:16:23 > 0:16:27It seemed house prices had really blown away Jeannette's hopes for a dream home.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31You know, when we first got here and everyone was dead friendly,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34I was thinking, I like it here, and I was actually going more
0:16:34 > 0:16:37for Australia, then this has just totally put me right off.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41It really has. It's totally put me off.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44Every house is going to be different, we've only seen a couple of houses.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46You had to admire David's determined approach,
0:16:46 > 0:16:48but it hadn't convinced Jeannette.
0:16:52 > 0:16:54Although property one was well within budget,
0:16:54 > 0:16:57it's just hadn't been big enough for their needs.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00The second house had room outside but the rather odd garden
0:17:00 > 0:17:04didn't offer Jeannette the outdoor space she wanted.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07And while the third property seemed perfect on paper,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10it was a definite no from Jeannette.
0:17:10 > 0:17:15So had Australian homes won them over or did they vote to stay in the UK?
0:17:15 > 0:17:20Compared to the houses in the UK and what you can get over there,
0:17:20 > 0:17:23for the same price, my vote goes to...
0:17:23 > 0:17:25UK.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26And my vote goes to...
0:17:27 > 0:17:29..Australia.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32David remained upbeat but even he had to admit that the house
0:17:32 > 0:17:35they wanted may be out of reach for their budget.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39It only depends on whether we can earn more money out here,
0:17:39 > 0:17:42put our budget up, to afford a better property.
0:17:42 > 0:17:44If we couldn't earn more money, and that's our budget, full stop,
0:17:44 > 0:17:46that was the three houses we've seen today,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49we wouldn't be able to bring the kids up in them.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52So it's all based on what we could earn.
0:17:54 > 0:17:58Jeannette's disappointment with Australian homes seemed to put
0:17:58 > 0:17:59the brakes on the move,
0:17:59 > 0:18:03so potential job opportunities have become even more important.
0:18:03 > 0:18:07Back in Liverpool, David had his own business as a carpenter and joiner
0:18:07 > 0:18:10and Jeannette worked part-time in payroll.
0:18:10 > 0:18:15The economic collapse of 2008 meant there was a shortage of building
0:18:15 > 0:18:19work in the UK, and his business had been pushed to the brink.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21It's the job that I love, I do love it.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I wish I was in constant work.
0:18:24 > 0:18:27But there isn't the work to cover what I want to do in the UK.
0:18:27 > 0:18:29Hopefully it will be in Australia.
0:18:30 > 0:18:34We had arranged for him to spend a day working on a Gold Coast building site.
0:18:34 > 0:18:38Everything hung on his ability to get work.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41The object for me is to get loads of work,
0:18:41 > 0:18:43hopefully there's plenty of it about.
0:18:43 > 0:18:45This is supposed to be one of the biggest builders.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48Hopefully I'll get a couple of contacts while I'm here.
0:18:48 > 0:18:51This was David's chance to show what he was made of,
0:18:51 > 0:18:54and they threw him straight in at the deep end.
0:18:54 > 0:18:55I'll get you to hold the level, mate.
0:18:55 > 0:18:59Brilliant, thank you. We don't use levels in the UK, we guess...
0:18:59 > 0:19:01Oh, do you? Fair enough.
0:19:01 > 0:19:06It seemed like Liverpool and Australia banter was a natural fit.
0:19:06 > 0:19:10Back in the UK, Jeannette had earned just over £13,000 a year working
0:19:10 > 0:19:12part-time in the payroll office.
0:19:12 > 0:19:15After a disappointing house hunt, her job prospects could have made
0:19:15 > 0:19:18all the difference to their lifestyle.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22So we sent her to a recruitment agency where she had one very important question.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24Is there work available?
0:19:24 > 0:19:28Yes, there is, particularly if you want to temp first,
0:19:28 > 0:19:30and I think with the skills that you've got,
0:19:30 > 0:19:35and particularly having a degree, I don't see that you'd have
0:19:35 > 0:19:37an issue getting work.
0:19:37 > 0:19:40I'd sign you up, that's for sure.
0:19:40 > 0:19:42- That's positive, then.- Yes, it is.
0:19:42 > 0:19:45That had been a promising start for Jeanette.
0:19:45 > 0:19:46And back on the building site,
0:19:46 > 0:19:49David got the lowdown from the site manager.
0:19:49 > 0:19:51- Is there plenty of work? - Plenty of work, mate.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54The Gold Coast is a little bit quiet at the moment,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57but in the region in general, there is...
0:19:57 > 0:20:00Within driving distance, there's plenty of work, mate. Yeah.
0:20:00 > 0:20:03That was exactly what David wanted to hear.
0:20:03 > 0:20:06But what about the most important question?
0:20:06 > 0:20:10What is the salary for a carpenter and joiner in Australia?
0:20:10 > 0:20:12Mate, depending on the site that you're on,
0:20:12 > 0:20:14and also depending on the hours that you'd be doing,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16you could be earning, as a starting point,
0:20:16 > 0:20:20anywhere between 85,000 to potentially 100 grand.
0:20:20 > 0:20:23Australian dollars, obviously.
0:20:23 > 0:20:26That was £60,000 starting salary.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29Far more than David had earned in recent years.
0:20:29 > 0:20:31And what about Jeanette's pay?
0:20:31 > 0:20:33I think that you would be very happy.
0:20:33 > 0:20:39I would say minimum you would be looking at would be about 45,000 upwards.
0:20:39 > 0:20:42And it can be well upwards from that.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46£30,000 was much better than Jeanette had been earning in the UK,
0:20:46 > 0:20:49but was it enough to make her reconsider moving?
0:20:49 > 0:20:53The fact that there's employment available is fantastic.
0:20:53 > 0:20:57That means that I could come out here and afford the lifestyle
0:20:57 > 0:21:00I wanted, really, so it is fantastic news.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03That was quite a turnaround for Jeanette.
0:21:03 > 0:21:05But which way did they vote?
0:21:05 > 0:21:09My experience today was very positive and I'm going to vote...
0:21:11 > 0:21:12Australia.
0:21:13 > 0:21:17With regards to employment here in Australia,
0:21:17 > 0:21:20my vote goes to...
0:21:20 > 0:21:21Australia.
0:21:24 > 0:21:27It had been an informative day for the couple.
0:21:27 > 0:21:30When the family met back up at the house, Jeanette was quick to
0:21:30 > 0:21:33point out one big difference their combined salaries could make.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Obviously, we wouldn't have to live in any of the houses we've seen yesterday.
0:21:38 > 0:21:39So that's a bonus.
0:21:40 > 0:21:42So, yeah.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46David believed Australia would be a better place to raise a family,
0:21:46 > 0:21:48but Jeanette was yet to be convinced.
0:21:51 > 0:21:54So he took the family to meet Pam, a distant relative,
0:21:54 > 0:21:56who lived in the countryside outside Brisbane.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02He'd hoped local knowledge would help seal the deal.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04I'm David. This is Sean.
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- Hello, Sean. How are you? - Nice to meet you.
0:22:06 > 0:22:08I tell you what, I can see the Carney in you.
0:22:08 > 0:22:12- You can see the Carney in me?- I can. - I thought I was a McGuinness.
0:22:12 > 0:22:15- I can see the similarity, that's for sure.- Hiya.
0:22:15 > 0:22:19- This is Jeanette.- Hello.- Hello, Jeanette. How are you?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21They were joined for lunch by Pam's friend, Liz,
0:22:21 > 0:22:24and Jeanette didn't waste any time beating around the bush.
0:22:24 > 0:22:26Can I just ask you about crime rates?
0:22:26 > 0:22:29What is crime like around here?
0:22:29 > 0:22:32I mean, not coming from here, I need to know about what...
0:22:32 > 0:22:36I mean, I could come here and move to a really bad area and not know...
0:22:36 > 0:22:37- Yeah.- ..whether it's a nice area.
0:22:37 > 0:22:39I wouldn't say we've got a crime problem.
0:22:39 > 0:22:43We can sleep at night windows wide open.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45Yeah, but you wouldn't leave a window open in this country anyway,
0:22:45 > 0:22:47because of the spiders.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52Jokes aside, it was reassuring for Jeanette to hear about
0:22:52 > 0:22:56local crime rates, and then it was her turn to be put on the spot.
0:22:56 > 0:22:58So do you think, after being here,
0:22:58 > 0:23:01that you would like to come and live in Australia?
0:23:01 > 0:23:03I'm not... I'm just not sure at all.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06It's just the thought of leaving family and friends.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08Yes, I can appreciate that.
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Is that more important?
0:23:09 > 0:23:13Is coming to Australia and having an outdoor lifestyle more important for
0:23:13 > 0:23:17the children? Or is being at home with family more important?
0:23:17 > 0:23:19I've got to weigh that up.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24However, this taste of country life had had a big effect on David.
0:23:24 > 0:23:27I think today's probably been one of the best days so far.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29This, to me... This is the dream.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31But he had to convince Jeanette,
0:23:31 > 0:23:34otherwise David's plan for his family would remain a dream.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42To get a taste of what Australia had on offer,
0:23:42 > 0:23:45the McGuinnesses went to the Ekka in Brisbane.
0:23:45 > 0:23:49It was a huge agricultural show that went on for ten days.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Not the sort of thing they'd experienced before.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Wow. Look at all these animals, kids!
0:23:56 > 0:23:59Here we go. Isn't this fantastic?
0:23:59 > 0:24:01Gabrielle loved it.
0:24:01 > 0:24:03But Sean wasn't so sure.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09Sean looks a bit scared,
0:24:09 > 0:24:12but I think the kids are enjoying themselves.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16- Look at this white one. He likes you.- No!
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Got to get used to it, hasn't he?
0:24:20 > 0:24:22We've never done anything like this before.
0:24:22 > 0:24:26We normally go and see animals, but they're all behind fences,
0:24:26 > 0:24:28they're never allowed to mingle in with them like this.
0:24:28 > 0:24:30So they're having a ball, they're loving this.
0:24:30 > 0:24:32Brilliant experience for them.
0:24:32 > 0:24:36And it wasn't just the show that had impressed them for what Australia had on offer.
0:24:36 > 0:24:38There's parks on every corner.
0:24:38 > 0:24:43There's play areas, swings and slides, fantastic for the children.
0:24:44 > 0:24:48Jeanette's realising that there is plenty for the young children to do,
0:24:48 > 0:24:50so she's coming round to the idea.
0:24:51 > 0:24:54I knew my plan would work!
0:24:54 > 0:24:56But had David been getting ahead of himself?
0:24:56 > 0:24:58It seemed like a great day out,
0:24:58 > 0:25:01but there was one thing still weighing on Jeanette's mind.
0:25:01 > 0:25:06It would be different living here full-time than just seeing it for the week.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08There's plus sides and downsides to all of it.
0:25:08 > 0:25:10I've got a lot of thinking to do.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16After the day out, which way did they vote on lifestyle?
0:25:16 > 0:25:18UK or Australia?
0:25:18 > 0:25:20We've had a lovely day out here today.
0:25:20 > 0:25:24The children have had a ball feeding the animals
0:25:24 > 0:25:28- and we're going to vote... - Go on, vote.
0:25:28 > 0:25:29One, two, three.
0:25:31 > 0:25:33Australia. I say same.
0:25:34 > 0:25:37Three Australia, one undecided.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39- Australia!- I think it's...
0:25:39 > 0:25:41If you get the nice weather in the UK,
0:25:41 > 0:25:45you can have a nice family day out as well as you can here, so...
0:25:45 > 0:25:49So even after a taste of the Australian lifestyle,
0:25:49 > 0:25:51Jeanette was still not won over.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Jeanette and David bought their house for £155,000 and had put in
0:26:01 > 0:26:04£20,000 fixing it up.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07Would they get back all the money they'd spent?
0:26:07 > 0:26:12We sent around two estate agents to get its sale and rental value at the time.
0:26:12 > 0:26:13- What?!- There's our house.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17Neutral colours.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Cute kid.
0:26:21 > 0:26:24Cute kid! Doesn't know him!
0:26:24 > 0:26:27I like the fireplace. Nice and modern.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30I think whoever lives here's got an eye for taste and colour.
0:26:30 > 0:26:32I picked that fireplace.
0:26:38 > 0:26:39Really nicely presented.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Good quality kitchen.
0:26:41 > 0:26:43- Absolutely ideal.- There you go.
0:26:43 > 0:26:45He said, "Good quality kitchen."
0:26:45 > 0:26:47- That's all...- I picked that. - Your real oak kitchen.
0:26:47 > 0:26:50- My...- That's your bedroom.- Bed.
0:26:50 > 0:26:52It's a nice, warm, welcoming room for any child.
0:26:52 > 0:26:55I think it's an ideal environment for a child to grow up in.
0:26:55 > 0:26:59Obviously, it's never going to be this clean when there's a child in it.
0:26:59 > 0:27:00It is!
0:27:00 > 0:27:03Well, I've had a look at the property now, it's a nice property.
0:27:03 > 0:27:04To sell the property in the current market,
0:27:04 > 0:27:07I would value the property at 130-135.
0:27:07 > 0:27:09That's more than what I expected.
0:27:09 > 0:27:11To achieve maximum rental income, I would value the property,
0:27:11 > 0:27:15for rental purposes, at 595 per calendar month.
0:27:17 > 0:27:21In the current market, we'd be looking at placing it on the market
0:27:21 > 0:27:24at around about £150,000, say 149,950,
0:27:24 > 0:27:29with a view to achieving between 140-145,000.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30For the rental market,
0:27:30 > 0:27:35it should achieve somewhere between £675-725 per calendar month.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37- I'm going with him.- Going with him!
0:27:39 > 0:27:44I know we paid 155, but I thought the market had depreciated that much.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46I'm surprised for the better, yeah.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52Based on that evaluation,
0:27:52 > 0:27:54the McGuinnesses have decided they would rent their house out,
0:27:54 > 0:27:56if they were to move.
0:27:56 > 0:28:00However, this was only part of their financial considerations.
0:28:00 > 0:28:03So we've prepared a breakdown of their living costs
0:28:03 > 0:28:05in Australia versus the UK.
0:28:07 > 0:28:13£372 for petrol here, £190 car insurance.
0:28:13 > 0:28:16I thought the fuel was supposed to be cheaper over here?
0:28:16 > 0:28:18Mortgage repayments...
0:28:18 > 0:28:20That's a big difference.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23OK. Let's do the earnings, then.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26So, here you are, total combined earnings...
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Do you see the difference between them two?
0:28:28 > 0:28:29Ingoings and outgoings.
0:28:31 > 0:28:32Difference between that one...
0:28:34 > 0:28:36It's about the same.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39- Is it?- Yeah. You're actually 20 quid...
0:28:39 > 0:28:45It's £20 difference between our monthly bills at home
0:28:45 > 0:28:49and the salaries we can earn. It's just the same.
0:28:49 > 0:28:51- Do you know... - £20 better off in Australia?
0:28:51 > 0:28:52£20 better off in Australia.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54There you are. Let's move to Australia.
0:28:54 > 0:28:57£20 better off might not have seemed that much,
0:28:57 > 0:28:58but was it enough to make a difference,
0:28:58 > 0:29:02if it meant a whole new lifestyle for the McGuinnesses?
0:29:06 > 0:29:08House prices are a lot more expensive.
0:29:10 > 0:29:14Work, wages, seems as though you can get a lot more.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17We are going to vote for...
0:29:17 > 0:29:18Australia.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21- That's a shock.- I know.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25- Why?- Because I know I can earn more out here.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Because of more opportunities, yeah.
0:29:27 > 0:29:29I could earn more money out here.
0:29:34 > 0:29:38We had prepared some messages from family and friends in the UK.
0:29:38 > 0:29:41Jeanette and David decided they would watch it on their own
0:29:41 > 0:29:43and let the children play outside.
0:29:44 > 0:29:45Are you ready?
0:29:48 > 0:29:52Hello, Jeanette and David and Gabrielle and Sean.
0:29:52 > 0:29:55Missing you! Hoping you're having a good time in Australia.
0:29:55 > 0:29:57I couldn't fault David.
0:29:57 > 0:30:00He looks after his family, he's a good family man,
0:30:00 > 0:30:02he only wants what's best for his children.
0:30:02 > 0:30:07I'm not sure how they'd settle in to the Australian way of life.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09David, I think, would settle in a lot easier than Jeanette.
0:30:09 > 0:30:11She's very homely.
0:30:11 > 0:30:17David's decision will be based on Jeanette because he loves Jeanette
0:30:17 > 0:30:21so much, so I know for a fact David wants to go, but if Jeanette really,
0:30:21 > 0:30:25truly doesn't want to go, then David will back Jeanette up.
0:30:26 > 0:30:32My wife is very caring and she loves the bones of the grandchildren,
0:30:32 > 0:30:34as all grandmothers do.
0:30:34 > 0:30:36She's had a lot to do with the grandchildren.
0:30:36 > 0:30:42Because of all this, it's too upsetting for my wife
0:30:42 > 0:30:44to speak about it.
0:30:44 > 0:30:46Oh, I love them kids.
0:30:48 > 0:30:49Just the thought of...
0:30:52 > 0:30:56..not seeing them every week, just taking them out,
0:30:56 > 0:30:58spending time with them.
0:30:58 > 0:30:59It's going to be so hard.
0:30:59 > 0:31:02I am going to miss them so much,
0:31:02 > 0:31:05but I am behind what decisions they make.
0:31:06 > 0:31:12We want to say that if you decide that you're going to make your new
0:31:12 > 0:31:15life in Australia, then we will always be there for you and we will
0:31:15 > 0:31:19always be behind you, but also, we would...
0:31:21 > 0:31:25..terribly miss you all if you go, and we'll miss seeing Gabrielle
0:31:25 > 0:31:29and Sean growing up and being there at the special times.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34If that's what you decide to do, then we'll be there for you.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38But our heart says we'd rather you were here with us.
0:31:41 > 0:31:44That's upsetting. When people are saying they're going to miss the
0:31:44 > 0:31:47children growing up and stuff.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50Jeanette got upset at seeing her mum and dad walking away from
0:31:50 > 0:31:53the airport when we were coming to Australia.
0:31:53 > 0:31:57If she was getting upset at that, imagine her getting upset if she's
0:31:57 > 0:31:59leaving them for a couple of years.
0:31:59 > 0:32:01It's just loads of factors you've got to consider.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06As their trial week in Australia came to an end,
0:32:06 > 0:32:09it had thrown up a lot to think about.
0:32:11 > 0:32:16House prices had come as a shock and Jeanette's phobias had become an issue.
0:32:16 > 0:32:21However, both salary and job prospects were what they wanted to hear.
0:32:22 > 0:32:24After a week of highs and lows,
0:32:24 > 0:32:27the family's future rested on a knife edge.
0:32:27 > 0:32:30This would be the biggest decision me and Jeanette would make,
0:32:30 > 0:32:35coming to the other side of the world, leaving everything that we know.
0:32:35 > 0:32:36Before we came to Australia,
0:32:36 > 0:32:41I was 100% sure that Australia was the perfect life for us.
0:32:41 > 0:32:43During the week, I've had my ups and downs,
0:32:43 > 0:32:46but I think the goods have outweighed the bads.
0:32:46 > 0:32:48You only get one life.
0:32:49 > 0:32:54I have not got a clue how I'm going to vote because there's plusses and minuses to all of it.
0:32:55 > 0:32:57So I really do not know.
0:32:57 > 0:32:59There's opportunities...
0:32:59 > 0:33:02That's the main thing, it's money and opportunities out here,
0:33:02 > 0:33:06and family back home and no opportunities.
0:33:06 > 0:33:08It was time to decide.
0:33:08 > 0:33:12Had David done enough to convince Jeanette their future lay in Australia?
0:33:12 > 0:33:18After spending the last week in Australia and looking at lifestyle,
0:33:18 > 0:33:22employment opportunities, and Australian life in general,
0:33:22 > 0:33:23we're going to vote...
0:33:28 > 0:33:29Australia.
0:33:30 > 0:33:31Yay!
0:33:32 > 0:33:37I have come to a conclusion that there is more opportunities here
0:33:37 > 0:33:38than there is back in the UK.
0:33:38 > 0:33:42I will miss family and friends, but I'll give it a go, see.
0:33:43 > 0:33:45Doesn't mean forever.
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Because I love you so much, babe.
0:33:47 > 0:33:48Yeah, whatever.
0:33:52 > 0:33:55The prospect of moving halfway around the world,
0:33:55 > 0:33:59leaving loved ones behind, was daunting.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02But with the promise of better opportunities down under,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05even Jeanette voted Australia.
0:34:05 > 0:34:06So, six years later,
0:34:06 > 0:34:12it's time to find out if the family are living at home or abroad.
0:34:12 > 0:34:17It's 2017 and the McGuinnesses are living in New Zealand.
0:34:18 > 0:34:23But how did they end up nearly 1,500 miles from Brisbane?
0:34:23 > 0:34:24I loved the trial week.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27When we got back to the UK, we were still buzzing
0:34:27 > 0:34:29and all we were still talking about was emigrating.
0:34:29 > 0:34:33So when he got me onside, he won me over, he was more for going for it.
0:34:33 > 0:34:39We decided, as a family, we were going to try and emigrate.
0:34:39 > 0:34:43David had always dreamt of emigrating to Australia and now with
0:34:43 > 0:34:45Jeanette on board, it seemed inevitable.
0:34:45 > 0:34:49As soon as we got back from Australia, it was just all
0:34:49 > 0:34:54job-hunting, looking at visa applications, sending CVs,
0:34:54 > 0:34:55just everything we had to do.
0:34:55 > 0:35:00David even completed a IELTS test which is a requirement to get in to Australia.
0:35:00 > 0:35:04However, problems arose with the terms of David's visa.
0:35:04 > 0:35:07He would be obliged to travel across Australia for work.
0:35:07 > 0:35:09When we looked into going to Australia,
0:35:09 > 0:35:11his work wasn't guaranteed in the same area,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14so we could move to Australia, but he would
0:35:14 > 0:35:17eventually get sent all over Australia to do the job.
0:35:17 > 0:35:21I was thinking, if I landed there, I wouldn't be at home,
0:35:21 > 0:35:26so Jeanette wouldn't be happy at being in a different country
0:35:26 > 0:35:28with just her and the kids.
0:35:29 > 0:35:33I had to find somewhere where the work was in the one area.
0:35:33 > 0:35:36Not willing to give up the dream of their chosen lifestyle,
0:35:36 > 0:35:38Jeanette and David explored other options.
0:35:38 > 0:35:44We went to a lot of expos, we nearly signed up to go to Canada,
0:35:44 > 0:35:46and then New Zealand popped up.
0:35:46 > 0:35:51However, suddenly, David's career threw up a big stumbling block.
0:35:51 > 0:35:52I took on a new contract.
0:35:52 > 0:35:57I ended up working for a shop-fitting firm and all my work was away.
0:35:57 > 0:35:59First, we decided to just forget about it,
0:35:59 > 0:36:02we just plodded along and worked with life.
0:36:02 > 0:36:03David was working away.
0:36:03 > 0:36:06I was with the children on my own all the time.
0:36:06 > 0:36:11David and Jeanette's dream of a new life abroad was slipping through their fingers.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15He was working away for three weeks, coming home for two days,
0:36:15 > 0:36:17so me and the kids were only seeing him for two days.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20How many birthdays did you miss?
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Sean was six.
0:36:22 > 0:36:26Out of those six years, I missed three of his birthdays through work.
0:36:26 > 0:36:30Back in Liverpool, he missed some of our birthdays and
0:36:30 > 0:36:35he used to work months and stuff away from us in different countries
0:36:35 > 0:36:36and different cities.
0:36:36 > 0:36:39After four years of David working away from home,
0:36:39 > 0:36:44Jeanette had had enough and she took the bull by the horns herself.
0:36:44 > 0:36:47And then, eventually, I got sick of it and phoned up and got him
0:36:47 > 0:36:49a job interview for New Zealand.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51You were in London, I think.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53I said to him, "I've had enough and you're going for a job
0:36:53 > 0:36:55"interview for New Zealand."
0:36:55 > 0:36:57So it just went from there, didn't it?
0:36:57 > 0:36:59- Yeah.- So it was...- Straight away.
0:36:59 > 0:37:01"The job's yours."
0:37:01 > 0:37:04After the earthquake of 2011, there was a huge demand for
0:37:04 > 0:37:09experienced construction workers in Christchurch, New Zealand.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11They were screaming for... Screaming out for carpenters,
0:37:11 > 0:37:15which is my trade, and I could be home every night.
0:37:15 > 0:37:18Jeanette took charge of the visa application process.
0:37:18 > 0:37:22Once we got the job offer, we got an agent, a visa agent,
0:37:22 > 0:37:24which was quite straightforward.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26It cost a lot of money, but it's quite straightforward.
0:37:26 > 0:37:29They tell you what to do. It is stressful getting all the paperwork
0:37:29 > 0:37:32together and everything else, but when you look back at it, you think,
0:37:32 > 0:37:33"It's not really that hard."
0:37:33 > 0:37:36And four years after their trip to the Gold Coast,
0:37:36 > 0:37:38suddenly things started moving rapidly.
0:37:38 > 0:37:42By the time our visa had been passed,
0:37:42 > 0:37:46new employers were getting a bit anxious about how long it was taking
0:37:46 > 0:37:49him to get out and so we had to book our flights in ten days.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50We had a ten-day window.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52I was working up until probably the day,
0:37:52 > 0:37:55two days before packing up for moving.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57I don't remember you packing anything.
0:37:57 > 0:37:59No. I'm just saying that.
0:37:59 > 0:38:04On the flight, I was crying all the way here, to be honest.
0:38:04 > 0:38:05All the way.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07Just not knowing what you're going to.
0:38:09 > 0:38:11Not knowing anybody on the other side.
0:38:11 > 0:38:15Wondering whether I'd done the right thing, the children, feeling so...
0:38:15 > 0:38:18It was horrible watching my dad walk away from the airport,
0:38:18 > 0:38:20not knowing when I was going to see him again.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23You meet a lot of people who are in the same boat and it's those people
0:38:23 > 0:38:27that get you through because everyone has their ups and downs
0:38:27 > 0:38:30and everyone goes through bouts of homesickness,
0:38:30 > 0:38:32so you help each other through it.
0:38:32 > 0:38:34You get through it. It's good.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37The biggest drive behind David and Jeanette's move was to provide the
0:38:37 > 0:38:40best quality of life for their children, Sean and Gabrielle.
0:38:40 > 0:38:43My big worry was the children and whether they're going to fit in,
0:38:43 > 0:38:48whether they'd be happy here, and it just didn't bother them at all.
0:38:48 > 0:38:50Straight into school, loved it, loved...
0:38:50 > 0:38:52They still love the school now.
0:38:52 > 0:38:55This is perfect for the children to grow up.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58The kids are always out playing out in the street, on their bikes,
0:38:58 > 0:39:00on their scooters. Never see them.
0:39:00 > 0:39:03They've just got so many friends here that there's always
0:39:03 > 0:39:07kids knocking at the door, wanting to play out with them.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09It's just... It's a lovely lifestyle for them.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11I never let them play out at home.
0:39:11 > 0:39:15Gabrielle, she was a bit unsettled until I had that turn around and
0:39:15 > 0:39:19started saying how much I love it here and she's just totally settled in.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23I like the way it's really sunny, so we can always, like,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26play out with our friends, and we've made a lot of friends.
0:39:26 > 0:39:29Best thing about living here is seeing the kids happy.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31Sean plays football four times a week.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34It's literally on our doorstep where he plays football.
0:39:34 > 0:39:36The school's on our doorstep, a five-minute walk.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39The high school's five minutes another way.
0:39:39 > 0:39:41My job's five minutes one-way.
0:39:41 > 0:39:46It's just... It's so nice having everything here in
0:39:46 > 0:39:50this small community and everybody knows everyone.
0:39:50 > 0:39:52It's a lovely little community feel.
0:39:52 > 0:39:55Seeing the kids so happy and all the friends they've got,
0:39:55 > 0:39:58seeing what kind of upbringing you can get here,
0:39:58 > 0:40:00it's fantastic for them.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Every single night, I put them to bed, I kiss them goodnight,
0:40:03 > 0:40:07I see them doing the sport, I know where the school is,
0:40:07 > 0:40:08where the classroom is.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10I don't go to the school to pick them up
0:40:10 > 0:40:12and the teacher go, "Are you the uncle?"
0:40:12 > 0:40:14They actually know I'm their dad.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19Yeah, I'm happy that they brought me to New Zealand because we can just,
0:40:19 > 0:40:24like, play around all day and our school is really good.
0:40:24 > 0:40:28The McGuinnesses had travelled on a 12-month resident visa.
0:40:28 > 0:40:32Once we got here and realised how fast the first 12 months went,
0:40:32 > 0:40:34we thought, we only have to do another 12 months,
0:40:34 > 0:40:38we'll get permanent residency which will change our children's
0:40:38 > 0:40:41future forever and that's what we decided to do.
0:40:41 > 0:40:44The family have rented several properties all in the Rolleston area
0:40:44 > 0:40:47of Christchurch over the last two years.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51As soon as we got here, we rented a small rental property, three bedrooms.
0:40:51 > 0:40:55Then after six months, we moved again into this house that we are in now.
0:40:55 > 0:40:58This has felt like home. We've been here a year and a half.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01But they're selling this house and because we haven't sold our house in
0:41:01 > 0:41:06the UK, we're not in a position to buy a property, but hopefully,
0:41:06 > 0:41:09once this next year's up, we will have money in the bank,
0:41:09 > 0:41:13we can look around and see what we want to buy, what we can afford.
0:41:13 > 0:41:16So are they happy with the move, two years in?
0:41:16 > 0:41:18Back in the UK, I was always chasing money.
0:41:18 > 0:41:21Money was the main goal.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25Here, you realise, and I think the Kiwis make you realise,
0:41:25 > 0:41:29- there's more to life.- We're always out walking which we never used to,
0:41:29 > 0:41:31on bike rides, never used to do that.
0:41:31 > 0:41:33Different. Going to the beach all the time.
0:41:33 > 0:41:38It's so much of a different lifestyle here than what we had back home in the UK.
0:41:38 > 0:41:41Being able to have our own little independence,
0:41:41 > 0:41:45so you can go and play golf and I can go for walks,
0:41:45 > 0:41:48just having that lifestyle where we can actually live
0:41:48 > 0:41:51rather than just exist, which is what we were doing back home.
0:41:51 > 0:41:54I don't think Jeanette would call it home until she owns her own house.
0:41:54 > 0:41:59As soon as we have our own property, you can put pictures on the wall,
0:41:59 > 0:42:01you can have your pets, and the kids,
0:42:01 > 0:42:03that's when Jeanette will call it home.
0:42:03 > 0:42:06Liverpool's my home. It will always be my home.
0:42:06 > 0:42:09I will never say I will stay in New Zealand forever either.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12One day I will go back home,
0:42:12 > 0:42:15but I don't think I'll go back home while the kids are growing up.
0:42:15 > 0:42:19I want to bring the kids up here and then see what happens from there.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22Two years in, have we made the right move?
0:42:22 > 0:42:25In my eyes, 100%, yeah.
0:42:25 > 0:42:27I'm happy that we made the move.
0:42:27 > 0:42:28- I'm glad.- Say, "Thank you, David."
0:42:28 > 0:42:29It was my idea.
0:42:29 > 0:42:31- You didn't do any of it. - Yeah, but it was my idea.
0:42:33 > 0:42:37And do they have any advice for other couples in a similar situation?
0:42:37 > 0:42:39Anyone who's wanting to come out here,
0:42:39 > 0:42:41it's a lot easier than what you think it is,
0:42:41 > 0:42:43and don't be worrying about the kids,
0:42:43 > 0:42:45don't put obstacles where there are none,
0:42:45 > 0:42:48because I found that's what I'd done for a long time.
0:42:48 > 0:42:50It is a lot easier. You can always go back.
0:42:50 > 0:42:53It's just as easy to go back as it is to come here.
0:42:53 > 0:42:55Why not give it a go? Why not try it?
0:42:55 > 0:42:58Advice we'd give to people who are doing the move or thinking of doing
0:42:58 > 0:43:00the move is, don't come.
0:43:00 > 0:43:01I don't want any more people here.
0:43:01 > 0:43:04I'm quite happy with the four million people.
0:43:04 > 0:43:05Just stay in the UK.
0:43:05 > 0:43:07I don't want it to be overcrowded.
0:43:07 > 0:43:08I love my life the way it is.
0:43:11 > 0:43:16David had held a torch for a life down under for over 20 years,
0:43:16 > 0:43:21but it was homebody Jeanette who finally made the move happen.
0:43:21 > 0:43:24And although things didn't work out quite as planned,
0:43:24 > 0:43:28they're now over the moon with the life they've built.
0:43:28 > 0:43:30We wish them all the best for the future.