0:00:02 > 0:00:03Ten years ago,
0:00:03 > 0:00:06Lee Ramoth was prepared to pack up for a life down under,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10but wife Lauren had her feet planted firmly in the UK.
0:00:10 > 0:00:13I just thought, "Well, why do we want to leave this and move to the
0:00:13 > 0:00:17"other side of the world when what we've got going on here is great?"
0:00:17 > 0:00:19Fast forward to 2016...
0:00:19 > 0:00:21I am desperate to go.
0:00:21 > 0:00:23For me, it's just not really an option at the moment.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26..the shoe was on the other foot.
0:00:26 > 0:00:28But during the trial week, who was persuading who?
0:00:28 > 0:00:32So if I'm not convinced, how can I then try and convince you?
0:00:32 > 0:00:35So where are the Ramoth family living now?
0:00:35 > 0:00:38In the UK or Australia?
0:01:01 > 0:01:04With an average temperature of 22 degrees Celsius,
0:01:04 > 0:01:07and more than 10,000 beaches to enjoy the sunshine,
0:01:07 > 0:01:10it's not hard to understand why Australia's a magnet
0:01:10 > 0:01:13for Brits seeking a new life down under.
0:01:13 > 0:01:15But life on the other side of the world
0:01:15 > 0:01:17doesn't always live up to the dream,
0:01:17 > 0:01:19and latest figures show almost half of those
0:01:19 > 0:01:22making the move return to the UK.
0:01:24 > 0:01:28Ten years ago, Lee Ramoth tried to convince wife Lauren
0:01:28 > 0:01:32their life would be better on the other side of the world.
0:01:32 > 0:01:34Then the tables turned,
0:01:34 > 0:01:38and Lauren tried to persuade Lee to give up a successful business
0:01:38 > 0:01:42and close family ties in the UK to pursue the future
0:01:42 > 0:01:45he once dreamt about in Australia.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50But was this just a case of the grass is always greener?
0:01:50 > 0:01:54We decided to send them down under for a trial week
0:01:54 > 0:01:56to see if it was just that.
0:01:57 > 0:01:58The journey to Perth
0:01:58 > 0:02:01took the Ramoths nearly 9,000 miles from home,
0:02:01 > 0:02:04and after almost 20 hours in the air, they felt the distance.
0:02:04 > 0:02:07The flight was really quite long.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09It took a whole day and night.
0:02:09 > 0:02:13Having finally reached Australia, Lauren had mixed emotions.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16I'm really, really, stupidly excited that we are actually here,
0:02:16 > 0:02:20but I feel that there's also quite a fair bit of pressure on me
0:02:20 > 0:02:23because I've built it up into something really special,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26and if it doesn't materialise into that, then...
0:02:26 > 0:02:29And Lee was filled with anticipation.
0:02:29 > 0:02:35It's really got to show everything that I'm going to be able to afford
0:02:35 > 0:02:40to give my kids and my family the lifestyle that they so deserve.
0:02:40 > 0:02:43The following seven days will determine
0:02:43 > 0:02:46which side of the world the family's future lay.
0:02:48 > 0:02:50The Ramoths were dad Lee, mum Lauren,
0:02:50 > 0:02:54at the time eight-year-old Noah and Lulu, who was five.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57They hailed from Leeds in Yorkshire.
0:02:57 > 0:03:00Lee first dreamt of moving down under ten years ago.
0:03:00 > 0:03:01Back then, though,
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Lauren was disinclined to ditch her comfortable life in the UK.
0:03:05 > 0:03:09We had a nice house, a nice car each, both had a steady income,
0:03:09 > 0:03:12so I just thought, "Well, why do we want to leave this and move to the
0:03:12 > 0:03:17"other side of the world when what we've got going on here is great?"
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Lee's dream was put on hold.
0:03:19 > 0:03:22Two years on, however, recession hit.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Just months into a new carpet-fitting job,
0:03:24 > 0:03:29Lee was made redundant and had no choice but to set up on his own.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31Going self-employed was a massive risk.
0:03:31 > 0:03:33I wasn't sure how I was going to get work
0:03:33 > 0:03:37and I didn't know what I was doing from one day to the next.
0:03:37 > 0:03:38With a young family now in tow,
0:03:38 > 0:03:42the couple saw little prospect for a future in the UK.
0:03:42 > 0:03:44Thoughts turned once more to Australia -
0:03:44 > 0:03:47this time, with Lauren on board.
0:03:47 > 0:03:50When you have kids, your mind-set changes.
0:03:50 > 0:03:53The more that I researched into it,
0:03:53 > 0:03:56the more I liked the idea of emigrating.
0:03:56 > 0:03:59With a view to securing a job down under,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Lauren returned to university to study midwifery,
0:04:02 > 0:04:05but with just one wage coming in and Lee's business struggling
0:04:05 > 0:04:08to get off the ground, things hit rock bottom.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12It really was hard, and we really were hand to mouth.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17I think when it really did it for me was having a week
0:04:17 > 0:04:20where I only had £30.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22The next two years were tough,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25but while Lauren was busy upping her skills,
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Lee had a breakthrough in the flooring business with his.
0:04:28 > 0:04:32I've hit a bit of a niche in the market which has made me
0:04:32 > 0:04:36get really busy here. I don't have to go out and look for work.
0:04:36 > 0:04:38The work's there all the time.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42With business booming and Lauren then working full-time as a midwife,
0:04:42 > 0:04:47cash flow concerns were a thing of the past, but there were sacrifices.
0:04:47 > 0:04:51So when I'm at home, he's not, and vice versa.
0:04:51 > 0:04:53We seem to have fallen into this pattern
0:04:53 > 0:04:55where we're like passing ships.
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Lee's long hours and Lauren's shift patterns
0:04:57 > 0:04:59left little time for the children.
0:04:59 > 0:05:03I feel sorry for them. It's either always the mum or the dad.
0:05:03 > 0:05:06It's not really fair, it's not family time.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Their relationship was feeling the strain, too.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12I can't even remember the last time that we went out
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and did something, and that's really quite sad.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17So Lauren decided enough was enough.
0:05:17 > 0:05:21I don't think that's something that I could cope with long-term,
0:05:21 > 0:05:24and it isn't something that I want to continue on with.
0:05:24 > 0:05:26Determined to improve the situation,
0:05:26 > 0:05:29she pushed to get the Aussie dream back on track.
0:05:29 > 0:05:31I am desperate to go.
0:05:31 > 0:05:36I think that it would be the best opportunity for us as a family.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40But having sown the seeds ten years ago, Lee was now refusing to yield.
0:05:41 > 0:05:45It's taken a lot of hard work to get to where I am,
0:05:45 > 0:05:49and now for Lauren to want me to get rid of all that
0:05:49 > 0:05:52and start again, is it a gamble?
0:05:52 > 0:05:54Yeah, it's a massive gamble.
0:05:54 > 0:05:57And it wasn't just work stopping Lee.
0:05:57 > 0:05:59His parents moved back at the time from Cyprus
0:05:59 > 0:06:01to be with their grandchildren.
0:06:01 > 0:06:05There's only me with kids, and to take their grandkids
0:06:05 > 0:06:07away from them...
0:06:08 > 0:06:14..is... It's just... It's not something I'm wanting to do.
0:06:14 > 0:06:18If we live in Australia, I'm going to miss my granny and grandpa
0:06:18 > 0:06:19and grandma and grandad.
0:06:19 > 0:06:22But Lauren was determined things had to change,
0:06:22 > 0:06:26so Lee agreed to give Australia a go, albeit reluctantly.
0:06:26 > 0:06:32I feel extremely pressured that I'm the one ultimately
0:06:32 > 0:06:38holding our lives and futures in my hands, really.
0:06:38 > 0:06:43I'm the one that's been pushing it like crazy for it to happen,
0:06:43 > 0:06:48and if things don't pan out the way that I hope,
0:06:48 > 0:06:53then that could just potentially upset everything.
0:07:00 > 0:07:02The Ramoths spent their trial week in Perth,
0:07:02 > 0:07:04capital of Western Australia.
0:07:04 > 0:07:07Home for the week was the coastal suburb of Mindarie,
0:07:07 > 0:07:10just 30 minutes north of the city centre.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13It was getting dark as the family arrived,
0:07:13 > 0:07:18but did the week get off to the bright start Lauren was hoping for?
0:07:18 > 0:07:20Oh, wow. This looks nice, doesn't it?
0:07:20 > 0:07:21Wow!
0:07:21 > 0:07:24- Wow!- Very nice.
0:07:24 > 0:07:27It's lovely and modern, it really light and bright,
0:07:27 > 0:07:30there's loads of space, absolutely loads of space.
0:07:30 > 0:07:33It's more than big enough for us.
0:07:33 > 0:07:36Things were off to a positive start, and Lauren was banking
0:07:36 > 0:07:41on the trial week reviving Lee's old vision of a life down under.
0:07:41 > 0:07:44Obviously, we have got some common ground,
0:07:44 > 0:07:47so there must be something there for us to kind of reignite,
0:07:47 > 0:07:50to try and help push it forward.
0:07:50 > 0:07:55It was my dream ten years ago right up till...
0:07:55 > 0:07:57you know, maybe two years ago.
0:07:57 > 0:07:59If it just doesn't quite cut it, though,
0:07:59 > 0:08:01I'm afraid the dream could be over.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08Back in the UK in 2016, the Ramoth family lived
0:08:08 > 0:08:12in a three-bedroomed semidetached house outside Leeds.
0:08:12 > 0:08:13I love this house.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16I think it's been really good to us.
0:08:16 > 0:08:21It's taken us a long time to get it to how we wanted it to look.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23The couple had a budget of £250,000
0:08:23 > 0:08:27and mixed opinions on what they wanted.
0:08:27 > 0:08:31You know, main concern is a good area for schools for the kids.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33I'd compromise on the size of property
0:08:33 > 0:08:36- and everything else just to have the right...- Would you?
0:08:36 > 0:08:38..area.
0:08:38 > 0:08:40Really?
0:08:40 > 0:08:42I'm not sure how I feel about that.
0:08:42 > 0:08:45This house is not the biggest, but I wouldn't want anything any smaller.
0:08:45 > 0:08:46No, no, no, no.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48That was Lee told!
0:08:48 > 0:08:51So what was on Lauren's wish list?
0:08:51 > 0:08:54Four good-sized bedrooms, I'd love another bathroom.
0:08:54 > 0:08:59I am just absolutely sick of fighting for the bathroom.
0:08:59 > 0:09:00And for Lee?
0:09:00 > 0:09:06Cos I do the cooking in the house, I would like a big island so I can
0:09:06 > 0:09:10still look out onto the family and things while I'm doing the cooking.
0:09:10 > 0:09:13I think I'm ready to move into something
0:09:13 > 0:09:15that I wouldn't have to do anything with.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20To find out what kind of house they could have in Australia,
0:09:20 > 0:09:23we showed the family three properties -
0:09:23 > 0:09:27two on budget and a third which could be their dream home.
0:09:27 > 0:09:31Only after they saw each one did they find out its value.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35House-hunting began in Clarkson, just five minutes from the ocean
0:09:35 > 0:09:37and a half-hour commute to central Perth.
0:09:38 > 0:09:39This modern four-bedroom home
0:09:39 > 0:09:42should have had the space the Ramoths were looking for.
0:09:42 > 0:09:44That looks nice, doesn't it?
0:09:44 > 0:09:48A good start, but inside was a different story.
0:09:48 > 0:09:52I'm not a big fan of walking straight in from the outside
0:09:52 > 0:09:54straight into somewhere to sit.
0:09:54 > 0:09:58I would have hoped for it to be a little bit different.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00I think our house is better than this house.
0:10:00 > 0:10:05Not quite the reaction Lauren was hoping for, but did things improve?
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- This is a nice space, isn't it? - I like this kitchen.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12- Look at the lights on the kitchen! - Ooh, they're a bit posh.
0:10:12 > 0:10:13Got a good dining space.
0:10:13 > 0:10:16That was more like it, but on closer inspection...
0:10:16 > 0:10:18I'm not sure about these tiles.
0:10:18 > 0:10:22I think kind of terracotta-y colour is not my thing.
0:10:22 > 0:10:23It looks a bit cheesy.
0:10:23 > 0:10:27- It's a bit dark.- I'm not feeling the vibe at the moment.
0:10:27 > 0:10:29- I don't think it's right for us. - No, I'm not feeling it.
0:10:29 > 0:10:32As Lulu and Noah headed off with a childminder
0:10:32 > 0:10:36to do much more interesting stuff, Mum and Dad continued the tour.
0:10:36 > 0:10:41- All right, yeah. Bedroom one.- Oh, this isn't too bad a size, actually.
0:10:41 > 0:10:45Bit lighter in here. Could you imagine our stuff in here?
0:10:46 > 0:10:49No, I think you get a feel for a place.
0:10:49 > 0:10:53It either works or it doesn't, and I just don't think it'd work for us.
0:10:53 > 0:10:56In spite of having the required four bedrooms,
0:10:56 > 0:10:59this house just wasn't hitting the spot with the couple.
0:10:59 > 0:11:02But did the outdoors lift their spirits?
0:11:02 > 0:11:04- It's a nice outside space, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07I mean, to be fair, the garden is actually a really good size.
0:11:07 > 0:11:12- Not sure about the big metal box, though.- Yeah. It is quite private.
0:11:12 > 0:11:15Yeah. It's definitely not overlooked.
0:11:15 > 0:11:18The garden may have had more appeal, but was it enough?
0:11:18 > 0:11:23If I'm expecting you to make a move to Australia,
0:11:23 > 0:11:25what happens if this is all we can afford?
0:11:25 > 0:11:28I'm actually really worried at the moment.
0:11:28 > 0:11:31I wouldn't want to leave home for this.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34So you're saying this is a deal-breaker, you wouldn't move?
0:11:34 > 0:11:36I wouldn't move, no. No.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40This property fell far short of Lauren's dream home,
0:11:40 > 0:11:43but was it over their £250,000 budget?
0:11:43 > 0:11:47I think it's going to be pretty much at the top of our budget.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51I think you're looking around £245,000.
0:11:51 > 0:11:56I think it's going to be worth about £213,000.
0:11:56 > 0:11:58I think I'd be devastated
0:11:58 > 0:12:01if I found this was all that we could get for our money.
0:12:05 > 0:12:08239,000.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11It was £11,000 under budget,
0:12:11 > 0:12:14but a lot more than Lauren was hoping it would be.
0:12:14 > 0:12:19- I feel a bit disappointed. - I'm pretty close, I'm pretty close.
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Yeah, you were right.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25I think the only bonus is that we're not quite
0:12:25 > 0:12:30at the top of our budget, so I'm just hoping and praying
0:12:30 > 0:12:33and keeping everything crossed that that was enough to make
0:12:33 > 0:12:36a significant difference as to what we could get.
0:12:36 > 0:12:39It wasn't a great start.
0:12:39 > 0:12:41Property two was in Quinns Rocks,
0:12:41 > 0:12:45a popular residential suburb 23 miles north of Perth.
0:12:46 > 0:12:51Did this modern new-build help get Lauren's dream back on track?
0:12:51 > 0:12:54- Ooh, it's got a lovely big drive. - It has, yeah.
0:12:54 > 0:12:55Look at the front garden as well.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- Right, kids, shall we get out and have a look?- Yes.- Yeah.
0:12:58 > 0:12:59Right.
0:13:01 > 0:13:03Wow, look at this space.
0:13:03 > 0:13:06Ah, this is more like it.
0:13:06 > 0:13:09It feels more light and airy, doesn't it?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12And it's got more of a modern feel to it.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15It's much lighter than the other property.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17It looks better than the outside of it.
0:13:17 > 0:13:20And with that, Lulu and Noah decided they'd had enough
0:13:20 > 0:13:23of real estate for one day.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25Mum and Dad explored further.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28The kitchen diner had plenty of room for the family.
0:13:28 > 0:13:30It's definitely got the potential,
0:13:30 > 0:13:33whereas I don't think the first property had that.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37- But again, you see, it does depend on budget, doesn't it?- Yes.
0:13:37 > 0:13:40It's definitely a positive step in the right direction, I think.
0:13:40 > 0:13:44But it wasn't long before things went downhill.
0:13:44 > 0:13:47Oh, this is small, this is really small.
0:13:47 > 0:13:49I feel a bit deflated again.
0:13:49 > 0:13:53I take it this must be the en suite!
0:13:55 > 0:13:58Do you want me to look round first and then I'll let you?
0:13:58 > 0:14:00Oh, my gosh. That is teeny!
0:14:00 > 0:14:04- I'll just squeeze round here. - Oh, no, that's ridiculous.
0:14:05 > 0:14:07No, that-that is ridiculous.
0:14:07 > 0:14:11Once again, though, the outside area impressed.
0:14:11 > 0:14:13Yeah, this is a lovely size.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I've got absolutely no complaints with this at all.
0:14:16 > 0:14:18It gave Lee food for thought.
0:14:18 > 0:14:22Is there any room to make it any bigger?
0:14:23 > 0:14:26I don't know, but then that's not going to be cheap, is it?
0:14:26 > 0:14:30From the outside, it looks ideal.
0:14:30 > 0:14:33- It's just the inside.- Yeah.
0:14:33 > 0:14:36But it is what it is. I think now I'm just worried about the price.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41The couples had misgivings about this house,
0:14:41 > 0:14:43but was it somewhere they could afford, anyway,
0:14:43 > 0:14:45with their £250,000 budget?
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Let's just get this over with.
0:14:47 > 0:14:51- Let see how much it is. Put me out of my misery.- Right. Will do.
0:14:54 > 0:14:56£250,000!
0:14:56 > 0:14:58It was bang on budget.
0:14:58 > 0:15:01Oh, I'm actually quite relieved.
0:15:01 > 0:15:05- You're quite relieved?- Yeah. - It's kind of what I thought.
0:15:05 > 0:15:07Yeah, it's not really...
0:15:07 > 0:15:10- It's not game over just yet? - It's not game over.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14For the final stop of the day,
0:15:14 > 0:15:18we found what we thought could be the Ramoths' dream home.
0:15:18 > 0:15:20Like the first place, it was also in Clarkson.
0:15:20 > 0:15:22Did this four-bedroom,
0:15:22 > 0:15:27two-bathroom house finally deliver the wow factor that was needed?
0:15:27 > 0:15:29- Nice so far.- Feeling happy?
0:15:29 > 0:15:31Feeling happy? Yeah, looks lovely.
0:15:31 > 0:15:34Straight away, things were looking up.
0:15:35 > 0:15:38- Got a proper hallway!- Yeah.
0:15:38 > 0:15:40- This is more like it. - This is lovely.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44This is just everything that I was expecting.
0:15:44 > 0:15:46Oh, wow.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49- Yeah, this is huge.- My gosh. This is lovely.
0:15:49 > 0:15:50And it's really open.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52Ah, no, this is perfect.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56The kitchen had the contemporary feel Lauren was looking for.
0:15:56 > 0:15:58Yeah, this is definitely what I'd envisaged.
0:15:58 > 0:16:01The layout was perfect for chef Lee.
0:16:01 > 0:16:05You've got definite kitchen, dining, living,
0:16:05 > 0:16:06but it's all open still.
0:16:06 > 0:16:10There is no comparison between this and the other two houses.
0:16:10 > 0:16:12This is in a completely different league.
0:16:12 > 0:16:15Yeah, it's just ready straight away to move into.
0:16:15 > 0:16:17Yeah, and that's exactly what we wanted.
0:16:17 > 0:16:19Lauren was blown away by this house,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22and it looked like a turning point for Lee.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25If we could afford a property like this, definitely,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28I think you've got me on board.
0:16:28 > 0:16:32Things continued on a positive note in the main bedroom.
0:16:32 > 0:16:35Oh, my gosh, wow.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Now this is definitely a good master bedroom.
0:16:38 > 0:16:40Oh, look, there's the ensuite.
0:16:40 > 0:16:43Oh, my gosh, there's a walk-in wardrobe!
0:16:43 > 0:16:45Oh, lovely.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47And with three other good-sized bedrooms,
0:16:47 > 0:16:49the couple were very impressed.
0:16:49 > 0:16:51Honestly, it's just getting better and better
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- the more that we look at it.- It's just ticking the box is, isn't it?
0:16:53 > 0:16:56I'm ready to move in. Shall we?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Hold your horses!- Oh, yeah, we need to see if we can afford it yet.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04With an outside to match the interiors,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06the couple were on cloud nine.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11But, with their £250,000 budget, could they afford it?
0:17:11 > 0:17:15I honestly think that this is going to be well over our budget.
0:17:16 > 0:17:20Yeah, I'm kind of hoping that you're wrong.
0:17:20 > 0:17:25I'm going to pluck a figure out and say 280.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29I think that it is going to be somewhere around the 300,000.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32So shall we get this over with and see how much it costs?
0:17:39 > 0:17:41I feel a bit sick.
0:17:41 > 0:17:43OK.
0:17:43 > 0:17:44- Oh, wow.- Oh, my God.
0:17:44 > 0:17:47£314,000.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50That was £64,000 over budget.
0:17:50 > 0:17:53That is considerably over our budget.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55- That's way over budget.- Yes.
0:17:55 > 0:17:58I mean, I know that we can't afford that,
0:17:58 > 0:18:02so I'm struggling to be convinced that we've got an affordable option
0:18:02 > 0:18:05with housing, so I think if anything,
0:18:05 > 0:18:09that's going to make my task of trying to convince you even harder,
0:18:09 > 0:18:13cos if I'm not convinced, how can I then try and convince you?
0:18:14 > 0:18:16It was a day of mixed results.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18House number one was below budget,
0:18:18 > 0:18:22but it lacked the charm to convince Lee to make a move.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26Although affordable, property number two left little room for manoeuvre.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30The final house, though, was a complete show stopper,
0:18:30 > 0:18:32but with a price tag to match.
0:18:32 > 0:18:34So when it came to homes in Australia,
0:18:34 > 0:18:37how did the couple cast their votes?
0:18:37 > 0:18:41Based on the properties that we've seen today, our vote goes to...
0:18:49 > 0:18:51- ..UK.- UK.
0:18:51 > 0:18:55Although the final property was a really nice one,
0:18:55 > 0:18:58it was just way too much over budget.
0:18:58 > 0:19:03I wouldn't want to move to Australia based on properties one and two,
0:19:03 > 0:19:04and I loved property three,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07but like you say, it's well out of our price range.
0:19:07 > 0:19:10We need to see what the rest of the week brings.
0:19:10 > 0:19:15- This is just the first hurdle to overcome.- Every cloud, yeah.- Yeah.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21It was a very shaky start,
0:19:21 > 0:19:24and Lauren knew, to afford a home down under,
0:19:24 > 0:19:26they would both need good jobs.
0:19:27 > 0:19:31Back in the UK, Lee ran his own bespoke flooring business.
0:19:31 > 0:19:35I go in-house and design the floors with the customer.
0:19:35 > 0:19:40It's kind of put me in a different league, which has worked,
0:19:40 > 0:19:43and it's paid dividends back already.
0:19:43 > 0:19:45Lauren was the main visa applicants.
0:19:45 > 0:19:49Having retrained as a midwife, she was hooked on her job.
0:19:49 > 0:19:52I think with midwifery, and nursing,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55they are the type of jobs that you have to have a passion for.
0:19:55 > 0:19:59Lauren was confident about finding work down under,
0:19:59 > 0:20:00but worried for Lee.
0:20:00 > 0:20:05With Lee's particular occupation, it really is unknown territory.
0:20:05 > 0:20:10For me to have to take this and start all over again in Australia,
0:20:10 > 0:20:14it's not something that I want to even contemplate at the moment.
0:20:14 > 0:20:18If he doesn't find suitable work,
0:20:18 > 0:20:22then he will absolutely not be on board for wanting to make the move.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27To check out job opportunities for the couple,
0:20:27 > 0:20:31first up, we arrange for Lauren to visit Joondalup Health Campus,
0:20:31 > 0:20:35where she was met by expat midwife Michelle.
0:20:35 > 0:20:38At the time, Lauren was with the NHS,
0:20:38 > 0:20:40but a move could see her transferring
0:20:40 > 0:20:42to the private sector down under.
0:20:42 > 0:20:46I moved over from the public system into here. I've had no regrets.
0:20:46 > 0:20:50Any problems at all, you go straight to the consultants.
0:20:50 > 0:20:51We don't have any junior doctors here.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54So it does seem to be quite different from the UK, then?
0:20:54 > 0:20:58It is, but not in a negative way.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It sounded encouraging.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03Meanwhile, across town, Lee met up with expat Kevin,
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- who owned a flooring business in Perth.- Hi, how are you? Kevin.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08Lee was anxious to know
0:21:08 > 0:21:11if there was a demand for his kind of skills down under.
0:21:11 > 0:21:14We've been doing floors here for nearly 11 years.
0:21:14 > 0:21:17There's so many new houses getting built all the time.
0:21:17 > 0:21:19It gets that busy that most companies
0:21:19 > 0:21:21can't handle the work that they've got.
0:21:21 > 0:21:22No shortage of work, then.
0:21:22 > 0:21:24How would it work for somebody like me,
0:21:24 > 0:21:27coming out on my wife's visa, to just branch out on my own?
0:21:27 > 0:21:31Most of the businesses in Perth that do floors
0:21:31 > 0:21:33actually subcontract work out.
0:21:33 > 0:21:35That was exactly how Lee worked back home.
0:21:35 > 0:21:40If you've just arrived from the UK, and you don't know the market
0:21:40 > 0:21:43or you don't know enough people, there is people like myself,
0:21:43 > 0:21:46there would be the option available to you to take full-time employment.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48That was Lee reassured.
0:21:48 > 0:21:49Back at the hospital,
0:21:49 > 0:21:53Michelle filled Lauren in on what kind of hours she might expect.
0:21:53 > 0:21:55Earlies are 7:00 till 2:30.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57Late shifts are 2:00 till 9:30
0:21:57 > 0:22:00and a night shift is 9:00 till 7:30 the next morning.
0:22:00 > 0:22:02That's four-and-a-half hours less
0:22:02 > 0:22:05than the shift pattern Lauren worked in the UK.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08It does sound that that work/life balance here in Australia
0:22:08 > 0:22:11is definitely more achievable.
0:22:11 > 0:22:12And Lee's working hours?
0:22:12 > 0:22:19I tend to work six days a week and anywhere from 10 to 14 hours a day.
0:22:19 > 0:22:21What are your kind of working hours?
0:22:21 > 0:22:24- An average eight-hour day, three o'clock.- Eight hours?- Yeah.
0:22:25 > 0:22:30- Right. Good?- If it's a Friday, probably finish at 12.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34But it's, er... Truthfully. Truthfully.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Lee couldn't quite believe what he was hearing.
0:22:37 > 0:22:38That's why we're here.
0:22:38 > 0:22:41You don't want to be working 12 hours a day, six days a week
0:22:41 > 0:22:43if you can avoid it.
0:22:43 > 0:22:45- Especially if you've got a young family.- Yeah.
0:22:45 > 0:22:47But what about the salaries?
0:22:47 > 0:22:50You'd come in as a level one nurse/midwife.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54And that equates to around 68,000 a year
0:22:54 > 0:22:58before any accruements or any extra shift penalties.
0:22:58 > 0:23:04At £36,000, that was almost £10,000 more than Lauren earned in the UK,
0:23:04 > 0:23:06but what about Lee?
0:23:06 > 0:23:09A five-day week where you're working every day,
0:23:09 > 0:23:11you've got a job every day,
0:23:11 > 0:23:13you'll be looking at about 100,000 annually
0:23:13 > 0:23:17so maybe in pounds, I think it's about £50,000 or something.
0:23:17 > 0:23:19- Close to that.- Yeah, brilliant.
0:23:19 > 0:23:24That was an increase of approximately £15,000 a year.
0:23:24 > 0:23:26News he couldn't wait to share with Lauren.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28Come on, put me out of my misery.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31What happened with you? I've been thinking about you all day.
0:23:31 > 0:23:35Right, with the skills that I've got, I would definitely find work.
0:23:35 > 0:23:39The money side of it, kind of looking at about 100,000.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42- A year?- A year.- That's amazing.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45I think it's made me feel a whole lot better that everything
0:23:45 > 0:23:49could fall into place for us.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52No prizes for guessing how this vote went.
0:23:52 > 0:23:56Based on what we've heard today about the jobs, our vote goes to...
0:24:00 > 0:24:02- BOTH:- ..Australia.
0:24:02 > 0:24:06Everything that I've heard today has just ticked every box.
0:24:06 > 0:24:07It is a bit of a no-brainer.
0:24:07 > 0:24:11We can have a family life and still have a good living as well.
0:24:18 > 0:24:23A united vote for Australia breathed new life into Lauren's dream.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25But would a day tasting the lifestyle down under
0:24:25 > 0:24:27end with the same result?
0:24:27 > 0:24:31The family spent their day at an open farm.
0:24:31 > 0:24:33I guess that this is how baby goats cry.
0:24:33 > 0:24:35SHE WHIMPERS
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Do you think so? Yeah.
0:24:38 > 0:24:42After a quick tour, it was time to get hands on.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45Put it on your hand like this.
0:24:45 > 0:24:47Here you go.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50Awe, lots of little ones as well.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53That bunny is just railroading everybody out of the way.
0:24:53 > 0:24:56Days like this were few and far between back home.
0:24:56 > 0:25:00I don't get to see half of this type of thing.
0:25:00 > 0:25:03It's normally Lauren taking the kids.
0:25:03 > 0:25:07It's just perfect for me to spend a bit of time with them.
0:25:07 > 0:25:09Next up were the guzzling goats.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Look at all the milky froth around their chops.
0:25:12 > 0:25:14Feels like driving a car off a cliff!
0:25:16 > 0:25:18The goats were being very greedy.
0:25:18 > 0:25:21I liked it a bit but they kept on nearly head-butting me.
0:25:21 > 0:25:24- Was it a good day out, Lulu?- Yeah.
0:25:24 > 0:25:27I think days like today when Lee can see how lovely it can be
0:25:27 > 0:25:29when the whole family is together
0:25:29 > 0:25:33and we can enjoy spending time as a family and enjoying the kids,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37it does help bring us a step closer to obviously helping to convince Lee
0:25:37 > 0:25:40that the move to Australia would only be a positive thing.
0:25:40 > 0:25:45So when it came to lifestyle, was it home or away?
0:25:49 > 0:25:52- Australia.- Australia.- Australia.
0:25:52 > 0:25:55Noah, why did you vote for the UK?
0:25:55 > 0:25:57Australia.
0:25:57 > 0:25:58THEY LAUGH
0:25:58 > 0:26:01Everything's just been great today,
0:26:01 > 0:26:04spending time with the kids, just going out as a family.
0:26:04 > 0:26:07These are the sort of things we don't get to do in the UK.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18With a clean sweep for the Aussie lifestyle,
0:26:18 > 0:26:20Lauren's dream was well on course.
0:26:20 > 0:26:26But for life down under to become a reality, the figures had to add up.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29We had prepared a comparison of expenses to help them
0:26:29 > 0:26:33work out the difference between cost of living in Perth and the UK.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36First up, was the weekly food shop.
0:26:36 > 0:26:41- Chicken breast fillets. - That's 50.- £10 in the UK.
0:26:41 > 0:26:45£9.50 in Australia.
0:26:45 > 0:26:51- So that's £7.56 per week... - ..more expensive.- ..more expensive.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54So over all, monthly,
0:26:54 > 0:26:58we're out of pocket by £32.76.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00That's not too bad.
0:27:00 > 0:27:03The monthly food bill was over but manageable.
0:27:03 > 0:27:06But what about the other costs of living down under?
0:27:06 > 0:27:10The couple based their calculations on the dream property they saw.
0:27:10 > 0:27:13Back in the UK, they had a small mortgage.
0:27:13 > 0:27:16In Australia, it would have almost tripled.
0:27:16 > 0:27:20So it goes from £380 a month to £974.
0:27:20 > 0:27:21That's a massive amount.
0:27:21 > 0:27:26So, adding everything up, were they better or worse off in Australia?
0:27:26 > 0:27:31That gives us £760.44...
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- ..more expensive... - ..more expensive.- ..in Australia.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37The figures were daunting,
0:27:37 > 0:27:41but both Lee and Lauren could earn more down under.
0:27:41 > 0:27:42Still we're better off...
0:27:44 > 0:27:51..by £291.63 per month, based on property three.
0:27:51 > 0:27:56That's approximately £3,500 better off per year down under.
0:27:56 > 0:27:58So how does that make you feel?
0:27:58 > 0:28:03It just means that we can afford to live here in the dream home.
0:28:03 > 0:28:05A really nice house.
0:28:05 > 0:28:10Dream home and dream lifestyle, but was it a dream result?
0:28:10 > 0:28:14Based on today's financial information, our vote goes to...
0:28:19 > 0:28:21- ..Australia.- ..Australia.
0:28:23 > 0:28:28I think, overall, it's going to be Australia all the way.
0:28:28 > 0:28:32Mm. I think you're right. It's a win-win.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39Lauren was almost home and dry with her mission to move,
0:28:39 > 0:28:42but there was one final hurdle to overcome.
0:28:42 > 0:28:47Lee made it clear he would struggle with breaking strong ties at home.
0:28:47 > 0:28:50While Lulu and Noah spent time with a childminder,
0:28:50 > 0:28:54the couple sat down to watch a DVD of messages from home.
0:28:54 > 0:28:59- Hi, Lee and Lauren. - Hi, Lee. Hi, Lauren.
0:28:59 > 0:29:01- Hi.- Hi.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03Hi, guys. I hope you're having a good time down there.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06Lee's a really patient guy.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10He's always been very, very thoughtful.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13Lauren is, um...
0:29:13 > 0:29:16I would say she would describe herself as high maintenance.
0:29:16 > 0:29:17True story.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21Lauren and Lee are a really good couple,
0:29:21 > 0:29:23they're really supportive of each other.
0:29:23 > 0:29:25It will be strange especially
0:29:25 > 0:29:29because Lee has always put my carpets down for me. I'll miss that.
0:29:29 > 0:29:31All our family, he has.
0:29:31 > 0:29:33That'll be a big wrench from me now
0:29:33 > 0:29:36having to go somewhere and pay full price for carpets.
0:29:40 > 0:29:41Oh, Joan!
0:29:41 > 0:29:45I do love to be with the kids.
0:29:45 > 0:29:48They are very, very precious to me,
0:29:48 > 0:29:50always have been and always will be.
0:29:50 > 0:29:52They'll be missed,
0:29:52 > 0:29:57especially birthdays and Christmas times and things like that,
0:29:57 > 0:29:59it will be hard not having them around the house.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04They have been good friends over the last 10, 15 years, particularly.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07I would wish them well and hope that they're very happy there.
0:30:07 > 0:30:10It won't be the same round here without you, definitely not.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12We all know that.
0:30:12 > 0:30:15We just want you to know we'll miss you lots,
0:30:15 > 0:30:19miss the kids more than anything growing up,
0:30:19 > 0:30:21we wish you all the luck in the world
0:30:21 > 0:30:24and have a fantastic life if you do decide to go.
0:30:24 > 0:30:27I hope the decision you make is the right one,
0:30:27 > 0:30:31but I'm sure everyone be happy for you, whichever decision you make.
0:30:31 > 0:30:33I'll always miss them. I just...
0:30:34 > 0:30:37You know, it's upsetting, really.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39Um...
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Oh, God that was really hard.
0:30:50 > 0:30:52I didn't think your mum and dad were going to get that upset.
0:30:52 > 0:30:57No, well, I kind of expected it from my dad but not from my mum.
0:30:57 > 0:31:02I think it just hits home what you are going to be leaving.
0:31:02 > 0:31:04Emotionally, there's a lot.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10Messages from friends and family
0:31:10 > 0:31:13provided Lauren and Lee with a heartfelt reminder
0:31:13 > 0:31:16of what they'd be giving up if they made the move.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19It's hard to know which way to go.
0:31:19 > 0:31:23I think the biggest wrench is the emotional one.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27I think that's something that he really would struggle with.
0:31:27 > 0:31:30Even now, still every five minutes,
0:31:30 > 0:31:34I still keep sort of changing my mind.
0:31:34 > 0:31:37I'm just hoping that he's completely on board
0:31:37 > 0:31:40and that he is coming round to my way of thinking
0:31:40 > 0:31:43that it's the best possible move for us and the children.
0:31:43 > 0:31:46It was time to decide where the Ramoths
0:31:46 > 0:31:48would spend the rest of their lives.
0:31:54 > 0:31:56- ALL:- Australia.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- Did we all vote for Australia? - We all voted Australia.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03ALL CHEER
0:32:03 > 0:32:07Doing things like this on the beach, spending time with the family,
0:32:07 > 0:32:12if we could have days like this on a regular basis then, yeah, why not?
0:32:12 > 0:32:13Let's do it.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16I'm just really, really happy that everybody else in the family
0:32:16 > 0:32:18has now seen what I've seen for a long time
0:32:18 > 0:32:20and you've finally got on board with this decision.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Their time in Perth had been enough to rekindle Lee's ten-year-old dream
0:32:34 > 0:32:40for a life in Australia and secure, for Lauren, the future she wanted.
0:32:40 > 0:32:43But 12 months down the road, has their enthusiasm
0:32:43 > 0:32:47for a life-changing move turned into a reality?
0:32:47 > 0:32:52It's 2017 and the Ramoths are living in Perth.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56And they got their just eight months after their trial week.
0:32:56 > 0:32:59When we were here for that week,
0:32:59 > 0:33:06I was amazed at how much I felt like this could be home,
0:33:06 > 0:33:08pretty quickly.
0:33:08 > 0:33:09When he voted for Australia,
0:33:09 > 0:33:11it really was the beginning of the adventure
0:33:11 > 0:33:15and it definitely marked a new chapter in our lives.
0:33:15 > 0:33:18And then, I think, not only me
0:33:18 > 0:33:22but we were both really excited about what the future could hold.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25After their trial week, they spent time looking at the suburbs
0:33:25 > 0:33:28of Perth in order to choose the best area for them to live in,
0:33:28 > 0:33:33then returned to the UK to prepare for the final big move.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36We acted so quickly once we got back
0:33:36 > 0:33:40because we'd spent such a long time talking about it,
0:33:40 > 0:33:44dropping the idea, picking it back up, dropping it,
0:33:44 > 0:33:46and revisiting it time and time again
0:33:46 > 0:33:48that we once we flipped those cards
0:33:48 > 0:33:51and we decided that we did want to move to Australia,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54it was a case of, "Well, we've spent such a long time
0:33:54 > 0:33:57"deliberating this decision, now that we've decided,
0:33:57 > 0:34:01"let's not waste any more time, let's just set the ball rolling."
0:34:01 > 0:34:04Get home, get house up for sale and let's get out of here.
0:34:04 > 0:34:07But whilst they were anxious to get the ball rolling,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10they hadn't anticipated how fast it could go.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12We found ourselves in this position
0:34:12 > 0:34:15where, within a couple of weeks of it being up for sale,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18we had first-time buyers with a mortgage in place
0:34:18 > 0:34:23that offered us pretty much the asking price
0:34:23 > 0:34:26and because they were in rented accommodation,
0:34:26 > 0:34:28they were pushing for a quick sale,
0:34:28 > 0:34:32so that only took six weeks and the house was sold.
0:34:32 > 0:34:35The day that we were moving out,
0:34:35 > 0:34:39was also the day that the shipping company were coming
0:34:39 > 0:34:40to pack all our furniture up.
0:34:42 > 0:34:48That morning, we'd got notification from the visa bureau
0:34:48 > 0:34:53that our visas were granted which, again, was so fast.
0:34:53 > 0:35:00Lee's mum and dad very kindly offered us Lee's old bedroom back
0:35:00 > 0:35:04to stay for a few months until we left for Australia.
0:35:04 > 0:35:11And, as nice as they were, it's really hard leaving your own space
0:35:11 > 0:35:14that you've had for such a long time
0:35:14 > 0:35:17to then go and live in somebody else's space.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20So let's just say it was quite character building.
0:35:21 > 0:35:24It was whilst they were staying with Lee's parents
0:35:24 > 0:35:27that reality began to hit home.
0:35:27 > 0:35:29Did we have time to think about it much?
0:35:31 > 0:35:33Not really, not until...
0:35:34 > 0:35:40..the house was sold and we'd moved into my mum and dad's, then...
0:35:42 > 0:35:45..there were a couple of times
0:35:45 > 0:35:50that we were sat up in my old bedroom...
0:35:52 > 0:35:57..saying to each other, "Have we done the right thing?"
0:35:57 > 0:36:00We used to sit and have the conversations in your old bedroom,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02in your mum and dad's house, and we were saying,
0:36:02 > 0:36:05"Let's move to the other side of the world, we've got no jobs,
0:36:05 > 0:36:09"nowhere to live, we're on limited funds, this is a great idea."
0:36:09 > 0:36:12Yeah, it's a great idea. With kids.
0:36:12 > 0:36:14- Yeah, and a dog.- And a dog.
0:36:18 > 0:36:21When it came to the morning of their departure, however,
0:36:21 > 0:36:24things were much more subdued.
0:36:24 > 0:36:27On the actual day when we did say goodbye,
0:36:27 > 0:36:29it was really, really hard
0:36:29 > 0:36:34to the point where everybody was in floods of tears.
0:36:34 > 0:36:37- It was awful.- Mm.
0:36:37 > 0:36:44We actually had other families from the street come out to wave us off
0:36:44 > 0:36:48and they were crying and all our families were crying.
0:36:48 > 0:36:52- And it was just... It was really bad, wasn't it?- Mm.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54Yeah, it was...
0:36:55 > 0:36:57It was very emotional.
0:37:01 > 0:37:07I suppose when you're saying goodbye to people,
0:37:07 > 0:37:11you know, it isn't just for a few weeks,
0:37:11 > 0:37:15- it is going to be for a long period of time.- Mm.
0:37:17 > 0:37:19Then there's been other people...
0:37:21 > 0:37:27..that I've said goodbyes to and I probably won't ever see them again.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32The emotional upheaval of such a move is immense.
0:37:32 > 0:37:35But there was no turning back at this late stage,
0:37:35 > 0:37:37and the Ramoths were bound for Australia.
0:37:39 > 0:37:43- The flight was just awful. - The flight was awful.- Awful.
0:37:44 > 0:37:46It took 27 hours.
0:37:48 > 0:37:5027 hours.
0:37:50 > 0:37:51I remember Noah saying,
0:37:51 > 0:37:53"This is the worst week of my life.
0:37:53 > 0:37:56"Why did we moved to Australia?"
0:37:56 > 0:37:57I'm like, "Sorry, Noah."
0:37:57 > 0:38:00Yeah, I like it. The only thing I don't like about it -
0:38:00 > 0:38:06mosquitoes, scorpions, like, really venomous spiders.
0:38:06 > 0:38:09Luckily, we don't have the adder from the UK here.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14I was really worried about how they would cope
0:38:14 > 0:38:16and how they would adapt,
0:38:16 > 0:38:20but I think that you forget how resilient kids are.
0:38:20 > 0:38:22They just slotted right in.
0:38:22 > 0:38:26And I think I probably took on the worry for everybody,
0:38:26 > 0:38:29- but they were fine. - They were fine, yeah.
0:38:29 > 0:38:34I have friends which are Bobby, Ollie
0:38:34 > 0:38:41and a few others which are Mark, Mason, Christian.
0:38:42 > 0:38:48My friends are Sofia, Kaya, Kayla, Ella and Lacey.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52And there are few more called Chase...
0:38:52 > 0:38:57I like Australia because in England it was really cold
0:38:57 > 0:39:01but in Australia it's kind of warm here.
0:39:01 > 0:39:04And a lot more, just a lot more.
0:39:04 > 0:39:06The priority was to find a home,
0:39:06 > 0:39:09but that in itself proved troublesome.
0:39:09 > 0:39:12We were in this holiday rental for couple of weeks.
0:39:12 > 0:39:16The biggest issue was finding a rental
0:39:16 > 0:39:20because we'd been checking which properties were available
0:39:20 > 0:39:23prior to coming over and I don't know what happened
0:39:23 > 0:39:27but, as soon as we landed, they just all went.
0:39:27 > 0:39:29They all got leased literally overnight.
0:39:29 > 0:39:31The only ones that were left
0:39:31 > 0:39:34were the ones that nobody wanted to live in
0:39:34 > 0:39:36and that's why they were still left.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38So it went down to the wire, didn't it?
0:39:38 > 0:39:41We couldn't extend the holiday let any more
0:39:41 > 0:39:43because they had people coming in after us.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48And then, by some pure stroke of luck,
0:39:48 > 0:39:53we were approved on this house and we signed and we got the keys.
0:39:53 > 0:39:55The following day, we moved in.
0:39:55 > 0:39:59The container with all our belongings arrived
0:39:59 > 0:40:02and then, the day after that, our dog arrived.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04So it was just...
0:40:04 > 0:40:08We managed to squeeze in so much in such a short space of time.
0:40:08 > 0:40:12But time was against them when it came to finding work.
0:40:12 > 0:40:19I'd been in touch with a few shops over here in Perth...
0:40:20 > 0:40:26..to set up some interviews,
0:40:26 > 0:40:29maybe try and line a couple of jobs up
0:40:29 > 0:40:32just so they can see what I can do.
0:40:32 > 0:40:36One particular person that Lee had been speaking to online
0:40:36 > 0:40:41prior to coming over, he managed to help him get his foot in the door
0:40:41 > 0:40:46and get his face shown, really.
0:40:46 > 0:40:53So I'm working on quite a nice big five-star hotel,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55this building just here.
0:40:55 > 0:41:01When starting in a country like this, starting a new job,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04you've got to get yourself established,
0:41:04 > 0:41:08and in order to do that I've had to work some longer hours,
0:41:08 > 0:41:14but I think as we settle down into a routine here,
0:41:14 > 0:41:17we will be having those early finishes
0:41:17 > 0:41:21and I can spend some time with the kids and the wife.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24And, yeah, we'll get some quality time back again.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27Lee's long hours, however, prevented Lauren from accepting
0:41:27 > 0:41:31a permanent job offer in a hospital due to childcare issues.
0:41:32 > 0:41:34So, for more flexibility,
0:41:34 > 0:41:37she signed on with an agency, with unexpected results.
0:41:38 > 0:41:42The agency work, it's been a blessing in disguise
0:41:42 > 0:41:44because I really, really enjoy it and it means
0:41:44 > 0:41:48I get to work at different hospitals, different ward settings.
0:41:48 > 0:41:53So there's a lot of variety and two shifts are generally never the same.
0:41:53 > 0:41:58And I don't have to get involved in the ward politics,
0:41:58 > 0:41:59the issues of the ward,
0:41:59 > 0:42:03I can just turn up, do my job, do it well and then leave.
0:42:03 > 0:42:05And that's really good.
0:42:05 > 0:42:08And there's a silver lining for Lee as well.
0:42:09 > 0:42:12The benefit of doing all the hours
0:42:12 > 0:42:17and, you know, persevering, getting on with the job...
0:42:18 > 0:42:20..is the wages.
0:42:20 > 0:42:24I would say it's double what I was on in the UK
0:42:24 > 0:42:31and from what I can gather that we've got here to do,
0:42:31 > 0:42:33it's only going to get better than that.
0:42:33 > 0:42:34And what about the future?
0:42:34 > 0:42:40We're at a stage where we seem to be coming out of the fog
0:42:40 > 0:42:44and the uncertainty and things are taking a more settled balance.
0:42:45 > 0:42:47That, in turn, it gives us reassurance
0:42:47 > 0:42:48that everything will be OK,
0:42:48 > 0:42:51because if we've had to deal with all of this
0:42:51 > 0:42:53in such a short space of time,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56then I think we'll be all right.
0:42:56 > 0:43:00I think that we'll just continue on as we are doing
0:43:00 > 0:43:03and, in time, things will only get better.
0:43:09 > 0:43:13The Ramoths' move down under occurred at breakneck pace,
0:43:13 > 0:43:16leaving them almost breathless.
0:43:16 > 0:43:19And, in spite of the few speed bumps they experienced on the way,
0:43:19 > 0:43:23they have truly made Australia their home.
0:43:23 > 0:43:26We wish them all the very best for the future.