0:44:50 > 0:44:57.
0:45:02 > 0:45:03What if the price of your career
0:45:03 > 0:45:06meant missing out on seeing your children grow up?
0:45:06 > 0:45:11Could the life you want exist on the other side of the world?
0:45:11 > 0:45:16In 2010, that was the question faced by the Paton family.
0:45:16 > 0:45:21One year on, we've caught up with them, to see if they found their answer.
0:45:21 > 0:45:24Just the thought of leaving her mum was too much for Sharon.
0:45:24 > 0:45:29She...basically broke down,
0:45:29 > 0:45:34saying things like she feels that she's never going to see us again.
0:45:34 > 0:45:40But husband Alan was desperate to change his life and get his priorities straight.
0:45:40 > 0:45:43- Back home, I work roughly 90 hours a week.- OK.
0:45:43 > 0:45:45So I'm looking to reduce that.
0:45:45 > 0:45:51Ahead was a week that would show the Patons just how tough leaving would be.
0:45:51 > 0:45:53Very sad.
0:45:53 > 0:45:56Australia was Alan's dream,
0:45:56 > 0:46:01but he'd have to convince the rest of the family to emigrate.
0:46:24 > 0:46:28In 2010, the Patons faced a massive choice -
0:46:28 > 0:46:33whether to swap their home in the UK for a new start in Australia.
0:46:33 > 0:46:38We gave them one week to experience the reality of living down under,
0:46:38 > 0:46:40but what's happened since we last met them?
0:46:40 > 0:46:44Tree surgeon Alan Paton, his wife Sharon and their three girls,
0:46:44 > 0:46:50Chantel, Demi and Imogen, lived in Carmarthenshire, south Wales.
0:46:50 > 0:46:55Sharon has always lived nearby but Alan, who was from Scotland,
0:46:55 > 0:47:00wanted to move. He was tired of putting his business ahead of his family,
0:47:00 > 0:47:06The stress is unbelievable. At the end of the day, it's not worth it. I've been seven years at it.
0:47:06 > 0:47:10Seven years I've lost of my kids growing up.
0:47:10 > 0:47:12Nobody will give me that back.
0:47:12 > 0:47:16It wasn't just the children who felt abandoned.
0:47:16 > 0:47:19It feels like I'm a single parent.
0:47:19 > 0:47:21We want to bring us all together.
0:47:21 > 0:47:26I don't think that, if we stay in the UK, it's going to be possible.
0:47:26 > 0:47:32They needed to find out if there was something else out there for them.
0:47:32 > 0:47:35We get set in this rut where we all do our own little things.
0:47:35 > 0:47:39And you imagine what we'll be like. We'll be so distant if we carry on.
0:47:39 > 0:47:45I'd like to get to Australia and sample what their life's all about.
0:47:45 > 0:47:47They'd been planning for a while.
0:47:47 > 0:47:52The pressure was on to make sure they don't get the decision wrong.
0:47:52 > 0:47:56- As long as you listen to my opinions...- I'll listen.
0:47:56 > 0:48:01I'm not going through the stress of what I do to keep this house.
0:48:01 > 0:48:06- I don't want you to.- All it is is somewhere to get my head down at night, the hours I work.
0:48:06 > 0:48:09- We're the family, us five.- Yeah.
0:48:10 > 0:48:13It's all about us, at this time now.
0:48:14 > 0:48:18Is it going to be a good start for them, make them happy?
0:48:18 > 0:48:24They're going to be healthy... but they will miss my mum and dad.
0:48:24 > 0:48:29VOICE BREAKING: And I just don't know how I'll be able...to do that.
0:48:29 > 0:48:34Eldest daughter Chantel struggled to even imagine leaving.
0:48:34 > 0:48:40There's still some questions of whether I'm going to go or not.
0:48:40 > 0:48:43And sometimes I want to go but sometimes I don't.
0:48:43 > 0:48:46I'll probably make some new friends and...
0:48:50 > 0:48:55For Sharon, separation from one person in particular was hard to bear.
0:48:55 > 0:48:58'I've been so close to my mum.'
0:48:58 > 0:49:00Um, and...
0:49:01 > 0:49:05When I first told her about the idea of moving to Australia she...
0:49:07 > 0:49:11..basically broke down and was just saying things
0:49:11 > 0:49:15like she feels that she's never going to see us again.
0:49:15 > 0:49:17So, emotionally, that's hard.
0:49:17 > 0:49:21Um... I'm thinking to myself that me and the girls
0:49:21 > 0:49:24are not going to see them again.
0:49:24 > 0:49:27They won't be brought up with their grandparents.
0:49:27 > 0:49:32'So, emotionally, that's a big hit, a big issue.'
0:49:36 > 0:49:41With so much riding on their trial week, we decided that Adelaide would suit them.
0:49:41 > 0:49:46With plenty of parks and green areas, there would be lots of work for Alan.
0:49:46 > 0:49:52And Adelaide's small-town feel would have made it easier for Sharon to settle here.
0:49:54 > 0:49:56After an exhausting journey,
0:49:56 > 0:50:01the family had travelled 10,000 miles to try out a new life on the other side of the world.
0:50:01 > 0:50:05It should have taken just under a day to get there but, with delays,
0:50:05 > 0:50:10they spent 33 exhausting hours in transit.
0:50:10 > 0:50:12Last I slept...
0:50:12 > 0:50:15Well, I got up 5am Saturday morning, so it's about 47 hours.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19The longest I've spent with the kids in a long time.
0:50:19 > 0:50:21There was uncertainty about the week ahead.
0:50:21 > 0:50:25Thinking of me moving here makes me sad,
0:50:25 > 0:50:28thinking of my friends back home.
0:50:28 > 0:50:33We need to prove to her that... What's out there for her.
0:50:33 > 0:50:37The only way to prove that is if we can prove that YOU like it.
0:50:37 > 0:50:40I want to be a bit more realistic about it.
0:50:40 > 0:50:45We'll just wait and see what the next few days show.
0:50:48 > 0:50:54After their mammoth journey to Australia, it was a relatively short drive to their rental home.
0:50:54 > 0:50:58But all that driving had taken its toll on certain members of the family.
0:51:00 > 0:51:05They stayed in a four-bedroom house in McLaren Vale, with a big living space
0:51:05 > 0:51:07and views over the fields beyond.
0:51:08 > 0:51:10Wow.
0:51:12 > 0:51:16It was just the kind of start Alan had wanted for their week.
0:51:16 > 0:51:18Look at the views.
0:51:18 > 0:51:21Everywhere you look you've got miles of it.
0:51:21 > 0:51:24But there were differences of opinion.
0:51:24 > 0:51:29It's very spacious, but I'm still quite, um...
0:51:29 > 0:51:33still got my own individual rooms in mind at the moment.
0:51:33 > 0:51:37- I prefer open-plan.- You prefer this? - Open-plan will bring us together.
0:51:37 > 0:51:39What do you think, Imogen?
0:51:39 > 0:51:43You just want a bed, don't you?
0:51:43 > 0:51:47SHARON: Have you found one? CHILD: Yes!
0:51:47 > 0:51:50- Oh! - ALL GIRLS: I'm on the top!
0:51:50 > 0:51:53You having fun up there? ALL: Yeah.
0:51:53 > 0:51:56< We're not going to have arguments who's sleeping there?
0:51:56 > 0:51:58ALL: No!
0:51:58 > 0:52:03Outside, they were reminded of why they wanted to move.
0:52:03 > 0:52:06Girls? Can you see what's over there?
0:52:07 > 0:52:11GIRL: Tree house. SHARON: And the swing on it.
0:52:11 > 0:52:16They wanted the girls to have a more active outdoor lifestyle
0:52:16 > 0:52:19and, most importantly, they needed more time together.
0:52:19 > 0:52:24- The love it, don't they?- Yeah. - See, they don't do this at home.- No.
0:52:24 > 0:52:29But there was a big emotional hurdle they had to get over first.
0:52:29 > 0:52:35Knowing that my mum's not round the corner or a phone call away, even.
0:52:37 > 0:52:41SHARON: I'm torn at the moment. I'm torn.
0:52:41 > 0:52:45I want to come out here for this.
0:52:45 > 0:52:48But then...I'd be on my own.
0:52:51 > 0:52:53SHE SIGHS It's really...
0:52:53 > 0:52:59It's frightening to know that I could do it. It IS possible.
0:53:03 > 0:53:08The Patons lived in a large 16-roomed home in Carmarthenshire,
0:53:08 > 0:53:10south Wales.
0:53:10 > 0:53:14Sharon fell in love with the house the moment she saw it.
0:53:14 > 0:53:18They'd worked hard to make it their own.
0:53:18 > 0:53:21It was an impressive building, with four reception rooms,
0:53:21 > 0:53:25a bedroom each for the girls, and even a flat on the ground floor.
0:53:25 > 0:53:28With fantastic countryside nearby, and a playground,
0:53:28 > 0:53:34they tried to live the outdoor life, but the weather was a problem.
0:53:34 > 0:53:41They had £250,000 to spend, but it would have taken something really special in Australia
0:53:41 > 0:53:44to make them even consider leaving their home.
0:53:44 > 0:53:48The first house was in the suburb of Woodcroft,
0:53:48 > 0:53:51with four bedrooms and plenty of outdoor space,
0:53:51 > 0:53:56it was on the market for £250,000 - right at the top of their budget.
0:53:59 > 0:54:01Nice big windows.
0:54:01 > 0:54:03The room's not a bad size.
0:54:03 > 0:54:08You're coming straight in the front door into your sitting area.
0:54:08 > 0:54:15- You're right.- I like the kitchen and dining room to be together.
0:54:15 > 0:54:18Their home in south Wales was a tough act to follow.
0:54:18 > 0:54:23This wasn't winning them over. Having room for guests was a concern.
0:54:23 > 0:54:25If we get visitors, family over...
0:54:25 > 0:54:29- I've seen nothing yet for them. - No. It would be tight.
0:54:29 > 0:54:33But it was outdoor living they'd come in search of.
0:54:33 > 0:54:37A pool. Wow! That's nice.
0:54:37 > 0:54:40You wanted a pool.
0:54:40 > 0:54:42You'd have fun in there.
0:54:42 > 0:54:48It might have had a pool, but did it sway them towards leaving their home?
0:54:48 > 0:54:52It's far too small. We don't need the size of house we have,
0:54:52 > 0:54:54but this is too small for us.
0:54:54 > 0:54:58This wouldn't convince me to give it up.
0:54:58 > 0:55:04Without the space they were used to, even Alan was struggling to see the dream.
0:55:04 > 0:55:07He needed far more from the next two properties.
0:55:07 > 0:55:13The second house was in Old Reynella, 14 minutes from the city centre.
0:55:13 > 0:55:17It was on the market for £240,000, had five bedrooms
0:55:17 > 0:55:20and plenty of outside space
0:55:20 > 0:55:25with pool. First impressions were key.
0:55:25 > 0:55:29SHARON: This is quite nice. I like the floor. It's big enough.
0:55:29 > 0:55:32It's not small...
0:55:32 > 0:55:37So far, so good. Shall we go and see what else is here?
0:55:37 > 0:55:40Yeah. Let's go, then.
0:55:40 > 0:55:43SHARON: Oh, this is quite nice.
0:55:43 > 0:55:47Good size, isn't it? Do you like this wall?
0:55:47 > 0:55:51- Could you cover it up? - I knew something would come along.
0:55:51 > 0:55:54I've always got to do something, haven't I? Never leaves me alone!
0:55:54 > 0:55:56Keeps you busy.
0:55:56 > 0:55:59Alan would have another job to do,
0:55:59 > 0:56:02convincing Imogen this was the house for her.
0:56:02 > 0:56:05I'm not going to sleep in this bedroom.
0:56:05 > 0:56:09- Why? - You don't like this one?
0:56:09 > 0:56:13No? It is smaller than the one she's got back home.
0:56:13 > 0:56:18SHARON: It started off good but I'm feeling it's going down a bit.
0:56:18 > 0:56:21Australian houses weren't winning over Sharon or Alan.
0:56:21 > 0:56:24If I'm giving up my house,
0:56:24 > 0:56:29I want to walk in and think, "I can see myself here and I like it."
0:56:29 > 0:56:31And feel homely in it.
0:56:31 > 0:56:36And these two properties haven't done that for me.
0:56:36 > 0:56:40Everything hinged on the last house.
0:56:40 > 0:56:43Set on Sellicks Beach, it offered something different...
0:56:47 > 0:56:51..the sea, 500 metres from their front door.
0:56:51 > 0:56:56It would have stretched their budget but, with a large outdoor area,
0:56:56 > 0:56:58could this house turn things around?
0:56:58 > 0:57:02My first impression here, Alan, is "Wow!"
0:57:02 > 0:57:04Upstairs it got even better.
0:57:04 > 0:57:06SHARON: Oh, wow!
0:57:06 > 0:57:11- Oh, this is it, isn't it? - This is nice, huh?
0:57:11 > 0:57:15It's beautiful, isn't it? The work space, breakfast bar.
0:57:15 > 0:57:18- Modern kitchen.- Yeah.
0:57:18 > 0:57:22The living area had everything they wanted, but what about the rest of the house?
0:57:22 > 0:57:25- I like this.- It's a good size, too.
0:57:25 > 0:57:27Mmm, this is nice.
0:57:27 > 0:57:32- Look at the view.- Imagine the evenings, with a glass of wine.
0:57:32 > 0:57:37- Look at that!- That's gorgeous. - It's lovely having that view.
0:57:37 > 0:57:40Every morning, waking up to this.
0:57:41 > 0:57:46That just left the girls. Were they going to be happy with THEIR bedrooms?
0:57:48 > 0:57:51This is nice. This is MY room.
0:57:51 > 0:57:53This is my mine. Mine.
0:57:54 > 0:57:57Shall we have a look outside, girls?
0:57:57 > 0:58:00A hot tub. Wow!
0:58:00 > 0:58:04And it seemed Sharon was coming round to the idea of living in Australia.
0:58:04 > 0:58:09This has pushed a couple of buttons. It could be in our price range.
0:58:09 > 0:58:15It is within our reach. It wouldn't be stretching the budget too much.
0:58:15 > 0:58:20They might have been able to afford it, but it could have meant they'd struggle
0:58:20 > 0:58:23to enjoy the lifestyle they wanted. There was a lot to weigh up.
0:58:26 > 0:58:30The Patons had seen three very different homes.
0:58:30 > 0:58:33The size of the first two was a disappointment
0:58:33 > 0:58:37but the last house won them over with its attractive living space and views.
0:58:37 > 0:58:41But how did it compare to their family home in Wales?
0:58:41 > 0:58:45When it came to voting, did they go for Australia or the UK?
0:58:45 > 0:58:51Based on the properties that we've seen in Australia, our vote is...
0:58:51 > 0:58:53SHARON AND ALAN: Australia.
0:58:53 > 0:58:56But it was a hard decision to make.
0:58:56 > 0:59:00I think I might be a bit sad to leave our house back home.
0:59:04 > 0:59:08What's wrong with you? Huh? What's wrong?
0:59:08 > 0:59:12SHARON: We're all crying now, are we?
0:59:12 > 0:59:16I didn't think this would be so emotional.
0:59:16 > 0:59:19Just the thought of leaving south Wales was heartbreaking.
0:59:19 > 0:59:23The Patons were starting to realise the true cost of moving.
0:59:23 > 0:59:25They'd crossed the world to get here,
0:59:25 > 0:59:30but they had a long way to go to be sure moving was right.
0:59:37 > 0:59:42Back in the UK, Alan had his own tree-surgery business.
0:59:42 > 0:59:46It was something he was proud of, but building it up has taken its toll on the rest of his life.
0:59:46 > 0:59:51Here in the UK, my dream always was to run my own business.
0:59:51 > 0:59:54And now I've done it...no.
0:59:54 > 0:59:58I leave here in darkness and come home in darkness.
0:59:58 > 1:00:01I never see the kids. I don't see the house.
1:00:01 > 1:00:07Whether they moved or not, Alan was determined to change his life.
1:00:07 > 1:00:12He was considering a change of direction, in working for somebody else.
1:00:12 > 1:00:18This could have a big impact on his wages, so he needed to find out if he could support his family.
1:00:18 > 1:00:23We arranged for him to meet a local tree surgeon,
1:00:23 > 1:00:29to get a taste of working in Australia. Alan wanted to make sure his skills would be in demand.
1:00:29 > 1:00:33There are a lot of trees. There must be plenty of work.
1:00:33 > 1:00:36Yes, there is plenty of work. There's plenty.
1:00:36 > 1:00:40You can work more than 50 hours a week, if you'd like to.
1:00:40 > 1:00:45- Well, back home, I work roughly 90 hours a week.- OK.
1:00:45 > 1:00:48- So I'm looking to reduce that. - No worries.
1:00:48 > 1:00:54A 40-hour week was what Alan dreamt of but he needed to be sure
1:00:54 > 1:00:56he'd be happy working for someone else.
1:00:59 > 1:01:05Sharon was a qualified nurse but she wouldn't work until Chantel, Demi and Imogen had settled.
1:01:05 > 1:01:11To see if they'd fit in, they went to try out one of their favourite hobbies - dancing.
1:01:13 > 1:01:17They knew leaving friends would be very difficult,
1:01:17 > 1:01:21so it was vital they felt they'd all be able to make new ones.
1:01:21 > 1:01:26- They're doing quite well. They seem to be enjoying it. - They're fitting in really well.
1:01:26 > 1:01:30- Imogen's got such a nice grin! - She's loving every minute of it.
1:01:33 > 1:01:38Sharon's new friend Kylie was a great sounding board for her concerns.
1:01:38 > 1:01:42Are you worried about the girls settling in? Are they nervous?
1:01:42 > 1:01:48Chantel, being older, I am a bit concerned how she'd settle.
1:01:48 > 1:01:53Obviously, um, I'm the same as her.
1:01:53 > 1:01:57I don't know how it would be, me making friends here.
1:01:57 > 1:02:01It's handy having the girls cos it gets me out to meet people as well.
1:02:01 > 1:02:06- We're just concerned. - You'll find you'll fit in well here.
1:02:06 > 1:02:11There is a large population of British people. You'll fit in well.
1:02:11 > 1:02:15- I can understand your accent, too! - That's a good start!
1:02:15 > 1:02:18We can actually have a conversation!
1:02:18 > 1:02:23The girls were enjoying the class and Sharon had got some great advice.
1:02:23 > 1:02:27As Alan's day came to an end, he had an important question to ask.
1:02:27 > 1:02:30If you don't mind me asking, what's the wages?
1:02:30 > 1:02:37About 20 to 35 to 40, depending on the skill and qualifications of the climber.
1:02:37 > 1:02:42- Better than the UK.- How does that compare to a yearly total?
1:02:42 > 1:02:47- Say, £20,000.- Yeah.- I'm not too sure what that would be.
1:02:47 > 1:02:50Out here, you're looking at £40,000, so it's double.
1:02:50 > 1:02:55That was great news. It meant Alan could earn the same as in the UK,
1:02:55 > 1:02:57without having to do 90 hours a week.
1:02:57 > 1:03:00However, it would mean working for someone else.
1:03:00 > 1:03:03My decision's going to be...
1:03:03 > 1:03:06Australia.
1:03:06 > 1:03:10With a great wage and reduced hours Alan's dream was closer than ever,
1:03:10 > 1:03:15but there was a long way to go before it became a reality.
1:03:19 > 1:03:22One of the big draws of Australia
1:03:22 > 1:03:25was living by the coast and having a boat.
1:03:25 > 1:03:29They'd had one in the UK, but a combination of Alan's long working hours and poor weather
1:03:29 > 1:03:32meant they hardly used it.
1:03:32 > 1:03:36We arranged for them to visit a boat dealer,
1:03:36 > 1:03:39to see what they might be able to afford on their budget of £15,000.
1:03:39 > 1:03:42This is in the price range.
1:03:42 > 1:03:46There's seating for six to eight adults inside there.
1:03:46 > 1:03:49To give them a taste of the lifestyle,
1:03:49 > 1:03:54Tim, the owner, agreed to show them what life on the water was all about.
1:03:57 > 1:04:00- Want to go a bit faster, girls? - ALL: Yeah!
1:04:00 > 1:04:04It seemed this was a lifestyle the whole family could enjoy.
1:04:04 > 1:04:10If I launch my boat off the beach, I get out on the water at 6 o'clock, just sit there and it's dead calm.
1:04:10 > 1:04:15- You can hear the city start to kick into life.- This would be the dream.
1:04:15 > 1:04:22- Imogen's fallen asleep.- Has she? - Yeah.- OK, she's enjoying it!
1:04:22 > 1:04:24Imogen might have been tired out,
1:04:24 > 1:04:28but Chantel and Demi were enjoying their day.
1:04:28 > 1:04:33It's really good to get on a boat. It's fun.
1:04:35 > 1:04:40- Will we go a bit faster? - SHARON: Yeah, let's go!
1:04:43 > 1:04:49How did you enjoy that trip, girls? Was that a good day out?
1:04:49 > 1:04:51I'd like to do it every weekend.
1:04:51 > 1:04:55< We'd have to move to Australia to do it, though!
1:04:55 > 1:04:56CHANTEL: Aww!
1:04:56 > 1:05:01They'd blown away the cobwebs and enjoyed their time on the boat.
1:05:01 > 1:05:04But owning it would be a big expense.
1:05:04 > 1:05:08Had they been convinced by the Australian lifestyle? Time to vote.
1:05:08 > 1:05:10Our vote's going to be...
1:05:10 > 1:05:12- Australia.- Australia.
1:05:12 > 1:05:15SHARON: What did you think, Imogen?
1:05:15 > 1:05:20Even though you slept, you still had a lot of fun? Good girl!
1:05:23 > 1:05:25To afford to live in Australia,
1:05:25 > 1:05:30everything depended on the value of their house in Wales.
1:05:30 > 1:05:33They'd put a lot of effort into making it a home they loved.
1:05:33 > 1:05:37They were hoping to get around £300,000 for it.
1:05:37 > 1:05:40- It's raining, as usual. - Shows you how good it is here.
1:05:40 > 1:05:44We sent two estate agents to give their valuations.
1:05:46 > 1:05:51- Lovely size kitchen for a family. - House looks nice, girls.
1:05:51 > 1:05:57- It'll feel strange going back there. - I'm not looking forward to it.
1:05:57 > 1:06:02This would do it for me. That definitely is the wow factor.
1:06:02 > 1:06:05Be interesting to see what they say at the end.
1:06:05 > 1:06:10And the lovely uninterrupted views to the back.
1:06:10 > 1:06:15- See?- But look at that weather. - I know.- Gets me down, that weather.
1:06:15 > 1:06:19Was it really worth £300,000?
1:06:20 > 1:06:23For a quick sale in this market,
1:06:23 > 1:06:28you would have to keep it below the 250,000, so I would market it at...
1:06:30 > 1:06:33- No way.- Not happy with that!
1:06:33 > 1:06:37I would place the property on the market at 250,000
1:06:37 > 1:06:40with a view of taking an offer.
1:06:40 > 1:06:45If they needed a quick sale, I would pitch a little bit below that,
1:06:45 > 1:06:47around 230,000.
1:06:47 > 1:06:51- That's giving it away.- Exactly. Exactly.- That's giving it away.
1:06:51 > 1:06:56With a big question mark hanging over the value of their home,
1:06:56 > 1:07:01it was crucial the Patons found out exactly where their money would be spent.
1:07:01 > 1:07:07We prepared a comparison of living costs, so they could work out where they stood.
1:07:07 > 1:07:09Let's find out.
1:07:11 > 1:07:14The moment of truth.
1:07:14 > 1:07:18The monthly bills. What are we looking at?
1:07:18 > 1:07:19Mortgage...
1:07:19 > 1:07:24- Our Australian one is 1,013. - So that one's better.
1:07:24 > 1:07:29That could possibly be payments for a boat, repayments for a boat.
1:07:29 > 1:07:34Gas and electricity, 160 in Australia.
1:07:34 > 1:07:39- 150 back home.- I thought it would be more expensive back home.
1:07:39 > 1:07:43- Health and dental insurance - we don't have that at home. - No. Get the NHS back home.
1:07:43 > 1:07:45School dinners,
1:07:45 > 1:07:48almost £50 here.
1:07:48 > 1:07:50Wow. Crikey, that IS expensive.
1:07:50 > 1:07:54More than double. The everyday things in Australia -
1:07:54 > 1:07:57hair cuts, school trips -
1:07:57 > 1:08:00that kind of stuff is a bit more expensive.
1:08:00 > 1:08:03As Sharon was planning to work
1:08:03 > 1:08:07once the girls were settled into school, they included her wages.
1:08:07 > 1:08:11The difference between the two is...
1:08:11 > 1:08:132,688.
1:08:14 > 1:08:18- Yeah. Big difference. - That is a big difference.
1:08:18 > 1:08:22It seems to be ticking all the boxes with a 40-hour week.
1:08:22 > 1:08:27With fewer outgoings but higher wages, they calculated
1:08:27 > 1:08:30they'd be a massive £2,100 a month better off in Australia.
1:08:30 > 1:08:33- That's a big difference, isn't it? - Yep.
1:08:33 > 1:08:37Alan was desperate to work a more 9-5 routine.
1:08:37 > 1:08:41If they could only afford to do that in Australia,
1:08:41 > 1:08:43did the figures change everything?
1:08:43 > 1:08:45Time to vote on living costs.
1:08:47 > 1:08:53After working out the costs of living, our vote goes for...
1:08:53 > 1:08:54BOTH: Australia.
1:08:54 > 1:08:58- No surprise there. - It had to be.- Yeah.
1:09:01 > 1:09:07Key to the move was Sharon feeling she could make new friends and fit in with Aussie life.
1:09:07 > 1:09:10They went to see Kylie Rowan, who they met in the dance class,
1:09:10 > 1:09:13with her family and their ponies.
1:09:13 > 1:09:15Although they hadn't ridden much before,
1:09:15 > 1:09:18Imogen was keen to give it a go. For Sharon,
1:09:18 > 1:09:22it was a chance to see a whole different side to Australian living.
1:09:22 > 1:09:25Are properties cheaper in this area?
1:09:25 > 1:09:28The further out from town they are,
1:09:28 > 1:09:30you get more land.
1:09:30 > 1:09:34SHARON: I'd feel at home with all the hills.
1:09:34 > 1:09:38At home, it's hilly and green.
1:09:38 > 1:09:42Sharon could see a lifestyle that would bring them all closer.
1:09:42 > 1:09:48It makes you get together as a family. There's so much to do.
1:09:48 > 1:09:53They were impressed but they had some tough choices to make.
1:09:53 > 1:09:56- SHARON: Chantel's loving it. - Pool or horse?
1:09:56 > 1:09:59Horse.
1:09:59 > 1:10:01Pool or horse? Pool.
1:10:01 > 1:10:04Pool or horse? Pool.
1:10:05 > 1:10:12It looked like they were going to have a tricky time pleasing all their daughters.
1:10:12 > 1:10:18and they still had to consider the heartache of leaving everyone back in the UK.
1:10:18 > 1:10:23They decided to watch some messages from their friends and family
1:10:23 > 1:10:26to see how they felt about leaving home.
1:10:26 > 1:10:29- Hi, Alan.- Hi, Sharon.
1:10:29 > 1:10:33- < Hello to the girls. - How are my beautiful granddaughters?
1:10:33 > 1:10:36Hi, Alan, Sharon, Chantel, Demi and Imogen.
1:10:38 > 1:10:42- Alan is...Alan.- Yeah.
1:10:42 > 1:10:44< He's a hard-worker.
1:10:44 > 1:10:46Chantel is a very reserved child.
1:10:46 > 1:10:52< Demi is more out-going and a very loving child.
1:10:52 > 1:10:57- She'll think nothing of coming up and saying...- I love you. Yeah.
1:10:57 > 1:11:00She goes, "I love you, Nanny."
1:11:00 > 1:11:06< And gives a kiss and a hug. Imogen just follows whatever Demi does.
1:11:06 > 1:11:09- < CHILD: - I think it's really hard, Chantel,
1:11:09 > 1:11:14< because it's, like, the other side of the world
1:11:14 > 1:11:17and everybody's in this country.
1:11:18 > 1:11:23< I try not to think about it too much because it does upset me.
1:11:24 > 1:11:29People say you can talk on the phone, get a webcam from Australia,
1:11:29 > 1:11:31and all that, but...
1:11:31 > 1:11:38but nothing can make up for the arms round your neck, and the hugging and kissing.
1:11:41 > 1:11:45- Oh, God!- And the funny little things they say.- Yes.
1:11:45 > 1:11:49< We've always wanted to be grandparents.
1:11:49 > 1:11:53They're so close as well.
1:11:53 > 1:11:59But there's nothing there to change it, is there? If you could...
1:12:02 > 1:12:05They'd be devastated.
1:12:05 > 1:12:07Give us five.
1:12:15 > 1:12:18That's the hardest bit, girls.
1:12:18 > 1:12:20THEY SOB
1:12:20 > 1:12:25SHARON: I thought we weren't all going to cry! SHE LAUGHS
1:12:25 > 1:12:30Oh, wow! That had a bit of an impact, didn't it?
1:12:30 > 1:12:35The messages brought home just how much their leaving would affect everyone.
1:12:35 > 1:12:37They'd never get over it.
1:12:37 > 1:12:42It would be just as hard for them as it is for us to come out here.
1:12:48 > 1:12:52It was nice to see them say things like that about me.
1:12:52 > 1:12:56Because every day I see them in school
1:12:56 > 1:13:00and on the weekends they usually come over.
1:13:00 > 1:13:04I don't know what it'll be like to be without them.
1:13:08 > 1:13:10It was very sad.
1:13:21 > 1:13:25This is the biggest decision we'll ever have to make.
1:13:25 > 1:13:28You won't make one as big as this.
1:13:28 > 1:13:32But time had run out to make up their minds.
1:13:32 > 1:13:37The Patons had been through a very emotional week.
1:13:37 > 1:13:40They'd found a place to call home, a lifestyle they loved,
1:13:40 > 1:13:43and made good friends easily.
1:13:43 > 1:13:49But hanging over them was the pain of being so far from loved ones.
1:13:49 > 1:13:55For Chantel, it was a decision she didn't want to face.
1:13:55 > 1:14:00Back home, I've been with my friends since we started school.
1:14:00 > 1:14:07When I'm over here, I've only got my mother, father and two sisters.
1:14:07 > 1:14:10I wish that I didn't have to make such a big decision.
1:14:10 > 1:14:14But Alan and Sharon were under huge pressure to get this right.
1:14:14 > 1:14:19Their future and happiness depended on their final choice.
1:14:19 > 1:14:21I don't know where we'll go from there
1:14:21 > 1:14:25because there's no way I'm carrying on working the way I am. I've had enough.
1:14:25 > 1:14:30Obviously, I'm worried and concerned I might make the wrong choice.
1:14:30 > 1:14:35'If my final vote turned out to be that I wanted to stay in the UK,'
1:14:35 > 1:14:38then Alan would be absolutely devastated.
1:14:38 > 1:14:42But if my vote went for Australia,
1:14:42 > 1:14:48that would be the icing on the cake, he'd love me forever for that.
1:14:48 > 1:14:54With so much resting on the vote, could they really turn their backs on south Wales
1:14:54 > 1:14:58and move to Australia to follow Alan's dream?
1:15:00 > 1:15:04This has been my dream. My goal was to see what it's like.
1:15:04 > 1:15:09We've met some fabulous people and our vote goes for...
1:15:11 > 1:15:13SHARON AND ALAN: Australia.
1:15:13 > 1:15:15Oh.
1:15:16 > 1:15:18They all vote for home.
1:15:18 > 1:15:22You surprise me, kids. I didn't see that coming.
1:15:22 > 1:15:25- I knew YOU'D be convinced. - Did you?- Yeah.
1:15:25 > 1:15:27I wasn't sure about Chantel,
1:15:27 > 1:15:31but I thought the other two might have gone for Australia.
1:15:31 > 1:15:33I've got to redo my cost of living
1:15:33 > 1:15:38cos I'll have to buy a pool, a boat and a pony to get the kids here!
1:15:38 > 1:15:42- What do you think, kids? - Maybe. Maybe.
1:15:47 > 1:15:54Their week in Australia showed them everything they could gain and lose by moving down under.
1:15:54 > 1:15:58With their future in the balance, what happened next?
1:16:00 > 1:16:03So, one year after their trip,
1:16:03 > 1:16:08had Alan, Sharon, Chantel, Demi and Imogen made the move to Australia?
1:16:09 > 1:16:15No! When we caught up with the Patons, they were still in the UK.
1:16:15 > 1:16:18However, that was all about to change very soon.
1:16:18 > 1:16:23We're going to the airport on Monday, and we'll be moving to Australia.
1:16:23 > 1:16:26We decided to move to Adelaide.
1:16:26 > 1:16:28The reason we chose Adelaide,
1:16:28 > 1:16:34cos when I went there it felt very much like home.
1:16:34 > 1:16:38I mean, at the time I remember looking at the views,
1:16:38 > 1:16:42you could see the hills, and...there was work there for Alan as well.
1:16:42 > 1:16:44That's where the work was taking him.
1:16:44 > 1:16:48I went and found a company, and I had a job offer there and then.
1:16:48 > 1:16:50The job has been kept open for a whole year now.
1:16:50 > 1:16:54They've actually been pushing for me to hurry up and get out there.
1:16:54 > 1:16:57It's quite a good position I'm going to have as well.
1:16:57 > 1:17:00Alan's job offer meant the move could finally happen.
1:17:00 > 1:17:02The main hurdle was their home,
1:17:02 > 1:17:06which had been valued a lot lower than they'd hoped.
1:17:06 > 1:17:11We've decided to keep the house now, and rent it out.
1:17:11 > 1:17:12The market is terrible now,
1:17:12 > 1:17:17so we'd be losing about £30,000 if we were to sell it at the moment.
1:17:17 > 1:17:19But obviously nothing's even selling.
1:17:19 > 1:17:22The house pays for itself when you've got tenants in.
1:17:22 > 1:17:25Although they still had their concerns,
1:17:25 > 1:17:28Sharon and Alan were convinced about the decision they'd made.
1:17:28 > 1:17:35It's probably one of the biggest gambles we're going to take in our life,
1:17:35 > 1:17:38but I'd rather try it than stay here
1:17:38 > 1:17:43and in maybe five, ten years' time, look back and think,
1:17:43 > 1:17:46"I wish we had," and have regrets. So...
1:17:46 > 1:17:51Regrets are no good. So I think it's worth the gamble.
1:17:51 > 1:17:54I think what I am leaving is a lot of good memories.
1:17:54 > 1:18:00And those are something that will always be with us. I feel it's time to move on.
1:18:02 > 1:18:04No, I think there's a new adventure out there for us.
1:18:04 > 1:18:07And one short week later,
1:18:07 > 1:18:10they were heading off to their new life on the other side of the world.
1:18:10 > 1:18:13- Come on, girls. Can anybody see our flight? - GIRLS: Me!
1:18:13 > 1:18:15Where is it?
1:18:15 > 1:18:20- I can see it!- Going to Singapore, yeah? And then from Singapore to...?
1:18:20 > 1:18:22Adelaide!
1:18:22 > 1:18:24Adelaide.
1:18:24 > 1:18:28- How many bags to check-in, sir? - Ten.- Ten bags.
1:18:30 > 1:18:32Definitely no going back now.
1:18:32 > 1:18:37My mum, today, was really bad, wasn't she, Chantel? Yeah.
1:18:37 > 1:18:42But I sent her a text earlier, saying that each day will get easier,
1:18:42 > 1:18:47and each day is a day closer to seeing us again.
1:18:48 > 1:18:54Then finally, after months of planning, there was no turning back.
1:18:56 > 1:19:00The Patons were off to find their dream life 10,000 miles away,
1:19:00 > 1:19:02in Australia.
1:19:06 > 1:19:09We caught up with them six months later,
1:19:09 > 1:19:12in their final destination of Adelaide.
1:19:12 > 1:19:17They're renting a house in the suburb of Athelstone,
1:19:17 > 1:19:20just seven miles from the city centre.
1:19:23 > 1:19:26But has it all been plain sailing?
1:19:26 > 1:19:28It's been hectic, to be honest.
1:19:28 > 1:19:31But we've made it that way, haven't we?
1:19:31 > 1:19:36We arrived in the winter, and we wanted everything done
1:19:36 > 1:19:39so we could sit and enjoy what we came here for.
1:19:39 > 1:19:42It's been not easy, has it?
1:19:43 > 1:19:45Renting a house here was a big problem
1:19:45 > 1:19:49because we weren't here, we were in the UK, they didn't want to know us,
1:19:49 > 1:19:51we didn't have employment here, things like that.
1:19:51 > 1:19:56But we stumbled across this one, sent all the necessary forms off,
1:19:56 > 1:19:59they said "You can have it, but you've got to have it now."
1:19:59 > 1:20:04So we actually paid for this for about six weeks before we came out here.
1:20:04 > 1:20:09I loved my house back in the UK, but I love the house here,
1:20:09 > 1:20:16and...I just feel that a house is four walls, and you make it a home.
1:20:16 > 1:20:20You changed your mind about the house, then? Cos you wanted to bring it here,
1:20:20 > 1:20:24now you're saying it's just four walls.
1:20:24 > 1:20:28I know! It is, I've realised that. You MAKE it a home.
1:20:28 > 1:20:35Sharon may be happy with four walls, but for a while that's all they had.
1:20:35 > 1:20:39Being without our furniture for the first five, six weeks,
1:20:39 > 1:20:43- that made it difficult.- Basically we lived on patio furniture.
1:20:43 > 1:20:46By the time it left the UK,
1:20:46 > 1:20:50and we got it delivered to the front door was about 13 weeks.
1:20:50 > 1:20:51It was hard.
1:20:51 > 1:20:53And having got their belongings,
1:20:53 > 1:20:56the Patons seem pretty happy with where they've landed.
1:20:56 > 1:21:00Athelstone is a lovely suburb.
1:21:00 > 1:21:05It's a friendly suburb, we've got all the local shops,
1:21:05 > 1:21:08you've got parks all around you, you've got the wildlife around,
1:21:08 > 1:21:12it's a really nice suburb. There's a lot around here for us to do.
1:21:12 > 1:21:16- It's just the outdoor life, isn't it?- Yeah.
1:21:16 > 1:21:20We've only been here five months, so we haven't really explored a lot yet.
1:21:20 > 1:21:26We've been busy just getting settled, but there's so much to explore now, and over the next year
1:21:26 > 1:21:30we're going to find out a lot more beneficial things for us.
1:21:30 > 1:21:34- Koala!- Aw, look!
1:21:34 > 1:21:38It's what I wanted in life now, just to be relaxed.
1:21:38 > 1:21:42It's not as fast-moving as some of the other places in Australia.
1:21:42 > 1:21:45It's quite laid-back, and it's pretty old-fashioned
1:21:45 > 1:21:49compared to the rest of Australia as well, which is nice.
1:21:49 > 1:21:52To me, that's true Aussie style.
1:21:57 > 1:22:01Sharon and Alan may have uprooted their family and moved to the other side of the world,
1:22:01 > 1:22:05but they seem to have settled quickly into familiar routines.
1:22:06 > 1:22:10Alan has landed just the job he wanted, as a tree surgeon
1:22:10 > 1:22:14working for someone else, rather than being the boss.
1:22:14 > 1:22:17And Sharon has found work as an ophthalmologist
1:22:17 > 1:22:19in a local eye clinic.
1:22:19 > 1:22:23I work in a private eye clinic, which I love.
1:22:23 > 1:22:26I worked in eyes in the UK about nine, ten years ago,
1:22:26 > 1:22:31so to be back into that environment is really good.
1:22:31 > 1:22:34Although Alan was the driving force behind this move,
1:22:34 > 1:22:38the shoe was on the other foot after their trial week.
1:22:38 > 1:22:42I was very surprised with Sharon after we'd been out here.
1:22:42 > 1:22:44She was pushing for it more than me.
1:22:44 > 1:22:48I kind of knew that it would come, the paper process, the visas,
1:22:48 > 1:22:52all that kind of stuff, but when we had all the wet weather,
1:22:52 > 1:22:56she'd say, "When is this going to come through, are we ever going to get there?"
1:22:56 > 1:23:01I think the visit here definitely convinced Sharon that it was the right move.
1:23:01 > 1:23:04It was just that feeling that I just want to get there,
1:23:04 > 1:23:09I just want to be out there, and start living the dream
1:23:09 > 1:23:14that we've been looking forward to and been wanting for a long time.
1:23:14 > 1:23:16Yeah, we just couldn't wait to get out here.
1:23:17 > 1:23:22We were really sad leaving friends and family behind.
1:23:24 > 1:23:26Again, the excitement took over
1:23:26 > 1:23:29because we knew what we were coming out to.
1:23:29 > 1:23:32We knew what to expect when we got here.
1:23:32 > 1:23:37But it was still sad saying goodbye to everybody, really emotional.
1:23:37 > 1:23:39For Sharon, the big hurdle to emigrating
1:23:39 > 1:23:44was leaving the rest of her family in the UK.
1:23:44 > 1:23:45And it hasn't been easy.
1:23:45 > 1:23:49The worst part was saying goodbye to my grandad.
1:23:49 > 1:23:55Because I knew that was probably the last goodbye...for him.
1:23:56 > 1:23:59But he was so happy for us, he was wishing us well,
1:23:59 > 1:24:04and he wanted us to go, and he was saying, "Good on you for doing it,"
1:24:04 > 1:24:06so that was really difficult.
1:24:08 > 1:24:11And saying goodbye to my parents.
1:24:11 > 1:24:15My mum and dad wanted to come to the airport, but I refused,
1:24:15 > 1:24:19I didn't want them there because I knew we couldn't handle it.
1:24:19 > 1:24:24They couldn't and we couldn't, and I don't think it would be fair on the girls either.
1:24:24 > 1:24:26So we said our goodbyes at home,
1:24:26 > 1:24:29and now I can still picture them in their home,
1:24:29 > 1:24:33and they can still picture us in a village where we were brought up.
1:24:33 > 1:24:35Yeah, it was really hard.
1:24:36 > 1:24:41But despite the heartache, Adelaide has given Sharon and Alan
1:24:41 > 1:24:45the family life they could only dream of in the UK.
1:24:45 > 1:24:47The lifestyle here is better.
1:24:47 > 1:24:51I don't feel like a single-parent any more, because Alan is employed,
1:24:51 > 1:24:57he's working for a company, so it's basically 9-5, Monday to Friday,
1:24:57 > 1:25:00so we have got the weekends together,
1:25:00 > 1:25:04and we do have more quality family time that we can go and do things.
1:25:04 > 1:25:07The family side of things has been good.
1:25:07 > 1:25:09Interacting with the kids a lot more,
1:25:09 > 1:25:13we play ball, we've got great places round the house to go to.
1:25:13 > 1:25:15We go to the park.
1:25:16 > 1:25:20Our main dream was to buy a boat, and we've just done that,
1:25:20 > 1:25:23so that's what we will look forward to now.
1:25:23 > 1:25:26I got my boat licence the other week,
1:25:26 > 1:25:29so we can start getting out in that every weekend.
1:25:29 > 1:25:33I think things have changed a lot for Alan,
1:25:33 > 1:25:35because he used to work so many hours in the UK,
1:25:35 > 1:25:37and he's not working as much now.
1:25:39 > 1:25:41And he's...
1:25:43 > 1:25:47..not as grumpy! He was so tired working all those hours.
1:25:47 > 1:25:49That's made a big difference for him
1:25:49 > 1:25:52and he's got more time to spend with the children.
1:25:52 > 1:25:55I probably see them more in one night now
1:25:55 > 1:25:58than I did in a whole week at some points.
1:25:58 > 1:26:01And they can really see the difference it's made
1:26:01 > 1:26:04on Chantel, Demi and Imogen.
1:26:04 > 1:26:07The thing I notice the difference with the kids now
1:26:07 > 1:26:10is as soon as we get home, they want to go and play on their bikes.
1:26:10 > 1:26:13In the UK, it was always in the house, watching TV, computer games,
1:26:13 > 1:26:15but they want to be outside now, doing stuff.
1:26:15 > 1:26:18Before, we used to nag them to get out,
1:26:18 > 1:26:22but they're nagging us to get out now, so they are adapting well to it.
1:26:26 > 1:26:29At the end of their trial week, all three girls voted for the UK.
1:26:29 > 1:26:35Chantel was particularly worried about leaving her friends behind.
1:26:35 > 1:26:38How do you feel after being here for six months?
1:26:38 > 1:26:42Are you happy, settled in? Yeah, happy. I feel settled in.
1:26:42 > 1:26:45And you've made good friends? Loads.
1:26:45 > 1:26:48Are you missing your friends back home?
1:26:48 > 1:26:53Yeah, but I still keep in touch with them, e-mails and writing to each other.
1:26:53 > 1:26:55I think they're probably missing you, too.
1:26:56 > 1:27:02So, if you had the flag now, would it be Australia or UK?
1:27:02 > 1:27:03Australia.
1:27:03 > 1:27:07Yay! That's a result!
1:27:07 > 1:27:11As they enjoy a traditional Australian afternoon with their friends,
1:27:11 > 1:27:15it's safe to say living down under suits the Patons.
1:27:15 > 1:27:17Though it looks like Alan's got a long way to go
1:27:17 > 1:27:20before he can call himself a proper Aussie!
1:27:20 > 1:27:22Nice one, Alan!
1:27:24 > 1:27:27I think you need to do a few more barbecues to get the hang of this.
1:27:29 > 1:27:33Takes you about two years to learn how to barbecue probably!
1:27:34 > 1:27:36A good tradesman never blames his tools,
1:27:36 > 1:27:39but obviously the error was within the barbecue.
1:27:45 > 1:27:48Moving to a new country is never easy.
1:27:48 > 1:27:50And after a tough start,
1:27:50 > 1:27:55it looks as if the Patons are settling into their lives down under.
1:27:55 > 1:27:58And with everyone finally getting time together,
1:27:58 > 1:28:01it's a big step to the future they've dreamt of.
1:28:01 > 1:28:03We wish them the very best of luck.
1:28:09 > 1:28:12Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
1:28:12 > 1:28:14E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk