Cliff Wanted Down Under Revisited


Cliff

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Moving halfway around the world to find work

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and a better future is a big gamble,

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especially when you run the risk

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of being worse off than you are at home.

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Back in 2010, that was the choice facing the Cliff family from Leeds.

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Today, we're going to find out if it was one they were willing to make.

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Jimmy Cliff had found it impossible to get work as a bricklayer,

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leaving the family close to financial ruin.

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At one point, we were at the brink of having to sell the house

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due to financial issues.

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But wife Nicola wouldn't be going anywhere if the sums didn't add up.

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This could be enough to just stop it all now.

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And leaving behind their support network would be a massive strain on all of them.

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I think it's just...

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knowing if I need them,

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they're not going to be here.

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We catch up with them one year on to find out

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if they took the final leap and left loved ones behind.

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Two years ago, the Cliffs faced the choice of a lifetime -

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whether to swap their home in Leeds for a new start in Australia.

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They had one week to experience the reality of life Down Under,

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but was it enough to convince them to make the move for good?

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In 2010, bricklayer Jimmy and his wife Nicola lived in Leeds

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with their three sons.

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Connor aged nine, Reese aged seven, and Ethan aged six.

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They dreamt of a better quality of life,

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with one key reason for considering the move.

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I have been out of work for quite a while due to the recession.

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Jobs are few and far between,

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and there's maybe 40, 50 bricklayers going for the same job.

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With bricklaying work difficult to come by,

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the family were really struggling to make ends meet.

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At one point we were at the brink of having to sell the house

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due to financial issues.

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And that's probably what helped give us the drive to go and try to move to Australia.

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There is a lot of pressure

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because at the moment I feel like I'm letting everyone down.

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Jimmy's brother already lived in Australia,

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and he hoped following him could give them all a new lease of life.

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But he had to talk Nicola round first.

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When Jimmy first mentioned about going to Australia...

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it just didn't appeal to me at all.

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I've never really wanted to go anywhere else.

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But with the situation over here being financially hard and struggling...

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he sort of convinced me that it would be a good thing to do.

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But they struggled with the thought of leaving loved ones behind.

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I would find it the hardest to make the move. I definitely know already...

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I get butterflies thinking about leaving everything behind.

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Jimmy also had close family who would be difficult to leave.

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'The hardest person for me to leave is my nana.

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'Knowing that if I did leave her, I'd never see her again, maybe... is very worrying for me.

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'I'd find it very hard to leave her behind.'

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The Cliffs spent a week in Adelaide to help them decide

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if the move was right for them.

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After flying for 23 hours and 10,000 miles,

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the realisation of how far they had come hit home.

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It's not as easy as you'd think. It's not a journey you want to do every year.

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It is rather hard to believe that we've actually got here.

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Their base for the week was in the popular area of Brompton,

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15 minutes from the city centre. But what were their first impressions like?

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Come on, then. Let's see what we've got.

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-Four beds!

-Oh, wow!

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Their own bed each.

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I'm going to get to sleep downstairs!

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It'd be a starter place. I don't think I could see myself moving into it permanently.

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For Jimmy, finding work was key to a successful move.

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I need to see if work's a definite possibility out here for me,

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whether I'd be able to cope with the weather,

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whether I could earn enough money.

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With the family's financial future at stake, a lot was riding on the week.

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The Cliffs would have to make the biggest decision of their lives, and it wasn't going to be an easy one.

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Back in the UK,

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the Cliffs lived in a three-bedroomed semi-detached house in Leeds.

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They had invested a lot of time and effort renovating their property

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and it was a home they were proud of.

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They hoped they could get £150,000 for it,

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giving them a maximum budget of 200,000.

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We showed them three different houses to give them a realistic idea

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of what was available on their budget.

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Property one was located in the north-western suburb of Pennington.

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With industrial areas close by, property was generally cheaper than the city average

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and this three-bedroom house was under budget at £190,000

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but would it be what the Cliffs were looking for?

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This is a real disappointment. It's far too small. Really...dull.

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They wouldn't leave Leeds for this property.

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The entire garden is undercover. But for a family with young children,

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-this just doesn't work, does it, whatsoever?

-No.

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A big disappointment, really, by the time we've gone through the whole house.

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Depending on land prices, you would probably be better off knocking this house down and rebuilding,

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cos you'd have more to show for your money than what this actually offers.

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I can safely say I just don't like it.

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Property one was well under budget,

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but they were really underwhelmed by what they'd seen.

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Could property two live up to their expectations?

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In the popular but affordable suburb of Seaford,

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this house was only a five-minute stroll to the beach and offered them

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five bedrooms, a decent-sized living space

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and a large garden for the boys -

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all for £185,000.

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This is different.

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-This is more like a room size we'd want for a living room.

-Yeah.

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The kitchen obviously needs to change.

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It's a lot smaller than I thought.

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-It'd all need sort of ripping out and starting again.

-Another bedroom.

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Another room, but...

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There's not enough space in any of the rooms to fit a full-sized family.

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-Don't think it's showing any value for money whatsoever.

-No.

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-They seem to be putting a price on sunshine more than property, don't they?

-Yeah.

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Not happy.

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-It's a bit small if it's the main bedroom, though.

-It is, isn't it?

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Not really what I was hoping for at all.

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I'm starting to worry a little bit about the house prices.

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-You're just not getting...

-You're not getting as much as you originally thought.

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At the moment, it's making me doubt even wanting to come out.

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The reality of what they could afford was really hitting home.

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I didn't think we had that low a budget but it's proving...

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to be working against us at the moment.

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Although £15,000 under their budget,

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property two had failed to convince them

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that Australian homes were worth making the move for.

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Everything depended on the final house.

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This was in the country suburb of Happy Valley

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and it was just over budget at £205,000.

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It had four bedrooms, a modern finish,

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a large living space and enough room for the boys to play outside.

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-Come on, mate.

-It looks so much better already.

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-It does, doesn't it?

-Whitewashed walls.

-It looks fresher.

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This has got plenty of potential and it's decent enough to work with.

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You could cope with it for quite a while before you did owt with it.

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-This is much better, isn't it?

-This is a lot nicer.

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-I really do like this.

-This is nice. It's not as...

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big as I'd hoped. You're going to struggle if we put the sofas in the way we have at home.

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-I'll give it an eight out of ten.

-It was a huge improvement.

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There were four decent-sized bedrooms for the whole family.

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It seemed to offer them all the space they needed.

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-This is better.

-Wow.

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-This is far better.

-Four rooms.

-Four decent-sized rooms.

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-Decent double rooms.

-Yes, this is perfect.

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Couldn't expect anything more,

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just slightly less price so we can afford it.

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They were won over by the stylish interiors

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and there was just the garden left to see.

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The garden's nice, plenty of room,

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garden shed to keep all the tools in.

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Yeah, I think this is perfect.

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Ticks most of the boxes.

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-It's ticked every box, bar price.

-Yeah.

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The Cliffs viewed three different properties.

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The first two homes were under budget,

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but the Cliffs found them very disappointing.

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And while the third house was almost perfect, it was over budget

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and would put financial pressure on the family if they made the move.

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Had they seen enough to make them consider leaving their home in Leeds?

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Today's been a day full of mixed emotions, looking at houses here in Australia.

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It seems properties a bit further afield from the city

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are a bit more reasonably priced and better value for money.

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So our vote for the property in Australia versus the UK is...

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-Australia!

-United Kingdom.

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If I could guarantee we'd have a bit more money to come over with

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and maybe look at the more expensive property, the last one,

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then I would definitely have chosen Australia.

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As it stands at the moment, I wouldn't want to give up what I already have.

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Australian property hadn't convinced the Cliffs,

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and affording the dream home seemed beyond them.

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Everything now hinged on Jimmy getting the job and salary to afford it.

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Back in Leeds, Jimmy struggled to find work as a bricklayer,

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and this put a huge strain on the family income.

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He dreamt of having steady work and a more secure wage.

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I miss bricklaying terribly. I have a lot of pride in my work.

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I always feel, when a job is done, I'm able to look back on it

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and know I've left something, some mark on the world.

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Jimmy had spent the last six months labouring as a scaffolder,

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and although he was grateful for work, finances were tight.

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Moneywise, in the UK, it's been a massive struggle.

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I was out of work for the best part of a year.

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If I hadn't had that bit of work then I honestly think we would have lost the house.

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If work was easier to find in Australia,

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it would go a long way to convincing Jimmy it was the right move to make.

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We arranged for him to meet with Jason, who owned a local bricklaying company,

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to find out more about what he could expect from working here.

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Hi, nice to meet you.

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Jason put Jimmy to work with two local lads.

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Are you all right, mate? It's like sharper sand than what we use.

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-Is that the size you would normally do over in the UK?

-What they tend to do is, if you got land,

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like the size of this house, they would probably tend to try

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to squeeze two or three houses on one plot.

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Jimmy was keen to discover all he could about working Down Under.

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What days do you work here?

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Most people, if they want to work year round, they can just about get away with it.

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Summer can get pretty hot. You can get mid-40s.

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I dread to think what it could be like in the middle of summer here.

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Probably in January you wouldn't want to be standing right there.

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I've always had problems with the cold.

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I've never really liked working in the cold.

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I'd much rather be warm and sweaty than cold and shivering.

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I don't think there's anything worse than being cold.

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Whilst he was putting Australian bricklaying to the test,

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Nicola wanted to see what Adelaide had to offer free of charge.

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Bike South Australia rents a range of free-to-hire bikes from their central office.

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and the boys were keen to give BMXing a try.

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Nicola's priorities were to make sure

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Connor, Reese and Ethan would be happy and settled,

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and free activities were a real bonus.

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It's a perfect day out, really nice, sunshine,

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couldn't ask for anything more. It reminds you of why you want to be here.

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But Nicola knew the move hinged on Jimmy's ability to find work.

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90% of the reason we've considered applying for a visa over here

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was to help Jimmy be able to stay in the work that he loves.

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The biggest worry about this week is going to be if we find out

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Jimmy can't earn as much as he'd need to to replace both wages, so...

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If his salary doesn't cover it, there's not really much hope.

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Finances weren't her only concern, as thoughts turned to those

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she would be leaving behind.

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I know if everything falls under us,

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my mum and dad are still there to pick it up.

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Here, we're kind of stuck by ourselves.

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I think it's just...

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knowing if I need them, they're not going to be here.

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With thoughts of her family back home,

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the pressures of making this life-changing move were beginning to overwhelm Nicola.

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But all this emotional heartache would be for nothing

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if Jimmy couldn't secure a job that would afford the life they wanted in Australia.

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What kind of money would we be talking, roughly, for me

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if I was coming over here working in Australia?

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With residential, we'd probably start around 27 Australian dollars per hour.

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That can range right up to 35.

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It just depends on what sort of quality

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the person brings to the table as far as work skills.

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So if you can wall 'em straight and wall a few down

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-you've got a chance of making a bit more money?

-Yeah, definitely.

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This was excellent news for Jimmy,

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as that worked out at between £600 and £850 a week.

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From what I've seen, you've got all the qualities there,

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so, yeah, keep in touch and we'll definitely go from there.

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All right. Thanks a lot, mate. Looking forward to meeting you again.

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-No worries.

-Thank you very much.

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It was a huge weight off Jimmy's mind

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and it was pretty easy to guess which way he voted.

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I had a really great day, I had a wonderful experience walling again.

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The wages, I'm very impressed with.

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I should be able to make a decent living for me and my family.

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So my final decision is going to be...

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..Australia.

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I can't see any reason at the moment why I couldn't live out here.

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I'd be absolutely delighted to get back into walling again.

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Today has let me do something that I haven't done for quite a while.

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It's a job that I do enjoy.

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I'd love to be able to say that I could get a permanent career walling over here in Australia.

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Jimmy's dream of finding work and a good wage looked possible.

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There was just the small matter of persuading Nicola and the children.

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Nicola and Jimmy wanted to make sure that their three sons got the most of their time in Australia.

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Nice to meet you.

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We brought them to Glenelg Marina to take a ride on a catamaran

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and get up close to some of Australia's wildlife.

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-Dolphin!

-Where?

-Have you seen one?

-There!

-Two!

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OK, guys, we've got a good-sized pod up ahead of us just here. The swim's happening straightaway.

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Here they come! There they are, guys,

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right there! Right there!

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Jimmy hoped the trip would leave the whole family with positive memories.

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But for Nicola, thoughts of what she would be giving up were never far away.

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I'd love to bring the whole family with me.

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Um...

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it'd make any move ten times easier on me.

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But, unfortunately, it's not the case

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and they will have to be...

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left behind.

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The Cliff family wanted to move to Australia

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not only to provide them with financial security

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but for a better lifestyle and future for the boys.

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And it looked like they were having a great time.

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We're looking pretty good, I reckon. Left hand down.

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Beautiful. You've done well.

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Ethan, you've got to give his boat back.

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It was important to Nicola that the boys settled in to Australian life,

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and although trips like this wouldn't happen every weekend,

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it might just help persuade them that moving to the other side of the world wouldn't be too bad.

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Enjoy the rest of your stay. BOTH: Thank you.

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The family day out had given them an opportunity to forget about their financial worries,

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so how did they vote on lifestyle?

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We've just had a wonderful day out and our decision

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on the lifestyle in the UK and Australia is...

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ALL: Australia!

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I think the kids have started to realise

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that there's more out there than they actually thought there was,

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and I think that's definitely helped in forcing their decision

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into picking Australia.

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The Cliff family had been convinced by the Australian lifestyle,

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but money issues were constantly on their minds.

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With the boys playing outside, Nicola and Jimmy got to see if their house

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really was worth the £150,000 they hoped for.

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We sent two estate agents round to see if it was realistic.

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Modern kitchen.

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Compact.

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-That's a nice way to put "small"!

-Yeah!

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Beautiful lounge.

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This property has a newly-modernised fitted kitchen,

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with a double-glazed window to the garden.

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CREAKING

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-It creaks!

-I was thinking that.

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Good size master bedroom.

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Good size double bedroom.

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Wooden floors.

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Cluttered.

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Ample storage space.

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Cluttered.

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I recommend we keep the price at £149,000,

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but for a For Sale, we'll look at £145,000.

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I would value this house in the region of £160,000.

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For a quick sale, I would put it in the region of £155,000.

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No nasty surprises there, but having seen the property in Australia,

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they would need a better price.

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We're hoping it would go for a bit more but I suppose the way house prices have dropped at the moment,

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it's more what I were expecting.

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After scrimping and saving to pay the bills in the UK,

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they needed to know they COULD afford a better future in Australia,

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and after comparing the costs, between Oz and the UK,

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things were not looking good for the Cliffs.

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-What's next?

-Let's have a look at the property prices,

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since we've just seen that.

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Monthly repayments...

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on property three, which was the one we liked.

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-Yeah.

-Them two...

-Over a thousand a month.

0:21:420:21:46

That's not good.

0:21:460:21:48

So we've got 1,050...

0:21:480:21:50

-Plus 55.

-160.

0:21:510:21:55

Plus 160.

0:21:550:21:58

20.

0:22:000:22:01

-So 2,865.50...

-We already know...

-We're already down, so...

0:22:020:22:08

-Minus...

-Take away your 2,447.

0:22:080:22:14

-So we are down...

-£483.

0:22:140:22:18

-Worse than I thought. Can't do it.

-It's not even workable.

0:22:180:22:23

It kind of says you have to go back to work, doesn't it,

0:22:230:22:27

for us to be able to make ends meet here whatsoever?

0:22:270:22:30

Certainly thought we would have had more chance than that.

0:22:330:22:38

If we can't afford a home we want...

0:22:400:22:44

and...

0:22:440:22:46

the compromise is putting up with a house

0:22:460:22:51

that I can't stand to be in 24 hours a day with the kids,

0:22:510:22:55

then that's just not even an option.

0:22:550:22:57

-No.

-I... This could be enough to just stop it all now.

0:22:570:23:03

It was a serious blow for Jimmy. If they'd be financially worse off living in Australia,

0:23:030:23:09

where did it leave the dream?

0:23:090:23:11

Today was one of the most important things we've had to consider,

0:23:110:23:14

-and unfortunately it's been rather disappointing.

-So our decision is...

0:23:140:23:19

..UK.

0:23:210:23:23

Finances are essential wherever you are and if the sums don't work,

0:23:230:23:27

there's not a lot we can do.

0:23:270:23:29

It is definitely hanging in the balance now

0:23:290:23:32

as to whether or not we choose to come out here.

0:23:320:23:35

The Cliffs had a strong support network in Leeds with their close family.

0:23:450:23:48

After seeing messages from their loved ones,

0:23:480:23:51

could they tear themselves away?

0:23:510:23:53

Hi, Nicola, Jimmy. Hi, kids.

0:23:550:23:58

Hey, you guys.

0:23:580:23:59

Very outgoing,

0:23:590:24:01

-in't he, Jimmy?

-Yeah.

-Very outgoing.

0:24:010:24:03

If you want anything, you've only got to ask him.

0:24:030:24:06

I've three boys and I've always had a soft spot

0:24:060:24:10

-for Jim.

-Loves his boys, he loves his wife

0:24:100:24:12

and the rest of his family.

0:24:120:24:16

The children are fantastic - Connor, Reese and Ethan.

0:24:160:24:19

They're all lovable children.

0:24:190:24:21

Nicola is very sensitive and a homely kind of person.

0:24:210:24:26

-She's more of the linchpin than David and I are.

-Mmm.

0:24:260:24:32

She's very close to her sisters and I think

0:24:320:24:36

if she did go, then she'd be thinking about them all the time.

0:24:360:24:42

-It would leave a big hole in your life.

-Yes. I'm not one of the weekend grandmas.

0:24:420:24:46

The children and Nicola and Jimmy have always been around. Can't imagine, er...

0:24:460:24:52

Can't imagine not having them here.

0:24:520:24:55

It'll be, "Where's Uncle Richard, Auntie Theresa?"

0:24:550:24:58

"They're back home in England." "When can we go see 'em?"

0:24:580:25:01

"When's Connor, Reese and Ethan coming over?"

0:25:010:25:03

"No, they're not. We might see them at Christmas."

0:25:030:25:06

Don't leave.

0:25:090:25:11

We'll miss them, really, really miss them,

0:25:140:25:17

but, by the same token, I wouldn't want to stand in their way.

0:25:170:25:21

Give it a good try.

0:25:230:25:26

Give it a go and see how you go on.

0:25:260:25:30

When you make the decision, you make it for YOU as a family.

0:25:300:25:35

It's because it's what you want to do.

0:25:370:25:40

Whatever you decide, me and your dad...

0:25:400:25:43

Don't worry about us.

0:25:430:25:45

-We'll be sat here waiting for you when you come home, though.

-We certainly will.

0:25:450:25:49

These messages reminded them of what moving would really mean.

0:25:520:25:56

For one member of the family, the thought of leaving was just too much.

0:25:560:26:01

Come here, bud.

0:26:030:26:04

Seeing their son so upset took Nicola and Jimmy aback.

0:26:080:26:12

I'm a little bit surprised that he's getting so emotional.

0:26:120:26:17

It's quite upsetting to see, to be honest.

0:26:170:26:20

It makes me feel slightly guilty that he's feeling like this,

0:26:200:26:24

but I do think he would adapt and I do think he's be OK

0:26:240:26:28

if we chose to come out here.

0:26:280:26:31

I think leaving your life behind,

0:26:310:26:34

basically, and starting again

0:26:340:26:36

would be the hardest decision

0:26:360:26:38

ANYONE would have to make.

0:26:380:26:40

I think it's just the initial saying goodbyes

0:26:400:26:44

and leaving certain people behind that are the issues, more than owt.

0:26:440:26:48

It is the hardest choice we've ever had to make...

0:26:480:26:52

as a family, as individual people, it's...

0:26:520:26:56

Drag your family to the other side of the world isn't really an easy choice to make.

0:26:560:27:01

The Cliff family were about to make a decision that could change their lives forever.

0:27:100:27:15

Would Australia really provide them with the better life

0:27:150:27:18

they were looking for?

0:27:180:27:19

This, to be fair, is the dream. It's beautiful here.

0:27:190:27:23

The kids are loving every second of it.

0:27:230:27:26

There is a fear of making the wrong decision, but...

0:27:260:27:30

..that's life, in general.

0:27:310:27:34

There's no guarantees, it's just where your heart takes you, I suppose.

0:27:340:27:40

But Nicola was far from convinced that they could afford it.

0:27:400:27:45

It is a terrifying thought,

0:27:450:27:47

to think we'd be stuck at the other side of the world, not being able

0:27:470:27:52

to potentially feed the children and get them the basic things

0:27:520:27:57

that they need. It's no good having a beach and the sea

0:27:570:28:01

if you can't provide food on the table.

0:28:010:28:03

Australia has a lot to offer, but the UK has my life,

0:28:030:28:10

and the last 30 years have been there

0:28:100:28:15

and I don't think you can ever really imagine leaving it behind

0:28:150:28:19

and just not having everyone and everything you knew.

0:28:190:28:23

The week in Australia had been a real challenge

0:28:230:28:26

and had given them the opportunity

0:28:260:28:28

to discover the pros and cons

0:28:280:28:29

of a life-changing move,

0:28:290:28:31

but would Australia provide them with all they were looking for?

0:28:310:28:35

It was time to decide.

0:28:380:28:39

It's been a really hard week.

0:28:390:28:41

We've had a lot of highs and lows.

0:28:410:28:43

The lifestyle here in Australia is incredible,

0:28:430:28:47

but unfortunately it does come with a price.

0:28:470:28:49

So our final decision is...

0:28:490:28:52

NICOLA AND JIMMY: Australia!

0:28:550:28:57

Connor, Reese and Ethan still hadn't been convinced.

0:28:570:29:00

I would have chosen Australia, it's just seeing all the emotions that our family's had

0:29:020:29:08

and it's made me change my idea.

0:29:080:29:10

Despite the emotional costs, Nicola agreed that the family's future lay in Australia.

0:29:100:29:16

I do think it's the best thing for everyone.

0:29:170:29:20

If we can work our way around the money, there is a lot of places in Australia, so...

0:29:200:29:25

maybe we have to look a bit wider afield, but I do think we can make it work.

0:29:250:29:32

I'm glad we're on the same page - makes a nice change.

0:29:320:29:36

In 2010, the Cliff family spent a week in Adelaide

0:29:540:29:58

to see if it could meet their expectations.

0:29:580:30:02

Financial difficulties in the UK meant they were struggling to keep their heads above water.

0:30:030:30:10

There is a lot of pressure cos, at the moment, I feel like I'm letting everyone down.

0:30:100:30:14

Could Australia really provide them with the security they desperately needed?

0:30:140:30:19

-Worse off, right? We can't do it.

-It's not even workable.

0:30:190:30:24

Would the Cliffs gamble their whole family's future

0:30:240:30:28

even though the odds were stacked up against them?

0:30:280:30:31

After a week Down Under, it was a split decision between Nicola, Jimmy and the boys,

0:30:330:30:39

but what happened next?

0:30:390:30:41

Would tough finances keep them from taking the biggest gamble of their lives?

0:30:410:30:46

A few months later, I went to meet them to find out.

0:30:460:30:49

-So how are you both?

-Yes, we're OK.

0:30:510:30:54

-We're not doing too bad.

-The first thing I noticed,

0:30:540:30:57

-the scaffolding's gone on the house.

-Yes!

0:30:570:30:59

That's the first thing and then the second thing is the Sold sign and I'm thinking,

0:30:590:31:03

"I know times were tough. I hope they weren't that tough,"

0:31:030:31:08

-or have you got some good news to tell me?

-Yeah, we got our visa awarded.

0:31:080:31:13

It was a long wait and we put the house on the market, so, fingers crossed,

0:31:130:31:18

there's a sale going through - we'll be making the move soon.

0:31:180:31:23

Which is fantastic news!

0:31:230:31:24

Your highs and lows - it was quite a tough week for you both, wasn't it?

0:31:240:31:29

-It was.

-Extremely tough, weren't it?

0:31:290:31:32

One of the most emotional weeks of my life, I think, to be fair.

0:31:320:31:36

It's surprising in a week how much your opinion could change.

0:31:360:31:39

There were times when I could have just packed my bag and come straight back.

0:31:390:31:43

Seeing the figures and the houses - they were disappointing,

0:31:430:31:46

but then seeing the kids having such a good time,

0:31:460:31:50

the beaches, the schools as we went past,

0:31:500:31:53

seeing the kids out, it just sort of made sense.

0:31:530:31:58

Things aren't brilliant here. Jim's not been working properly since we last saw you,

0:31:590:32:04

so making the jump...

0:32:040:32:06

As I say, it's just a gamble, in't it really?

0:32:060:32:09

It's a gamble either way for us at the moment.

0:32:090:32:12

It's not like, you know, you're going with a huge nest egg, is it?

0:32:120:32:15

The reason you're going

0:32:150:32:16

is because financially it's so tough for you both.

0:32:160:32:19

-You've kept your heads above water but only just.

-Yeah.

0:32:190:32:23

We could easily sink at any point.

0:32:230:32:26

You've got to try, haven't you?

0:32:260:32:28

It's...

0:32:280:32:29

If ten years down the line, we've lost everything here or we've still got everything here

0:32:290:32:35

and everything's worked out swimmingly and we hadn't gone,

0:32:350:32:38

-we'd still turn round and wish we'd given it a go.

-Would you?

0:32:380:32:41

-I think so.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

0:32:410:32:44

So realistically, how quickly do you think it's going to be before you go - three months?

0:32:440:32:48

Er, two to three months maximum, ideally.

0:32:480:32:52

Do you have a view where you're going to settle when you go out there

0:32:520:32:56

or is it dictated by work and schools?

0:32:560:32:58

A lot of it is going to be dictated by work.

0:32:580:33:00

We're going to the Gold Coast first - that's where my little brother lives.

0:33:000:33:03

So he's going to be able to help us set up,

0:33:030:33:07

basically, somewhere to stay, things like that, for when we get out there.

0:33:070:33:10

For me, once I get out there, I need to work as much as I can.

0:33:100:33:15

-The next three years for me, it's Monday to Sunday, as much as I can.

-Wow!

0:33:150:33:21

We can't go under false pretences and think it's going to be easy.

0:33:210:33:25

If I go thinking it's three years and we do it in 12 months, then it's a bonus, in't it? So...

0:33:250:33:30

We need to think of the boys and what their futures are going to be

0:33:300:33:34

and if we can make it comfortable for them now

0:33:340:33:37

and give them an opportunity when they've finished school,

0:33:370:33:40

then that's what we need to do.

0:33:400:33:42

Hopefully, the future will be brighter for you.

0:33:420:33:45

You've obviously worked so hard,

0:33:450:33:47

you've got three fantastic little boys,

0:33:470:33:49

so I so hope it works out for you.

0:33:490:33:52

We're just eager for the move now -

0:33:520:33:54

the sooner the better, get it done, start again.

0:33:540:33:57

Since I saw them a few weeks ago,

0:34:040:34:05

things have stepped up another gear.

0:34:050:34:08

With the sale of their house going through, the Cliffs are packing up their lives

0:34:080:34:11

to move in with Nicola's mum

0:34:110:34:13

and the enormity of the decision they've made starts to sink in.

0:34:130:34:18

The last few months have just been a bit hectic for us, really,

0:34:180:34:22

getting rid of excess items, toys, games, things that we really don't want to take over there

0:34:220:34:29

and you can't afford to take over there.

0:34:290:34:31

Certain things have to be put in place for the move to Australia.

0:34:310:34:36

Anything to do with outside has to be completely clean and sterile,

0:34:360:34:40

so garden furniture, all my tools...

0:34:400:34:43

It's, like, the bikes and things - you can't clean them up months before

0:34:430:34:47

because the kids still use them, so it all falls into your last two weeks of your move.

0:34:470:34:52

It just feels like a dream, really.

0:34:520:34:56

Nowt seems really any more at the moment.

0:34:560:35:00

It's like any minute we could wake up and we hadn't sold us house

0:35:000:35:03

-and we hadn't just made us kids homeless and...

-Yeah!

0:35:030:35:07

..and planned to move to the other side of the world with nowhere to stay.

0:35:070:35:11

I suppose once we've actually booked us flights,

0:35:110:35:14

that'll be it, won't it, when we actually know what day we're going?

0:35:140:35:19

At the moment, we keep saying, "It's going to be in a few more weeks, a few more weeks."

0:35:190:35:25

"When we've got money from the house, then we can book us flights, a few more weeks."

0:35:250:35:29

I didn't realise how much stuff we've got.

0:35:290:35:32

The process of packing up their home gives them time to reflect on all they'll be leaving behind.

0:35:380:35:44

The family, I think, are going through mixed emotions.

0:35:440:35:49

Not a lot is really being said. They don't want us to go, but...

0:35:490:35:54

-They're not going to stop us.

-They understand us reasons

0:35:540:35:58

and obviously we're hoping that there's going to be a lifestyle out there

0:35:580:36:02

and opportunities for us children

0:36:020:36:05

when they are old enough to go to work, or what-have-you.

0:36:050:36:08

Erm...so they understand where we're coming from

0:36:080:36:12

but they might not like what we're actually doing about it.

0:36:120:36:17

No!

0:36:220:36:23

Five, four, three, two, one.

0:36:230:36:27

Oh, dear!

0:36:270:36:28

Oh, dear.

0:36:280:36:29

And Jimmy and Nicola are all too aware of the impact the move will have on their children.

0:36:340:36:39

The little two don't really get it, I don't think.

0:36:400:36:44

They know they're going to leave, they know they're going to miss their friends,

0:36:440:36:49

but I don't think the younger two boys understand the impact of it all

0:36:490:36:53

and not actually getting on a flight and being home in two minutes.

0:36:530:36:58

I think the kids are excited but I think cos we've had to get rid of so much of their stuff as well...

0:36:580:37:05

There's a lot of toys that you just can't take.

0:37:050:37:08

It's starting to sink into them and they're getting a bit upset if they see summat,

0:37:080:37:12

they might not have played with it for a year,

0:37:120:37:14

it's been stuck at the back of the bed but when you pull it out,

0:37:140:37:18

it's, "Oh, I want to play..." "No, no, I'm getting rid of that now."

0:37:180:37:22

They've been close to tears a few times.

0:37:220:37:24

Yeah! This is mine. The only problem is it attracts flies.

0:37:240:37:28

Put it on backwards now.

0:37:280:37:31

THE OTHERS LAUGH

0:37:310:37:33

I don't know where any of your jumpers are.

0:37:330:37:36

Connor is... more upset about it all.

0:37:380:37:42

You can tell when he starts talking about his friends

0:37:420:37:45

and his new school,

0:37:450:37:47

it's slowly sinking into him that he's not going to be here

0:37:470:37:51

for most of what his friends are going to be doing, so...

0:37:510:37:55

What are you looking forward to about going over there?

0:37:550:37:57

Everything...

0:37:590:38:00

except that it's hard to move obviously.

0:38:000:38:03

Is that the only thing left bothering you, about leaving all your friends behind?

0:38:030:38:08

Are you bothered about that?

0:38:080:38:10

Yeah, but if I make new friends, then we go, then it's longer,

0:38:100:38:16

then I'll be more friendly with them and then I won't want to go.

0:38:160:38:19

-Right, so you'd rather go before you make loads of new friends at high school?

-Yes.

0:38:190:38:24

And it's not just Connor that will find the move difficult.

0:38:260:38:29

Nicola will have to leave behind loved ones.

0:38:290:38:32

The thought of leaving my mum and dad behind is...

0:38:340:38:38

I can't put it into words, to be honest.

0:38:410:38:43

It's really... I feel sick, you know.

0:38:430:38:46

You just think, "Oh, if thing happen when I'm out there, I can't get back," you know.

0:38:460:38:50

They're not that young any more and anything can happen, and...

0:38:500:38:56

..you know, I won't be there for them and they won't be there for me.

0:38:570:39:01

You can make roots anywhere but you can't make your family come anywhere.

0:39:010:39:06

It makes me feel lucky obviously to have someone in my life

0:39:080:39:10

who's willing to do something like this for me

0:39:100:39:13

and leave everything behind, but I also have the guilt feeling

0:39:130:39:18

that I am potentially going to break her heart

0:39:180:39:22

by taking her away from her parents and her brother and sisters and whatnot, so...

0:39:220:39:29

and the nephews and nieces - she's always been there for them, she's doted on them,

0:39:290:39:35

and to leave them all, it's a lot to leave behind.

0:39:350:39:41

Don't break anything, driving.

0:39:410:39:43

A few weeks later, the big day has finally arrived.

0:39:500:39:55

We spent two weeks of saying goodbye to everyone

0:39:550:39:58

but not actually going anywhere, still carrying on with the mundane.

0:39:580:40:02

The last couple of days have been the final packing up and sorting out,

0:40:020:40:07

but still doesn't feel real

0:40:070:40:09

that we're actually going anywhere, just feels like a big holiday at the moment.

0:40:090:40:13

We're looking forward to a new start.

0:40:130:40:17

Erm, things here have been quite difficult for the past three years.

0:40:170:40:23

Hopefully, we can do summat a bit better out there and actually have a go of it

0:40:230:40:29

and relax a bit more, maybe would be the best way to describe it.

0:40:290:40:34

The time has come to say goodbye to loved ones.

0:40:360:40:39

She's very close to us

0:40:400:40:43

and I think if she did go, then she'd be thinking about us.

0:40:430:40:49

I ain't carrying two at once.

0:40:490:40:52

I'm not one of the weekend grandmas. The children and Nicola and Jimmy have always been around.

0:40:520:40:58

Can't imagine, er...

0:40:580:41:00

Can't imagine not having them here.

0:41:000:41:03

See you later, squirt! Keep out of trouble, won't you?

0:41:040:41:07

Don't leave!

0:41:070:41:09

I want you to come over now.

0:41:110:41:13

We'll miss them, really, really miss them.

0:41:160:41:19

but, by the same token, I wouldn't want to stand in their way.

0:41:190:41:24

Have you said goodbye to everyone?

0:41:240:41:27

Rich.

0:41:290:41:30

Give it a go and see how you go on.

0:41:340:41:36

Inside.

0:41:380:41:40

-See you later.

-Bye.

0:41:400:41:42

At long last, it's time for the Cliffs to make their final journey

0:41:420:41:47

on UK soil.

0:41:470:41:48

We haven't got jobs yet, we haven't got a place to stay, we haven't got any schools set up,

0:41:500:41:55

-it's all a bit...

-And we haven't got a fortune sat in the bank to make it any easier.

0:41:550:42:01

If you don't give it a go, you won't know, will you?

0:42:010:42:04

You'll just always regret it afterwards that you never actually went for it.

0:42:040:42:10

SPEECH INDISTINCT

0:42:100:42:12

Looking forward to it now, just be glad when we get there.

0:42:120:42:15

Nervous now, but really excited, just want to get there and see what we can do.

0:42:150:42:21

Got to get settled and start the new life, hopefully, and...

0:42:210:42:25

-Yeah.

-..off we go.

0:42:250:42:27

See you!

0:42:320:42:33

THEY ALL LAUGH

0:42:390:42:41

So after a lot of soul-searching, the Cliffs have made the leap,

0:42:450:42:49

and begun the next chapter of their story.

0:42:490:42:52

It's still early days but with a new adventure waiting for them Down Under,

0:42:520:42:56

we wish them the very best of luck.

0:42:560:42:59

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

0:43:210:43:23

E-mail [email protected]

0:43:230:43:25

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