0:00:02 > 0:00:05Back in 2011, the Turner family from South Wales had to face
0:00:05 > 0:00:08a heartbreaking dilemma.
0:00:08 > 0:00:10Was the promise of a new life abroad worth
0:00:10 > 0:00:14the price of leaving your child behind in the UK?
0:00:14 > 0:00:17One year on, we'll find out how they made one of the toughest
0:00:17 > 0:00:18decisions of their lives.
0:00:20 > 0:00:24The Turners were caught between a new life in Australia and what it could cost them.
0:00:24 > 0:00:30I'm hoping she'll decide to come with us. If not, we might have to stay.
0:00:30 > 0:00:34And after a week of emotional highs and lows...
0:00:34 > 0:00:38I don't know if they'll be able to persuade me.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40..they faced a potentially heartbreaking choice.
0:00:40 > 0:00:46We need to realise how difficult it'll be.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49Sorry.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53One year on, have they come any closer to a decision?
0:00:53 > 0:00:56My heart and my stomach sort of jumps a bit
0:00:56 > 0:00:59because I'm thinking, oh God, are you going to be able to get on that plane?
0:01:23 > 0:01:27In 2011, the Turners spent a week sampling everyday
0:01:27 > 0:01:29life in Australia for themselves.
0:01:29 > 0:01:31At the end of it, they would have to decide
0:01:31 > 0:01:35whether to make the move for good will stay in the UK.
0:01:35 > 0:01:37Today, where catching up with them to find out what has happened
0:01:37 > 0:01:39since we last met.
0:01:41 > 0:01:45Their destination was the city of Perth in Western Australia.
0:01:45 > 0:01:50And after 9,000 miles and 17 hours in the air, the reality of being so
0:01:50 > 0:01:54far from home had left the Turners with mixed feelings about the week ahead.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57I'm quite excited to see and do everything
0:01:57 > 0:02:02because I haven't got a clue about Australia. It's a big experience
0:02:02 > 0:02:06and will help me decide what is best for us all.
0:02:06 > 0:02:12It was the longest 18 hours of my life. If I do stay home, I've got to travel all that time
0:02:12 > 0:02:18- to see you and I hate flying as it is, so it just puts me off. - That's fair enough.
0:02:18 > 0:02:20I'd rather stay home and live there.
0:02:20 > 0:02:26Right from the start it looked as if the Turners could be in for a bumpy ride.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31Life in Australia felt a long way from their home in Swansea.
0:02:36 > 0:02:40Simon and Trudy Turner lived with Trudy's 19-year-old daughter Kirsty
0:02:40 > 0:02:42and their son Jacob, who was eight.
0:02:44 > 0:02:46They had a happy life,
0:02:46 > 0:02:52but for Simon it came at the price of working long hours running his own accountancy business
0:02:52 > 0:02:56- and he was desperate for a better work/life balance.- What I'm hoping for, rather than expecting,
0:02:56 > 0:03:02is to work less hours and have more time for the family.
0:03:02 > 0:03:07I've been on about it probably for five or six years.
0:03:07 > 0:03:13Trudy at first didn't really say much. Now she's not quite as up for it as I am,
0:03:13 > 0:03:16but getting there. She's willing to give it a go.
0:03:16 > 0:03:22I'm sort of 50% if I want to go or don't want to go. I don't know what I want, really.
0:03:22 > 0:03:24Cos I've never been there so I don't know what it's like.
0:03:24 > 0:03:28I know he wants me to be happy, but he deserves as well
0:03:28 > 0:03:33a life where he can be comfortable and not work all the hours.
0:03:33 > 0:03:34And be with us.
0:03:34 > 0:03:38Spending time together was important to the Turners
0:03:38 > 0:03:43and they hoped Australia could offer a better family lifestyle,
0:03:43 > 0:03:47but for Trudy and Kirsty that meant a painful decision.
0:03:47 > 0:03:54I think Kirsty's sort of got an open mind. She'll have a look and see what she thinks.
0:03:54 > 0:03:58If she meets people and meets friends, she'll be really happy,
0:03:58 > 0:04:03but if she finds it more difficult, I think she'll want to come home.
0:04:03 > 0:04:07Her dad is here, all her family and my family are here for her,
0:04:07 > 0:04:12but she's always been my girl so I don't think I could leave her high and dry.
0:04:12 > 0:04:17For student Kirsty it was almost an impossible choice.
0:04:17 > 0:04:22Them moving there and my dad over here, it's kind of like choosing.
0:04:22 > 0:04:28I feel like whether I stay here or whether I go there, I'm going to miss out on either one.
0:04:28 > 0:04:33I don't know what the future holds, whether she'll come or not.
0:04:33 > 0:04:38If she decides she really doesn't want to come, I have to think about whether I need to come back.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41It was a potentially heartbreaking decision
0:04:41 > 0:04:44for the Turners and one that affected the whole family.
0:04:44 > 0:04:51I think it's going to knock us for six and we need to realise how difficult it's going to be.
0:04:51 > 0:04:54Yeah.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56You all right?
0:05:00 > 0:05:01Sorry.
0:05:11 > 0:05:15The Turners' base for the week was a four-bedroom home in the suburb of Karrinyup.
0:05:18 > 0:05:23But no sooner had the kettle boiled than family worries bubbled to the surface.
0:05:23 > 0:05:29I've never been so nervous in my life. This is basically going to decide whether I move or not.
0:05:29 > 0:05:34Either I move here and build a life around them as well,
0:05:34 > 0:05:39or I stay home and I don't have that reliance.
0:05:39 > 0:05:45There's nothing in Australia that I feel has any benefit to me. I'm not looking for a bigger house.
0:05:45 > 0:05:49It's not offering me my friends or my family or anything.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53It's only offering me a better life for the children than we've got.
0:05:53 > 0:06:02This week coming up, there'll be a lot of decisions made around whether it's the right move for us or not.
0:06:02 > 0:06:06- We'll just wait and see. - I think it's a matter of whether it's worth giving up
0:06:06 > 0:06:11everything we've got for it, all our friends and family as well.
0:06:18 > 0:06:23Back home, the Turners lived in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Swansea.
0:06:23 > 0:06:29It was Trudy's pride and joy and they believed it was worth around £130,000.
0:06:29 > 0:06:33Combined with Simon's salary, they had a budget of between £280,000
0:06:33 > 0:06:40and £340,000 to spend on a home Down Under - if they could find the right one.
0:06:40 > 0:06:46My ideal house would be a four-bedroomed, open-spaced house,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49hopefully with a little pool for Jacob,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51in a quiet area.
0:06:52 > 0:06:56The ideal house for me would have room for people to come and stay,
0:06:56 > 0:07:00and for me it's got to be a fairly easy commute to work.
0:07:00 > 0:07:05One reason I'm going is I don't want to spend all my time in work.
0:07:06 > 0:07:10We arranged for the Turners to get a taste of Perth's housing market.
0:07:10 > 0:07:14We showed them three options, based upon what they wanted,
0:07:14 > 0:07:17what they could afford and the real price of property Down Under.
0:07:17 > 0:07:22Only after checking out each house did the family discover its price.
0:07:26 > 0:07:30The search began north of the city in the suburb of Joondalup.
0:07:30 > 0:07:35The three-bedroom house they came to see was a typical example of a modern Aussie home,
0:07:36 > 0:07:39but would it appeal to Trudy and the rest of the family?
0:07:39 > 0:07:45- It just reminds me of back home. It's big enough definitely for us. - Definitely.
0:07:45 > 0:07:53It's just if we've got people coming to stay, I don't know whether this sort of set-up is big enough.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56We've got to provide for everyone as well.
0:07:56 > 0:07:59- We don't want to be cramped for two weeks every few months.- No.
0:08:00 > 0:08:04The only thing missing is there's a pool, but it's very small.
0:08:04 > 0:08:11- But it's not a deal breaker. - No, it's just I know Jakey really wanted a pool. Would you be happy
0:08:11 > 0:08:17- - with something little like that? - Yeah, a little bit. - A little bit.
0:08:17 > 0:08:21The first house left Jacob and Kirsty less than impressed.
0:08:21 > 0:08:26And although it was a similar size to their UK home, it didn't offer the space Trudy wanted.
0:08:26 > 0:08:30- Would finding out the price seal its fate?- What do you reckon?
0:08:30 > 0:08:37- I think it'll be 250. - I think it's worth 240 English pounds.
0:08:37 > 0:08:41- Thousand, obviously. - £240,000, yeah. Jake?
0:08:41 > 0:08:44- I think it's 250. - 250.
0:08:48 > 0:08:50Ready, guys?
0:08:53 > 0:08:55265.
0:08:55 > 0:08:57I think it's overpriced.
0:08:57 > 0:09:05I'm not surprised. It's just not a price I'd pay for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom with small rooms.
0:09:05 > 0:09:10- I'd rather go further out for that bigger house that we wanted. - Yeah.
0:09:10 > 0:09:14- At the moment, this wouldn't sway me to come over here.- No.
0:09:14 > 0:09:17The first house may have been bang on budget,
0:09:17 > 0:09:20but it didn't deliver enough fireworks for the Turners.
0:09:20 > 0:09:24So would finding what they want mean a big jump in price?
0:09:25 > 0:09:30Their second stop was a four-bedroom home on the outskirts of Joondalup.
0:09:30 > 0:09:32Boasting a family-sized kitchen diner
0:09:32 > 0:09:36and two living rooms, so plenty of space for everyone.
0:09:36 > 0:09:38And with the beach and transport links close by,
0:09:38 > 0:09:42it seemed to be rolling out the red carpet for the Turners.
0:09:44 > 0:09:47As they say, the Queen has arrived at her mansion.
0:09:50 > 0:09:56No, the outside was fantastic. When I arrived, I thought we'll never afford a house like that.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59But now I wouldn't want to buy it.
0:09:59 > 0:10:04Despite all its promise, the second home also failed to win Trudy over
0:10:04 > 0:10:07even though it had the extra room she wanted.
0:10:07 > 0:10:12But at least there was one feature to keep Jacob happy.
0:10:12 > 0:10:14- This is nice. I like this.- Yeah.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18You've got a little pool there. A medium-sized pool.
0:10:18 > 0:10:24- Unfortunately, the inside is nowhere near...- What you wanted.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27Although it offered more, the second home still
0:10:27 > 0:10:30didn't deliver what the Turners were looking for.
0:10:30 > 0:10:33And convincing Trudy and Kirsty to move Down Under
0:10:33 > 0:10:36was starting to look like a very tough sell.
0:10:36 > 0:10:39So, would the price change their minds?
0:10:39 > 0:10:40- Ah!- I think this...
0:10:40 > 0:10:45- 465.- 465 for you, Jake? That's not a bad guess, mate.
0:10:45 > 0:10:47I'm going to say 475.
0:10:47 > 0:10:51I'll say 480, but I don't think it's worth it.
0:10:51 > 0:10:56If I really had to guess a value, I wouldn't guess more than about 440.
0:10:56 > 0:10:58OK.
0:11:01 > 0:11:03You ready, guys?
0:11:03 > 0:11:09- 400,000. - So it's not that much. I was closer than any of you.
0:11:09 > 0:11:15- And I said I wouldn't pay 430. - I don't think I'd pay 400. I wouldn't buy it.
0:11:15 > 0:11:20Both over-budget and underwhelming, the second house was another failure.
0:11:20 > 0:11:25All Simon's hopes rested on the final stop of the day.
0:11:25 > 0:11:30For their last visit, the Turners headed to the quiet suburb of Tapping.
0:11:30 > 0:11:32Being an hour's commute from the city,
0:11:32 > 0:11:36this four-bedroom house should have offered the Turners space and value.
0:11:36 > 0:11:37But would they agree?
0:11:37 > 0:11:39Ahh!
0:11:39 > 0:11:40Looks like home.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42I think Mam will like this room.
0:11:44 > 0:11:47Oh, this really is nice.
0:11:47 > 0:11:51And I love the en suite. The kitchen is really nice.
0:11:51 > 0:11:54I wouldn't touch the kitchen. I wouldn't touch anything.
0:11:54 > 0:12:01It's just like back home. Jacob seems excited. He can see something out there.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Lovely, lovely blue pool, isn't it?
0:12:04 > 0:12:10It's exactly what we're looking for. Shall we go and check if the bedroom is going to be a downer?
0:12:10 > 0:12:15- Yes.- It seems too good to be true at the moment.- It does, but you never know.
0:12:15 > 0:12:20Jacob was won over by the pool and Trudy by the space.
0:12:20 > 0:12:22But Kirsty was being very quiet.
0:12:25 > 0:12:30- Oh, there's a second bathroom, too. - This would be Kirsty's shower room.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32This would be all for you.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35- Would that swing it for you, Kirst? - Mm.
0:12:35 > 0:12:40All right, does it change your mind just a tiny bit?
0:12:40 > 0:12:46- I told you like the houses here. - Patio doors here to open up onto the pool.- It'd be nice.
0:12:46 > 0:12:49JACOB: You'd just want to dive in. TRUDY: Would be.
0:12:50 > 0:12:55With everyone almost impressed, the Turners seem to have found their ideal home,
0:12:55 > 0:12:59but would it fit within their £340,000 budget?
0:13:02 > 0:13:09So what do we think, then? What did you say it was?
0:13:09 > 0:13:12- Judging on the last one, 320. - You say 320.
0:13:12 > 0:13:18I'll just go a little bit higher than you at 325, but I wouldn't say much more than that still.
0:13:18 > 0:13:23- No, probably not. - - What are you thinking, Jake? - 350.
0:13:23 > 0:13:28- If you're right, you can keep it. - Yeah, that would be cool.
0:13:28 > 0:13:34- Go on then, have a look. - Jake, you can read it out. I'll just bring it out for you.
0:13:34 > 0:13:39Ready? Jacob's excited. Can he live here? Can he not live here?
0:13:39 > 0:13:43- He's thinking, "Can I have it?" - Pull it out, Jake. Hold it up.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Oh! 350 - you're right!
0:13:46 > 0:13:48Yeah!
0:13:48 > 0:13:50I can't believe you were right, Jake.
0:13:50 > 0:13:56- I could see myself settling in a house like this. - I could see myself here.
0:13:56 > 0:14:01- If I get the job offer.- Kirst, would this be enough to sway you?
0:14:01 > 0:14:09I don't know. I mean, I do like the houses and I do like the lifestyle of it,
0:14:09 > 0:14:11but I just don't think it's me.
0:14:14 > 0:14:20After looking at three different properties, the Turners had a clear idea of what Perth had to offer.
0:14:20 > 0:14:24But was it enough to convince them to leave their home in the UK?
0:14:25 > 0:14:31OK, that's the end of the housing day. We've seen three very nice, very different houses
0:14:31 > 0:14:36and it's given us a very good idea of what we can expect from a house.
0:14:36 > 0:14:42Based on the houses that we've seen today, our vote is going to be...
0:14:51 > 0:14:54ALL: Australia!
0:14:54 > 0:14:56That's a surprise!
0:14:56 > 0:14:59Australia, Jake? And Kirsty.
0:14:59 > 0:15:03- You prefer the houses over here, then?- Yeah.
0:15:03 > 0:15:09Even though I don't know whether I want to live here, the houses are still nicer here.
0:15:09 > 0:15:13They've got massive gardens and pools, which is really nice.
0:15:13 > 0:15:17And the houses are generally bigger and I'd have a bigger room,
0:15:17 > 0:15:21so they always are going to be better than the UK ones anyway.
0:15:28 > 0:15:33Back in the UK, Simon worked long hours running his own accountancy business,
0:15:33 > 0:15:36earning around £50,000 a year.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40Driving the move for him was the promise of a better work/life balance
0:15:40 > 0:15:44in Australia, but he knew just how big a gamble he was taking.
0:15:46 > 0:15:52A little bit apprehensive because it's not within my comfort zone that I'm used to,
0:15:52 > 0:15:57but still looking forward to it. It's something different. Just see how it goes.
0:15:57 > 0:16:03We arranged for him to meet with Bruce Fielding, a consultant at a large Perth accountancy firm,
0:16:03 > 0:16:05to find out about working in the city.
0:16:07 > 0:16:14While Simon was getting the lowdown on Aussie finance, Trudy, Jacob and Kirsty headed to Caversham Park
0:16:14 > 0:16:16to meet some of the local wildlife.
0:16:16 > 0:16:21Park ranger Geoff Cotterill was on hand to show them around.
0:16:21 > 0:16:23How would you like to see some kangaroos?
0:16:23 > 0:16:24If they made the move,
0:16:24 > 0:16:27Trudy was keen to get involved with volunteer work
0:16:27 > 0:16:30and the park could have been a way of meeting new people.
0:16:30 > 0:16:36- If I wanted to come down here and volunteer, would that be something that you'd look at?- Yeah, absolutely.
0:16:36 > 0:16:38We have a volunteer programme at the park,
0:16:38 > 0:16:43a lot to do with helping the public with directions around the park, taking photos.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Would this push you towards Oz?
0:16:46 > 0:16:50It does appeal to me, it makes me interested, it makes me want to come here,
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- so it does make me think... - There's more to life in Oz.
0:16:54 > 0:16:59- Yeah, there's more to life in Oz than just...- Fashion.- Just fashion.
0:16:59 > 0:17:05This would be your thing. You could meet people and maybe after a year, you might think, "I've got friends.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08"Maybe I could live here."
0:17:08 > 0:17:14Trudy was working hard to sell the idea of life in Oz, but if Simon couldn't find the right job,
0:17:14 > 0:17:16all their hopes would be in vain.
0:17:16 > 0:17:23My first question is whether my skills and experience fit into the local market and the local economy.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Your experience suits the industries
0:17:25 > 0:17:30that are going well here in Western Australia at the moment - engineering, construction.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33So where would you see me pitched in the market?
0:17:33 > 0:17:40- You'd be looking at something from.. anywhere from 90,000 per annum through to 150,000.- OK.
0:17:40 > 0:17:44So if you pitched yourself to start at the lower end of that range,
0:17:44 > 0:17:50you've got plenty of scope to grow over the next two or three years as your experience grows.
0:17:50 > 0:17:54If you can get a position with a company that's growing
0:17:54 > 0:17:58and doing well, you've got a good chance to grow with them.
0:17:58 > 0:18:01With the possibility of doubling his UK salary,
0:18:01 > 0:18:05it was a great result for Simon and a future in Perth seemed a step closer.
0:18:05 > 0:18:10I feel very positive about the possibilities of a role here in Perth.
0:18:10 > 0:18:14My skills and experience seem to be a natural fit
0:18:14 > 0:18:19and the salary levels are what I need them to be
0:18:19 > 0:18:22for us to make a success of it, so I think it's going to be good.
0:18:22 > 0:18:24All that was left was to vote.
0:18:26 > 0:18:30Based upon what I've found out today and the conversations I've had and the work I've done
0:18:30 > 0:18:34on whether I'm going to work in the UK or Australia, I'm going to vote for...
0:18:38 > 0:18:40..Australia.
0:18:46 > 0:18:49With the house they like in Oz at the top of their budget,
0:18:49 > 0:18:53the Turner is needed to raise as much cash as possible.
0:18:53 > 0:18:56We sent two estate agents round to the Turners' Swansea home
0:18:56 > 0:19:02to see if they thought it was worth the £130,000 the family hoped for.
0:19:02 > 0:19:03Good sized lounge.
0:19:03 > 0:19:07Patio doors opening on to the balcony as well and views of the bay.
0:19:07 > 0:19:09- It looks nicer than I thought. - Yeah, it does.
0:19:09 > 0:19:13Good sized second bedroom and definitely a boy's room.
0:19:15 > 0:19:19One of the pluses is it's got three good sized bedrooms.
0:19:19 > 0:19:22- She's nice, she is. - She is very nice, Kirst.
0:19:22 > 0:19:26The big plus for this property is obviously the fantastic sea view.
0:19:26 > 0:19:30We'd recommend that this property is put on the market at 89,950
0:19:30 > 0:19:33with offers at 80,000-plus being considered.
0:19:33 > 0:19:36The rental value would be around £450 per month.
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- That's not too bad.- No.
0:19:39 > 0:19:43We'd value this house at 85,950 with a quick sale of 80,000
0:19:43 > 0:19:45and a rental figure of 450.
0:19:45 > 0:19:52I'm surprised it was quite that low, but I'm not overly surprised the way the market's gone in recent years.
0:19:52 > 0:19:58- To be honest, I wouldn't even sell it for 80,000 or 85,000.- I'm not selling it for anything anyway.
0:19:58 > 0:20:01- I want it as a pension. - It won't deter our...
0:20:01 > 0:20:05- Not at all.- ..deter us from moving at all if we wanted to, is it?- No.
0:20:05 > 0:20:11Faced with a big drop in value, Simon and Trudy were determined to stay positive.
0:20:11 > 0:20:16But everything now hinged on the cost of living in Australia.
0:20:18 > 0:20:23So the overall difference is about £45, £50 a week.
0:20:23 > 0:20:28The weekly shop in Australia was more expensive. What about the other costs?
0:20:28 > 0:20:32Coming to the monthly payments, council tax is...
0:20:32 > 0:20:39- More expensive.- Transport is going to be a lot cheaper because you're not travelling to Cardiff.- Exactly.
0:20:39 > 0:20:43- I always expected the cost of living to be higher.- Yeah.
0:20:43 > 0:20:50Based on the UK salary of 50,000, we come out at just over 300 a month...every month left
0:20:50 > 0:20:55and the equivalent salary I've been told I can earn over here is around £90,000
0:20:55 > 0:20:59which is...80% more again, but because of the extra cost of living
0:20:59 > 0:21:02and the higher mortgage for the house that we want,
0:21:02 > 0:21:04we're going to pretty much come out the same every month.
0:21:04 > 0:21:10Financially, we'll just be the same. We're not moving to be better off.
0:21:10 > 0:21:14- As long as we're not worse off. - We're moving for a better lifestyle.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20It looked as if the Turners would be no better or worse off
0:21:20 > 0:21:22so how would this affect their vote?
0:21:24 > 0:21:29So after considering the options on the cost of living in the UK
0:21:29 > 0:21:33as opposed to the cost of living in Australia, we're going to vote for...
0:21:40 > 0:21:42- ..Australia.- Australia.
0:21:48 > 0:21:50Finances were crucial,
0:21:50 > 0:21:54but Trudy's biggest concern was keeping the family together.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57She had a lot of convincing still to do with Kirsty
0:21:57 > 0:22:01and a girly day out gave them the opportunity for a heart-to-heart.
0:22:05 > 0:22:10So being in the city centre here now,
0:22:10 > 0:22:14would this persuade you to come out, whether it's now or in a couple of years?
0:22:14 > 0:22:18Yeah, it has definitely persuaded me to come out.
0:22:18 > 0:22:24I mean, I have to finish uni. I'm not going back home anyway, whether you live there or not.
0:22:24 > 0:22:29So it has made me think about doing something with my career here.
0:22:29 > 0:22:34Even if you didn't move now, maybe after the degree, where there are no jobs back home,
0:22:34 > 0:22:38you could come out and make a life for yourself, come and stay with us,
0:22:38 > 0:22:44get yourself a job that you've always wanted, good pay and meet some friends and have a good life.
0:22:44 > 0:22:49- Yeah, it's made me think about it. - Good. All we want you to do is to think about it.
0:22:51 > 0:22:55with Kirsty coming round to the idea of Australia, Simon wanted
0:22:55 > 0:22:59to show them what life could be like spending more time together outdoors,
0:22:59 > 0:23:03which meant a 6am start for Aussie boot camp.
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Three, two, one and go!
0:23:09 > 0:23:12Kirsty's quite competitive in that little run.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15- Awesome work, eh? Kirsty doesn't do running.
0:23:15 > 0:23:21- She does a lot of sleeping. - Maybe the change in climate might inspire her.
0:23:24 > 0:23:28Compared to going to the gym back home, this is quite fun.
0:23:28 > 0:23:34Going to the gym, you just go to work out, but here it's activities, it's more than just working out.
0:23:35 > 0:23:38TRUDY: What did you like about it?
0:23:38 > 0:23:40Running slow...
0:23:40 > 0:23:43Would you get up to go to boot camp at the weekends?
0:23:43 > 0:23:47It was a really good way of making friends and I enjoyed it.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49It was good.
0:23:49 > 0:23:55I don't know about the six o'clock starts, mind, but I reckon you get used to them, don't you?
0:23:56 > 0:23:59The early morning start had gone down well,
0:23:59 > 0:24:03but had it been enough to convince everyone that the Aussie lifestyle is for them?
0:24:06 > 0:24:13The lifestyle that we've experienced here in Australia, compared to the UK, is a lot better,
0:24:13 > 0:24:16generally because of the weather as well,
0:24:16 > 0:24:19so our vote is going to be...
0:24:26 > 0:24:27ALL: Australia!
0:24:30 > 0:24:34- Everyone's Australia? - Yeah, everybody's Australia.
0:24:34 > 0:24:35I didn't expect that.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38- Happy with that, Kirst?- What?
0:24:38 > 0:24:42- Do you think the lifestyle is better here?- Yeah, it is better out here.
0:24:42 > 0:24:46Everything's chilled, everything's relaxed.
0:24:46 > 0:24:49- Which is what you like?- Yeah.
0:24:49 > 0:24:50It's going to be better for us.
0:24:50 > 0:24:54We won't be spending nine months of the year stuck in front of the TV
0:24:54 > 0:25:00with someone spending three hours a night in front of his computer because there's nothing else to do.
0:25:08 > 0:25:12The vote for Perth's lifestyle was a big move towards Australia
0:25:12 > 0:25:17but would seeing messages from home leave them right back where they started?
0:25:17 > 0:25:21So we're going to have to watch the DVDs from all the family and friends now
0:25:21 > 0:25:26and we've seen yourself and the children get upset with these things.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29Should we let Jacob watch it? Kirsty is older.
0:25:29 > 0:25:35I think Kirsty wants to watch it anyway and I think Jacob would feel really left out if he didn't.
0:25:35 > 0:25:41It's important, because he's got to make a decision, we can't just show him the good stuff and not...
0:25:41 > 0:25:43I did say that the other day.
0:25:43 > 0:25:48I did say, "Is he just looking at the pool and thinking, 'I'm going to live here?'"
0:25:48 > 0:25:53As much as it may upset him, we've got to let him make the full decision.
0:25:57 > 0:26:00I'm not looking forward to this bit.
0:26:00 > 0:26:05- Hi, everyone.- Hi, gang. - Hello, Simon, Trudy.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08Simon, I'm very close to. He's my eldest.
0:26:08 > 0:26:13He never moved away from Swansea until he was in the navy.
0:26:13 > 0:26:15Trudy's a fun-loving person.
0:26:15 > 0:26:18She always looks for the best in people.
0:26:18 > 0:26:22Trudy as a sister is very caring, supportive.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25She's always there for me.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27As a daughter, Kirsty is very loving
0:26:27 > 0:26:32She loves coming home on her breaks. It's nice to see her.
0:26:32 > 0:26:37I think they're doing the right thing. If it was me,
0:26:37 > 0:26:41looking back on my life, I would go straightaway.
0:26:41 > 0:26:46Before, it was always in the future, but I don't know how I'll cope with it.
0:26:48 > 0:26:51I know how I feel. I don't know how his mum feels.
0:26:51 > 0:26:54I do know how she feels.
0:26:54 > 0:26:56But...
0:26:56 > 0:26:58It's a big wrench.
0:26:58 > 0:27:02Hi, Kirsty. I hope you make the right decision which is to stay there.
0:27:02 > 0:27:05I'll miss you very much and I love you.
0:27:05 > 0:27:09If you want to come home, there's always a place here for you.
0:27:09 > 0:27:13Whatever you decide, we'll back you all the way.
0:27:15 > 0:27:22- Go for it, boy. You, Trudy, Kirsty and Jacob. If you like it out there, go for it.- We love you lots.
0:27:22 > 0:27:25Don't forget me, will you, please? I'm not going to forget you.
0:27:26 > 0:27:32God bless you all! I'm so happy for you. Make a go of it, please.
0:27:34 > 0:27:35Bye-bye, darling.
0:27:38 > 0:27:41I do want them to go, but I'm going to miss them.
0:27:43 > 0:27:46That was really sad.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49- That was sad, wasn't it?- Hmm.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52That was tough. That was really hard.
0:27:52 > 0:27:57- It was tough.- It was tough.- It was tougher than I thought it would be.
0:27:57 > 0:27:59It's going to be a tough decision now.
0:27:59 > 0:28:04Kirsty, whichever decision you make, it hasn't got to be your decision for ever.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Do you think you're going to lose support?
0:28:07 > 0:28:08Um...
0:28:13 > 0:28:15You're not going to lose support here.
0:28:15 > 0:28:19It's not going to be any different to being over here, is it?
0:28:21 > 0:28:25Hmm? You're going to get the same support.
0:28:25 > 0:28:28Exactly the same support. No matter where we are, I'm always going to be there for you
0:28:28 > 0:28:35whether it's the end of the phone, on the end of a plane. Christmas you can come and spend on the beach
0:28:35 > 0:28:37and eye up all the talent.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42- Hmm?- There'll always be a room in the house for you wherever we are.
0:28:42 > 0:28:48There'll always be a home here if we decide to come over here. Wherever we are, there's a home for you.
0:28:55 > 0:28:58After a week to remember, it was time for the Turners to make
0:28:58 > 0:29:01one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
0:29:01 > 0:29:05And their experiences in Perth had left them with plenty to think about.
0:29:05 > 0:29:07The week's been very, very tiring.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10It's had its ups and downs, but overall, I think we've enjoyed it.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13I really didn't think I was going to like it over here.
0:29:13 > 0:29:17I was more or less going for Simon's sake.
0:29:17 > 0:29:22At the beginning, I was so scared, if I didn't want to come here, that I was going to lose my mum.
0:29:22 > 0:29:25I don't think I'm going to lose my mum any more.
0:29:25 > 0:29:31I think I've put her mind at rest that I'm not going to abandon her to come over here.
0:29:31 > 0:29:35I'll still be with her 100%. I'm always going to be her mother.
0:29:35 > 0:29:40I'll always be there for her like I have the last 19 years.
0:29:40 > 0:29:46The things we've done this week have reinforced the view that we're going to have...
0:29:46 > 0:29:49I won't call it a better lifestyle. We enjoy our lifestyle back home.
0:29:49 > 0:29:52We'll have a different lifestyle that will be of benefit as well.
0:29:54 > 0:30:00We've only got one life and if I don't give it a chance, for me and Simon and for the kids,
0:30:00 > 0:30:04then I'm going to really be missing out on something really good.
0:30:04 > 0:30:07So had Trudy done enough to persuade Kirsty
0:30:07 > 0:30:12or would Simon have to put his dreams on hold to keep the family together?
0:30:12 > 0:30:13It was time to vote.
0:30:14 > 0:30:18It's been a week of ups and downs, I'm hoping mostly ups.
0:30:18 > 0:30:21I guess we'll find out in a few moments.
0:30:21 > 0:30:25Based on our experiences of the past week, we've decided to vote for...
0:30:31 > 0:30:32TRUDY AND SIMON: Australia.
0:30:35 > 0:30:39Australia for you. We knew Kirsty was going to go UK.
0:30:39 > 0:30:43What about you, Jake? It was Australia then, was it?
0:30:43 > 0:30:46- Stay in Australia?- Yeah?
0:30:46 > 0:30:48Well done, boy.
0:30:49 > 0:30:52Maybe in a couple of years' time?
0:30:52 > 0:30:56- It's not that I'm not ruling out Australia...- Yeah, I know.
0:30:56 > 0:31:00But if I voted for now, to go back now, it would be Britain now.
0:31:00 > 0:31:05- To go back to Britain now.- But maybe in two years' time, the vote will be completely different.
0:31:05 > 0:31:09I'd wait till I'd finished uni, then it might be Australia.
0:31:09 > 0:31:15- I think that's the fairest thing we can ask for.- I'm happy with that. - Yeah?- That's made me happy.
0:31:15 > 0:31:17- That's made me happy.- Cool.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28After experiencing the highs and lows of life Down Under,
0:31:28 > 0:31:30it looked like a move was on the cards.
0:31:30 > 0:31:36But not for everyone. One year on, what happened next?
0:31:36 > 0:31:37The Turner family are living in...
0:31:39 > 0:31:41Swansea.
0:31:42 > 0:31:45But that situation is all about to change
0:31:45 > 0:31:49as they get ready to make the move to Australia for good.
0:31:49 > 0:31:52When I first came back to the UK, I was waking up in the mornings
0:31:52 > 0:31:55and thinking, Australia was nice.
0:31:55 > 0:31:57I spoke to Simon about it, and he kept asking me,
0:31:57 > 0:31:59is it for you, did you really like it?
0:31:59 > 0:32:04And I said, yeah, I'm thinking about it a lot when I've come home.
0:32:04 > 0:32:06And we just went from there, then.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08And then it was telling friends
0:32:08 > 0:32:12and family that we had booked the date, and that was really hard.
0:32:12 > 0:32:13It started to get scary then.
0:32:13 > 0:32:16Because before, it was a case of me wanting to go
0:32:16 > 0:32:19and it's easy to want to go when people aren't sure.
0:32:19 > 0:32:21But all of a sudden, when people say they do want to go,
0:32:21 > 0:32:23then you've actually got to do it.
0:32:23 > 0:32:26Talking about something is easier than going ahead and doing it.
0:32:26 > 0:32:28We are just realising now, over the last couple of weeks
0:32:28 > 0:32:33that are left, how much people think of us, how much family think of us.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36It's... I think that has made it harder.
0:32:38 > 0:32:41But for Trudy, the hardest person to leave behind was always going
0:32:41 > 0:32:44to be her daughter, Kirsty.
0:32:44 > 0:32:46I was worried about her reaction.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49But when I eventually rang and told her, she was OK about it.
0:32:49 > 0:32:51There wasn't any tears or anything.
0:32:51 > 0:32:55But I don't think it really sunk in until she came home and seen the boxes.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58We did put the option to her to do her final year in Australia,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01so she could make friends while she was on the course.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04- Which I thought would have been better for her.- I thought...
0:33:04 > 0:33:07But it's her choice, and she chose to stay here for the year.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11And her dad has said as well, I'm here for you,
0:33:11 > 0:33:16and our family and best friends have all said, here are our numbers, if you need us.
0:33:16 > 0:33:20It's still hard, even though she is 20. It's still hard to leave her home.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23I think the day that we have to go and say goodbye for now,
0:33:23 > 0:33:27I think I'll be crying at the airport.
0:33:27 > 0:33:30I think I'll be crying, probably.
0:33:30 > 0:33:33There's no doubt the family will face some heartbreaking goodbyes,
0:33:33 > 0:33:38but at least for now, they have plenty of other things on their minds to distract them.
0:33:39 > 0:33:42It's been a tough few days, hasn't it?
0:33:42 > 0:33:46Just making sure everything is done, everything is flat-packed,
0:33:46 > 0:33:48all the furniture has been taken apart.
0:33:48 > 0:33:51Where not just putting it in the container, we are flat-packing it
0:33:51 > 0:33:53to make sure we can fit it all in.
0:33:53 > 0:33:57I think one of the reasons we are taking so much with us is to have the familiarity.
0:33:57 > 0:33:59So I can bring my home.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02- I'm bringing my home to my new home. - Yes.
0:34:02 > 0:34:05Because we've got to try and remember that even though it is our home,
0:34:05 > 0:34:08it's not. Our home is us, all of us as a family.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12As it's getting closer now, it's getting more and more real.
0:34:12 > 0:34:14And sometimes, if I really think about it,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17my heart and my stomach sort of jumps a bit, because I'm thinking,
0:34:17 > 0:34:20oh God, are you going to be able to get on that plane?
0:34:34 > 0:34:38After months of planning and organising, it's the morning
0:34:38 > 0:34:41of the big day as the Turners start the journey to their new lives.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46But Trudy is still trying to come to terms with everything
0:34:46 > 0:34:48they are leaving behind.
0:34:48 > 0:34:50Today, we are moving to Australia.
0:34:52 > 0:34:54Just sitting in a hotel room, ready to go.
0:34:56 > 0:35:00It's a happy day and it's a sad day. So...
0:35:02 > 0:35:04Coming up last night was really, really bad.
0:35:04 > 0:35:08Leaving everybody at home was really bad. Worse than I have ever thought.
0:35:08 > 0:35:10Worst thing I have ever done in my life.
0:35:10 > 0:35:13Trudy is a little bit upset, because we didn't see Kirsty.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17She is finding that really difficult. Which is understandable, I guess.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20I said, you can still come if you want tomorrow, mind. We can just
0:35:20 > 0:35:23click off the ticket and you can come.
0:35:23 > 0:35:26She said, no, Mam, I've finished my final year now and I'll be all right.
0:35:26 > 0:35:30And I found it really hard in the car, turning around to wave goodbye.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34She looked teary, and I was crying, and it was really hard.
0:35:34 > 0:35:40It was really tough... saying goodbye to my sister.
0:35:40 > 0:35:44I think at the moment, it's still quite raw, leaving everybody,
0:35:44 > 0:35:48leaving Kirsty, leaving our family, leaving our friends.
0:35:48 > 0:35:51I think we're still sort of struggling with that a little bit.
0:35:51 > 0:35:56I think that is going to take a bit of time for us to get over.
0:35:56 > 0:35:59I've just got to remember, really, as I'm going, why I'm really going.
0:35:59 > 0:36:03I said to Jacob the other, are you excited? Because Jacob has been really excited all along.
0:36:03 > 0:36:09He said, are we going to the park again with the pulley where we pull each other up and down?
0:36:09 > 0:36:11I said we can do that every night.
0:36:11 > 0:36:15I'm really excited to go to Australia so I can play football all the time.
0:36:15 > 0:36:20I still think it's going to be a great opportunity for both
0:36:20 > 0:36:23myself and Trudy and Jake and Kirsty, when she comes over.
0:36:23 > 0:36:27And as they arrive at the airport, it's the moment of truth.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31It's a bit of a cut-off, if you want. Because that's when we get on the plane.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34But then, 2:45 local time on Thursday is
0:36:34 > 0:36:39when we get off the plane again and that's when our lives start again.
0:36:39 > 0:36:41Time to go, girls and boys.
0:36:41 > 0:36:45It's now or never, because we've got to go through the departure security.
0:36:45 > 0:36:49Bags are checked in, so we may as well go and see what happens, I think.
0:36:49 > 0:36:51It's now or never, and at the end of the day,
0:36:51 > 0:36:53we're getting older now, so we thought give it a go,
0:36:53 > 0:36:55and if it doesn't work,
0:36:55 > 0:36:58we can always come back.
0:37:01 > 0:37:03But there is no going back quite yet.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06The Turners are finally on the plane that will take them
0:37:06 > 0:37:09to their new life halfway around the world.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19It's three months later when we catch up with the Turners.
0:37:20 > 0:37:23When they first arrived in Perth, they had the support of Trudy's
0:37:23 > 0:37:27aunt and uncle, who they stayed with while they found their feet.
0:37:27 > 0:37:29But Trudy has still found it hard to cope
0:37:29 > 0:37:32with the reality of leaving Kirsty behind.
0:37:34 > 0:37:37It was really hard just...
0:37:37 > 0:37:41just leaving Kirsty, upset me the first week.
0:37:41 > 0:37:46I cried a couple of evenings, on the side.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48I sat on the bench at one of the shopping centres,
0:37:48 > 0:37:50after we had been into the shops, and I said,
0:37:50 > 0:37:53I don't like nothing here, and everything is really expensive,
0:37:53 > 0:37:55and I think we've made the wrong decision.
0:37:55 > 0:37:57And that's the way I felt that day.
0:37:57 > 0:38:02But as time went by and the days went by and we started settling in,
0:38:02 > 0:38:06getting the house ready, getting Jacob ready to go to school,
0:38:06 > 0:38:09and finding our way round and going out every weekend,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12we just started settling in slowly.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14I think the biggest difference between Trudy
0:38:14 > 0:38:17and I is that Trudy has had a lot more time
0:38:17 > 0:38:21to think about missing her friends and her family back home.
0:38:21 > 0:38:23I've managed to get into a routine quicker.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26I've had more to occupy my mind during the course of a day.
0:38:26 > 0:38:28I think Trudy has struggled at times.
0:38:28 > 0:38:34Part of me still felt when I came out here, that I wasn't coming for good.
0:38:34 > 0:38:37Maybe because Simon wanted to go, and I liked Australia,
0:38:37 > 0:38:40but I thought that in my head it was more, I'll try it for a year
0:38:40 > 0:38:42and then I'll probably go home.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45But I'm coming round to thinking, well, I'll try it for a year,
0:38:45 > 0:38:47but I think I'll try it for another year.
0:38:49 > 0:38:52After the emotional highs and lows of their first few weeks,
0:38:52 > 0:38:55things have started to settle now they have moved into their own
0:38:55 > 0:38:58rental property in the suburb of Mindarie.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02We were very lucky, we didn't have to go searching for houses.
0:39:02 > 0:39:06My aunt had a friend who was looking to break her lease,
0:39:06 > 0:39:08and she asked us if we'd be interested.
0:39:08 > 0:39:12So we came down and had a look, and I, well, this is great for us.
0:39:12 > 0:39:14Plenty of room and a pool.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16So we basically signed everything, paid the bond
0:39:16 > 0:39:19and moved in two weeks ago.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21We wanted the four bedrooms, because it's important to us
0:39:21 > 0:39:24that people who want to come and visit have somewhere to stay.
0:39:24 > 0:39:26Jacob's only criterion was to have a pool.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30We have managed to do that for him. It ticks all the boxes for us, to be honest.
0:39:36 > 0:39:40So, despite the pain of leaving one family member behind,
0:39:40 > 0:39:44the Turners have found a great house to rent and a good school for Jacob.
0:39:44 > 0:39:48Things started to come together when Simon was offered an accounting job
0:39:48 > 0:39:52with a mining company within just two weeks of arriving.
0:39:52 > 0:39:56Finding a job pretty quickly meant that I was back in a routine that I was familiar with.
0:39:56 > 0:40:00It was a big thing for me to be able to settle quickly here.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02I was back into the swing of what I was doing back home.
0:40:02 > 0:40:05I'm enjoying the new position.
0:40:05 > 0:40:07More than anything, because it's an industry I'm not used to.
0:40:07 > 0:40:12Mining is obviously something that is not big in the UK any more,
0:40:12 > 0:40:13but it's massive here.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16I think it's going to be quite strong for years to come.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21Simon's job has been crucial in helping everyone
0:40:21 > 0:40:23settle into their Aussie new life.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25And with future work prospects looking positive,
0:40:25 > 0:40:28the family are beginning to see the benefits of the move.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33Simon has had a lot more time to spend with Jacob since we came over here.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37He goes out in the evenings, plays football before it gets dark
0:40:37 > 0:40:38if he is home in time.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42We go out every weekend, we travel around the beaches.
0:40:42 > 0:40:45It's just the weather is just always so nice.
0:40:45 > 0:40:50I think the football has helped Jacob settle into his life here.
0:40:50 > 0:40:53But I think it's an overall thing with school, friends,
0:40:53 > 0:40:54football, family.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I think it all just goes into one.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01So far, the whole family have warmed to their new lives,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04but there's still just one thing missing.
0:41:04 > 0:41:10I think Kirsty will come and try and stay for a year.
0:41:10 > 0:41:12Whether she'll like it or not, I don't know.
0:41:12 > 0:41:16But I think a year is a long time to stay somewhere and I think
0:41:16 > 0:41:21if I can settle within 11 weeks or so, then she could do too.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24I do hope Kirsty comes, for Kirsty's sake more than anything.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26I have brought her up as my own since she was four years old.
0:41:26 > 0:41:28So I do hope she comes over.
0:41:28 > 0:41:31So are you looking forward to coming out at Christmas?
0:41:33 > 0:41:36I can't wait. I can't wait for Christmas time.
0:41:36 > 0:41:39I'm so, I'm like, I'm ecstatic about Christmas time.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43I know it sounds silly, but I can't wait to have my Christmas meal.
0:41:44 > 0:41:47And seeing family. Because I haven't seen anyone for like, ages, since...
0:41:47 > 0:41:50I can't even remember.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53I think that you're going to go home in January
0:41:53 > 0:41:56and I think you're going to say to your friends, I really want to go back.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00That's what I think, I could be wrong. But I'm hoping that.
0:42:00 > 0:42:02To me, you are home.
0:42:02 > 0:42:04So wherever you are, will always be my home.
0:42:04 > 0:42:06Well, I told you that before we came here, didn't I?
0:42:06 > 0:42:09That we are a unit, the four of us.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11Wherever we are together is our home,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14not just the bricks that hold the home together.
0:42:14 > 0:42:16It's us that make the unit.
0:42:16 > 0:42:18Have a good day.
0:42:18 > 0:42:21Trudy and Simon are still hopeful Kirsty will come out
0:42:21 > 0:42:23to join them when she finishes university,
0:42:23 > 0:42:26and that, in the future, they can be a family again.
0:42:29 > 0:42:34Now that Simon has a permanent job coming up and we have that stability,
0:42:34 > 0:42:39I'm very confident that we will be staying in Australia for definite.
0:42:41 > 0:42:45I would only ever go home now to visit the family and my friends.
0:42:45 > 0:42:48Otherwise, I won't be going home to live any more.
0:42:51 > 0:42:53So, after plenty of soul-searching,
0:42:53 > 0:42:56the Turners are settling into their new lives in Perth.
0:42:56 > 0:42:58Despite leaving Kirsty at home,
0:42:58 > 0:43:02they are happy they made the right decision for the whole family.
0:43:02 > 0:43:04We wish them lots of luck in the future.
0:43:24 > 0:43:26Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd