0:00:02 > 0:00:04If all you wanted in life was to
0:00:04 > 0:00:08spend time with the people you loved, how far would you go
0:00:08 > 0:00:10to achieve your dream?
0:00:10 > 0:00:14For one family, it could mean taking the biggest gamble of their lives -
0:00:14 > 0:00:17moving to the other side of the world.
0:00:17 > 0:00:22In 2012, Julie Godfrey's job working away from home had been
0:00:22 > 0:00:24turning her life into a nightmare.
0:00:24 > 0:00:26He's got the window down, he's screaming, "Mum! Mum! Don't go!
0:00:26 > 0:00:31"Come back!" You can see that he's heartbroken and it's just horrible.
0:00:31 > 0:00:34And husband Alan couldn't take any more.
0:00:34 > 0:00:38It was snowing. It was freezing. My wife was in London.
0:00:38 > 0:00:42I was depressed and I just decided, "Enough is enough."
0:00:42 > 0:00:45But on their trial week down under,
0:00:45 > 0:00:48it looked like they would struggle to cope with leaving loved ones.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49I'm welling up.
0:00:52 > 0:00:54One year on, we'll find out
0:00:54 > 0:00:58if the Godfreys are living in the UK or Australia.
0:00:58 > 0:01:01We had a lot of really difficult decisions to make
0:01:01 > 0:01:03and a week in which to do it.
0:01:27 > 0:01:30With its British-style culture and sunny climate,
0:01:30 > 0:01:33Australia's the number one destination for
0:01:33 > 0:01:36people leaving the UK in search of a new life.
0:01:36 > 0:01:40In fact, around 40,000 Brits emigrate there every year.
0:01:40 > 0:01:43However, the grass isn't always greener
0:01:43 > 0:01:46and nearly a third return to the UK.
0:01:46 > 0:01:49In 2012, the Godfrey family experienced a week that could
0:01:49 > 0:01:52change the course of their lives.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55After seeing at first-hand the reality of living in Australia,
0:01:55 > 0:01:58they faced a huge decision -
0:01:58 > 0:02:02whether to stay in the UK or to make the move for good.
0:02:03 > 0:02:05Today we'll find out what they did next.
0:02:07 > 0:02:11A year ago, the Godfreys made the 11,000 mile trip to
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Perth in Western Australia.
0:02:15 > 0:02:17And, after two days of travelling,
0:02:17 > 0:02:20the distance had definitely taken its toll.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24The first leg of the flight was fine.
0:02:24 > 0:02:26The second leg of the flight was torture.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28- There's no way we could make that on a regular basis.- No...
0:02:28 > 0:02:31- We could stay here.- I think you could make that flight
0:02:31 > 0:02:32maybe once a year max.
0:02:32 > 0:02:35- Oh, aye, you could do it once a year.- Not on your life!
0:02:35 > 0:02:38The long flight had confirmed that this was going to be
0:02:38 > 0:02:39a life-changing week.
0:02:39 > 0:02:44I need to leave here knowing the worst that it has to
0:02:44 > 0:02:46offer as well as the best.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49They would face plenty of challenges in the next seven days,
0:02:49 > 0:02:52but then, the Godfreys were desperate to change their lives.
0:02:56 > 0:03:00Alan, Julie and Cole, who was then eight, were living in east Glasgow.
0:03:00 > 0:03:04Alan worked as an electrician and, three years previously,
0:03:04 > 0:03:07Julie had qualified in nursing and had become a midwife.
0:03:07 > 0:03:10It was a job she'd always dreamt of doing.
0:03:10 > 0:03:14I love it and from the first moment when I qualified
0:03:14 > 0:03:18and went in and had my first patient, I...you know,
0:03:18 > 0:03:22my knees were knocking, I thought, "I can't do this on my own." And then,
0:03:22 > 0:03:25one of the co-ordinators just closed the door and said,
0:03:25 > 0:03:28"You're a midwife, aren't you?" And I thought, "Yeah. I am."
0:03:29 > 0:03:34However, since qualifying, Julie hadn't been able to find a vacancy
0:03:34 > 0:03:39in Scotland, and was having to work nearly 400 miles away in London.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42This was going to be the short-term fix,
0:03:42 > 0:03:46this was going to be six months, a year maximum, get me some experience
0:03:46 > 0:03:49and then I should be able to get a job at home
0:03:49 > 0:03:53and it just hasn't worked out that way, so...
0:03:53 > 0:03:59this, instead of a short-term fix, this is a long-term arrangement.
0:03:59 > 0:04:02Working away for three weeks at a time was
0:04:02 > 0:04:04taking its toll on everyone.
0:04:04 > 0:04:06In the last year...
0:04:06 > 0:04:11she has been home for just over a third of the year.
0:04:12 > 0:04:15And that's quite a long time to be away from your family
0:04:15 > 0:04:16in the space of a year.
0:04:16 > 0:04:19And it's definitely a long time for Cole to be
0:04:19 > 0:04:20away from his mum for a year.
0:04:20 > 0:04:24Julie's long absences from home were having a big impact on Cole.
0:04:25 > 0:04:30I want my mum to be with us all the time, because...
0:04:30 > 0:04:35um, she's, like, always away.
0:04:35 > 0:04:39And I want her to have a job near us.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43Can you take your hands out your sleeves?
0:04:43 > 0:04:47'When he comes to the airport and he's got to say goodbye to his mum,'
0:04:47 > 0:04:49that's when...
0:04:49 > 0:04:52..that's when he really gets really worked up.
0:04:52 > 0:04:55Sometimes he's shouting, you know, and he's got the window down.
0:04:55 > 0:04:58He's screaming, "Mum! Mum! Don't go! Come back!"
0:04:58 > 0:05:00'And, you know, you just have to keep walking
0:05:00 > 0:05:02'and then you feel heartless for keeping walking.'
0:05:02 > 0:05:06You're trying to wave him off, but he's just...you can see that
0:05:06 > 0:05:08he's heartbroken and it's just horrible.
0:05:08 > 0:05:12It was a painful situation that just couldn't go on any longer.
0:05:12 > 0:05:14'I was on a job.'
0:05:14 > 0:05:19It was snowing. It was freezing. My wife was in London.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23I was depressed and I just decided, "Enough is enough."
0:05:24 > 0:05:27I want something better for me and my wife and my son.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29I want something better for my family.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32The desperation for a normal life had pushed the Godfreys to
0:05:32 > 0:05:35look towards Australia.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37Knowing there was a demand for their skills,
0:05:37 > 0:05:41Alan and Julie were convinced their family's happiness lay down under.
0:05:41 > 0:05:46It can't be worse than what we're doing right now. It has to be better.
0:05:46 > 0:05:49And, you know, all the other things - the nice climate,
0:05:49 > 0:05:51the bigger houses - maybe they're just a bonus.
0:05:51 > 0:05:53That's not what we're going for.
0:05:53 > 0:05:55Um, we're going to try
0:05:55 > 0:05:59and find some kind of way where we can all live together.
0:05:59 > 0:06:01A move could give them that time together,
0:06:01 > 0:06:04but would come at a very heavy price.
0:06:04 > 0:06:06Cole's the only grandkid that my mum and dad have got,
0:06:06 > 0:06:08and I feel really guilty...
0:06:08 > 0:06:12'that...there's a very strong possibility that I'm going to
0:06:12 > 0:06:14'be taking him away from them.'
0:06:16 > 0:06:19I'm basically tearing my family apart...
0:06:19 > 0:06:22to make me, Julie and Cole a family again.
0:06:23 > 0:06:26'And that's really difficult.'
0:06:28 > 0:06:30Words can't describe how much I miss my parents.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36Aye.
0:06:40 > 0:06:42Even with so much to lose,
0:06:42 > 0:06:46the couple felt they just couldn't carry on as they were.
0:06:46 > 0:06:51If Australia doesn't work out, we are running out of options fast.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54- We're not living the now, we're surviving.- Yeah.
0:06:54 > 0:06:57Yeah, we're just existing at the moment and that's not what
0:06:57 > 0:06:59we want for us and we certainly don't want that for Cole.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01We definitely don't want it for Cole.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09The Godfreys would face an emotional week.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12They were desperate to find out if Australia could offer them
0:07:12 > 0:07:16the family life they craved, but, if the country couldn't provide
0:07:16 > 0:07:19the answer, their dreams would be left in tatters.
0:07:19 > 0:07:22They spent their trial week in Perth.
0:07:22 > 0:07:25With over 50 miles of coastline, it was the ideal place
0:07:25 > 0:07:28for the family life the Godfreys were searching for.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31Home for the week was the beach-side suburb of Shoalwater
0:07:31 > 0:07:33in the south of the city.
0:07:33 > 0:07:37The family arrived in the middle of the night and, after a tiring
0:07:37 > 0:07:40journey, this house was their first taste of Aussie living.
0:07:40 > 0:07:42Right, Cole, where's your room?
0:07:42 > 0:07:43I think he's found it.
0:07:43 > 0:07:46What bed are you going to have?
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Cole quickly made himself at home,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50but Mum and Dad were far from impressed.
0:07:50 > 0:07:52A bit smaller than I expected.
0:07:52 > 0:07:54It's a lot smaller than I was expecting,
0:07:54 > 0:07:58but then, you come here with huge expectations, don't you?
0:07:58 > 0:07:59Aye.
0:07:59 > 0:08:02I wouldn't move from Scotland to something like this.
0:08:02 > 0:08:04It's only two bedrooms as well.
0:08:04 > 0:08:07You just think, if people were coming to stay with you,
0:08:07 > 0:08:09- I would kill someone in here. - Aye.
0:08:10 > 0:08:13There's a chance I might kill one of you this week.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16Luckily, one little person was a bit more upbeat.
0:08:16 > 0:08:18I think the house is amazing.
0:08:19 > 0:08:24But once Cole was in bed, Julie's fears became very apparent.
0:08:24 > 0:08:27It scares me a bit that this might be...
0:08:27 > 0:08:31- what people live in. - What we can afford?
0:08:31 > 0:08:33If it's what we can afford,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37I wouldn't put our family through all of that, for this.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40This is going to go really well or really badly.
0:08:44 > 0:08:48In the UK, the Godfreys had been living in a two-bedroom semi
0:08:48 > 0:08:51in the Garrowhill area of Glasgow, and they were keeping their
0:08:51 > 0:08:56feet firmly on the ground when it came to finding a home in Australia.
0:08:56 > 0:09:00- It's got to have a nice area.- Yeah. - Nice school, parks...
0:09:00 > 0:09:02A few shops, I mean, I'm not looking to be in a city.
0:09:02 > 0:09:06And if it's not within five minutes, ten minutes to the beach,
0:09:06 > 0:09:08we would like a pool.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13What's really important to me, is that there are other children around.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16- Yeah.- Because Cole is so used to being able to get out to play here,
0:09:16 > 0:09:21that I really want to feel safe letting him out, you know,
0:09:21 > 0:09:24like in a little community where I know there's parks
0:09:24 > 0:09:28and there's other children around and something that will let him settle.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Julie and Alan believe they could stretch their budget
0:09:32 > 0:09:35to around £300,000, so we arranged for them
0:09:35 > 0:09:38to see a slice of the Perth housing market.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41We showed them three houses based on their budget and needs.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44Ranging from the affordable house to the dream home,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47it would give them a real idea of what was on offer.
0:09:50 > 0:09:54The first house was 20 miles south of central Perth
0:09:54 > 0:09:56in the Wellard area, making it ideally placed
0:09:56 > 0:09:58for Julie and Alan's work.
0:09:58 > 0:10:01As it was a new suburb that was still being built, there were few
0:10:01 > 0:10:06shops and facilities, however, that meant prices were relatively low.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09A brand-new show home was the Godfrey's first taste
0:10:09 > 0:10:11of the Perth housing market.
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- It looks nice from the outside. - Yeah, it does.
0:10:14 > 0:10:18- What do you think, Cole? - Yeah.- Our first house, Cole.
0:10:18 > 0:10:19Looks nice and modern.
0:10:21 > 0:10:23Cole, you've missed bits.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26- I like this. - I mean, it's a big room considering
0:10:26 > 0:10:30what you would get at home in a new-build.
0:10:30 > 0:10:31Oh, look at this wee room.
0:10:31 > 0:10:34This looks like a wee living room for Cole.
0:10:34 > 0:10:39This place had certainly got house hunting off to a good start.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42- It's lovely, actually, isn't it? - It's actually quite deceiving,
0:10:42 > 0:10:45cos it doesn't look as big from the outside, but it's long.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48- Yeah, that's the thing, isn't it? It goes back.- Aye.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50What about the outside space?
0:10:50 > 0:10:54- Moving on, the rest of the house was also a hit.- Look at this.
0:10:54 > 0:10:57- This is lovely, actually, isn't it? - It's really nice.
0:10:57 > 0:10:59The seating area over the back. What do you think, Cole?
0:10:59 > 0:11:02I think we should take their grass away and put a pool there.
0:11:02 > 0:11:05The absence of a pool wasn't the only problem.
0:11:05 > 0:11:08Alan and Julie worried about the new suburb's lack of amenities.
0:11:08 > 0:11:13If this is literally being built out of nothing, where's the school?
0:11:13 > 0:11:16And, if it's a new school, has it got any reputation yet?
0:11:16 > 0:11:19- Facilities and stuff, shops.- Yeah.
0:11:19 > 0:11:22I wouldn't want to drive 20 mile for a pint of milk.
0:11:22 > 0:11:27The location wasn't ideal, but would this house even be affordable
0:11:27 > 0:11:29with their £300,000 budget?
0:11:29 > 0:11:32It was time to go back inside and find out.
0:11:33 > 0:11:34You ready?
0:11:37 > 0:11:41That was right at the top of their price range.
0:11:41 > 0:11:45I wouldn't pay that to live somewhere that has nothing yet.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48I'd pay that if it was more established.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50I think if you drive up somewhere
0:11:50 > 0:11:52and you see kids playing in the street and you see a park
0:11:52 > 0:11:55and it's filled with kids and parents,
0:11:55 > 0:11:59that totally opens...well, it totally opens up ways for you to make
0:11:59 > 0:12:02- friends almost immediately, doesn't it?- Aye.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04With so much resting on this move,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07the Godfreys wanted to get everything right.
0:12:07 > 0:12:10Julie wanted the ideal house in the ideal neighbourhood,
0:12:10 > 0:12:13but that could mean higher prices.
0:12:13 > 0:12:15The second house was in the Secret Harbour area,
0:12:15 > 0:12:1940 miles south of Perth, a more established neighbourhood
0:12:19 > 0:12:22with shops, schools and beaches nearby.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25It could have been just what Julie and Alan were after.
0:12:25 > 0:12:26This house was typically Australian,
0:12:26 > 0:12:30but was smaller and an older style than the first.
0:12:30 > 0:12:32So, did it go down well with the Godfreys?
0:12:32 > 0:12:36- The front garden is beautiful. - Yeah, the front garden is nice.
0:12:36 > 0:12:37Oh.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43It's small, but it's a big couch, in't it?
0:12:43 > 0:12:44It's older than the last one anyway.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47Well, that's the thing, you've got to remember you've just
0:12:47 > 0:12:49come from a completely new, modern house.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51I don't like this house.
0:12:51 > 0:12:53- I do.- I like where it is.
0:12:53 > 0:12:55- I like where it is, but I don't like the house.- I do.
0:12:55 > 0:12:58- I don't like the layout.- I think that's the thing is
0:12:58 > 0:13:01we can't afford the nice, modern house next to the beach.
0:13:01 > 0:13:04Julie had possibly hit the nail on the head.
0:13:04 > 0:13:06Alan wanted a modern house,
0:13:06 > 0:13:09but that could mean a less than perfect location.
0:13:09 > 0:13:11Perhaps the garden would change his mind?
0:13:11 > 0:13:15- Is this it?- You won't be able to play football in this garden.- No.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18The front garden's beautiful, but you expect to have grass at the back.
0:13:18 > 0:13:19Aye.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21Just...nah.
0:13:21 > 0:13:23- This is a definite no.- No.
0:13:24 > 0:13:27This house didn't got down well with anyone, but was it
0:13:27 > 0:13:31within their £300,000 budget, and could that turn things around?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Will we have a look?- Yeah. - You ready for this?- Yes.
0:13:41 > 0:13:45£260,000 was well within the family's budget.
0:13:45 > 0:13:47- I still wouldn't.- Aye!
0:13:47 > 0:13:49It's further away from Perth
0:13:49 > 0:13:51so maybe that's why it's a wee bit cheaper.
0:13:51 > 0:13:55I like the area and that's where it stops.
0:13:55 > 0:13:58I would buy that first house today.
0:13:58 > 0:14:00- Yeah?- Yeah.- Much better.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06It might have been in the right location, but this house was
0:14:06 > 0:14:11too small, inside and out, and really not to Alan's taste.
0:14:11 > 0:14:15Everything rested on the last property in the Waikiki suburb.
0:14:15 > 0:14:19Also near the beach, Waikiki was a well-established area with
0:14:19 > 0:14:22everything a young family could need.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25Close to the main hospital, it would also be ideal for Julie's work.
0:14:27 > 0:14:32- This is horrible.- It certainly wasn't a good first impression.
0:14:32 > 0:14:33This is by far the worst.
0:14:34 > 0:14:37No. You would need to pay me to live here.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39It would be depressing.
0:14:41 > 0:14:45I'm devastated if this is it. I couldn't live here.
0:14:45 > 0:14:47Will we have a look through there? See if it gets any worse?
0:14:51 > 0:14:53What do you say?
0:14:53 > 0:14:57Outside was one feature which could lift everyone's spirits.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00- Oh, come on. - They've got a swimming pool...
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- ..so they have. - That's the only redeeming feature.
0:15:04 > 0:15:06So, at least there was one thing they liked.
0:15:06 > 0:15:10Would the price make this property more appealing?
0:15:10 > 0:15:12Turn it over, Cole. Let's go for it.
0:15:15 > 0:15:17SHE LAUGHS
0:15:17 > 0:15:21It was just over budget, but that wasn't any consolation.
0:15:21 > 0:15:24I'm flabbergasted that this is the most expensive house we've seen.
0:15:24 > 0:15:26I know. That's shocking.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30It was a disappointing end to house hunting, even though
0:15:30 > 0:15:34this property had plenty of space and a pool.
0:15:34 > 0:15:37Their day had started well with a house they all liked,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40but in an area lacking amenities.
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Things took a bit of a nose dive with the second property,
0:15:43 > 0:15:47despite Julie's best attempts to convince Alan.
0:15:47 > 0:15:50And hopes of finding the dream home crashed in the third house.
0:15:52 > 0:15:53So, when it came to voting,
0:15:53 > 0:15:58did the Godfreys choose UK or Australian housing?
0:15:58 > 0:16:02Based on the three properties we've seen today, our vote goes to...
0:16:07 > 0:16:09- Australia.- Australia.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Don't know.
0:16:13 > 0:16:15If I was voting on the first property, it would
0:16:15 > 0:16:19be Australia, but the second two really disappointed me.
0:16:19 > 0:16:22- So...- I voted for Australia because I think the first property represents
0:16:22 > 0:16:25what we're looking for, just not in the area that we're looking for.
0:16:25 > 0:16:28But I think, given the space that we still had to
0:16:28 > 0:16:31manoeuvre in the budget, that we can get something similar
0:16:31 > 0:16:33in a better area that we're more comfortable with.
0:16:33 > 0:16:35Aye.
0:16:35 > 0:16:38Despite a disappointing day of viewing properties, the family's
0:16:38 > 0:16:42determination to seek out a better life remained as strong as ever.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47It's no life that we've got at home, you know? It's not like...
0:16:48 > 0:16:51..if this doesn't work out, we can go back, cos if we go back,
0:16:51 > 0:16:55we're accepting that what we're doing now is normal and that's not normal.
0:16:55 > 0:16:58You know, we don't have what most families take for granted.
0:16:59 > 0:17:03I'm doing this move for my wife and my son.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07And, basically, just seeing him jumping about in the sea,
0:17:07 > 0:17:10having fun...
0:17:10 > 0:17:13bringing him back to the way he used to be - a happy, wee boy.
0:17:18 > 0:17:22In the UK, Julie's job kept her in London for weeks on end
0:17:22 > 0:17:25and the Godfreys were desperate for more time together.
0:17:25 > 0:17:26They hoped Australia would give them
0:17:26 > 0:17:30the family life they could only dream of back home in Scotland.
0:17:30 > 0:17:33Cole's really sporty, he's very active,
0:17:33 > 0:17:37and I want him to go into a culture that embraces that,
0:17:37 > 0:17:41because if it's weather like, you know, lovely Scotland, then,
0:17:41 > 0:17:43sometimes all you can do are indoor things
0:17:43 > 0:17:47and that very much restricts what your opportunities are.
0:17:51 > 0:17:54During their trial week, Cole turned nine.
0:17:54 > 0:17:57To celebrate, the Godfreys visited Rottnest Island,
0:17:57 > 0:17:59just a short ferry ride from Perth
0:17:59 > 0:18:03and the birthday boy was in for a special treat.
0:18:03 > 0:18:06- Look at you!- Check you out!- Yes!
0:18:06 > 0:18:09You're in charge of that, so, if we crash, it's your fault.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10HE LAUGHS
0:18:12 > 0:18:15Rottnest Island's renowned for its pristine beaches,
0:18:15 > 0:18:19making it popular with day-trippers from Perth and beyond.
0:18:21 > 0:18:22Paul loves the beach.
0:18:22 > 0:18:26He only learned to swim recently, he was never really a swimmer either.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28So, um, all of a sudden, he's just...
0:18:28 > 0:18:31the beach is his place and it's lovely to think that,
0:18:31 > 0:18:36if we moved here, that, you know, we could do this regularly.
0:18:36 > 0:18:39For Alan, the day was just what he'd been dreaming of,
0:18:39 > 0:18:42bringing his family back together.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45You just couldn't do that in Scotland. You don't get the weather.
0:18:45 > 0:18:46You don't get the time.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51And, eh, as I say, it's just really good to see somebody happy again.
0:18:52 > 0:18:55We've never done anything this exciting on his birthday, you know?
0:18:55 > 0:18:57And he's said to me, "Can we do this
0:18:57 > 0:19:01"next year?" So, that's enough for me. He's having a great time.
0:19:02 > 0:19:05It had been a day of simple pleasures,
0:19:05 > 0:19:08but one that had highlighted the importance of time together
0:19:08 > 0:19:11and what the Godfreys had been missing.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14It makes me realise more that we've got to do everything that we
0:19:14 > 0:19:16can to do here.
0:19:16 > 0:19:18The more time Julie and Cole spend together...
0:19:19 > 0:19:22..they're going to start bonding a lot more again.
0:19:23 > 0:19:27It'd be good just to see what I can see from here.
0:19:27 > 0:19:30It's not very often I see a sight like that back in Scotland.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34I like spending time with my mum and dad.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39I don't spend enough time with...
0:19:39 > 0:19:42Mum in Scotland.
0:19:42 > 0:19:44It was time to vote on lifestyle.
0:19:44 > 0:19:48It's been a great day today, it's been a good birthday,
0:19:48 > 0:19:50so, today, we're going to vote for...
0:19:53 > 0:19:55ALL: Australia!
0:20:01 > 0:20:04Three years previously, Julie had qualified as a midwife -
0:20:04 > 0:20:06the job she'd always dreamt of.
0:20:06 > 0:20:10But she'd been unable to find any suitable vacancies in Scotland.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14She'd been working nearly 400 miles from home in London,
0:20:14 > 0:20:16and she had reached the end of her tether.
0:20:16 > 0:20:20'I'm really struggling to find a way to bring it all together.'
0:20:20 > 0:20:23It brings it home that every time I'm in a room and a baby's born, and you
0:20:23 > 0:20:28see that family brought together, and then you think, "Where's my family?
0:20:28 > 0:20:30"I'm not with my family."
0:20:30 > 0:20:33Julie spent a morning at Rockingham Hospital to see
0:20:33 > 0:20:38if Australia could offer any hope of a normal work-life balance.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40If not, she'd be on better off than at home.
0:20:40 > 0:20:44Maternity manager Karen had all the facts and figures to hand.
0:20:44 > 0:20:49You have a monthly turnaround of about 120 women. That gives us...
0:20:50 > 0:20:54..a very manageable amount of work.
0:20:54 > 0:20:57Karen wanted to test out Julie's bedside manner,
0:20:57 > 0:21:00so gave her a chance to meet one of the newest mums on the ward.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Hello.- Congratulations. - Thank you.- She's beautiful.
0:21:03 > 0:21:06- What do you call her?- Gracie.- Aww!
0:21:06 > 0:21:07- BABY COUGHS - Oh, dear.
0:21:07 > 0:21:11While Cole was looked after by a child minder, self-employed
0:21:11 > 0:21:15electrician Alan went to find out about his work prospects.
0:21:15 > 0:21:17Getting a well-paid job would be key
0:21:17 > 0:21:20if the family were to get the home and lifestyle they craved.
0:21:20 > 0:21:21If we do make the move, me
0:21:21 > 0:21:24and Julie need to hit the ground running, get jobs straightaway
0:21:24 > 0:21:27and the two of us need to start working straightaway to...
0:21:27 > 0:21:29to realise the dream, basically.
0:21:30 > 0:21:32I'm feeling a bit nervous.
0:21:33 > 0:21:37Luckily for Alan, company owner Bruce Marshall wasn't too formal
0:21:37 > 0:21:39when it came to the interview.
0:21:39 > 0:21:41What's your background as far as electrical?
0:21:41 > 0:21:44Well, basically, I've done a bit of everything to be honest
0:21:44 > 0:21:48with you - I've done industrial, commercial, domestic...
0:21:48 > 0:21:52Despite his nerves, Alan seemed to be off to a good start
0:21:52 > 0:21:54and he was keen to address his biggest worry -
0:21:54 > 0:21:58getting the necessary licence to work as an electrician in Australia.
0:21:58 > 0:22:02I might be in a wee bit of a catch-22 situation where...
0:22:02 > 0:22:06a lot of companies won't employ me on a restricted licence,
0:22:06 > 0:22:09but I need to be working to get my A Grade licence, is that right?
0:22:09 > 0:22:10Yeah, so...yes, you do.
0:22:10 > 0:22:14- You need to be sponsored by an electrical contractor.- Right.
0:22:14 > 0:22:16And then you will have to do training.
0:22:16 > 0:22:19Is there a big difference in pay between the restricted licence...?
0:22:19 > 0:22:21- Absolutely.- Is there? Is it a big difference?- Yes.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23What are we talking here?
0:22:23 > 0:22:29Your income in NWA for a good licensed tradesman
0:22:29 > 0:22:32- would be between 60 to 75...- Yeah.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- ..working in Perth. - That was a good result.
0:22:36 > 0:22:37Once qualified,
0:22:37 > 0:22:42Alan could be earning nearly £20,000 more than he did in the UK.
0:22:42 > 0:22:46At the hospital, Julie and Karen were getting down to the details.
0:22:46 > 0:22:49- So, you'd come in with three years of experience?- Yes.- Yes.
0:22:49 > 0:22:52You'd come in at 57,565.
0:22:52 > 0:22:56You'd go up to 60,155.
0:22:56 > 0:22:59Generally speaking, as far as operational services go,
0:22:59 > 0:23:01the on-the-ground midwifery staff,
0:23:01 > 0:23:04- your top salary for that one would be 80,000.- Sure.
0:23:04 > 0:23:07That could mean a salary of nearly £50,000,
0:23:07 > 0:23:10£20,000 more than Julie was earning at home.
0:23:10 > 0:23:14However, the entire move was about something more important than money.
0:23:14 > 0:23:17I'm looking for a change of lifestyle as such.
0:23:17 > 0:23:20I'm still willing to be completely flexible with my shifts, but I'd like
0:23:20 > 0:23:23to occasionally be able to take my child to school, which is
0:23:23 > 0:23:25something I don't get the chance to do.
0:23:25 > 0:23:28How do you work it if I was full-time?
0:23:28 > 0:23:30How would the shifts pan out over the week?
0:23:30 > 0:23:33The morning shifts would start at 6.30, finishing at 3pm,
0:23:33 > 0:23:36so that's an idea that you'll have the whole afternoon
0:23:36 > 0:23:38with your children and the same thing would be night shift,
0:23:38 > 0:23:40if you're coming on at night.
0:23:40 > 0:23:43The night shift will start at 8.30 and finish at
0:23:43 > 0:23:456.30 or 7 in the morning and you'll be able to
0:23:45 > 0:23:48go off and get everybody ready for school.
0:23:48 > 0:23:50'The pay and hours sounded ideal,
0:23:50 > 0:23:53'which just left one last crucial question.'
0:23:54 > 0:23:57Do you think there's much in the way of opportunities
0:23:57 > 0:24:01if I was to, you know, try to arrive in Perth and get a job as a midwife?
0:24:01 > 0:24:03I would say we'd all be fighting for you!
0:24:06 > 0:24:09Visiting time was over for both Julie and Alan.
0:24:09 > 0:24:11It was time to vote for work.
0:24:11 > 0:24:13'Based on my chat with Bruce,'
0:24:13 > 0:24:16and everything that he had to tell me about work in Perth...
0:24:18 > 0:24:20..I'm going to vote for...
0:24:22 > 0:24:23..Australia.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29That wasn't a surprise, but had Julie been swayed as well?
0:24:29 > 0:24:32I've managed to get all the information that I thought
0:24:32 > 0:24:35I had to, and, based on that, my vote for work goes to...
0:24:40 > 0:24:41..Australia.
0:24:42 > 0:24:47I can work in a nice unit, give the care that I want to give and, yet, I
0:24:47 > 0:24:52can also have the shifts that support the lifestyle I'm looking for.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55You know, it sounds like I'll be able to spend much more time
0:24:55 > 0:24:57with my family, which is the reason that we're here.
0:24:59 > 0:25:02It was good news all round on the work front, but Alan and Julie
0:25:02 > 0:25:06needed to know if they would be able to afford to live down under.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08While Cole enjoyed a kick about,
0:25:08 > 0:25:11Mum and Dad sat down to look at their finances.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15We'd prepared a comparison of costs in the UK and Australia,
0:25:15 > 0:25:17starting with the weekly food shop.
0:25:17 > 0:25:23Peppers! £1.65 in the UK. £3.89.
0:25:23 > 0:25:26I can't believe how much more expensive fruit and vegetables are.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29So, there's a difference of...
0:25:29 > 0:25:30£13.35.
0:25:30 > 0:25:32Oh, I could totally deal with that.
0:25:32 > 0:25:34Don't get me wrong, things are more expensive,
0:25:34 > 0:25:37but I thought there was going to be a major difference in prices.
0:25:37 > 0:25:39I thought it was going to be a lot more expensive here.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41Next up, the bigger outgoings.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44The Godfreys were looking to take out a large mortgage.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47If we take it on property two, cos that's the middle-of-the-road
0:25:47 > 0:25:50one, the monthly payments are massive.
0:25:50 > 0:25:52They are massive.
0:25:52 > 0:25:54That's what you're talking about - £1,730.
0:25:54 > 0:25:59That was an extra £1,000 a month, just on the mortgage.
0:25:59 > 0:26:02Was the move suddenly becoming unaffordable?
0:26:02 > 0:26:06There was one big outgoing at home they'd both forgotten about.
0:26:06 > 0:26:08SHE GASPS But look!
0:26:08 > 0:26:10- HE LAUGHS - £900 a month in costs in London.
0:26:10 > 0:26:12And we forgot about that, didn't we?
0:26:12 > 0:26:16- And that's a minimum cost. - That is a minimum cost.
0:26:16 > 0:26:17And what's the cost in Australia?
0:26:17 > 0:26:20Nothing!
0:26:20 > 0:26:21HE LAUGHS
0:26:21 > 0:26:25- Oh, my God! - So, we're saving £900 a month.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Yeah, that's the difference in mortgage completely absorbed.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31Suddenly, the financial cost of Julie working in London had
0:26:31 > 0:26:33become apparent.
0:26:33 > 0:26:35You're talking £1,700 better off.
0:26:36 > 0:26:40We're financially much better off by living here.
0:26:40 > 0:26:44Had the Godfreys figured out how to afford the life they dreamt of?
0:26:44 > 0:26:47It was time to put their calculations to the vote?
0:26:47 > 0:26:50Based on the exercise we've done today, looking at the cost
0:26:50 > 0:26:55of living in the UK and also here in Australia, our vote goes to...
0:27:00 > 0:27:01- ..Australia.- Australia.
0:27:06 > 0:27:10Finances had given the Godfrey's hopes a massive boost,
0:27:10 > 0:27:13but there was one big obstacle they still had to confront -
0:27:13 > 0:27:17the reality of leaving loved ones in the UK.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20- You've been looking forward to this bit, haven't you?- Yes.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22- Are you sure you want to see it? - Yeah.- Yeah?
0:27:23 > 0:27:25- You sure?- Yeah.
0:27:26 > 0:27:28Hey, guys, hope you're having a good time.
0:27:28 > 0:27:31- Hi, Cole. - I hope yous are having a good time.
0:27:31 > 0:27:33He's always been there for me.
0:27:33 > 0:27:37Um, he always helps me out with any problems that I've got and,
0:27:37 > 0:27:39more so... He doesn't judge me for anything I've done,
0:27:39 > 0:27:43he just basically helps me out and then lets me get on with it.
0:27:43 > 0:27:47Julie's great, life and soul of a party, whenever we get together.
0:27:47 > 0:27:48She's up for a laugh.
0:27:49 > 0:27:52Alan came up to my house one day and just, basically, got me and
0:27:52 > 0:27:54my mum in the living room and just said,
0:27:54 > 0:27:55"I've got something to tell yous."
0:27:55 > 0:27:57Obviously, he found it hard to tell us,
0:27:57 > 0:28:01because it's a really big move and, obviously, there's a lot involved.
0:28:01 > 0:28:04Oh, it's indescribable how much I'll miss him.
0:28:04 > 0:28:07Yous have really thought about what yous need to do here.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10I hope yous make the right choices for yourself.
0:28:10 > 0:28:13- I'm welling up!- And I'll see you guys when you get back.
0:28:15 > 0:28:17Hi, guys, just to let you know,
0:28:17 > 0:28:20I'm going to miss yous absolutely hundreds.
0:28:20 > 0:28:21Um, especially the wee man.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Just want to say that I hope everything that yous go
0:28:25 > 0:28:28over there for works out for yous and I hope to see you soon.
0:28:38 > 0:28:39(Thanks, pal.)
0:28:45 > 0:28:48The Godfrey's dream was within touching distance,
0:28:48 > 0:28:51but, with their week nearly over, there was still much to think about.
0:28:51 > 0:28:55Watching messages from home had been a painful reminder of
0:28:55 > 0:28:57everything they stood to lose.
0:28:58 > 0:29:01'The friends and family video really upset Alan.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04'What they said was really heartfelt and they're not the kind
0:29:04 > 0:29:06'of family who are particularly over-the-top with'
0:29:06 > 0:29:09each other, you know? They don't really tell each other
0:29:09 > 0:29:10how they feel very much.
0:29:10 > 0:29:13'I think he feels like he's abandoning them.'
0:29:13 > 0:29:17For Julie, Australia was the last chance to get the family life
0:29:17 > 0:29:20and career she'd been dreaming of.
0:29:20 > 0:29:24This week's just been, probably the best week of my life, actually.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26I came off the plane...
0:29:26 > 0:29:29turned to Alan and said, you know, like...
0:29:29 > 0:29:31"I love Australia already."
0:29:31 > 0:29:35Um, and I didn't think it would be possible to feel...
0:29:35 > 0:29:38any better at the end of the week.
0:29:40 > 0:29:44For Alan though, the future was far from certain.
0:29:44 > 0:29:46Landing in Australia, I just...
0:29:47 > 0:29:50..I felt as if I had the world on my shoulders.
0:29:51 > 0:29:55This is by far the biggest decision I've ever had to make in my life.
0:29:55 > 0:29:58So, when it came to the crucial vote, would a new life together
0:29:58 > 0:30:02in Australia be worth what the family would have to leave behind?
0:30:02 > 0:30:04Well, this is our final day in Australia,
0:30:04 > 0:30:07we've had an absolutely amazing week.
0:30:07 > 0:30:08We've learnt...
0:30:08 > 0:30:10pretty much everything we need to know.
0:30:10 > 0:30:12We're about ready to make our final vote.
0:30:20 > 0:30:22Australia.
0:30:22 > 0:30:24Australia.
0:30:24 > 0:30:25Undecided.
0:30:26 > 0:30:28That's a shock!
0:30:28 > 0:30:32- You've been Australia all week.- I know! He's been Australia all week.
0:30:32 > 0:30:34Did the videos make you a wee bit undecided
0:30:34 > 0:30:35although you really like the place?
0:30:35 > 0:30:40Now that I've seen the film, it, like, it's really hard
0:30:40 > 0:30:42and I don't know what to vote.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45- That's OK.- Yeah.- That's all right.
0:30:45 > 0:30:49Well, that's your decision. OK?
0:30:56 > 0:31:00After a week to remember, Alan and Julie had fallen for
0:31:00 > 0:31:05the promise of a new life down under, but Cole wasn't convinced.
0:31:05 > 0:31:08So, one year later, are the Godfreys getting the time together
0:31:08 > 0:31:09they desperately needed?
0:31:09 > 0:31:11And where in the world are they?
0:31:12 > 0:31:16It's 2013, and Cole's celebrating another birthday...
0:31:18 > 0:31:19..in Australia.
0:31:19 > 0:31:22A year ago today, we were in Perth, Australia,
0:31:22 > 0:31:25on Rottnest Island celebrating Cole's birthday.
0:31:25 > 0:31:27And a year down the line, we're now
0:31:27 > 0:31:31in Secret Harbour, Perth, Australia, celebrating Cole's birthday.
0:31:31 > 0:31:36ALL: # Happy birthday to you
0:31:36 > 0:31:40# Happy birthday to you
0:31:40 > 0:31:45# Happy birthday dear Cole
0:31:45 > 0:31:49# Happy birthday to you. #
0:31:51 > 0:31:54'It's Cole's second birthday in Australia.'
0:31:54 > 0:31:56We thought it would take quite a bit to top last year's
0:31:56 > 0:32:00birthday for Cole in Rottnest, cos that was just beautiful and
0:32:00 > 0:32:03great fun and seeing something new, but, actually,
0:32:03 > 0:32:07if it's possible to top it, it's just lovely being surrounded here by
0:32:07 > 0:32:08so many friends for Cole's birthday.
0:32:08 > 0:32:12It's only been a year since the family's trial week in Australia,
0:32:12 > 0:32:14but in that short time, the Godfreys have
0:32:14 > 0:32:17totally transformed their lives.
0:32:17 > 0:32:19It was this time last year,
0:32:19 > 0:32:21Julie was still working in London,
0:32:21 > 0:32:24and me and Cole were still in Glasgow.
0:32:24 > 0:32:26And in the space of a very quick 12 months,
0:32:26 > 0:32:29we've basically turned our family life around.
0:32:30 > 0:32:34Their original week down under highlighted just how bad
0:32:34 > 0:32:36the situation in the UK had become.
0:32:36 > 0:32:39'When we first came to Australia, um, we had'
0:32:39 > 0:32:43a lot of really difficult decisions to make
0:32:43 > 0:32:46and a week in which to do it.
0:32:46 > 0:32:49Um, and I think just having that quality time together,
0:32:49 > 0:32:52time that we were never used to spending, really showed us
0:32:52 > 0:32:55what family life could be like again.
0:32:55 > 0:32:58Basically, it got to the stage where...
0:32:58 > 0:33:01I never seen my wife and Cole never seen his mum.
0:33:01 > 0:33:04Something had to give and if it wasn't Australia...
0:33:04 > 0:33:07possibly the marriage could have broke down, you know what I mean?
0:33:07 > 0:33:09It got that serious.
0:33:09 > 0:33:13And that's when we decided that we wanted things to change.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16Having made the decision to uproot themselves to the other side of the
0:33:16 > 0:33:21world, the Godfreys wasted no time putting their plans into action.
0:33:21 > 0:33:23'But we didn't really have time to sit down and...
0:33:25 > 0:33:27'think about things and...
0:33:27 > 0:33:30'think about what other people were going to think. We basically...
0:33:30 > 0:33:32'from basically deciding to do it...'
0:33:32 > 0:33:35and then getting here. It was really quick.
0:33:35 > 0:33:40- We went home on the 15th of April, or we left Australia on the 15th.- Mm-hm.
0:33:40 > 0:33:42'Um, I spent a few days at home
0:33:42 > 0:33:45'and then went straight back to work in London.'
0:33:45 > 0:33:48And handed my notice in. I...
0:33:48 > 0:33:52And we booked our flights for the 2nd of August.
0:33:52 > 0:33:56Yeah, we arrived in Australia on the fourth of August, so...what's that?
0:33:56 > 0:33:57May, June, July...
0:33:57 > 0:34:00'Three and a half months, maybe, from when we left,
0:34:00 > 0:34:03'we arrived back and that was us here for good.
0:34:03 > 0:34:04'Pretty much, yeah.'
0:34:04 > 0:34:06THEY CHEER It's about time!
0:34:06 > 0:34:10And the massive upheaval of moving their lives lock, stock and barrel
0:34:10 > 0:34:14to Australia, wasn't nearly as fraught as the family had feared.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16We knew what we were coming to,
0:34:16 > 0:34:18we had a list of things to organise and...
0:34:18 > 0:34:20Yeah.
0:34:20 > 0:34:23..to be fair, all of them...there wasn't a hitch.
0:34:23 > 0:34:26- We did a lot of organising. - Sold everything.- Yeah.
0:34:26 > 0:34:29- Apart from the house, right enough.- Yeah.
0:34:29 > 0:34:32We've kept our house in Scotland, just renting it out
0:34:32 > 0:34:35because the property market's not as buoyant.
0:34:35 > 0:34:39We had six boxes and that was our worldly belongings.
0:34:39 > 0:34:41Yeah, six boxes and three suitcases.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43And that was us.
0:34:44 > 0:34:47Slimming down their possessions may have been easy,
0:34:47 > 0:34:50but leaving friends and family behind was much harder.
0:34:50 > 0:34:55It wasn't nice packing up, but it wasn't as difficult as leaving was.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58I thought packing up was easier than I expected.
0:34:58 > 0:35:02Packing up was easy, but, it's just material things, in't it?
0:35:02 > 0:35:04It is.
0:35:04 > 0:35:06- It's stuff that can be replaced. - True.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12'The main stumbling block between all this is actually the fact
0:35:12 > 0:35:16'that we're taking Cole away from his gran and granddad,'
0:35:16 > 0:35:19his uncles and...
0:35:19 > 0:35:21the rest of the family. That's the main...
0:35:21 > 0:35:22the main point.
0:35:25 > 0:35:29'But I think the worst one was watching Cole say goodbye to his
0:35:29 > 0:35:33'two uncles who had been so instrumental in his life
0:35:33 > 0:35:35'up until then. They had done a lot of'
0:35:35 > 0:35:37the childcare when I was in London, um,
0:35:37 > 0:35:41and I couldn't honestly say who was more heartbroken - him or them.
0:35:44 > 0:35:47But saying goodbye to loved ones was a sacrifice the Godfreys felt
0:35:47 > 0:35:51they had to make, if they were to get their family back on track.
0:35:51 > 0:35:55You, obviously, you're feeling sad, you're leaving behind what you know.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58But, obviously, excitement as well for the fact that we're going
0:35:58 > 0:36:01to start a new life in Australia, it's a new adventure.
0:36:01 > 0:36:05It's getting the family back together the way it should be.
0:36:05 > 0:36:09So, there was kind of mixed emotions, sadness and excitement.
0:36:10 > 0:36:14However, a few months after they arrived in Perth, Cole's uncle Kevin
0:36:14 > 0:36:19attempted to help the heartache by trying his hand at emigrating.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22My brother Kev came over here in...
0:36:24 > 0:36:26..I think it was November, on a year's working visa.
0:36:28 > 0:36:31And, eh, I think he lasted until the start of February.
0:36:32 > 0:36:36And decided it just wasn't for him. It was...
0:36:36 > 0:36:40he's redheaded, very fair skin, and he just,
0:36:40 > 0:36:42he came at basically the height of summer.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44It was far too hot for him, he couldn't handle it,
0:36:44 > 0:36:46he couldn't even go out in the sun.
0:36:46 > 0:36:47He found it really hard...
0:36:48 > 0:36:50..to find work.
0:36:50 > 0:36:54And, basically, for the three months he was here, he wasn't working.
0:36:54 > 0:36:57And I think he just decided that he was going to cut his losses
0:36:57 > 0:36:59and just go back to Scotland early.
0:36:59 > 0:37:03Unfortunately, Kevin was just one of the many Brits who move to Australia
0:37:03 > 0:37:07every year, only to find out it's not what they had hoped for.
0:37:07 > 0:37:11I understand why he went home early as well, because...
0:37:11 > 0:37:14not everybody that comes to Australia is going to like it,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16enjoy it, love it.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19And it's just unfortunate that he...
0:37:19 > 0:37:22fell into the bracket that it just wasn't for him.
0:37:22 > 0:37:26And it wasn't all plain sailing for the Godfreys themselves.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30During their trial week, property had been a major worry for them.
0:37:30 > 0:37:32Thankfully, the family have now found a place
0:37:32 > 0:37:35they can call home in the suburb of Secret Harbour.
0:37:35 > 0:37:38It's a pretty new house and it's in...
0:37:39 > 0:37:43..an established area, rather than an up-and-coming area...
0:37:43 > 0:37:46- Yeah.- ..which suited us because that's what we wanted.
0:37:46 > 0:37:48- True.- And...
0:37:48 > 0:37:51it makes you realise that you can afford a nice house
0:37:51 > 0:37:53on the money that we earn.
0:37:53 > 0:37:55- In a good area.- And in a good area.
0:37:56 > 0:38:00It was Julie's work-life balance in the UK that led to the
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Godfreys to consider the move down under in the first place, so has
0:38:04 > 0:38:09Australia put a stop to the family being separated for weeks on end?
0:38:09 > 0:38:12In the UK, I had a bit of a horrendous commute in that
0:38:12 > 0:38:15I used to fly down from Glasgow to London,
0:38:15 > 0:38:20work roughly 15 night shifts and then fly home for eight days.
0:38:20 > 0:38:23'Now, nothing could be more alien. By choice,'
0:38:23 > 0:38:25I work seven nights on, seven nights off.
0:38:25 > 0:38:29'I start at 7 o'clock at night and I finish at 7:30 in the morning.
0:38:29 > 0:38:31'The best bit about that is
0:38:31 > 0:38:34'I'm able to take my child to school every single day.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36'I can also pick him up from school every day, so for'
0:38:36 > 0:38:41the first time in almost four years, we're not relying on friends, family
0:38:41 > 0:38:45or anybody we can grab to get our child from school, which is
0:38:45 > 0:38:47a benefit all on its own.
0:38:48 > 0:38:52Julie's new job mean the family finally have the quality time
0:38:52 > 0:38:55together they'd been craving.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58I'm never on my own in the same way that I was in London.
0:38:58 > 0:39:01Um, I haven't been on my own for a Mothers' Day,
0:39:01 > 0:39:04I haven't missed Christmas Day, I haven't
0:39:04 > 0:39:08'had a birthday on my own. I've managed to do all these things
0:39:08 > 0:39:11'and work it in with my shifts here, and...'
0:39:11 > 0:39:14I would say the work-life balance that we've achieved here is
0:39:14 > 0:39:17far superior to what we ever expected to get.
0:39:19 > 0:39:23Julie's already gained a promotion at work, but electrician Alan
0:39:23 > 0:39:26has had to take a slight step backwards in his career.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30I am currently working as an electrical trade assistant
0:39:30 > 0:39:33because I need to transfer...
0:39:34 > 0:39:37..my qualifications...
0:39:37 > 0:39:40to Australia. I've had to take maybe a wee step back and say,
0:39:40 > 0:39:41"Right, if this is what I've
0:39:41 > 0:39:43"got to do, then this is what I've got to do."
0:39:43 > 0:39:46If I need to jump through a hoop, I jump through a hoop.
0:39:46 > 0:39:47It's only for a few months and then I'll be
0:39:47 > 0:39:50back working as an electrician again, hopefully.
0:39:52 > 0:39:53This is a semi...
0:39:53 > 0:39:56On the plus side, I'm actually earning more money...
0:39:56 > 0:39:59as a trade assistant than I was as an approved electrician
0:39:59 > 0:40:00back in the UK.
0:40:01 > 0:40:05'For the Godfreys, Australia has delivered everything they'd
0:40:05 > 0:40:06'been looking for.'
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Our family life's better.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10Our bank balance is better.
0:40:10 > 0:40:12And...
0:40:12 > 0:40:14we've left a lot of family and friends behind, but...
0:40:15 > 0:40:17..we still think about them, but
0:40:17 > 0:40:21we've actually made quite a close knit...
0:40:21 > 0:40:23kind of circle of friends over here.
0:40:24 > 0:40:26- There's Dad.- Hi!- Hi, Dad!
0:40:26 > 0:40:28'And it's not just Mum and Dad
0:40:28 > 0:40:30'who've reaped the benefits of the move.
0:40:30 > 0:40:34'Cole's been really, really enjoying it since we got to Australia.
0:40:34 > 0:40:37'Um, he's made lots of friends at school and, apart from that,
0:40:37 > 0:40:39'you know, he's started with'
0:40:39 > 0:40:42the soccer team and he's got, you know,
0:40:42 > 0:40:43he's got swimming lessons
0:40:43 > 0:40:46- and he's certainly kept very busy. - Mm-hm.
0:40:46 > 0:40:50'And then, in our free time, we're usually out doing things as a family.
0:40:50 > 0:40:51Yeah. Also, weekends,
0:40:51 > 0:40:53- he can have sleepovers up at his friends' houses.- Yeah.
0:40:53 > 0:40:56His friends come here for sleepovers.
0:40:56 > 0:40:58So, he's settled in pretty good.
0:41:00 > 0:41:04Taking full advantage of the local activities on offer has
0:41:04 > 0:41:06probably helped that settling-in process.
0:41:18 > 0:41:20But, more importantly,
0:41:20 > 0:41:24Australia means Cole has a brand-new relationship with his mum.
0:41:24 > 0:41:28- 'Cole gets to see you every day now. - Yeah.- Every single day. Whereas'
0:41:28 > 0:41:30he was getting to see you for...
0:41:30 > 0:41:33three days, four days, five days out a month.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37'Yeah, and it's horrifying when you think of it like that,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39'compared to what we have now. It's...'
0:41:39 > 0:41:43how we put up with that and just accepted that as the norm for
0:41:43 > 0:41:46so long. It makes sense at the time to you, but now
0:41:46 > 0:41:49when you're looking back in retrospect,
0:41:49 > 0:41:54it just seems the most stupid that we could ever have done, but...
0:41:54 > 0:41:57- it seemed OK.- Needs must, you had to do it at the time.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02Alan and Julie have finally managed to bring their family together,
0:42:02 > 0:42:05even though it's taken a move to the other side of the world
0:42:05 > 0:42:07to achieve it.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09And they've absolutely no regrets.
0:42:09 > 0:42:11We've...
0:42:11 > 0:42:13made the move to Australia
0:42:13 > 0:42:17and it's probably the best decision we've ever made.
0:42:17 > 0:42:19I'd like to say life in Australia is everything
0:42:19 > 0:42:23I hoped it would be, but, in reality, it's more than I expected.
0:42:24 > 0:42:26I can't see us going back to the UK.
0:42:26 > 0:42:28For holidays only, but not permanently.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31We didn't come out here for a bigger house, we didn't come here to
0:42:31 > 0:42:36live by the beach, we didn't come here for, you know...
0:42:36 > 0:42:38'..the weather, although it's very nice.
0:42:38 > 0:42:40'We just came here to be together.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43'And, we've got that and so much'
0:42:43 > 0:42:44more from Australia and we...
0:42:44 > 0:42:46I think we'll be forever in its debt.
0:42:49 > 0:42:50Oh!
0:42:50 > 0:42:53'We're in the same place at the same time and we're all'
0:42:53 > 0:42:57enjoying being back as, basically, a family unit again.
0:42:58 > 0:43:00'That makes us happy.'
0:43:00 > 0:43:02It does.
0:43:03 > 0:43:06The Godfrey's lack of a family life in the UK had brought them
0:43:06 > 0:43:12to breaking point, but, in just 12 months, Alan, Julie and Cole really
0:43:12 > 0:43:13have turned their lives around,
0:43:13 > 0:43:17achieving a lifestyle they once only dreamed of.
0:43:17 > 0:43:19We wish them every continued happiness
0:43:19 > 0:43:21as they enjoy their life down under.