0:00:02 > 0:00:05For most families, moving to the other side of the world is
0:00:05 > 0:00:08a once-in-a-lifetime decision.
0:00:08 > 0:00:12But what if you've done it before, only for things to end in disaster?
0:00:12 > 0:00:16In 2011, the Wallace family resurrected their dream
0:00:16 > 0:00:20of moving Down Under for the second time.
0:00:20 > 0:00:23Two years on, we'll find out where they are now.
0:00:23 > 0:00:26The first time the Wallaces tried the move Down Under,
0:00:26 > 0:00:28it ended in disaster.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31I went to work while we were in New Zealand,
0:00:31 > 0:00:34and Ben decided it was a surfing holiday!
0:00:34 > 0:00:39We were arguing a lot and I decided to divorce Ben!
0:00:40 > 0:00:44But in 2011, the couple remarried and, determined to make
0:00:44 > 0:00:48a fresh start, looked at emigrating for a second time.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Everything's gone that was in the past
0:00:50 > 0:00:52and just look to the future instead.
0:00:52 > 0:00:56But old habits proved hard to break.
0:00:56 > 0:01:00I want to go surfing when I can, basically, not when I'm allowed to.
0:01:01 > 0:01:05Two years later, which side of the world are Ben and Amanda living on?
0:01:05 > 0:01:08Leopard doesn't change its spots!
0:01:32 > 0:01:37Australia's sunny climate and 16,000 miles of scenic coastline
0:01:37 > 0:01:41have long been a draw for Brits looking for a new start abroad.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44For most families, emigrating is a once-in-a-lifetime event,
0:01:44 > 0:01:48but for some, even when it goes wrong, the promise of a better
0:01:48 > 0:01:52life is so strong they risk everything for another go at it.
0:01:54 > 0:01:57The Wallaces were hoping Australia would give them
0:01:57 > 0:02:00the family life they dreamed of.
0:02:00 > 0:02:01Two years ago,
0:02:01 > 0:02:05they spent a week experiencing the reality of living Down Under
0:02:05 > 0:02:10before deciding whether to move to the other side of the world again.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13Today, we'll find out what happened next.
0:02:13 > 0:02:16In 2011, the Wallaces's trial week began with
0:02:16 > 0:02:18the journey across three continents.
0:02:18 > 0:02:22They flew 10,000 miles before arriving in Sydney.
0:02:22 > 0:02:23Despite their long trip,
0:02:23 > 0:02:26the family felt positive about what was to come.
0:02:26 > 0:02:28Flight was lovely. We're here now.
0:02:28 > 0:02:30We're just waiting to see what's going to happen
0:02:30 > 0:02:33- now for the rest of the week and be looking forward to it.- Yeah.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35Just see what Sydney has to offer, and hopefully,
0:02:35 > 0:02:37the weather will stay dry!
0:02:38 > 0:02:40They'd arrived in the Australian winter
0:02:40 > 0:02:43but were hoping for a warm welcome Down Under.
0:02:47 > 0:02:51Back in the UK, the Wallaces were living in Newport in South Wales.
0:02:51 > 0:02:54Amanda and Ben had recently celebrated their marriage
0:02:54 > 0:02:56for the second time.
0:02:59 > 0:03:02'Today means the world to me.'
0:03:02 > 0:03:06I'm married to Ben again and we're a proper family again.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11Life for the Wallaces hadn't always been this rosy.
0:03:11 > 0:03:14In 2005, they'd emigrated to New Zealand with their daughters,
0:03:14 > 0:03:17Aimee and Libby, in search of a better future.
0:03:17 > 0:03:20But when it came to expectations of life Down Under,
0:03:20 > 0:03:22they didn't see eye to eye.
0:03:24 > 0:03:27I went to work while we were in New Zealand,
0:03:27 > 0:03:30- and Ben decided it was a surfing holiday!- No, I didn't.
0:03:30 > 0:03:33- I struggled to get work, basically. - You did not!- I did!
0:03:33 > 0:03:35There was plenty... There was loads of work.
0:03:35 > 0:03:39- You just preferred to do other things.- I beg to differ on that.
0:03:39 > 0:03:43After just a few months, the Wallaces had returned to the UK,
0:03:43 > 0:03:45where matters got even worse.
0:03:46 > 0:03:51We came back, tried to give it another go. We were arguing a lot.
0:03:51 > 0:03:55And I decided to divorce Ben!
0:03:55 > 0:03:59But the Wallaces defied the odds and got back together again,
0:03:59 > 0:04:03and once the family was reunited, Ben and Amanda's thoughts
0:04:03 > 0:04:05quickly returned to the dream of moving Down Under.
0:04:05 > 0:04:08Come on, girls! Beach!
0:04:08 > 0:04:11This time, they believed Australia could give the girls
0:04:11 > 0:04:12a brighter future.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14All we want to do is give the best we can for them, basically.
0:04:14 > 0:04:17And if you can't do that for your children,
0:04:17 > 0:04:19then there's nothing you can do, really, is there?
0:04:19 > 0:04:20We'll do anything for them.
0:04:20 > 0:04:22And while the Australian surf was clearly a draw for Ben,
0:04:22 > 0:04:25it was also a big pull for the girls.
0:04:25 > 0:04:28Because of the warmth and temperature in the water,
0:04:28 > 0:04:32in Australia, then, I'll be able to go and surf a lot more.
0:04:32 > 0:04:35I want to be by the beach and I want to go surfing when I can,
0:04:35 > 0:04:39basically, not when I'm allowed to.
0:04:44 > 0:04:47Because of their previous endeavours to emigrate,
0:04:47 > 0:04:51the Wallaces had an awful lot riding on this second attempt.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55Will we work out together, you know? Will we end up divorcing again?
0:04:55 > 0:04:57You never know. You can't foresee what the future holds.
0:04:57 > 0:05:01You've got to look, you know, at the now and at the moment in time.
0:05:01 > 0:05:05That is the way forward. Um... You know.
0:05:05 > 0:05:07Who knows what's round the corner?
0:05:07 > 0:05:11So had the Wallaces learnt from their previous experience or
0:05:11 > 0:05:14were they heading for stormy waters all over again?
0:05:24 > 0:05:27Home for the week was Sydney, Australia's largest
0:05:27 > 0:05:29and most famous city.
0:05:29 > 0:05:32With a gorgeous setting and fast pace of life, it's a
0:05:32 > 0:05:34magnet for immigrants from all around the world,
0:05:34 > 0:05:38but did it deliver the new start the Wallaces were hoping for?
0:05:40 > 0:05:42They spent the week in the suburb of Manly,
0:05:42 > 0:05:44a seven-mile drive north-east of Sydney,
0:05:44 > 0:05:49and their search for a new future started with a two-bedroom cottage.
0:05:49 > 0:05:53Did it give them a good taste of what Australian living could offer?
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- And the sun's out.- Oh, this is lovely.- And it's warmed up.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01I love... Just the noises out in the garden.
0:06:01 > 0:06:03- It's lovely.- Yeah. And the smells.
0:06:06 > 0:06:08- It's lovely, isn't it?- Yeah. - Nice blue sky as well.
0:06:08 > 0:06:12- They'll be coming round here for a barbecue, won't they?- Mm.
0:06:12 > 0:06:14It's really nice. Really like it. Yeah.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17I doubt if we'd be able to afford anything like this.
0:06:17 > 0:06:18Can I go to sleep now?
0:06:20 > 0:06:24Finding a warm bed might have been top of the list right then,
0:06:24 > 0:06:26but huge decisions lay ahead.
0:06:33 > 0:06:36The Wallaces believed the right house in the right location
0:06:36 > 0:06:39was key to their plans to move Down Under.
0:06:39 > 0:06:42But living in one of the most expensive cities in the world
0:06:42 > 0:06:46wouldn't come cheap, so how did their wallets handle the strain?
0:06:50 > 0:06:54In 2011, the Wallaces were living in Amanda's three-bedroom
0:06:54 > 0:06:56house in Newport in South Wales.
0:06:56 > 0:06:59Ben owned a two-bedroom house which he rented out,
0:06:59 > 0:07:03and the Wallaces were very clear on what they wanted Down Under.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06We don't want a big house with a swimming pool.
0:07:06 > 0:07:09I'd rather a small house close to the beach.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13The plan was to finance the move by selling both their properties
0:07:13 > 0:07:17which would give them a total budget of £270,000.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24We gave them a taste of the Sydney property market, showing them
0:07:24 > 0:07:27three options based on what they wanted from their ideal home,
0:07:27 > 0:07:31what they could afford and the real price of property Down Under.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33After seeing what was on offer,
0:07:33 > 0:07:36we revealed to the family just how much each one cost.
0:07:38 > 0:07:41Finding a house close to the beach was high on the Wallaces's
0:07:41 > 0:07:44wish list, but the price of coastal properties in Sydney proved
0:07:44 > 0:07:46to be an eye-opener.
0:07:47 > 0:07:49The first property was in Brookvale,
0:07:49 > 0:07:55just a few minutes' drive north of Manly and close to surfing beaches.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58A two-bedroom apartment could be cost-effective for the Wallaces,
0:07:58 > 0:08:00but did it get things off to a good start?
0:08:06 > 0:08:07Oh, this is nice.
0:08:07 > 0:08:11- Nice-sized kitchen.- Mm. - It's not too bad.
0:08:11 > 0:08:14Yeah, but this would be a living room and dining room.
0:08:14 > 0:08:20- Whose bedroom is this?- Yours.- Nice walk-in wardrobe. It's all for me.
0:08:20 > 0:08:24- Right, so this would be...- Second bedroom.- So it's two bedrooms.
0:08:24 > 0:08:26This is not ideal but...
0:08:27 > 0:08:33- It is nice. Might even have to share a double bed.- At a push.- Mm.- Yeah.
0:08:33 > 0:08:34- What do you think?- What do you think?
0:08:34 > 0:08:37- Well, I like it, but it's a bit small.- Yes.- Yeah.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40To be sharing with your sister.
0:08:40 > 0:08:43With a very quick tour over, the girls hang out on the terrace
0:08:43 > 0:08:45while Amanda and Ben check the price.
0:08:45 > 0:08:51Did this cheaper option fit with their £270,000 budget?
0:08:51 > 0:08:52- Shall we have a look?- Go on, then.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55Here goes!
0:08:57 > 0:09:00Oh! £267,000.
0:09:00 > 0:09:04Judging by those gasps, it appeared Ben and Amanda had been
0:09:04 > 0:09:07encouraged by the price, if not the space on offer.
0:09:07 > 0:09:11If we could find a three-bedroom, we might be able to afford... Yeah.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13So really, really impressed.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15I'm quite shocked. Really shocked at that.
0:09:17 > 0:09:19The second stop was another new apartment.
0:09:19 > 0:09:22Located further inland in the Frenchs Forest area,
0:09:22 > 0:09:25it could have shown the Wallaces what they stood to gain
0:09:25 > 0:09:28if they were willing to live further from the beach.
0:09:28 > 0:09:31Was this modern Aussie pad right for them?
0:09:31 > 0:09:35- Wow!- Wow! Big! I like the paintings. - I like that.
0:09:35 > 0:09:37That's different, isn't it?
0:09:37 > 0:09:41I mean, it's more modern than we've ever had before, but it's nice.
0:09:41 > 0:09:44- Yeah, it's really nice.- It's my taste.- It's your taste, is it?
0:09:44 > 0:09:47- Is it? Bit like your dreams?- Yes.
0:09:47 > 0:09:50So Aimee approved, but would just two bedrooms
0:09:50 > 0:09:52keep everyone else happy?
0:09:52 > 0:09:58- Now, this is lovely.- It is nice but it is just two bedrooms.
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Once again, things looked a little cramped,
0:10:00 > 0:10:03but there was plenty of room out on the terrace.
0:10:03 > 0:10:05That's a nice view.
0:10:05 > 0:10:09- Oh, this is big.- This is lovely. - Wow! That's a big balcony.
0:10:09 > 0:10:12Despite the size, this apartment looked the part,
0:10:12 > 0:10:16but was it going to be more or less affordable than the first property?
0:10:16 > 0:10:18- Ready?- So let's see.
0:10:21 > 0:10:24- Oh!- Dear me! 386,000!
0:10:24 > 0:10:28We might have to just think about moving away further from the beach.
0:10:28 > 0:10:30Even though this is further than the last one,
0:10:30 > 0:10:33it might have to be that that's what we compromise on.
0:10:33 > 0:10:36- So long as I'm with you and the girls...- Ah!
0:10:38 > 0:10:39..anywhere will be fine.
0:10:41 > 0:10:43Ben was in a noble mood,
0:10:43 > 0:10:48but was he really able to give up his dream of a surfer's lifestyle?
0:10:48 > 0:10:50With the second property well over budget,
0:10:50 > 0:10:54everything now rested on the Wallaces's final stop.
0:10:54 > 0:10:55Getting the right location
0:10:55 > 0:10:59and size was clearly going to be tough in Sydney, but what about a
0:10:59 > 0:11:02property in the right location that needed a lot of work done to it?
0:11:04 > 0:11:07The third property was a traditional weatherboard house,
0:11:07 > 0:11:09but was it big enough for the Wallaces's needs?
0:11:14 > 0:11:17Oh, it's big.
0:11:17 > 0:11:18Nice fireplace.
0:11:18 > 0:11:21- Quite a nice size, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:11:21 > 0:11:23It's dated and it'll need work...
0:11:23 > 0:11:25But not a lot. It's only cosmetic.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27It was a promising start,
0:11:27 > 0:11:31and Ben had a plan to find that all-important extra bedroom.
0:11:31 > 0:11:34If we made it open plan and turned that into a bedroom...
0:11:34 > 0:11:36We could have three bedrooms.
0:11:36 > 0:11:40Because this...you don't need it as a dining room or a study.
0:11:40 > 0:11:42Outside, the walled garden provided
0:11:42 > 0:11:45plenty of space for the family's surfboards.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48But did the price of this house provide answers or more questions?
0:11:50 > 0:11:53- Shall we have a look? - Go on, then.
0:11:53 > 0:11:56£450,000!
0:11:56 > 0:11:57For a doer-upperer!
0:11:57 > 0:11:59You know! Well...
0:11:59 > 0:12:04I suppose on par with other things in Manly or Manly Vale
0:12:04 > 0:12:08or around this area. We knew it would be that sort of price.
0:12:08 > 0:12:10Disappointed, that's all.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12That was way over budget.
0:12:12 > 0:12:15Was the dream location simply out of reach,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19or did they find a silver lining behind all those zeros?
0:12:19 > 0:12:21Doesn't mean it's over.
0:12:21 > 0:12:25If there's this in the centre of Manly, what is there further out?
0:12:25 > 0:12:28- Right. It's not the end of it yet.- No.
0:12:28 > 0:12:31- Not the end of your dream, is it? - No.- To live by the beach.- Yeah.
0:12:31 > 0:12:32House-hunting had been
0:12:32 > 0:12:35an eye-opening experience for the Wallaces.
0:12:35 > 0:12:38The first property was too small and soon ruled out.
0:12:38 > 0:12:42The second had the looks but it came with a big price tag.
0:12:42 > 0:12:46And the last house was ideally placed but wildly over budget.
0:12:46 > 0:12:50So, which way would they vote on houses in Australia?
0:12:58 > 0:13:01- UK!- Australia!
0:13:01 > 0:13:03I'm in the middle!
0:13:04 > 0:13:08- Why?- Because the apartments and houses we've seen today
0:13:08 > 0:13:10don't suit our needs.
0:13:10 > 0:13:14- Agree with you...- And they're far too expensive in this area.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17I've gone half and half,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20because of...obviously we won't be able to afford to live in Manly
0:13:20 > 0:13:23but there is other areas on the east coast,
0:13:23 > 0:13:25and going up towards Brisbane as well, that
0:13:25 > 0:13:29we could look at and research and look to live there, maybe.
0:13:29 > 0:13:32And it's cold in Manly!
0:13:32 > 0:13:36Finding an affordable property in Sydney looked beyond reach,
0:13:36 > 0:13:38but if they could agree to compromise on location,
0:13:38 > 0:13:41a new start could still be on the cards.
0:13:48 > 0:13:52Sydney's sky-high prices had been a real shock to the Wallaces,
0:13:52 > 0:13:54and their Aussie dream was left hanging in the air.
0:13:54 > 0:13:58Any life in Sydney was going to be expensive, so everything depended
0:13:58 > 0:14:03on Ben and Amanda being able to find good work opportunities.
0:14:03 > 0:14:06In the UK, former nurse Amanda worked in health recruitment
0:14:06 > 0:14:09and was earning £27,000 a year.
0:14:09 > 0:14:13But she wanted to get back into a nursing role in Australia.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I'm looking to get more clinically involved again
0:14:16 > 0:14:18in the role of a nurse.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Either practice nursing, which I've done in this country,
0:14:21 > 0:14:25or occupational health nursing, which I've done in this country as well.
0:14:25 > 0:14:29I don't particularly want to have to work full time over in Australia,
0:14:29 > 0:14:32erm, that's going to be left to Ben!
0:14:34 > 0:14:36Property manager Ben was a little more open
0:14:36 > 0:14:38about what he wanted to do.
0:14:38 > 0:14:40I'd be looking to do anything, basically.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43As long as I had an income, I'm not particularly worried.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46So, anything, sort of surveying, facilities management,
0:14:46 > 0:14:50asset management type job, I'll be looking in those areas.
0:14:50 > 0:14:54As Amanda headed out to explore her work prospects, she was keen
0:14:54 > 0:14:59for her family to avoid the mistakes of their last experience Down Under.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01I'm just hoping that things are going to be different.
0:15:01 > 0:15:06Ben is going to hopefully be more motivated and he hopefully has
0:15:06 > 0:15:10grown up a little bit more in the last five, six years, to realise
0:15:10 > 0:15:13that, to actually get this sort of lifestyle, you have got to work.
0:15:14 > 0:15:16As the main visa applicant,
0:15:16 > 0:15:19we arranged for her to spend the morning on a maternity ward.
0:15:19 > 0:15:22Unit manager Isabel showed her the ropes.
0:15:22 > 0:15:25So this is the postnatal ward.
0:15:25 > 0:15:27We've got 20 beds, 12 rooms,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30some rooms are single rooms.
0:15:30 > 0:15:32I think there's four or five single rooms,
0:15:32 > 0:15:35and the rest are two beds in each room.
0:15:35 > 0:15:39Across town, Ben was exploring his work options.
0:15:39 > 0:15:42It took me such a long time to find work in New Zealand.
0:15:42 > 0:15:44I sort of went there with the wrong attitude, really.
0:15:44 > 0:15:48That did sort of grind on Amanda because she was working from day one
0:15:48 > 0:15:50from being there, so, yeah, it was a big issue.
0:15:50 > 0:15:52And I wouldn't want that to happen again.
0:15:52 > 0:15:55I would like to find work before I come out this time.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00For Ben, the ideal job would have been running a surf shop.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02To find out whether it was a practical option,
0:16:02 > 0:16:05he spent the morning at Manly Beach.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08Store manager Gerard McCallum gave him the lowdown on the business.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11- How are you, mate?- Ben.- Gerard. How's things?
0:16:11 > 0:16:13What can you tell me about your business, then?
0:16:13 > 0:16:16What we do here, there's a few different sides to the shop.
0:16:16 > 0:16:19You've got new boards, second-hand boards, we do rentals,
0:16:19 > 0:16:22repairs, wet suits.
0:16:22 > 0:16:24Ben was keen to get down to figures.
0:16:25 > 0:16:27So, the big crunch question is,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29what sort of salary would you be looking at?
0:16:29 > 0:16:31You'd be looking around 40 grand a year,
0:16:31 > 0:16:34- so it's about 800 a week before tax. - Right, OK.
0:16:34 > 0:16:37You do have to put in quite a lot of hours, being retail,
0:16:37 > 0:16:40but definitely, you're going to have to put in some weekend hours,
0:16:40 > 0:16:43because that's when everyone else isn't working.
0:16:43 > 0:16:46Yeah, that would be your busiest day, wouldn't it?
0:16:47 > 0:16:51- Right, that's great, Gerard, thanks. - Nice to meet you.- Nice to meet you.
0:16:51 > 0:16:53- See you again.- See you, mate.- Bye.
0:16:53 > 0:16:55What a place to work.
0:16:55 > 0:16:57Across a road and on a beach, into the water.
0:16:57 > 0:17:00That would be a dream for any surfer, I suppose.
0:17:03 > 0:17:07Back on the ward, Amanda was also getting down to financial matters.
0:17:07 > 0:17:09What's the salary like over here?
0:17:09 > 0:17:13- Roughly 90,000...- Gosh! - ..a year.- That's a lot.
0:17:13 > 0:17:14That's double what I'm on now.
0:17:14 > 0:17:17Oh, wow, that's good, good for you.
0:17:17 > 0:17:20It looks like Amanda could earn around £60,000,
0:17:20 > 0:17:24which was welcome news, but were there any vacancies?
0:17:24 > 0:17:27There seems to be a shortage of midwives,
0:17:27 > 0:17:29so I'm sure you would be right!
0:17:29 > 0:17:31- Lovely.- Yeah.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38Had Ben and Amanda been won over by working in Australia,
0:17:38 > 0:17:42or would they rather stick with the UK?
0:17:42 > 0:17:45We've had an interesting day today, finding out all sorts of different
0:17:45 > 0:17:49things about jobs we could do over in Australia, and now it's time to vote.
0:17:58 > 0:18:00BOTH: Australia!
0:18:01 > 0:18:02Why?
0:18:02 > 0:18:04- The money.- Yeah.
0:18:04 > 0:18:07And I could probably work part time, what I want to do.
0:18:07 > 0:18:09Yeah, definitely.
0:18:09 > 0:18:10Why did you choose?
0:18:10 > 0:18:14I just want to live in Australia, so I'll do anything, basically, I think.
0:18:14 > 0:18:17And find something that's relevant to what I do at the moment.
0:18:17 > 0:18:18A proper job.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20Not so much working in a surf shop,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23but doing something I know what I'm doing, basically.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25- Before you come out? - Before we come out.
0:18:25 > 0:18:28So we're sorted when we get here.
0:18:31 > 0:18:34Ben's willingness to hang up his wet suit
0:18:34 > 0:18:37and find a better-paying job was welcome news to Amanda.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39But with finances looking tight,
0:18:39 > 0:18:43was the dream of living in Sydney blinding them to the real cost?
0:18:45 > 0:18:49Amanda believed her three-bedroomed house in Newport was worth £150,000.
0:18:49 > 0:18:53And Ben believed his two-bedroomed house would be valued at 120,000.
0:18:55 > 0:18:58They needed the money from both properties in order to afford
0:18:58 > 0:19:00a house in Australia.
0:19:00 > 0:19:04So we asked two local estate agents for their opinion.
0:19:04 > 0:19:05- Ready?- Yeah.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11My lovely little house.
0:19:11 > 0:19:14Ah, look at my wallpaper!
0:19:14 > 0:19:19Lovely open-plan kitchen. Looks as if it's been newly refitted as well.
0:19:19 > 0:19:21Really nice.
0:19:21 > 0:19:24Living room's rather nice. Nice and bright.
0:19:24 > 0:19:27Reproduction fireplace, polished floors.
0:19:27 > 0:19:28Lovely.
0:19:28 > 0:19:29Libby!
0:19:29 > 0:19:31This is a very pink room.
0:19:31 > 0:19:34It's a little girl's dream
0:19:34 > 0:19:37and is, at the same time, a really nice-sized double.
0:19:37 > 0:19:39Looks tidy, there, for once.
0:19:39 > 0:19:40Third bedroom.
0:19:40 > 0:19:44And somebody's obviously getting ready to go to Australia already!
0:19:44 > 0:19:45BEN LAUGHS
0:19:45 > 0:19:48Oh, no, that's not a good look.
0:19:48 > 0:19:50It's a lovely family property.
0:19:50 > 0:19:54Three-bedroomed semi-detached, in a popular residential area.
0:19:54 > 0:19:56I would expect this property to achieve in the region
0:19:56 > 0:20:00of £150,000, but if they are looking at a quicker sale,
0:20:00 > 0:20:03they should expect to achieve approximately 140,000.
0:20:03 > 0:20:05And having valued the other property,
0:20:05 > 0:20:09I would expect that to achieve in the region of 115,000,
0:20:09 > 0:20:14but for a quick sale, again, they should be looking at 105 to 110,000.
0:20:14 > 0:20:17- Oh, 105! I made more money on mine than you!- Ssh!
0:20:17 > 0:20:21I would recommend, for putting this on the market, 155,000.
0:20:21 > 0:20:22For a quick sale, 145,000.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26And the other property that we saw, I would suggest an asking price
0:20:26 > 0:20:30of £115,000, and for a quick sale, at £105,000.
0:20:34 > 0:20:36I'm really pleased with my valuation.
0:20:36 > 0:20:38It's at least what I was expecting.
0:20:38 > 0:20:40I wouldn't expect to make any money on my property.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45Despite Ben's estimate being lower than expected,
0:20:45 > 0:20:47the couple remained positive.
0:20:47 > 0:20:51Next, they had to take a look at the real cost of living to see
0:20:51 > 0:20:56- how it compared to the UK and how it would affect their budget.- Right.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00So this is the shopping list. This is what we would buy on a regular basis.
0:21:00 > 0:21:03- It's on par.- Yeah.
0:21:04 > 0:21:06So that's the shopping list.
0:21:06 > 0:21:08That's the bit that's going to be really bad, I reckon.
0:21:08 > 0:21:14For the properties. OK. Right, so property three, it's £700,000.
0:21:14 > 0:21:19So, the repayment's £2,734, but, yeah,
0:21:19 > 0:21:22- you would have to do it up as well. - You'd need money to do it up.- Yeah.
0:21:26 > 0:21:31- So, we'd actually be... - £1,506 worse off. Per month.
0:21:31 > 0:21:35- If we lived in Manly. - If we lived in Manly. But we could...
0:21:35 > 0:21:39This is worst-case scenario in the most expensive place we could possibly think of.
0:21:39 > 0:21:44- And we could do it.- Yeah. So, it's not going to put me off.
0:21:44 > 0:21:46No. Good news, really.
0:21:47 > 0:21:51Even though their living costs looked much higher in Australia,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54Ben and Amanda thought their incomes would cover the difference.
0:21:54 > 0:21:57But did they vote with their heads or with their hearts?
0:22:04 > 0:22:06- BOTH:- Australia!
0:22:08 > 0:22:10So why?
0:22:10 > 0:22:15Because I can earn a relatively good wage, so I could go part time.
0:22:15 > 0:22:17Yeah.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20You will hopefully be earning more money than you would in a shop.
0:22:20 > 0:22:22And so it is doable.
0:22:22 > 0:22:26And we both want to do it, as well, so...
0:22:26 > 0:22:29It's about time we did it, really!
0:22:32 > 0:22:34The Wallaces were persevering,
0:22:34 > 0:22:36even if that meant a rethink on where they would live.
0:22:36 > 0:22:39They were prepared to take the risk in order to grab
0:22:39 > 0:22:43the opportunity of the better family lifestyle they'd all dreamt of.
0:22:44 > 0:22:48Back in the UK, youngest daughter Libby was a budding gymnast,
0:22:48 > 0:22:51and being able to continue her sport in Australia was a must.
0:22:51 > 0:22:54So, the Wallaces headed down to Manly's gymnastics club
0:22:54 > 0:22:58to find out what the facilities could offer her.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01- Hello!- Hello!
0:23:01 > 0:23:03Hello! So, you must be Libby?
0:23:03 > 0:23:06Hi, Libby, I'm Natalie, I'm the head women's coach here.
0:23:06 > 0:23:08After brief introductions,
0:23:08 > 0:23:09Libby was put through her paces
0:23:09 > 0:23:12by former Chinese national gymnastics team coach
0:23:12 > 0:23:16Xiaoqing Li, who is keen to see if Libby was good enough
0:23:16 > 0:23:20to be accepted on the Australian national gymnastics programme.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Faster! Sprint!
0:23:23 > 0:23:27This is fantastic. It's just so much better.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29You can do so much more things.
0:23:29 > 0:23:31And teach so many more children, can't you,
0:23:31 > 0:23:33with this sort of facility?
0:23:34 > 0:23:36I think, obviously,
0:23:36 > 0:23:39finding the girls activities over here is paramount, really,
0:23:39 > 0:23:43because they want to continue what they're doing in the UK.
0:23:43 > 0:23:47If she comes to Australia, I think she will have good future.
0:23:49 > 0:23:52Ah, that's better! Good girl!
0:23:52 > 0:23:54That was great news for Libby.
0:23:54 > 0:23:58And despite the weather, it was time for some post-gym fun on the beach.
0:23:58 > 0:24:01Conditions here are very much like it is back home -
0:24:01 > 0:24:03windy, rainy, cold.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05So, we're used to it, anyway.
0:24:05 > 0:24:08Instructor James got the girls straight into the water.
0:24:16 > 0:24:18Hoo-hoo!
0:24:27 > 0:24:30It was great watching the girls have a go.
0:24:30 > 0:24:34Both of them stood up, so really proud of them, yeah, really good.
0:24:34 > 0:24:36After a busy day in and out of the water,
0:24:36 > 0:24:38it was time to vote on lifestyle.
0:24:42 > 0:24:45ALL: Australia!
0:24:45 > 0:24:47So, why?
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I just love being on the beach anyway, so it's a bonus for me, isn't it?
0:24:50 > 0:24:53- What about you, Libs? - Cos it's nice gyms!
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- Aimee?- Both the activities were good.
0:24:55 > 0:24:58I just like this sort of lifestyle.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02It's quite laid back, and I need to be more laid back,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04so it's a vote from me.
0:25:07 > 0:25:11Sampling the Aussie lifestyle had been a big success.
0:25:11 > 0:25:14But the Wallaces were only too aware of how far Australia
0:25:14 > 0:25:16was from everything they had at home.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Would saying goodbye to friends and family be easier, or harder,
0:25:20 > 0:25:22the second time round?
0:25:22 > 0:25:25We prepared a DVD of messages from loved ones in the UK
0:25:25 > 0:25:28and the family decided to watch it together.
0:25:28 > 0:25:31Hi, Ben, Amanda and Libby and Aimee.
0:25:31 > 0:25:34- Hi, Aimee!- Hello, Libby!
0:25:35 > 0:25:41Ben and Amanda, I really hope you're making the right decision this time.
0:25:41 > 0:25:47- For yourselves and for the girls. - I shall miss Aimee and Libby a lot.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50Because I meet them twice a week from school and we make cakes
0:25:50 > 0:25:54and we do cooking and they tell me all their problems.
0:25:54 > 0:25:56So I will miss them.
0:25:56 > 0:25:58We're all really missing you here at Newport Harriers.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00We've been training really hard.
0:26:00 > 0:26:04- We miss you sprinting down that track, beating everybody!- Hi, Libby.
0:26:04 > 0:26:08Hope you're having a fantastic time in Australia. Everybody misses you.
0:26:08 > 0:26:09We send our love.
0:26:10 > 0:26:15Aimee, you know how much Grandma loves you and how much I'll miss you.
0:26:17 > 0:26:22And you, Libby, I hope that you will continue with the gymnastics
0:26:22 > 0:26:26and really do well. Eat your food.
0:26:26 > 0:26:29I don't want anything to go wrong this time, if at all possible.
0:26:29 > 0:26:35And that you are all one big, happy family.
0:26:35 > 0:26:40I hope things will go well for all of you. Always.
0:26:46 > 0:26:48Come on.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50MUFFLED SOBBING
0:26:50 > 0:26:54- I'm OK. - Is it because of Grandma crying?
0:26:54 > 0:26:57Yeah, you've probably never seen Grandma upset, have you?
0:26:57 > 0:27:00We're going to see them soon, anyway.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04It was quite hard, really, watching that. Especially my mother.
0:27:04 > 0:27:06I knew she would be, you know, upset.
0:27:06 > 0:27:09Everything's happened so quickly, really. Where we are now...
0:27:09 > 0:27:10To get back together and get married.
0:27:10 > 0:27:12..and get married and then come to Australia.
0:27:12 > 0:27:16So it's probably been quite a lot for her to take in, as well.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19I think they just hope, you know,
0:27:19 > 0:27:24we're doing the right thing for the girls. My mum did look a bit upset.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28You know, all her grandchildren will live halfway round the world.
0:27:34 > 0:27:37Seeing messages from home had reminded the Wallaces of just
0:27:37 > 0:27:40how painful another move could be.
0:27:40 > 0:27:42After everything the family had been through,
0:27:42 > 0:27:45was the appeal of Australia really worth it?
0:27:45 > 0:27:48As their trial week drew to a close, it was time for them
0:27:48 > 0:27:50to make their final choice.
0:27:50 > 0:27:52It's a big risk, coming out to Australia, I suppose,
0:27:52 > 0:27:56- having done it before.- You have to think about everything, really.
0:27:56 > 0:27:57How it's going to affect all the family,
0:27:57 > 0:28:00obviously our parents, friends,
0:28:00 > 0:28:02but ultimately it is about us starting a new life.
0:28:05 > 0:28:08And obviously we got divorced for several different reasons.
0:28:08 > 0:28:12And I think we're more grown up now. We know what we want.
0:28:12 > 0:28:15Ben knows he has got responsibilities.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18We went through the ups and the downs.
0:28:18 > 0:28:21You know, I believe our relationship is stronger now.
0:28:21 > 0:28:24Ben and Amanda had learned lessons from their first
0:28:24 > 0:28:26attempt at emigrating years earlier.
0:28:26 > 0:28:29But their week in Australia had also shown them
0:28:29 > 0:28:33a second move wouldn't be free of headaches or heartaches.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37So, when it came to the final turn of the cards, how did they vote?
0:28:48 > 0:28:50ALL: Australia!
0:28:53 > 0:28:56You know I've always wanted to come to Australia for the lifestyle
0:28:56 > 0:29:01and the weather and the surfing. So that's why I voted Australia.
0:29:01 > 0:29:03- And for the family. - And for the family.
0:29:03 > 0:29:06To give them opportunities they won't get back in the UK.
0:29:06 > 0:29:10- So, when are we booking our tickets to come back?- Next year.
0:29:14 > 0:29:17In 2011, I managed to catch up with Amanda and Ben
0:29:17 > 0:29:20when they'd been back in the UK for just over a month.
0:29:20 > 0:29:25Taking that step to go back out and try it all over again,
0:29:25 > 0:29:29knowing that it went so badly wrong the first time,
0:29:29 > 0:29:31were you very nervous about that?
0:29:31 > 0:29:33I was. I was nervous about where we were going.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38Just because I didn't particularly want to go back to Sydney.
0:29:38 > 0:29:42But, no, you know, I thought it was an opportunity for us
0:29:42 > 0:29:46to have a look round and Aimee's desperate to go.
0:29:46 > 0:29:50And she was the one that was worst affected through the divorce
0:29:50 > 0:29:53and everything, and she was so positive about going.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56So I think her determination really inspired us all, didn't it?
0:29:56 > 0:29:58It inspired us all, I suppose, yeah.
0:29:58 > 0:30:00What lessons do you think you learned from going to
0:30:00 > 0:30:02New Zealand that sort of changed your mind
0:30:02 > 0:30:05and you were prepared to try again this time in Australia?
0:30:05 > 0:30:08Ben's going to put an effort in this time!
0:30:08 > 0:30:11Yeah, I sort of went with the wrong attitude, I suppose, last time.
0:30:11 > 0:30:13And this time I know what to expect.
0:30:13 > 0:30:17- Let's be honest now. He's going to find full-time work...- Yes.- Yes.
0:30:17 > 0:30:19- Definitely!- And he's allowed to surf occasionally at the weekends
0:30:19 > 0:30:22- or in the evenings?- And in the mornings, if he gets up earlier.
0:30:22 > 0:30:25- Yeah.- That sounds like the perfect compromise!- Yeah!
0:30:25 > 0:30:30So my last question is, how quickly are you going to be returning?
0:30:30 > 0:30:33Hopefully in the next 12 months to 18 months.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36- Yes, we'll be living in the... - The sunshine!- Yeah. On the beach.
0:30:36 > 0:30:39- In the warm!- It sounds amazing...
0:30:39 > 0:30:43sitting here today, and it's pretty cold in Wales today!
0:30:50 > 0:30:54It's been two years since we last caught up with the Wallaces.
0:30:54 > 0:30:57Back then, the plan was very much to get out
0:30:57 > 0:31:01to Australia in search of a better life for the whole family.
0:31:01 > 0:31:05So, has their dream finally become a reality?
0:31:07 > 0:31:12It's spring 2013 and the Wallaces are in...
0:31:12 > 0:31:13Australia!
0:31:15 > 0:31:17After the family's unanimous vote for Oz,
0:31:17 > 0:31:21plans for the second move Down Under were put in motion without delay.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29We already had the visas. You know, we were sitting on them anyway.
0:31:29 > 0:31:30So the only thing we needed to do then was
0:31:30 > 0:31:33get our houses on the market and sold.
0:31:33 > 0:31:35Although they spent their trial week in Sydney,
0:31:35 > 0:31:39the Wallaces had chosen to set up home on Australia's Gold Coast.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45This had so much more to offer us. We could afford to buy here.
0:31:45 > 0:31:50There was beautiful beaches and when we passed through here,
0:31:50 > 0:31:52we fell in love with it.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53The family are currently renting
0:31:53 > 0:31:57and have based themselves in Mermaid Waters, an hour's drive
0:31:57 > 0:32:01south of Brisbane and just five minutes from the beach.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04We decided to rent to begin with, just so that we get to know the area.
0:32:04 > 0:32:09So we wanted to make sure the schools were OK for the girls.
0:32:09 > 0:32:12This area we're living at the moment, you know, is perfect.
0:32:12 > 0:32:14You couldn't have picked a better area.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17Having left the UK for Down Under once before,
0:32:17 > 0:32:21they're old hands at moving halfway around the world.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Packing up our stuff, you know, the removal men came and did that.
0:32:24 > 0:32:27Our container went off, we waved it goodbye.
0:32:27 > 0:32:31And then we moved in with my mum for a couple of weeks.
0:32:31 > 0:32:33And then we just got on the plane.
0:32:33 > 0:32:36You know, that bit wasn't stressful at all.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40It was once we were here, the stress started again!
0:32:40 > 0:32:44Ben and Amanda were so keen to start their new life in Australia,
0:32:44 > 0:32:47they took the risk of making the move before they had jobs set up.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50Once you're out here, obviously seeing the money going out
0:32:50 > 0:32:55but not seeing any coming in, and wondering, you know, if it took
0:32:55 > 0:32:57X amount of months to get jobs,
0:32:57 > 0:33:00how long would you be able to survive out here?
0:33:00 > 0:33:02So that was the big stress of it all.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Fortunately, Amanda didn't have to wait long before she secured
0:33:07 > 0:33:09work in a specialist eye clinic.
0:33:09 > 0:33:15My job over here is as an ophthalmic nurse. It's really patient-centred.
0:33:15 > 0:33:17The clinic's lovely, the patients are lovely,
0:33:17 > 0:33:20- the staff are lovely. - It's her dream job.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24It's two days a week and it's double my pay that
0:33:24 > 0:33:27I would have been on in the UK, working four days a week.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29So it's pretty good!
0:33:30 > 0:33:33Progress on the work front was a bit slower for Ben,
0:33:33 > 0:33:36and old tensions threatened to resurface.
0:33:37 > 0:33:40When we went to New Zealand,
0:33:40 > 0:33:42obviously Ben didn't get a job straightaway.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45Treated it as a surfing jolly.
0:33:45 > 0:33:49And this time I hoped that he would be different.
0:33:51 > 0:33:54Finding work this time, it was quite a long process for me.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56It obviously took, you know, more or less
0:33:56 > 0:33:59four months before I even got an interview. You know...
0:33:59 > 0:34:02But there are jobs out there that Ben didn't want to do.
0:34:02 > 0:34:07So, yeah, we had a few stressed moments!
0:34:07 > 0:34:10It was quite difficult, obviously, because we needed income.
0:34:10 > 0:34:12And there was only Amanda's wage coming in.
0:34:12 > 0:34:16The fact that he just would sit on the laptop and go on, you know,
0:34:16 > 0:34:19search engines for jobs rather than do the more pro-active
0:34:19 > 0:34:23side of things, really stressed me out!
0:34:25 > 0:34:28She did push me quite a lot to find work and send out CVs and things.
0:34:28 > 0:34:31Because, you know, being the laid-back person I am,
0:34:31 > 0:34:34I'd never done that before. It was all new to me.
0:34:34 > 0:34:39But Amanda's drive paid off and Ben's now finally in full-time employment.
0:34:42 > 0:34:45I work for the leading national company in retirement homes in Australia.
0:34:47 > 0:34:49Although it's not quite his dream job,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52Ben's happy in his role as a refurbishment co-ordinator.
0:34:54 > 0:34:56It seems to be the right job and it suits me.
0:34:56 > 0:34:59It's enjoyable, it's a challenge. Perhaps I needed that, as well.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01Because you get set in your ways doing other things
0:35:01 > 0:35:02for such a long time.
0:35:02 > 0:35:06And it's good to take it out of your comfort zone sometimes.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08As for Aimee and Libby,
0:35:08 > 0:35:13the second move Down Under seems to have been an instant hit.
0:35:13 > 0:35:17Living here's really good. It's nice because it's sunny.
0:35:17 > 0:35:18Have a good day.
0:35:21 > 0:35:26School here is weird because it's different. It's bigger.
0:35:28 > 0:35:30I feel like I've settled in really well.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34When I got into high school I found, like, really nice people
0:35:34 > 0:35:35and they were all in my class.
0:35:35 > 0:35:40And they all liked what I liked and now we're really good friends.
0:35:40 > 0:35:43My friends here are awesome!
0:35:44 > 0:35:46Both girls have been able to continue
0:35:46 > 0:35:50with their hobbies in Australia, and with some success.
0:35:50 > 0:35:53Libby's really enjoying gymnastics.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55She's already qualified for the state championships.
0:35:55 > 0:36:01Doing gymnastics here is fun because the coaches are really nice
0:36:01 > 0:36:05and I've done some competitions already this year.
0:36:06 > 0:36:08And I did well.
0:36:08 > 0:36:13Aimee is athletic and she's loving netball.
0:36:13 > 0:36:16And she's following in her father's footsteps.
0:36:16 > 0:36:19She loves going to the beach and going surfing.
0:36:19 > 0:36:22It's nice to come out surfing with my dad when I can.
0:36:22 > 0:36:27He teaches me and we usually come out here a lot after school.
0:36:27 > 0:36:31It's a dream come true for Ben.
0:36:31 > 0:36:34What more could a dad want than doing stuff with his children?
0:36:39 > 0:36:44Leaving family and friends can be the most painful aspect of emigrating.
0:36:44 > 0:36:48But having done it once before, the Wallaces knew what to expect.
0:36:48 > 0:36:49I miss my friends and family.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52Obviously, I'd seen my mum and dad every day.
0:36:52 > 0:36:54But, you know, once we're settled,
0:36:54 > 0:36:56hopefully we will start having visitors.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00My mum and dad are definitely coming out at the end of the year.
0:37:00 > 0:37:04So, yeah, you look forward to those events, really.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09Aimee, who was the one who wanted to come out here the most,
0:37:09 > 0:37:11has her wobbles.
0:37:11 > 0:37:14I missed them when we were on the plane,
0:37:14 > 0:37:16my grandparents and my nan and grandad.
0:37:16 > 0:37:20And then a few weeks in, when we were settled down,
0:37:20 > 0:37:24I sort of like didn't really want to be here.
0:37:24 > 0:37:26But now I do.
0:37:26 > 0:37:30Libby, who had really, really close friends in the UK,
0:37:30 > 0:37:33- has just taken it in her stride. - Yeah.
0:37:33 > 0:37:37I think what you miss is made up for by, you know,
0:37:37 > 0:37:39sitting outside in this weather.
0:37:39 > 0:37:40Going to the beach.
0:37:40 > 0:37:44So, has there been any downside to the move?
0:37:44 > 0:37:47- Probably the hardest thing is making friends.- Yeah.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50You know, we haven't really got a group of friends yet, have we?
0:37:50 > 0:37:53- Not yet. - So, hopefully that will come.
0:37:53 > 0:37:57But despite this, the Wallaces seem to be living the dream.
0:37:57 > 0:38:01Having failed so miserably at it eight years ago in New Zealand,
0:38:01 > 0:38:04they appear to have found the secret to success second time round.
0:38:05 > 0:38:09I think the thing we were trying to do differently to make this work
0:38:09 > 0:38:12was just be open and honest about things.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15I think I wear my heart on my sleeve, so I'm quite honest,
0:38:15 > 0:38:19whereas Ben doesn't really show his feelings much.
0:38:19 > 0:38:23I'm not the best at communicating with anyone, really, I suppose.
0:38:23 > 0:38:26I can be quite quiet and moody sometimes.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29I try not to be any more, because obviously I'm doing stuff that
0:38:29 > 0:38:31I really want to do and I'm really enjoying myself.
0:38:31 > 0:38:35Compared to the New Zealand days, I think we're both older.
0:38:35 > 0:38:38Maybe we tolerate each other more!
0:38:38 > 0:38:43We've grown a lot together, I suppose, yeah. And things...
0:38:43 > 0:38:45Amanda seems a lot more relaxed here
0:38:45 > 0:38:47because obviously you've got the weather and the heat.
0:38:47 > 0:38:54It's just...on the whole, be happy and enjoy this beautiful scenery.
0:38:55 > 0:39:00So does this mean Ben's finally got the family/surfing balance right?
0:39:01 > 0:39:04Oh, Ben is having a great time with his lifestyle!
0:39:04 > 0:39:08Surfs most days, twice a day if he can get it in.
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Obviously I get to go surfing a lot on the weekends
0:39:10 > 0:39:14and the evenings, when you get a chance to get down to the beach.
0:39:14 > 0:39:17Sometimes he still goes surfing without
0:39:17 > 0:39:20even considering what the house might look like.
0:39:20 > 0:39:22He doesn't care if it's a mess.
0:39:22 > 0:39:26So, yeah, I wouldn't say the balance is struck quite right!
0:39:26 > 0:39:29I suppose the most negative thing is having to go to work every day!
0:39:29 > 0:39:31A leopard doesn't change its spots!
0:39:31 > 0:39:32SHE LAUGHS
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Ah!
0:39:37 > 0:39:40They may still be having their ups and downs,
0:39:40 > 0:39:43but Ben and Amanda are committed to making a success of their new life
0:39:43 > 0:39:46Down Under, so much so,
0:39:46 > 0:39:47they've just bought a house.
0:39:47 > 0:39:50So this is our new house.
0:39:50 > 0:39:54So this is the living room. One of the settees there.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56We have rented for six months now.
0:39:56 > 0:40:03So we've just extended our rent for an extra month and we are,
0:40:03 > 0:40:05you know, in the process of moving in the next...
0:40:05 > 0:40:08well, just under two weeks.
0:40:08 > 0:40:10This is the main bedroom.
0:40:10 > 0:40:13It's a walk-in wardrobe, so that will be good for me!
0:40:13 > 0:40:15- Ben can put his stuff next door! - Yeah, all right.
0:40:17 > 0:40:19En-suite shower and bath. Toilet.
0:40:19 > 0:40:20We never had one of them before,
0:40:20 > 0:40:23so that will be something a bit different.
0:40:23 > 0:40:25So this is the dining room.
0:40:25 > 0:40:29- So it's plenty big enough for our dining-room table.- And chairs, yeah.
0:40:29 > 0:40:32And big enough kitchen for us to do our cooking, Libs.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37- And then, is this your room, Libs? - That one, yeah.
0:40:37 > 0:40:39I get a good view of the pool,
0:40:39 > 0:40:42because it's my favourite part of the house.
0:40:43 > 0:40:48And the garden has everything for perfect Aussie outdoor living.
0:40:48 > 0:40:50It's where we spend most of the time.
0:40:50 > 0:40:52I'm sure the children are going to be in the pool more than
0:40:52 > 0:40:55anywhere else. If we had gone to Sydney, there's no way
0:40:55 > 0:40:56- we'd be able to live in...- No.
0:40:56 > 0:40:59We wouldn't be able to buy a house with four bedrooms and a pool.
0:40:59 > 0:41:01It's the dream home,
0:41:01 > 0:41:05and the Wallaces have to pinch themselves to believe it's theirs.
0:41:05 > 0:41:07It's probably surpassed our wishes and wants for a house.
0:41:07 > 0:41:10And we've got a swimming pool, a nice little bit of garden
0:41:10 > 0:41:12to entertain and for the kids to play in.
0:41:12 > 0:41:17And one road, straight there, on the beach. We're in the dream location.
0:41:17 > 0:41:18So, you know, very happy.
0:41:21 > 0:41:24Bitter experience had taught Amanda things could have worked out
0:41:24 > 0:41:29very differently. But this time, she's convinced the move's paid off.
0:41:29 > 0:41:32It's not without its hiccups.
0:41:32 > 0:41:35And, you know, you've really got to think about what you're doing.
0:41:35 > 0:41:39And I still believe we've made the right decision for us
0:41:39 > 0:41:41and for the children.
0:41:41 > 0:41:46And, you know, you have to take the good with the bad.
0:41:47 > 0:41:51Just a more stress-free lifestyle.
0:41:51 > 0:41:55Which it will be, once we've got everything sorted, I think.
0:41:55 > 0:41:58- The Australians don't seem to be in a rush to do anything!- No!
0:41:58 > 0:42:03- Which suits me down to the ground! - But frustrates me a lot!
0:42:03 > 0:42:06The Wallaces have been through some tough times
0:42:06 > 0:42:10to get here, but life on the other side of the world is now good.
0:42:10 > 0:42:13It's great watching the kids develop into the lovely little
0:42:13 > 0:42:16children that they are now. It makes everything worthwhile.
0:42:16 > 0:42:17You know, we're much happier as a couple,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19and the girls are much, much happier.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21I just can't see it getting any better than this, really.
0:42:21 > 0:42:23Unless we win the lottery!
0:42:23 > 0:42:26I think I'll stay here and enjoy it over here,
0:42:26 > 0:42:29because it's always sunny and it's really nice.
0:42:29 > 0:42:33The only regret I have got is we didn't do it in 2005, really.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35Yeah, we probably should have done it in 2005.
0:42:35 > 0:42:36When we were coming this way, anyway,
0:42:36 > 0:42:39- instead of going to New Zealand. - But it's been worth it in the end.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43Yeah, we're here now, and we're not going anywhere.
0:42:43 > 0:42:47Life is completely different here than the UK.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51I mean, quite often I'll be running along the beach and just,
0:42:51 > 0:42:54like, stop and look at the scenery and just think,
0:42:54 > 0:42:56"My gosh, I can't believe I live here."
0:42:56 > 0:42:58It's as perfect as we can have it and it's our dreams
0:42:58 > 0:43:01and we're living them at the moment.
0:43:06 > 0:43:08Despite the move initially going well,
0:43:08 > 0:43:13since this programme was made, Ben and Amanda have separated.