0:00:02 > 0:00:06Moving your family to the other side of the world can throw up
0:00:06 > 0:00:07massive challenges -
0:00:07 > 0:00:10finding the right house, juggling finances and
0:00:10 > 0:00:14getting a job is daunting enough, but if your partner can't bear
0:00:14 > 0:00:18to leave friends and family behind, it becomes a huge dilemma.
0:00:18 > 0:00:23In 2011, the Andrews family faced just that decision.
0:00:23 > 0:00:27Two years on, we'll find out how and where they are now.
0:00:28 > 0:00:31Melanie Andrews was desperate to convince her husband Rob
0:00:31 > 0:00:35that a life down under would be better for their future
0:00:35 > 0:00:38and worth giving up close family ties in the UK.
0:00:38 > 0:00:41Me auntie and uncle, they mean everything to me.
0:00:41 > 0:00:44Leaving them behind is just going to be very hard.
0:00:44 > 0:00:46But, after a week of shocks...
0:00:46 > 0:00:48I'm not liking this at the moment.
0:00:48 > 0:00:49..and surprises...
0:00:49 > 0:00:50- Wow.- Oh, my God!
0:00:50 > 0:00:52Oh, I'm crying.
0:00:52 > 0:00:55..have the Andrews managed to achieve the life Mel dreamt of?
0:00:55 > 0:00:59The main thing is, as long as we're all happy and healthy and...
0:00:59 > 0:01:02my kids are coming home smiling.
0:01:02 > 0:01:04It's just great.
0:01:28 > 0:01:32Australia's warm climate and golden beaches have long been
0:01:32 > 0:01:35a magnet for Brits seeking a new life abroad.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39On average, nearly 100 of us emigrate to Australia every day,
0:01:39 > 0:01:42but the dream doesn't always match up to reality
0:01:42 > 0:01:46and as many as a third of new arrivals end up heading back home.
0:01:50 > 0:01:54Two years ago, the Andrews spent one week experiencing
0:01:54 > 0:01:58the reality of life in Australia before having to decide
0:01:58 > 0:02:01whether to make the move a permanent one.
0:02:01 > 0:02:03Melanie was hoping she could persuade husband Rob that
0:02:03 > 0:02:07Australia would give the family a better life.
0:02:07 > 0:02:09Today, we'll find out what happened next.
0:02:11 > 0:02:15In 2011, the Andrews embarked on their trial week.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19Two flights, 9,000 miles and 22 hours gave them
0:02:19 > 0:02:21plenty of time to think about the adventure ahead.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25I'm really looking forward to it.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27I just want to get in there and...
0:02:27 > 0:02:30convince Rob that it's going to be good.
0:02:30 > 0:02:33It's going to be more of a reality check.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35This is sort of like the make or break.
0:02:35 > 0:02:39It was a week that had the potential to change their lives forever,
0:02:39 > 0:02:42and it was a long way from Folkestone in Kent.
0:02:43 > 0:02:47Mel and husband Rob share their happy home with their children -
0:02:47 > 0:02:52Coby, who was seven, and little Lexie, who was then just three.
0:02:52 > 0:02:54But, for Mel, it was Australia that offered the life
0:02:54 > 0:02:57she had dreamt of since she was a teenager.
0:02:57 > 0:02:59I'd originally planned to go travelling for six weeks
0:02:59 > 0:03:01and it fell through, so I couldn't go.
0:03:01 > 0:03:04Um, and there was a second time that I was going to go and that
0:03:04 > 0:03:08fell through and I was so upset and so gutted that I couldn't go.
0:03:08 > 0:03:11- No-one wanted to take her, to be honest.- No, third time lucky.
0:03:11 > 0:03:15A few years previously, a family holiday down under had
0:03:15 > 0:03:18convinced Melanie Australia should be their home.
0:03:18 > 0:03:22I absolutely loved it and Coby and Lexie did as well.
0:03:22 > 0:03:25But, if they were going to make the dream a reality,
0:03:25 > 0:03:29they had to move fast as their visa was close to running out.
0:03:29 > 0:03:33Once that expires, if we haven't gone to Australia permanently,
0:03:33 > 0:03:36then we just wouldn't be able to get that visa again.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41I just want to get out there now. You know, I've just got to try and convince Rob.
0:03:41 > 0:03:43For the move to work, Rob had to decide
0:03:43 > 0:03:45if he could walk away from the family cleaning business
0:03:45 > 0:03:49he ran with his brother and start again in Australia.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53'Moving to Australia and starting fresh
0:03:53 > 0:03:56'and not having the network support that we've got here,'
0:03:56 > 0:04:00you know, it will be hard, so, yeah, that does worry me as well.
0:04:00 > 0:04:04But there was something even more important than work than Rob
0:04:04 > 0:04:08would have to leave behind - his close family and friends.
0:04:08 > 0:04:11'Me auntie and uncle, I'm very close to.'
0:04:13 > 0:04:15You know, and they mean everything to me.
0:04:15 > 0:04:18'Leaving them behind is just going to be very hard.'
0:04:19 > 0:04:21Cos I'm just going to miss them...
0:04:21 > 0:04:23so much.
0:04:28 > 0:04:29HE CRIES
0:04:31 > 0:04:33'I wouldn't want Rob to do anything that'
0:04:33 > 0:04:37he didn't want to do. And I certainly don't want him to think that
0:04:37 > 0:04:40I'm trying to emotionally blackmail him into going
0:04:40 > 0:04:42and forcing him because, you know, I wouldn't.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45I love him to bits so, you know, at the end of the day,
0:04:45 > 0:04:49he's my husband and if he doesn't want to go, then we won't go, but...
0:04:49 > 0:04:53you know, I just don't know how...how much I'd resent him
0:04:53 > 0:04:54later on for not going.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00'I've always said, "I'll never say goodbye."
0:05:00 > 0:05:01'I say, "I'll see you soon,"'
0:05:01 > 0:05:04because I think goodbye means...
0:05:04 > 0:05:06you know, maybe forever and, you know,
0:05:06 > 0:05:08I don't want it to be like that.
0:05:08 > 0:05:13With so much at stake, everyone's emotions were running high.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15Ahead of them was a huge decision,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17perhaps the toughest they would ever have to make.
0:05:20 > 0:05:23The family visited Perth in Western Australia.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27Home for their trial week was the popular beachside suburb of
0:05:27 > 0:05:31Watermans Bay, just a short drive from the airport.
0:05:31 > 0:05:33The three-bedroom property was only a couple of minutes' walk to
0:05:33 > 0:05:37the beach and had plenty of space for all the family.
0:05:39 > 0:05:43Ooh! Look!
0:05:43 > 0:05:44Oh, look!
0:05:44 > 0:05:47- I think the kids have got over their jetlag now.- I know.
0:05:47 > 0:05:50- They're not going to sleep tonight. - No, it'll be a nightmare tonight.
0:05:50 > 0:05:53Coby and Lexie settled in well,
0:05:53 > 0:05:57but Mel and Rob's thoughts were already on the week ahead.
0:05:57 > 0:06:00What I'd really like to get out of this week would be for Rob to
0:06:00 > 0:06:04really like it and to think, "Yeah, I could see myself living here."
0:06:04 > 0:06:06I think it's going to open our eyes a lot more to what
0:06:06 > 0:06:08we thought it was going to be like.
0:06:15 > 0:06:17Back in the UK, the Andrews
0:06:17 > 0:06:20lived in this three-bedroom ex-council house in Folkestone.
0:06:20 > 0:06:22Based on its estimated value,
0:06:22 > 0:06:28they had a budget of around £180,000 to spend on an Australian property
0:06:28 > 0:06:31and they were expecting a lot for their money.
0:06:31 > 0:06:34It would be at least a four-bedroom detached.
0:06:34 > 0:06:37'Whether it's got a pool or not, it's got to have a home cinema.'
0:06:37 > 0:06:40That's always been something I've always wanted.
0:06:40 > 0:06:43'Mel does want a nice house, but, as long as it's big enough to,'
0:06:43 > 0:06:49hopefully, accommodate loads of visits from friends and family,
0:06:49 > 0:06:51then that'll do me fine.
0:06:51 > 0:06:54To give the Andrews a taste of Perth's housing market,
0:06:54 > 0:06:58we showed them three options based on what they wanted,
0:06:58 > 0:06:59and what they could afford.
0:06:59 > 0:07:03Once they'd seen each house, we'd reveal how much it cost.
0:07:05 > 0:07:07Their property tour started in the suburb of Butler
0:07:07 > 0:07:09on the outskirts of the city.
0:07:11 > 0:07:15This three-bedroom property was a typical modern Aussie style home
0:07:15 > 0:07:17that should appeal to both Mel and Rob.
0:07:19 > 0:07:20That's a nice front room.
0:07:20 > 0:07:24You could have a dining room table here, couldn't you?
0:07:24 > 0:07:27I don't know. I'm not liking this at the moment.
0:07:27 > 0:07:29- Not a bad sized kitchen though.- No.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32This three-bedroom house wasn't impressing Rob,
0:07:32 > 0:07:34who looked like he might be a tough customer.
0:07:34 > 0:07:38It's got a walk-in wardrobe and an en suite.
0:07:38 > 0:07:40- No, this isn't bad...- Yeah...
0:07:40 > 0:07:42- ..but you don't live in your bedroom, so...- I know.
0:07:42 > 0:07:46There was only the outside space left to try and tempt him.
0:07:46 > 0:07:50- This is quite nice cos it's... - Yeah.- ..like a blank canvas.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53- But we'd have to spend a lot to get it how we would want it.- Yeah.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55And I don't think it would be worth it.
0:07:55 > 0:07:58The house had left Rob cold, but what about the price?
0:07:58 > 0:08:01Would they even be able to afford something like this
0:08:01 > 0:08:04on their £180,000 budget?
0:08:05 > 0:08:07Go on, then.
0:08:15 > 0:08:16Whoa!
0:08:16 > 0:08:19- £230,000!- £230,000!
0:08:21 > 0:08:23If I had a choice to buy this...
0:08:23 > 0:08:26- I wouldn't.- No. - I just don't like it.
0:08:26 > 0:08:31At £50,000 over budget, it was a big set back for Mel.
0:08:31 > 0:08:33It's a no-no, this one.
0:08:33 > 0:08:36Well, let's just hope you like the next one then.
0:08:36 > 0:08:37ROB LAUGHS
0:08:37 > 0:08:41In Perth, affordable housing is often found out in the suburbs,
0:08:41 > 0:08:46which sometimes means up to a two-hour daily commute.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49With their budget in mind, the Andrews headed to Yanchep.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52The average house price in this area was still high,
0:08:52 > 0:08:56but a cheaper new build was a realistic option.
0:08:56 > 0:08:58As the development was still being built,
0:08:58 > 0:09:01they viewed a three-bedroom show home to give them an idea
0:09:01 > 0:09:03of what a typical finished house would look like.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06This is nice.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Nice big walk-in wardrobe.
0:09:11 > 0:09:13Look at the size of that.
0:09:13 > 0:09:15Cor, this is lovely.
0:09:16 > 0:09:19As soon as you walk in the door, it's got that bit of a wow factor.
0:09:22 > 0:09:24The cinema room...
0:09:24 > 0:09:26- It ticks all the boxes so far. - Oh, definitely.
0:09:29 > 0:09:33Nice double bedroom. Ideal for Coby. I like the big windows as well.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38- That's a nice sized bedroom. - Oh, Lexie would love this room.
0:09:38 > 0:09:41- It's lovely, innit?- They're all nice sized rooms, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:09:41 > 0:09:45With its stylish interiors and open spaces, this house felt ideal
0:09:45 > 0:09:49and a large garden, complete with built-in barbecue,
0:09:49 > 0:09:53seemed tailor-made for Mel's dream of an outdoor lifestyle,
0:09:53 > 0:09:55assuming the sun came out.
0:09:55 > 0:09:58But was the house within their £180,000 budget?
0:09:58 > 0:10:00Go on, then.
0:10:05 > 0:10:07- Wow.- Oh, my God!
0:10:07 > 0:10:10£200,000. 300,000.
0:10:10 > 0:10:14- Nice. That's all right. - When can we move in?
0:10:14 > 0:10:18It was £20,000 over budget, but Mel could see the possibilities
0:10:18 > 0:10:22and even Rob looked as if he might be ready to settle in.
0:10:22 > 0:10:25But, before they made a final decision on property,
0:10:25 > 0:10:27there was one more to see.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30The final house was in the coastal suburb of Banksia Grove,
0:10:30 > 0:10:34and a 30-minute drive to Perth made it the closest of
0:10:34 > 0:10:35all three properties to the city.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37Like so much of what was on offer in Perth,
0:10:37 > 0:10:42it was another new build house. Mel and Rob viewed a show home.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45With four bedrooms, a cinema room and open-plan design,
0:10:45 > 0:10:49on paper, this looked like a house that could definitely convince Rob.
0:10:51 > 0:10:52- Nice.- It is.- Yeah.
0:10:53 > 0:10:55Nice, big hallway.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Wow.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02Walk-in wardrobe. Nice. The en suite.
0:11:02 > 0:11:04Nice shower.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07It was a good start and there was another room to come.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12Oh, this is nice. Yeah!
0:11:12 > 0:11:16- Oh, I could see myself sitting in here.- Coby would love it.- Yeah.
0:11:16 > 0:11:19It looked as if property three could offer the space the Andrews wanted.
0:11:19 > 0:11:23- It's an ideal size for us four.- Oh, yeah, definitely. I love it so far.
0:11:23 > 0:11:25Yeah, I do. Move in tomorrow!
0:11:26 > 0:11:30Rob looked won over and there was still the outside space to see.
0:11:30 > 0:11:33With a stunning garden complete with beer pumps,
0:11:33 > 0:11:37this was a house that seemed to have everything they were looking for.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40- It's lovely.- Yeah. Very nice.- Perfect.
0:11:40 > 0:11:44But, with a budget of £180,000, could they afford it?
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- Hmm.- Oh, we're far off, then! - £270,000.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- So, we wouldn't really be able to afford it.- No.
0:11:55 > 0:11:58I was expecting maybe a little bit cheaper...
0:11:58 > 0:12:02- than 405,000. - If we were both working...
0:12:03 > 0:12:05..full-time in Australia, then I don't see why
0:12:05 > 0:12:07we wouldn't be able to afford...
0:12:07 > 0:12:09- Something like this. - ..something like this.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12- Now I've seen it, I want it. - Oh, I know that, I know that!
0:12:12 > 0:12:15They'd potentially found the dream house that could persuade Rob
0:12:15 > 0:12:19to move to Oz, but it was £90,000 over budget.
0:12:20 > 0:12:23It had been an eye-opening day for the Andrews.
0:12:23 > 0:12:27The first house offered Mel the space and location she wanted,
0:12:27 > 0:12:29but Rob's reaction, and a big price tag
0:12:29 > 0:12:32left the Andrews feeling cold.
0:12:32 > 0:12:35The second house spiced things up with its stunning interiors
0:12:35 > 0:12:38and cinema room, and costing less than they expected,
0:12:38 > 0:12:42it showed Rob an upside to property down under.
0:12:43 > 0:12:47Finally, the third house's open-plan living and decor to die for
0:12:47 > 0:12:50offered both Rob and Mel a genuine dream house,
0:12:50 > 0:12:53even if the cost was a big ask.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56While Mel could be happy in any of them,
0:12:56 > 0:12:59had these properties done enough to convince Rob that the move
0:12:59 > 0:13:03would be worth all the pain of leaving home behind.
0:13:05 > 0:13:08Based on the properties that we've seen today...
0:13:09 > 0:13:13..um, the houses in Australia versus England...
0:13:14 > 0:13:16..we have decided to vote for.
0:13:23 > 0:13:24BOTH: Australia!
0:13:28 > 0:13:33- For the money you spend, you get a lot more for your money.- Yeah.
0:13:33 > 0:13:37And, like, the three properties we saw, two of them...
0:13:37 > 0:13:41were just really nice and just what we was looking for.
0:13:41 > 0:13:43Round one, Australia.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46- Get ready for round two.- Yeah.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54It had been a promising start for Mel,
0:13:54 > 0:13:57but with their budget potentially stretched by property,
0:13:57 > 0:14:00it was time to explore their work opportunities.
0:14:00 > 0:14:03Back in the UK, Rob worked at the cleaning firm
0:14:03 > 0:14:05started by his parents.
0:14:05 > 0:14:08Moving the company down under would have been impossible,
0:14:08 > 0:14:13so Rob was considering returning to a trade he'd learned previously.
0:14:13 > 0:14:16I did used to do painting and decorating many years ago.
0:14:16 > 0:14:20It's something I enjoy, so, whether there was a way...
0:14:20 > 0:14:23of getting into that field of work...
0:14:23 > 0:14:27yeah, I would like to definitely find out more about that as well.
0:14:27 > 0:14:30But while Rob's work would be vital to their finances,
0:14:30 > 0:14:33it was Mel who held the key to the move thanks to her
0:14:33 > 0:14:37hairdressing qualifications, which had earned their Australian visa.
0:14:38 > 0:14:41Giving up work to have a family, however, had left her with
0:14:41 > 0:14:45a huge confidence issue about returning to employment full-time.
0:14:45 > 0:14:48My main reservations about going back into hairdressing is,
0:14:48 > 0:14:52I suppose, is am I still as good as I...
0:14:52 > 0:14:54think I am, or that I was?
0:14:54 > 0:14:57Because I haven't worked in a salon for so long and obviously,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59you know, techniques have changed.
0:14:59 > 0:15:02So, we arranged for her to see if she could still cut it
0:15:02 > 0:15:06at a modern salon in Subiaco, a trendy inner city suburb.
0:15:06 > 0:15:11- Mel's Australian dream rested on her ability to impress.- Hiya.- Hi, Mel!
0:15:11 > 0:15:15- How are you?- Well, thank you. - And welcome to my salon.
0:15:15 > 0:15:19After a quick hello, manager Charlene put Mel straight to work.
0:15:19 > 0:15:24So, if you can, um, shampoo, blow-dry and style it,
0:15:24 > 0:15:27- so I can just have a look at your blow-drying skill.- Yeah, OK.
0:15:27 > 0:15:30- So, let's get started with that. - Lovely.- OK, Laura?
0:15:30 > 0:15:33- How's that water for you, Laura? - Perfect, thank you.
0:15:33 > 0:15:35Although it was vital for Mel to find work,
0:15:35 > 0:15:39a lot would also rest on how Rob got on.
0:15:39 > 0:15:41If he could find a job that paid a decent wage,
0:15:41 > 0:15:44then Mel would be another step closer to her dream.
0:15:44 > 0:15:47The work is the most important thing in this move.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51You know, if we can both get a job that we both enjoy
0:15:51 > 0:15:53and the money's there,
0:15:53 > 0:15:58then we can start to set our target in, you know,
0:15:58 > 0:16:02achieving the house that we want and the area that we want to live in.
0:16:03 > 0:16:06Rob spent the day working with expat Bernie who
0:16:06 > 0:16:09ran his own painting and decorating business.
0:16:09 > 0:16:12- All right, mate.- All right. How are you? Rob, Bernie.- How are you going?
0:16:12 > 0:16:14Yeah, good, mate.
0:16:14 > 0:16:17Keen to see what he could do, Bernie set Rob to work.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25But was Rob really prepared to swap everything he had in the UK,
0:16:25 > 0:16:28for a chance to work in the sunshine?
0:16:28 > 0:16:32I've still got, you know, concerns about leaving
0:16:32 > 0:16:33me family behind,
0:16:33 > 0:16:37'but, I think if they saw what I could actually achieve here,
0:16:37 > 0:16:41'hopefully they can come round to the way that we're
0:16:41 > 0:16:43'thinking and they'd be pleased with'
0:16:43 > 0:16:45the decision that we may make.
0:16:47 > 0:16:48Back at the salon,
0:16:48 > 0:16:52Mel's time away from hairdressing was beginning to show.
0:16:52 > 0:16:55It just getting used to...
0:16:55 > 0:16:56- to doing it all again.- Yeah.
0:16:56 > 0:17:01- If you're thinking about coming out here in another six months...- Yeah.
0:17:01 > 0:17:04..you could do a few courses in London or, you know,
0:17:04 > 0:17:07- go to a few salons and maybe get some part-time work.- Yeah.
0:17:07 > 0:17:11Just so you're not so rusty when you come to Australia.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13It was bad news.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16If Mel wanted to make the grade in this kind of salon,
0:17:16 > 0:17:21she would need to retrain, and with courses costing around 500, that
0:17:21 > 0:17:25meant at least a couple of thousand dollars just to get her back up to speed.
0:17:25 > 0:17:27Would the salary compensate for that?
0:17:27 > 0:17:29If I was employed as a junior stylist,
0:17:29 > 0:17:30what are the wages sort of...?
0:17:30 > 0:17:35- It would be around about between 19 to 21.- OK.
0:17:36 > 0:17:42'That hourly rate meant a potential annual salary of around £28,000.'
0:17:42 > 0:17:45£10,000 more than she would have earned in the UK,
0:17:45 > 0:17:47but it would have come at a cost.
0:17:47 > 0:17:50I think the fact that I'd have to retrain...it hasn't put me off
0:17:50 > 0:17:53hairdressing, because, I think, in a way, you know,
0:17:53 > 0:17:55it's something that I would like to do to
0:17:55 > 0:17:58refresh my memory as well for, like, colouring and cutting
0:17:58 > 0:18:03and to be able to do more up-to-date techniques and things like that.
0:18:03 > 0:18:08It was a mixed result for Mel, so everything now hinged on Rob.
0:18:08 > 0:18:09That's it.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11But before he could make a decision,
0:18:11 > 0:18:13he needed to get some answers from Bernie.
0:18:13 > 0:18:16What's the, um, wage that, you know,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18a decent painter could earn?
0:18:18 > 0:18:21The average? 30 an hour.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23- That's good.- Yeah.
0:18:23 > 0:18:27So, if you were to work a Saturday, you're on about 75,000 a year.
0:18:27 > 0:18:32- Wow, that's good.- Yeah, nice. It's a good life.- Yeah.- Yep.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35So, work wise in Perth, is there quite a bit of work here?
0:18:35 > 0:18:37Yeah, there's plenty of work in Australia.
0:18:37 > 0:18:39I've never been out of work myself.
0:18:39 > 0:18:40And how long have you been here for?
0:18:40 > 0:18:43- 13 years.- 13 years.- Yeah.
0:18:43 > 0:18:44You can't go wrong.
0:18:44 > 0:18:47- Just look me up when you get here. - Yeah. Oh, yeah, definitely.
0:18:47 > 0:18:51- Maybe sooner rather than later then. - Yeah, I'll give you a try.
0:18:51 > 0:18:52It was a great result for Rob.
0:18:52 > 0:18:56'He could earn more than £50,000 a year in Oz,
0:18:56 > 0:19:00'doubling his current UK salary. But was the potential of work'
0:19:00 > 0:19:03really worth giving up the family business for?
0:19:03 > 0:19:04It was a big decision,
0:19:04 > 0:19:07and the future of the move lay in Rob's hands.
0:19:07 > 0:19:12Based on our work experience today and...
0:19:12 > 0:19:16the working hours and the wages we can earn, we are voting for...
0:19:20 > 0:19:22Australia.
0:19:24 > 0:19:25..Australia.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Ooh! SHE GIGGLES
0:19:28 > 0:19:31- Shocked?- I am, actually. Oh, I'm crying.
0:19:32 > 0:19:34Hey!
0:19:34 > 0:19:36I think I was just so worried that...
0:19:36 > 0:19:38you know, you wouldn't...
0:19:38 > 0:19:40They'd say, "Oh, you need to be qualified,"
0:19:40 > 0:19:42or you wouldn't be able to earn the money. I was thinking,
0:19:42 > 0:19:44"Oh, God, he's going to choose England,"
0:19:44 > 0:19:47and that'd be it, that'd be our dream over.
0:19:47 > 0:19:48So, I'm pleased.
0:19:57 > 0:19:59It looked as if Rob was coming round,
0:19:59 > 0:20:02but the question remained - could they afford to live down under?
0:20:04 > 0:20:06Now, the shopping list...
0:20:06 > 0:20:09£9.81! Oh, my God!
0:20:09 > 0:20:11Is that right?!
0:20:11 > 0:20:12To help them find out,
0:20:12 > 0:20:15we prepared a breakdown of their weekly living expenses.
0:20:15 > 0:20:18Any differences in the cost of living could be
0:20:18 > 0:20:20offset by their potential earnings.
0:20:20 > 0:20:24So, in the UK, our total income...
0:20:24 > 0:20:27..per year is £28,120.
0:20:27 > 0:20:29So, you full-time in Australia,
0:20:29 > 0:20:31me full-time...
0:20:31 > 0:20:36We would be £3,950 a month better off.
0:20:36 > 0:20:39But that's just me as a junior stylist, so that would go up.
0:20:39 > 0:20:44So, obviously, we've got to take into consideration the mortgage,
0:20:44 > 0:20:46so, even with that taken off...
0:20:46 > 0:20:51- you're still looking roughly about £2,000 better off.- A month.
0:20:51 > 0:20:54- You know, it's sort of there for the taking.- Yeah.
0:20:56 > 0:21:00On paper, it looked like the Andrews could be as much as £2,000
0:21:00 > 0:21:02a month better off in Australia.
0:21:03 > 0:21:07'With all the facts and figures sorted, it was time to vote.'
0:21:07 > 0:21:11Based on the figures that we've seen today for the reality check, and
0:21:11 > 0:21:15the wages that we could potentially earn in Australia
0:21:15 > 0:21:18and how they compare to the UK...
0:21:18 > 0:21:19we have decided to vote for...
0:21:25 > 0:21:27BOTH: Australia!
0:21:32 > 0:21:34It was a no-brainer - Australia.
0:21:34 > 0:21:37- Definitely. - So, um...we could actually...
0:21:37 > 0:21:41have a really nice lifestyle as a family.
0:21:43 > 0:21:45- Good.- Pleased?
0:21:52 > 0:21:55The sums had added up in Mel's favour.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58If Perth could also offer the Andrews a good lifestyle,
0:21:58 > 0:22:02she could be even closer to convincing Rob to follow her dream.
0:22:03 > 0:22:07The Andrews visited John Forrest Park about 16 miles from Perth.
0:22:07 > 0:22:10It was the ideal spot for a family day out.
0:22:10 > 0:22:12This area is lovely, isn't it?
0:22:12 > 0:22:16The park we've come to is...the views are just stunning.
0:22:16 > 0:22:20This is just how I imagined life in Australia to be, you know,
0:22:20 > 0:22:25being able to be outdoors, taking the kids places all together as a family.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28You know, the kids are going to benefit from it big time.
0:22:28 > 0:22:31To round the day off, Rob had a chance to
0:22:31 > 0:22:34indulge in an activity he enjoyed with his brother back home.
0:22:34 > 0:22:36- Don't fall off.- I won't.
0:22:36 > 0:22:38- G'day, Rob.- Hello, mate. How you doing?- I'm Greg.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42Rob hit the trail with Greg from the Perth Mountain Bike Club
0:22:42 > 0:22:44and it was going well...
0:22:47 > 0:22:48..to start with!
0:22:56 > 0:22:59I took a bit of a tumble, but, that's part and parcel
0:22:59 > 0:23:03of mountain biking, but now I'm fine, just...
0:23:03 > 0:23:05my pride hurts more than anything!
0:23:07 > 0:23:10If I'm here, it's just a shame that me brother
0:23:10 > 0:23:12won't be here to do it, which is
0:23:12 > 0:23:14just the sad bit, cos he...you know, it's me and him
0:23:14 > 0:23:17that always go out and do stuff like that, but...
0:23:17 > 0:23:20but, no, something like this is just brilliant.
0:23:20 > 0:23:22The reality of what he would be leaving behind was becoming
0:23:22 > 0:23:27clear to Rob, but, for Mel, it was just as clear that Australia
0:23:27 > 0:23:29offered everything she had ever wanted.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33I don't know why, but I've never really felt settled anywhere.
0:23:33 > 0:23:35I don't know, it's really hard to explain,
0:23:35 > 0:23:39but here, I could honestly say I could call this my home.
0:23:39 > 0:23:42It had been a day to remember, but had a taste of
0:23:42 > 0:23:45the Australian lifestyle been enough to win everyone's vote?
0:23:45 > 0:23:48On today's outing...
0:23:49 > 0:23:53..and, based on the day we had...
0:23:53 > 0:23:55we are going to vote for...
0:24:02 > 0:24:03Australia!
0:24:04 > 0:24:06Australia.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08Undecided.
0:24:08 > 0:24:10- Really?- When I done...
0:24:11 > 0:24:15..the mountain biking, which I really enjoyed...
0:24:15 > 0:24:20um, it just brought home with, like, you know, me brother...
0:24:20 > 0:24:22I knew it would.
0:24:22 > 0:24:25- I just felt a bit lonely, that was all.- Yeah.
0:24:25 > 0:24:29So, I've still got a bit of convincing then, to get you out here.
0:24:29 > 0:24:31It should have been the most enjoyable day of the trip,
0:24:31 > 0:24:35but Mel's mission to win over Rob had suffered a serious set back.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38This is it, you know, I haven't got any other chances,
0:24:38 > 0:24:40so I'm just hoping that...
0:24:40 > 0:24:43you know, I can convince Rob that this would be the best place
0:24:43 > 0:24:45to bring up the kids and...
0:24:45 > 0:24:49you know, for all of us as a family, be able to settle down and
0:24:49 > 0:24:50just enjoy our lifestyle.
0:24:52 > 0:24:56Time was running out for Mel to convince Rob to make the move.
0:25:01 > 0:25:04With Rob's resolve wavering, the Andrews were about to get
0:25:04 > 0:25:08another reminder of the friends and family they'd be leaving behind.
0:25:09 > 0:25:12Rob and Mel felt it was important for the children to watch
0:25:12 > 0:25:14messages from loved ones too.
0:25:16 > 0:25:17- Hello, Mel and Robert.- I hope you're
0:25:17 > 0:25:20having a good time out there. I hope the sun's shining.
0:25:20 > 0:25:21What are they like as a family?
0:25:23 > 0:25:26They're...loving. Very loving.
0:25:26 > 0:25:30- Very close.- Very close. Very caring.
0:25:30 > 0:25:33They're really, really good fun. Their children are lovely.
0:25:33 > 0:25:35A really, really nice family.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38I mean, nine times out of ten, Rob is always the funniest person
0:25:38 > 0:25:40in the room, without a shadow of a doubt.
0:25:40 > 0:25:44- He is definitely one of a kind. - Coby, he's quite a bright lad.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47- Very bright.- You only have to show him something once and
0:25:47 > 0:25:51- he picks it up. He's quite good like that.- Yes.- He's very caring.
0:25:51 > 0:25:54When I first heard that they was going to be moving to Australia
0:25:54 > 0:25:56and applying to go to Australia...
0:25:56 > 0:25:58um, I thought it was going to be a good thing.
0:25:58 > 0:26:01I know they both wanted to do something like that anyway.
0:26:02 > 0:26:04He's like a brother.
0:26:06 > 0:26:07SHE CRIES
0:26:10 > 0:26:13I don't really know how we're going to, sort of,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16fill the gap that they're going to leave,
0:26:16 > 0:26:19until they've actually done it, really, you know,
0:26:19 > 0:26:24but the decision's up to you and I'm sure you'll make the right one.
0:26:24 > 0:26:25Good luck.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27We love you dearly...
0:26:27 > 0:26:28very, very much.
0:26:28 > 0:26:32We all do and we hope you make the right decision and...
0:26:32 > 0:26:35- Yeah, good luck. - Good luck and love you.- Yeah.
0:26:37 > 0:26:41And I hope that you've done all that you wanted to do.
0:26:41 > 0:26:44Yeah, and whatever decision you make, make sure it's for you, make sure
0:26:44 > 0:26:48it's the one that you're happy with and the one that will make you happy.
0:26:48 > 0:26:50As your mum...
0:26:50 > 0:26:52I just want you to be happy.
0:26:55 > 0:26:58Yeah, and we'll see you when you get back. Take care.
0:26:58 > 0:27:00- Bye.- Bye!- Bye.
0:27:06 > 0:27:08- How'd you feel?- Hmm...
0:27:09 > 0:27:11- ..sad.- You feel sad?
0:27:14 > 0:27:17You know, there's been some real big positives...
0:27:17 > 0:27:19but then you watch that...
0:27:19 > 0:27:21And it makes you feel...
0:27:21 > 0:27:25And it like, it can just take everything away and...
0:27:25 > 0:27:28whatever decision we make, we've got to make for
0:27:28 > 0:27:30the best for our family, don't we?
0:27:30 > 0:27:32You know, me auntie and uncle, I know it's hard for them,
0:27:32 > 0:27:34it's hard for me as well.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36The thing is, we don't know if it's the right decision or not,
0:27:36 > 0:27:38but I guess we'll never know unless we try it.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44Watching the messages had made the whole family think carefully
0:27:44 > 0:27:47about the momentous decision they were about to make.
0:27:47 > 0:27:49'I've really enjoyed this week.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51'Obviously, on the downside, there's, you know,
0:27:51 > 0:27:53'you watch your family and friends at home,'
0:27:53 > 0:27:57and it doesn't make it any easier and you know that it's
0:27:57 > 0:27:59going to be really hard having to leave them behind,
0:27:59 > 0:28:01but I've got to try
0:28:01 > 0:28:05and focus and think what's best for our family and our future, so...
0:28:05 > 0:28:09My emotions have been up and down all week.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13'If I decided against the move to Australia, Mel...
0:28:14 > 0:28:16'..yeah, I think she would be upset, so, yeah,
0:28:16 > 0:28:18'that does play on my mind a little bit,'
0:28:18 > 0:28:20because she's me wife at the end of the day,
0:28:20 > 0:28:23and I want to try to make her happy.
0:28:23 > 0:28:25It was the end of a difficult week
0:28:25 > 0:28:28and time for the Andrews to make their final decision.
0:28:30 > 0:28:32We've had our ups, we've had our downs...
0:28:34 > 0:28:38..and it's now time for the family to vote
0:28:38 > 0:28:40whether it's UK or Australia.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45As a family, we have decided that we want to live in...
0:28:58 > 0:29:01- ..Australia.- Australia.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02Really?
0:29:05 > 0:29:07I think if we don't...
0:29:08 > 0:29:10..give it a go...
0:29:10 > 0:29:13we're going to regret it for the rest of our lives.
0:29:13 > 0:29:15It's going to be the hardest...
0:29:15 > 0:29:19the hardest thing we'll ever do, but...
0:29:19 > 0:29:22life's too short to have regrets and I don't want that.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27Cool.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30- What about you, Cobes? - What did you say to Daddy?
0:29:30 > 0:29:34You want to live in Australia and you want to live in the UK,
0:29:34 > 0:29:35- don't you?- Yeah.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37And Lexie chose Australia!
0:29:40 > 0:29:41It is a big step and we don't know
0:29:41 > 0:29:44- if the grass is greener on the other side.- But, um...
0:29:47 > 0:29:48..yeah.
0:29:48 > 0:29:52I think, for the family's point of view, yeah, you've got to do it.
0:29:53 > 0:29:56Definitely. Go for it?
0:29:56 > 0:29:57- Hmm.- You want to go for it?
0:29:57 > 0:29:59Yeah.
0:29:59 > 0:30:00MEL LAUGHS
0:30:05 > 0:30:07Love you.
0:30:07 > 0:30:09Love you, Mummy.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16It had been an incredibly emotional week for the Andrews,
0:30:16 > 0:30:18but when their time in Australia was up,
0:30:18 > 0:30:23Rob agreed with Melanie that a life down under was worth trying.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27So, two years on, are the Andrews living the life Mel had dreamed of?
0:30:29 > 0:30:33It's 2013 and the Andrews family are in...
0:30:33 > 0:30:35the UK.
0:30:37 > 0:30:41But they're only here temporarily to catch up with family and friends.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44- Who is it? - THEY CHEER
0:30:47 > 0:30:51Today, they're reuniting with Mel's mum and dad.
0:30:51 > 0:30:52Hello!
0:30:52 > 0:30:55As well as her sister and family.
0:30:55 > 0:30:56Hello, mate.
0:30:57 > 0:31:00- Hello, mate. - How are you doing?
0:31:00 > 0:31:03A year after their trial week, the Andrews took the plunge
0:31:03 > 0:31:05and moved to Australia.
0:31:07 > 0:31:11And, this time when they fly back down under, it'll be for good.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14When we go back to Australia, we've got a one-way.
0:31:14 > 0:31:16So, uh...
0:31:16 > 0:31:20I think going back this time, I'm not looking forward to it.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22I think it's going to be a lot worse than what it was the first time,
0:31:22 > 0:31:26cos we knew we were coming back to see everyone.
0:31:26 > 0:31:29Mel's family are dreading the day they depart.
0:31:29 > 0:31:34Knowing that they're going back to Australia on a one-way ticket...
0:31:34 > 0:31:37um, is quite emotional.
0:31:37 > 0:31:39'It's going to be sad saying goodbye this time.'
0:31:39 > 0:31:40It was sad enough last time,
0:31:40 > 0:31:43but it's going to be really sad this time.
0:31:43 > 0:31:44'I've missed them all loads, so'
0:31:44 > 0:31:46it's really good seeing them again,
0:31:46 > 0:31:48'spending some time with them.'
0:31:48 > 0:31:51'It'll be horrible saying goodbye again,'
0:31:51 > 0:31:53cos we said it last time as well, when they actually went,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56but knowing they won't come back this time...
0:31:56 > 0:31:58'it'll be horrible.'
0:32:00 > 0:32:02A couple of days later, the time has come
0:32:02 > 0:32:06for the Andrews to get on a plane and return to their new life.
0:32:08 > 0:32:09I'm looking forward to it,
0:32:09 > 0:32:12but, I think it has been harder saying goodbye.
0:32:14 > 0:32:17'It's not that we're never coming back, but we know
0:32:17 > 0:32:20'we're not coming back next year like we was the first time.'
0:32:23 > 0:32:26'But, I think once we arrive back in Australia, we know we've got
0:32:26 > 0:32:31'a lot to focus on that might help us get through it.'
0:32:32 > 0:32:34'But it'll definitely be harder.'
0:32:41 > 0:32:43The Andrews have swapped their lives in Kent for
0:32:43 > 0:32:47the up-and-coming suburb of Canning Vale near Perth.
0:32:47 > 0:32:50The enormity of their journey only really hit home
0:32:50 > 0:32:54when they arrived back in Australia, this time for good.
0:32:54 > 0:32:58When we first landed at the airport, it was like,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01"Wow, we're actually here now."
0:33:01 > 0:33:05And the feeling was this isn't for a holiday.
0:33:05 > 0:33:08It was quite a scary feeling, wasn't it? When we landed at the airport.
0:33:08 > 0:33:11It was like there's no going back now.
0:33:11 > 0:33:16The kids start school soon, you know, we've left our life behind.
0:33:16 > 0:33:18I suddenly...it sort of just hit me and I thought, "Oh, my God,
0:33:18 > 0:33:20"have we done the right thing?"
0:33:20 > 0:33:23The Andrews are living in a four-bedroom detached house
0:33:23 > 0:33:28just 20 minutes from the beach and 20km from the centre of Perth.
0:33:28 > 0:33:31And Rob's delighted with his new surroundings.
0:33:31 > 0:33:34When I drive to work and I'm heading towards the city,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37you know, you're driving over the Swan River
0:33:37 > 0:33:41and the sun's shining, you feel happy straight away.
0:33:41 > 0:33:44And Dad's not the only one loving the Aussie climate.
0:33:44 > 0:33:47With a park right across the street from their new home,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50the whole family are enjoying more time outdoors.
0:33:54 > 0:33:59It's all a long way from Folkestone and the life they've left behind.
0:33:59 > 0:34:02Back in the UK, where our house was situated,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05it was in like a little cul-de-sac, but it wasn't really...
0:34:05 > 0:34:07There was a lot of cars going back and forth,
0:34:07 > 0:34:10so, especially with Coby and Lexie being the age they are,
0:34:10 > 0:34:12you know, they didn't really go outside on their own a lot,
0:34:12 > 0:34:14whereas here,
0:34:14 > 0:34:17they can come across to the park as long as we can see them.
0:34:17 > 0:34:19Um...
0:34:19 > 0:34:21You know, they love coming out and just being outside, kicking
0:34:21 > 0:34:26a ball about, catching a Frisbee, playing in the park.
0:34:26 > 0:34:30'So, I think it's definitely benefitted them.'
0:34:30 > 0:34:34For now, the Andrews are renting, but plans for the four-bedroom
0:34:34 > 0:34:37dream house with a home cinema room have not been forgotten.
0:34:38 > 0:34:42In the end, you know, our main goal is to buy land
0:34:42 > 0:34:44and have our own place built,
0:34:44 > 0:34:47but that's sort of the start of the Australian dream to do that,
0:34:47 > 0:34:52but as for where we're living and for the school where
0:34:52 > 0:34:57our kids go to, you know, it is a real good place.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59Lexie, who's now five,
0:34:59 > 0:35:03and Coby, who's nine, are both settling in well, but it did
0:35:03 > 0:35:07take some adjusting to get used to life on the other side of the world.
0:35:07 > 0:35:11Coby, he misses his cousins back home a lot and, obviously,
0:35:11 > 0:35:17his friends, but...you know, I think overall he does enjoy it here,
0:35:17 > 0:35:18he really does.
0:35:18 > 0:35:22It took me quite a while to, um, kind of make new friends,
0:35:22 > 0:35:28but, when I first started here it was kind of OK, but I didn't
0:35:28 > 0:35:32know a lot of people, but I've made loads of friends here now.
0:35:32 > 0:35:36Mel believes the move has really helped Coby grow.
0:35:36 > 0:35:39'He seems happier in himself, you know.'
0:35:39 > 0:35:41He just seems more relaxed and more chilled,
0:35:41 > 0:35:43and Lexie, well, Lexie's just Lexie.
0:35:43 > 0:35:44She's just...
0:35:44 > 0:35:47I don't think it would matter where Lexie is,
0:35:47 > 0:35:50as long as she's got her family around her, she's happy.
0:35:51 > 0:35:53I love my school.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57Yeah, school's very fun.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00They're in one of the best schools in Canning Vale, primary schools,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02um, and they're thriving.
0:36:02 > 0:36:05'I would say Coby does better in school now than
0:36:05 > 0:36:06'what he did in the UK.'
0:36:06 > 0:36:09'One year after the move, it looks like Mel's dream
0:36:09 > 0:36:12'of the Australian life could be coming true.'
0:36:12 > 0:36:14But it hasn't all been plain sailing.
0:36:15 > 0:36:19As soon as they arrived, Rob hit a problem finding work.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22Yeah, well, when I, um...
0:36:22 > 0:36:25when we made the move over here, obviously, I was, uh...
0:36:25 > 0:36:28wanting to get into me painting and decorating,
0:36:28 > 0:36:31but that's sort of been put on hold for the time being.
0:36:31 > 0:36:35Rob had been hoping to secure employment through a contact he met
0:36:35 > 0:36:39on the family's initial trip, but the promise of work fell through.
0:36:40 > 0:36:43I was just so geared up and looking forward to,
0:36:43 > 0:36:47when I arrived, to meeting up and working with him.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50And, um, you know, when we first spoke
0:36:50 > 0:36:53when I arrived it was all positive, but within a couple of weeks,
0:36:53 > 0:36:54he, you know, unlucky for him,
0:36:54 > 0:36:59he did lose a bit of work and it stopped me from actually working
0:36:59 > 0:37:05with him and, to be honest, I was, you know, really, really gutted.
0:37:05 > 0:37:09So I felt like, "Right, now, I've got to start again."
0:37:09 > 0:37:11With his painting job falling through,
0:37:11 > 0:37:14Rob fell back on a trade he knew well.
0:37:14 > 0:37:16I've started up doing me carpet cleaning,
0:37:16 > 0:37:19which I used to do back home as well.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Um, and, yeah, it's going really well.
0:37:23 > 0:37:28Um, you know, I had to invest in some machinery and a vehicle,
0:37:28 > 0:37:30so, yeah, it's going really well.
0:37:32 > 0:37:34SOUND DIPPED
0:37:34 > 0:37:37The carpet cleaning work has taken off, but Rob's dream
0:37:37 > 0:37:42of running his own decorating business is still very much alive.
0:37:42 > 0:37:47'Here, to go off on your own, you need a painter's registration.'
0:37:47 > 0:37:51So, um, I'm going back to college doing night school
0:37:51 > 0:37:52just to get the ticket.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56Are you happy with that?
0:37:56 > 0:37:58SOUND DIPPED
0:37:58 > 0:38:01Mel also struggled to land her dream job.
0:38:01 > 0:38:04The plan to work full-time in a hairdressing salon proved
0:38:04 > 0:38:07just too difficult to juggle with childcare.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10The hours in a salon just wouldn't be practical for me, especially with the
0:38:10 > 0:38:13children at school. I need something around them,
0:38:13 > 0:38:17so I'm working as a secretary for a cleaning company,
0:38:17 > 0:38:20so it's very similar to what I was doing back in the UK
0:38:20 > 0:38:22so it's something I'm familiar with.
0:38:22 > 0:38:25'So, I basically run the office, which, you know, I really enjoy
0:38:25 > 0:38:30'and it's nice because I can work it around the children's schooling.'
0:38:31 > 0:38:33Finding work hasn't been the only issue
0:38:33 > 0:38:36the Andrews have faced in moving.
0:38:36 > 0:38:39Sometimes loved ones in the UK feel very far away.
0:38:42 > 0:38:44I've had my bad days, you know, and I've cried
0:38:44 > 0:38:49and I've found it hard and I've missed my friends and my family,
0:38:49 > 0:38:52'like my sister, you know? I love my sister to bits.'
0:38:53 > 0:38:54And, um...
0:38:57 > 0:38:59..just not knowing when I'm going to see her.
0:39:02 > 0:39:03That's what I find hard.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11But, on the whole, I think I've coped quite well.
0:39:15 > 0:39:18For Rob, leaving his aunt and uncle was always one
0:39:18 > 0:39:21of the main stumbling blocks to making the move.
0:39:21 > 0:39:23Breaking the news to them that the family were leaving
0:39:23 > 0:39:26was even harder than he imagined.
0:39:26 > 0:39:30'So, yeah, when the time come to tell them, it was, um...
0:39:30 > 0:39:33'you know, it was, uh, I suppose like a lightning strike,'
0:39:33 > 0:39:37I suppose, to them knowing that we was actually going to leave and...
0:39:37 > 0:39:43but I never...I never thought I would get that reaction what we did.
0:39:43 > 0:39:47Rob's aunt and uncle were devastated by the family's decision and,
0:39:47 > 0:39:50one year on, the family still have little contact.
0:39:50 > 0:39:53It hurt, didn't it? It hurt you big time.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56Oh, you know, it still does, but...
0:39:56 > 0:39:58you know, it's nothing you can do
0:39:58 > 0:40:01and we've just got to, you know, carry on, haven't we?
0:40:02 > 0:40:05Despite a shaky start down under,
0:40:05 > 0:40:09Mel still believes following her dream was the right thing to do.
0:40:09 > 0:40:11You know, the first year's been a learning curve and, you know,
0:40:11 > 0:40:16it's got us in here and we're starting to make friends.
0:40:16 > 0:40:20I think that next year, our second year, I think we've just got
0:40:20 > 0:40:21so much to look forward to.
0:40:21 > 0:40:25By the third year, I think, you know, we will class it as being settled
0:40:25 > 0:40:27and feeling like we're at home.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30The family's new life in Australia has also come with
0:40:30 > 0:40:34plenty of upsides, which go a long way to helping Rob come to terms
0:40:34 > 0:40:37with what he's had to leave behind.
0:40:37 > 0:40:40I've spent a lot more time with my children
0:40:40 > 0:40:42and I'm doing more with them...
0:40:42 > 0:40:44because we've got that chance to.
0:40:44 > 0:40:48I mean, I can start work early, you know, finish sort of afternoon,
0:40:48 > 0:40:50when they come out from school
0:40:50 > 0:40:54'and that gives us a chance to do stuff, so,
0:40:54 > 0:40:56'moving to Australia, I'm benefitting by
0:40:56 > 0:40:57'seeing my kids grow up.'
0:40:57 > 0:40:58SOUND DIPPED
0:40:58 > 0:41:01I think it's brought us closer together as a couple as well,
0:41:01 > 0:41:04because, especially when we first got out here, we didn't know anyone!
0:41:04 > 0:41:07So, it was a case of, "Right, you're stuck with me,
0:41:07 > 0:41:09"we've got to do something together."
0:41:09 > 0:41:12Whereas, back in the UK, you know, you'd be out shopping for hours or...
0:41:12 > 0:41:16- Shopping!- ..going out for a coffee and, you know, doing stuff,
0:41:16 > 0:41:20but, I think, it's worked in our favour as a couple.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23'I think it has brought us closer together.'
0:41:23 > 0:41:27Coby and Lexie believe Mum and Dad are in Australia for good.
0:41:27 > 0:41:32Um, I definitely think they want to stay here and...
0:41:32 > 0:41:33um...
0:41:33 > 0:41:35LEXIE WHISPERS
0:41:35 > 0:41:38..they don't want to go back to the UK.
0:41:39 > 0:41:42Moving to the other side of the world hasn't just brought
0:41:42 > 0:41:46the family closer - it's made it bigger too.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48For the family we've, um...
0:41:48 > 0:41:51we've got another one on the way. Um...
0:41:53 > 0:41:56So, it's going to be five of us now.
0:41:56 > 0:41:58Um, so that's going to be exciting times.
0:41:58 > 0:42:01With the new addition to the family due to arrive in a few months,
0:42:01 > 0:42:05the children are looking forward to the future.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07- Me and Lexie want to... - LEXIE WHISPERS
0:42:07 > 0:42:13We want a...we want a little brother and...
0:42:13 > 0:42:16cos...I don't know why Lexie does,
0:42:16 > 0:42:19but I just want another brother because...
0:42:19 > 0:42:23So he can teach him wrestling and beat me up.
0:42:23 > 0:42:24That's not true.
0:42:28 > 0:42:31All five of the Andrews are set to live their
0:42:31 > 0:42:34Australian lives to the full.
0:42:35 > 0:42:37I think our future is in Australia.
0:42:37 > 0:42:41Um...and I think, you know, by having a baby in Australia, it's
0:42:41 > 0:42:44probably going to give you a bit more of a bond to the country as well.
0:42:46 > 0:42:50The main thing is, as long as we're all happy and healthy and...
0:42:50 > 0:42:53my kids are coming home smiling...
0:42:53 > 0:42:57and we're down that beach at the weekends in the summer, then...
0:42:57 > 0:42:59then, yeah, it's just great.
0:43:02 > 0:43:05It may not have been completely plain sailing for the Andrews,
0:43:05 > 0:43:09but they've no regrets when it comes to having decided to make
0:43:09 > 0:43:12a new start for their family in Australia.
0:43:12 > 0:43:15We wish Rob, Melanie, Coby, and Lexie the best of luck.