0:00:02 > 0:00:05Moving halfway around the world to start a new life seems drastic,
0:00:05 > 0:00:09but if you genuinely believed it was the best option
0:00:09 > 0:00:12for your young family, you might be tempted.
0:00:12 > 0:00:16In 2013, the Randle family spent a week in Australia
0:00:16 > 0:00:19to see if it could offer the life they were desperate for.
0:00:19 > 0:00:24Today, we'll find out just what happened next.
0:00:24 > 0:00:25Two years ago, the Randles
0:00:25 > 0:00:28were struggling to balance work and family life.
0:00:28 > 0:00:30We work constantly.
0:00:30 > 0:00:33At the minute, we just feel like two single parents
0:00:33 > 0:00:35just living under the same roof.
0:00:35 > 0:00:38Gemma believed Australia could be the answer,
0:00:38 > 0:00:41and a week down under didn't disappoint.
0:00:41 > 0:00:43Oh, my God!
0:00:43 > 0:00:45I'm absolutely speechless.
0:00:45 > 0:00:48But the thought of leaving loved ones left her torn.
0:00:48 > 0:00:52We could have an OK life here or we can go over there
0:00:52 > 0:00:56and just break people's hearts.
0:00:56 > 0:00:59Today, we'll find out where the family are now.
0:00:59 > 0:01:00I don't regret anything.
0:01:00 > 0:01:02I don't think there's any doubts we've made the right decision.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29Thanks to one of the lowest population densities in the world,
0:01:29 > 0:01:33it's no surprise so many Brits flock to Australian shores every year
0:01:33 > 0:01:35in search of a better life.
0:01:35 > 0:01:39Today, the country has over one million UK-born residents,
0:01:39 > 0:01:41but it doesn't work out for everyone.
0:01:41 > 0:01:44For some, the pull of home is too much
0:01:44 > 0:01:48and many return to the UK with their dream in tatters.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52Two years ago, the Randles faced a massive dilemma.
0:01:52 > 0:01:55While mum Gemma believed Australia could offer her family
0:01:55 > 0:01:58the time together they were desperate for,
0:01:58 > 0:02:01husband Chris feared abandoning their life in the UK
0:02:01 > 0:02:03was too big a risk.
0:02:03 > 0:02:04At the end of a week
0:02:04 > 0:02:07sampling everything Aussie living had to offer,
0:02:07 > 0:02:11the family faced a life-changing decision.
0:02:11 > 0:02:13Today, two years later,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16we'll discover where the Randles now call home.
0:02:18 > 0:02:21The family's original journey to Adelaide
0:02:21 > 0:02:23took them 10,000 miles from home.
0:02:23 > 0:02:2626 hours in the air had given Gemma plenty of time to think
0:02:26 > 0:02:29through the enormity of the choice ahead.
0:02:30 > 0:02:36I think it's just made me realise how far we are from home.
0:02:36 > 0:02:39- But it hadn't put her off. - I'm excited.
0:02:39 > 0:02:42I just want to get going and see what it's all about
0:02:42 > 0:02:46and hope that it's everything that I think it's going to be.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Chris, however, was less enthusiastic.
0:02:49 > 0:02:53I'm a bit nervous that Gemma has got real high expectations
0:02:53 > 0:02:56and she might find out that it's not quite what we want
0:02:56 > 0:02:59or what you think it's going to be, so we'll see.
0:02:59 > 0:03:03Gemma had just one week to quell Chris's doubts
0:03:03 > 0:03:05or her sunshine dream would be gone forever.
0:03:05 > 0:03:07Oh, feel the heat.
0:03:09 > 0:03:14In 2013, home for the Randles was Aldridge in the West Midlands.
0:03:14 > 0:03:18Dad Chris lived with Maddie, then aged three, wife Gemma,
0:03:18 > 0:03:21and Oliver, who was nearly two.
0:03:21 > 0:03:24The desire to move down under had been a burning passion
0:03:24 > 0:03:26ever since the couple first got together.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29When me and Chris met eight years ago
0:03:29 > 0:03:32we both said how much we'd love to go to Australia,
0:03:32 > 0:03:36and then what started as we'd love to go to Australia
0:03:36 > 0:03:39turned into how much we'd love to live in Australia.
0:03:39 > 0:03:40Then we got married
0:03:40 > 0:03:44and we kind of settled down and we had our children,
0:03:44 > 0:03:46and so while they were so small,
0:03:46 > 0:03:49we didn't really feel that was the time to be looking into it.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54But working all hours to support their young family
0:03:54 > 0:03:56was taking its toll.
0:03:56 > 0:04:00We don't have time to spend as a family at the moment.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02I mean, even to the point of sitting down
0:04:02 > 0:04:04and watching a film together,
0:04:04 > 0:04:08we just do not have the time to be able
0:04:08 > 0:04:12to do anything like that, and it's sad.
0:04:12 > 0:04:14We're pushed so much in this country
0:04:14 > 0:04:17and driven by goals and targets, rushing here, there, and everywhere
0:04:17 > 0:04:18all the time.
0:04:18 > 0:04:21For Gemma, Australia was the obvious solution.
0:04:21 > 0:04:25They don't seem to have a 100-million-mile-an-hour
0:04:25 > 0:04:27pace of life over there.
0:04:27 > 0:04:31Everything seems to just be a bit more chilled out,
0:04:31 > 0:04:33and that massively appeals to me.
0:04:33 > 0:04:36But while Chris agreed things had to change,
0:04:36 > 0:04:38he was reluctant to leave the job he loved.
0:04:38 > 0:04:41I'm currently working in the biggest school in the UK.
0:04:41 > 0:04:43As well as teaching PE,
0:04:43 > 0:04:46Chris was head of house to 450 pupils.
0:04:46 > 0:04:49I do really enjoy the pastoral side.
0:04:49 > 0:04:52That is the biggest part of my job which I do find quite rewarding.
0:04:54 > 0:04:58Gemma knew getting him to start again would be a challenge.
0:04:58 > 0:05:01For him to give that up and go over there
0:05:01 > 0:05:06and not enjoy his job would make me feel awful.
0:05:06 > 0:05:09But she felt moving was a sacrifice worth making
0:05:09 > 0:05:12if it would allow them to spend more time with the children.
0:05:12 > 0:05:16We didn't have children for other people to bring them up.
0:05:16 > 0:05:20You know, that's not what we want. We want that family time.
0:05:20 > 0:05:22Gaining more time with Maddie and Oliver, though,
0:05:22 > 0:05:26would mean taking them away from loving grandparents.
0:05:26 > 0:05:29It has caused quite a lot of upset, really.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33In particular, Gemma's mum has really took the news really badly
0:05:33 > 0:05:35and it has hit her really hard.
0:05:36 > 0:05:40We could stay here, we could have a really...you know,
0:05:40 > 0:05:44an OK life here and make my mum and dad happy,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48or we can go over there and break...
0:05:49 > 0:05:51just...
0:06:00 > 0:06:07..just break people's hearts, but give the kids a better life.
0:06:09 > 0:06:11Gemma was torn.
0:06:11 > 0:06:14Getting her dream life would mean upsetting her parents.
0:06:14 > 0:06:16It is tough, but they've got to understand
0:06:16 > 0:06:18that we're doing it for good reasons.
0:06:18 > 0:06:21We want a better life and we want a better life for our kids.
0:06:21 > 0:06:23I can't look back in ten years and think,
0:06:23 > 0:06:26"What if we'd have given it a go and possibly been able
0:06:26 > 0:06:29"to have a better life over there?"
0:06:29 > 0:06:33To me, it's worth the risk, giving that a go.
0:06:35 > 0:06:38For their trial week, the Randles stayed in Glandore,
0:06:38 > 0:06:42a well-established suburb 15 minutes from Adelaide city centre.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Their temporary home was this three-bedroom cottage
0:06:44 > 0:06:48and Gemma's first impressions were positive.
0:06:48 > 0:06:53It's a really good size. I love the high ceilings.
0:06:53 > 0:06:55There's everything we need.
0:06:55 > 0:06:57It's perfect for a week.
0:06:59 > 0:07:01They'd only just arrived
0:07:01 > 0:07:04and Chris was already concerned about his work prospects.
0:07:04 > 0:07:06We've driven past a couple of schools on the way in.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07They look very different,
0:07:07 > 0:07:09so I'm a little bit nervous about it, really.
0:07:09 > 0:07:12But Gemma was looking on the bright side.
0:07:12 > 0:07:16The sun's shining and, you know, we can't wait to get to the beach
0:07:16 > 0:07:18and have a look around.
0:07:18 > 0:07:20And we've only come from the airport to the house
0:07:20 > 0:07:25and already I can see the benefits from spending that time together.
0:07:25 > 0:07:28I think Gemma is really excited about the week ahead.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30I think she's very much certain that it's going to be for us.
0:07:30 > 0:07:34However, I'd say I'm a bit more sceptical really at the moment,
0:07:34 > 0:07:36a bit more dubious.
0:07:36 > 0:07:39It looked like Dad would need some serious convincing
0:07:39 > 0:07:42if Australia was to become the family's home for good.
0:07:46 > 0:07:48Back in the UK,
0:07:48 > 0:07:50the Randles were living in a modern three-bedroom
0:07:50 > 0:07:53semidetached house in Aldridge in the West Midlands.
0:07:53 > 0:07:56They had set themselves a budget of £300,000
0:07:56 > 0:07:57for a home down under,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01and one thing was definitely on the wish list.
0:08:01 > 0:08:03A fourth bedroom is vitally important
0:08:03 > 0:08:05because we want people to come and stay with us.
0:08:05 > 0:08:08That definitely is the deal-breaker for me,
0:08:08 > 0:08:11if we can't afford that fourth bedroom.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13So, the house is a big thing,
0:08:13 > 0:08:16and I think if we don't get the right house,
0:08:16 > 0:08:20then it would certainly put me off moving. Definitely.
0:08:23 > 0:08:26We showed the couple three properties in the Adelaide area
0:08:26 > 0:08:28based on what they wanted
0:08:28 > 0:08:29and what they could afford.
0:08:29 > 0:08:33Their search began in Mount Barker in the Adelaide Hills,
0:08:33 > 0:08:37a thriving community 23 miles east of Adelaide.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39Good transport links to the city
0:08:39 > 0:08:42and plenty of nearby facilities for young families
0:08:42 > 0:08:46meant it should have been the ideal location for the Randles.
0:08:46 > 0:08:48With four bedrooms,
0:08:48 > 0:08:50this house could've been perfect for them too,
0:08:50 > 0:08:54and Gemma was impressed before she was even out of the car.
0:08:54 > 0:08:56GEMMA SQUEALS WITH DELIGHT
0:08:56 > 0:08:58Wow!
0:08:58 > 0:09:01- This looks nice, doesn't it? - Oh, wow!
0:09:01 > 0:09:03Look at this!
0:09:03 > 0:09:05Wow!
0:09:05 > 0:09:08Go on, then. You go first.
0:09:08 > 0:09:10Oh, my God!
0:09:11 > 0:09:14- Oh, my God! This is amazing. - This is nice, isn't it?
0:09:14 > 0:09:16Just come back for a minute, mate.
0:09:16 > 0:09:20- KIDS YELL EXCITEDLY - Wow.- Oh, my goodness.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23Who's...? Oh! It's got a walk-in wardrobe!
0:09:23 > 0:09:25Gemma was already sold.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29Can we move in now?
0:09:29 > 0:09:32Depends on if we can afford I suppose, doesn't it, really?
0:09:32 > 0:09:34But Chris had his sensible hat on.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36Don't get too excited in case it's...
0:09:36 > 0:09:39- Stop being so practical! - ..too expensive.
0:09:39 > 0:09:41Yeah, but it's all right, though, isn't it?
0:09:41 > 0:09:43I could live in this wardrobe.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Oh, my God. They've got a beauty room.
0:09:46 > 0:09:49Is this house just made for us?
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Gemma was on a real high with this house.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54Oh!
0:09:54 > 0:09:56Oh, my God!
0:09:56 > 0:09:58I'm absolutely speechless.
0:10:00 > 0:10:02- In fact...- That's what we wanted...
0:10:02 > 0:10:04- HE LAUGHS - What are you getting upset for?
0:10:04 > 0:10:06Don't, huh?
0:10:06 > 0:10:07I cannot believe that
0:10:07 > 0:10:10we could potentially live somewhere like this.
0:10:12 > 0:10:15You could do in England if you can afford it.
0:10:15 > 0:10:16No!
0:10:16 > 0:10:17He may have been playing it safe,
0:10:17 > 0:10:20but even Chris was enthused by what lay outside.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22Oh, look at this!
0:10:22 > 0:10:24- Look, you've got your own bar.- Yes.
0:10:24 > 0:10:27So, I could have my own bar, my own barbecue.
0:10:27 > 0:10:30- Jobs a good 'un!- I love it!
0:10:30 > 0:10:33The house had been a massive hit.
0:10:33 > 0:10:34I'd move in now.
0:10:34 > 0:10:36I would. If...
0:10:36 > 0:10:39I'd sell everything and live in this house.
0:10:39 > 0:10:42The location's perfect. It's nice and quiet.
0:10:42 > 0:10:45I think it's worth moving for this, if you can afford it.
0:10:45 > 0:10:50But was it within reach of the couple's £300,000 budget?
0:10:50 > 0:10:52OK. Shall we have a look?
0:10:52 > 0:10:53Yeah, go on then.
0:10:55 > 0:10:56I can't!
0:11:00 > 0:11:01That's expensive, isn't it?
0:11:01 > 0:11:04It was 45,000 over budget,
0:11:04 > 0:11:07but Gemma wasn't giving up just yet.
0:11:07 > 0:11:11- This is 345, but that's it.- Yeah, you're not going to pay any more.
0:11:11 > 0:11:13We haven't got to spend any more,
0:11:13 > 0:11:16whereas we might get a house that's 100 grand cheaper
0:11:16 > 0:11:18but have to spend 50 on it.
0:11:19 > 0:11:21The house could have been perfect for the Randles,
0:11:21 > 0:11:25but it would've meant stretching their budget.
0:11:25 > 0:11:27Property number two was also in Mount Barker.
0:11:27 > 0:11:30This relatively new house backed onto a communal area
0:11:30 > 0:11:33perfect for spending family time together,
0:11:33 > 0:11:36and had the important fourth bedroom,
0:11:36 > 0:11:39but did it have the wow factor of the first house?
0:11:39 > 0:11:42- You don't like it, do you?- No, I do!
0:11:42 > 0:11:45I am feeling a little bit underwhelmed here,
0:11:45 > 0:11:49but if I'd have been here first, this would've been,
0:11:49 > 0:11:51"Wow, this is fantastic."
0:11:51 > 0:11:54- I think it's more realistic.- Yes. - We might be able to afford.
0:11:54 > 0:11:56Chris was looking at the positive side,
0:11:56 > 0:11:59and it didn't take long for Gemma to come around too.
0:11:59 > 0:12:01- No!- Oh, OK.- Wow.
0:12:01 > 0:12:06- OK. This has the wow factor. - That's better, isn't it?- Yes.
0:12:06 > 0:12:09Ah, the fourth bedroom. God, this is a big room.
0:12:09 > 0:12:12So, it has got four bedrooms then, which is good. Wardrobes.
0:12:12 > 0:12:14- Yeah, but they're four double bedrooms.- Yeah.
0:12:14 > 0:12:16That meant plenty of room for all the family
0:12:16 > 0:12:18and overseas visitors,
0:12:18 > 0:12:21and the outside area went down well too.
0:12:21 > 0:12:23I do like having a deck.
0:12:23 > 0:12:25- This is lovely.- This is nice.
0:12:25 > 0:12:29Despite the shaky start, Gemma had really warmed to this house.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34Coming here now, I think this is more of an us house,
0:12:34 > 0:12:37- a more realistic house. - Family home, isn't it?- Yeah.
0:12:37 > 0:12:38It's nice.
0:12:40 > 0:12:43It looked like Maddie and Oliver had already settled in,
0:12:43 > 0:12:46but was this somewhere the Randles could afford to call home
0:12:46 > 0:12:48with their £300,000 budget?
0:12:48 > 0:12:51I still think it's the top end of our budget,
0:12:51 > 0:12:54but I think it might just be within budget.
0:12:54 > 0:12:56- Really?- Yeah.
0:12:56 > 0:12:57It'll be interesting to see.
0:12:58 > 0:13:00- Oh!- Ah.
0:13:00 > 0:13:02That was well within budget.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05- That's more realistic.- Yeah. - And that's a big difference.- Yeah.
0:13:05 > 0:13:07And it's got that fourth bedroom.
0:13:07 > 0:13:08Yeah.
0:13:08 > 0:13:10- I like...- So, that's promising.- Yes.
0:13:10 > 0:13:12It was a great result
0:13:12 > 0:13:14and there was still one property to go.
0:13:15 > 0:13:18The final house was in Littlehampton,
0:13:18 > 0:13:21a small family-friendly village with a country feel
0:13:21 > 0:13:23just a 10-minute drive away from the larger shops
0:13:23 > 0:13:25and facilities of Mount Barker.
0:13:25 > 0:13:28This spacious house had the required fourth bedroom,
0:13:28 > 0:13:32but what did Gemma make of its more traditional feel?
0:13:32 > 0:13:34It's quite old-fashioned, isn't it?
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- Yeah, it is.- Quite dated.
0:13:37 > 0:13:41Just got to decide if we want to take on that challenge,
0:13:41 > 0:13:43cos this is a big house.
0:13:43 > 0:13:44It's very grand.
0:13:44 > 0:13:48It's a grand house and it could be beautiful,
0:13:48 > 0:13:49this house could.
0:13:49 > 0:13:52But for now, the decor left a lot to be desired.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55Oh, God, no!
0:13:55 > 0:13:59Oh, this is just the most hideous room, isn't it?
0:13:59 > 0:14:01- Oh.- The room is nice, it's just...
0:14:01 > 0:14:04- It's the furniture, isn't it? - Who would have furniture like this?
0:14:04 > 0:14:07Surely this was gone in the '80s!
0:14:10 > 0:14:12And outdoors, things didn't get any better.
0:14:14 > 0:14:18I feel a bit isolated up here.
0:14:18 > 0:14:20- It's a bit further out, isn't it? - Yeah.
0:14:20 > 0:14:21- Not what we want for the kids.- Yeah.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24I think with a three and a one-year-old
0:14:24 > 0:14:29and the fact that we're going to have so much upheaval moving here,
0:14:29 > 0:14:31the last thing that we need
0:14:31 > 0:14:34- is a house that needs work doing to it.- A lot of work, yeah.
0:14:34 > 0:14:38Neither Gemma nor Chris fancied this house as a home,
0:14:38 > 0:14:41but did the price increase its appeal?
0:14:41 > 0:14:43Their budget was £300,000.
0:14:44 > 0:14:47Obviously completely different, isn't it, to the last two?
0:14:47 > 0:14:50- Do you want to look? - Yeah, go on then, if you're ready.
0:14:51 > 0:14:52What?!
0:14:55 > 0:14:57Oh, my God.
0:14:57 > 0:14:59I would not pay that for this house.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01No, that's really shocked me, actually.
0:15:01 > 0:15:04- We don't want a house to do up.- Yeah.
0:15:04 > 0:15:08We want to come and have it done for us already. Modern.
0:15:08 > 0:15:12It's confirmed what we wanted in the first place.
0:15:12 > 0:15:14- Yeah.- Definitely.
0:15:14 > 0:15:17It looked like this house was a definite no.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19The day had started well
0:15:19 > 0:15:21with a home which wowed both Gemma and Chris,
0:15:21 > 0:15:24but had a price tag to match.
0:15:24 > 0:15:27Property number two was a slow starter,
0:15:27 > 0:15:30but they soon warmed to it and it was within budget.
0:15:30 > 0:15:33Neither of them were sold on the final house,
0:15:33 > 0:15:35and the price left them stunned.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37So, when it came to property,
0:15:37 > 0:15:40did they vote for Australia or the UK?
0:15:40 > 0:15:43Based on the houses that we've seen in Australia,
0:15:43 > 0:15:45our vote goes to...
0:15:50 > 0:15:53- ALL:- Australia.
0:15:55 > 0:15:58I think the first two houses just showed me that
0:15:58 > 0:16:05we really could have what I dream of in Australia for us.
0:16:05 > 0:16:08- We're very happy. - I was surprised, actually.- Yeah.
0:16:08 > 0:16:11I wasn't sure if you would as well. Come here. Shocked me.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14Just have to get the job now.
0:16:19 > 0:16:21A yes vote for Oz was a great start
0:16:21 > 0:16:24for Gemma's dream of a new life down under,
0:16:24 > 0:16:26but she still had a lot of work to do
0:16:26 > 0:16:30if she was to get Chris over his worries about work prospects.
0:16:30 > 0:16:32Would an Aussie-style day out
0:16:32 > 0:16:34remind Chris of what the move was all about -
0:16:34 > 0:16:37spending more time together as a family?
0:16:38 > 0:16:41The Randles spent the day at Gorge Wildlife Park.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46We just don't get the time to do anything like this at home.
0:16:46 > 0:16:49We might have the odd Sunday together, you know, one day,
0:16:49 > 0:16:50two days every month.
0:16:50 > 0:16:53I don't think you can compare the life here
0:16:53 > 0:16:56that you can back in the UK.
0:16:56 > 0:17:02You know, it's a different world and I just think this is what
0:17:02 > 0:17:04I wanted for my children.
0:17:04 > 0:17:07While the day was a reminder for Gemma as to just how desperate
0:17:07 > 0:17:09she was for more time with her family,
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Chris still had concerns.
0:17:12 > 0:17:14It's just whether again we can afford
0:17:14 > 0:17:16to provide a good lifestyle over here for the children.
0:17:16 > 0:17:19A lot is kind of riding just a little bit on convincing me
0:17:19 > 0:17:22in terms of whether it's actually going to be worthwhile
0:17:22 > 0:17:23moving over here financially.
0:17:23 > 0:17:26Chris and Gemma met up with the Corbetts,
0:17:26 > 0:17:30a British family who'd emigrated to Australia two years previously,
0:17:30 > 0:17:34and were keen to ask how their life had changed down under.
0:17:34 > 0:17:38We talk about living back in Britain as basically like a half-life.
0:17:38 > 0:17:41You get such an extra amount of living time
0:17:41 > 0:17:43because the weather is so much better.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46We'd be on the beach until six, half six or whatever,
0:17:46 > 0:17:49and then, you know, go home and you've had that family time.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It's just a completely different way of life, isn't it?
0:17:52 > 0:17:54- Yeah.- Sorry.
0:17:54 > 0:17:55Sorry.
0:17:57 > 0:18:02Just that is like everything that we want as well for our family.
0:18:03 > 0:18:05Sorry!
0:18:06 > 0:18:09Gemma was overcome with the thought of how much better
0:18:09 > 0:18:11their lives could be in Australia.
0:18:11 > 0:18:12In the last three days,
0:18:12 > 0:18:16me and Chris have seen each other more than we have since Christmas,
0:18:16 > 0:18:18which is ridiculous.
0:18:19 > 0:18:21It is, you know, the four of us.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24This is what we want from Australia.
0:18:24 > 0:18:28This is why we want to move here so that we can be a family.
0:18:28 > 0:18:31It had been a day of simple pleasures
0:18:31 > 0:18:34but one which had driven home just why Gemma desperately wanted
0:18:34 > 0:18:38to move her young family to Australia.
0:18:38 > 0:18:41When it came to the vote, though, did Chris agree?
0:18:41 > 0:18:44- ALL:- Australia.
0:18:47 > 0:18:49Yes, Oliver chose it too.
0:18:49 > 0:18:52Maddie, why did you choose Australia?
0:18:52 > 0:18:53Kangaroos.
0:18:53 > 0:18:55- The kangaroos!- Kangaroos!
0:18:55 > 0:18:58I think that it is definitely what we want
0:18:58 > 0:19:00out of our life in Australia.
0:19:00 > 0:19:02It's been a great day together as a family,
0:19:02 > 0:19:04which we don't get the chance to do back in the UK.
0:19:14 > 0:19:15Chris's second vote for Oz
0:19:15 > 0:19:18was another step in the right direction for Gemma,
0:19:18 > 0:19:22but if they were to make the move, it was crucial his job concerns
0:19:22 > 0:19:24were put to rest.
0:19:24 > 0:19:26Chris was the main visa applicant.
0:19:26 > 0:19:28Back in the UK, he was a teacher
0:19:28 > 0:19:31and head of house in a large inner-city school in Birmingham.
0:19:32 > 0:19:35It was a career he'd worked hard to build.
0:19:35 > 0:19:38It's taken me eight years to get to that position that I'm in now.
0:19:38 > 0:19:41I think if we did go and we came back again,
0:19:41 > 0:19:44I don't think I'd walk into a job which is the equivalent
0:19:44 > 0:19:46of what I've got now.
0:19:46 > 0:19:50Gemma knew Chris getting the right job down under would be key
0:19:50 > 0:19:52to keeping her dream on track.
0:19:52 > 0:19:59I'm hoping that he will find an equally enjoyable job
0:19:59 > 0:20:03and that he will realise that it was the right thing to do.
0:20:05 > 0:20:08To find out if his career concerns could be laid to rest,
0:20:08 > 0:20:11we arranged for Chris to visit Westminster Private School
0:20:11 > 0:20:15in Adelaide where he met principle Steve Bousfield.
0:20:18 > 0:20:20Would my qualifications from England
0:20:20 > 0:20:22transfer straight over directly to Australia?
0:20:22 > 0:20:25- They may do. They chances are they would.- Right.
0:20:25 > 0:20:27We have a large number of teachers who've arrived here from the UK
0:20:27 > 0:20:29and we brought them directly,
0:20:29 > 0:20:32so we have a number of people who have moved straight in here.
0:20:32 > 0:20:33Well, that sounded promising,
0:20:33 > 0:20:37but would Chris be able to continue with the pastoral role he loved?
0:20:37 > 0:20:38In the private schools
0:20:38 > 0:20:40we put a great emphasis upon the pastoral care,
0:20:40 > 0:20:44so we do expect the heads of house to have a really close relationship
0:20:44 > 0:20:45with those students.
0:20:45 > 0:20:47Would it be a case that I could move straight over here
0:20:47 > 0:20:49- and apply for a head of house job or is...- Probably not.
0:20:49 > 0:20:52- We would tend to appoint our heads of houses from within...- OK.
0:20:52 > 0:20:55..because we get to know them and we know the sort of students
0:20:55 > 0:20:58they're able to work with and be most effective with.
0:20:58 > 0:20:59It wasn't great news,
0:20:59 > 0:21:02but could his potential salary lessen the blow
0:21:02 > 0:21:04of losing a head of house position?
0:21:04 > 0:21:06What kind of salary would I be looking at earning over here?
0:21:06 > 0:21:10Would be in the region of around £62,000 per year.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12It's a bit more than what I thought.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15In fact, that was almost £20,000 more
0:21:15 > 0:21:16than Chris was earning in the UK.
0:21:19 > 0:21:23A job in Australia may have meant putting his pastoral role on hold,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25but that could have meant more time at home.
0:21:25 > 0:21:27So, had he heard enough to give up
0:21:27 > 0:21:29the position he'd worked so hard for?
0:21:31 > 0:21:35Based on my work experience today, I've decided to vote for...
0:21:40 > 0:21:41Australia.
0:21:42 > 0:21:46It was time to share the good news with Gemma.
0:21:46 > 0:21:48- It was really good, different. - Good different?
0:21:48 > 0:21:49Yeah. Really interesting.
0:21:49 > 0:21:51What did they say about your pastoral stuff?
0:21:51 > 0:21:54- I wouldn't be able to go straight into a job with that.- Mm.
0:21:54 > 0:21:56But the positive was that
0:21:56 > 0:21:59- I'd probably earn more money as well over here.- Ooh!
0:22:01 > 0:22:02Oh, I'm really pleased.
0:22:02 > 0:22:04It was...
0:22:04 > 0:22:05It was really good.
0:22:05 > 0:22:08If there was a job there, I'd apply for that straightaway.
0:22:08 > 0:22:09- Really?- Yeah, yeah.
0:22:13 > 0:22:17Chris's earning prospects meant a new life in Australia
0:22:17 > 0:22:20for the family could've been a step closer,
0:22:20 > 0:22:22but for the finances to work down under,
0:22:22 > 0:22:24it was crucial they got the right price
0:22:24 > 0:22:26for their home in the UK.
0:22:26 > 0:22:29Chris believed their house was worth £210,000,
0:22:29 > 0:22:32but did two local estate agents agree?
0:22:32 > 0:22:35It's a nice bright room. Contemporary colours.
0:22:35 > 0:22:37Nice modern fireplace.
0:22:38 > 0:22:42- He's looking in my room first. He is!- He has gone in your room!
0:22:42 > 0:22:45It's a nice, bright, modern room. Good for a child.
0:22:45 > 0:22:48Also get a double bed in here as a second bedroom.
0:22:50 > 0:22:54Family bathroom. Fully tiled with a white suite.
0:22:54 > 0:22:56That's a nice, light, bright master bedroom
0:22:56 > 0:22:59and a nice view of the back garden. Excellent.
0:22:59 > 0:23:01All in all, a very saleable property.
0:23:01 > 0:23:07My evaluation out in market, 190,000. For a quick sale, 180,000.
0:23:08 > 0:23:12I would value the property at around about £200,000.
0:23:12 > 0:23:14If we were looking for a quick sale,
0:23:14 > 0:23:18probably 185 to 190 is probably nearer the mark.
0:23:21 > 0:23:23Hmm.
0:23:23 > 0:23:26That's quite a lot less really than what I was hoping for.
0:23:26 > 0:23:28- It's massively less.- Mm.
0:23:28 > 0:23:31An evaluation of £20,000 less than they'd hoped for
0:23:31 > 0:23:35was a huge blow and it put a move in real jeopardy.
0:23:37 > 0:23:41Gemma and Chris needed to figure out if there was any way the finances
0:23:41 > 0:23:42could work down under.
0:23:42 > 0:23:45To help, we provided a comparison of costs
0:23:45 > 0:23:47between the UK and Australia.
0:23:47 > 0:23:49They started with the weekly shop.
0:23:49 > 0:23:53I cannot believe the shampoo and conditioner.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57- That's a massive difference, isn't it?- It's more than double.
0:23:57 > 0:24:01So, £73, £74 extra a week, yeah,
0:24:01 > 0:24:04than...back in the UK,
0:24:04 > 0:24:06which is quite a big difference.
0:24:06 > 0:24:08In fact, it was a difference
0:24:08 > 0:24:11of almost £4,000 a year on food shopping alone,
0:24:11 > 0:24:14and that wasn't the only shock.
0:24:14 > 0:24:16Basing their figures on the cheapest property they saw,
0:24:16 > 0:24:20their monthly mortgage in Australia would've been £1,700.
0:24:20 > 0:24:25That is a lot more than we pay at the minute on our mortgage.
0:24:25 > 0:24:26Well, it's about three times more.
0:24:26 > 0:24:28It's a big difference in price.
0:24:28 > 0:24:32Chris could earn more in Australia than the UK, though.
0:24:32 > 0:24:35It's a different of £10,795.
0:24:35 > 0:24:39But would it be enough to make the dream life affordable?
0:24:39 > 0:24:41What's the difference?
0:24:41 > 0:24:42The difference would be...
0:24:45 > 0:24:47£1,704.
0:24:47 > 0:24:53So, we're £1,704 worse off a year in Australia.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55Yeah.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Gemma was devastated by the figures,
0:24:57 > 0:25:00but there was still a glimmer of hope as Chris spotted
0:25:00 > 0:25:02some potential savings.
0:25:02 > 0:25:04You know, just from the few days we spent over here so far,
0:25:04 > 0:25:06I think we could cut back so much easier.
0:25:06 > 0:25:08I know we've put car loans and things in
0:25:08 > 0:25:11- and bits and pieces, but... - We're hoping to have paid those off.
0:25:11 > 0:25:13- ..we'd have had them paid off before we come.- Yeah.
0:25:13 > 0:25:16So, that makes a big difference straightaway. £500.
0:25:16 > 0:25:18I was a bit nervous when we first started the calculations
0:25:18 > 0:25:21and stuff and were working things out, and, yeah,
0:25:21 > 0:25:22it's positive now, isn't it?
0:25:22 > 0:25:24Despite not looking good on paper,
0:25:24 > 0:25:27some tightening of belts could mean the figures
0:25:27 > 0:25:29weren't as bad as they'd feared.
0:25:29 > 0:25:31So, when it came to finances,
0:25:31 > 0:25:33did the couple choose the UK or Australia?
0:25:33 > 0:25:35Our vote goes to...
0:25:41 > 0:25:43- 50-50.- I'm going to say Australia.
0:25:46 > 0:25:49I'm really surprised that we went that way around.
0:25:49 > 0:25:51I thought that I'd vote for Australia
0:25:51 > 0:25:55- and you'd be the 50-50. - I was really close to 50-50, I was.
0:25:55 > 0:25:57I'm convinced we can make massive cutbacks
0:25:57 > 0:25:59and make it feasible to move over here.
0:25:59 > 0:26:00- I do. I really do.- Yeah.
0:26:04 > 0:26:05I'm very pleased.
0:26:12 > 0:26:13With a third vote for Oz,
0:26:13 > 0:26:16it looked like Chris was still on board with Gemma's dream,
0:26:16 > 0:26:20but she wasn't home and dry just yet.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22Her biggest fear had always been separating
0:26:22 > 0:26:25the children from loved ones back in the UK.
0:26:25 > 0:26:28With Maddie and Oliver looked after by a childminder,
0:26:28 > 0:26:31Chris and Gemma settled down to watch messages from home.
0:26:31 > 0:26:34Would hearing from loved ones prove too heartbreaking to bear?
0:26:36 > 0:26:39They're a really cute family.
0:26:39 > 0:26:41Gemma and Chris are brilliant together.
0:26:41 > 0:26:42They really work.
0:26:42 > 0:26:45And the kids are just adorable.
0:26:45 > 0:26:48I always said that if I could pick anybody for my Gemma,
0:26:48 > 0:26:49it would be Chris.
0:26:49 > 0:26:52He seems to be the perfect husband for her.
0:26:52 > 0:26:57She's just a real diamond. She's a fantastic mum. She just...
0:26:57 > 0:27:00She does everything for everybody.
0:27:00 > 0:27:02It would leave a big hole in our lives
0:27:02 > 0:27:06if they decide to move to Australia,
0:27:06 > 0:27:08and that will be a hard thing to fill.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10Missing the kids growing up is going to be gut-wrenching.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14They're cutting them out of our lives but, you know,
0:27:14 > 0:27:15cutting us out of theirs as well.
0:27:15 > 0:27:17I'll be coming out to see you when I can.
0:27:19 > 0:27:21I just think it'll...
0:27:22 > 0:27:24It'll just be mad you won't be there.
0:27:29 > 0:27:30Sorry.
0:27:32 > 0:27:36All you need to know is whatever you decide to do, we'll support you.
0:27:36 > 0:27:39We're right behind you, 100%.
0:27:39 > 0:27:41I hope you make the right decision.
0:27:43 > 0:27:45And whatever you decide...
0:27:45 > 0:27:47I can't. Sorry. I can't...
0:27:54 > 0:27:57I feel at the moment like my heart is being wrenched out...
0:27:59 > 0:28:02..but as a family, they have to do what's right for them.
0:28:21 > 0:28:23- Oh, your poor mum.- I know.
0:28:23 > 0:28:26She couldn't even speak, could she?
0:28:26 > 0:28:28It is a long way, isn't it?
0:28:31 > 0:28:34The couple faced a heartbreaking choice.
0:28:34 > 0:28:37While Australia could offer plenty of gains,
0:28:37 > 0:28:40it would mean causing upset at home.
0:28:40 > 0:28:43If we were to move over here, it would be really tough, you know.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45We'd be completely on her own, very isolated.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47No family, no support, no friends.
0:28:47 > 0:28:53Our future could potentially be amazing for the four of us,
0:28:53 > 0:28:55but the fact that we wouldn't have anybody
0:28:55 > 0:28:58to share it with would be hard.
0:28:59 > 0:29:00The week has been really positive,
0:29:00 > 0:29:04but there's still massive risks, I think, of moving over here.
0:29:04 > 0:29:06That's what we've got to sort of work out.
0:29:06 > 0:29:07What's right, really.
0:29:07 > 0:29:10Whether it's worth making that big risk
0:29:10 > 0:29:13to have the environment and the lifestyle that's, you know,
0:29:13 > 0:29:17calling over here or whether it's better to be safe, you know,
0:29:17 > 0:29:19and just stay where you are.
0:29:19 > 0:29:21It was time to face the final vote.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24Had the trial week been enough to convince Chris
0:29:24 > 0:29:26to put aside his doubts about a move
0:29:26 > 0:29:29and would the prospect of a new life down under
0:29:29 > 0:29:30be enough for Gemma
0:29:30 > 0:29:33to sacrifice everything she knew and loved in the UK?
0:29:36 > 0:29:39- BOTH:- Australia!
0:29:39 > 0:29:41Australia!
0:29:44 > 0:29:45Yay!
0:29:47 > 0:29:50- It's surprised me.- I'm so pleased.
0:29:52 > 0:29:54It's shocked me, but the more I do think about it,
0:29:54 > 0:29:57the more I think, "Yeah, let's give it a go."
0:29:57 > 0:30:00Just don't want to look back in ten years
0:30:00 > 0:30:01and wish we'd have done it...
0:30:01 > 0:30:03- I think we'll regret it if we don't.- Yeah.
0:30:11 > 0:30:15After an emotional whirlwind of a week for the Randles,
0:30:15 > 0:30:18they came out the other side convinced Australia
0:30:18 > 0:30:20was the right place to bring up their family
0:30:20 > 0:30:23and achieve the time together they desperately wanted.
0:30:23 > 0:30:27So, two years on, have the Randles made it
0:30:27 > 0:30:28to the other side of the world?
0:30:30 > 0:30:35It's May, 2015, and the Randles are living in...
0:30:35 > 0:30:36the UK.
0:30:38 > 0:30:40Their time in Australia two years ago
0:30:40 > 0:30:42brought home to both Gemma and Chris
0:30:42 > 0:30:45just how difficult life had become in the UK.
0:30:46 > 0:30:52The week that we spent in Adelaide just proved to us how much time
0:30:52 > 0:30:56we hadn't spent together for such a long time.
0:30:56 > 0:30:58It really hit us hard really
0:30:58 > 0:31:01in terms of how different things were
0:31:01 > 0:31:03or how different things could be.
0:31:06 > 0:31:09After arriving home from their trial week,
0:31:09 > 0:31:12the couple were convinced their families future lay down under.
0:31:12 > 0:31:14Of course the answer was yes, and yes,
0:31:14 > 0:31:17we chose Australia, you know, at the time.
0:31:17 > 0:31:19The country had won their hearts
0:31:19 > 0:31:22and they were determined to make the move.
0:31:22 > 0:31:23We obviously made that decision.
0:31:23 > 0:31:25It was on the show and on the programme.
0:31:25 > 0:31:28At the end, we were dead set about moving to Australia,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31really looking forward to prospects of moving abroad.
0:31:31 > 0:31:34The couple began to put plans in place.
0:31:34 > 0:31:38We spoke to a company and you'd gone through all the details
0:31:38 > 0:31:41with them of what we needed to do.
0:31:41 > 0:31:46But doubts soon surfaced as the cost of the family's dream life mounted.
0:31:46 > 0:31:50The visas would've been about £6,000.
0:31:50 > 0:31:53We've then got the shipping. That would've been...
0:31:53 > 0:31:56- Was it 3,000 or 4,000? - Pretty much, with everything.
0:31:56 > 0:32:01Yeah. The flights were 6,000. Between 5,000 and 6,000.
0:32:01 > 0:32:04Then we'd have had to have rented for a little while.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07We wanted to put money aside for at least six months, really,
0:32:07 > 0:32:08to be able to get by.
0:32:08 > 0:32:10The total amount that we were looking at really,
0:32:10 > 0:32:12once we added everything together, was between...
0:32:12 > 0:32:16It was about £30,000, really, which was obviously a lot of money.
0:32:20 > 0:32:22At that point, I think both of us,
0:32:22 > 0:32:24without telling each other,
0:32:24 > 0:32:28had probably started to think, "Hmm."
0:32:28 > 0:32:34You know, there were a few cracks now in what
0:32:34 > 0:32:37we were hoping to be a perfect and seamless move.
0:32:37 > 0:32:40Gemma and Chris went through an agonising period
0:32:40 > 0:32:42debating the pros and cons of a move.
0:32:43 > 0:32:46Those first three or four months back after Australia
0:32:46 > 0:32:48was really difficult, actually.
0:32:48 > 0:32:51Ultimately, we just couldn't make a decision about as to whether
0:32:51 > 0:32:53we were going to go or not.
0:32:53 > 0:32:57We got the pack out and all the paperwork every week
0:32:57 > 0:33:01for about six weeks just to try
0:33:01 > 0:33:04to make the figures work and to see if we could
0:33:04 > 0:33:06take a bit off here and put a bit here.
0:33:06 > 0:33:07We'd be on a high saying,
0:33:07 > 0:33:10"We've got the solution. We're definitely going to move."
0:33:10 > 0:33:13Then the next day you think, "No, that's probably not going to work."
0:33:14 > 0:33:17Their dilemma was all-consuming.
0:33:19 > 0:33:22We went backwards and forwards and backwards and forwards.
0:33:22 > 0:33:25Every time I woke up, I'd think about it.
0:33:25 > 0:33:27Every time I went to sleep, I'd think about it.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29It was awful, wasn't it?
0:33:29 > 0:33:31It was very stressful.
0:33:32 > 0:33:34After months of uncertainty,
0:33:34 > 0:33:37the couple knew they needed to decide once and for all
0:33:37 > 0:33:38where their future lay.
0:33:40 > 0:33:43It got to January when the programme was on.
0:33:43 > 0:33:47I think that day we literally watched it about four times,
0:33:47 > 0:33:50the programme, and we sat down on the night
0:33:50 > 0:33:53and I said to you... Didn't I?
0:33:53 > 0:33:55.."That's it. We've got to make a decision."
0:33:55 > 0:33:58The paperwork was brought out one last time.
0:33:58 > 0:34:04We did up a pros and cons list again, and I think that's when
0:34:04 > 0:34:09we came to the decision that actually it was a no.
0:34:11 > 0:34:13It was a massive shock, really, I think,
0:34:13 > 0:34:14and it was a big disappointment.
0:34:14 > 0:34:18It was a very hard decision cos your head is saying one thing
0:34:18 > 0:34:20and your heart is saying another thing.
0:34:20 > 0:34:24Gemma was dead set, I was dead set about going.
0:34:24 > 0:34:27When it kind of hits home that you might not be able to do it,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29then it does hit you pretty hard, really.
0:34:29 > 0:34:31But with a decision finally made,
0:34:31 > 0:34:35Gemma and Chris resolved to transform their lives in the UK.
0:34:45 > 0:34:48It was a massive weight off both of her shoulders.
0:34:48 > 0:34:51It was a bit of closure on the whole situation, that we could say,
0:34:51 > 0:34:53"Right, we can get on with our lives a bit more now."
0:34:53 > 0:34:57We could finally start moving forward with everything,
0:34:57 > 0:35:00start building a life in the UK
0:35:00 > 0:35:05and start implementing changes that were going to make our lives better.
0:35:06 > 0:35:09The first thing that needed to change was Gemma's job.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12Prior to their trial week down under,
0:35:12 > 0:35:15her hectic work schedule had left no time for family life.
0:35:17 > 0:35:20Before we went to Australia, my job was a beauty therapist,
0:35:20 > 0:35:22which meant I wasn't around a lot.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26She was travelling an hour to work and an hour back from work.
0:35:26 > 0:35:27The pay wasn't the greatest
0:35:27 > 0:35:30so she was having to top up her wages by working from home.
0:35:30 > 0:35:33She was doing that on the evenings, so she was doing, you know,
0:35:33 > 0:35:35sort of really long hours of a day.
0:35:35 > 0:35:41I loved my job, however the restrictions that it brought
0:35:41 > 0:35:47to the family and the children meant that I was never able to see them.
0:35:47 > 0:35:52You can't put into words how, as a mum, that makes you feel.
0:35:53 > 0:35:56Gemma now works as an admin assistant
0:35:56 > 0:35:57in a radiotherapy centre -
0:35:57 > 0:36:00a career change that's come with countless benefits.
0:36:01 > 0:36:03I'm absolutely loving my new job.
0:36:03 > 0:36:08Just nine to five, so it means I can get to take the children to school
0:36:08 > 0:36:12and I can pick them up afterwards as well, which is really good.
0:36:14 > 0:36:18I work with a great team of people as well rather than on my own,
0:36:18 > 0:36:20so that's another plus.
0:36:20 > 0:36:22I work five minutes down the road.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24I'm only working three days a week.
0:36:25 > 0:36:29But still being able to bring in the income,
0:36:29 > 0:36:31and maybe a little bit more,
0:36:31 > 0:36:35allows us to do great things at the weekends together.
0:36:35 > 0:36:39To see the change from before Australia to now
0:36:39 > 0:36:40and in such a short period of time -
0:36:40 > 0:36:43we're only talking about 18 months or so -
0:36:43 > 0:36:45the change in her is just immense, really.
0:36:47 > 0:36:50While Gemma is enjoying being a mum again,
0:36:50 > 0:36:53Chris has also taken steps to spend more time at home.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56I'm trying to cut down where I can, you know,
0:36:56 > 0:36:58just to make sure I'm back earlier.
0:36:58 > 0:37:00I get back now and because Gemma is at home,
0:37:00 > 0:37:02she's sorted out all the kids with their dinner
0:37:02 > 0:37:04so I get a bit of the quality time, really,
0:37:04 > 0:37:06before they go to bed, which is great.
0:37:06 > 0:37:09So, from that perspective, things have improved massively as well.
0:37:09 > 0:37:11The family have packed their new-found free time
0:37:11 > 0:37:13with plenty of activities,
0:37:13 > 0:37:16which has gone down well with Maddie and Oliver.
0:37:17 > 0:37:20Since we've came back from Australia,
0:37:20 > 0:37:23I've got to do horse riding.
0:37:23 > 0:37:25Oliver got to do football
0:37:25 > 0:37:28and I got to do swimming and gymnastics.
0:37:28 > 0:37:29And I did.
0:37:31 > 0:37:32Yeah.
0:37:35 > 0:37:37Coming to watch Maddie as a family
0:37:37 > 0:37:40would not have been an option before.
0:37:41 > 0:37:44She'll sit on the end of the bed now practising her trotting
0:37:44 > 0:37:47and then cantering, so she's really got into it, hasn't she?
0:37:49 > 0:37:51Certainly not a cheap hobby to have,
0:37:51 > 0:37:56and we can provide that for them now and we don't necessarily have to be
0:37:56 > 0:37:58on the other side of the world to be able to do that.
0:37:59 > 0:38:01It makes me feel brilliant, really,
0:38:01 > 0:38:05that we've just got that much more time together.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07It's had a impact on the kids and on us.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10It makes us happier as a family. It's fantastic.
0:38:10 > 0:38:13And Maddie is on the same page as Mum and Dad.
0:38:13 > 0:38:16I'm really happy that I get to stay here
0:38:16 > 0:38:20because I get to do lots of things more often
0:38:20 > 0:38:23and because I get to see Mummy and Daddy more.
0:38:25 > 0:38:28It's not just family life that's improved.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30Gemma and Chris have worked hard
0:38:30 > 0:38:32to develop their social circle as well.
0:38:32 > 0:38:35That was something we didn't really want to do.
0:38:35 > 0:38:36In case we were going to go,
0:38:36 > 0:38:38we didn't want to have more ties to leave,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41but now we really feel part of the community,
0:38:41 > 0:38:46got some fantastic friends and life is really good in the UK.
0:38:46 > 0:38:48It was definitely the right decision.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Money set aside for a potential move
0:38:51 > 0:38:54has now been put towards home improvements.
0:38:55 > 0:38:57We've been here...is it six years now?
0:38:57 > 0:38:59And we didn't really do anything to the house.
0:38:59 > 0:39:02Now we know we're not going, we can really,
0:39:02 > 0:39:04really make those roots that we want.
0:39:04 > 0:39:08We want to make it more of a home now rather than just the house.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15We recently put some French doors in,
0:39:15 > 0:39:19so we've made the dining room area a playroom for the kids,
0:39:19 > 0:39:20which is brilliant.
0:39:20 > 0:39:24We can put all the kids' toys in there now, which is really good.
0:39:24 > 0:39:27This will be the next room to be decorated,
0:39:27 > 0:39:30so I'm having everything taken out.
0:39:30 > 0:39:32So, new settees, new carpets,
0:39:32 > 0:39:35so I'm really looking forward to this room being done now.
0:39:36 > 0:39:38We've got some pictures up.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41We didn't have any pictures up in here before
0:39:41 > 0:39:45because we didn't know if we were staying or going,
0:39:45 > 0:39:47so it's really nice now that people can walk in
0:39:47 > 0:39:50and it actually feels like a home rather than just a house.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54We've done so much to the kitchen.
0:39:54 > 0:39:56We've had...
0:39:56 > 0:40:00Well, we've had everything new, which is so exciting.
0:40:00 > 0:40:02I love it in here now.
0:40:02 > 0:40:04It's really nice. It's like the hub of the home.
0:40:06 > 0:40:09We've got a lot of Australia up there as well,
0:40:09 > 0:40:13so it's so nice to have those memories around us.
0:40:13 > 0:40:17Just reminds us of how far we've come in the last two years.
0:40:19 > 0:40:22Leaving family behind had always been a huge issue
0:40:22 > 0:40:26while the couple were contemplating a move down under,
0:40:26 > 0:40:28but their decision to stay in the UK
0:40:28 > 0:40:30was greeted with some mixed reactions.
0:40:31 > 0:40:34In between us going and the show being on the TV,
0:40:34 > 0:40:37my mum and dad actually went to Australia themselves
0:40:37 > 0:40:40and did some travelling for a month, and they came back and they said,
0:40:40 > 0:40:41"I can't believe you're not going."
0:40:41 > 0:40:45"You're making the worst decision of your life. You need to go."
0:40:45 > 0:40:48That was quite strange, really, and a bit sort of surreal
0:40:48 > 0:40:52because I was expecting them to be over the moon with us stopping.
0:40:52 > 0:40:53Gemma's mum, though,
0:40:53 > 0:40:55saw the family's decision differently.
0:40:55 > 0:40:57She was so relieved.
0:40:57 > 0:41:01She was almost glad then that we'd gone on the show
0:41:01 > 0:41:05because she said, "You've had that experience,
0:41:05 > 0:41:08"you've got it out of your system now."
0:41:08 > 0:41:09I wouldn't have stopped them, you know.
0:41:09 > 0:41:12It would've been nice for them to go and experience it,
0:41:12 > 0:41:15but I'm just glad that they have decided to stay.
0:41:15 > 0:41:17We've become a lot closer, haven't we?
0:41:17 > 0:41:19It's brought us together more.
0:41:19 > 0:41:21The experience of going to Australia
0:41:21 > 0:41:24and then coming back has made us, I think,
0:41:24 > 0:41:26all realise how important family is.
0:41:26 > 0:41:29Yes, cos it makes you realise what you're going to lose.
0:41:29 > 0:41:31And despite their initial reaction,
0:41:31 > 0:41:34Chris knows his parents feel the same.
0:41:34 > 0:41:37I think my mum and dad are shocked we haven't gone,
0:41:37 > 0:41:39but at the same time, they're really excited that we've stayed.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43I am happy that we made our decision to stay in the UK,
0:41:43 > 0:41:48and I'm even more happy now looking two years on
0:41:48 > 0:41:53that Maddie and Oliver have got those bonds with their grandparents
0:41:53 > 0:41:56and that we weren't responsible for breaking those bonds.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Gemma and Chris have no regrets about their week down under.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03We did need to go on the show because I think without doing that
0:42:03 > 0:42:05I don't think we would've seen the lifestyle we could've had.
0:42:05 > 0:42:11Australia showed us the changes that we needed to make.
0:42:11 > 0:42:15So, has the Aussie dream bitten the dust forever?
0:42:15 > 0:42:19I wouldn't say Australia is 100% off the cards.
0:42:19 > 0:42:21I don't think it'll be ever off the cards.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24I wouldn't say that we're never going to go,
0:42:24 > 0:42:29but for the foreseeable future, our home is going to be in the UK.
0:42:29 > 0:42:32We've got lots to look forward to in the future.
0:42:32 > 0:42:34We've got a house that we really want.
0:42:34 > 0:42:35The children are happy.
0:42:35 > 0:42:39I don't regret anything, and I don't think there's any doubts in our mind
0:42:39 > 0:42:40we made the right decision to stay now.
0:42:40 > 0:42:43I'm not going to say that in ten years' time
0:42:43 > 0:42:46I'm not going to regret not going to Australia,
0:42:46 > 0:42:50but at the moment we are happier and life is really good.
0:42:57 > 0:43:01In the end, Gemma and Chris have decided home is where the heart is,
0:43:01 > 0:43:04but they've worked hard to transform their lives
0:43:04 > 0:43:08and have finally got the time together they so badly needed
0:43:08 > 0:43:13with the added benefit of still having loved ones nearby.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16We hope the Randles' future is a very happy one.