0:00:02 > 0:00:04Convincing your partner to give up a life they love
0:00:04 > 0:00:06for a new start on the other side of the world
0:00:06 > 0:00:09is never going to be easy.
0:00:09 > 0:00:13But in 2009, that was what Alan Cappleman was hoping to do
0:00:13 > 0:00:15when his family spent a week in Perth
0:00:15 > 0:00:19to see if Australia could offer them a better life.
0:00:19 > 0:00:22Today, we'll find out if the family have made it
0:00:22 > 0:00:23to the other side of the world.
0:00:25 > 0:00:28Six years ago, Alan Cappleman was hoping to
0:00:28 > 0:00:30start a new life down under...
0:00:30 > 0:00:35I would say I was 99.9% certain that I really want to go to Australia.
0:00:35 > 0:00:37..but his wife, Louise, wasn't so sure.
0:00:38 > 0:00:40..lose a lot by leaving, I think.
0:00:41 > 0:00:42We'll just have to wait and see.
0:00:42 > 0:00:47A trial week down under gave them a realistic taste of Aussie living.
0:00:47 > 0:00:49If you're comparing them, we're better off in the UK.
0:00:49 > 0:00:53So, did the family go ahead with the life-changing move?
0:00:53 > 0:00:55"Oh, my God. Have I done the right thing?"
0:01:18 > 0:01:19Every two and a half minutes,
0:01:19 > 0:01:22someone arrives in Australia hoping to call it home,
0:01:22 > 0:01:26with Indian, Chinese and British migrants topping the list.
0:01:26 > 0:01:29Drawn by the lure of a famed outdoor lifestyle
0:01:29 > 0:01:32and more than 10,000 beaches on which to enjoy it,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35every day 23 British families jet off
0:01:35 > 0:01:38in search of a new beginning under the sun.
0:01:40 > 0:01:44In 2009, the Cappleman family spent seven days
0:01:44 > 0:01:48experiencing the reality of living down under.
0:01:48 > 0:01:52At the end of it, they faced a life-changing decision -
0:01:52 > 0:01:57having to choose whether their future lay in the UK or Australia.
0:01:57 > 0:01:59Six years after their trial week,
0:01:59 > 0:02:04today we'll catch up with the family and find out what happened next.
0:02:05 > 0:02:07The Capplemans' original trial week
0:02:07 > 0:02:10began with a 21-hour journey to get to Perth.
0:02:10 > 0:02:13It was a trip Alan had made 20 years previously,
0:02:13 > 0:02:16but it was Louise and the children's first time down under.
0:02:16 > 0:02:19The long flight hadn't fazed Alan.
0:02:19 > 0:02:22Australia doesn't feel as far as I expected.
0:02:22 > 0:02:24You know, it's... We had a good flight,
0:02:24 > 0:02:26and I think that made a big difference.
0:02:26 > 0:02:30Looking forward to bed, a cup of tea and the sun tomorrow morning.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34- No rain. - THEY CHUCKLE
0:02:34 > 0:02:37Everyone was excited about the adventures that lay ahead,
0:02:37 > 0:02:39but would Alan be able to persuade Louise
0:02:39 > 0:02:42they could build a new life so far from home?
0:02:45 > 0:02:49In 2009, Alan and Louise Cappleman lived in Newcastle
0:02:49 > 0:02:52with Laurie, then aged five, Freya, then three,
0:02:52 > 0:02:54and Ethan, who was one.
0:02:54 > 0:02:57PE teacher Alan had become determined
0:02:57 > 0:03:00to move his family to Australia after a chance encounter.
0:03:01 > 0:03:03The reason I want to move to Australia is
0:03:03 > 0:03:08cos I met a couple of Australian PE teachers a couple of years ago,
0:03:08 > 0:03:11and they talked about how good the lifestyle was in Australia
0:03:11 > 0:03:12compared to what it is here.
0:03:14 > 0:03:17So, I hope the lifestyle and the standard of living in Australia
0:03:17 > 0:03:20will be a great deal better than what it is here.
0:03:20 > 0:03:26I would say I was 99.9% certain that I really want to go to Australia.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Unlike his wife, Alan already had family living in Melbourne.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31It is a lot easier for me
0:03:31 > 0:03:34because with my parents and family being across there
0:03:34 > 0:03:36and what she's leaving behind.
0:03:36 > 0:03:39Louise, however, didn't share her husband's passion.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42She had a solid group of friends and a close family -
0:03:42 > 0:03:44moving would've meant leaving them behind.
0:03:44 > 0:03:49I see my mam everyday cos I drop the girls at school,
0:03:49 > 0:03:51and she looks after Ethan in the morning.
0:03:51 > 0:03:54And then we go to theirs on a Sunday -
0:03:54 > 0:03:56the whole family goes for Sunday dinner.
0:03:56 > 0:03:58Alan also had a son he'd be leaving.
0:03:58 > 0:04:01Adam's 14 years of age.
0:04:01 > 0:04:05At the moment, he's a two-minute drive away - it's easy to get to.
0:04:05 > 0:04:06If he's any concerns,
0:04:06 > 0:04:09he can always give me a ring, and I'm always there for him,
0:04:09 > 0:04:10and I always will be there for him.
0:04:10 > 0:04:12But he still thought the move could work out well.
0:04:12 > 0:04:16Of course, in Australia, I'm hoping that I'll actually see more of him,
0:04:16 > 0:04:19because when he comes over for the six-week summer holidays,
0:04:19 > 0:04:20I've got him for six weeks
0:04:20 > 0:04:23as opposed to six days throughout the year whenever that might be.
0:04:23 > 0:04:27Starting a new life on the other side of the world takes confidence,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29and Alan knew he had a lot of persuading to do
0:04:29 > 0:04:32if he was to convince Louise to go.
0:04:32 > 0:04:36Louise can be quite shy at times and not quite forceful like that,
0:04:36 > 0:04:39so that's a concern that I would have for Louise.
0:04:39 > 0:04:41If Alan hadn't said anything,
0:04:41 > 0:04:44I think I'd be quite happy over here.
0:04:45 > 0:04:48I've now really got to try and convince Louise
0:04:48 > 0:04:51that Australia is the way forward.
0:04:51 > 0:04:55While Alan was prepared to give up his job as a PE department head,
0:04:55 > 0:04:57Louise worried it was a gamble.
0:04:57 > 0:05:00The set-up over here is very good,
0:05:00 > 0:05:03and most people, I think, would be very happy with it.
0:05:03 > 0:05:05I've got a good job - I love my job -
0:05:05 > 0:05:07so there is a bit of sacrifice,
0:05:07 > 0:05:10but sometimes you take one step back to take two steps forward,
0:05:10 > 0:05:13and that is one way that I'm looking at it.
0:05:13 > 0:05:15I just don't want to go across there, though,
0:05:15 > 0:05:18and have, like, not a nice...as nice a house,
0:05:18 > 0:05:22cos we're going to lose a lot by leaving, I think.
0:05:22 > 0:05:24We'll just have to wait and see.
0:05:24 > 0:05:28With the skilled migrant visa cut-off age then 45,
0:05:28 > 0:05:3143-year-old Alan knew time was of the essence.
0:05:31 > 0:05:37By the time the visa process goes through, I'll be 44, nearly 45,
0:05:37 > 0:05:42so it's probably my last opportunity to get out there.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45But this decision was one the couple had to make together.
0:05:45 > 0:05:48It's not just about me and my dreams and aspirations -
0:05:48 > 0:05:52it's about what's going to be useful for the whole family,
0:05:52 > 0:05:56and if that means that Louise doesn't want to go
0:05:56 > 0:05:58- and we've had a good... - Then that's it.
0:05:58 > 0:06:01- LOUISE LAUGHS - Then that's it.- Then that's it.- Yes.
0:06:07 > 0:06:10The Capplemans spent their trial week in Perth.
0:06:10 > 0:06:14They stayed in Carramar, a northern suburb an hour from the city
0:06:14 > 0:06:16but just 15 minutes' drive to the beach.
0:06:18 > 0:06:20Their home for the week was this four-bedroom house
0:06:20 > 0:06:23with plenty of space for the children.
0:06:23 > 0:06:25So, did it impress?
0:06:25 > 0:06:27That's nice.
0:06:27 > 0:06:30In terms of furniture, I think we'd quite easily fit into here.
0:06:30 > 0:06:34It was a good start, and the bedrooms went down well, too.
0:06:34 > 0:06:36It's a little bit bigger than what we've got back home.
0:06:36 > 0:06:38It's a much bigger en-suite, isn't it?
0:06:38 > 0:06:39Uh-huh. It's better than ours.
0:06:39 > 0:06:43- Tiny little bit nicer than ours as well, isn't it?- A lot nicer.
0:06:43 > 0:06:45Alan knew he had a battle ahead
0:06:45 > 0:06:48persuading Louise Perth was where they should call home.
0:06:48 > 0:06:51What's really important is that we use this week
0:06:51 > 0:06:54to try and convince you that Perth will be right
0:06:54 > 0:06:57for all of us as a family.
0:06:57 > 0:07:00Louise was keen to make up her own mind.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03Yeah, I think this week's going to decide a lot of things, isn't it?
0:07:03 > 0:07:05Whether we stay or go.
0:07:06 > 0:07:07Absolutely.
0:07:12 > 0:07:15In the UK, the Capplemans lived in a four-bedroom house
0:07:15 > 0:07:19which they believed to be worth £245,000.
0:07:20 > 0:07:25In Australia, they'd have a budget of £225,000 for a home.
0:07:25 > 0:07:27We showed them three properties.
0:07:28 > 0:07:30First was a four-bedroom house on the market
0:07:30 > 0:07:34for £220,000 - well within their budget -
0:07:34 > 0:07:35but did they like it?
0:07:37 > 0:07:38In you go.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41It's a nice room. It's a bit small.
0:07:41 > 0:07:46- The master bedroom impressed... - Quite big.- ..to begin with.
0:07:46 > 0:07:49- It's bigger than ours, yeah. - Nice size.- It's nice.
0:07:49 > 0:07:53- En-suite's not huge, though, is it?- It'll do.
0:07:53 > 0:07:55There's a walk-in wardrobe.
0:07:55 > 0:07:57Louise wasn't showing much enthusiasm,
0:07:57 > 0:08:00but the typically Australian open-plan living area
0:08:00 > 0:08:02did hold more appeal.
0:08:02 > 0:08:05- Oh, this is nice. - Now, this is more like it, isn't it?
0:08:05 > 0:08:06I like the space in here.
0:08:06 > 0:08:09Space certainly wasn't an issue in this room.
0:08:09 > 0:08:11There's enough room for the kids to play.
0:08:11 > 0:08:13Big windows as well. A lot of light.
0:08:13 > 0:08:16But there seemed to be a compromise in the other bedrooms.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22This room's a little bit smaller than what I expected, to be honest.
0:08:22 > 0:08:26Stepping outside, Alan could imagine himself right at home.
0:08:26 > 0:08:27This is more like it.
0:08:27 > 0:08:30Yeah, I can quite easily see myself on a Saturday afternoon
0:08:30 > 0:08:31opening up a few glasses
0:08:31 > 0:08:34- and a bit of a barbecue. - You can cook.- Yeah.
0:08:35 > 0:08:38- And a pool was a hit, too. - Fantastic.
0:08:38 > 0:08:41This is about why you wanted to come to Australia.
0:08:41 > 0:08:45The property had potential for Alan and Louise.
0:08:45 > 0:08:48I think this is, like, fine for just us.
0:08:48 > 0:08:51I think the good thing is that we could afford this.
0:08:51 > 0:08:53- It's what we need... - I totally agree.
0:08:53 > 0:08:55..till you've got a job sorted and everything.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Moving on, we showed the family what they could achieve
0:09:02 > 0:09:04if they stretched their budget.
0:09:04 > 0:09:09Property two had four bedrooms and was valued at £310,000.
0:09:09 > 0:09:12Depending on the couple's job prospects,
0:09:12 > 0:09:13it could have been within reach.
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Ooh, now, this looks nice, doesn't it?
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Nice and spacious.- Nice size.
0:09:20 > 0:09:23The en suite's quite nice. Nice big double shower there.
0:09:23 > 0:09:25First impressions were good.
0:09:25 > 0:09:29This cinema room would have been most film buffs' dream,
0:09:29 > 0:09:31but it didn't do it for Alan.
0:09:31 > 0:09:34One of the real ideas or reasons why you want to come to Australia
0:09:34 > 0:09:36is for the outdoor stuff,
0:09:36 > 0:09:38and I don't want them like in the UK,
0:09:38 > 0:09:41sat in the house watching DVD after DVD and what have you.
0:09:41 > 0:09:43Nice-size living room.
0:09:43 > 0:09:46Louise loved the luxurious space and decor,
0:09:46 > 0:09:49and Alan found something to keep him happy, too.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Oh, yes, the best room of the house so far, I would say.
0:09:52 > 0:09:54But Louise had other ideas.
0:09:54 > 0:09:56I would probably have a bigger kitchen.
0:09:56 > 0:09:59With luxury additions and space to spare,
0:09:59 > 0:10:02it was a lot of house for £310,000,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05but just wasn't quite what Alan and Louise were looking for.
0:10:05 > 0:10:08If you're going to stretch your budget...
0:10:08 > 0:10:10then you want...you want big rooms,
0:10:10 > 0:10:14and...we're yet to find one, really.
0:10:14 > 0:10:16Did outdoors change their mind?
0:10:16 > 0:10:18Beautiful pool, isn't it?
0:10:18 > 0:10:20I preferred the other one.
0:10:20 > 0:10:22This house wasn't the one for Louise.
0:10:25 > 0:10:29Property three was on the market at £235,000 -
0:10:29 > 0:10:32just slightly over the Capplemans' budget,
0:10:32 > 0:10:35it did come with four bedrooms, a modern design and a pool,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38but was this house the one to tempt Louise?
0:10:40 > 0:10:43- Nice room.- Not very big. - It's not very big.
0:10:43 > 0:10:45- It's all right.- Plenty of light.
0:10:45 > 0:10:46Too small again.
0:10:46 > 0:10:49Were the bedrooms any better?
0:10:49 > 0:10:52- It's quite a nice size. - Nice size, yeah.
0:10:52 > 0:10:55- Oh.- Ooh, nice wardrobes for me. - SHE GIGGLES
0:10:55 > 0:10:57- And for me.- There's a little drawer.
0:10:57 > 0:10:58Aw, it's a nice bathroom.
0:10:58 > 0:11:02- Probably the best one we've seen so far in the en-suite.- That's nice.
0:11:02 > 0:11:03The en-suite went down well,
0:11:03 > 0:11:06but there was a small problem with the layout.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08There's the bedrooms right at the front again.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10It's a nice window, though. I like the archway.
0:11:10 > 0:11:12It takes away a bit of privacy, though, doesn't it?
0:11:12 > 0:11:16The large open-plan living area did tick some boxes.
0:11:16 > 0:11:17It's nice and bright.
0:11:17 > 0:11:20- Possibly the best we've seen so far, I think.- It is.
0:11:20 > 0:11:23This house's wooden floors and minimalist design
0:11:23 > 0:11:24were doing the job.
0:11:24 > 0:11:26It was looking more promising.
0:11:27 > 0:11:28And on further viewing,
0:11:28 > 0:11:32Alan decided there was more space than he'd originally thought.
0:11:32 > 0:11:35The rooms are definitely bigger, aren't they, than the other two?
0:11:35 > 0:11:37A little bit.
0:11:37 > 0:11:40I think this is potentially the best inside rooms
0:11:40 > 0:11:41that we've seen so far, yeah.
0:11:41 > 0:11:44So, what about outside?
0:11:44 > 0:11:45There's no grass, though.
0:11:45 > 0:11:48No, but the kids will be happy in the swimming pool.
0:11:48 > 0:11:50That's fantastic. Lovely little area for us.
0:11:51 > 0:11:52You'd be happy with this?
0:11:52 > 0:11:55Happy with this with a bit of grass in the garden.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Property three had been a hit.
0:11:59 > 0:12:02It had been a mixed day on the property front.
0:12:02 > 0:12:04Property one was within budget,
0:12:04 > 0:12:07but though they liked the living space and outdoor area,
0:12:07 > 0:12:10they'd have had to compromise with the small bedrooms.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13Pricier property two had the wow factor
0:12:13 > 0:12:15with a cinema room and gym,
0:12:15 > 0:12:19but the pool didn't pass muster with Louise.
0:12:19 > 0:12:20Property three was right on budget
0:12:20 > 0:12:23and appeared to offer a good compromise
0:12:23 > 0:12:27with its clean design, open spaces and spacious rooms.
0:12:28 > 0:12:29So, when it came to property,
0:12:29 > 0:12:32did the Capplemans vote home or away?
0:12:33 > 0:12:37We've had a fantastic day, looked at three very nice houses.
0:12:37 > 0:12:41In terms of value for money, we are going to vote for...
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- ALL:- Australia!
0:12:55 > 0:12:57Despite some misgivings,
0:12:57 > 0:12:59Aussie homes had Louise and Alan sold,
0:12:59 > 0:13:02but a good job with good pay was going to be vital
0:13:02 > 0:13:05if Alan was to achieve his dream life down under.
0:13:08 > 0:13:09Back in the UK,
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Alan was head of physical education at a Newcastle school.
0:13:12 > 0:13:15I have a real passion for my job.
0:13:15 > 0:13:17I have some great staff that work with me,
0:13:17 > 0:13:20and the kids can be challenging at times,
0:13:20 > 0:13:23but really quite receptive as well.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25It's a fantastic job.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27He earned around £43,000 a year,
0:13:27 > 0:13:31and had good prospects for moving up the career ladder.
0:13:31 > 0:13:32But he was willing to give all that up
0:13:32 > 0:13:36for a better work-life balance in Australia.
0:13:36 > 0:13:39One of the biggest problems is going from head of faculty
0:13:39 > 0:13:41to perhaps taking a step or two down.
0:13:41 > 0:13:42And my wife's biggest concern
0:13:42 > 0:13:45is whether I'd manage to cope with that,
0:13:45 > 0:13:48but don't see any reason why, within a couple of years,
0:13:48 > 0:13:51I can't be trying to get back to the level of standard that I'm at
0:13:51 > 0:13:52at the moment.
0:13:55 > 0:13:57To check out his Perth work prospects,
0:13:57 > 0:13:59Alan headed to Hale Grammar School.
0:13:59 > 0:14:04With 1,000 pupils, it was much bigger than his school back home.
0:14:04 > 0:14:06He met head of PE, Simon Young.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09In Australia, sport's at the heart of education,
0:14:09 > 0:14:12and Alan was keen to quiz Simon on its importance.
0:14:12 > 0:14:16How much PE does each student have per week?
0:14:16 > 0:14:18They do probably eight to ten hours per week.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21Eight to ten hours a week? That's just absolutely amazing.
0:14:21 > 0:14:24- Yeah.- It's fantastic. - A lot of that for us is culture.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27The boys want to do it, so they're all pretty serious
0:14:27 > 0:14:29- and competitive about their sports. - Yeah?
0:14:29 > 0:14:31As Simon and Alan got acquainted,
0:14:31 > 0:14:34Louise was reflecting on what she'd seen so far,
0:14:34 > 0:14:37and she wasn't sounding convinced.
0:14:37 > 0:14:41Australia's a lot more spread out from what I've seen.
0:14:41 > 0:14:43You have to get in the car to go everywhere.
0:14:43 > 0:14:46She wouldn't have worked at first in Australia,
0:14:46 > 0:14:48so could have been left looking after the children.
0:14:48 > 0:14:52Alan's main argument is that it's a much better life for the kids,
0:14:52 > 0:14:55which sort of makes me feel like I should come across.
0:14:57 > 0:15:00But obviously, yeah, I've got my friends and family to think about,
0:15:00 > 0:15:05so it's whether I can live over here...without them,
0:15:05 > 0:15:06look after three kids on my own.
0:15:08 > 0:15:11Back at the school, Alan was getting down to the nitty-gritty.
0:15:11 > 0:15:13How much would he have earned down under?
0:15:14 > 0:15:18In the UK, a PE teacher with responsibilities like myself
0:15:18 > 0:15:23would take me up to, say, £43,000 - 86,000.
0:15:23 > 0:15:27How does that compare with the Australian wages?
0:15:27 > 0:15:33So, entry point would probably be 50, around 50,000.
0:15:33 > 0:15:34- £25,000, yeah?- Yeah.
0:15:34 > 0:15:40So... And then probably climbing to 70,000, 75,000.
0:15:40 > 0:15:42And then if you're in middle management, like me,
0:15:42 > 0:15:46then you're looking at 75,000 plus.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48Probably maxing at about....
0:15:48 > 0:15:50Depends where you are,
0:15:50 > 0:15:53but going to in excess of 100,000 - around that mark.
0:15:53 > 0:15:56That meant a potential pay cut for Alan,
0:15:56 > 0:15:59but Simon though he could forge a career down under.
0:15:59 > 0:16:01From what I've seen,
0:16:01 > 0:16:04he's a pretty enthusiastic and pretty motivated guy,
0:16:04 > 0:16:07and I think he'd be a wonderful asset for any school,
0:16:07 > 0:16:08in England or Australia.
0:16:08 > 0:16:10I don't think Alan would have any trouble
0:16:10 > 0:16:13adapting to the Australian way of life.
0:16:13 > 0:16:14I think he's a PE teacher,
0:16:14 > 0:16:17he obviously loves his sport, which we do,
0:16:17 > 0:16:20so I have no doubt that he'd really enjoy his time over here.
0:16:20 > 0:16:22Alan was feeling upbeat.
0:16:22 > 0:16:25I think Simon's given me some good indications
0:16:25 > 0:16:29that there will be work here,
0:16:29 > 0:16:31although nothing can be confirmed at this stage,
0:16:31 > 0:16:36and that my experiences, mainly athletics and football,
0:16:36 > 0:16:39would certainly be welcomed in Australia and Western Australia.
0:16:39 > 0:16:41And that's a nice thing to hear.
0:16:41 > 0:16:43So, how did he vote?
0:16:44 > 0:16:45I've had a fantastic morning.
0:16:45 > 0:16:47My concerns about age
0:16:47 > 0:16:50and a lack of experience in Australian football
0:16:50 > 0:16:52and salaries have all been answered,
0:16:52 > 0:16:55and for that reason, the country I'm going to vote for...
0:16:58 > 0:16:59..is Australia.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08For Alan, a major selling point of Australia
0:17:08 > 0:17:10was the lifestyle it could offer.
0:17:10 > 0:17:12With Louise still undecided,
0:17:12 > 0:17:15the family headed off to explore Perth.
0:17:15 > 0:17:18The city's home to 18 parkland areas
0:17:18 > 0:17:21which meant there'd be plenty of options to soak up the sun
0:17:21 > 0:17:24if the family made the move.
0:17:24 > 0:17:28But unfortunately, the weather wasn't playing in Alan's favour.
0:17:28 > 0:17:30The rain's coming! Let's go.
0:17:31 > 0:17:34It wasn't the sunshine-filled day Alan had hoped for,
0:17:34 > 0:17:36but that wasn't denting his enthusiasm.
0:17:37 > 0:17:39Just like England.
0:17:39 > 0:17:41Got to expect a bit of rain, can't we?
0:17:41 > 0:17:43Colder than I thought it would be.
0:17:43 > 0:17:46We should've brought some more jumpers for the kids.
0:17:46 > 0:17:49Yeah, and I think I'll bring my rain jacket out next time, yeah.
0:17:49 > 0:17:52It could have been another reason for Louise to stay at home,
0:17:52 > 0:17:57but was she starting to see a brighter side to life down under?
0:17:57 > 0:17:59The lifestyle in Australia is obviously
0:17:59 > 0:18:02much better than over in England cos you can get out.
0:18:02 > 0:18:05I mean, it's been raining, but it's not freezing -
0:18:05 > 0:18:07you don't get that freezing cold wind that we get.
0:18:07 > 0:18:11LAURIE SHOUTS INDISTINGUISHABLY Despite Alan's persistence,
0:18:11 > 0:18:14Louise was determined to make up her own mind.
0:18:14 > 0:18:18I think Alan's convinced I will vote to come here.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21Erm... I'm still not sure.
0:18:21 > 0:18:24I'll just have to ponder on that one,
0:18:24 > 0:18:29but...I don't know - I'll have to see, I think.
0:18:29 > 0:18:31So, when it came to Australian lifestyle,
0:18:31 > 0:18:32how did they vote?
0:18:32 > 0:18:34We've had a great day out.
0:18:34 > 0:18:37Little bit cold, but also a little bit of sunshine,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40so we've decided that the country we're going to vote for is...
0:18:43 > 0:18:44Australia!
0:18:52 > 0:18:57Leaving friends and family behind in the UK was a major fear for Louise.
0:18:57 > 0:19:00To see how she could settle into a new social scene,
0:19:00 > 0:19:03the family met up with David and Janet Green.
0:19:04 > 0:19:08Teacher David had emigrated two years previously.
0:19:08 > 0:19:11- So, we were out here 20 years ago... - Right.- ..myself and Janet,
0:19:11 > 0:19:13and I will always wanted to come back.
0:19:13 > 0:19:15- I just thought it was fantastic here.- Yeah?
0:19:15 > 0:19:18It's just the lifestyle for the kids and that sort of thing.
0:19:18 > 0:19:22Your situation just seems to be exactly the same as mine.
0:19:22 > 0:19:24I was here 20 years ago in Melbourne,
0:19:24 > 0:19:25and I loved it, wanted to come back,
0:19:25 > 0:19:27and it just didn't happen for one reason or another.
0:19:27 > 0:19:29While Alan and David chatted,
0:19:29 > 0:19:32Louise wanted to know how quickly Janet has settled.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36So, have you found you just fitted in all right over here or...?
0:19:36 > 0:19:39- Erm, yeah. I mean, there's always an adjustment period...- Yeah.
0:19:39 > 0:19:47..and I do occasionally feel that I miss people back home,
0:19:47 > 0:19:52but I think, generally, I think our way of life is a lot nicer.
0:19:52 > 0:19:54We're a lot more relaxed,
0:19:54 > 0:19:57we actually spend more family time together.
0:19:57 > 0:20:01David meanwhile was reassuring Alan about his work prospects.
0:20:01 > 0:20:04I dropped my resume off as a relief teacher.
0:20:04 > 0:20:08It didn't take long after the first, probably about two or three weeks.
0:20:08 > 0:20:11- Got some work, and it's amazing how quickly it picks up.- Yeah?
0:20:11 > 0:20:15And the good thing for us is that most of the relief coordinators
0:20:15 > 0:20:19are always begging for good phys ed teachers.
0:20:19 > 0:20:22It was good news, but Alan wasn't the one that needed convincing.
0:20:24 > 0:20:26OK, guys, do you want to come over and get some food?
0:20:26 > 0:20:28Ladies?
0:20:28 > 0:20:29Janet explained to Louise
0:20:29 > 0:20:33how she felt Australia had changed her children's lives.
0:20:33 > 0:20:35Our two are just more active,
0:20:35 > 0:20:39and it's just a really good opportunity for them
0:20:39 > 0:20:42and a really good start, I think, to their lives.
0:20:42 > 0:20:45If that wasn't enough to convince her,
0:20:45 > 0:20:48the Green's children, Sam and Charlie, had a go themselves.
0:20:48 > 0:20:53When we got here, the people who are our friends now,
0:20:53 > 0:20:54kept on asking us to play with them
0:20:54 > 0:20:56and sit next to them in class...
0:20:56 > 0:20:58- On our first day. - ..on the first day,
0:20:58 > 0:21:00and they were, like, really friendly.
0:21:00 > 0:21:01Sam, Charlie, come on...!
0:21:01 > 0:21:06They'd already made new friends, but had that converted Louise?
0:21:06 > 0:21:09I think speaking to Janet's put my mind at rest about coming over
0:21:09 > 0:21:11and not sort of being alone.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13I think we would probably adapt quite well,
0:21:13 > 0:21:15and it's obviously easy to meet people,
0:21:15 > 0:21:17and everyone here seems really friendly.
0:21:17 > 0:21:20I think once you do get to know people,
0:21:20 > 0:21:23it's going to be easier to find the areas you want to be in,
0:21:23 > 0:21:24find good schools...
0:21:26 > 0:21:27..and just have...
0:21:27 > 0:21:29Basically, have a lovely family life
0:21:29 > 0:21:31cos you have more time to spend with the family,
0:21:31 > 0:21:33and I think that's what we want.
0:21:33 > 0:21:36Alan felt he'd done everything he could,
0:21:36 > 0:21:38and now it was up to his wife.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41I don't think really, now, it's about convincing Louise,
0:21:41 > 0:21:42I think it's just going to be
0:21:42 > 0:21:45a case of does Louise want to come over?
0:21:45 > 0:21:46Does she want to make the move?
0:21:46 > 0:21:48Does she want to commit herself
0:21:48 > 0:21:50to leaving her family and friends behind?
0:21:50 > 0:21:51If she can make that move,
0:21:51 > 0:21:54then I think we'll be across here next year.
0:21:58 > 0:22:01With houses, work and lifestyle all getting the thumbs up,
0:22:01 > 0:22:05it was more important than ever for the potential finances to stack up.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11Alan and Louise sat down to examine the detail.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15We'd provided a comparison of costs between the UK and Australia.
0:22:16 > 0:22:18- Life insurance...more expensive. - More in Australia.
0:22:18 > 0:22:21That's a bit of a surprise.
0:22:21 > 0:22:23Whilst some things were less expensive...
0:22:23 > 0:22:25There's a massive difference in the council tax there.
0:22:25 > 0:22:28That's about a third of the cost of what we pay per year...
0:22:28 > 0:22:31..the groceries weren't as cheap as they'd imagined.
0:22:31 > 0:22:34More for food in Australia.
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Everyone's got the perception that Australia's cheaper.
0:22:38 > 0:22:40I don't think there's a great deal of difference.
0:22:40 > 0:22:42I just think, from what we've seen,
0:22:42 > 0:22:45the majority are pretty much the same as what we pay
0:22:45 > 0:22:47and a few are more.
0:22:47 > 0:22:50So, as your wage is going to be slightly lower to start with,
0:22:50 > 0:22:51you might get up to what you're on now,
0:22:51 > 0:22:53but you're going to start lower...
0:22:53 > 0:22:55- Uh-huh.- ..so that's going to make a massive difference.
0:22:55 > 0:22:57So, at the minute, we're better off,
0:22:57 > 0:23:00plus we don't have to buy new cars, the cost of moving.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03So, if you're looking, comparing them,
0:23:03 > 0:23:05we're better off in the UK, financially...
0:23:08 > 0:23:11- ..I think. - Yeah, I'm not going to disagree.
0:23:12 > 0:23:15Hidden extras had meant the cost of an Australian life
0:23:15 > 0:23:17would be higher than Alan had hoped,
0:23:17 > 0:23:19so how did the couple vote?
0:23:20 > 0:23:23Comparing prices over here and in the UK,
0:23:23 > 0:23:26for the reality check, we're going to vote for...
0:23:31 > 0:23:33- ..UK.- UK.
0:23:33 > 0:23:37For Alan, the harsh reality of the financial facts was a blow.
0:23:38 > 0:23:41I've been trying all week to convince Louise,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45and I thought I'd more or less got there, until today.
0:23:51 > 0:23:54Just when it appeared a move to Australia was a no-brainer,
0:23:54 > 0:23:58the couple's potential finances had put a dent in Alan's dream,
0:23:58 > 0:24:01but his biggest hurdle was yet to come.
0:24:03 > 0:24:05The family sat down to watch messages
0:24:05 > 0:24:08from loved ones back in the UK.
0:24:08 > 0:24:12Hi, Alan and Louise, Laurie, Freya and Ethan.
0:24:12 > 0:24:15Hope you're having a lovely time over there.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18Louise, Alan and the kids are a very noisy family.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23It's always chaos, but really good fun at the same time.
0:24:23 > 0:24:27The two girls are...almost kamikaze.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30They're...they're not like the other grandchildren -
0:24:30 > 0:24:33they're very rough-and-tumble, their dad, being a PE teacher,
0:24:33 > 0:24:37has brought them up to run, jump, skip and they're generally
0:24:37 > 0:24:42fairly rowdy children, but they're good as gold, really.
0:24:42 > 0:24:43He's a bit of a charmer, isn't he?
0:24:43 > 0:24:44Yeah, he's a bit of a charmer
0:24:44 > 0:24:47and a bit of a, shall we say, a bit of a Del boy.
0:24:47 > 0:24:49THEY CHUCKLE
0:24:49 > 0:24:52He tells you one thing but does another.
0:24:52 > 0:24:55- But he's got a heart of gold. Yeah, he's a lovely person.- Yeah.
0:24:55 > 0:24:57Louise is a lovely person.
0:24:57 > 0:25:00She's quite shy around people that she doesn't know.
0:25:00 > 0:25:02She's very gentle, caring,
0:25:02 > 0:25:04and shall do anything to help anybody out.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07When she first told me about going to Australia,
0:25:07 > 0:25:09I was quite excited for her,
0:25:09 > 0:25:12cos a bit of us would absolutely love to go myself.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16I understand their rationale, why they want to go to Australia -
0:25:16 > 0:25:19it's because they want to have a better lifestyle for the children,
0:25:19 > 0:25:24and she feels that she'll maybe get more from somewhere like Australia
0:25:24 > 0:25:26than she would get from the UK.
0:25:26 > 0:25:29They've been talking about going to Australia for a few years now.
0:25:29 > 0:25:33At first, I wasn't sure it was a good idea,
0:25:33 > 0:25:37mainly because she'd be away from all her family, her friends,
0:25:37 > 0:25:40and she does get a lot of help from her family and friends.
0:25:40 > 0:25:42It's a long way to travel,
0:25:42 > 0:25:44but it's up to them to make their own minds up,
0:25:44 > 0:25:48but, obviously, we would miss them very much.
0:25:48 > 0:25:50From a selfish point of view,
0:25:50 > 0:25:52I don't want them to go to Australia.
0:25:52 > 0:25:56I'm very close to Louise and the children as well,
0:25:56 > 0:25:58and, you know, I'll sort of miss having them around
0:25:58 > 0:26:00and just being able to call in
0:26:00 > 0:26:02- whenever I've got a spare five minutes...- Coffee.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05- ..just for a quick coffee. - I knew she was going to say that.
0:26:05 > 0:26:08The first few months, we'd miss them at the table sort of thing.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11You know, it would be quite a wrench.
0:26:11 > 0:26:15I think it would be a strange thing to feel,
0:26:15 > 0:26:19you know, the family unit had just suddenly shrunk so much.
0:26:20 > 0:26:22I'll miss the girlie chats with Louise,
0:26:22 > 0:26:23I'll miss the phone calls,
0:26:23 > 0:26:26and obviously I'll miss the kids to bits.
0:26:27 > 0:26:30My mam's kind of hoping they won't go.
0:26:31 > 0:26:36I think she thinks they'll hopefully come back
0:26:36 > 0:26:37and decide it's not for them,
0:26:37 > 0:26:40cos I don't think she'd know what to do with herself
0:26:40 > 0:26:42if they went over there.
0:26:42 > 0:26:46You know, the children, it's sort of growing up...
0:26:46 > 0:26:48you know, without us.
0:26:52 > 0:26:53Sorry.
0:26:58 > 0:26:59It's up setting my mam.
0:27:02 > 0:27:03It's a difficult one, isn't it?
0:27:03 > 0:27:08You know, and actually hearing them talk about you in that way...
0:27:09 > 0:27:12..makes things, you know, a little bit more difficult.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17Yeah, that's going to be hard if we do come over.
0:27:17 > 0:27:20Obviously going to be harder for me, I think, family and friends wise.
0:27:20 > 0:27:22My mam's upset, like.
0:27:24 > 0:27:28But, you know, your mam and dad, in a year or so's time,
0:27:28 > 0:27:30won't need to work
0:27:30 > 0:27:32and can quite easily come over
0:27:32 > 0:27:35and spend longer periods of time over here.
0:27:35 > 0:27:38I would like to think that in a year or two's time of being over here
0:27:38 > 0:27:41then they would certainly start...
0:27:41 > 0:27:44consider making the move themselves.
0:27:44 > 0:27:46And I think that's perhaps a conversation
0:27:46 > 0:27:50that we need to have with them when we go back to the UK.
0:27:51 > 0:27:53It was almost time for
0:27:53 > 0:27:55the Capplemans to make their final decision.
0:27:55 > 0:27:59Hearing from friends and family had really hit home for Louise.
0:28:01 > 0:28:02I think Alan will be worried
0:28:02 > 0:28:07if it's changed my mind about staying here or going.
0:28:07 > 0:28:10I think it probably has. I think I'm probably back to 50-50.
0:28:11 > 0:28:13It means a lot to me,
0:28:13 > 0:28:15and I think it would mean a lot to the kids.
0:28:16 > 0:28:18But if Louise does say no, then...
0:28:19 > 0:28:22..it's difficult. I really don't know.
0:28:22 > 0:28:25Once we leave, and she goes back to the UK,
0:28:25 > 0:28:28perhaps she might reconsider.
0:28:34 > 0:28:35The Capplemans' week in Australia
0:28:35 > 0:28:38had been a real mixture of highs and lows.
0:28:38 > 0:28:40While properties had them sold...
0:28:40 > 0:28:43I think this is, like, fine for just us.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45- I mean, it's what we need. - I totally agree.
0:28:45 > 0:28:47..till you've got a job sorted and everything.
0:28:47 > 0:28:49..and Alan had good job prospects...
0:28:49 > 0:28:51..there will be work here,
0:28:51 > 0:28:54and my experiences, mainly athletics and football,
0:28:54 > 0:28:57would certainly be welcomed in Australia and Western Australia.
0:28:57 > 0:29:01The cost of moving had proved more than he'd hoped for.
0:29:01 > 0:29:04I just think from what we've seen, at the minute, we're better off,
0:29:04 > 0:29:07plus we don't have to buy new cars, the cost of moving.
0:29:07 > 0:29:09So, if you're looking, comparing them,
0:29:09 > 0:29:12we're better off in the UK, financially.
0:29:12 > 0:29:15No, I'm not going to disagree.
0:29:15 > 0:29:17And for Louise, the thought of leaving her family
0:29:17 > 0:29:18had proved problematic.
0:29:21 > 0:29:23It's upsetting my mam.
0:29:25 > 0:29:27It was time for the final vote.
0:29:29 > 0:29:32We've had a fantastic week in Australia.
0:29:32 > 0:29:35We've certainly been made very welcome.
0:29:35 > 0:29:38The country that we have decided to vote for is...
0:29:41 > 0:29:43- ALL:- Australia!
0:29:44 > 0:29:48On a temporary basis. For a month.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51What made you make the decision? The final decision?
0:29:51 > 0:29:56- Laurie wanted to stay here, I think.- Right.
0:29:56 > 0:29:59- But...- No buts. - ..not forever.- Right.
0:30:01 > 0:30:02There's nothing much I can say, really.
0:30:08 > 0:30:11After a week of ups and downs,
0:30:11 > 0:30:14it looked like Louise had finally been won over
0:30:14 > 0:30:17by Alan's dream of a new life down under.
0:30:17 > 0:30:21So, six years after their trial week in Perth,
0:30:21 > 0:30:24where did the Capplemans now call home?
0:30:24 > 0:30:31It's October 2015, and Alan, Louise, Laurie, Freya and Ethan are in...
0:30:31 > 0:30:32Australia.
0:30:33 > 0:30:37Alan was delighted when their trial week worked wonders on Louise.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39I think when Louise voted for Australia,
0:30:39 > 0:30:41I was quite pleasantly surprised.
0:30:42 > 0:30:44It was a lovely feeling.
0:30:44 > 0:30:47The thought of definitely being able to go across.
0:30:48 > 0:30:50Got used to the sunshine and the beach
0:30:50 > 0:30:53and just being able to go out on a morning
0:30:53 > 0:30:57not knowing it was going to pour with rain, and we really enjoyed it.
0:30:57 > 0:31:01So, yeah, I think it did make me want to try it.
0:31:01 > 0:31:03- No more from the top.- Yeah.
0:31:03 > 0:31:07But on returning to the UK, Alan feared Louise still had doubts
0:31:07 > 0:31:08leaving him uncertain over
0:31:08 > 0:31:11how binding her decision would prove to be.
0:31:11 > 0:31:14I felt that Louise wasn't that confident
0:31:14 > 0:31:16that she really wanted to go,
0:31:16 > 0:31:18and I think a lot of the time
0:31:18 > 0:31:22I was waiting for her at some point saying, "I'm not going to go,"
0:31:22 > 0:31:24and I was sort of dreading that moment, if you like.
0:31:24 > 0:31:27I think Alan was quite concerned that I wouldn't go,
0:31:27 > 0:31:28and I think even once we got here,
0:31:28 > 0:31:31I think he thought maybe I would change my mind
0:31:31 > 0:31:33cos that first few months was quite hard.
0:31:33 > 0:31:34But forging ahead,
0:31:34 > 0:31:36the couple broke their big news to friends and family.
0:31:36 > 0:31:39My parents, obviously, were disappointed,
0:31:39 > 0:31:40and my sister and my friends...
0:31:40 > 0:31:42Yay, that was good.
0:31:42 > 0:31:44..because they all wanted us to stay.
0:31:44 > 0:31:47It was hard, though. Like, obviously I miss them a lot.
0:31:47 > 0:31:52It was difficult trying to tell Adam that we were moving to Australia.
0:31:52 > 0:31:53You know, a 14-year-old,
0:31:53 > 0:31:56it's difficult to say how they're going to respond,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58but he was very positive.
0:32:00 > 0:32:01You can't buy back those years,
0:32:01 > 0:32:04and that was the real difficult thing for me.
0:32:04 > 0:32:07THEY SCREAM
0:32:07 > 0:32:09OK, Laurie.
0:32:09 > 0:32:13The Capplemans' visa was granted at Easter in 2011.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15For Louise, it was an apprehensive time.
0:32:17 > 0:32:20I was excited, but obviously a little bit nervous for coming over,
0:32:20 > 0:32:22but it's that whole leaving thing.
0:32:22 > 0:32:25I think that last few weeks of leaving was really hard.
0:32:25 > 0:32:28There was a lot of excitement on my behalf,
0:32:28 > 0:32:31but I tried to keep my emotions quite calm
0:32:31 > 0:32:32because, at that point,
0:32:32 > 0:32:36I don't think Louise shared the full excitement that I did.
0:32:36 > 0:32:40The move quickly gathered momentum when Alan landed a job,
0:32:40 > 0:32:42not in Perth, where they'd spent their trial week,
0:32:42 > 0:32:45but 2,000 miles away in Brisbane.
0:32:45 > 0:32:47A lot of our planning was for Perth -
0:32:47 > 0:32:50we went to Perth as part of the trial run.
0:32:50 > 0:32:54And just an Australian guy who I'd worked with in Newcastle
0:32:54 > 0:32:56who'd gone back to Queensland
0:32:56 > 0:32:58just Skyped me one day and said,
0:32:58 > 0:33:01"Look, there's a vacancy over in Brisbane."
0:33:01 > 0:33:04And we weren't even sure where Brisbane was at the time.
0:33:06 > 0:33:10With the job and visa in the bag, the family were all set,
0:33:10 > 0:33:12but when it came to selling their house,
0:33:12 > 0:33:14Louise decided to hedge her bets.
0:33:14 > 0:33:17I think Alan really wanted to sell and just go for it,
0:33:17 > 0:33:21but I was bit more concerned that it wouldn't work,
0:33:21 > 0:33:24so we just rented it out just in case we did come back,
0:33:24 > 0:33:27so we had somewhere to come back to.
0:33:27 > 0:33:29It was just the easy option, really, for me.
0:33:29 > 0:33:33I thought if we sell and go, it's really hard to come back.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36So, yeah, so that was a safety barrier
0:33:36 > 0:33:38in case I wanted to come back,
0:33:38 > 0:33:40even after two months, even, or three months.
0:33:40 > 0:33:46In July 2011, the Capplemans touched down on Australian soil for good.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51It was everything Alan had wanted,
0:33:51 > 0:33:53but on his first morning in Brisbane,
0:33:53 > 0:33:55he was the one with doubts.
0:33:55 > 0:33:58I just went for a walk. I just wanted to get my bearings,
0:33:58 > 0:34:01and I remember going to Kangaroo Point,
0:34:01 > 0:34:03and I'd looked across... I think it was the Story Bridge,
0:34:03 > 0:34:05looking at the city and thinking,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07"Oh, my God. Have I done the right thing?"
0:34:07 > 0:34:10It was the first time I felt so small in such a big...
0:34:10 > 0:34:12What looked a big city,
0:34:12 > 0:34:15and I think, for some reason,
0:34:15 > 0:34:18it was then that the whole situation sort of hit me.
0:34:18 > 0:34:22Louise still had her concerns, but was eager to get into a routine.
0:34:23 > 0:34:27Yeah, obviously I had a few little doubts on the first few days,
0:34:27 > 0:34:28but I think, like I say,
0:34:28 > 0:34:33I was more just wanting to get settled in and unpack a little bit.
0:34:33 > 0:34:37Starting his new job, Alan instantly felt at home.
0:34:37 > 0:34:41I remember walking up to the school, the sun was shining,
0:34:41 > 0:34:42there was nothing but blue sky
0:34:42 > 0:34:46and seeing parrots flying around you and the palm trees,
0:34:46 > 0:34:49and I thought, "This is just a beautiful start."
0:34:49 > 0:34:52And then there were so many friendly Australians,
0:34:52 > 0:34:53teachers who were coming up
0:34:53 > 0:34:55and saying, "I really wish you the very best,"
0:34:55 > 0:34:57and introducing themselves.
0:34:57 > 0:34:59They were just so kind and helpful.
0:34:59 > 0:35:01While he got to grips with his Aussie career,
0:35:01 > 0:35:05Louise was left at home and began to feel isolated.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08The first few weeks were really difficult
0:35:08 > 0:35:11just being stuck in the house and not knowing anybody.
0:35:11 > 0:35:14I did think about, "Oh, what have we done?"
0:35:15 > 0:35:17Louise sort of hid her feelings
0:35:17 > 0:35:20and didn't tell me, really, that it was so difficult,
0:35:20 > 0:35:23those first couple of months, for her.
0:35:23 > 0:35:25And I think it was quite easy for me
0:35:25 > 0:35:29just to get carried away with all the positive things.
0:35:30 > 0:35:34Loneliness and separation from family proved hard to handle.
0:35:34 > 0:35:37You've come away from your family and your friends and it's like...
0:35:37 > 0:35:39Someone described it as a grieving process,
0:35:39 > 0:35:42the first few months of sort of not having people there.
0:35:42 > 0:35:45Pasta, garlic bread, some good food.
0:35:45 > 0:35:47OK, kids, come and get it.
0:35:47 > 0:35:49I think, at that point,
0:35:49 > 0:35:52where that element of stress was for Louise, that was...
0:35:52 > 0:35:55Possibly, that was our lowest point.
0:35:55 > 0:35:57Put your hand up if you want a sausage.
0:35:57 > 0:36:00Things began to look up, though, when Laurie started school
0:36:00 > 0:36:03and Louise began to mingle with parents at the school gate.
0:36:03 > 0:36:05I just thought, "I'm going to go out for coffee
0:36:05 > 0:36:08"with everyone who asks," and that's what I did
0:36:08 > 0:36:10and I just made loads of friends and...
0:36:10 > 0:36:11Yeah, it was much easier.
0:36:11 > 0:36:14I think having younger kids, it does make it easier.
0:36:14 > 0:36:17I know it's hard, but you do make a lot more friends.
0:36:17 > 0:36:19Come on. I'll give you a thrashing, Ethan.
0:36:19 > 0:36:21Moving from their initial rental property
0:36:21 > 0:36:23into something more comfortable,
0:36:23 > 0:36:26Louise finally began to feel at home in Australia.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29Come on!
0:36:29 > 0:36:34About six months after leaving, once we went to a nicer rental
0:36:34 > 0:36:37and once I'd made friends at school, I think, at that point,
0:36:37 > 0:36:40I thought, "Yeah, we've done the right thing."
0:36:40 > 0:36:42Everything just seemed to get better and better.
0:36:42 > 0:36:44I think, once we got that second house,
0:36:44 > 0:36:47I could see Louise smiling a lot more.
0:36:47 > 0:36:49She was a lot happier.
0:36:49 > 0:36:52With a new bunch of friends and a house they were calling home,
0:36:52 > 0:36:55the Capplemans were, at last, settled.
0:36:55 > 0:36:56Or so they thought.
0:36:57 > 0:37:02In January 2012, just as life seemed to have stabilised,
0:37:02 > 0:37:04there was another upheaval in the offing.
0:37:04 > 0:37:07Alan got the job up at Toowoomba.
0:37:08 > 0:37:11So, of course, we had to go through the whole leaving thing again,
0:37:11 > 0:37:16and I didn't want to come cos we'd just all got settled.
0:37:16 > 0:37:19Alan had secured a job with better pay in the town of Toowoomba,
0:37:19 > 0:37:21an hour and a half inland from Brisbane.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24While it meant a permanent contract for him,
0:37:24 > 0:37:26initially, Louise was reluctant.
0:37:27 > 0:37:31I didn't really want to move again so soon after moving into Brisbane.
0:37:31 > 0:37:34We'd just sort of settled down, the kids were all happy in school,
0:37:34 > 0:37:37I had all my friends, and I didn't want to go.
0:37:37 > 0:37:39I was just wanting him to commute up to Toowoomba.
0:37:39 > 0:37:41But commuting was off the cards
0:37:41 > 0:37:44once the couple took a closer look at the map.
0:37:44 > 0:37:45We didn't realise it was that far.
0:37:45 > 0:37:47Didn't realise it was up the mountain.
0:37:47 > 0:37:49- THEY LAUGH - We'd never have seen him.
0:37:50 > 0:37:54The family discovered making friends was even harder second time around.
0:37:54 > 0:37:56It's a little quieter
0:37:56 > 0:37:59and it's really difficult to sort of break in.
0:37:59 > 0:38:02It was a much longer process than what it was in Brisbane.
0:38:02 > 0:38:07But with Toowoomba elevated nearly 2,500 feet above sea level,
0:38:07 > 0:38:10one positive is the cooler climate the city enjoys.
0:38:12 > 0:38:15I think the best thing about Toowoomba is the fresh air.
0:38:15 > 0:38:16It's beautiful.
0:38:16 > 0:38:20Um, and the fact that you get some hot days,
0:38:20 > 0:38:22but in the evenings, it cools down,
0:38:22 > 0:38:24so you don't always get that humidity.
0:38:24 > 0:38:28Louise, however, has been missing Brisbane's buzz.
0:38:28 > 0:38:30There's not much going on. It's a country town.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Everyone knows everybody, which is nice,
0:38:34 > 0:38:37but there's just not the opportunity to do things at weekends.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38You're a long way from the coast.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41You're a long way from everything else, really.
0:38:42 > 0:38:45While their setting may not be everything they wanted,
0:38:45 > 0:38:48the Capplemans' move to Toowoomba has delivered their dream home.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54- So, this is the living room. - We spend most nights in here.
0:38:54 > 0:38:57The kids come in. We'll sit and watch TV after dinner.
0:38:57 > 0:38:59It's a nice little room. A lot of windows.
0:38:59 > 0:39:01You get a lot of light in here through the day.
0:39:01 > 0:39:03Really like the house we're in now.
0:39:03 > 0:39:05It just has such a lovely feel to it.
0:39:05 > 0:39:07So, this is the master bedroom.
0:39:07 > 0:39:11And this is probably twice as big as the one we had back in England.
0:39:11 > 0:39:14One of the best things about Australia is the big wardrobe.
0:39:14 > 0:39:16In the UK, we had a tiny little wardrobe.
0:39:16 > 0:39:18It was probably about this big.
0:39:18 > 0:39:20This is my room.
0:39:20 > 0:39:23I like it because, in England,
0:39:23 > 0:39:26I had to share a room with my sister.
0:39:26 > 0:39:28This is the kitchen.
0:39:28 > 0:39:30This is where I do most of the cooking.
0:39:30 > 0:39:31I do most of the cooking.
0:39:31 > 0:39:34No, I do the cooking and Alan does the dishwasher
0:39:34 > 0:39:36and presses the button.
0:39:36 > 0:39:39This is my bedroom. I like my bedroom because it's pink.
0:39:39 > 0:39:43And I have to share with Ethan because he broke his bed.
0:39:43 > 0:39:48I like sharing with Freya and the dogs.
0:39:50 > 0:39:51OK, the swimming pool.
0:39:51 > 0:39:54It's what Louise really wanted when we were in the UK.
0:39:54 > 0:39:57She said she would move provided she got a swimming pool,
0:39:57 > 0:40:01so this was probably the main selling point of the house.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03I'm very happy with the house.
0:40:03 > 0:40:06You know, there's nothing I would criticise about it.
0:40:06 > 0:40:08Besides gaining the perfect home,
0:40:08 > 0:40:11Alan's also been delighted with his job as head of department.
0:40:13 > 0:40:16OK, so, we're just going to work round in a circle passing the ball.
0:40:16 > 0:40:18A little bit of dribbling. Off we go. Good.
0:40:18 > 0:40:20I love my job here.
0:40:20 > 0:40:22It's so different in the UK,
0:40:22 > 0:40:24where you seem to spend most of your time -
0:40:24 > 0:40:26about 80% of your time, anyway -
0:40:26 > 0:40:30outside in the cold, wintry and wet conditions,
0:40:30 > 0:40:31whereas, over here,
0:40:31 > 0:40:35the biggest barrier you've got, really, is trying to fight the sun.
0:40:36 > 0:40:37Nice and controlled.
0:40:38 > 0:40:43Laurie, Freya and Ethan have become fair dinkum little Aussies.
0:40:43 > 0:40:45The girls completely changed their accents,
0:40:45 > 0:40:47I think from starting school.
0:40:47 > 0:40:51About three months, it took for them to become Australian...
0:40:51 > 0:40:54- SHE LAUGHS - ..which is cute.
0:40:54 > 0:40:57I'm quite glad that I live in Australia
0:40:57 > 0:40:59because I'm not a cold fan,
0:40:59 > 0:41:04but I like hot more, and I don't like to be cold.
0:41:04 > 0:41:07I like Toowoomba cos it has running races.
0:41:07 > 0:41:12I love Toowoomba because everything to do is really fun
0:41:12 > 0:41:14and the houses are pretty.
0:41:14 > 0:41:15Oh, well done.
0:41:15 > 0:41:20The whole family love the active lifestyle Australia has delivered.
0:41:20 > 0:41:23There's a huge difference in terms of lifestyle here
0:41:23 > 0:41:24compared to the UK.
0:41:24 > 0:41:27You know, I can quite easily finish work four o'clock,
0:41:27 > 0:41:29come back and play with the kids in the back garden,
0:41:29 > 0:41:32whether it's in the swimming pool or on the trampoline.
0:41:32 > 0:41:37We can do things. There's a lot more outdoor living.
0:41:37 > 0:41:40The girls do dance. Ethan does soccer.
0:41:40 > 0:41:42We've done Oztag, cheerleading,
0:41:42 > 0:41:46we've done gymnastics, athletics.
0:41:46 > 0:41:48A lot of different sports, really.
0:41:48 > 0:41:50Got it, guys? Straight through the middle.
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Excellent. Whoa!
0:41:52 > 0:41:54After uprooting twice,
0:41:54 > 0:41:56the family have some more upheaval ahead, though.
0:41:56 > 0:42:00Another new job for Alan means they'll soon be on the move again,
0:42:00 > 0:42:02this time to the Gold Coast.
0:42:03 > 0:42:07We now know exactly where we want to be.
0:42:07 > 0:42:09If we'd come straight from England to Toowoomba,
0:42:09 > 0:42:11I think we'd be happy in Toowoomba,
0:42:11 > 0:42:14but because we've experienced the coast,
0:42:14 > 0:42:18the coastal area and the city, we know where we want to live.
0:42:19 > 0:42:23We're hoping to make the move in three or four weeks' time.
0:42:23 > 0:42:26This will be the last move. We can't move again.
0:42:28 > 0:42:32So, despite not yet having reached their final destination,
0:42:32 > 0:42:35do the Capplemans feel they've made the right move?
0:42:35 > 0:42:37We've been in Australia for five and a half years now
0:42:37 > 0:42:39and the next five...
0:42:39 > 0:42:41If the next five and a half years are just as good
0:42:41 > 0:42:44as these five and a half, we'll be very happy.
0:42:44 > 0:42:47- What was the best thing you did today?- Um, the park.
0:42:47 > 0:42:51I think, for the kids and for the lifestyle,
0:42:51 > 0:42:53I think it is probably the right move.
0:42:54 > 0:42:57- Probably?- Probably.
0:42:57 > 0:42:59THEY LAUGH
0:42:59 > 0:43:02Four years after they left the UK,
0:43:02 > 0:43:06the Capplemans really do seem to be living the dream life in Australia.
0:43:06 > 0:43:11We hope what will hopefully be their last move for a while goes well,
0:43:11 > 0:43:14and wish Alan, Louise, Laurie, Freya and Ethan
0:43:14 > 0:43:16all the very best for the future.