0:00:02 > 0:00:05Starting again on the other side of the world
0:00:05 > 0:00:07is many people's idea of heaven,
0:00:07 > 0:00:10but how far would you push your relationship
0:00:10 > 0:00:12to make the dream come true?
0:00:12 > 0:00:16In 2013, Neil Connor had just one week
0:00:16 > 0:00:19to persuade partner Christopher to uproot their lives
0:00:19 > 0:00:21and move to Australia.
0:00:21 > 0:00:24Today we'll find out where the couple are now.
0:00:25 > 0:00:29Two years ago, Neil was longing for a better life in Australia.
0:00:29 > 0:00:32Earning more money, having a nice house,
0:00:32 > 0:00:35not going to work in the frost and the snow.
0:00:35 > 0:00:36While their trial week down under
0:00:36 > 0:00:38saw partner Christopher sorely tempted...
0:00:38 > 0:00:40HE GASPS
0:00:40 > 0:00:42No way. No way.
0:00:42 > 0:00:45- Amazing.- I wouldn't mind washing the dishes for that view.
0:00:45 > 0:00:47..affording the dream life was another matter.
0:00:47 > 0:00:50It's nearly four times what we spend back home.
0:00:50 > 0:00:52So, two years on, have the couple made it
0:00:52 > 0:00:54to the other side of the world?
0:00:54 > 0:00:57I think things are going to work out perfectly well.
0:00:57 > 0:00:59Probably better than we anticipated.
0:01:25 > 0:01:29With eight out of ten people living within 60 miles of its coast,
0:01:29 > 0:01:31Australia has long been a promised land
0:01:31 > 0:01:34for British people seeking a better life,
0:01:34 > 0:01:37but not everyone finds the dream they were looking for
0:01:37 > 0:01:40and around half return to the UK with their hopes dashed.
0:01:43 > 0:01:47In 2013, Neil Connor and Christopher King
0:01:47 > 0:01:50were facing a life-changing decision.
0:01:50 > 0:01:52They had just one week
0:01:52 > 0:01:54to experience all Australia had to offer
0:01:54 > 0:01:59before having to choose between a future in the UK or down under.
0:01:59 > 0:02:03Today, we'll find out if the dream life Neil was chasing
0:02:03 > 0:02:05has become reality.
0:02:07 > 0:02:10Two years ago, the couple's trial week began
0:02:10 > 0:02:12with 20 hours in the air
0:02:12 > 0:02:14flying from Scotland to Adelaide.
0:02:14 > 0:02:16And just moments after arriving,
0:02:16 > 0:02:19Christopher was already having cold feet.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21I'm definitely concerned about the travelling,
0:02:21 > 0:02:23definitely, for my family.
0:02:23 > 0:02:25It's such a long, long journey.
0:02:25 > 0:02:27Neil was less worried.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31It's just exciting to see what lies ahead in the next few days.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Just to help make Christopher's mind up.
0:02:34 > 0:02:36If the sun keeps shining, I think the task will be a lot easier
0:02:36 > 0:02:37than we thought it was.
0:02:37 > 0:02:39- Aye.- We'll see.
0:02:39 > 0:02:40We'll see.
0:02:42 > 0:02:46Both had visited Adelaide before, but this time it was no holiday.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49Neil had just one week to persuade Christopher
0:02:49 > 0:02:52their future life together lay in Australia.
0:02:55 > 0:02:57In the UK, Neil Connor and Christopher King
0:02:57 > 0:03:01were living in a two-bedroom apartment near Glasgow city centre.
0:03:03 > 0:03:06Neil had recently qualified as a theatre nurse
0:03:06 > 0:03:08and Christopher was in banking,
0:03:08 > 0:03:12but their busy careers had taken over their lives.
0:03:12 > 0:03:15There's times where we just pass each other by.
0:03:15 > 0:03:17I work shifts here as well, and sometimes I don't get home late.
0:03:17 > 0:03:19Neil starts early,
0:03:19 > 0:03:21so we don't see very much of each other during the week.
0:03:21 > 0:03:23They both felt something had to change,
0:03:23 > 0:03:26and for Neil the answer was obvious.
0:03:26 > 0:03:29Australia has always been my dream since I was a wee boy.
0:03:29 > 0:03:31A trip to the country years previously
0:03:31 > 0:03:34had only furthered his desire to emigrate.
0:03:34 > 0:03:37I had the chance to go on holiday to Australia
0:03:37 > 0:03:39and I totally fell in love with it the moment I was there.
0:03:39 > 0:03:42As the plane landed, I remember looking out thinking,
0:03:42 > 0:03:44"It's as if I'm going home,"
0:03:44 > 0:03:46when I'd never even set foot in the place.
0:03:46 > 0:03:48The couple had been together for five years
0:03:48 > 0:03:50and Neil had been clear about his intentions
0:03:50 > 0:03:52to move down under from the start.
0:03:52 > 0:03:54From the minute we first met,
0:03:54 > 0:03:57Neil told me that his dream was Australia,
0:03:57 > 0:03:59that I wasn't to go and do anything silly
0:03:59 > 0:04:00like fall in love with him.
0:04:00 > 0:04:02Obviously, he couldn't keep his end of the bargain,
0:04:02 > 0:04:06so now I'm going to Australia and he has to come with me.
0:04:08 > 0:04:12Neil passionately believed Australia could offer both him
0:04:12 > 0:04:14and Christopher more than the UK.
0:04:14 > 0:04:16We do want to have a better quality of life.
0:04:16 > 0:04:17We want to have a nice home.
0:04:17 > 0:04:19We want to have somewhere
0:04:19 > 0:04:21that our friends and family can come and stay,
0:04:21 > 0:04:23but the biggest draw of Australia
0:04:23 > 0:04:24is the fact that we can come home from work
0:04:24 > 0:04:26and get to spend time with each other.
0:04:26 > 0:04:29Neil had worked tirelessly to persuade Christopher
0:04:29 > 0:04:33to share his dream, but with only limited success.
0:04:33 > 0:04:34He's 100% convinced,
0:04:34 > 0:04:38and I'm not as high of a percentage, to be honest.
0:04:38 > 0:04:40It was 0% in the early days,
0:04:40 > 0:04:42but over the years we've been together,
0:04:42 > 0:04:44I've been slowly chipping away.
0:04:46 > 0:04:48But moving to Australia with Neil
0:04:48 > 0:04:51would mean Christopher leaving behind his mother
0:04:51 > 0:04:54and a family who relied heavily on his support.
0:04:54 > 0:04:56My mum calls me her rock.
0:04:56 > 0:04:58I'm the one that drives, so I take Mum to the hospital appointments.
0:04:58 > 0:05:00I remind her that she's got them.
0:05:00 > 0:05:03It'll be tough for my family to cope with,
0:05:03 > 0:05:04not having me here.
0:05:04 > 0:05:09I know that it terrifies him to think that we could abandon them,
0:05:09 > 0:05:12and then if he's not here to give that support
0:05:12 > 0:05:15that he loves to give them every day,
0:05:15 > 0:05:17he'd be so wracked with guilt.
0:05:18 > 0:05:22If Neil was to persuade Christopher to make the heartbreaking choice
0:05:22 > 0:05:23to leave his mum behind,
0:05:23 > 0:05:27he knew there was a huge amount to achieve in the week ahead.
0:05:27 > 0:05:29I would go live in a tin shed.
0:05:29 > 0:05:33If Chris and I weren't together and I was single,
0:05:33 > 0:05:35then I would be in Australia yesterday.
0:05:35 > 0:05:37There's a huge pressure, a weight on my shoulders.
0:05:37 > 0:05:42I hope that I do love it as much as he tells me I'm going to love it.
0:05:42 > 0:05:45Just because I know how much he wants to do it
0:05:45 > 0:05:47and it's his lifelong dream.
0:05:54 > 0:05:56Everything rested on the week ahead.
0:05:56 > 0:05:59Could Neil and Christopher find the life they dreamed of
0:05:59 > 0:06:01or would the heartache of leaving family behind
0:06:01 > 0:06:04be too much to bear?
0:06:04 > 0:06:06The couple spent their trial week in Adelaide.
0:06:06 > 0:06:09Having been ranked the most liveable city in Australia
0:06:09 > 0:06:11for the last three years,
0:06:11 > 0:06:14it was the perfect place for the lifestyle they were seeking.
0:06:14 > 0:06:17Home for the week was a modern two-bedroom apartment
0:06:17 > 0:06:19in the heart of the city centre.
0:06:19 > 0:06:21- Wow.- Very nice. - It's lovely, isn't it?
0:06:23 > 0:06:26It's ginormous compared to what you think it would be outside.
0:06:26 > 0:06:29It's actually identical to how we would probably have it.
0:06:29 > 0:06:31It's very much to our taste, isn't it?
0:06:31 > 0:06:35It looked like both Neil and Christopher were ready to move in.
0:06:35 > 0:06:36- Oh!- Oh, my God.
0:06:36 > 0:06:39It's like a beautiful hotel bedroom, isn't it?
0:06:39 > 0:06:42It's just like what we would've done.
0:06:42 > 0:06:44Like, it is actually perfect.
0:06:44 > 0:06:46They've got the lifestyle pad for the week,
0:06:46 > 0:06:49but already Neil's thoughts were turning to what was at stake
0:06:49 > 0:06:51over the next few days.
0:06:51 > 0:06:53It's all about convincing Christopher that
0:06:53 > 0:06:54we can afford to make the move.
0:06:54 > 0:06:56The house is key for family to come over
0:06:56 > 0:06:58and being able to afford the house.
0:06:58 > 0:07:00There's a lot of weight on his shoulders.
0:07:00 > 0:07:03As much as I just say, "Yeah, we're going to live in Adelaide,"
0:07:03 > 0:07:05he's the one that has to do the thinking.
0:07:05 > 0:07:06This is the week we'll decide
0:07:06 > 0:07:10whether we want to eventually move to Australia or not.
0:07:10 > 0:07:13This is the deal-breaker, so it's so important to get it right
0:07:13 > 0:07:15and find out exactly what we need to find out.
0:07:19 > 0:07:21In the UK, Christopher and Neil
0:07:21 > 0:07:24were living in a two-bedroom flat in Glasgow,
0:07:24 > 0:07:26but when it came to the home down under,
0:07:26 > 0:07:29they both knew exactly what they wanted.
0:07:29 > 0:07:32We do want a three-bedroom to four-bedroom house.
0:07:32 > 0:07:35Big enough for family to come over and big enough
0:07:35 > 0:07:37so we don't fall on top of each other
0:07:37 > 0:07:39when family do come and visit.
0:07:39 > 0:07:41Quite modern. Not too much outdoor space.
0:07:41 > 0:07:43We'll just have to cut the grass,
0:07:43 > 0:07:46and if it's covered in monoblocks or slabs or slate,
0:07:46 > 0:07:49then that's perfect, with the occasional aloe vera plant.
0:07:49 > 0:07:50Yes.
0:07:50 > 0:07:53We showed Neil and Christopher three properties
0:07:53 > 0:07:56based on what they thought they could afford,
0:07:56 > 0:07:58what they'd ideally like, and one in between.
0:07:59 > 0:08:01The first house was in the established
0:08:01 > 0:08:04beach-side suburb of Marino,
0:08:04 > 0:08:07around 12 miles southwest of Adelaide city centre.
0:08:07 > 0:08:10So, did this recently-renovated two-bedroom house
0:08:10 > 0:08:12get the day off to a flying start?
0:08:12 > 0:08:13It does look lovely,
0:08:13 > 0:08:15- but it's just I don't think I'd like it out here.- No.
0:08:15 > 0:08:17- Too many creepy-crawlies. - Too much, yeah.
0:08:17 > 0:08:20It did have the aloe vera plant, though.
0:08:21 > 0:08:23- Oh, good-sized room. - Oh, God, it's lovely.
0:08:23 > 0:08:25It's really bright. Oh, that's a bedroom.
0:08:25 > 0:08:28- I thought that'd be the living room. That's very nice.- Oh, it's lovely.
0:08:28 > 0:08:31It's just like how our bedroom would be at home.
0:08:31 > 0:08:32Green. My favourite colour.
0:08:32 > 0:08:34Yeah, you're green-crazy.
0:08:37 > 0:08:40Built in the '60s, the house's layout was traditional,
0:08:40 > 0:08:42but the interior design did meet with approval.
0:08:44 > 0:08:47- It's a good-sized kitchen. - Oh, it's lovely.- It's very nice.
0:08:47 > 0:08:49- I like the worktop. - The breakfast bar.
0:08:49 > 0:08:52- Uh-huh.- It's perfect. - So far, so good.
0:08:52 > 0:08:54Things were going well.
0:08:54 > 0:08:55- There's rooms everywhere. - Oh, really?
0:08:55 > 0:08:58- Ah, bathroom.- This looks nice. - Yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:08:58 > 0:09:00Shower and bath. That's cool.
0:09:00 > 0:09:02Is this just another bedroom? That's an OK size.
0:09:02 > 0:09:05- But this means there's only two rooms then.- Yeah.
0:09:05 > 0:09:06Oh, dear.
0:09:06 > 0:09:09With only two bedrooms, the house seemed to be losing its appeal.
0:09:09 > 0:09:13If this is the only other bedroom there is, it'd be difficult.
0:09:13 > 0:09:16But perhaps with some forward planning...
0:09:16 > 0:09:19Just means we'd need to be strict with the calendar for visits.
0:09:19 > 0:09:20"No, you can't come in January."
0:09:23 > 0:09:27Outside, the covered decking area was ideal for socialising.
0:09:27 > 0:09:29- This is lovely.- Fantastic, isn't it? - Mm-hm.
0:09:29 > 0:09:32- You can see the sea view. - Sea view? Perfect.
0:09:32 > 0:09:34- You can just imagine sat out here at night-time.- Yeah.
0:09:34 > 0:09:36- It'd be perfect. - No, this is lovely.
0:09:36 > 0:09:39It was all going so well until...
0:09:39 > 0:09:43I don't know too much about seeing other people's roofs.
0:09:43 > 0:09:45I don't think there'll be ever anyone on their roofs.
0:09:47 > 0:09:49And things went downhill from there.
0:09:49 > 0:09:52Got too much there. Oh, I didn't realise that was all round there.
0:09:52 > 0:09:55Imagine sitting out here at night when it gets dark
0:09:55 > 0:09:58and the mozzies come out. No, thanks.
0:09:58 > 0:10:02The house had fallen short of Christopher's high expectations,
0:10:02 > 0:10:05but with a budget of £300,000,
0:10:05 > 0:10:07was it somewhere they could afford anyway?
0:10:07 > 0:10:11- Right, OK. Are you ready to flip? - Will I flip?- You do it.
0:10:14 > 0:10:15Ooh.
0:10:15 > 0:10:20So, over 300 but less than 310, so that's within our budget.
0:10:20 > 0:10:23I think this house confirms to me that this is doable.
0:10:23 > 0:10:26But Christopher wasn't convinced.
0:10:26 > 0:10:28It doesn't have enough space for people to visit.
0:10:28 > 0:10:31It's got two bedrooms just now with a dressing room
0:10:31 > 0:10:33which would easily be a temporary third bedroom.
0:10:33 > 0:10:35At the moment, people could stay for one night,
0:10:35 > 0:10:38but over here people would be coming out for months.
0:10:38 > 0:10:40So, can you imagine working full-time
0:10:40 > 0:10:42and tripping over visitors?
0:10:42 > 0:10:45- Hmm. I think it's perfect.- OK.
0:10:45 > 0:10:48It looked like Neil had a battle on his hands.
0:10:48 > 0:10:50If he was to keep Christopher on side,
0:10:50 > 0:10:53the next house needed to offer more.
0:10:53 > 0:10:54Much more.
0:10:55 > 0:10:57Slightly closer to the city,
0:10:57 > 0:11:00this modern four-bedroom bungalow was in Hove -
0:11:00 > 0:11:04a popular and lively area the couple had previously looked at online.
0:11:04 > 0:11:07But was the reality enough for Christopher?
0:11:07 > 0:11:09- Big double garbage. - Big double garbage, yeah.- Mm-hm.
0:11:09 > 0:11:12- And not with too much grass. - Yeah.- And only a few plants.
0:11:12 > 0:11:14- That's ideal.- Yeah.
0:11:14 > 0:11:16It was a better start than the last house.
0:11:20 > 0:11:22- Bedroom.- A massive bedroom straightaway.- Yeah.
0:11:22 > 0:11:23Is that a walk-in wardrobe?
0:11:26 > 0:11:27- Yes.- That's a good size.
0:11:27 > 0:11:29Cos the last house, there was no wardrobes...
0:11:29 > 0:11:32- Doesn't have any storage...- Yeah. - ..in the en-suite.
0:11:33 > 0:11:36- Funky cool.- Mm.- Yeah. - This is beautiful.
0:11:36 > 0:11:38Yeah, it's perfect.
0:11:38 > 0:11:41And things kept getting better.
0:11:41 > 0:11:42This is the houses we've seen.
0:11:45 > 0:11:47Like, open-plan living,
0:11:47 > 0:11:49just having all this in one big room.
0:11:49 > 0:11:51- It's such a big size. - Yeah. It's super.
0:11:51 > 0:11:55- Imagine having people over, that big breakfast bar.- Yeah.
0:11:55 > 0:11:57Yeah, it'd be perfect.
0:11:57 > 0:12:00The house was ticking all the right boxes, until...
0:12:00 > 0:12:03- The only thing that is that road. - TRAFFIC NOISE
0:12:03 > 0:12:04That's really loud.
0:12:04 > 0:12:06But I suppose we're, what, five minutes from the beach?
0:12:06 > 0:12:09That's Brighton Road. It's going to be busy.
0:12:10 > 0:12:12- We're going to hear traffic. - Very busy, though.
0:12:12 > 0:12:13I know what you mean. It is annoying.
0:12:13 > 0:12:16At home, they'd whiled away hours looking at Aussie properties
0:12:16 > 0:12:18on the internet,
0:12:18 > 0:12:22but the day had been a reminder that nothing beat on-the-ground research.
0:12:22 > 0:12:25The house did have the space for visitors the couple wanted,
0:12:25 > 0:12:27but Neil and Christopher suspected
0:12:27 > 0:12:30it was way over their £300,000 budget.
0:12:30 > 0:12:33- I'd say £450,000.- No.
0:12:33 > 0:12:36I'd say 400.
0:12:36 > 0:12:38- 400?- Yeah.- OK.
0:12:38 > 0:12:40The big reveal.
0:12:42 > 0:12:44- Ah.- 404.
0:12:44 > 0:12:47- That is £100,000...- Over budget.
0:12:47 > 0:12:49- Yeah.- A little disappointed.
0:12:49 > 0:12:51It's disappointing cos this is where I thought
0:12:51 > 0:12:52- would be ideal to stay.- Mm-hm.
0:12:52 > 0:12:55I just didn't realise how busy that road was going to be.
0:12:55 > 0:12:57With two properties down,
0:12:57 > 0:13:00Neil's chances of convincing Christopher to make the move
0:13:00 > 0:13:02to Adelaide weren't looking good.
0:13:02 > 0:13:05Would the final property save the day?
0:13:05 > 0:13:08The couple's last stop was a newly-built five-bedroom house
0:13:08 > 0:13:09in Port Noarlunga.
0:13:09 > 0:13:12Located 45 minutes from the city centre,
0:13:12 > 0:13:14it had the potential to offer more value for money,
0:13:14 > 0:13:16but would it be up to spec?
0:13:16 > 0:13:19- Oh, my God.- It is beautiful. - Oh, my God.
0:13:19 > 0:13:21It was a good start.
0:13:23 > 0:13:25- Oh, it's a bedroom! - Oh, it's a bedroom.
0:13:25 > 0:13:27- It's a good size.- It's beautiful. - Mm-hm.- It really is.
0:13:27 > 0:13:30It's just amazing. Like, it is actually amazing.
0:13:30 > 0:13:33- It's gorgeous. - It's like a five-star hotel.
0:13:33 > 0:13:34It's obviously brand-new.
0:13:34 > 0:13:37- It's just beautiful.- It's beautiful.
0:13:37 > 0:13:39Neil was chasing his dream in Australia,
0:13:39 > 0:13:42but was this house getting Christopher carried away too?
0:13:42 > 0:13:44HE GASPS
0:13:44 > 0:13:46- Look at the view.- No way. No way.
0:13:46 > 0:13:49THEY LAUGH
0:13:49 > 0:13:52- This is beautiful.- It's amazing.
0:13:52 > 0:13:54I wouldn't mind washing the dishes for that view.
0:13:54 > 0:13:56- That's breathtaking. - It's beyond words.
0:13:56 > 0:13:58Like, it is actually beyond words.
0:13:58 > 0:13:59It's perfect.
0:13:59 > 0:14:02I'm actually getting a bit choked up with how beautiful it is.
0:14:02 > 0:14:04I was teary-eyed at the kitchen.
0:14:04 > 0:14:07It was the reaction Neil had been hoping for.
0:14:07 > 0:14:10Outside was perfect for entertaining.
0:14:11 > 0:14:12That's amazing, isn't it?
0:14:14 > 0:14:17It just opens this space right up out to here...
0:14:17 > 0:14:19- It...- ..by bringing the outdoors in.
0:14:19 > 0:14:22And there wasn't a creepy-crawly in sight.
0:14:22 > 0:14:24- Oh, my God.- Built-in barbie.
0:14:24 > 0:14:27Before we even look at the view we're like, "Barbecue."
0:14:27 > 0:14:29Oh, that's spectacular.
0:14:29 > 0:14:31When people say houses have the wow factor,
0:14:31 > 0:14:32- this definitely has it.- Yeah.
0:14:34 > 0:14:35With five bedrooms,
0:14:35 > 0:14:38the house also had plenty of space for visiting family.
0:14:40 > 0:14:43Oh, is this the master bedroom?
0:14:43 > 0:14:46Look at that walk-in wardrobe. That's bigger than our spare room.
0:14:46 > 0:14:50Now I've seen this I don't want to live in any other house.
0:14:50 > 0:14:51- I want to stay here.- I know.
0:14:51 > 0:14:54- Just makes the other houses look horrible, doesn't it?- Mm-hm.
0:14:54 > 0:14:57It appeared Neil and Christopher had found their dream house,
0:14:57 > 0:14:59but could they afford it?
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Their budget was £300,000.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Well over half a million pounds.
0:15:03 > 0:15:07I'd say more than 500,000.
0:15:07 > 0:15:10I think more 450, just because how far away it is.
0:15:10 > 0:15:11Are you doing the honours?
0:15:15 > 0:15:16No way.
0:15:16 > 0:15:17421.
0:15:19 > 0:15:23So, that's £17,000 more than the house at Hove.
0:15:23 > 0:15:24So it is.
0:15:25 > 0:15:29It was £121,000 over budget,
0:15:29 > 0:15:33but the couple were quick to consider a larger mortgage.
0:15:33 > 0:15:37Over 30 years, that's so doable.
0:15:37 > 0:15:38Is it worth it?
0:15:40 > 0:15:41Yeah.
0:15:41 > 0:15:44Does it give us the dream? Is it the dream house?
0:15:45 > 0:15:46Yeah.
0:15:46 > 0:15:49If we bought a house like this, we wouldn't need to move ever again.
0:15:49 > 0:15:52- And this is just left field. - This is just blowing us away.
0:15:54 > 0:15:56Hmm.
0:15:56 > 0:16:00House-hunting had given the couple plenty of food for thought.
0:16:00 > 0:16:02Property one was within their price range
0:16:02 > 0:16:05but not big enough to accommodate their needs.
0:16:05 > 0:16:07The second house had been nearly perfect,
0:16:07 > 0:16:12although £100,000 over budget and too close to a busy road.
0:16:12 > 0:16:14And property three had been everything
0:16:14 > 0:16:18Neil had been dreaming of, but with a price to match.
0:16:18 > 0:16:21So, based on everything they've seen,
0:16:21 > 0:16:25did Christopher and Neil choose property in the UK or Australia?
0:16:25 > 0:16:27Based on the houses we've seen today,
0:16:27 > 0:16:29our vote is going to be...
0:16:34 > 0:16:35- BOTH:- Australia.
0:16:37 > 0:16:39Did you think I was going to go Australia?
0:16:39 > 0:16:42Yeah. After seeing this house, I knew Australia was the way to go.
0:16:42 > 0:16:44- Yeah.- It's just...- I was the same.
0:16:44 > 0:16:46This is the place to be.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- That's it. No need to go home. This is the house for us.- Yeah.
0:16:54 > 0:16:58Christopher's vote for Australia was great news for Neil's hopes
0:16:58 > 0:16:59of a better life down under,
0:16:59 > 0:17:02but it was based on a dream home and lifestyle
0:17:02 > 0:17:04that would require substantial funding,
0:17:04 > 0:17:06so it was now more important than ever
0:17:06 > 0:17:08to secure good jobs in Adelaide.
0:17:09 > 0:17:12Back in the UK, the couple had worked incredibly hard
0:17:12 > 0:17:15to pay for the lifestyle they enjoyed.
0:17:15 > 0:17:19Neil was a theatre nurse at Glasgow's Royal Infirmary.
0:17:19 > 0:17:21Because I'm the main visa applicant,
0:17:21 > 0:17:23it would be my job that we'd be looking at as a priority.
0:17:23 > 0:17:25Hopefully, I'd look for an identical post.
0:17:25 > 0:17:28If that's not the case, the fact is I've got a degree in nursing,
0:17:28 > 0:17:31so I should be a nurse anywhere.
0:17:31 > 0:17:33And if it means taking any job,
0:17:33 > 0:17:35as long as it was a nurse I'd be happy.
0:17:35 > 0:17:38And if it pays the bills, Christopher will be happy too.
0:17:38 > 0:17:42Christopher had spent five years working his way up through the ranks
0:17:42 > 0:17:45to become team manager in a large bank's contact centre.
0:17:45 > 0:17:49I really enjoy my job here. I've put a lot of time and effort in it
0:17:49 > 0:17:51and really put myself out of my comfort zone at times
0:17:51 > 0:17:53to get where I am and what I've achieved.
0:17:53 > 0:17:55So, I think given that, it will be tough
0:17:55 > 0:17:57because I'll need to start fresh and start from the beginning again.
0:18:01 > 0:18:03To find out if Adelaide could offer
0:18:03 > 0:18:07the earning power the boys needed to afford their dream house,
0:18:07 > 0:18:10they headed off to explore the local job market.
0:18:10 > 0:18:12Christopher met with Cheryl Gaston,
0:18:12 > 0:18:15a senior manager at one of Australia's biggest banks,
0:18:15 > 0:18:18to find out if he could get a job at his current level.
0:18:18 > 0:18:20We've currently got an external role at the moment,
0:18:20 > 0:18:23but it isn't team manager. It's what we call a lending manager,
0:18:23 > 0:18:26so it's probably one of our senior lending roles.
0:18:26 > 0:18:28Over at Flinders Medical Centre,
0:18:28 > 0:18:32Neil met with Lydia Dennett, the chief nurse of South Australia,
0:18:32 > 0:18:35to find out if job opportunities existed for him.
0:18:35 > 0:18:37At the moment, we don't have an acute shortage,
0:18:37 > 0:18:41and so really it's quite competitive in terms of seeking
0:18:41 > 0:18:43and obtaining a position.
0:18:44 > 0:18:45It wasn't great news,
0:18:45 > 0:18:49but Neil's theatre skills appeared to improve his chances
0:18:49 > 0:18:50of securing work.
0:18:50 > 0:18:55In relation to your field of work and your area of specialisation,
0:18:55 > 0:18:56that being theatre nursing
0:18:56 > 0:18:59and in particular orthopaedic procedural nursing,
0:18:59 > 0:19:02does give you an advantage in terms of that competition
0:19:02 > 0:19:04that there might be at the moment for positions.
0:19:04 > 0:19:06- That's very good.- Mm.
0:19:08 > 0:19:10That was much more positive,
0:19:10 > 0:19:12and Neil had just one more all-important question.
0:19:14 > 0:19:17What kind of salary could I expect at my current level of training?
0:19:17 > 0:19:21- About 55,000.- OK.
0:19:21 > 0:19:27That's a base salary and that would rise through an annual increment
0:19:27 > 0:19:32to just under 75,000 at year ten.
0:19:32 > 0:19:36That sounds absolutely fabulous, Lydia. That's great.
0:19:36 > 0:19:40That was over £10,000 more than Neil currently was earning in the UK,
0:19:40 > 0:19:46but only if - and it was a big if - he could actually find a job.
0:19:46 > 0:19:47Back at the bank,
0:19:47 > 0:19:49Christopher was hoping for positive news
0:19:49 > 0:19:51on a senior manager job.
0:19:51 > 0:19:54It is quite rare that we do recruit externally for those roles.
0:19:54 > 0:19:58We really try to progress people through their career within.
0:20:00 > 0:20:02It wasn't what Christopher wanted to hear.
0:20:02 > 0:20:04Promoting from within the company meant
0:20:04 > 0:20:08he may initially have to take a step back in his career
0:20:08 > 0:20:09in Australia.
0:20:09 > 0:20:10I think that was my main concern.
0:20:10 > 0:20:13Would it be the same position I'd go into
0:20:13 > 0:20:15or would I start down at a consultant level
0:20:15 > 0:20:17and work my way up again.
0:20:17 > 0:20:18But...
0:20:18 > 0:20:21We do have a scale, and you would come in with experience,
0:20:21 > 0:20:23so I would think you would probably already start
0:20:23 > 0:20:26- at around the 62 to 67 mark...- OK.
0:20:26 > 0:20:29- ..would be the salary range that would be available.- OK.
0:20:29 > 0:20:32And then they would put super on top of that.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34Even with a step back,
0:20:34 > 0:20:38Christopher could earn almost £20,000 more than at home.
0:20:38 > 0:20:41So, having heard everything on offer,
0:20:41 > 0:20:43was their combined news enough for the couple
0:20:43 > 0:20:46to green-light the dream?
0:20:46 > 0:20:49Based on today's work experience, we are going to vote...
0:20:52 > 0:20:54- Australia.- Undecided.
0:20:54 > 0:20:56Undecided means it might have been bad.
0:20:56 > 0:20:59Although I'd be doing a job similar, I wouldn't be a team manager.
0:21:01 > 0:21:03And I think that just...
0:21:03 > 0:21:05Although in the past we've spoke about it
0:21:05 > 0:21:07and I've said I don't know if I would mind going back,
0:21:07 > 0:21:08I don't think I could.
0:21:08 > 0:21:10- No?- No.- Hmm.
0:21:10 > 0:21:12So, we need to find you a different job.
0:21:12 > 0:21:15- Yeah, we'll look at other banks, possibly.- OK.- Yeah.- That's fine.
0:21:15 > 0:21:16- That's doable.- Yeah.
0:21:20 > 0:21:23With an undecided vote from Christopher,
0:21:23 > 0:21:25Neil's dream of a future in Australia
0:21:25 > 0:21:28looked like it was in serious trouble.
0:21:28 > 0:21:30Any move down under had always been about the lifestyle
0:21:30 > 0:21:32the country could offer,
0:21:32 > 0:21:34so did a day exploring those opportunities
0:21:34 > 0:21:36help get the dream back on track?
0:21:40 > 0:21:43In the UK, the couple's lives outside work
0:21:43 > 0:21:45revolved around entertaining at home,
0:21:45 > 0:21:48so we arranged two activities they could enjoy
0:21:48 > 0:21:50on a regular weekend.
0:21:50 > 0:21:52First up was a visit to a farmers market
0:21:52 > 0:21:55in the historic town of Willunga.
0:21:55 > 0:21:58- A bucket of flowers. - It's only- 8. Really?- Yeah.
0:21:58 > 0:22:00- 8. That's great.- Cheers, man.
0:22:00 > 0:22:03So we've got Funky Goat, which is a French-style goat's cheese.
0:22:03 > 0:22:05- Why is it funky? - It gets this funky rind,
0:22:05 > 0:22:07and as it ages it gets some really funky flavours.
0:22:07 > 0:22:09- Oh, really?- I couldn't come up with any other name.
0:22:09 > 0:22:12- As long as it's good. - It'd be a right song and dance.
0:22:14 > 0:22:17Next stop was the nearby region of McLaren Vale,
0:22:17 > 0:22:19where the self-confessed foodies
0:22:19 > 0:22:22joined one of David Arbon's mozzarella-making classes.
0:22:23 > 0:22:25Now you need to glove up.
0:22:25 > 0:22:27If it's hot, pick it up.
0:22:27 > 0:22:30If your hands get too hot, hand it on to your partner
0:22:30 > 0:22:33- and put your hands in that cold water there.- OK.
0:22:33 > 0:22:37It's like The Generation Game. It's so hot!
0:22:37 > 0:22:41Neil felt confident the day was going his way.
0:22:41 > 0:22:43I think Christopher has thoroughly enjoyed today.
0:22:43 > 0:22:46I think it all contributes to tricking him
0:22:46 > 0:22:48into coming to live in Australia with me, so, yeah,
0:22:48 > 0:22:50he's had a ball as much as I have,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53and I'm sure that he can see himself coming here again
0:22:53 > 0:22:55and spending time in the sunshine.
0:22:55 > 0:23:00Cooking done, he took the chance to do some soft selling.
0:23:00 > 0:23:03Can you imagine if we were having people over on that deck
0:23:03 > 0:23:06on the house in Port Noarlunga, having made pizza and haloumi...
0:23:06 > 0:23:09- Cooking the halloumi on the barbecue.- On the barbecue outside.
0:23:09 > 0:23:12- Yeah. It would just all fall into place.- It would.
0:23:12 > 0:23:16- Could get a stone oven put it... - A stone oven.- ..to cook pizza.- Yeah.
0:23:16 > 0:23:18The day had been made to order for the boys,
0:23:18 > 0:23:21but had it in good enough to convince Christopher
0:23:21 > 0:23:24the Aussie lifestyle was worth leaving the UK for?
0:23:24 > 0:23:27Based on today, we're going to vote for...
0:23:32 > 0:23:33- Australia.- Australia.
0:23:35 > 0:23:36That's a good decision.
0:23:36 > 0:23:38I think we've had a fabulous day out today.
0:23:38 > 0:23:39It's so much more relaxed over here.
0:23:39 > 0:23:41I can see us coming out on a Saturday morning,
0:23:41 > 0:23:45getting things in for a party, having people over at night.
0:23:45 > 0:23:47It's textbook for what I'd look to be doing every weekend
0:23:47 > 0:23:48here in Adelaide.
0:23:53 > 0:23:57Christopher seemed to be closer to committing to Australia,
0:23:57 > 0:24:00but could the couple afford the lifestyle they wanted?
0:24:00 > 0:24:03They sat down to compare costs in Australia and the UK,
0:24:03 > 0:24:05starting with the weekly shopping bill.
0:24:05 > 0:24:07£5 for apples.
0:24:07 > 0:24:09OK, we'll stop eating apples.
0:24:09 > 0:24:12- I can live happily with that.- Yeah. - What about lamb? What is lamb?
0:24:12 > 0:24:15- Lamb is more expensive. - More expensive as well.
0:24:15 > 0:24:18So, we have to give up apples from our diet,
0:24:18 > 0:24:20choose between lamb or beef.
0:24:20 > 0:24:23Tough decisions for a pair of food lovers.
0:24:23 > 0:24:25So, how did their overall food bill add up?
0:24:25 > 0:24:31- That's £220 a month more on food. That's quite a lot.- Yeah.- Yeah.
0:24:31 > 0:24:35And that's before going out to eat or anything like that.
0:24:35 > 0:24:38Over £2,500 more each year on food alone
0:24:38 > 0:24:40was a significant hike.
0:24:40 > 0:24:42Basing their figures on the dream property,
0:24:42 > 0:24:45the bigger costs of living didn't look promising either.
0:24:45 > 0:24:50- Mortgage payment, property three, would be £2,600...- Pounds.
0:24:51 > 0:24:55..which is almost 2,500 more than what we pay at the moment.
0:24:55 > 0:24:59It was an enormous hike in mortgage repayments,
0:24:59 > 0:25:01but the couple's income was potentially
0:25:01 > 0:25:04nearly £30,000 higher in Australia.
0:25:04 > 0:25:07So, did their extra earnings mean they could afford the house
0:25:07 > 0:25:09and lifestyle they craved?
0:25:09 > 0:25:14So, in Australia per month, we're worse off by £584.
0:25:17 > 0:25:18- That's a big deal.- Mm-hm.
0:25:23 > 0:25:25It was a devastating result,
0:25:25 > 0:25:29but was it a deal-breaker as they chose between finances
0:25:29 > 0:25:30in Australia and the UK?
0:25:30 > 0:25:33So, based on working out the figures for living in Australia,
0:25:33 > 0:25:35our vote is going to be...
0:25:37 > 0:25:38- BOTH:- Undecided.
0:25:39 > 0:25:41- You're undecided?- Yeah.
0:25:41 > 0:25:44- All right.- It's a big deal.- Mm-hm.
0:25:44 > 0:25:47I got a bit carried away with the dream house.
0:25:47 > 0:25:50- Mm.- So, it's...it's not nice.
0:25:50 > 0:25:53- No, it was a reality check, wasn't it?- Mm.
0:25:53 > 0:25:54Yeah.
0:25:59 > 0:26:04The harsh reality of living costs had put Neil's dream in real danger,
0:26:04 > 0:26:08and for Christopher there was still one more hurdle to overcome -
0:26:08 > 0:26:12the thought of leaving his mum who relied on him so much.
0:26:12 > 0:26:15Would watching messages from friends and family in the UK
0:26:15 > 0:26:18be too much for him and put a halt to any plans
0:26:18 > 0:26:20for a future life in Australia?
0:26:20 > 0:26:22- BOTH:- Hi, Christopher and Neil.
0:26:22 > 0:26:25Hope you've had a good time in Australia. We've missed you.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27Neil is the best guy ever.
0:26:27 > 0:26:31He would do anything for you and totally looks out for you.
0:26:31 > 0:26:35Neil is very close to us because we brought him up
0:26:35 > 0:26:40and he takes us as his own parents.
0:26:40 > 0:26:45And he loves us and we love him as much as he loves us.
0:26:45 > 0:26:47And we miss him.
0:26:47 > 0:26:49Christopher has been a real rock
0:26:49 > 0:26:53and he knows exactly when I'm up and when I'm down.
0:26:53 > 0:26:57And he'll come and say, "Come on, we'll go to this, we'll do this."
0:26:57 > 0:27:00He takes care of her, especially when she's feeling down.
0:27:00 > 0:27:04He'll come over and maybe just make her feel like herself again.
0:27:04 > 0:27:08You know I'll miss you so much. I just hope you have a good life.
0:27:08 > 0:27:10And if that's what you want, then fair enough.
0:27:19 > 0:27:20That's horrible, isn't it?
0:27:23 > 0:27:25Oh, yeah. That was tough.
0:27:25 > 0:27:27But we always knew that was going to be hard.
0:27:27 > 0:27:30We knew that was going to be the toughest part, to see them.
0:27:30 > 0:27:32You don't realise how tough it can be, though.
0:27:32 > 0:27:35- No. I was like, "I won't cry." - It's a lot tougher than you think.
0:27:35 > 0:27:37Yeah.
0:27:37 > 0:27:40- You realise what a big part of their lives we are.- Mm-hm.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47Watching messages from friends and family was hard,
0:27:47 > 0:27:49especially for Christopher.
0:27:49 > 0:27:51As their trial week drew to a close,
0:27:51 > 0:27:54the couple knew exactly what they stood to gain or lose,
0:27:54 > 0:27:58making the approaching decision even harder.
0:27:58 > 0:28:01It's been a total emotional roller-coaster this week.
0:28:01 > 0:28:06I'm still feeling a bit apprehensive and not 100% persuaded to move here.
0:28:06 > 0:28:09Neil was having a last-minute crisis of conscience.
0:28:09 > 0:28:13Sometimes seeing Christopher upset is the worst aspect of all,
0:28:13 > 0:28:19to know that I'm the motivator that's bringing this into his world.
0:28:20 > 0:28:23And Christopher was aware of the impact his final decision
0:28:23 > 0:28:26could have on Neil.
0:28:26 > 0:28:28Definitely worries me that Neil's dreams
0:28:28 > 0:28:30could potentially be shattered if, at the end of the day,
0:28:30 > 0:28:33I decide that we'd be better staying in the UK.
0:28:33 > 0:28:36It's been my dream for so long to come and live here.
0:28:36 > 0:28:39From the moment we landed, I felt like I was coming home.
0:28:39 > 0:28:42I think I know that this is where I want to spend the rest of my life.
0:28:42 > 0:28:45It'll be such a big change, a life-changing decision,
0:28:45 > 0:28:49and we just need to make sure it's the right one.
0:28:49 > 0:28:52It was a decision that couldn't be put off any longer.
0:29:01 > 0:29:02- BOTH:- Australia.
0:29:03 > 0:29:05I sold it.
0:29:05 > 0:29:08I thought it was going to be a bit touch-and-go for a moment there.
0:29:08 > 0:29:09- Really?- Yeah.
0:29:09 > 0:29:11Seeing my mum and my brother on camera,
0:29:11 > 0:29:14although how hard it was, I think my mum looked great
0:29:14 > 0:29:17and my brother has obviously been great with her this week, so...
0:29:17 > 0:29:18Yeah, without you.
0:29:18 > 0:29:21..that kind of reassured me a little bit.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24- I think there's been more positives than negatives.- Oh, definitely.
0:29:24 > 0:29:26And I think that's why my final vote's been Australia.
0:29:26 > 0:29:28I think it's awesome.
0:29:28 > 0:29:31My dream is coming to reality
0:29:31 > 0:29:35and having Christopher sharing it with me is just the best news ever.
0:29:35 > 0:29:37- I took a leaf out of your book. - Yeah, I know.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40- Take a risk once in a while. - Throw caution to the wind, yeah.
0:29:48 > 0:29:51After years spent trying to persuade Christopher,
0:29:51 > 0:29:54their trial week had helped Neil seal the deal.
0:29:54 > 0:29:57It looked as if the couple were all set to make the move
0:29:57 > 0:29:59to the other side of the world.
0:29:59 > 0:30:04So, two years later, are they getting on with things in Glasgow
0:30:04 > 0:30:06or adjusting to a new life in Australia?
0:30:08 > 0:30:09It's May, 2015,
0:30:09 > 0:30:13and Neil and Christopher are living in...
0:30:13 > 0:30:16Adelaide, Australia.
0:30:16 > 0:30:18When the trial week won Christopher around,
0:30:18 > 0:30:21Neil couldn't quite believe the dream he'd had for so long
0:30:21 > 0:30:23was on the verge of coming true.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26When Christopher voted for Australia at the end of our trial,
0:30:26 > 0:30:27I was just ecstatic.
0:30:27 > 0:30:31I was shocked cos I think I was even undecided at one point,
0:30:31 > 0:30:33- probably after the finances.- Yeah.
0:30:33 > 0:30:36So, yeah, when he turned the card and it was Australia,
0:30:36 > 0:30:37it was fantastic.
0:30:37 > 0:30:39With their minds made up,
0:30:39 > 0:30:42the couple wasted no time getting the ball rolling.
0:30:42 > 0:30:45When we returned to the UK after our last time here,
0:30:45 > 0:30:48we felt energised to really look into how we could get here,
0:30:48 > 0:30:51what visas, and look at jobs and houses again.
0:30:51 > 0:30:55It really gave us that extra spark to continue looking, didn't it?
0:30:55 > 0:30:56I think we were barely off the plane
0:30:56 > 0:30:59when we were downloading our visa applications
0:30:59 > 0:31:00and started ticking all the boxes.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05But first they had to share the news with their families,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08and for Christopher in particular, it was tough.
0:31:09 > 0:31:12It was very difficult breaking the news to them.
0:31:12 > 0:31:15I just felt like I was ripping the family apart, actually.
0:31:16 > 0:31:20I think there was a bit of denial, that it would never actually happen.
0:31:20 > 0:31:22It was just a bit of a pipe dream.
0:31:22 > 0:31:25People had obviously missed us, and it made us realise
0:31:25 > 0:31:27if this is how much our friends and family miss us
0:31:27 > 0:31:29for a couple of weeks,
0:31:29 > 0:31:31how are they going to cope when we're gone for good?
0:31:35 > 0:31:38Already in the throes of a massive life-changing move,
0:31:38 > 0:31:41Neil decided to take the plunge with another.
0:31:41 > 0:31:45Back in January last year we went on a trip to Paris.
0:31:45 > 0:31:48We went on this awesome cruise for dinner.
0:31:48 > 0:31:50The boat stopped under the Eiffel Tower.
0:31:50 > 0:31:51He was like, "Oh, we've got champagne.
0:31:51 > 0:31:53"Why have we got champagne?"
0:31:53 > 0:31:55Neil got down on one knee and proposed.
0:31:55 > 0:31:58- Which was fabulous, wasn't it? - It was.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01- The Eiffel Tower was sparkling in the background.- Yeah.
0:32:01 > 0:32:03I was just feeling ecstatic.
0:32:03 > 0:32:06Shocked as well. I wasn't expecting it.
0:32:06 > 0:32:08It turned out to be the best trip
0:32:08 > 0:32:11that we've ever taken because he said yes.
0:32:13 > 0:32:15I think it just compounded the fact that we were starting
0:32:15 > 0:32:18this big new adventure, and to do it as a married couple
0:32:18 > 0:32:21- just was the icing on the cake, I think.- Mm. Definitely.
0:32:21 > 0:32:24Their wedding was the last big family gathering
0:32:24 > 0:32:27before the couple left for Australia.
0:32:27 > 0:32:28It was the most perfect day.
0:32:28 > 0:32:31It was absolutely the best day of my life.
0:32:31 > 0:32:34- It was.- All our friends and family really came together.
0:32:34 > 0:32:39Everyone at the wedding just had great feelings and thoughts for us.
0:32:39 > 0:32:42Although it was the best day of our lives to begin with,
0:32:42 > 0:32:46- it had so much more significance that it was our big goodbye.- Yeah.
0:32:46 > 0:32:52Saying their final farewells wasn't as easy as Neil had imagined.
0:32:52 > 0:32:54In a few days running up to, and especially on,
0:32:54 > 0:32:57the actual final morning before we went to the airport,
0:32:57 > 0:32:59I was genuinely devastated.
0:32:59 > 0:33:02I think it maybe shocked Christopher a tad
0:33:02 > 0:33:04at how upset I actually was.
0:33:04 > 0:33:07I don't think it had really sunk in for him until that point.
0:33:07 > 0:33:11You're saying goodbye, and it could potentially be forever.
0:33:11 > 0:33:13It's not just your normal goodbye.
0:33:13 > 0:33:15We knew it was going to be a long time before we actually
0:33:15 > 0:33:18saw each other face-to-face again.
0:33:18 > 0:33:21But for the couple, it was a sacrifice worth making.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24Arriving at the airport, knowing that that's it,
0:33:24 > 0:33:26we're going to Australia to live forever
0:33:26 > 0:33:29is an emotion that we'd obviously never felt before.
0:33:29 > 0:33:32The first thing we did was went and got a gin tonic
0:33:32 > 0:33:33and sat and just looked at our tickets.
0:33:33 > 0:33:36We were in the zone to start our new life.
0:33:38 > 0:33:40They've only been in Australia a month,
0:33:40 > 0:33:43but Neil and Christopher have already made huge strides.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46Our first week in Adelaide was a bit mental.
0:33:46 > 0:33:49It didn't feel real. We were here.
0:33:49 > 0:33:51And when it came to a home,
0:33:51 > 0:33:54they were determined to start living the dream from day one.
0:33:54 > 0:33:57I was very keen that we found a house as soon as possible.
0:33:57 > 0:34:02We viewed our house that we're in just now two days after we arrived,
0:34:02 > 0:34:05and we accepted the lease there and then for 12 months,
0:34:05 > 0:34:07so we had the keys in the afternoon.
0:34:07 > 0:34:09You said we accepted the lease,
0:34:09 > 0:34:11but I don't think I had any much choice in it...
0:34:11 > 0:34:13to be honest.
0:34:14 > 0:34:16But Neil had set his heart on this house
0:34:16 > 0:34:19and what Neil wants, Neil gets, so to make him happy,
0:34:19 > 0:34:21I thought, "We'll just sign the lease."
0:34:23 > 0:34:25Home is now a three-bedroom detached house in the suburb
0:34:25 > 0:34:27of Oaklands Park,
0:34:27 > 0:34:29just seven miles south of the city centre.
0:34:29 > 0:34:34We absolutely love having two living rooms, extra bedrooms.
0:34:34 > 0:34:37Really ideal for people coming to visit.
0:34:37 > 0:34:40The size of it, it's huge compared to what we had back in Glasgow.
0:34:40 > 0:34:42This is bedroom number two.
0:34:42 > 0:34:46It's where we store all of our boxes from everything we've had to unpack.
0:34:46 > 0:34:49You have to arrange a specific time to take them to the dump,
0:34:49 > 0:34:52and as we're too busy enjoying our new time in Adelaide,
0:34:52 > 0:34:53that can wait.
0:34:54 > 0:34:55Master bedroom.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58The best thing about it is that we've got a super-duper
0:34:58 > 0:35:01king-size bed. And then your favourite bit is there.
0:35:01 > 0:35:03I just love having a walk-in wardrobe,
0:35:03 > 0:35:06and I think about 90% of the clothes in here are mine.
0:35:06 > 0:35:08There's so much storage and space for everything.
0:35:08 > 0:35:09It's absolutely brilliant.
0:35:09 > 0:35:12And then we've got our en-suite bathroom,
0:35:12 > 0:35:16which is just awesome to have right next to you.
0:35:16 > 0:35:19It's just a different quality of life, to have an en-suite
0:35:19 > 0:35:20and a walk-in wardrobe.
0:35:20 > 0:35:22- It just looks absolutely beautiful as well.- Mm-hm.
0:35:22 > 0:35:26Their new garden is the ideal spot for enjoying the sunshine.
0:35:26 > 0:35:28It's just a fantastic space.
0:35:28 > 0:35:29It's really nice just to sit outside -
0:35:29 > 0:35:32something we never got the chance to do back home.
0:35:32 > 0:35:34Every night we've been coming out and eating our dinner here,
0:35:34 > 0:35:37- just because it's such a novelty to have it.- Yeah.
0:35:37 > 0:35:41Never ones for looking after a lawn, although their garden has one,
0:35:41 > 0:35:45they've no intention of getting up close and personal with it.
0:35:45 > 0:35:46There's a shed over there
0:35:46 > 0:35:48where you're supposed to store the lawnmower,
0:35:48 > 0:35:51but upon looking inside the shed, it's obviously a place
0:35:51 > 0:35:53where unpleasant creepy-crawlies will live.
0:35:53 > 0:35:55So, there's a lawn mowing service.
0:35:55 > 0:35:58There's a man comes and he brings his own lawnmower
0:35:58 > 0:36:00and he cuts the grass for you. So, just looking,
0:36:00 > 0:36:02I think we'll need to get him to come quite soon.
0:36:04 > 0:36:08Work-wise, Neil was lucky enough to secure a job before the move.
0:36:08 > 0:36:12I'd applied for three jobs before I came to Adelaide
0:36:12 > 0:36:15and I had three job offers from those three interviews
0:36:15 > 0:36:18that I had, which was fantastic.
0:36:18 > 0:36:20So, it was just a case of everything was sorted
0:36:20 > 0:36:22before we got here.
0:36:22 > 0:36:24He's just started as a theatre nurse
0:36:24 > 0:36:27at St Andrew's Hospital in Adelaide.
0:36:27 > 0:36:29I work in operating theatres assisting the surgeon
0:36:29 > 0:36:32to perform orthopaedic surgery,
0:36:32 > 0:36:36so whether that's knee replacements, hip replacements.
0:36:36 > 0:36:38The role is similar to the one he had at home.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41I could take comfort knowing that my job was going to be
0:36:41 > 0:36:42the exact same as it was,
0:36:42 > 0:36:45and thankfully it's turning out to be just that.
0:36:45 > 0:36:48The different environment did take some getting used to.
0:36:50 > 0:36:53First day on the job was very nerve-racking.
0:36:53 > 0:36:55To go from being a very competent nurse
0:36:55 > 0:36:59back in my hospital to being here as the new kid on the block
0:36:59 > 0:37:03not knowing anyone or anything, it's a bit unsettling.
0:37:03 > 0:37:06But it hasn't taken Neil long to settle in.
0:37:06 > 0:37:11Coming here to find that everyone is so lovely and welcoming, it's great.
0:37:11 > 0:37:12It's such a relief.
0:37:12 > 0:37:16And his new shift pattern's a world away from what he worked at home.
0:37:16 > 0:37:18Most of the shifts, I'm starting at 7.00 in the morning
0:37:18 > 0:37:20and I'm home by 3.30 in the afternoon.
0:37:20 > 0:37:22The whole reason for coming to Oz
0:37:22 > 0:37:24was to have a greater work-life balance,
0:37:24 > 0:37:27so at the moment it's a win-win situation.
0:37:28 > 0:37:32That's not the only balance that's improved either.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36It's probably paying me about maybe £20,000 almost more a year
0:37:36 > 0:37:37than I got back in the UK,
0:37:37 > 0:37:41so that is a significant increase in earnings,
0:37:41 > 0:37:43which is a dream come true.
0:37:43 > 0:37:46Christopher hasn't had a job offer just yet,
0:37:46 > 0:37:49but his prospects are looking positive.
0:37:49 > 0:37:50At the moment, I've currently
0:37:50 > 0:37:54been through interviews for a job with a bank out here,
0:37:54 > 0:37:57so I'm just waiting on a final interview
0:37:57 > 0:38:00with the general state manager for a branch manager role out here,
0:38:00 > 0:38:02so really excited and fingers crossed for that.
0:38:02 > 0:38:05That's really my dream job. That's ideally what I'd like to do.
0:38:05 > 0:38:07There's plenty of opportunity out here for that, which is great.
0:38:07 > 0:38:09While he waits for news,
0:38:09 > 0:38:12Christopher's managed to adapt to his new role as househusband.
0:38:12 > 0:38:14It's a bit strange, him going out to work and me being home.
0:38:14 > 0:38:17That's never really happened since we've been together.
0:38:17 > 0:38:21I think, in some senses, he's maybe enjoying
0:38:21 > 0:38:22being a gentleman of leisure.
0:38:22 > 0:38:24- Yes.- Yes.
0:38:24 > 0:38:26He can go out gallivanting, go to the beach.
0:38:26 > 0:38:29But I do know that he's very keen to start work
0:38:29 > 0:38:30and to have that confirmation
0:38:30 > 0:38:32that we've got a second salary coming in
0:38:32 > 0:38:35and we can start paying for things that we really want.
0:38:37 > 0:38:38During their trial week,
0:38:38 > 0:38:41the couple were shocked at their potential finances down under,
0:38:41 > 0:38:43but to date it's not been an issue.
0:38:43 > 0:38:46Now that we're here, we're very pleasantly surprised.
0:38:46 > 0:38:49Although at the minute we only have one salary,
0:38:49 > 0:38:53it's more than enough for us to survive at the minute.
0:38:53 > 0:38:55And then obviously when you start work, that's it.
0:38:55 > 0:38:59I can maybe drop my hours and start becoming a gentleman of leisure.
0:38:59 > 0:39:00I don't think so.
0:39:00 > 0:39:04For Neil, the move was all about a better lifestyle, and so far
0:39:04 > 0:39:07Australia is living up to expectations.
0:39:07 > 0:39:09We've been to a lot of markets.
0:39:09 > 0:39:11There's a lot of markets here at the weekend,
0:39:11 > 0:39:13especially food markets, which are our favourite.
0:39:13 > 0:39:15Going to the beach, eating out,
0:39:15 > 0:39:17meeting friends that we made previously
0:39:17 > 0:39:19and getting to meet new people.
0:39:19 > 0:39:21So, I don't think there is much comparison just now.
0:39:21 > 0:39:24It does seem like we're on a big long holiday.
0:39:24 > 0:39:28Entertaining friends was a huge part of the boys' life back in the UK.
0:39:28 > 0:39:31- Hi!- How are you?
0:39:31 > 0:39:34And they've wasted no time putting their hosting skills
0:39:34 > 0:39:37into action down under.
0:39:37 > 0:39:39- Go and cook.- I know.- I'm starving.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44They are just a great couple and they're so much fun
0:39:44 > 0:39:46and brighten everything up.
0:39:46 > 0:39:48And they're just, yeah, just great to be with.
0:39:48 > 0:39:51At one stage, we thought they would never get here.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- That's what I was thinking. - Because it was like,
0:39:53 > 0:39:56"Oh, yes, in June," or, you know, a few months later,
0:39:56 > 0:39:59but it's great to see that they've finally got here
0:39:59 > 0:40:00and they're happy to be here.
0:40:00 > 0:40:03Coming over from Scotland to move here I think is just so brave.
0:40:03 > 0:40:05I couldn't do it.
0:40:05 > 0:40:08It's just a big move, but they've done really well.
0:40:09 > 0:40:12Their short spell in Australia has delivered everything
0:40:12 > 0:40:14the couple had hoped for,
0:40:14 > 0:40:17but home is never far from their thoughts.
0:40:17 > 0:40:21For me, homesickness always kicks in as soon as you hang up the phone
0:40:21 > 0:40:22with back home.
0:40:22 > 0:40:25As soon as you say your goodbyes, it hits you like a tonne of bricks.
0:40:25 > 0:40:27I still have been phoning and speaking to my grandparents
0:40:27 > 0:40:30every day, in the same way I would as if I was back home.
0:40:30 > 0:40:33It makes it seems less real that we're actually so far away.
0:40:33 > 0:40:37The main concern for me is just being so far away from home,
0:40:37 > 0:40:39and if anything was to happen back home
0:40:39 > 0:40:42and how we'd be able to cope with that and deal with that.
0:40:42 > 0:40:43One moment you think,
0:40:43 > 0:40:46"Yeah, we're doing great and we've adjusted to being here,"
0:40:46 > 0:40:49and then bang, before you know it, you're teary-eyed
0:40:49 > 0:40:51and missing silly things like the cats.
0:40:53 > 0:40:55The couple re-homed their felines with friends
0:40:55 > 0:40:58but are managing to keep in contact.
0:40:58 > 0:41:01Our friends keep posting Facebook updates to show,
0:41:01 > 0:41:03"Oh, Moet and Jenson are missing you guys,"
0:41:03 > 0:41:06and we see their wee photos and we think, "Aw."
0:41:06 > 0:41:08I think it's more friends and family can understand,
0:41:08 > 0:41:11whereas the cats back home can't.
0:41:11 > 0:41:13We miss lots about the UK.
0:41:13 > 0:41:15Although we're here starting our new life
0:41:15 > 0:41:17and everything is great,
0:41:17 > 0:41:20but...it's not home yet.
0:41:20 > 0:41:21Ever organised, though,
0:41:21 > 0:41:25the couple are forearmed to fend off feelings of isolation.
0:41:25 > 0:41:28We've already planned a trip back to Scotland,
0:41:28 > 0:41:31so we're going home for two weeks just before Christmas.
0:41:31 > 0:41:34It was quite a conscious decision that we made to make sure we go home
0:41:34 > 0:41:37for a set period of time just to see everybody
0:41:37 > 0:41:39and get over that kind of homesickness.
0:41:39 > 0:41:40Yay!
0:41:40 > 0:41:42And they won't be able to put off
0:41:42 > 0:41:45taking those boxes to the dump for much longer.
0:41:45 > 0:41:48Already we have almost a calendar full of people
0:41:48 > 0:41:50coming to stay with us here.
0:41:50 > 0:41:53So, we're having to strategically place them
0:41:53 > 0:41:55and make sure they don't overlap.
0:41:55 > 0:42:00The couple can't wait to get family acquainted with their new life.
0:42:00 > 0:42:03A house where my mum and dad can stay for months at a time
0:42:03 > 0:42:05is absolutely great.
0:42:05 > 0:42:07Being able to offer this quality of life
0:42:07 > 0:42:09to our loved ones and friends,
0:42:09 > 0:42:12for them to come here to share in our dream,
0:42:12 > 0:42:14I think seals the deal for us.
0:42:14 > 0:42:17It may still be the honeymoon period,
0:42:17 > 0:42:19but the outlook down under looks like a sunny one
0:42:19 > 0:42:21for Christopher and Neil.
0:42:21 > 0:42:24I would 200% say that we have definitely made the right move.
0:42:24 > 0:42:27It is very, very early days, we've not been here long at all,
0:42:27 > 0:42:31but everything is going better than we expected.
0:42:31 > 0:42:33We've put a lot of planning behind this,
0:42:33 > 0:42:36and this has been Neil's dream from the get-go.
0:42:36 > 0:42:39It feels absolutely great, and long may it continue.
0:42:39 > 0:42:43I don't have any concerns at all about our future in Adelaide.
0:42:43 > 0:42:45I think things are going to work out perfectly well,
0:42:45 > 0:42:47probably better than we anticipated.
0:42:47 > 0:42:50At the moment, with the way our lives are,
0:42:50 > 0:42:52I think definitely the future is in Australia.
0:42:52 > 0:42:56It's difficult to put into words how fabulous I think it is,
0:42:56 > 0:43:00and it is so exciting that this is the start of the rest of our lives.
0:43:05 > 0:43:08After a life-changing two years for the couple,
0:43:08 > 0:43:10it looks like they're well on their way
0:43:10 > 0:43:13to achieving their dream lifestyle.
0:43:13 > 0:43:16We wish Neil and Christopher all the luck in the world.