Atkins Family Wanted Down Under


Atkins Family

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They say it's not where you live but who you live with that's important.

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But what if you and your partner are at loggerheads over where to spend

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your future, and that's threatening to ruin your relationship?

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Having arrived in the UK 15 years ago,

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Shari Atkins is now desperate to return to Australia.

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As much as home is here now, there's a part of my heart in Australia.

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But husband Karie can't bear to leave the life he loves in the UK.

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There are family, there are friends, there are the finances,

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you know, the reality of it all.

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After years of indecision,

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a trial week down under is crunch time for Shari's dream and marriage.

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If Karie voted to stay in the UK, that's kind of putting a bit of

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a nail in our coffin because I just think I'll be done with waiting.

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The flattest and lowest landmass on Earth,

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Australia's a nation people have called home for over 40,000 years.

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Offering stunning landscapes and a fabulous climate,

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in more recent times it's been considered a land of plenty

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for British families on the move, with recent figures showing

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an estimated 34,000 people emigrate there every year.

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When Shari Atkins arrived in the UK from Australia in 2001

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as a fresh-faced traveller, it was always planned as a temporary trip.

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15 years on, however, despite repeated promises from husband

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Karie to make the move down under, she's still living in Wales

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and the issue's putting their marriage under pressure.

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Now, Shari has one week to convince Karie to follow her home or

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face the possibility of losing her for ever.

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The couple's return trip to Australia starts with

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a flight from London to Dubai and then on to Perth.

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And, after almost 18 hours in the sky, Karie's exhausted

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when they finally touch down.

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The journey was very long, didn't get much sleep.

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Shari's delighted to be back on Aussie soil.

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I'm just excited to be home, to be fair,

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and just looking forward to getting back into it and showing

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Karie kind of the lifestyle that he could potentially have here with me.

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But he's more anxious than excited.

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I'm pretty nervous, bit of pressure on me this week.

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Yeah, I'm hoping everything goes well and, you know, all the things

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that we see kind of, you know, take us in the right direction.

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Their emotions may be conflicting

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but the couple agree on the importance of the next seven days.

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There's a lot riding on this week.

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Yeah, there's a massive amount riding on this week.

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I guess it's us, at the end of the day, that's riding on this week.

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Pretty much.

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As the couple head out into Perth, they're all too aware their

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marriage could be on the line if they can't agree come the end of the week.

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Back in the UK,

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Karie and Shari Atkins live in Chepstow in South Wales.

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Born in Australia, Shari was considering travelling the world

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when, in 2001, the flip of a coin changed her future for ever.

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It came up heads and I literally walked out the door

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and went straight to the closest travel agent

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and booked a one-way flight to the UK.

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Five years later, Shari was just six months from returning home

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when she met Karie.

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Their first date didn't start well.

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I was over an hour late.

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-Hour and a half.

-OK, an hour and a half!

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But, having hit it off, Shari temporarily delayed

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her return to Australia on the understanding

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if Karie remained in her life, he'd eventually go with her.

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I pretty much told him from the word go that if, you know...

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anybody who was going to be with me would have to realise that

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at some point I'm going back and, hopefully, that they

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would want to come with me, but that it was a non-negotiable deal.

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I kind of didn't really think much about it, to be honest,

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didn't really contemplate such a huge thing.

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When the couple decided to tie the knot three years later,

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Karie promised Shari a future down under.

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When we got engaged, Karie had said that we would,

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at some point in the future, move back to Australia.

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It would be part of the deal, part of the engagement package. Um...

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And, yeah, I just always thought that it would be part of our future at some point.

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The couple took a trip to Shari's home country in 2012,

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but if she was hoping to use it to persuade Karie to make the move

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her plan didn't work out.

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Almost 15 years after she arrived in the UK,

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she's now longing to go home.

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It's something to do with feeling home,

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and as much as home is here now,

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there's a part of my heart in Australia.

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But, despite his earlier promises,

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Karie still can't commit to the life his wife wants.

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She can just flip a coin and make a decision based on that.

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Whereas I'm much more considered.

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I need to be on the way to 100% certain that these

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things are going to...

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You know, this is going to work for us.

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A fan of outdoor pursuits, Karie has concerns about a move.

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I'd need to be confident that there was a job there for both of us.

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I'd need to know that we could afford a house.

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To know that we could at least match the life that we have in the UK

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and also that I could fit into the lifestyle.

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He's also wavering at the thought of leaving family in the UK.

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I do love them very much and it just...

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It'll be a real struggle for me, I think.

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The prospect of saying goodbye to ageing grandparents

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is especially tough.

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I'd really miss them, obviously, but it's just, yeah, not knowing

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whether I would actually see them again and that's really difficult.

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Nine years since their first conversations about Australia,

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Shari is running out of patience and she is so desperate to return home

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she's even contemplating going on her own.

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Threatening to leave Karie and leave our relationship

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and leave everything we've got built up here, it's...

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Nobody wants to do that.

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But, I've realised that that's...

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You know, I've got to give it a go, so that's, erm...

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..that's where it's come from.

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Sorry.

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The couple now face a week that will make or break their relationship, as

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Shari gives trying to convince Karie to follow her home one last shot.

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It was always part of the deal that we would do it one day.

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You know, I've been open and honest about wanting to go back

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since day one and I think it's fair.

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Blatantly, I've not come through on my promise.

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I do feel bad about that.

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Just give it a go. That's all I'm asking.

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-Not, you know, not the world, just give it a go. Be fair.

-I know.

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Shari and Karie are spending their trial week in the coastal port

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of Fremantle, just 12 miles from central Perth in Western Australia.

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Their temporary home is a one-bedroom cottage

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on a leafy street close to the beach,

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but will it live up to Shari's memories of Australian living?

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-What do you reckon?

-Hi, honey, I'm home.

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Happy so far, then.

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-Oh.

-Finally here.

-Wow!

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The quirky interiors of this former fisherman's cottage

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appeal to Shari straightaway.

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I could live in something like this. I'd be very happy.

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But Karie's not so sure.

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It's, like, kind of not Australian but...

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I don't know.

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-It's probably not what you were expecting, no.

-Yeah, exactly.

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-The kitchen isn't quite what he expected, either.

-I don't know.

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It's sort of open plan, but it's not quite what, I guess,

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we were thinking, maybe, but I really like it.

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-No, it's awesome. They have a nice back yard.

-Yeah.

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It's not huge, but Shari quickly spots something that should

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appeal to Karie.

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-Shed. Yeah.

-Off you go.

-Yeah, I know where I'm sleeping.

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Hopefully, it won't come to that.

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After checking out the rest of the house,

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the couple appear happy with everything they've seen so far.

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It's a lovely place. It's very homely, very quirky.

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It's a good start.

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I just can't wait to get out and rediscover it all

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and remind myself of how good it is.

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But, as they make themselves at home, Shari's enthusiasm for being

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back on home turf is already unsettling Karie.

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You know, there is a bit of pressure there for me

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to like things and want to feel the same way,

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but, you know, I've got to look at it

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with a clear mind and see what I think and see what's possible.

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After years spent longing to be back home,

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Shari knows the week ahead is critical

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if she and Karie are to have a future.

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A decision has to be made, one way or the other.

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I know ultimately that I want to be here

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and I'd like Karie to be, but if he chooses not to, then...

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Well, I guess we'll just have to cross that bridge when we come to it.

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Hopefully not, though.

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# Are you with me... #

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Back in the UK, home for Shari and Karie is a two-bedroom

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mid-terraced cottage in Chepstow, South Wales.

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We've worked really, really hard to get it exactly how we like it.

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It was our first home as a married couple,

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so, you know, it has great importance to us.

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Still, Shari is prepared to give it up to return to the country

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where she was born, and if she does persuade Karie to join her

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the couple agree on the kind of house they'd like next.

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I would love a big back yard.

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A small house on a big piece of land.

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Three bedrooms would be great.

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-A shed for you.

-Yeah, a shed or a garage.

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Close to the beach.

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In an ideal world, it will also be quite close to some wooded area,

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so you could go off and do some biking.

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But there's a difference of opinion on whether

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their £330,000 budget can get them the perfect property.

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I think there's a dream property for that kind of money out there.

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But, I think, in Australian terms with Australian wages,

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-probably lower-ish rung.

-OK.

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To find out what kind of house they could actually have,

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today we'll show Karie and Shari three properties.

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Two based on their budget and a third which could be their dream home.

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Only after they've seen each one will they find out what it costs.

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House-hunting gets underway in Bayswater,

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just over three miles north-east of central Perth.

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Stretching along the banks of the Swan River,

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the area offers plenty of open space for running and cycling,

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so could be perfect for Karie.

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But will it be the house to persuade him

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to make Shari's wish to return home come true?

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-Seen this garage?

-I know, it's brilliant.

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That's one thing off the wish list. Hopefully, inside won't disappoint.

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Oh, this is nice, isn't it? Nice open plan. Straight into the lounge.

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I wasn't expecting that, actually.

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Karie doesn't sound sold.

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I like the layout, but I'm not so keen on the look of the kitchen.

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-Oh, that's OK, that can be changed.

-Yeah, true.

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Shari is determined to sell Aussie homes.

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But first, the spacious master bedroom helps her case.

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-Wow! Oh, it's beautiful.

-That's not a bad size, is it?

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-That's absolutely beautiful.

-Yeah.

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But, on further inspection...

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It's kind of weird, for me, having a bedroom at the front of the house.

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Well, British houses are all upstairs downstairs, aren't they?

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So, Aussie houses are a bit more...

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You always have bedrooms at the front.

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The layout might take some getting used to, but with three

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good-sized bedrooms, the house offers the space the couple want.

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-The bathroom, though, shows less promise.

-It's kind of...

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-It's a bit disappointing.

-It is disappointing.

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It doesn't fit well with the house, I don't think.

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It may not be the stuff dreams are made of but, moving outside,

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the huge garden is a big hit with Shari.

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Whoa! That is awesome.

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No way! This is brilliant.

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This is, like, exceeding my expectations at the moment.

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And additional space for bikes and sporting equipment

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almost leaves Karie speechless.

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If this fits with the budget we've got in mind, wow!

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Would you move in tomorrow? I'm not joking.

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I know you're not joking. I know. I know you're not joking.

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It's the first place they've seen,

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but this could be the house to tempt Karie to swap Chepstow for Perth

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if their £330,000 budget would be enough to buy it.

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Time to find out.

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Whoa! £343,200.

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That is amazing.

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-OK, it's over our budget.

-Yeah, yeah.

-But it's not that much over.

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-That's really impressive.

-That is promising, isn't it?

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Really impressive.

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Just over 13,000 over budget hasn't dented the couple's enthusiasm,

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and, encouraged, they move on to view the second property of the day.

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It's situated in Karrinyup, a well-established suburb

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15 minutes' drive from the city.

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-Properties along here are not cheap.

-Oh, it's by the coast.

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It's right there.

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Close to one of Perth's most popular beaches,

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the area should appeal to Shari and plenty of green areas suited

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to running and cycling, make it perfect for Karie, too.

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But will this three-bedroom cottage be somewhere

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the Atkins could make themselves at home?

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-Oh, yeah.

-Wow! This is quite a nice little sitting-room, isn't it?

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Front lounge. It's much bigger than ours and...

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-Huge, compared to ours, yeah.

-Really nicely decorated.

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The recently renovated interiors have plenty of charm

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and the master bedroom wins Shari over, too.

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-Really, really nicely done.

-Yeah.

-Isn't it?

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Unlike the last house, though, the bedrooms here aren't as big on space,

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but Shari's not too bothered.

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The rooms might be a little bit smaller, but I think it's quite nice

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because you've got the character of the property in it, not just boxes.

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Yeah.

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The house offers the open plan living Australian

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properties are coveted for,

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but it's the furniture and fittings that get Shari and Karie's attention.

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The decor, everything in here is absolutely beautiful.

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-Really cool, isn't it?

-The bathroom has also been updated.

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Oh, wow!

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But it's not quite to their tastes.

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-Corner bath, not so keen on that myself.

-Looks like it's a Jacuzzi.

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Again, not so keen, but... It's nice to have. It's a feature.

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Wandering outside, Karie is further underwhelmed in the garden.

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-You've got a house right there.

-But, look at this.

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This space is beautiful.

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But I was expecting, maybe, a little bit of greenery.

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But think, no mowing the lawns,

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-so there's no gardening you have to do.

-Yeah.

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Shari is skilfully keeping Karie on side.

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Now, all they need to do is find out how much this house costs.

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Their budget is £330,000.

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I reckon this is going to be 400,000.

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Yeah, I'm going to go 440.

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Let's see if anyone's right.

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Oh, my God! 353?

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Don't forget about the 600.

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That's really impressive.

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Yeah, I wish that was nearer the 300,

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but then we were expecting 400, so that's a really good surprise.

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Good way of thinking about it. I'm really impressed with that price.

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£23,000 over budget, cheaper than they thought.

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With the right jobs and salary, this house could be within reach.

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To see the final property, the couple head for Doubleview.

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Six miles north-west of central Perth

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and less than two miles from the beach, this thriving suburb

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offers a good compromise between beach and city living.

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-They're huge, though, aren't they? Some of these.

-They are huge.

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I don't think any of these can be for us, surely.

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We think this immaculately presented house three-bedroomed house

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could be the couple's dream home. Will they agree?

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I mean, it's, sort of, a bit terracotta.

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I'm not sure about the style of it.

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It's lacking kerb appeal for Karie.

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Will the interiors be more desirable?

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Here we go.

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-OK.

-It's a little bit more bright and airy in here

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than I thought it was going to be.

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First impressions are all right, actually.

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Obviously, the layout is a bit weird with the furniture,

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but, then, that's furniture.

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Moving into the heart of the home,

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-the main living area has plenty to offer.

-This is good.

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-Look at this space.

-This is a brilliant area, isn't it?

-Yeah.

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Open plan. Looking out onto the garden, as well, which is cool.

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The interiors are modern and fresh, but Shari has a slight concern.

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I must admit, looking at the kitchen, a bit small.

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Yeah, I was going to say, kitchen is not massive

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but the fact that it's, kind of, open doesn't matter so much, maybe.

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The couple can see potential here,

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but the main family bathroom proves distinctly average.

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It's not a wow factor, but it's just very... It's nice, it's tidy.

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-It's practical.

-It is practical.

-It does the job.

-Yeah.

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The house also has plenty of rooms for guests.

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What do you think of this as a main bedroom, though?

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It's a good size, isn't it?

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It's a really good size and you've got some really good views

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out of the window, as well.

0:18:350:18:37

Inside is evoking mixed reactions and outside...

0:18:370:18:41

Ha! Got a Jacuzzi.

0:18:410:18:43

Or a very, very tiny swimming pool.

0:18:430:18:46

The manicured north-facing secret garden is perfect for entertaining,

0:18:460:18:50

but not quite what Karie or Shari was expecting.

0:18:500:18:53

-It's quite...

-Interesting.

-Quite weird.

0:18:540:18:56

That sunken feeling but, again, it is

0:18:560:18:58

quite private but I'm not too sure about it.

0:18:580:19:01

It may not be Shari or Karie's dream home after all

0:19:010:19:04

but, with all the space they need,

0:19:040:19:06

is it somewhere they could afford on their £330,000 budget?

0:19:060:19:11

-Let's have a look.

-Ready?

-Yeah.

0:19:110:19:12

379,700.

0:19:200:19:23

That's around £50,000 over budget.

0:19:240:19:26

Yeah, OK, I think this is all about location.

0:19:280:19:31

If we were going to go nearly 50K over our budget,

0:19:310:19:35

I'd want it to be a bit nicer than this.

0:19:350:19:38

I was probably expecting a bit more for this kind of price,

0:19:380:19:41

as well, but then I guess you're trading off against location because

0:19:410:19:44

it's very near to the ocean and nearer to the city centre, as well.

0:19:440:19:49

That's right, yes.

0:19:490:19:50

It wasn't the perfect property but, overall,

0:19:500:19:52

house-hunting has given Shari and Karie plenty to consider.

0:19:520:19:56

Property one was almost perfect,

0:19:570:19:59

with the huge garden Shari dreams of and the shed Karie longs for.

0:19:590:20:03

The interiors of property two won both Karie and Shari over

0:20:060:20:10

and, despite initial reservations about the garden,

0:20:100:20:12

Karie could see himself settling in.

0:20:120:20:14

The location of property three was perfect but, at almost £50,000

0:20:160:20:21

over budget, the house fell short of being the couple's dream home.

0:20:210:20:24

So, will the day have done enough to make both Shari and Karie pick

0:20:260:20:29

Australian properties over the house they already have in the UK?

0:20:290:20:33

Our vote is...

0:20:350:20:37

-Australia.

-Australia.

-Woo! That's good.

0:20:480:20:53

I'm really impressed with the houses we've seen today.

0:20:530:20:56

Even I'm quite impressed with what we could, potentially, afford here.

0:20:560:20:59

-Yeah.

-I'm really, really stoked you chose Australia.

-Cool.

0:20:590:21:03

A vote for Australia from Karie means Shari's crusade is off

0:21:130:21:17

to a flying start, but if she is to keep him by her side,

0:21:170:21:21

laying his job concerns to rest will be crucial.

0:21:210:21:24

Back home, Karie enjoys his work as a programme manager, looking after

0:21:270:21:30

aircraft equipment repair contracts.

0:21:300:21:33

It'll be really important for me to find something

0:21:340:21:37

that is akin to what I do in the UK.

0:21:370:21:39

Shari's been running her own company providing

0:21:390:21:42

public relations for utility companies for the past three years,

0:21:420:21:46

but she's prepared to give it all up to move back home.

0:21:460:21:49

Ideally, I'd love to continue working for myself in Australia,

0:21:490:21:53

however, I am quite open to the fact that

0:21:530:21:55

I haven't got contacts behind me, so I might have to work for somebody

0:21:550:21:58

else for a change, but I'm quite excited about something new, really.

0:21:580:22:03

Karie, on the other hand, isn't as flexible.

0:22:040:22:07

I think it will be really hard for me

0:22:070:22:09

to consider a move without having the ability to see

0:22:090:22:14

that I could get a good job and a good wage in Australia.

0:22:140:22:17

As the couple prepare to gauge work prospects in Perth,

0:22:190:22:22

Shari's anxious about how much the day really means for her and Karie.

0:22:220:22:27

If things don't go to plan, then that's, you know...

0:22:270:22:30

Ultimately it might be the end for us, and that's a horrible thought.

0:22:300:22:35

We've arranged for Karie to meet Amy Nicholls,

0:22:350:22:38

an executive consultant in the recruitment department

0:22:380:22:41

of one of Australia's largest transport logistics companies.

0:22:410:22:44

After a look around one of the warehouses,

0:22:440:22:47

Karie's ready to talk business.

0:22:470:22:49

You've seen my CV.

0:22:490:22:50

I'd like to know whether I have transferable skills

0:22:500:22:52

-that could work for this company.

-Absolutely.

0:22:520:22:54

The industry that you worked in is quite specialised,

0:22:540:22:57

but the skills that you have in that role

0:22:570:22:59

are quite generic and transformable.

0:22:590:23:02

That's really put my mind at rest. I was really concerned about that.

0:23:020:23:05

That's just what Karie needed to hear.

0:23:050:23:07

Hopefully, the outlook will be as promising for Shari.

0:23:070:23:11

She'd like to gain some experience in the local market before

0:23:110:23:14

possibly setting up her own business, so we've arranged for her to meet

0:23:140:23:18

Peter Harris, managing director of a global public relations consultancy.

0:23:180:23:23

Shari welcomes the opportunity to look around,

0:23:230:23:25

and when Peter shows her through to his office

0:23:250:23:28

she's keen to explore her chances of securing a job here.

0:23:280:23:31

Do you have any sort of placements available for someone like me?

0:23:320:23:35

At the moment, there isn't any specific placements, but I would say

0:23:350:23:40

that someone of your experience and skill sets,

0:23:400:23:44

I believe you'd have a very strong chance

0:23:440:23:47

of securing employment in that particular sector in WA.

0:23:470:23:51

That is absolutely brilliant news.

0:23:510:23:54

Shari might not walk into a job straight away,

0:23:540:23:57

but knowing she'd make a desirable employee is encouraging news.

0:23:570:24:02

Back at the logistics company, Karie has discovered, while the aviation

0:24:020:24:05

industry in Perth is relatively small, other options are available.

0:24:050:24:10

I would see you in the future looking to get towards

0:24:110:24:14

-a project management role.

-OK.

0:24:140:24:16

However, you might have to take a bit of a step back to get

0:24:160:24:19

some of your Australian experience,

0:24:190:24:21

understand the culture and the way they work out here.

0:24:210:24:24

Use a particular role as a kind of stepping stone.

0:24:240:24:27

Say, a project coordinator, for example,

0:24:270:24:29

in logistics maybe heavy haulage.

0:24:290:24:31

That could be a really good foot in the door for you.

0:24:310:24:34

OK, that sounds really interesting, actually.

0:24:340:24:36

Karie is encouraged, but would the potential salary for a junior role

0:24:360:24:40

be as promising?

0:24:400:24:42

If you went into a project coordinator role, 40 to 45,000,

0:24:420:24:46

you're probably looking at 60,000 plus for a project manager, pounds.

0:24:460:24:50

That's a really impressive wage, actually.

0:24:500:24:53

Karie earns around £38,000 in his current job,

0:24:530:24:56

so, even though he'd be doing a different role down under,

0:24:560:25:00

his prospects look good.

0:25:000:25:01

Meanwhile, having discovered working hours in Perth would be similar

0:25:010:25:05

to back home, Shari is investigating her earning potential as an employee.

0:25:050:25:10

The starting point for someone with your experience, I would

0:25:100:25:14

suggest would be in the approximate range of £57-£60,000,

0:25:140:25:20

but then increasing as you gain

0:25:200:25:23

further experience of the local marketplace.

0:25:230:25:26

Well, thank you so much for your time today,

0:25:260:25:28

I really do appreciate it.

0:25:280:25:29

Outside, Shari admits the salary makes working for someone else

0:25:290:25:33

an attractive option.

0:25:330:25:35

It was almost double what I earn in the UK, for what seemed

0:25:350:25:38

similar hours and the conditions were brilliant,

0:25:380:25:41

so, that was a real plus for me.

0:25:410:25:44

And, when she reunites with Karie,

0:25:450:25:47

Shari is relieved to hear he's had a good day, too.

0:25:470:25:49

It went really well, actually.

0:25:510:25:53

-The good thing is my skills are transferable.

-Fantastic.

0:25:530:25:56

They talked about a project coordinator role,

0:25:560:25:59

so it wouldn't be doing exactly the same thing,

0:25:590:26:01

but I'd be looking at, maybe, similar to what

0:26:010:26:04

I'm earning in the UK.

0:26:040:26:05

Not as great as I was hoping for.

0:26:050:26:09

That would be, like I say, a stepping stone.

0:26:090:26:12

It's been positive all round, but will Karie's on-the-ground

0:26:120:26:15

research be enough to see him fly the Australian flag

0:26:150:26:18

when it comes to choosing between work at home or away?

0:26:180:26:21

Today was a really important day finding out about job

0:26:210:26:24

prospects in Australia and now it's time to vote.

0:26:240:26:27

-Australia!

-Australia!

0:26:380:26:40

Woo! Awesome. I didn't think you'd go that.

0:26:400:26:43

Well, I may have to take a step down in Australia, initially,

0:26:430:26:46

but, you know, I really want this to work for us

0:26:460:26:49

and if I need to make some compromises then, you know,

0:26:490:26:52

-I think I can. I think I can do that.

-Yay!

0:26:520:26:56

Bowled over by Perth's properties and buoyed

0:27:010:27:03

by potential job opportunities, one by one, Karie's

0:27:030:27:07

concerns are being laid to rest.

0:27:070:27:09

So will experiencing the Australian lifestyle

0:27:090:27:12

Shari's longing to return to be enough to tempt him further?

0:27:120:27:16

The couple enjoy an outdoor lifestyle in the UK.

0:27:180:27:21

But, with Shari keen to add watersports to their repertoire,

0:27:210:27:24

the pair head to Lake Leschenaultia, in Chidlow,

0:27:240:27:27

to start their day with some canoeing.

0:27:270:27:29

-Hiya.

-How you doing?

-Good, thanks.

0:27:290:27:31

-There you go.

-One-hour canoe hire?

-Yeah, please, yeah.

0:27:310:27:34

After a quick safety briefing, the couple are ready to go.

0:27:350:27:39

-Here we go.

-Are you ready?

-Yeah.

0:27:410:27:43

Just 45 minutes from the city, this former railway dam

0:27:430:27:47

-is the perfect place to enjoy some time on the water.

-Lovely, isn't it?

0:27:470:27:51

Karie looks like he could have found a new sport.

0:27:590:28:02

We do canoeing in the UK but the weather is fantastic,

0:28:020:28:06

it's autumn, so it's really matching up quite nicely at the moment.

0:28:060:28:11

And Shari looks right at home.

0:28:110:28:13

How's the steering going?

0:28:130:28:14

It just reinforces what I've always, you know,

0:28:140:28:17

remembered Australia to be.

0:28:170:28:19

Next, the pair hit the popular mountain biking trails

0:28:250:28:27

of nearby Paulls Valley.

0:28:270:28:29

Karie is an avid mountain biker back home, but Shari's hoping

0:28:340:28:38

today will convince him there's plenty of scope for cycling

0:28:380:28:41

down under, and it looks like she could be in luck.

0:28:410:28:44

Brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.

0:28:440:28:46

The trails in the UK are fantastic, but these are great too.

0:28:460:28:49

It's just beautiful out here today.

0:28:490:28:51

I can't really have a bad word to say about it, you know?

0:28:510:28:54

Don't, you'll push me off!

0:28:540:28:57

The afternoon has worked wonders on Karie

0:28:590:29:02

and, as the couple round off their day with a picnic on Gooseberry Hill,

0:29:020:29:05

Shari admits she's more determined than ever to come home.

0:29:050:29:09

If Karie chooses not to want to come back,

0:29:120:29:15

I will be gutted because this is...

0:29:150:29:17

You know, it is everything that I want for us.

0:29:170:29:19

But as the sun sets over Perth, it could yet be setting on her dream.

0:29:210:29:25

These aren't just the things I have to consider.

0:29:270:29:29

There are family, there are friends, there are the finances, you know,

0:29:290:29:32

the reality of it all.

0:29:320:29:34

The couple face some tough decisions come the end of the week,

0:29:350:29:39

but has the lifestyle seduced Karie into choosing Australia over the UK?

0:29:390:29:43

After an awesome day doing activities that we both love,

0:29:460:29:49

our vote today will be...

0:29:490:29:51

-BOTH:

-Australia.

0:30:040:30:05

-Woo! Did you? Really?

-Yeah, yeah.

0:30:050:30:09

I'm so, so happy that you've gone down the Oz route, for that,

0:30:090:30:13

because I was actually concerned that, as much as you loved today,

0:30:130:30:16

it wouldn't be enough to convince you.

0:30:160:30:18

It was great, it was just absolutely great,

0:30:180:30:20

and just today is kind of, like,

0:30:200:30:23

starting to underline that we can potentially have a life

0:30:230:30:26

in Australia that can match up equally

0:30:260:30:28

-or, if not, better than the UK. So, yeah.

-Yay! Cool.

-Yeah.

0:30:280:30:32

Karie's consistent votes for Australia are Shari's clearest

0:30:420:30:45

signal yet she could soon return home with her husband by her side.

0:30:450:30:50

But she still needs to prove the move won't rob them

0:30:500:30:53

of financial stability.

0:30:530:30:54

If she succeeds, the couple hope to sell their house in Wales

0:30:540:30:58

for around £150,000.

0:30:580:31:00

We've arranged for valuations from two estate agents

0:31:000:31:03

to see if that's achievable.

0:31:030:31:04

Ah, no!

0:31:060:31:08

Sticky front door.

0:31:120:31:13

-Wow! Lovely room.

-Ah, OK.

-Nice and bright. Nice floor.

0:31:160:31:20

-Positive.

-Yeah.

-Nice space. This is really impressive.

0:31:230:31:26

They're often quite small in these older houses, but this is lovely.

0:31:260:31:29

And they've done a good job of the decor.

0:31:290:31:31

It can be a bit dark, but they've really made it nice

0:31:310:31:33

-and light with these colour schemes.

-Awesome.

0:31:330:31:36

What a nice garden. Really pleasant.

0:31:360:31:38

Courtyard garden, plenty of storage space. Really nice.

0:31:390:31:44

Ah, the main bedroom. That's a nice space, as well.

0:31:440:31:47

Like the fact that it's south-facing, a lot of sun.

0:31:470:31:49

It's onto the road, so maybe a bit of noise but it is double-glazed.

0:31:490:31:53

This is sounding good, isn't it?

0:31:530:31:54

Lovely, tasteful bathroom. Really modern, updated.

0:31:540:31:58

Very, very nice indeed. Everything you could want.

0:31:580:32:01

In the current market, I would value this property at £166,500

0:32:030:32:10

and for a quick sale, I would value the property for 166,000.

0:32:100:32:16

-That's great.

-That was a quick sale.

0:32:160:32:18

On the open market, today, I value this property at £185,000

0:32:180:32:23

and for a quick sale I'd say £174,000.

0:32:230:32:27

No! That is awesome.

0:32:270:32:29

-That is seriously awesome.

-Oh, my God.

0:32:290:32:33

To have that cash behind us and stuff, is...

0:32:330:32:36

-I know! 180.

-I know.

-That is incredible.

0:32:360:32:39

Valuations exceeding expectations is a good start.

0:32:420:32:46

The couple sit down to work out how much living in Australia

0:32:460:32:48

would really cost, beginning with their weekly food shop.

0:32:480:32:53

-Milk is cheaper.

-Yep.

-By £1, almost.

0:32:530:32:57

Greens and vegetables seem to be a little bit more expensive here.

0:32:570:33:01

-Eggs.

-Eggs are more expensive. Tuna is a lot more expensive.

0:33:010:33:05

Chopped tomatoes are way more expensive. That's weird, isn't it?

0:33:050:33:09

The items add up to reveal they would spend around £10

0:33:090:33:12

more on groceries every week.

0:33:120:33:14

Next, the couple move on to the bigger bills,

0:33:160:33:18

basing their mortgage repayment on the first property they viewed.

0:33:180:33:22

Wow, that's a significant cost.

0:33:220:33:25

It would be £1,000 more a month on the mortgage.

0:33:250:33:28

But, I guess, at the end of the day we're upgrading.

0:33:280:33:31

Don't get me wrong, that is a significant jump, isn't it?

0:33:310:33:35

Fortunately, there are some savings to be made elsewhere.

0:33:350:33:39

-Gas and electricity...

-Cheaper here.

0:33:390:33:42

Gas is. Electricity is more.

0:33:420:33:45

Car running costs, they're kind of the same.

0:33:450:33:48

Gym membership is the same. You can get rid of that cos

0:33:480:33:51

we'll spend all our time outside, so that's good.

0:33:510:33:53

Shari is desperate to make the sums work in her favour.

0:33:530:33:56

Our monthly costs would then be...

0:33:560:33:58

-Ooh.

-4,166.

0:33:590:34:02

That's £828 more than they spend in the UK every month.

0:34:030:34:09

-That's not good.

-No, it's not good.

0:34:090:34:12

Everything now rests on the couple's potential salaries down under.

0:34:120:34:17

-OK, so, in Australia our wages will be, combined, £5,887.

-OK.

0:34:170:34:23

And in the UK they are £5,058.

0:34:230:34:28

Wow.

0:34:300:34:31

That's £829 more in Australia,

0:34:310:34:33

and when they factor in those bigger bills they're back in the black.

0:34:330:34:38

So, we would be one whole pound

0:34:380:34:43

-better off here.

-OK.

0:34:430:34:46

£12 a year better off might not be life-changing, but Shari's

0:34:460:34:51

just relieved to prove they can afford the lifestyle she wants.

0:34:510:34:54

Can I do it? I told you so.

0:34:560:34:59

-Nine years it's taken me to prove this to you.

-No, I can see this now.

0:34:590:35:04

This is starting to dawn on me that, actually, we can have...

0:35:040:35:06

-A better house.

-..an upgrade. I know, I know.

0:35:060:35:09

A back yard, a man cave, more lifestyle - need I say any more?

0:35:090:35:13

No-brainer, surely, surely!

0:35:130:35:16

I can't argue with you on this, can I, really?

0:35:160:35:19

It's there in black and white.

0:35:190:35:21

It's a great outcome for Shari,

0:35:210:35:23

but will the figures have done enough to put Karie on the same page

0:35:230:35:27

when it comes to choosing between finances in Australia or the UK?

0:35:270:35:31

It's now time to vote.

0:35:310:35:33

Australia. Yay! Yay!

0:35:440:35:50

There is still a hell of a lot going on in my mind.

0:35:510:35:54

I can see that, yeah.

0:35:540:35:56

But, you know, I can't argue with you any longer

0:35:560:35:58

-or stick my head in the sand. It's like...

-Yes!

0:35:580:36:02

Convinced the finances can work, Shari's attempts at selling

0:36:020:36:05

her homeland to Karie seem to be paying off.

0:36:050:36:09

But there's still one final fence to clear.

0:36:090:36:12

As the couple sit down to watch messages from loved ones at home,

0:36:120:36:15

Shari knows this could be the thing that keeps Karie rooted to the UK.

0:36:150:36:19

-So, are we ready for this?

-Yeah, let's do it.

-Yeah.

0:36:190:36:23

Hi, Karie and Shari.

0:36:260:36:27

Hope you're well and having a fab time in Australia.

0:36:270:36:30

Hello, Karie and Shari.

0:36:300:36:33

-BOTH:

-Hi, guys.

0:36:330:36:35

Hope you're having an amazing time.

0:36:350:36:36

-Hope the sun is shining.

-And hi from Austin. Hi.

0:36:360:36:39

-They bounce off each other. Both full of energy. Brilliant couple.

-Ah.

0:36:410:36:45

Karie, as a man today, he's very caring.

0:36:450:36:48

-I don't think you could meet a nicer man.

-Ah.

0:36:480:36:52

Shari is great. She's really welcoming, she's very friendly.

0:36:520:36:56

I think it must be kind of the Australian-ness in her.

0:36:560:37:00

Shari is one of the best friends you could possibly ask for.

0:37:000:37:04

It's important that Karie does what he wants to do,

0:37:040:37:07

not just for Shari but for himself.

0:37:070:37:11

He was my first grandchild, you see,

0:37:110:37:13

so he's always been that little bit special.

0:37:130:37:16

I shall really upset myself before he goes.

0:37:170:37:23

Karie and Shari, you probably mean more to me than you know you do,

0:37:230:37:27

but at the same time I think

0:37:270:37:29

this is an incredible opportunity for you...

0:37:290:37:31

-Good work, Bambi.

-..and I think you should go for it.

0:37:310:37:34

I'm going to miss you guys more than you can believe,

0:37:340:37:36

but I truly want you to be happy.

0:37:360:37:39

Shari, I think we already know you've made up your mind,

0:37:390:37:41

so, Karie, this is down to you, mate. We will miss you.

0:37:410:37:45

I just want you to know that, whatever you decide,

0:37:450:37:50

then I am 100% happy.

0:37:500:37:52

Well, Karie and Shari, I shall miss you very, very much,

0:37:540:37:58

and you know how much I love you.

0:37:580:38:00

-Likewise.

-Ah, miss your gran.

0:38:060:38:10

-That was quite a hard watch, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

-Are you all right?

0:38:100:38:13

-Yeah, sorry.

-They're not going to go away.

0:38:130:38:16

We're not going to lose them.

0:38:160:38:17

It's going to be a real big thing to overcome, I think, for me.

0:38:170:38:22

I knew it was going to be difficult. I didn't know quite...

0:38:220:38:25

-How difficult.

-...yeah, how difficult it was

0:38:250:38:27

seeing them, you know.

0:38:270:38:29

-This was always going to be the hardest bit, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

0:38:290:38:32

Always.

0:38:320:38:33

The prospect of leaving family has always been

0:38:360:38:39

a stumbling block for Karie, and actually hearing

0:38:390:38:42

heartfelt messages from home has only magnified his concerns.

0:38:420:38:47

After being consistently sold on Australia all week,

0:38:470:38:51

will his strong emotional ties to the UK

0:38:510:38:54

now see Shari's dream for their future unravel?

0:38:540:38:57

When they arrived a week ago, Shari was on a mission to convince

0:38:590:39:02

her husband they could make a great life for themselves

0:39:020:39:05

in her native country,

0:39:050:39:07

and the last seven days have shown plenty of potential.

0:39:070:39:10

I've felt exceptionally at home.

0:39:100:39:12

It's reinforced everything I believed about Australia.

0:39:120:39:15

It's been a brilliant week, it's been so, so good.

0:39:150:39:18

I've had some awesome experiences this week.

0:39:180:39:20

It has shown me that, you know, there could be a life here for us.

0:39:200:39:24

Karie has voted Australia throughout the week,

0:39:260:39:29

but the reality of putting half a world between him

0:39:290:39:32

and everyone he loves back home is playing on his mind.

0:39:320:39:35

I've got a fantastic wife that I love very much,

0:39:360:39:40

but I've also got a family in the UK and I am and always will be a Brit

0:39:400:39:44

that loves the UK and it's...

0:39:440:39:48

It's, er...

0:39:480:39:50

It's a real dilemma for me, this.

0:39:520:39:54

I think watching the friends and family clips

0:39:540:39:58

has really kind of dented him a little bit

0:39:580:40:00

and kind of made him really question what,

0:40:000:40:03

you know, what he will be leaving behind.

0:40:030:40:06

Having rediscovered life on her home turf,

0:40:070:40:10

Shari's more determined than ever to get the life she wants.

0:40:100:40:14

I want this so much.

0:40:140:40:17

I don't want it to get back into the situation we had before

0:40:170:40:20

of, you know, it's just forgotten about and then we are kind of

0:40:200:40:24

back to where we are, because it's been nine years and it's been hard.

0:40:240:40:29

A flip of a coin almost 15 years ago

0:40:320:40:34

meant Shari met the man of her dreams.

0:40:340:40:36

Now a turn of flags will decide if she has a future with him.

0:40:360:40:41

I love her so much and I know she's hoping

0:40:410:40:45

for a good decision from me and...

0:40:450:40:47

You know, I know I've got to go with my own decision here, but I...

0:40:500:40:55

You know, I don't want to...

0:40:550:40:57

I don't want to lose her.

0:40:570:40:58

Whatever decision I make, I don't want to lose her.

0:40:580:41:02

If Karie voted to stay in the UK, that's kind of putting

0:41:020:41:05

a bit of a nail in our coffin, because I can't wait around forever.

0:41:050:41:09

I just think...

0:41:090:41:10

I think I'll be done with waiting.

0:41:100:41:13

Sorry.

0:41:200:41:21

It's crunch time for the couple as Shari ultimately finds out

0:41:230:41:27

if she'll be moving home, with or without her husband by her side.

0:41:270:41:31

After nine years and a trial week in Perth, our decision is...

0:41:310:41:35

-BOTH:

-Australia.

0:41:480:41:50

-Did you really?

-Yeah.

0:41:500:41:53

Ah. That's awesome.

0:41:580:42:02

I am just absolutely relieved, actually,

0:42:020:42:05

that you chose to go Australia.

0:42:050:42:08

I think it's awesome and I'm really excited.

0:42:080:42:10

The thought of leaving my family in the UK

0:42:100:42:12

and the thought of leave leaving the UK full stop

0:42:120:42:15

just completely tears me up.

0:42:150:42:16

Seeing it with my own eyes and kind of experiencing it all with you

0:42:160:42:22

has just made me realise, like,

0:42:220:42:25

this will make me happy as much as it will make you happy.

0:42:250:42:30

It just... It just means the world.

0:42:300:42:32

-It means the world to me too.

-I know.

-You mean the world to me.

0:42:340:42:38

Ah, bless you.

0:42:380:42:39

It's been a long time coming but, nine years after the first

0:42:560:43:01

discussions about Australia, the waiting is finally over for Shari

0:43:010:43:05

as Karie commits once and for all to her dream of returning home.

0:43:050:43:10

We wish them a long and happy future as they prepare to start

0:43:100:43:14

a brand-new life down under together.

0:43:140:43:17

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