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If your head says your life in the UK is good, | 0:00:02 | 0:00:05 | |
but your heart tells you it could be even better on the other side of the | 0:00:05 | 0:00:09 | |
world, which would you follow, | 0:00:09 | 0:00:12 | |
especially if it means moving your family to a country they or you have | 0:00:12 | 0:00:16 | |
never even visited? | 0:00:16 | 0:00:18 | |
Jo Goodson wants to give her family everything life can offer... | 0:00:19 | 0:00:22 | |
We're trying to do what's best for our kids. | 0:00:22 | 0:00:24 | |
..and believes a move to New Zealand could help her do just that. | 0:00:24 | 0:00:28 | |
It feels like how you'd like England to be. | 0:00:28 | 0:00:30 | |
But when a trial week Down Under throws up more questions than answers... | 0:00:30 | 0:00:34 | |
She wants it to be perfect so it's an easy decision. | 0:00:34 | 0:00:36 | |
I don't think it's ever going to be perfect. | 0:00:36 | 0:00:38 | |
Will Jo decide they're better off at home or away? | 0:00:38 | 0:00:41 | |
I just wonder, am I going to end up being very lonely? | 0:00:41 | 0:00:44 | |
As one of the first places on earth to see the sun each day, | 0:01:09 | 0:01:13 | |
New Zealand can bring a new dawn for those searching more from life. | 0:01:13 | 0:01:18 | |
Continually outranking other countries on measures of wellbeing, | 0:01:18 | 0:01:21 | |
it's no wonder it's seeing increased numbers of people calling it home. | 0:01:21 | 0:01:26 | |
Recent figures show yearly net immigration has reached a record high | 0:01:26 | 0:01:30 | |
of well over 60,000 people. | 0:01:30 | 0:01:32 | |
Doctors Jo and Angus Goodson appear to have an idyllic life in the UK | 0:01:36 | 0:01:42 | |
but mum Jo thinks something's missing. | 0:01:42 | 0:01:45 | |
Sick of husband Angus having to choose between his patients and his | 0:01:45 | 0:01:49 | |
family, she's prescribing a move to New Zealand as the perfect place for | 0:01:49 | 0:01:55 | |
a more leisurely lifestyle with their children. | 0:01:55 | 0:01:58 | |
So will a week Down Under meet Jo's expectations or reveal their life in | 0:01:58 | 0:02:03 | |
the English countryside is too good to walk away from? | 0:02:03 | 0:02:07 | |
After a marathon journey flying from London to Auckland via Dubai and | 0:02:08 | 0:02:13 | |
then onto Tauranga, the family are relieved to arrive at their final | 0:02:13 | 0:02:16 | |
destination and Jo's a step closer to her dream. | 0:02:16 | 0:02:20 | |
Flying into Tauranga, I like seeing the houses along the waterfront | 0:02:20 | 0:02:23 | |
and I can almost imagine myself living in one. | 0:02:23 | 0:02:25 | |
The unfamiliar surroundings have piqued Angus and Freddie's curiosity. | 0:02:26 | 0:02:31 | |
It's quite strange because you look at all these things on the internet | 0:02:31 | 0:02:34 | |
and you're here and just kind of want to see it. | 0:02:34 | 0:02:36 | |
If it was an English airport, it wouldn't look anything like this. | 0:02:36 | 0:02:41 | |
-Which do you prefer? -Probably this one. | 0:02:41 | 0:02:43 | |
-There you go. -Sold already. | 0:02:44 | 0:02:46 | |
But anticipating some hurdles in the week ahead, | 0:02:46 | 0:02:49 | |
Angus isn't committing to anything just yet. | 0:02:49 | 0:02:52 | |
I'm quite worried about seeing friends and family. | 0:02:52 | 0:02:56 | |
I'm kind of in denial about that. | 0:02:56 | 0:02:57 | |
The family need to soak in as much as they can over the next seven days | 0:02:57 | 0:03:02 | |
to help them make a decision on where their future lies for good. | 0:03:02 | 0:03:05 | |
Meet the Goodsons - doctors Angus and Jo and their children, | 0:03:12 | 0:03:16 | |
seven-year-old Freddie and Arabella, aged three. | 0:03:16 | 0:03:19 | |
The family have found rural idyll in the Buckinghamshire village they call home. | 0:03:21 | 0:03:26 | |
People stop me and say, "Now, you're the doctor and you're the one with | 0:03:26 | 0:03:29 | |
"the Irish setters." So they either know your dog or your wife or your | 0:03:29 | 0:03:33 | |
children, depending on which circle they are. | 0:03:33 | 0:03:35 | |
You know, I've got half a dozen doors I can knock on if I need something, | 0:03:35 | 0:03:37 | |
if I need advice, if I need help with my children. | 0:03:37 | 0:03:40 | |
Our dogs love it, our kids love it, we love it. | 0:03:40 | 0:03:42 | |
It's perfect. | 0:03:42 | 0:03:44 | |
But the good life has come at a cost, | 0:03:44 | 0:03:46 | |
with paediatrician Angus frequently working around the clock. | 0:03:46 | 0:03:49 | |
On top of your clinical work you've got to do training stuff. | 0:03:49 | 0:03:53 | |
On most of your days off you tell me you've either got to go back in the | 0:03:53 | 0:03:56 | |
hospital for a bit or that you're going to have to put some time | 0:03:56 | 0:03:58 | |
on one side to work later on. | 0:03:58 | 0:04:00 | |
Finding he's often forced to choose between work and his family has been | 0:04:00 | 0:04:04 | |
a bitter pill to swallow. | 0:04:04 | 0:04:06 | |
Sometimes I stay late at work to avoid being here because the hardest | 0:04:06 | 0:04:10 | |
thing in the world is to be here but not be here. | 0:04:10 | 0:04:12 | |
The kids can't handle me being in the house but not being available. | 0:04:12 | 0:04:14 | |
You know, "Where's Daddy?" Which is hard for them, it's hard for me. | 0:04:15 | 0:04:18 | |
What can you see from way up there? | 0:04:18 | 0:04:20 | |
Trees! | 0:04:20 | 0:04:21 | |
Always ready for adventure, Jo thinks she's found the remedy in | 0:04:21 | 0:04:25 | |
a country they've never even visited. | 0:04:25 | 0:04:28 | |
What I hear about New Zealand, the hours are similar to the UK | 0:04:28 | 0:04:32 | |
but the difference is they appreciate that | 0:04:32 | 0:04:35 | |
you need a work/life balance and there's more a feeling of you've | 0:04:35 | 0:04:38 | |
finished your shift, go home and see your family. | 0:04:38 | 0:04:41 | |
Since close friends upped sticks and made the move, Jo's more convinced | 0:04:46 | 0:04:49 | |
than ever their life would be better on the other side of the world. | 0:04:49 | 0:04:53 | |
We have tried to persuade them to tell us what the downside is and | 0:04:53 | 0:04:57 | |
it's become a bit of a standing joke that their reply is, | 0:04:57 | 0:04:59 | |
"Everything's better in New Zealand." | 0:04:59 | 0:05:01 | |
Angus can see the appeal, too. | 0:05:01 | 0:05:03 | |
They appreciate things that we like, like sports and outdoor life, | 0:05:03 | 0:05:09 | |
and things that feel like a lifestyle choice here | 0:05:09 | 0:05:12 | |
are considered bread and butter there. | 0:05:12 | 0:05:16 | |
Ultimately, they both want to provide the best childhood possible | 0:05:16 | 0:05:19 | |
for Freddie and Arabella. | 0:05:19 | 0:05:21 | |
It's probably more my dream than his, | 0:05:21 | 0:05:23 | |
but I don't think he's against the idea. | 0:05:23 | 0:05:25 | |
I feel like kids these days have to grow up a lot quicker than we did. | 0:05:25 | 0:05:29 | |
Hopefully they can be younger for longer out there. | 0:05:29 | 0:05:33 | |
I'll go on an aeroplane with you, Freddie. | 0:05:33 | 0:05:35 | |
We're trying to do what's best for our kids and if we take them to | 0:05:35 | 0:05:38 | |
New Zealand, it's because we think it's the right thing for them. | 0:05:38 | 0:05:40 | |
But with Jo hoping to continue to be a stay-at-home mum in New Zealand, | 0:05:40 | 0:05:44 | |
Angus is feeling the pressure of securing work there. | 0:05:44 | 0:05:49 | |
We knew it's going to be supporting the family, so | 0:05:49 | 0:05:53 | |
I don't think that's going to happen as easily as we think it might. | 0:05:53 | 0:05:57 | |
And having spent much of his childhood living abroad, | 0:05:57 | 0:06:00 | |
he's nervous about separating his children from loved ones. | 0:06:00 | 0:06:04 | |
And they've got a fantastic relationship with their grandparents. | 0:06:04 | 0:06:07 | |
I think that's an important thing for childhood, which I never had | 0:06:07 | 0:06:10 | |
and you... You are taking that away. | 0:06:10 | 0:06:12 | |
Angus knows when his wife puts her mind to something, | 0:06:12 | 0:06:15 | |
she goes all out to make it happen. | 0:06:15 | 0:06:17 | |
When I first met her, I had persuade her not go to the South Pole, | 0:06:19 | 0:06:22 | |
mainly because I didn't want her to go with a couple of other men and | 0:06:22 | 0:06:25 | |
I'd just met her. But that's what she was going to do, | 0:06:25 | 0:06:28 | |
she was going to do kite ski down to the South Pole. | 0:06:28 | 0:06:30 | |
If I talk about a dream and a pie in the sky idea, | 0:06:30 | 0:06:33 | |
I already want to do it. | 0:06:33 | 0:06:34 | |
I don't tend to bat around ideas that I don't want to do. | 0:06:34 | 0:06:38 | |
Angus maintains moving your whole life 12,000 miles away is easier | 0:06:38 | 0:06:43 | |
said than done. | 0:06:43 | 0:06:45 | |
There's always been the dream of living abroad and it just feels like | 0:06:45 | 0:06:48 | |
the longer you spend here, the more settled you get, | 0:06:48 | 0:06:50 | |
the harder it is to do it. | 0:06:50 | 0:06:52 | |
But Jo's not giving up. | 0:06:52 | 0:06:54 | |
After lots of research, | 0:06:54 | 0:06:55 | |
she knows the week ahead will be her one and only chance to find out | 0:06:55 | 0:07:00 | |
whether the grass really is greener on the other side of the world. | 0:07:00 | 0:07:04 | |
We have all the information. This is the last piece of the puzzle. | 0:07:04 | 0:07:08 | |
We need to go and we need to see it, we need to experience it and at the | 0:07:08 | 0:07:11 | |
end of that, we do need to make a decision. | 0:07:11 | 0:07:13 | |
The family are spending their trial week on New Zealand's north island | 0:07:19 | 0:07:23 | |
in the Bay of Plenty. | 0:07:23 | 0:07:24 | |
After collecting their hire car, | 0:07:26 | 0:07:27 | |
they head five miles outside the city of Tauranga, | 0:07:27 | 0:07:30 | |
to their base in the beach town of Mount Maunganui. | 0:07:30 | 0:07:34 | |
Named after an extinct volcano, | 0:07:34 | 0:07:36 | |
the area is a magnet for active families like the Goodsons. | 0:07:36 | 0:07:39 | |
-That is new. -That's so awesome! | 0:07:41 | 0:07:44 | |
I like the balcony. | 0:07:44 | 0:07:46 | |
It doesn't take Dad long to spot why it's such a popular location. | 0:07:46 | 0:07:50 | |
-Just there! -Oh, yeah! | 0:07:51 | 0:07:52 | |
Jo's hoping her family will jump feet first into the week ahead. | 0:07:52 | 0:07:56 | |
But perhaps not quite this literally. | 0:07:56 | 0:07:59 | |
And the excitement levels really rise upon this discovery. | 0:08:01 | 0:08:04 | |
Oh, games room! | 0:08:04 | 0:08:05 | |
With the children happily playing, | 0:08:07 | 0:08:09 | |
upstairs Mum and Dad enjoy their beach view. | 0:08:09 | 0:08:11 | |
You can tell you're not in England any more. | 0:08:11 | 0:08:14 | |
Charmed by all they see, everyone heads out for a closer look. | 0:08:14 | 0:08:17 | |
Despite having only been in the country a few hours, | 0:08:20 | 0:08:23 | |
Jo and Angus have begun imagining what their life could be like. | 0:08:23 | 0:08:27 | |
I like the idea this is not a holiday, | 0:08:28 | 0:08:29 | |
you could actually be on the beach all year long. | 0:08:29 | 0:08:31 | |
Look at the kids, they're just happy. | 0:08:31 | 0:08:33 | |
It feels how you'd like England to be. | 0:08:33 | 0:08:35 | |
It's a good start. | 0:08:36 | 0:08:38 | |
But though moving is her dream, | 0:08:38 | 0:08:39 | |
Jo also knows there's still lots to consider. | 0:08:39 | 0:08:42 | |
We still need community, we still need friends. | 0:08:42 | 0:08:45 | |
-Yeah. -We can't leave the village just to go to the beach every day. | 0:08:45 | 0:08:48 | |
Or it could be difficult to draw a line in the sand about where their | 0:08:50 | 0:08:53 | |
future lies come the end of the week. | 0:08:53 | 0:08:55 | |
In the UK, home for the Goodsons is a four-bedroom, | 0:09:00 | 0:09:03 | |
semidetached house in Cuddington, a small village with a big heart. | 0:09:03 | 0:09:08 | |
-Cuddington has a population of 500. -Yeah. -We probably know 300 of them. | 0:09:08 | 0:09:12 | |
It's that kind of village where you just know everyone. | 0:09:12 | 0:09:15 | |
There's a good community spirit, isn't there? | 0:09:15 | 0:09:17 | |
For Angus and Jo to leave the village they love, | 0:09:17 | 0:09:19 | |
a house in New Zealand will have to live up to some high expectations. | 0:09:19 | 0:09:23 | |
We would want four bedrooms, we'd like open plan, | 0:09:23 | 0:09:26 | |
we'd want a sizeable garden. | 0:09:26 | 0:09:28 | |
I want to make sure we get a wood-burning stove and it has to | 0:09:28 | 0:09:30 | |
-have double glazing. -Jo's really annoying when it's cold. | 0:09:30 | 0:09:33 | |
-She hates being cold. -Yeah, I don't like being cold. | 0:09:33 | 0:09:35 | |
If we could be near the beach as well, that would be great. | 0:09:35 | 0:09:38 | |
Finding the right location will be key. | 0:09:38 | 0:09:40 | |
I want to find the right sort of place where we can have that kind of | 0:09:40 | 0:09:43 | |
knocking on doors community. | 0:09:43 | 0:09:46 | |
Angus and Jo bought their house for just over £300,000 five years ago. | 0:09:46 | 0:09:50 | |
Not wanting to give it up, if they do move, they plan to remortgage | 0:09:50 | 0:09:54 | |
and release enough money to buy a house Down Under. | 0:09:54 | 0:09:57 | |
We're quite dependent on the value having gone up because that's the | 0:09:57 | 0:10:00 | |
equity we want to take out for a deposit in New Zealand. | 0:10:00 | 0:10:03 | |
If everything goes to plan, | 0:10:06 | 0:10:08 | |
their budget on a house Down Under would be around £400,000. | 0:10:08 | 0:10:12 | |
To find out what their money can get them, | 0:10:12 | 0:10:14 | |
today we'll show the family three properties - | 0:10:14 | 0:10:17 | |
two based on budget and a third which could be their dream home. | 0:10:17 | 0:10:21 | |
Only after they've seen each one will they find out its value. | 0:10:21 | 0:10:25 | |
Their search begins in the Mount Maunganui area where they're staying. | 0:10:25 | 0:10:29 | |
The Goodsons have already come upon some of its treasures like this | 0:10:29 | 0:10:33 | |
beach, thought to be one of the best in New Zealand. | 0:10:33 | 0:10:35 | |
With playgrounds, parks and cafes, there's plenty here for families. | 0:10:35 | 0:10:39 | |
Property one is a four bedroom house just a stones throw away from the ocean. | 0:10:39 | 0:10:44 | |
So the beach is just over there. | 0:10:44 | 0:10:46 | |
Yeah. I definitely like the location. | 0:10:46 | 0:10:49 | |
And the centre of town is over that way. | 0:10:49 | 0:10:50 | |
Do you think that's single glazing or double glazing? | 0:10:50 | 0:10:53 | |
I don't want to get cold. I don't like the outside. | 0:10:53 | 0:10:56 | |
It doesn't look nice and I want a house that looks nice. | 0:10:56 | 0:10:59 | |
With Jo's thoughts crystal clear on the exterior, they move inside. | 0:10:59 | 0:11:03 | |
The outside is misleading. | 0:11:03 | 0:11:05 | |
Shoes off, is it? OK. | 0:11:05 | 0:11:07 | |
Phew, that's a step in the right direction. | 0:11:07 | 0:11:10 | |
Let's go and see the kitchen. | 0:11:10 | 0:11:12 | |
I like the fact that you look straight onto the dining room and | 0:11:12 | 0:11:15 | |
the lounge and you can see what's going on. | 0:11:15 | 0:11:17 | |
I'm wondering if we need a bit more space. | 0:11:17 | 0:11:19 | |
Two dogs, two children, me cooking, | 0:11:19 | 0:11:20 | |
you coming in from work and there's nowhere else. | 0:11:20 | 0:11:22 | |
And Arabella's found another issue. | 0:11:24 | 0:11:26 | |
There's no play stuff in the garden so I can't play in the garden. | 0:11:26 | 0:11:30 | |
You can bring your own play stuff. | 0:11:30 | 0:11:31 | |
Let's go and have a look at the garden, then. | 0:11:31 | 0:11:33 | |
She's right, it is small and there is no play things. | 0:11:33 | 0:11:36 | |
Honestly, the kids need more than this for a garden. | 0:11:36 | 0:11:38 | |
Upstairs, they're coming to a realisation. | 0:11:38 | 0:11:41 | |
The house is probably a bit small for us. | 0:11:41 | 0:11:44 | |
It's way too small for us. | 0:11:44 | 0:11:45 | |
I mean, maybe that just means we can't afford to live that close to | 0:11:45 | 0:11:49 | |
-the beach. -But is Jo prepared to compromise? | 0:11:49 | 0:11:51 | |
I mean, I don't mind not looking at the beach when I get out of bed in | 0:11:51 | 0:11:56 | |
the morning, but I want to be able to walk to the beach, | 0:11:56 | 0:11:58 | |
I don't want to have to drive to the beach. | 0:11:58 | 0:12:00 | |
I think that you can live a short drive from the beach and it's all fine. | 0:12:00 | 0:12:04 | |
We want amazing, not fine. | 0:12:04 | 0:12:07 | |
In the second bedroom, can Freddie's find lift the mood? | 0:12:07 | 0:12:10 | |
Look at the balcony! | 0:12:10 | 0:12:12 | |
Look at the balcony! | 0:12:12 | 0:12:14 | |
Yeah, balcony's good. | 0:12:14 | 0:12:15 | |
It's not long before Mum Jo's finding fault. | 0:12:15 | 0:12:19 | |
So this would be a nice place for a cup of tea in the morning. | 0:12:19 | 0:12:21 | |
-Yeah. -Although, you've actually lost the view. -The sea's just over there. | 0:12:21 | 0:12:24 | |
-I think I'm looking at that house. -You can't demolish that house. | 0:12:24 | 0:12:28 | |
No, I know! | 0:12:28 | 0:12:29 | |
While Mum and Dad discuss their points of view, | 0:12:29 | 0:12:31 | |
Freddie lays claim to the master bedroom. | 0:12:31 | 0:12:35 | |
This is going to be my room. | 0:12:35 | 0:12:37 | |
Amazing! | 0:12:37 | 0:12:39 | |
Until Dad Angus gets his say. | 0:12:39 | 0:12:41 | |
This bedroom has an en-suite, which makes it my bedroom. | 0:12:41 | 0:12:44 | |
Finally, a room for Arabella, which no-one's disputing. | 0:12:44 | 0:12:48 | |
-My room! -Oh, it's a little butterfly bedroom. | 0:12:48 | 0:12:51 | |
-Happy, are you? -But there are more pressing issues. | 0:12:51 | 0:12:54 | |
Does that mean that's the only bathroom, then? | 0:12:56 | 0:12:58 | |
-This one here? -Well, that would be weird. | 0:12:58 | 0:13:00 | |
-So when you've got guests, they're going to use your en-suite, are they? -Yeah. | 0:13:00 | 0:13:04 | |
It hasn't been the best of starts. | 0:13:04 | 0:13:06 | |
I think it's a fabulous holiday beach house but I'm not sure it's a... | 0:13:07 | 0:13:11 | |
It's not a live-in house. Yeah, we need something bigger. | 0:13:11 | 0:13:14 | |
Yeah, and more bathrooms. | 0:13:14 | 0:13:16 | |
The house isn't a perfect fit for the Goodsons, but the family are | 0:13:17 | 0:13:21 | |
still curious to find out whether they could afford it. | 0:13:21 | 0:13:25 | |
I'm going to say 375,000. | 0:13:25 | 0:13:28 | |
I'll say 380,000. | 0:13:28 | 0:13:30 | |
Our budget is around the 400,000 mark. | 0:13:30 | 0:13:33 | |
-I think it's just a bit under. -We both think it's under. | 0:13:33 | 0:13:36 | |
-Yeah. -Are we going to do it? | 0:13:36 | 0:13:38 | |
-Let's turn it. -Let's do it. | 0:13:39 | 0:13:41 | |
380. Come on, Mummy, high five! | 0:13:42 | 0:13:45 | |
That's £20,000 under budget, but it's not enough to sway them. | 0:13:45 | 0:13:49 | |
So to live this close to the beach is going to cost you... | 0:13:49 | 0:13:52 | |
-It's expensive. -Yeah, basically. -What a surprise(!) | 0:13:52 | 0:13:54 | |
For their second viewing, | 0:13:57 | 0:13:58 | |
the family leave the coast behind the more rural setting of Kaimai. | 0:13:58 | 0:14:02 | |
Around 15 minutes from central Tauranga, it's still close to | 0:14:02 | 0:14:06 | |
schools and amenities and being further out could | 0:14:06 | 0:14:08 | |
provide more value for money. | 0:14:08 | 0:14:10 | |
It's a ranch. It's absolutely huge. | 0:14:12 | 0:14:16 | |
With a very generous five acres, there's more than enough space at | 0:14:16 | 0:14:19 | |
this impressive four-bedroom house for the children and the dogs. | 0:14:19 | 0:14:23 | |
-You can go into the woods. Wow! -Go on, then, go! | 0:14:23 | 0:14:26 | |
Better than a stinky old beach, isn't it? | 0:14:26 | 0:14:29 | |
-Lemons! Lemons. -Or limes. | 0:14:29 | 0:14:30 | |
Angus knows exactly what to do with some of the fruit growing in | 0:14:30 | 0:14:35 | |
-the garden. -Freddie, you just need a gin bush... | 0:14:35 | 0:14:37 | |
-Yeah? -..and a tonic well, and we're sorted. | 0:14:37 | 0:14:40 | |
Inside, they're making all the right noises, too. | 0:14:42 | 0:14:44 | |
SQUEALING | 0:14:44 | 0:14:46 | |
I'm sure that was a squeal of delight, Arabella. | 0:14:46 | 0:14:49 | |
This is way bigger. | 0:14:49 | 0:14:50 | |
Wow! This is amazing! | 0:14:50 | 0:14:53 | |
Oh, look at the wood-burning stove. | 0:14:53 | 0:14:54 | |
That's one thing off Jo's list and Angus checks for another in the kitchen. | 0:14:56 | 0:15:01 | |
OK, I'll do the J test. | 0:15:01 | 0:15:02 | |
-Single glazing. -Oh, pants. | 0:15:02 | 0:15:05 | |
-So this is your living room. -I like the way it goes all the way round. | 0:15:05 | 0:15:08 | |
-Yeah, it's a good set up. -Oh, look, home cinema. | 0:15:08 | 0:15:11 | |
You pull this down and that's your screen to watch TV. | 0:15:11 | 0:15:13 | |
-Look at this! -Oh, that's beautiful, isn't it? | 0:15:13 | 0:15:16 | |
This is definitely the mummy and daddy bedroom. | 0:15:16 | 0:15:18 | |
An en-suite and large closet give the master bedroom plenty of scope. | 0:15:18 | 0:15:22 | |
Forget walk-in wardrobe, we could just put Arabella in here. | 0:15:22 | 0:15:25 | |
Jo needn't be so resourceful, | 0:15:25 | 0:15:27 | |
with four large bedrooms there's more than enough space for everyone. | 0:15:27 | 0:15:31 | |
Every bedroom has windows on two sides. | 0:15:31 | 0:15:33 | |
Yeah, it just feels nice. | 0:15:33 | 0:15:35 | |
With Freddie and Arabella taking a break, | 0:15:35 | 0:15:37 | |
Jo and Angus are happy to find a family bathroom. | 0:15:37 | 0:15:40 | |
-Family shower. -That's all right. That'll do. | 0:15:40 | 0:15:43 | |
Nice to have a bath, though, wouldn't it? | 0:15:43 | 0:15:45 | |
There's just no pleasing some people. | 0:15:45 | 0:15:48 | |
The double basement gets a thumbs up from Angus. | 0:15:48 | 0:15:50 | |
It is a good space for storing things, isn't it? | 0:15:50 | 0:15:52 | |
Storing? This is my playroom. | 0:15:52 | 0:15:54 | |
But Jo's starting to look at the bigger picture. | 0:15:54 | 0:15:56 | |
I think it's gorgeous, I think the kids would be really happy, | 0:15:56 | 0:15:59 | |
I think the dogs would be really happy, but I think the kids will go | 0:15:59 | 0:16:02 | |
to school and I think you will go to work and | 0:16:02 | 0:16:03 | |
then I just wonder, am I going to end up being very lonely? | 0:16:03 | 0:16:08 | |
If you want this kind of space, you're not going to get it in the | 0:16:11 | 0:16:14 | |
-city, are you? -I don't want to be in the city. | 0:16:14 | 0:16:16 | |
I don't know what I want any more. | 0:16:16 | 0:16:17 | |
I don't want to be in the city and I don't want to be in the middle of nowhere. | 0:16:17 | 0:16:20 | |
I feel like I'm saying I want to be back in the village. | 0:16:20 | 0:16:22 | |
Not a good sign. | 0:16:22 | 0:16:24 | |
Maybe the price will give Jo more to be cheerful about. | 0:16:24 | 0:16:27 | |
I'm going to say 420,000. | 0:16:27 | 0:16:31 | |
I think it's 450. | 0:16:31 | 0:16:33 | |
-OK. -Turn it over, turn it over. | 0:16:36 | 0:16:39 | |
430,000. Wow. | 0:16:39 | 0:16:43 | |
That's £30,000 over budget. | 0:16:43 | 0:16:46 | |
I think we've probably seen two extremes. | 0:16:47 | 0:16:50 | |
So we've seen right by the seaside in like the most desirable part and | 0:16:50 | 0:16:54 | |
well outside of town, amazing space. | 0:16:54 | 0:16:57 | |
-So we've got to find the right compromise. -Yeah. | 0:16:57 | 0:17:00 | |
I haven't given up on the beach dream yet. | 0:17:00 | 0:17:02 | |
Daddy reckons, Freddie, that it's OK to be about a 15, 20-minute drive | 0:17:10 | 0:17:14 | |
from the beach. We can go there on weekends. | 0:17:14 | 0:17:16 | |
Hopefully the third property of the day will give them everything they want. | 0:17:16 | 0:17:20 | |
It's near the town of Katikati, around 20 miles north of Tauranga. | 0:17:20 | 0:17:24 | |
Set on almost an acre of land and overlooking the sea, | 0:17:24 | 0:17:28 | |
we think this coastal house could be their dream home, | 0:17:28 | 0:17:31 | |
but is it the right house for Jo and does it meet with her image of New Zealand living? | 0:17:31 | 0:17:36 | |
-It's big, isn't it? -It's big but you've still got people around. | 0:17:38 | 0:17:41 | |
Built in the 1940s, this property has lots of historic features, | 0:17:41 | 0:17:45 | |
which isn't everyone's cup of tea. | 0:17:45 | 0:17:48 | |
It's a bit too old-fashioned. | 0:17:48 | 0:17:50 | |
-Is it? -Old-fashioned telephones. | 0:17:50 | 0:17:52 | |
You could phone the Queen on that, Freddie. | 0:17:52 | 0:17:54 | |
But will it get the royal seal of approval? | 0:17:54 | 0:17:56 | |
It's got a nice view. | 0:17:56 | 0:17:58 | |
-Look at that! -Look at the view! -Single glazing. | 0:17:58 | 0:18:01 | |
Moving on, the family check out the kitchen. | 0:18:04 | 0:18:06 | |
-That needs modernising, that can stay. -Yeah! | 0:18:06 | 0:18:10 | |
Possibly a few changes needed inside, | 0:18:10 | 0:18:13 | |
but outside they're content for one thing to remain the same. | 0:18:13 | 0:18:17 | |
So that's your protected view. | 0:18:17 | 0:18:19 | |
Yeah, it's a reserve, so no-one's ever going to build on that. | 0:18:19 | 0:18:21 | |
While the children play, Jo and Angus explore the rest of the property. | 0:18:21 | 0:18:25 | |
-This room's really cute. -Isn't it? It's like a sun room. | 0:18:25 | 0:18:27 | |
-It's not our style... -You'd modernise it, though, wouldn't you? | 0:18:27 | 0:18:30 | |
I'm not good at interior decorating. | 0:18:30 | 0:18:32 | |
So you say you'd modernise it but I don't actually know what that means. | 0:18:32 | 0:18:35 | |
Jo could have her work cut out for her in this house. | 0:18:35 | 0:18:38 | |
I know what you're going to tell me, take all the furniture out, | 0:18:38 | 0:18:40 | |
put in Freddie's furniture. | 0:18:40 | 0:18:42 | |
Yeah, but I'm keeping this. | 0:18:42 | 0:18:44 | |
-That is just amazing. -You've been looking for one of those for ages. | 0:18:44 | 0:18:47 | |
Look at that! | 0:18:47 | 0:18:48 | |
I'm sensing some sarcasm, Angus. | 0:18:48 | 0:18:50 | |
The master bedroom might be more to their taste. | 0:18:50 | 0:18:52 | |
Oh, this is the best thing in the house. | 0:18:52 | 0:18:54 | |
A balcony offering views across to Tauranga Harbour should give them | 0:18:54 | 0:18:58 | |
more to think about. | 0:18:58 | 0:18:59 | |
This is what I would call a redeeming feature. | 0:18:59 | 0:19:01 | |
Got a beautiful view, you've got a nice, big garden, | 0:19:01 | 0:19:03 | |
the house has got lots of space. | 0:19:03 | 0:19:06 | |
It's old and cold. | 0:19:06 | 0:19:08 | |
Oh, dear, Jo's mind is made up and a hidden space off the side of the | 0:19:08 | 0:19:13 | |
bedroom puts the final nail in the coffin. | 0:19:13 | 0:19:16 | |
What would you do in here? | 0:19:16 | 0:19:17 | |
I'm not sure I want to know. | 0:19:17 | 0:19:20 | |
Yeah, I might burn this room. | 0:19:20 | 0:19:22 | |
There's a sign there that says trap door. | 0:19:22 | 0:19:24 | |
Is that worrying? | 0:19:25 | 0:19:27 | |
It doesn't look like the Goodsons have their dream house after all. | 0:19:27 | 0:19:31 | |
But with £400,000 to spend, could they afford a house like this? | 0:19:31 | 0:19:36 | |
I'm guessing 537,000. | 0:19:36 | 0:19:40 | |
-I think 537,000. -I reckon for 475. | 0:19:40 | 0:19:43 | |
Time to turn the card. | 0:19:45 | 0:19:46 | |
What, did Daddy get it bang on? | 0:19:47 | 0:19:49 | |
Well, no, he was 1,000 out. | 0:19:49 | 0:19:51 | |
That's almost £80,000 over budget. | 0:19:51 | 0:19:53 | |
What you're paying your money for is really size and location. | 0:19:53 | 0:19:57 | |
I'm still curious as to how far from the beach you need to be to be able | 0:19:57 | 0:20:01 | |
to afford something bigger. | 0:20:01 | 0:20:02 | |
I think beach-side living is not currently within our budget. | 0:20:02 | 0:20:05 | |
You're going to have to compromise on something. | 0:20:05 | 0:20:08 | |
I think the search continues. | 0:20:08 | 0:20:10 | |
It's been a day of two halves for the Goodsons, | 0:20:10 | 0:20:12 | |
with Jo and Angus debating country versus beach living. | 0:20:12 | 0:20:16 | |
Property one came in at £20,000 under budget and gave Jo the beach | 0:20:17 | 0:20:22 | |
location she wanted, | 0:20:22 | 0:20:23 | |
but the couple were underwhelmed by the lack of space. | 0:20:23 | 0:20:26 | |
Angus was enchanted by the more rustic setting of property two. | 0:20:28 | 0:20:32 | |
So much so, he wasn't concerned it was £30,000 over their budget. | 0:20:32 | 0:20:37 | |
While property three offered beautiful views, | 0:20:37 | 0:20:40 | |
at almost £80,000 over budget, it was out of reach for now. | 0:20:40 | 0:20:44 | |
So when it comes to the vote, | 0:20:45 | 0:20:47 | |
what will they decide between houses in New Zealand and the UK? | 0:20:47 | 0:20:50 | |
-New Zealand. -UK. You didn't get your beach house. | 0:20:56 | 0:21:01 | |
No, that sums that up. | 0:21:01 | 0:21:02 | |
-Yeah. -But you want to stick us out in the middle of nowhere? | 0:21:02 | 0:21:06 | |
No, I just want a big garden. | 0:21:06 | 0:21:07 | |
-I think we can get one. -Based on the houses we saw today, | 0:21:07 | 0:21:10 | |
I would rather be in Cuddington. | 0:21:10 | 0:21:13 | |
If Daddy can find me a house with a big garden that's not too far from | 0:21:13 | 0:21:17 | |
the beach, I will change. | 0:21:17 | 0:21:19 | |
The week's barely begun but Jo's vote for the UK suggests she's | 0:21:27 | 0:21:31 | |
already questioning her own dream. | 0:21:31 | 0:21:33 | |
Angus, on the other hand, seems smitten by the vast open spaces the | 0:21:33 | 0:21:37 | |
country offers prospective home-buyers, but he knows to afford | 0:21:37 | 0:21:41 | |
what he wants will mean securing the right job Down Under. | 0:21:41 | 0:21:44 | |
Back in the UK, Angus is a paediatrician doctor at the | 0:21:48 | 0:21:51 | |
John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford. | 0:21:51 | 0:21:53 | |
I love my work. I love where I work and I love the people I work with. | 0:21:55 | 0:21:58 | |
It's endlessly varied and it's challenging. | 0:21:58 | 0:22:03 | |
Due to soon qualify as a consultant, | 0:22:03 | 0:22:05 | |
Angus fears after eight long years of training, | 0:22:05 | 0:22:08 | |
it could be difficult to find the right job in New Zealand. | 0:22:08 | 0:22:11 | |
New Zealand's much smaller in terms of population, so I imagine the | 0:22:11 | 0:22:16 | |
number of paediatricians required is going to be less and | 0:22:16 | 0:22:20 | |
I'd imagine that the popular areas where we would want to go, | 0:22:20 | 0:22:23 | |
they'll be much less demand. | 0:22:23 | 0:22:24 | |
But keen to have more family time, he's hoping the country could | 0:22:24 | 0:22:28 | |
provide him with a better work/life balance. | 0:22:28 | 0:22:31 | |
With the family's future in New Zealand resting on his ability | 0:22:31 | 0:22:34 | |
to secure work, Angus heads out to consider possibilities. | 0:22:34 | 0:22:38 | |
It's an important day and he knows it. | 0:22:38 | 0:22:41 | |
If today doesn't go well or it's not right, | 0:22:41 | 0:22:42 | |
I think it's going to be bad news for the move, | 0:22:42 | 0:22:45 | |
which is going to cause problems. | 0:22:45 | 0:22:47 | |
We've arranged for Angus to meet medical director Hugh Lees | 0:22:47 | 0:22:50 | |
at Tauranga Hospital and foremost on his mind is finding out whether | 0:22:50 | 0:22:53 | |
he'll be able to practise medicine in New Zealand straight away. | 0:22:53 | 0:22:57 | |
If you're recognised as a specialist in the UK... | 0:22:57 | 0:23:00 | |
-It would be recognised here. -It's usually relatively easy to get | 0:23:00 | 0:23:03 | |
recognition here. | 0:23:03 | 0:23:04 | |
That's a relief for Angus, but how easy will it be to actually find a job? | 0:23:04 | 0:23:09 | |
There are always parts of the country which are more difficult to | 0:23:09 | 0:23:13 | |
staff or who attract fewer applicants, | 0:23:13 | 0:23:15 | |
which would give you a greater chance of finding a position. | 0:23:15 | 0:23:18 | |
So you think the way to do it would probably be to find somewhere where | 0:23:18 | 0:23:22 | |
the need is greater and then move from there? | 0:23:22 | 0:23:24 | |
That would certainly be an easier road. | 0:23:24 | 0:23:27 | |
It is as he feared. The family will have to be flexible on where they live. | 0:23:28 | 0:23:33 | |
But with Jo already worried about finding the right place to set up | 0:23:33 | 0:23:36 | |
home, this won't go down well. | 0:23:36 | 0:23:38 | |
Meanwhile, keen to find out more about local education, | 0:23:42 | 0:23:46 | |
we've arranged Jo and the children to visit Bethlehem College in Tauranga. | 0:23:46 | 0:23:50 | |
We want learning to be fun and active. | 0:23:50 | 0:23:52 | |
-They certainly look happy. -Yeah. | 0:23:52 | 0:23:56 | |
With the children busy, Jo explains to principle Marcus Norrish she's | 0:23:56 | 0:24:00 | |
nervous about son Freddie making the move from a village school to a college. | 0:24:00 | 0:24:04 | |
It is a big place but really we're one college with three schools | 0:24:04 | 0:24:08 | |
inside it, which provides that community which is really what you | 0:24:08 | 0:24:11 | |
have in the smaller schools, isn't it? | 0:24:11 | 0:24:13 | |
That sounds very good. | 0:24:13 | 0:24:15 | |
Freddie loves playing rugby at home and Jo wants that to continue. | 0:24:15 | 0:24:18 | |
One of the cool things about Bethlehem College is it's got these | 0:24:18 | 0:24:21 | |
amazing sports club. Being physical is really important to | 0:24:21 | 0:24:24 | |
New Zealanders and getting out there and playing sport is really important. | 0:24:24 | 0:24:27 | |
Part of the reason we're looking at New Zealand is we want more sport | 0:24:27 | 0:24:30 | |
for our children. To come and look around a place like this is amazing. | 0:24:30 | 0:24:33 | |
You're going to find that here. Yeah, yeah. Yeah, definitely. | 0:24:33 | 0:24:36 | |
Outside, Jo's concerns about Freddie settling in are put to rest. | 0:24:38 | 0:24:42 | |
He's found some like-minded people, so he's happy and that makes me happy. | 0:24:42 | 0:24:46 | |
Back at the hospital, | 0:24:51 | 0:24:52 | |
Angus is hoping his earning potential will bring better news. | 0:24:52 | 0:24:56 | |
So what could someone in my position expect to earn? | 0:24:56 | 0:24:58 | |
Probably NZ140-150 a year. | 0:24:58 | 0:25:02 | |
Sure. That's about the same, actually. | 0:25:02 | 0:25:04 | |
Then there's a 13 incremental steps that come after that, | 0:25:04 | 0:25:08 | |
so it increases quite quickly. | 0:25:08 | 0:25:12 | |
As a hospital doctor in New Zealand, Angus could start on around £70,000, | 0:25:12 | 0:25:16 | |
£9,000 more than he currently earns in the UK. | 0:25:16 | 0:25:20 | |
It's a considerable amount. | 0:25:20 | 0:25:23 | |
To round off his visit, Angus meets doctor expat Vivian Hobbs to find | 0:25:23 | 0:25:27 | |
out about the all-important work/life balance he hopes will | 0:25:27 | 0:25:31 | |
improve with the move to New Zealand. | 0:25:31 | 0:25:33 | |
There's a lot more control here, I think, about the number of hours you | 0:25:33 | 0:25:37 | |
work and a lot more, I guess, penalties for the hospital if you work over that. | 0:25:37 | 0:25:41 | |
What's life outside of work like here in terms of spending time with the family? | 0:25:41 | 0:25:46 | |
We're at the beach most weekends or going for walks in the bush or | 0:25:46 | 0:25:50 | |
out on bikes and skirmishes. | 0:25:50 | 0:25:51 | |
So, definitely a really good life/work balance. | 0:25:51 | 0:25:55 | |
Music to Angus's ears. | 0:25:55 | 0:25:57 | |
With all things considered, how will he vote when it comes to choosing | 0:25:57 | 0:26:01 | |
between work in New Zealand or the UK? | 0:26:01 | 0:26:04 | |
New Zealand. | 0:26:06 | 0:26:07 | |
I think it's a relief that I'd be working in a pretty similar set-up | 0:26:07 | 0:26:12 | |
to home so I don't feel like I'd necessarily be losing anything. | 0:26:12 | 0:26:16 | |
I'm not sure if this would be the same everywhere, | 0:26:16 | 0:26:19 | |
this is just one city, but it's encouraging. | 0:26:19 | 0:26:21 | |
Relieved he could get the kind of work he's after, | 0:26:21 | 0:26:24 | |
Angus has lodged his second vote for New Zealand, | 0:26:24 | 0:26:27 | |
and Jo's waiting patiently to hear the outcome. | 0:26:27 | 0:26:30 | |
But, first, she's excited to share her findings. | 0:26:30 | 0:26:34 | |
The school was massive. | 0:26:34 | 0:26:35 | |
To begin with Freddie was a little shy but the headmaster, Marcus, was | 0:26:35 | 0:26:39 | |
really, really nice and Freddie says he wants to go to that school. | 0:26:39 | 0:26:43 | |
Really? Do you think Freddie would settle quite easily there? | 0:26:43 | 0:26:46 | |
Definitely. | 0:26:46 | 0:26:47 | |
-So what happened at the hospital? -It was really good. | 0:26:48 | 0:26:50 | |
-It's a nice hospital. -You could see yourself working there? | 0:26:50 | 0:26:53 | |
Yeah, based on the hospital I saw, I did vote New Zealand. | 0:26:53 | 0:26:57 | |
It looked like it would be a nice place to work. | 0:26:57 | 0:27:00 | |
They did say that it wouldn't be easy to come in and get a job | 0:27:00 | 0:27:03 | |
somewhere like this, as a desirable place. | 0:27:03 | 0:27:05 | |
It would be easier to get a job somewhere less desirable and then | 0:27:05 | 0:27:10 | |
-establish yourself. -Where's less desirable? -I don't know. | 0:27:10 | 0:27:13 | |
This isn't what Jo wanted to hear. | 0:27:13 | 0:27:15 | |
The question over where they would live means her dream is still far | 0:27:15 | 0:27:19 | |
from complete. | 0:27:19 | 0:27:20 | |
Despite promising work prospects for Angus and a potential school for | 0:27:25 | 0:27:29 | |
Freddie passing the test, | 0:27:29 | 0:27:31 | |
it looks like Jo could be starting to lose faith in her own dream. | 0:27:31 | 0:27:36 | |
Will a day out exploring the Kiwi countryside be enough to reignite | 0:27:36 | 0:27:41 | |
her passion for making the move and keep the rest of the family on side? | 0:27:41 | 0:27:46 | |
Making the most of this rare time together, | 0:27:51 | 0:27:54 | |
the Goodsons set off to Te Puna Quarry Park in Tauranga. | 0:27:54 | 0:27:58 | |
You can imagine dinosaurs here, can't you? | 0:27:58 | 0:27:59 | |
A morning bush walk gets everyone's imagination working. | 0:27:59 | 0:28:03 | |
But they quickly find themselves getting a little too close to nature. | 0:28:05 | 0:28:09 | |
-That's mint. -Lemon. Oh, it's horrible. | 0:28:09 | 0:28:12 | |
No, it stinks! | 0:28:12 | 0:28:13 | |
At least Angus is keeping a sense of humour about it all. | 0:28:14 | 0:28:17 | |
Oh, that one's really stinky. Try this one. | 0:28:17 | 0:28:20 | |
Oh, that's a stinky one, too. | 0:28:21 | 0:28:23 | |
Soon it's clear how much the children are enjoying Kiwi living. | 0:28:23 | 0:28:26 | |
I like the lifestyle and how beautiful it is. | 0:28:26 | 0:28:32 | |
It is beautiful, isn't it? | 0:28:32 | 0:28:34 | |
And little Arabella is as charmed as her brother. | 0:28:34 | 0:28:37 | |
I want to live here forever. | 0:28:37 | 0:28:38 | |
Next, the family check out Tauranga waterfront where they come across | 0:28:43 | 0:28:47 | |
some interesting characters. | 0:28:47 | 0:28:49 | |
Freddie, we'll look after these dogs and train them and brush them. | 0:28:50 | 0:28:54 | |
To round the day off, the family hit the beach. | 0:28:55 | 0:28:58 | |
Come on, Freddie! | 0:29:07 | 0:29:09 | |
It's been a fun-filled day but the time to reflect on the week so far | 0:29:09 | 0:29:14 | |
has left Jo questioning their potential new life in New Zealand. | 0:29:14 | 0:29:18 | |
So Angus likes the hospital, the kids like the beach, | 0:29:18 | 0:29:21 | |
we all like the school, but I can't find the location | 0:29:21 | 0:29:24 | |
where we could put our house down. | 0:29:24 | 0:29:26 | |
But Angus and the kids seem to really like it and be quite set on it. | 0:29:27 | 0:29:31 | |
I almost feel like I'm trying really hard to catch up with them. | 0:29:32 | 0:29:35 | |
Angus senses a shift in attitude. | 0:29:36 | 0:29:39 | |
When we started I wasn't sure and Jo was really keen, but now she seems | 0:29:39 | 0:29:42 | |
to be a little bit overwhelmed by the whole reality of the thing. | 0:29:42 | 0:29:46 | |
So far, the week has surpassed his expectations. | 0:29:46 | 0:29:49 | |
People are friendly, the weather's been fantastic, the scenery is | 0:29:49 | 0:29:54 | |
stunning and it's a standard of life here that's just good. | 0:29:54 | 0:29:58 | |
I don't know, maybe I'm just on a high from being away with the family. | 0:29:58 | 0:30:02 | |
But he knows there's still some way to go. | 0:30:02 | 0:30:05 | |
I'm still dreading that whole friends and family thing because | 0:30:05 | 0:30:08 | |
that's the big elephant in the room. | 0:30:08 | 0:30:10 | |
I think that's probably the big spoiler, if you like. | 0:30:10 | 0:30:14 | |
Overall, it's clear Jo and Angus need peace of mind. | 0:30:14 | 0:30:17 | |
I don't want to go back to England and still not know where we're going | 0:30:17 | 0:30:21 | |
to live in the future. | 0:30:21 | 0:30:22 | |
Difficult decisions lie ahead. | 0:30:22 | 0:30:24 | |
Meanwhile, the family need to choose which lifestyle they prefer. | 0:30:24 | 0:30:29 | |
Will New Zealand or the UK win the day? | 0:30:29 | 0:30:31 | |
Based on the fun we had today, our vote is... | 0:30:33 | 0:30:37 | |
-New Zealand. -New Zealand. -New Zealand. | 0:30:42 | 0:30:45 | |
-UK. -You're voting England? -New Zealand. | 0:30:45 | 0:30:48 | |
-I miss our little house. -You miss our little house? | 0:30:48 | 0:30:52 | |
And you miss your friends? | 0:30:52 | 0:30:54 | |
If you hadn't taken me to the beach, I might have said UK... | 0:30:55 | 0:30:58 | |
-But we took you to the beach. -But I like the beach. | 0:30:59 | 0:31:02 | |
Their day exploring New Zealand's natural landscape has given Jo | 0:31:06 | 0:31:10 | |
confidence to pledge her first vote for the country. | 0:31:10 | 0:31:13 | |
But with her still struggling to see where she'd fit in, | 0:31:13 | 0:31:16 | |
we've arranged for the Goodsons to spend some time with other mums. | 0:31:16 | 0:31:19 | |
Given Freddie's love of the sport, | 0:31:19 | 0:31:22 | |
where better to do that than the local junior rugby club? | 0:31:22 | 0:31:25 | |
I didn't think it would be nice to stand on the touchline and not be | 0:31:26 | 0:31:29 | |
-freezing cold. -We have a great climate here and I think that's why | 0:31:29 | 0:31:33 | |
our city's grown because it's been a little bit of a secret for quite a | 0:31:33 | 0:31:35 | |
few years and now there's so many young families. | 0:31:35 | 0:31:38 | |
Hopefully the opportunity to meet other families who've made the move | 0:31:38 | 0:31:41 | |
from the UK will give Jo the reassurance she needs. | 0:31:41 | 0:31:44 | |
And you'll make some of your greatest friends with mums from school. | 0:31:44 | 0:31:47 | |
You've got this network of people you just call and... | 0:31:47 | 0:31:50 | |
-It's a trust here. -We've got that in our village that I think Jo's | 0:31:50 | 0:31:53 | |
-worried about losing out on. -When I first came over, | 0:31:53 | 0:31:55 | |
I thought I'm in a unique situation but I wasn't at all. | 0:31:55 | 0:31:59 | |
There's just more of a permission to do life together. | 0:31:59 | 0:32:01 | |
-You've done a good sales pitch, there! -Good job. | 0:32:01 | 0:32:03 | |
Slowly but surely, Jo is reconnecting with her dream. | 0:32:10 | 0:32:14 | |
But, invariably, a move to New Zealand needs to be within the | 0:32:14 | 0:32:18 | |
family's financial means. | 0:32:18 | 0:32:20 | |
Up for consideration is their UK home, | 0:32:20 | 0:32:22 | |
which they believe to be worth around £350,000. | 0:32:22 | 0:32:26 | |
But they plan to rent it out rather than sell, so we've sent round two | 0:32:26 | 0:32:30 | |
estate agents to get current valuations of its worth. | 0:32:30 | 0:32:34 | |
Four bedroom, semidetached family home in a popular village. | 0:32:34 | 0:32:38 | |
-Let's have a look. -It's a good-sized family sitting room. | 0:32:38 | 0:32:42 | |
It's been thoughtfully extended, nice and bright. | 0:32:42 | 0:32:44 | |
This is a great family garden, plenty of room for trampolines and slides. | 0:32:44 | 0:32:48 | |
Two enormous dogs. | 0:32:48 | 0:32:50 | |
Generous sized master bedroom with plenty of room for storage and a | 0:32:50 | 0:32:55 | |
bright and airy ensuite. | 0:32:55 | 0:32:57 | |
It's very strange seeing your own house, isn't it? | 0:32:57 | 0:32:59 | |
In today's market, I'd value this property at £395,000. | 0:32:59 | 0:33:04 | |
For a quick sale, I would value this property at £385,000. | 0:33:04 | 0:33:08 | |
-No way! -I value this house at £395,000. | 0:33:08 | 0:33:12 | |
For a quick sale, I would market it at £385,000. | 0:33:12 | 0:33:16 | |
-Exactly the same. -That's unbelievable. | 0:33:16 | 0:33:18 | |
If the owners wanted to rent this property, I would suggest a monthly | 0:33:18 | 0:33:22 | |
rental of £1,400 per month. | 0:33:22 | 0:33:24 | |
-That's a bit tight. -I would suggest a monthly rental of £1,350 per | 0:33:24 | 0:33:29 | |
-calendar month. -That's a bit more disappointing, actually. | 0:33:29 | 0:33:31 | |
I think to get the houses we want out here we're going to have to sell | 0:33:31 | 0:33:35 | |
it, which is a bit of a shocker. | 0:33:35 | 0:33:37 | |
With the realisation they'd have to put the home they love on the market, | 0:33:37 | 0:33:41 | |
the rest of the figures will really need to stack up. | 0:33:41 | 0:33:44 | |
I'm quite looking forward to this. | 0:33:44 | 0:33:46 | |
To help, we've given the couple a breakdown of living costs. | 0:33:46 | 0:33:49 | |
First up, it's the weekly food bill. | 0:33:49 | 0:33:51 | |
Sparkling water... | 0:33:51 | 0:33:52 | |
Ouch. £5.52. | 0:33:52 | 0:33:55 | |
-More than double. -£5.52! -More than double! | 0:33:55 | 0:33:58 | |
I might have to drink tap water. | 0:33:58 | 0:34:00 | |
In all, they'd be paying almost £10 more for food in New Zealand each week. | 0:34:02 | 0:34:06 | |
That's pretty good, actually. | 0:34:06 | 0:34:07 | |
I thought it was going to be way more than that. | 0:34:07 | 0:34:09 | |
A good start, no shocks. | 0:34:09 | 0:34:11 | |
Moving onto the bigger monthly bills. | 0:34:11 | 0:34:14 | |
-You calculate this time. -No worries. | 0:34:14 | 0:34:15 | |
The couple look at mortgage repayments, | 0:34:15 | 0:34:17 | |
basing their calculations on the second house they viewed. | 0:34:17 | 0:34:21 | |
-UK cost 963, NZ cost 1,400 but the difference is... -437. | 0:34:22 | 0:34:29 | |
-If you want a bigger garden, you have a bigger mortgage. -Sure. | 0:34:29 | 0:34:32 | |
Jo's digging her heels in about Angus's countryside living. | 0:34:32 | 0:34:36 | |
Gas, £54 in the UK. | 0:34:37 | 0:34:40 | |
-Yep. -£90 in New Zealand. | 0:34:40 | 0:34:42 | |
-Ouch. -But presumably if it's a warmer climate, you're using less, | 0:34:43 | 0:34:46 | |
-aren't you? -When they tot it up, | 0:34:46 | 0:34:48 | |
the sums show they'd be paying out over £500 more per month, | 0:34:48 | 0:34:52 | |
but Jo's quick to make a suggestion. | 0:34:52 | 0:34:54 | |
437 of it is the mortgage, so if I take that off, | 0:34:54 | 0:34:57 | |
then it's only £100 a month more. | 0:34:57 | 0:34:59 | |
So if you buy the house you can afford and not house you want, | 0:34:59 | 0:35:01 | |
then we're talking £100 a month more... | 0:35:01 | 0:35:04 | |
-Yep. -..which doesn't sound ridiculous. | 0:35:04 | 0:35:07 | |
With Jo writing off Angus's dream home, they move on to look at salary. | 0:35:07 | 0:35:11 | |
So you would get £538 a month more. | 0:35:13 | 0:35:16 | |
They quickly realise they'd be marginally better off in New Zealand. | 0:35:16 | 0:35:20 | |
We were £537 more expensive and you earn £538 more. | 0:35:20 | 0:35:25 | |
So we've got an extra pound in our pocket. | 0:35:25 | 0:35:27 | |
A meagre amount but not cause for concern. | 0:35:27 | 0:35:30 | |
I'd say looking at those figures, we can afford to move to New Zealand. | 0:35:30 | 0:35:33 | |
So we can get a bigger house, bigger garden. | 0:35:33 | 0:35:36 | |
-That's quite encouraging. -Until... | 0:35:36 | 0:35:38 | |
You've still got to find me a house that I actually want to live in. | 0:35:38 | 0:35:40 | |
So maybe we could get something a bit closer to the beach. | 0:35:40 | 0:35:43 | |
Seriously?! | 0:35:43 | 0:35:45 | |
Jo's determined to get her away, but when it comes down to money, | 0:35:45 | 0:35:49 | |
will the Goodsons vote for finances in New Zealand or the UK? | 0:35:49 | 0:35:53 | |
Based on the facts and figures we've seen today, our vote is... | 0:35:53 | 0:35:57 | |
-New Zealand! -New Zealand! | 0:36:07 | 0:36:09 | |
-Excellent. -We can make it work. | 0:36:09 | 0:36:11 | |
It comes in tight but it's the right side. | 0:36:11 | 0:36:14 | |
The numbers in New Zealand look the same as the numbers in England, | 0:36:14 | 0:36:17 | |
so there's nothing scary about that. | 0:36:17 | 0:36:19 | |
Albeit modest, Jo and Angus are optimistic about their financial gain. | 0:36:25 | 0:36:30 | |
They now know they can afford a life in New Zealand. | 0:36:30 | 0:36:34 | |
But it's the loss of their family and friends that's more worrying. | 0:36:34 | 0:36:37 | |
They decide to watch messages from home together. | 0:36:37 | 0:36:40 | |
This is the one I've been dreading. | 0:36:40 | 0:36:43 | |
-Is it? -Yeah! -I want to know what they're going to say to us. | 0:36:43 | 0:36:45 | |
I know but it's... It's the big reason why you wouldn't move out, isn't it? | 0:36:45 | 0:36:50 | |
Hi, Jo, Angus, Arabella, Freddie. | 0:36:50 | 0:36:54 | |
-Hello, Family Goodson. -Hello, Angus. | 0:36:54 | 0:36:55 | |
-Hello, Jo. -Hello, Jo and Angus. | 0:36:55 | 0:36:58 | |
The kids are really missing Arabella and Freddie. | 0:36:58 | 0:37:01 | |
Angus has done really well, Angus is getting on with his career. | 0:37:01 | 0:37:05 | |
He's the kindest person in the world and he's a very good dad. | 0:37:05 | 0:37:09 | |
Angus, he's been a fabulous son-in-law. | 0:37:09 | 0:37:12 | |
I couldn't wish for better. | 0:37:12 | 0:37:13 | |
Jo is not just my little sister, she's my confidant, | 0:37:15 | 0:37:20 | |
I look up to her hugely. | 0:37:20 | 0:37:21 | |
She's just surrounded with life and she's just such a superstar. | 0:37:21 | 0:37:26 | |
Arabella, what can you say about a three-year-old? | 0:37:27 | 0:37:30 | |
Full of fun but a typical young girl. | 0:37:30 | 0:37:33 | |
Freddie's an outdoor person. He'll love the rugby. | 0:37:33 | 0:37:36 | |
They're as bright as buttons and very clever and fun to be with. | 0:37:37 | 0:37:41 | |
They light up your life. | 0:37:41 | 0:37:42 | |
There's no two ways about it, they are such amazing kids. | 0:37:42 | 0:37:46 | |
You can be in the most beautiful place in the world but what you do | 0:37:48 | 0:37:51 | |
miss is people. Yeah, we shall miss them dreadfully. | 0:37:51 | 0:37:54 | |
It's really hard to put into words how much I will miss them but huge | 0:37:54 | 0:37:57 | |
amounts if they disappear. | 0:37:57 | 0:37:58 | |
I will miss them. | 0:38:01 | 0:38:04 | |
It's going to be very hard to cope because we see the children probably | 0:38:04 | 0:38:08 | |
every week. | 0:38:08 | 0:38:10 | |
Both of them have been very good at making sure that we've been very | 0:38:11 | 0:38:17 | |
much involved with the grandchildren. | 0:38:17 | 0:38:19 | |
So, yes, we will miss the grandchildren tremendously. | 0:38:19 | 0:38:23 | |
I worry about Freddie and Arabella and not having the close | 0:38:23 | 0:38:30 | |
relationship we have now. | 0:38:30 | 0:38:32 | |
You just have to decide whether leaving your friends and your | 0:38:32 | 0:38:36 | |
family and the community we've got is going to be worth the big move. | 0:38:36 | 0:38:41 | |
It's something that Freddie and Arabella possibly will miss and | 0:38:43 | 0:38:49 | |
maybe regret in later life. | 0:38:49 | 0:38:51 | |
But it's your choice, not mine, so I'd ask you to think about it. | 0:38:51 | 0:38:56 | |
That's hard. Thanks, Dad. | 0:38:59 | 0:39:03 | |
Mum and Dad send the children out to play while they reflect on what | 0:39:03 | 0:39:06 | |
their loved ones had to say. | 0:39:06 | 0:39:08 | |
You know, the children are not going to have another childhood and | 0:39:08 | 0:39:11 | |
they're not going to have other grandparents, that is the reality. | 0:39:11 | 0:39:14 | |
I was thinking about this earlier, with you being at work, you know, | 0:39:14 | 0:39:17 | |
you see your mum once a month, you see your friends once a week. | 0:39:17 | 0:39:21 | |
Whereas, I see people every day because I'm at home with the children. | 0:39:22 | 0:39:27 | |
Yeah. | 0:39:27 | 0:39:28 | |
So I think I'm going to feel it more than you do if we were to go. | 0:39:28 | 0:39:33 | |
I feel more confused than I was before we came. | 0:39:33 | 0:39:36 | |
Messages from home have left Jo and Angus feeling conflicted about the | 0:39:39 | 0:39:44 | |
best way forward for their family. | 0:39:44 | 0:39:47 | |
So as their week in New Zealand draws to an end, will they vote with | 0:39:47 | 0:39:50 | |
their head or their heart when it comes to deciding | 0:39:50 | 0:39:53 | |
where their future really lies? | 0:39:53 | 0:39:55 | |
When they arrived in New Zealand, it was Jo and her family's first | 0:39:58 | 0:40:02 | |
time in the country of her dreams but their trip has delivered mixed emotions. | 0:40:02 | 0:40:07 | |
I think I have been trying to weigh it up. | 0:40:07 | 0:40:08 | |
You know, with each experience is this good enough | 0:40:08 | 0:40:12 | |
to give up friends and family in order to have that? | 0:40:12 | 0:40:17 | |
Jo, I think, has been up and down during the week. | 0:40:17 | 0:40:20 | |
She wants it to be perfect so it's an easy decision. | 0:40:20 | 0:40:22 | |
I don't think it's ever going to be perfect. | 0:40:22 | 0:40:24 | |
Messages from home have been hard on them all, especially the little ones. | 0:40:24 | 0:40:29 | |
I will miss all my friends back in England. | 0:40:29 | 0:40:32 | |
That's probably the main thing I am thinking about, | 0:40:32 | 0:40:35 | |
especially after watching the video. | 0:40:35 | 0:40:37 | |
Yeah. | 0:40:39 | 0:40:41 | |
I miss everything. | 0:40:43 | 0:40:44 | |
For Jo, the past seven days have been a wake-up call. | 0:40:46 | 0:40:50 | |
I think because I've been at home with the children for the last four | 0:40:50 | 0:40:53 | |
years, my life has very much been the village. | 0:40:53 | 0:40:56 | |
So I think I've suddenly realised how far removed and how I'll be | 0:40:56 | 0:41:00 | |
starting over in a way that perhaps the others aren't so much. | 0:41:00 | 0:41:04 | |
In a change of fortunes, | 0:41:04 | 0:41:05 | |
it's now Angus who's enamoured with the idea of living there. | 0:41:05 | 0:41:09 | |
There's an excitement about it that you can't really detail down in cost | 0:41:09 | 0:41:12 | |
of living expenses or the right school or everything. | 0:41:12 | 0:41:15 | |
It just feels exciting. | 0:41:15 | 0:41:17 | |
It's just something that's there that got to me. | 0:41:17 | 0:41:21 | |
With a final vote edging closer, the family need to come to an agreement. | 0:41:21 | 0:41:26 | |
I think we either do this all together, | 0:41:26 | 0:41:29 | |
you know, holding hands and leap off the cliff otherwise not at all. | 0:41:29 | 0:41:32 | |
I could see myself fitting in to here. | 0:41:32 | 0:41:34 | |
I really could. | 0:41:36 | 0:41:37 | |
It's not exactly what I would want, so, yeah, | 0:41:38 | 0:41:41 | |
there comes a point where you've just got to say, | 0:41:41 | 0:41:44 | |
are we going to or are we not going to? | 0:41:44 | 0:41:46 | |
I think once we make the decision, we need to not look back. | 0:41:46 | 0:41:49 | |
After much soul-searching, where will the Goodsons decide to call home? | 0:41:53 | 0:41:58 | |
-New Zealand. -New Zealand. -New Zealand. -England. | 0:42:12 | 0:42:16 | |
Hey, you chose New Zealand! | 0:42:16 | 0:42:18 | |
Come on. | 0:42:18 | 0:42:20 | |
Yeah! | 0:42:20 | 0:42:21 | |
-And you want to stay in Cuddington? -Yeah. -Baby boo. | 0:42:21 | 0:42:24 | |
I thought you were wavering. I thought you were. | 0:42:29 | 0:42:32 | |
I found it a hard decision to make. | 0:42:32 | 0:42:33 | |
I still can't quite see what my life would look like in New Zealand, | 0:42:33 | 0:42:37 | |
but if you guys are happy, I know I will find my place wherever we are. | 0:42:37 | 0:42:41 | |
And what about the little one? I think she's young enough maybe to adapt. | 0:42:41 | 0:42:44 | |
I think we'd have a good adventure here. | 0:42:44 | 0:42:46 | |
Yeah, I can see that. | 0:42:46 | 0:42:48 | |
Despite some reservations throughout the week, | 0:43:01 | 0:43:04 | |
Jo's decided to stand by her dream, and with Angus convinced | 0:43:04 | 0:43:08 | |
New Zealand's the perfect fit for his family, | 0:43:08 | 0:43:11 | |
it looks like the Goodsons could soon be on the move. | 0:43:11 | 0:43:15 | |
We wish them all the very best of luck. | 0:43:15 | 0:43:17 |