Parker Family

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0:00:02 > 0:00:05A better work-life balance and outdoor lifestyle have led to

0:00:05 > 0:00:08Stephen Parker's lifelong Australian dream.

0:00:08 > 0:00:10I was born in Birmingham,

0:00:10 > 0:00:14which is about as far from the ocean as you can be in the UK.

0:00:14 > 0:00:18That was the one thing missing for me - being by the sea.

0:00:18 > 0:00:20But Bulgarian-born wife Marta

0:00:20 > 0:00:25knows every mile from home takes you further from those you love.

0:00:25 > 0:00:30When Stephen mentioned to me about his dream,

0:00:30 > 0:00:32my answer was no.

0:00:32 > 0:00:34A trial week by the sea near Melbourne

0:00:34 > 0:00:37gives them a chance to test the waters.

0:00:37 > 0:00:39Look, look!

0:00:39 > 0:00:42But will thoughts of loved ones back home mean the dream drifts away?

0:00:42 > 0:00:45Or will it stay afloat down under?

0:00:46 > 0:00:50It would be great if I can say, "I'm sure we're going to get our dream

0:00:50 > 0:00:53"like that," but I'm just not convinced

0:00:53 > 0:00:56that this will be the situation.

0:01:19 > 0:01:22Australia's long been the most popular destination

0:01:22 > 0:01:24for Brits emigrating abroad.

0:01:24 > 0:01:27Boasting a buoyant economy and fabulous climate,

0:01:27 > 0:01:31they're tempted by the promise of a better life down under.

0:01:31 > 0:01:35But the reality of leaving behind everything and everyone can

0:01:35 > 0:01:38sometimes turn that dream into a nightmare.

0:01:40 > 0:01:44Landlocked, Brummie-born Stephen Parker is a most

0:01:44 > 0:01:49unlikely surfer dude, but he's long had a dream of living in Oz,

0:01:49 > 0:01:52and riding that perfect wave down under.

0:01:52 > 0:01:55Bulgarian-born wife Marta, however,

0:01:55 > 0:01:57is reading from a different script.

0:01:57 > 0:02:01An aspiring actress, she's determined to stay in the UK,

0:02:01 > 0:02:05close to where she's made a new life for her and her family.

0:02:05 > 0:02:09Across a trial week in Australia, the couple will get to see where

0:02:09 > 0:02:12they might live, the lifestyle they can afford,

0:02:12 > 0:02:16and the jobs they could get if they emigrated.

0:02:16 > 0:02:20Then, at the end, they'll reach their final decisions,

0:02:20 > 0:02:22and vote on where their future lies.

0:02:24 > 0:02:27After 24 hours in the air via Dubai and Sydney,

0:02:27 > 0:02:30as the Parkers touchdown in Melbourne,

0:02:30 > 0:02:32the distance from home is already sinking in.

0:02:36 > 0:02:40The length of the journey definitely gives you a feel of how incredibly

0:02:40 > 0:02:42far Australia is from the UK.

0:02:42 > 0:02:45I think it would make it very difficult for my friends and family

0:02:45 > 0:02:47to come and visit us, and that does bother me.

0:02:47 > 0:02:49Despite the long journey,

0:02:49 > 0:02:53Stephen's full of anticipation for the week ahead.

0:02:53 > 0:02:55It's somewhere I've always wanted to travel to.

0:02:55 > 0:02:58I'm hoping that we find out that Australia has the lifestyle,

0:02:58 > 0:03:00and the finances add up as well.

0:03:00 > 0:03:02Let's hope so, Stephen.

0:03:02 > 0:03:08It still concerns me that this step might be too big for us,

0:03:08 > 0:03:10or for me personally,

0:03:10 > 0:03:14and Stephen's got some convincing to do.

0:03:14 > 0:03:17He's got just seven days to convince Marta

0:03:17 > 0:03:19their future lies in Australia.

0:03:28 > 0:03:29Meet the Parkers.

0:03:29 > 0:03:34Dad Stephen, Mum Marta, and baby William, who's one.

0:03:34 > 0:03:36Stephen met Marta six years ago at a wedding

0:03:36 > 0:03:38in her home country of Bulgaria,

0:03:38 > 0:03:43where, at the reception, Marta took fate into her own hands.

0:03:43 > 0:03:45Quite literally.

0:03:45 > 0:03:49We were sat on the same table, but I didn't like my place,

0:03:49 > 0:03:54so I decided to swap our place cards over.

0:03:54 > 0:03:57We hit it off pretty much straight away.

0:03:57 > 0:04:00It was like on the movies, really,

0:04:00 > 0:04:02when people meet,

0:04:02 > 0:04:06and immediately fall in love with each other.

0:04:06 > 0:04:08We kept in touch.

0:04:08 > 0:04:11I came to visit the UK.

0:04:11 > 0:04:14He went to visit me in Bulgaria.

0:04:14 > 0:04:18Things moved along, and a few years later, she moved over to the UK

0:04:18 > 0:04:20to be with me.

0:04:21 > 0:04:24And Marta wasn't just leaving the country of her birth,

0:04:24 > 0:04:27but also a successful career.

0:04:27 > 0:04:33I did lots of theatre, movies - Bulgarian, international.

0:04:33 > 0:04:37My father was a famous actor in Bulgaria,

0:04:37 > 0:04:42about 40, 50 years ago, and my mum was an actress as well.

0:04:44 > 0:04:46But with her father having passed away,

0:04:46 > 0:04:50at first it was difficult for Marta to leave her much-loved mum.

0:04:51 > 0:04:53We were very close.

0:04:53 > 0:04:55It was difficult when I left.

0:04:55 > 0:04:58I was missing my friends, my culture.

0:04:58 > 0:05:04I had a little bit of difficulties with language,

0:05:04 > 0:05:06finding work.

0:05:06 > 0:05:10The couple married in 2014, and although it's taken a while,

0:05:10 > 0:05:14they are now happily settled in the UK with baby William.

0:05:14 > 0:05:17However, Stephen wants to give it all up,

0:05:17 > 0:05:21and is asking Marta to make yet another move.

0:05:21 > 0:05:24It's always been a dream of mine to move to Australia.

0:05:24 > 0:05:26I was...I was born in Birmingham,

0:05:26 > 0:05:30which is about as far from the ocean as you can be in the UK.

0:05:30 > 0:05:32Whilst I had a really great upbringing,

0:05:32 > 0:05:35that was the one thing missing for me, was being by the sea.

0:05:35 > 0:05:37As soon as he was old enough,

0:05:37 > 0:05:40Stephen moved to the coast and took up surfing.

0:05:40 > 0:05:43But since moving to London for his career,

0:05:43 > 0:05:46the opportunities to ride the waves have dwindled.

0:05:47 > 0:05:51It's actually an eight or nine hour round-trip to get to a good beach

0:05:51 > 0:05:53where you can surf.

0:05:53 > 0:05:58And that's something that I believe Australia can offer over the UK,

0:05:58 > 0:06:00that you can have that lifestyle.

0:06:00 > 0:06:04Just one problem, Stephen - Marta, having already made a move

0:06:04 > 0:06:07away from her family, had other ideas.

0:06:07 > 0:06:13When Stephen mentioned to me about his dream, living in Australia,

0:06:13 > 0:06:17my answer was no.

0:06:17 > 0:06:21So with a dream put to one side, everyday life continued,

0:06:21 > 0:06:25but, for Stephen, things changed when he began to miss out on

0:06:25 > 0:06:27spending time with his new family.

0:06:28 > 0:06:34Stephen wasn't able to spend a lot of time with us,

0:06:34 > 0:06:37because he was very busy at work.

0:06:37 > 0:06:42I was working in a very high-pressured job in London.

0:06:42 > 0:06:47And I just wasn't around enough to support Marta when William was born,

0:06:47 > 0:06:49and that really, really affected me.

0:06:49 > 0:06:52Stephen decided to take a career break

0:06:52 > 0:06:54and spend more time with the family.

0:06:54 > 0:06:57To have that time with William in his first year has been the best

0:06:57 > 0:07:02thing I've ever done. Having a baby has really made me re-evaluate my

0:07:02 > 0:07:04life and think about what's important.

0:07:04 > 0:07:09And further changes in family circumstances meant that Marta began

0:07:09 > 0:07:13to have a change of heart when, sadly, her mother passed away.

0:07:14 > 0:07:18Sadly, you know, a new chapter of our life has started without

0:07:18 > 0:07:22Margarita and decided to take a career break last year,

0:07:22 > 0:07:24the first thing Marta said to me was,

0:07:24 > 0:07:29"Well, now's the best time to look at this if we're going to do it."

0:07:30 > 0:07:34For Marta, however, it's not an easy decision.

0:07:34 > 0:07:38She now feels settled with Stephen's family in the UK.

0:07:38 > 0:07:43We're going to give it all up and go to Australia,

0:07:43 > 0:07:46and start all over again.

0:07:46 > 0:07:48Will we make it there?

0:07:48 > 0:07:50Will it be good for us?

0:07:52 > 0:07:53It might not be.

0:07:53 > 0:07:56- Here we go.- Ooh!- Wow!

0:07:56 > 0:08:00And Stephen's aware that taking William away from family

0:08:00 > 0:08:02- will be difficult. - Cheers!- Cheers, guys!

0:08:02 > 0:08:06I had a really close family and a really great upbringing,

0:08:06 > 0:08:10and that's something that I think's really important

0:08:10 > 0:08:12to how you develop as a person.

0:08:12 > 0:08:15And so to take that away from him will be,

0:08:15 > 0:08:17you know, a big decision to make.

0:08:17 > 0:08:21He's pretty confident, though, that he'll be able to persuade Marta

0:08:21 > 0:08:23it's a risk worth taking.

0:08:23 > 0:08:26We love being outdoors and moving to Australia will be perfect

0:08:26 > 0:08:29for all of that. I think when she sees the environment

0:08:29 > 0:08:32and what it will be like, the house we can live in,

0:08:32 > 0:08:34and what it will mean for William,

0:08:34 > 0:08:39I think that will help convince her to give everything we've got up that

0:08:39 > 0:08:41we have in the UK.

0:08:41 > 0:08:44But it might not be as easy as you think, Stephen,

0:08:44 > 0:08:47if the trial week doesn't convince Marta.

0:08:47 > 0:08:52I need to be 100% sure that this is the right thing for us to do at the

0:08:52 > 0:08:58moment. It would be great if I can say, "Yeah, I'm sure everything will

0:08:58 > 0:09:03"be fine in Australia and we're going to get our dream life there,"

0:09:03 > 0:09:08but I'm just not convinced that this will be the situation.

0:09:15 > 0:09:18For their trial week, the Parkers are staying in the quiet, friendly

0:09:18 > 0:09:24Melbourne suburb of Seaford, 45 minutes from the city centre.

0:09:24 > 0:09:28What will they make of their first taste of Aussie living?

0:09:28 > 0:09:30- This is nice, isn't it?- Ooh.

0:09:31 > 0:09:36I like that it's not too big, but feels spacious.

0:09:36 > 0:09:38- Yeah.- Really nice and cosy kitchen.

0:09:38 > 0:09:40I do like it.

0:09:40 > 0:09:42Just what Stephen was hoping to hear.

0:09:43 > 0:09:47Marta's already making some positive noises,

0:09:47 > 0:09:50but it's not long before the reality sets in.

0:09:52 > 0:09:55Yeah, I'm feeling excited

0:09:55 > 0:09:58to find out about life in Australia,

0:09:58 > 0:10:02but on the other hand I'm a little bit terrified.

0:10:02 > 0:10:06Let's just take it one day at a time and try and work out what we need to

0:10:06 > 0:10:10know and how we can make the best decision.

0:10:18 > 0:10:21Back in the UK, the Parkers lived near Guildford in Surrey,

0:10:21 > 0:10:24in a detached single-storey house, which,

0:10:24 > 0:10:26after four years of hard slog,

0:10:26 > 0:10:29is a place they're happy to call home.

0:10:29 > 0:10:33The idea was that we would buy it and build around the plot.

0:10:33 > 0:10:37It's lovely. I love it. We've got a bigger kitchen,

0:10:37 > 0:10:39a second lounge.

0:10:39 > 0:10:43We've got a great house, exactly as we like.

0:10:43 > 0:10:46It would be really quite, quite difficult to sell it.

0:10:46 > 0:10:50Emotionally, it will be difficult to part with it.

0:10:50 > 0:10:53But if they do, they know exactly what they want

0:10:53 > 0:10:57with their £500,000 budget.

0:10:57 > 0:11:00Something detached with a little bit of outdoor space.

0:11:00 > 0:11:02Big garden with lots of trees.

0:11:02 > 0:11:05If we get over to Australia and we find that for our budget,

0:11:05 > 0:11:08we can't get anything close to what we're living in

0:11:08 > 0:11:10currently in the UK,

0:11:10 > 0:11:13and we don't like the look of the neighbourhood,

0:11:13 > 0:11:16and what we see, I think that's going to be a real stumbling block.

0:11:19 > 0:11:22To give the Parkers an idea of what's available in Melbourne,

0:11:22 > 0:11:26we'll show the couple two houses on budget and one which could be their

0:11:26 > 0:11:31dream home. With baby William being looked after by a child minder,

0:11:31 > 0:11:34his parents begin their search in Sandhurst,

0:11:34 > 0:11:39a new development just 15 minutes inland from their rental property.

0:11:39 > 0:11:41Built on an island with a golf course,

0:11:41 > 0:11:43will this two-storey house come up to par?

0:11:43 > 0:11:47OK, here we go.

0:11:47 > 0:11:50It's a really nice entrance space.

0:11:50 > 0:11:54The house promises much, but then disappoints.

0:11:54 > 0:11:57I thought it was going to be bigger,

0:11:57 > 0:11:59the living room, to this,

0:11:59 > 0:12:01- because of the size of the hallway and everything.- Yeah. Yeah, yeah.

0:12:01 > 0:12:05It feels just a bit darker than I'd like it to be.

0:12:05 > 0:12:09- Maybe there's more space to come. - Hope so.

0:12:09 > 0:12:12And, yes, they find it, but upstairs.

0:12:12 > 0:12:15Oh, wow.

0:12:15 > 0:12:18That was the room that we were missing downstairs.

0:12:18 > 0:12:20Yeah, but it's not quite how I would choose it.

0:12:20 > 0:12:24Probably a bit too modern for my personal taste.

0:12:24 > 0:12:26It just doesn't have character,

0:12:26 > 0:12:29I think that's the best way to describe it.

0:12:29 > 0:12:31And the view isn't helping either.

0:12:31 > 0:12:34I'm not impressed about the view.

0:12:34 > 0:12:36I would like to see more trees.

0:12:36 > 0:12:41And all I can see is houses and people playing golf.

0:12:41 > 0:12:44- It's not ideal.- It's like when I cook at home sometimes,

0:12:44 > 0:12:46it's got all the right ingredients,

0:12:46 > 0:12:49but it just comes together and doesn't seem to taste that good.

0:12:49 > 0:12:51- It's just...- Yeah, yeah. - Oh, dear.

0:12:51 > 0:12:54And what about the main bedroom just beside the kitchen?

0:12:59 > 0:13:01A good-sized room.

0:13:01 > 0:13:03Not so sure about it being off the main entertaining area.

0:13:03 > 0:13:07You're always going to be the last one going to bed, aren't you?

0:13:07 > 0:13:11- That's for sure.- And while the en-suite lifts spirits...

0:13:11 > 0:13:13Mmm, en-suite.

0:13:13 > 0:13:15The shower's nice. It's really nice.

0:13:15 > 0:13:16It's got good space and...

0:13:16 > 0:13:18It's a nice feature. It's nice to have it.

0:13:18 > 0:13:22- Yeah.- It's back downstairs to find baby William's room.

0:13:23 > 0:13:25That's a bit better.

0:13:25 > 0:13:30The problem is that he's going to be downstairs while we're upstairs.

0:13:30 > 0:13:32- Yeah, not ideal.- No.

0:13:32 > 0:13:36So will the outside brighten things up?

0:13:36 > 0:13:39Oh, wow.

0:13:39 > 0:13:41- A hot tub.- It's a bit strange, cos it's kind of like the

0:13:41 > 0:13:44centrepiece of the whole garden, isn't it, really?

0:13:44 > 0:13:47- Yeah, I can go without it, to be honest.- Yeah.

0:13:47 > 0:13:52But, surely, they're impressed with being on an island?

0:13:52 > 0:13:55It's just a bit...bare.

0:13:55 > 0:13:59As well, there is nothing to stop Willie to jump in the water.

0:13:59 > 0:14:03- It's not very safe.- So this property hasn't impressed,

0:14:03 > 0:14:07but is it somewhere they can even afford?

0:14:07 > 0:14:08So, what do you think?

0:14:08 > 0:14:11The layout's not quite what we're after.

0:14:11 > 0:14:14- I'm looking for something cosier... - Yeah.

0:14:16 > 0:14:18- ..and with a bit more character into it.- Mmm.

0:14:18 > 0:14:20How much do you think it's worth?

0:14:20 > 0:14:23I think this house is definitely way over our budget.

0:14:23 > 0:14:28I would say £650,000.

0:14:28 > 0:14:32I think around our budget of £500,000.

0:14:32 > 0:14:37- Shall we have a look?- The Parkers have a budget of £500,000.

0:14:41 > 0:14:44Oh, how wrong was I?

0:14:44 > 0:14:48- I'm pleasantly surprised.- Yeah, I'm quite encouraged that we could find

0:14:48 > 0:14:53something within our budget that would be quite...quite good for us.

0:14:53 > 0:14:57So with house-hunting off to a tentative start,

0:14:57 > 0:15:01let's hope property number two will be more to their taste.

0:15:01 > 0:15:05Back near the rental home, in the small coastal suburb of Seaford,

0:15:05 > 0:15:08with family friendly facilities and the beach

0:15:08 > 0:15:09just a few minutes walk away,

0:15:09 > 0:15:14could this four-bedroom house win both Stephen and Marta over?

0:15:15 > 0:15:20It looks like more of a block than a house.

0:15:20 > 0:15:22Oh, dear, and once again,

0:15:22 > 0:15:25it's straight upstairs for the living quarters.

0:15:25 > 0:15:29Ooh, that's nice.

0:15:29 > 0:15:30I like it, yeah.

0:15:30 > 0:15:32It feels a bit more inviting, doesn't it?

0:15:32 > 0:15:36Yeah, it feels just cosier. It has this family feel to it.

0:15:39 > 0:15:42There's lots of work space, which is really good.

0:15:42 > 0:15:45- Yeah.- And also lots of storage.

0:15:45 > 0:15:49So is the topsy-turvy layout getting their thumbs up?

0:15:49 > 0:15:51- Next-door, the main bedroom.- Aw!

0:15:51 > 0:15:56Yeah, this is more like the style I'm after.

0:15:56 > 0:15:59I like seeing the sun through the tree out there.

0:15:59 > 0:16:01It's a nice big TV.

0:16:03 > 0:16:06But the smiles disappear when they see the bathroom.

0:16:06 > 0:16:09Don't think I've ever seen a bath like that before.

0:16:09 > 0:16:14Nor me, no. I'm not sure how I feel about it.

0:16:14 > 0:16:19I'd probably have a regular sort of rectangular bath and a shower

0:16:19 > 0:16:22- cubicle, nice and boring.- Yeah, I agree.

0:16:22 > 0:16:26Well, the bedrooms are faring better in this house.

0:16:26 > 0:16:28This can be William's room.

0:16:28 > 0:16:31Yeah, nice big windows and good storage.

0:16:31 > 0:16:34It's definitely closer to what we... What we're after.

0:16:34 > 0:16:38- It's different, but it's got a bit of character and...- Yeah.- Yeah.

0:16:38 > 0:16:42So far, so good, would you say? What about the outside?

0:16:43 > 0:16:46- That's what you call a tree. - Beautiful tree.

0:16:46 > 0:16:48It's very green.

0:16:48 > 0:16:51Not much space for William to play, I don't think.

0:16:51 > 0:16:54Yeah, it's not the ideal place for us.

0:16:54 > 0:17:00It's not quite what I was hoping for or expecting in Australia.

0:17:00 > 0:17:03So a bit of a disappointment with this house,

0:17:03 > 0:17:05but they'll be even more disappointed if it's not within

0:17:05 > 0:17:08their budget of £500,000.

0:17:09 > 0:17:11So what do you think?

0:17:11 > 0:17:14It's a difficult one, isn't it?

0:17:14 > 0:17:17Because it's quite an unusual different sort of place.

0:17:17 > 0:17:20But it's not right for us at the moment.

0:17:20 > 0:17:24I think it's probably going to be around the budget,

0:17:24 > 0:17:25maybe slightly less.

0:17:25 > 0:17:28Maybe...

0:17:28 > 0:17:30£460,000?

0:17:30 > 0:17:34The couple have a budget of £500,000.

0:17:39 > 0:17:43OK, we underestimated it a little bit.

0:17:43 > 0:17:45I think there's a lot of potential here,

0:17:45 > 0:17:47but it's unfortunately not just for us at this time...

0:17:47 > 0:17:49This time of our lives.

0:17:50 > 0:17:54Well, the house-hunting experience has been less than positive so far,

0:17:54 > 0:17:59but we think we've found what could be the couple's dream home.

0:17:59 > 0:18:01It's in the suburb of Mount Eliza.

0:18:01 > 0:18:03Although further away from the city,

0:18:03 > 0:18:08it's as close as you can be to the beach, which should be a huge pull.

0:18:09 > 0:18:13Will this modern four-bedroom home impress Marta and Stephen?

0:18:19 > 0:18:21That's more like it.

0:18:21 > 0:18:23Definitely very cosy.

0:18:23 > 0:18:29I would see myself sitting on the sofa and looking out of the window.

0:18:30 > 0:18:33So a good start and it doesn't stop there.

0:18:33 > 0:18:36- It's nice, isn't it?- It's nice.

0:18:36 > 0:18:38Yeah, it's the best kitchen we've seen.

0:18:38 > 0:18:44Yeah, definitely. It's big without being too big.

0:18:44 > 0:18:47This one feels a lot more like a home -

0:18:47 > 0:18:50as opposed to a holiday house...

0:18:50 > 0:18:52- Beach house.- ..or beach house, yeah.

0:18:52 > 0:18:56So can the optimism continue into the main bedroom?

0:18:57 > 0:19:01- It's a good space.- Yeah, very good space.

0:19:01 > 0:19:05For the type of property, it's not as grand as I'd expect.

0:19:05 > 0:19:10I'm missing something, and probably that's the wow factor.

0:19:10 > 0:19:12Not what Stephen wants to hear.

0:19:12 > 0:19:16Can the en-suite keep Marta positive?

0:19:16 > 0:19:19Good space, nice-sized, good-sized shower.

0:19:19 > 0:19:22A lot higher spec than the other two properties.

0:19:24 > 0:19:27And William's room certainly gets them smiling again.

0:19:30 > 0:19:34- Interesting bed.- Yeah, it'll be great for William.

0:19:34 > 0:19:35Nice windows.

0:19:35 > 0:19:37Yeah, very good room.

0:19:37 > 0:19:42Although you do feel a distinct lack of enthusiasm for this house.

0:19:42 > 0:19:45- Nice bathroom.- Yeah, it's a great bath, very deep.

0:19:45 > 0:19:49But once outside, the mood shifts.

0:19:49 > 0:19:53- Oh, wow.- It's really nice pool, isn't it?

0:19:53 > 0:19:56Amazing outdoor living space.

0:19:56 > 0:19:59Yeah, this is more of what we were dreaming of.

0:19:59 > 0:20:02Somewhere where we can sit in the nice warm weather

0:20:02 > 0:20:04- that we don't, or we rarely get, at home.- Yeah.

0:20:04 > 0:20:06It's exactly what we were hoping for, isn't it?

0:20:06 > 0:20:08It's exactly what we want, yes.

0:20:08 > 0:20:09I'm definitely sold on the garden.

0:20:10 > 0:20:13So has the garden rescued the day for Marta?

0:20:14 > 0:20:17This house is definitely my favourite out of the three houses

0:20:17 > 0:20:23that we saw today. I think it comes

0:20:23 > 0:20:26very close to what we're looking for.

0:20:26 > 0:20:30But the only thing I absolutely love about this house is the garden.

0:20:30 > 0:20:32It's a lovely house. It's just,

0:20:32 > 0:20:35I think we'd probably find something that's a bit...

0:20:35 > 0:20:37A bit more perfect for us.

0:20:37 > 0:20:40I'm guessing that this is going to be over our budget,

0:20:40 > 0:20:43probably around £640,000.

0:20:43 > 0:20:47I think it's worth about £570,000.

0:20:47 > 0:20:50The couple have a budget of £500,000.

0:21:00 > 0:21:03- Yeah...- £700,000 is over our budget,

0:21:03 > 0:21:07but this is probably more house than we need.

0:21:07 > 0:21:13I would like us to find something more modest, more smaller

0:21:13 > 0:21:19with, probably, the same outdoor living space, just without the pool.

0:21:19 > 0:21:21Which, I hope, um,

0:21:21 > 0:21:25our budget is going to cover.

0:21:25 > 0:21:29So it's been a mixed bag on the property search.

0:21:29 > 0:21:32House number one on the golf course was a bit of a bogey.

0:21:32 > 0:21:34A strange layout coupled with the unfenced lake

0:21:34 > 0:21:38meant it wasn't for the Parkers, whatever the price.

0:21:38 > 0:21:41Property two had the space the family wanted,

0:21:41 > 0:21:44but its boxy and plain exterior wasn't winning Marta over.

0:21:46 > 0:21:49House number three had the garden of their dreams,

0:21:49 > 0:21:52but at £200,000 over budget,

0:21:52 > 0:21:55it was a stark wake-up call as to what their money could get them.

0:21:55 > 0:21:58So when it comes to homes down under,

0:21:58 > 0:22:00will the couple vote home or away?

0:22:00 > 0:22:05Based on the three properties we saw today, our vote goes to...

0:22:15 > 0:22:17- Undecided.- UK.

0:22:17 > 0:22:19- Undecided?- Based on what we've seen,

0:22:19 > 0:22:24I don't think that you can say it's any better than the UK, but...

0:22:24 > 0:22:28- Or any worse, really.- I'm sorry that we didn't find...

0:22:30 > 0:22:33..the best house for us today.

0:22:33 > 0:22:37But it's somewhere out there and we just need to look for it.

0:22:37 > 0:22:39So, maybe not the best start to the week,

0:22:39 > 0:22:41but, hopefully, tomorrow will go better.

0:22:41 > 0:22:43I hope so.

0:22:52 > 0:22:54With Marta not sold on Aussie homes,

0:22:54 > 0:22:56and even Stephen sitting on the fence,

0:22:56 > 0:22:58there's still some way to go

0:22:58 > 0:23:01to make the Australian dream a reality.

0:23:01 > 0:23:04Getting the right jobs down under could help turn things around.

0:23:06 > 0:23:09Back in the UK, Stephen worked for 15 years

0:23:09 > 0:23:13as a highly successful environmental manager.

0:23:13 > 0:23:17However, the long hours eventually began to take their toll on him

0:23:17 > 0:23:18and his new wife, Marta.

0:23:20 > 0:23:22I wasn't there for her when she needed me.

0:23:22 > 0:23:25It really made me feel quite guilty, and, as a consequence,

0:23:25 > 0:23:28I started to re-evaluate what was important to me

0:23:28 > 0:23:30and what my priorities are in life.

0:23:30 > 0:23:32Stephen decided to take time out.

0:23:32 > 0:23:36Over the past year, he's been studying for a master's in business

0:23:36 > 0:23:40and has now got his sights set on a consultancy role down under.

0:23:41 > 0:23:43Finding the right role in Australia is really crucial

0:23:43 > 0:23:45because my career is really important to me,

0:23:45 > 0:23:47and it's important to me that I can provide

0:23:47 > 0:23:50the right level of support for my family.

0:23:50 > 0:23:52Marta is working in fashion retail,

0:23:52 > 0:23:55but is keen to get treading the boards once again

0:23:55 > 0:23:56if there's a move down under.

0:23:58 > 0:24:01Acting is a big part of my life.

0:24:01 > 0:24:05If my chances of getting acting work there are slim,

0:24:05 > 0:24:07it might affect my decision.

0:24:09 > 0:24:12I hope Australia has something to offer me.

0:24:14 > 0:24:17The couple set out to explore what work opportunities

0:24:17 > 0:24:19there might be in Melbourne.

0:24:19 > 0:24:22Stephen heads off to a multinational accounting firm

0:24:22 > 0:24:27where he meets Matt Nelson, and straightaway, the news is mixed.

0:24:27 > 0:24:29The nature of your technical background,

0:24:29 > 0:24:32it is a skill and a background

0:24:32 > 0:24:34that is valuable here in the marketplace,

0:24:34 > 0:24:37and certainly even for a company like ours.

0:24:37 > 0:24:39We've all talked about and seen in the press

0:24:39 > 0:24:40that the big challenge for us

0:24:40 > 0:24:42that's just recently come out

0:24:42 > 0:24:45is the announcing of the changing to the visa situation in Australia,

0:24:45 > 0:24:47but it is something

0:24:47 > 0:24:51that will create a challenge for you as you look to move.

0:24:51 > 0:24:54So recent changes in visa control could be an issue.

0:24:54 > 0:24:57But would there be a job for Stephen there?

0:24:57 > 0:24:58Are there many jobs for people

0:24:58 > 0:25:00with my skills and experience in Melbourne?

0:25:00 > 0:25:04There's still good opportunities in the Australian marketplace.

0:25:04 > 0:25:07I think your choice of Melbourne is a pretty good one.

0:25:07 > 0:25:09So, this is musical theatre.

0:25:09 > 0:25:10This is Showfit.

0:25:10 > 0:25:12And across town,

0:25:12 > 0:25:14Marta's getting a taste of what Melbourne has to offer

0:25:14 > 0:25:15in musical theatre.

0:25:18 > 0:25:21She's meeting up with talent manager Ian White.

0:25:23 > 0:25:27Look, I've watched your show reel and you're beautiful on-screen.

0:25:27 > 0:25:29- Oh, thank you so much.- You're gorgeous.

0:25:29 > 0:25:32To kind of really take advantage of the scene here,

0:25:32 > 0:25:34and I say this to most actresses,

0:25:34 > 0:25:36even when they're more established like you are,

0:25:36 > 0:25:38you need to get into classes.

0:25:38 > 0:25:42Even my really experienced people, I'm always saying, "More classes."

0:25:42 > 0:25:45Because that's not just training you with your skills,

0:25:45 > 0:25:47it's actually you're meeting casting people as well.

0:25:47 > 0:25:51And the accent is quite pronounced, gorgeous...

0:25:51 > 0:25:53- Yeah.- ..but it's limiting for the opportunities.

0:25:53 > 0:25:54Yeah, that's true, yes.

0:25:54 > 0:25:57So you would need to work with a voice coach

0:25:57 > 0:25:58and neutralise your accent.

0:25:58 > 0:26:01So, not that you have to have an Australian accent,

0:26:01 > 0:26:02but it's a neutral accent

0:26:02 > 0:26:05so it can be adaptable to any sort of background,

0:26:05 > 0:26:07you know, culture or character.

0:26:07 > 0:26:09Yeah, I do understand that, yes.

0:26:09 > 0:26:11So, look, there are lots of opportunities here.

0:26:11 > 0:26:13You know, we have a saying here.

0:26:13 > 0:26:15You'll make it if you're hungry enough to.

0:26:15 > 0:26:18Well, Marta's interview seems to have gone well.

0:26:18 > 0:26:21Next, she meets up with Eliza D'Souza,

0:26:21 > 0:26:24an English actress who moved to Melbourne seven years ago.

0:26:25 > 0:26:29So how does it feel for you to be an actress here?

0:26:29 > 0:26:31It's tough, I think, because of the small audience numbers

0:26:31 > 0:26:34and the influence from, say, America and the UK programming.

0:26:34 > 0:26:38There's not a huge, huge volume of production, but, again,

0:26:38 > 0:26:39I think because it is smaller,

0:26:39 > 0:26:42people remember you more and you can kind of build a bit of a network

0:26:42 > 0:26:44and a community, I think.

0:26:44 > 0:26:48And away from home, Eliza has found plenty of acting jobs.

0:26:48 > 0:26:50She's actually appeared in Neighbours.

0:26:51 > 0:26:54Quite small and maybe not the biggest job that I've had,

0:26:54 > 0:26:55but it's, you know,

0:26:55 > 0:26:57it's probably the one as well, that you know,

0:26:57 > 0:26:59people in the UK can relate to.

0:26:59 > 0:27:01But then when I was on Neighbours, my mum was like,

0:27:01 > 0:27:03"Oh, she's on Neighbours!"

0:27:03 > 0:27:05I would say, hit the ground running, go and see the casting directors,

0:27:05 > 0:27:07get into a couple of acting classes.

0:27:07 > 0:27:09You know, find the communities, do some short films,

0:27:09 > 0:27:12do some community theatre, and just start building yourself up.

0:27:12 > 0:27:14So some great advice for Marta.

0:27:14 > 0:27:17Stephen's also hoping to end on a positive note

0:27:17 > 0:27:20about a potential consultancy role.

0:27:20 > 0:27:22What kind of salary can I expect?

0:27:22 > 0:27:24I think with your level of experience

0:27:24 > 0:27:26we would expect someone like that to come in, probably,

0:27:26 > 0:27:29as a senior manager into our business,

0:27:29 > 0:27:33and a senior manager, depending on your past experiences and so on,

0:27:33 > 0:27:36could expect somewhere around the £90,000 per year.

0:27:36 > 0:27:39In certain sectors like mining, oil, and gas,

0:27:39 > 0:27:42you could be looking at earning as much as £120,000.

0:27:42 > 0:27:46The salary range seems to be really favourable compared to the UK.

0:27:46 > 0:27:49So, has it been an interesting day for the couple?

0:27:49 > 0:27:52They meet up later to share their news.

0:27:52 > 0:27:54So how was your day?

0:27:54 > 0:27:56Yeah, it was very nice.

0:27:56 > 0:28:00I feel a little bit more confident about...

0:28:01 > 0:28:05..moving to Melbourne and being an actress here.

0:28:05 > 0:28:08Well, that's great news. I'm really pleased for you.

0:28:08 > 0:28:10And how did your day go?

0:28:10 > 0:28:11It went really well.

0:28:11 > 0:28:14I met a really nice guy, and he said there's a lot of demand

0:28:14 > 0:28:16for people with my experience.

0:28:16 > 0:28:18The salary's good.

0:28:18 > 0:28:22The downside is that he's confirmed the visa situation

0:28:22 > 0:28:25isn't as good as we would like.

0:28:25 > 0:28:28We potentially would only be able to stay for two or four years.

0:28:28 > 0:28:32It might be a good opportunity for us to stay

0:28:32 > 0:28:34for just a few years

0:28:34 > 0:28:37and see how we feel, how we like it.

0:28:37 > 0:28:40So it's Marta now stressing the positives.

0:28:40 > 0:28:43Interesting to see how this vote goes.

0:28:45 > 0:28:47Based on our work meetings today, our vote goes to...

0:28:56 > 0:28:57- Australia.- Undecided.

0:28:59 > 0:29:02You know that acting is very important to me,

0:29:02 > 0:29:07so today showed me that I've got a fairly good chance

0:29:07 > 0:29:12to keep doing it in case we decide to move here.

0:29:12 > 0:29:15I'm really pleased that you voted for Australia,

0:29:15 > 0:29:19because it's important to me that you're happy if we do move here.

0:29:19 > 0:29:22I had some great news today, but for the visa situation,

0:29:22 > 0:29:25it's just too much uncertainty

0:29:25 > 0:29:28and I don't think I'm prepared to uproot the family

0:29:28 > 0:29:31and move over the other side of the world on a temporary basis.

0:29:39 > 0:29:41Halfway through their trial week,

0:29:41 > 0:29:45and it's fair to say that not everything is going according

0:29:45 > 0:29:47to any prewritten script.

0:29:47 > 0:29:49And with a financial reality check

0:29:49 > 0:29:52and messages from home still to come,

0:29:52 > 0:29:57well, the whole trip could be about to lose the plot altogether.

0:29:57 > 0:29:59First up, they're off for a day

0:29:59 > 0:30:01sampling the Melbourne lifestyle

0:30:01 > 0:30:03to enjoy a well-earned interval

0:30:03 > 0:30:06in the drama of their week, you could say.

0:30:07 > 0:30:10The Parkers are visiting Portsea Back Beach,

0:30:10 > 0:30:11south of Melbourne.

0:30:12 > 0:30:15Back in the UK, Stephen's a keen surfer.

0:30:15 > 0:30:20So today, he's catching some Aussie waves with local life-saver Nick.

0:30:20 > 0:30:21Should be fine out there today.

0:30:21 > 0:30:23Not too windy. See what we find.

0:30:23 > 0:30:24- A few waves around.- Yeah.

0:30:26 > 0:30:30It's great to see Stephen finally surfing the waves in Australia.

0:30:30 > 0:30:31I hope he has lots of fun.

0:30:52 > 0:30:53Look, look!

0:30:55 > 0:30:57It was good. It was a bit of a warm-up,

0:30:57 > 0:31:00hopefully, for something better in days to come.

0:31:00 > 0:31:02All thirsty work, Stephen.

0:31:02 > 0:31:06The Parkers take some time to refuel down by Port Phillip Bay.

0:31:07 > 0:31:10And a little later, a quick phone call from home

0:31:10 > 0:31:11rounds off a perfect day.

0:31:11 > 0:31:13PHONE RINGS

0:31:13 > 0:31:15It's Stephen's mum.

0:31:16 > 0:31:18Hi, everyone.

0:31:18 > 0:31:20Nice to see you.

0:31:20 > 0:31:22You're all looking very well. How's it going?

0:31:22 > 0:31:23Yeah, it's going well.

0:31:23 > 0:31:26- Yeah.- Yeah.- Has Stephen been surfing yet?

0:31:26 > 0:31:27Just today, yeah, just for a bit.

0:31:27 > 0:31:30I'm glad you're having a good time and everything's going well.

0:31:30 > 0:31:32I hope you enjoy the rest of your trip.

0:31:32 > 0:31:35- Bye for now.- Take care.- Bye.- Bye, William.- Bye.

0:31:36 > 0:31:38But the call from Stephen's mum

0:31:38 > 0:31:41has reminded Marta just how far away they are.

0:31:41 > 0:31:43I'm sure she misses William a lot.

0:31:43 > 0:31:45Yeah, I'm sure.

0:31:46 > 0:31:50Unfortunately, she's the only grandparent William's got left.

0:31:50 > 0:31:53I think it will be a shame if they don't spend, um,

0:31:53 > 0:31:55good time together.

0:31:55 > 0:31:57Thinking back to my own childhood,

0:31:57 > 0:31:59the relationship with my grandparents

0:31:59 > 0:32:00was a quite special one,

0:32:00 > 0:32:03so it will be difficult to take that away from William.

0:32:03 > 0:32:06In Australia, it's absolutely beautiful, beautiful beaches,

0:32:06 > 0:32:09beautiful sceneries and gorgeous summer weather.

0:32:09 > 0:32:12But it worries me that we're going to be missing out

0:32:12 > 0:32:14on a lot of important things

0:32:14 > 0:32:17that are going on back in the UK.

0:32:17 > 0:32:20So it's a thoughtful Marta and Stephen who now have to vote.

0:32:22 > 0:32:26Based on our great day out today, our vote goes to...

0:32:36 > 0:32:37- BOTH:- Australia!

0:32:39 > 0:32:41Oh, wow...

0:32:41 > 0:32:44Coming down here and seeing the natural beauty of the country

0:32:44 > 0:32:45has made me realise

0:32:45 > 0:32:48why we're thinking of coming here in the first place.

0:32:48 > 0:32:51I'm not 100% convinced yet,

0:32:51 > 0:32:55but it's nice to know that Australia is proving to you

0:32:55 > 0:32:58that it's everything you thought it would be.

0:33:06 > 0:33:08A full house for the Aussie lifestyle

0:33:08 > 0:33:11means the dream is just about back on track.

0:33:11 > 0:33:12For now.

0:33:12 > 0:33:14Financially, though, things will have to stack up,

0:33:14 > 0:33:17and getting the right price for their home in the UK

0:33:17 > 0:33:20could make all the difference.

0:33:20 > 0:33:23The couple think it's worth £700,000.

0:33:23 > 0:33:26Will two local estate agents agree?

0:33:26 > 0:33:27So this is the extension.

0:33:27 > 0:33:29Anyone coming in here would be incredibly happy

0:33:29 > 0:33:30with what they have.

0:33:30 > 0:33:32The position of the kitchen and the sitting room

0:33:32 > 0:33:34at the rear of the house

0:33:34 > 0:33:36just makes it perfect for family living.

0:33:38 > 0:33:40Huge amount of space,

0:33:40 > 0:33:44which could either be a huge double bedroom or two double bedrooms.

0:33:44 > 0:33:46Very clever use of light with the windows.

0:33:46 > 0:33:48Absolutely outstanding.

0:33:50 > 0:33:54Very good-sized garden, very private, ideal for a family.

0:33:54 > 0:33:56Bit more work. But then again, once the work is completed,

0:33:56 > 0:33:58it would be ideal.

0:33:58 > 0:34:00Great, great space.

0:34:02 > 0:34:07Beautiful bathroom. Lovely sink, lovely shower, beautifully tiled.

0:34:07 > 0:34:09Nice and light, fantastic.

0:34:11 > 0:34:14In today's market, and once renovations have been completed,

0:34:14 > 0:34:18I would value the property at £675,000.

0:34:18 > 0:34:20In today's market, and with refurbishment complete,

0:34:20 > 0:34:25I would value the property at £689,950.

0:34:25 > 0:34:26For a quick sale,

0:34:26 > 0:34:30I would value the property at £625,000.

0:34:30 > 0:34:33There's a lot of...a lot of pain gone into that place,

0:34:33 > 0:34:35so that's good news overall, I think.

0:34:35 > 0:34:37Yeah, it's good news to know

0:34:37 > 0:34:41that if we decide to come and if we decide to sell or rent,

0:34:41 > 0:34:45we'll have a very good amount to start with here.

0:34:47 > 0:34:48Happy with the valuations,

0:34:48 > 0:34:52the couple move on to tackle the cost of everyday living in Australia

0:34:52 > 0:34:54compared with the UK.

0:34:54 > 0:34:56Starting with the weekly food shop.

0:34:58 > 0:35:00- Bananas.- Bananas.

0:35:00 > 0:35:03In the UK, it will be 72p.

0:35:03 > 0:35:06In Australia, £1.48.

0:35:06 > 0:35:07- Double.- Yeah.

0:35:08 > 0:35:10Not good news.

0:35:10 > 0:35:11Yeah, looking at nappies,

0:35:11 > 0:35:14that's what's jumping out at me at the moment.

0:35:14 > 0:35:17Yeah, the cost is £3.39.

0:35:17 > 0:35:19- And the Australian...- £8.28.

0:35:19 > 0:35:22Yeah, that gives a difference of £4.89.

0:35:22 > 0:35:24William needs some training.

0:35:24 > 0:35:28We need to start with the potty training earlier.

0:35:28 > 0:35:30And adding it all up...

0:35:30 > 0:35:35So in Australia, we would be worse off £25.08 a week.

0:35:35 > 0:35:39It is quite a bit more, but I think, depending on other costs,

0:35:39 > 0:35:41I don't think we'd notice it that much.

0:35:41 > 0:35:43Yeah, it's manageable.

0:35:43 > 0:35:45Moving on to the bigger bills now.

0:35:45 > 0:35:49The couple base their mortgage on the second property they viewed.

0:35:49 > 0:35:52So in the UK, we pay about £1,600 a month.

0:35:54 > 0:35:56In Australia, that would be £850.

0:35:56 > 0:36:00We'd be saving £750 a month on the mortgage.

0:36:00 > 0:36:01Great start.

0:36:02 > 0:36:05Good news. But Marta plans to continue working part-time

0:36:05 > 0:36:09in fashion retail, so there's a nursery to pay for.

0:36:09 > 0:36:13Cost in the UK, £750.

0:36:13 > 0:36:18In Australia, it's going to cost us £852.

0:36:18 > 0:36:22OK. Quite a bit on top of an already expensive bill in the UK, isn't it?

0:36:22 > 0:36:27- Yeah.- Yes, but once they factor in their new Australian salaries,

0:36:27 > 0:36:28things start to look brighter.

0:36:30 > 0:36:36So in Australia, we'd be bringing in £2,289 extra per month.

0:36:37 > 0:36:38- Wowee!- Not bad.

0:36:40 > 0:36:41Not bad at all.

0:36:43 > 0:36:45So will there be a happy ending if they make the move?

0:36:47 > 0:36:49So if we were to move to Australia,

0:36:49 > 0:36:55we would be £2,693 per month better off.

0:36:58 > 0:36:59Oh, yeah.

0:37:00 > 0:37:03The reality of those numbers may vary,

0:37:03 > 0:37:06but I still think that it would be, um,

0:37:06 > 0:37:10a better picture over here if we did move.

0:37:10 > 0:37:11Seeing that figure,

0:37:11 > 0:37:16it makes me feel a bit happier about coming to live here.

0:37:16 > 0:37:20But will it be enough to get another Oz vote for Stephen?

0:37:21 > 0:37:24Based on our reality check today, our vote goes to...

0:37:34 > 0:37:37- BOTH:- Australia!

0:37:37 > 0:37:38The numbers don't lie.

0:37:38 > 0:37:41With such amount of extra money,

0:37:41 > 0:37:44we can lead comfortable lives,

0:37:44 > 0:37:50save quite a bit of money, and who knows, perhaps, in a few years,

0:37:50 > 0:37:52start thinking of having another baby.

0:38:02 > 0:38:04With another vote for Australia,

0:38:04 > 0:38:08it looks like Stephen's almost home and dry with his mission to move.

0:38:08 > 0:38:13But there's one final hurdle to overcome, and it's a big one.

0:38:13 > 0:38:14While baby William takes a nap,

0:38:14 > 0:38:16the couple sit down to watch messages

0:38:16 > 0:38:19from friends and family back home.

0:38:19 > 0:38:21- BOTH:- Hello!

0:38:21 > 0:38:23- Hi!- Oh, hello.

0:38:23 > 0:38:26Steve, to me, was, like, never...

0:38:26 > 0:38:28HE LAUGHS

0:38:28 > 0:38:31..a family guy. But then when he's with Marta and Willie,

0:38:31 > 0:38:33they're just amazing together.

0:38:33 > 0:38:37Marta has made an enormous difference to Stephen's life.

0:38:37 > 0:38:39He's been so happy since he met her.

0:38:39 > 0:38:41When I first heard

0:38:41 > 0:38:43that Stephen and Marta and William were thinking of

0:38:43 > 0:38:46moving to Australia, I was quite excited.

0:38:46 > 0:38:49I thought, "Oh, I'll be able to go there for my holidays every winter."

0:38:50 > 0:38:53Since then, I've sort of started thinking about things

0:38:53 > 0:38:56I would miss about not having them close.

0:38:56 > 0:38:57One part of me would be sad,

0:38:57 > 0:39:00but the other side of me would be totally excited for them.

0:39:00 > 0:39:04It'd be absolutely amazing and I don't think that they should...

0:39:05 > 0:39:08..be worried about that. They should just get on with it.

0:39:08 > 0:39:11So do you really need to go to the other side of the world

0:39:11 > 0:39:14to get out of life what you two want together?

0:39:14 > 0:39:16If Australia is really what you want,

0:39:16 > 0:39:18then just make sure you're making the right decision

0:39:18 > 0:39:20before you commit to it.

0:39:20 > 0:39:22I think not being there to see William growing up

0:39:22 > 0:39:25means I shall miss a lot.

0:39:25 > 0:39:28You need to think very carefully. It is a long way away.

0:39:28 > 0:39:33I would be worried that Australia is maybe lovely for a holiday,

0:39:33 > 0:39:35but perhaps not for a lifetime.

0:39:37 > 0:39:39I thought I wouldn't cry, but there you go.

0:39:39 > 0:39:42They said really clever things about...

0:39:45 > 0:39:47..our potential decision and...

0:39:49 > 0:39:52Yeah, it made me... It helped me.

0:39:52 > 0:39:57It makes you realise how much family means to you

0:39:57 > 0:40:02and what it would be to sacrifice it.

0:40:02 > 0:40:05Yeah, it's a useful reminder of what we would miss,

0:40:05 > 0:40:08but I think I'd already kind of factored that in.

0:40:17 > 0:40:21At the start of the week, Stephen Parker had one objective.

0:40:21 > 0:40:25To show his wife Marta that it was time to move away from their home

0:40:25 > 0:40:28in the UK for a new life in Oz.

0:40:28 > 0:40:31It's been tough, emotional going, however.

0:40:31 > 0:40:34Now, as they approach the final vote,

0:40:34 > 0:40:37it's time to see where their future lies.

0:40:37 > 0:40:39How would you vote?

0:40:40 > 0:40:42The trial week in Australia

0:40:42 > 0:40:45has delivered Stephen's dream in many ways.

0:40:46 > 0:40:48Whenever I've thought of Australia,

0:40:48 > 0:40:50I've thought of a laid-back kind of lifestyle,

0:40:50 > 0:40:53outdoors, good weather.

0:40:53 > 0:40:56Just generally a bit less hectic than the UK,

0:40:56 > 0:41:00and I think Melbourne certainly meets that expectation.

0:41:00 > 0:41:03But it's also left Marta feeling torn.

0:41:04 > 0:41:07Perhaps Australia is the right place for us.

0:41:07 > 0:41:12On the other hand, seeing our friends and family video...

0:41:13 > 0:41:17..made me realise that they do mean a lot to me.

0:41:18 > 0:41:22And they're both aware they haven't just themselves to think about.

0:41:22 > 0:41:24We haven't got much family.

0:41:24 > 0:41:25William's just got...

0:41:26 > 0:41:29..his grandmother and his auntie and uncle.

0:41:29 > 0:41:35It's one thing me moving to the UK and starting my life there,

0:41:35 > 0:41:37but there's a bit more responsibility

0:41:37 > 0:41:40in doing it with your family and your children.

0:41:40 > 0:41:44So will they be able to take the plunge?

0:41:44 > 0:41:46It's time for the final vote.

0:41:46 > 0:41:50Based on our lovely week in Melbourne, our vote goes to...

0:42:04 > 0:42:05- UK.- Undecided.

0:42:08 > 0:42:11After seeing the friends and family video today,

0:42:11 > 0:42:17it made me realise that I'm going to miss them a lot if we come here.

0:42:17 > 0:42:19Someone in the video said,

0:42:19 > 0:42:22"You don't have to go to the other side of the world

0:42:22 > 0:42:23"to be happy."

0:42:23 > 0:42:27- And I think that's true.- I'm not too surprised.

0:42:27 > 0:42:30I know how much you like it back in the UK.

0:42:30 > 0:42:34And uncertainty around the visa is just too much of a risk

0:42:34 > 0:42:37for us to move at this stage in our life.

0:42:37 > 0:42:43Part of me is happy that you'll be happy to go back to the UK.

0:42:43 > 0:42:46And who knows? Perhaps one day

0:42:46 > 0:42:48we'll decide to make a move and come here.

0:42:55 > 0:42:59In the end, the pull of loved ones at home was too strong,

0:42:59 > 0:43:01and leaving them behind

0:43:01 > 0:43:03was simply too big an ask,

0:43:03 > 0:43:06even if that meant there was no happy ending

0:43:06 > 0:43:08as Stephen's Aussie dreams

0:43:08 > 0:43:09were put on hold.

0:43:09 > 0:43:13We wish the Parkers all the very best in the future,

0:43:13 > 0:43:15whatever they decide to do.