Page Wanted Down Under

Hello, welcome to Wanted Down Under.

The show that catapults a British family right across to the other side of the world

to help them make the biggest decision of their life -

Whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.

Ian Page wants his family to share his dream of a new life Down Under.

It's better here. It's cheaper here.

You can have a better lifestyle for the kids, it's much more rewarding.

But wife Jacqui doesn't see what's wrong with home and tensions mount.

This is our life in the UK.

This is what we have to deal with on a monthly basis.

-This is what we'll be dealing with in Australia.

-It's cheaper.

It isn't, Ian, not really. It's not.

It only gets tougher when they are reminded just how much they're leaving behind.

If we're so happy at home if our friends and family are so perfect,

why are we even here now?

Because that's what you want.

There's recently been a 20% increase in families seeking jobs in Australia.

With its warm climate and promise of work, it's a very attractive option.

For people under 45 with a skill in demand, it could be a realistic choice to make the move,

but, if you've never even set foot Down Under, it's a massive challenge.

20 British families have been pushed to breaking point as they find out about real life Down Under.

After just one week, they'll have to vote one way or the other,

whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.

Ian and Jacky Page along with their three children, Lily, Abigail and baby Ethan are about to

leave their home near Crawley in the Surrey countryside, to find out what life would be like in Australia.

The Pages have been thinking of about move Down Under since they got married six years ago.

The pressures for Ian have often being away from home, working as

an immigration escort officer, are making him keener than ever.

To able to spend for time together as a family, to be able to enjoy

each other's company a bit more, watch the kids grow up.

Just do things together as a family.

Like normal families do! We work very bad shift hours.

Often I'll pull in the driveway, "Hi, honey, I'm home."

She hands me the baby and she's in the car, off to work

and I'm off playing dad.

We're kind of like ships that pass in the night. It's really frustrating.

It's something that I want to re-address in our favour.

I'm hoping that Australia will be able to do that for us.

Jacqui works as a senior staff nurse at specialist cancer hospital, the Royal Marsden.

Her work and colleagues play a massive role in her life.

I love the hospital.

I love the work that I do.

I love my patients as well. They're really special people.

The people I work with, not only do I work with them, I socialise with them.

So leaving the Marsden is going to be really difficult.

Neither Ian nor Jacqui have been to Australia,

but they got their visas and see this as a great chance for their family.

I don't want to look back in 10, 20 years' time and think, I had the opportunity, it was something

offered to me, we have the visas, it is there waiting for us

and we never took it, or at least never tried.

That's the overriding thing. I don't want to look back and have regrets.

But despite this, Jacqui is not always committed as she sounds.

One minute she's really, really keen, "Let's do it. Let's do it."

Then the next minute it's like, "I don't think this is a good idea.

"I don't want to leave my friends. I have a really good job here."

Well, you know, we should at least give it a try.

I've driven Ian to complete distraction.

One minute I really want to go, the next minute, I really don't want to.

Recently youngest daughter, Abigail became seriously ill

with the auto immune disorder, coeliac disease, which means she has to follow a gluten-free diet.

This has thrown up some grave concerns.

I think a real, real fear for me about going to Australia is the health worries.

Abigail with her Coeliac's disease,

which is quite new for us.

She was only diagnosed in December. So we're just getting our head around it.

Having to go to a whole new country on the other side of the world and learning how they manage it

is really concerning, and she really was very ill.

Jacqui is also incredibly close to her family

and worries how they would be affected by a move Down Under.

My mum isn't going to take it very well at all, to be honest.

We're taking away not just me, obviously, but her grandchildren and her only grandchildren.

So it's going to be really, really difficult.

So it looks like Jacqui and Ian have a huge amount to consider over the coming week.

As long as we give it a fair crack of the whip.

I can't ask for much more, but if she's really desperate to come home, then we'll come home.

For their week Down Under, we're sending the Pages to Perth,

capital of Western Australia.

Situated between the bush and the Western seaboard, Perth has a relatively small commercial centre,

busy during the day with office workers, shoppers and diners.

This area is surrounded by city suburbs, offering a mixture of apartment and town house living.

The suburbs spread out north and south along the coast,

the further you go, the more you can get for your property pound.

We found three possible lifestyles for the family.

Each one offering a brand new way of life

for them to try on their budget, but which one will be the most suitable?

With Perth central business district surrounded by inner-city suburbs,

property options are plentiful, from high-rise life living to family town houses.

Stylish three bedroom family villas, such as this one in Mount Rawley, costs £300,000,

but there are a number that would suit the Pages' budget of £220,000.

Only two city-based hospitals in Perth

deal with Jacqui's specialist nursing care

which would pay between £32,000 and £35,000.

Choosing the option would mean a ten-minute commute to work and the family would be able

to make the most of the shops and cafes on their doorstep and the schools nearby for the children.

So, very different from their life in the UK, but what about the second option?

The coast would offer the Pages more of a laidback lifestyle,

but Jacqui would have to commute into the city for work.

The coastal property within a half hour drive into the commercial centre comes at a premium.

Four-bedroomed family houses, such as this one with a terrace and ample living space, cost £500,000,

too much of a stretch for the Pages' budget, but something to aspire to in the future.

That looks very inviting, but what about the third option?

Travel to the outer suburbs of Perth

and the properties are more affordable for the Pages.

With four-bedroomed, two-bathroomed family houses,

like this one in Tapping, costing £250,000.

With lakes and parks and open spaces to enjoy, it's certainly family-friendly.

However, Jacqui would have a substantial commute of about an hour into work

and with three young children, this may be too much of a strain on family life.

Three very different options there.

All of them life-changing, but where did we decide to send our family?

With the short drive to work of only ten minutes and all of the amenities

that a growing family on their doorstep

and with a variety of family houses to suit their budget,

we decide that the city suburbs were the best option for Ian and Jacqui.

-We lined up Jacqui with a job to try...

-You must be Jacqui.

-Hi.

..and selection of housing options...

-Very nice.

-I love the kitchen.

..before plunging them into Aussie lifestyle at the deep end.

But they have a tough week ahead of them as they try to make the biggest decision of their lives.

They've really got to think of what they are doing.

We love you very much.

-Right, that's it you know. I really don't want to talk about it any more.

-No?

-No.

The Page family are heading off for a week to sample life Down Under.

Ian's desperate to make it work, but will Jacqui's home ties prove too much to leave behind?

They have a busy week ahead of them.

After an arduous 18-hour flight with three young children, they emerge on the other side of the world.

Ian is feeling positive, but Jacqui has some reservations.

That was a really long flight.

It really makes you realise just how far away you are, actually.

-That took forever.

-The kids were really good.

I think they didn't do too bad.

-I had a little sleep on the way.

-You did, didn't you?

Although Ethan and Abigail aren't quite sure where they are, Ian certainly is.

I realise how big Australia is, now. That was a bit of a shock.

I have to say Ian has not stopped smiling since we got off the plane.

I am glad to be here.

Well, their gruelling journey is almost over.

The Pages are staying in a four-bedroomed house

in a family-friendly suburb of East Victoria Park.

Only a five-minute drive from the centre of Perth and the city-based hospitals for Jacqui's work.

Let's have a look.

-In you go.

-Oh, wow!

This is fantastic.

Smell the wood!

-Come on, let's have a look.

-Loads of space, isn't it?

-What have we got?

-Oh, this is a spare bedroom?

I think so.

Properties in this more established suburb tend to be older and can offer a wealth

of character features, which seems to have struck a chord with Ian.

Wow! It's got lots of character, hasn't it? It's new, but old as well.

The master bedroom.

-It's got an en-suite.

-Look at the size of those wardrobes!

-My God.

Jacqui's impressed.

-We'll be sleeping in here, then.

-Will we be sleeping next door?

-No, you're in the shed.

-No!

-Shall we have a look at the rest of it?

-Come on, girls.

Wow, it's huge.

It's just wonderful.

I could see myself here for a week, that's no problem at all.

-Only a week? Can we stay for a month?

-No.

This is really nice.

This will do me fine.

-This is beautiful, this is really nice.

-I can live in here!

But Jacqui spots a low maintenance feature that she doesn't appreciate.

Look at that, that is horrible.

What's wrong with a picket fence or a bit of bamboo or anything, but no, it's metal and corrugated.

So what will Jacqui make of Ian's next discovery?

-Is that an outside toilet?

-It is, it's an outside toilet.

Oh, good grief. A big spider.

-I will not be using that, I have to say.

-Jeez.

"Outback dunny", look at that.

-That's your one.

-No!

-So, Lily has the shed and the outside toilet all to herself.

-Really, really nice.

-Are we happy, Ian?

-Yep, do you think they'll sell it to us?

But can they afford it?

Family houses finished to this standard come at a price.

Valued at around £400,000, the Pages soon realise

that this property at least is outside their budget.

You can't expect to rock up into a house that is like this.

Why can't you expect to rock up into a house like this?

You're coming from all the way from the other side of the world. I want to rock up to a house like this!

Yeah, but the house back home is only two bedrooms, this is four bedrooms.

So, it's bigger for a start, it's going to be more expensive, isn't it?

Ian, if I'm coming to the other side of the world, I want a house like this.

-End of.

-I better start working harder, then, hadn't I?

-End of.

I'm not coming to live in a shack.

This is quite nice for me, but we can't afford it, so...

Ian is left in no doubt that it's vital to find the right property

if Jacqui is going be won over to the idea of a life in Australia.

Let's hope they find something suitable.

Back in the UK, Jacqui and Ian luckily sold their two-bedroomed

house in Surrey two years ago before the property downturn for £250,000.

Since then, they've been renting this four-bedroomed family house,

while they try to decide where their future lies.

The house is in a great location, and suits their needs as a growing family.

So, any property in Perth will have a lot to live up to.

We have found three suitable homes for sale.

The first is in Green Mount, an older suburb,

overlooking Perth city, and only a 20-minute drive from Jacqui's proposed work.

This 1950s three-bedroomed, two-bathroomed character cottage

is on the market for around £211,000.

Just within the Pages' budget, so they should be able to afford it.

-In you go.

-Nice high ceilings.

It has a wooden floor as well.

I like the fireplace.

A tiny, tiny, tiny room.

Ian tries to be positive.

Definitely a kids' play room.

-This is nice.

-I hope so. If it's the lounge, there'll be trouble!

-It's nice and airy in here, quite cool.

-But Jacqui's not buying it.

-It's tiny.

-It is small, though.

-What's in here?

-This is a bedroom.

This is tiny. Absolutely tiny.

We wouldn't even get the kids sleeping in here.

The next room might help.

-This is better.

-This is nice. I like this.

-This is really nice.

-Oh, yeah, yeah. Much more airy.

I love the beam. That's really nice.

A property of two halves, the older style at the front

of the house gives way to a modern extension at the back, providing an open plan living area,

but Jacqui's first positive impression wears off quickly.

I don't like it. I don't like it.

Not too sure about the colour of the kitchen cabinets.

Will the rest of the house be any better?

Let's have a quick look at the bathroom.

-They have a shower in there.

-Yeah, that's all right. That's OK.

You'd have to be very short to have a shower in there,

I wouldn't fit and a very small person to have a bath.

I wouldn't be able to have a bath or a shower, that's not a very good start, is it?

-Oh, dear. Maybe seeing the other bedrooms will help.

-This is nice.

This is Ethan's room, isn't it?

This is nice, this room.

-This would be fine for Ethan.

-Ian's sales pitch seems to be working.

-We have come around in a full circle.

-I kind of like that.

I kind of like the way it's laid out around the house.

-This is a good size.

-Who needs an estate agent when you've got Ian?

But will he be able to sell the garden to Jacqui?

At least they have space to run around.

Where we are at the moment, there is nowhere to run around

at all, is there? The good point is it's a garden, it is usable.

They have space to run around.

The bad points is it's going to need, you know, renovating, sorting out, isn't it?

But after all that positive talk, even Ian is prepared to concede defeat.

I think overall it's not quite what I'm looking for.

-I think we could do a lot better.

-I hate it.

-I know you do!

-Oh, dear.

Let's hope the next property comes up to scratch.

Property two is in the northern suburb of Butler.

It's a great area for families with open spaces and play parks nearby.

You do get more for your money further from the city.

So maybe this four-bedroomed new build will be more up their street.

This looks nice.

This looks very nice. Come on, then.

Open the gate, then.

I like this. A nice front garden.

On the market for £230,000, it's a tad above the Page's budget,

so it would be a little bit of a stretch, but what about the decor?

Lily, let's have a look in this one.

It's purple again!

Well, this is nice. I like this.

This is better. Much better.

Much nicer. Purple, though, they must have got their colour scheme from the last people's kitchen cabinets.

What's over here? This is unusual.

-Is this like the lounge, then?

-I hope not, it's tiny.

-Yeah.

-No. It can't be.

What's around here?

This is a bedroom.

-A tiny bedroom.

-It is small. Would this be Ethan's room?

If this was Ethan's room, it's bigger than what he's got back home.

That room might be small, but wait until Jacqui sees the airy living space next door.

This is nice. I like this, this is really good.

I don't know about the bar.

The bar would have to go.

At the back of the property there's another double bedroom,

next door to a bathroom, which Ian might find a bit of a challenge.

That's OK for one leg.

Where do I fit my other leg?

That's the kids' bath.

-That is tiny!

-Yeah.

-That really is small.

-See, back home we called that a bidet.

Not a bath!

But this is good, Ian. A fourth bedroom.

And it's pink as well, so Lily will be happy.

-Who wants this bedroom?

-Me!

So they both have their own room.

They certainly seem taken by the indoor living space, but there's still more to see.

Let's have a look out here. Oh, look at that!

Look, what's in here?

-A pool!

-A swimming pool! Wow!

-This is nice.

-Well, that's gone down well.

Now, be very careful, girls.

Keep away from the water, please.

That is the Australian thing, the pool in the garden.

-Not that much overlooked here with the pool area.

-Yeah, got a lovely view of the fence(!)

It's got a little seating area.

You can pass me my glass of wine.

-Your margarita.

-Chance would a fine thing!

But the pool is not enough to distract them from the neighbours for long.

I'm not used to having neighbours literally on the doorstep.

-No...

-But there are areas for the kids to play, the pool.

I love the barbeque area there.

I could see us having the odd party out there.

It's lovely. The outside is fine. If it wasn't for all of the houses being enclosed by a metal fence.

It seems the neighbours and the fence factor is too much for Jacqui,

but at £230,000, what about value for money?

It is a lot less than I thought it was going to be...

It's less than I thought it was going to be as well.

But at the same token...I don't like it!

Oh, dear. It's not going very well.

Jacqui's not been won over.

Ian takes stock of the situation.

She will put the brakes on this if things aren't right.

You know...

That will tear me up, to be honest with you.

Since the time I landed here, I just, it feels right to be here.

I really want to be here. I don't want to go back to the UK, even now.

It looks like it all hinges on property three.

It's vital they find the perfect house if Ian is going to win Jacqui over to his Aussie dream.

The last property is in the neighbouring suburb of Clarkson.

There are shopping facilities close by and plenty of green areas for the kids.

This four-bedroomed, two-bathroomed property

is on the market for £237,000.

A bit more than their proposed budget, but still within reach at a push.

-A corner house.

-Corner plot.

-So you're not going to be overlooked

-on every side.

-In you go, then.

-In you go. That's it.

Wow!

-Come on, girls, do you want to have a look?

-This way.

-Come on then.

-Is this the bedroom in here?

-Oh, this is lovely. This is lovely. The decor's much nicer.

The decor's a lot nicer, isn't it?

No purple anywhere!

No. It is nice. It's very nice...

-Oh yes, much better.

-Very nice.

Oh, yes. Much better. I love the kitchen.

-That is nice.

-I really like, I actually like the colour as well.

-Not purple?

-No. It's really, really nice. Very nice.

-We haven't seen any purple round here at all. This is good.

-No.

-That's good. No, it's much better.

-A nice seating area.

Much better...much more airy.

Oh, this is the grown-up area!

Ooh, this is nice. Isolation from the kids.

Oh, this is great. This is lovely.

-I like that sofa as well. That's quite nice, isn't it?

-Mmm.

-It's got a much better feel about this place.

-It is nicer.

-Much homelier.

It's don't think it feel as big as the last place inside, but it feels warmer and friendlier, doesn't it?

-No, I like it. It's much nicer. Much better.

-Not too sure about that heater, though.

Let's hope the rest of the property's more impressive than the heating.

-We've seen the master bedroom, so, this is...

-One of the kids' bedrooms.

I don't suppose it really matters which one would be which, really.

-It's quite small again, isn't it?

-Yeah.

OK. A little bathroom and little being the operative word.

Tell me the shower's reasonable enough?

No, it's not. I can see from here.

No, it's tiny.

Maybe it's an employment thing, they use small kids to put the showers in because they can't reach them.

They have to get them on stilts or...platform shoes or something.

Another bedroom here. This is bigger.

OK. So...is this the third bedroom?

-Yes.

-Yes. This is a bit bigger.

-Again...

-I don't think these rooms are any smaller than what we've got

back home. Don't forget, it's a different lay out.

-I suppose it's for the kids, isn't it?

-This is bedroom three.

So, there's another fourth bedroom, then...the kids have got a bedroom each then, haven't they?

So far, so good.

But Jacqui hasn't seen the small fence issue out the back.

Mummy, daddy, come and feel this grass!

-Is it artificial grass?

-Yeah.

That's alright. It won't need mowing, so that'll be one less job I have to get.

-That's no too bad, I suppose.

-No, it's not.

In fact, maybe just a little...

It'd be perfect!

Golf. No, it's nice. It's all right.

Apart from the...what's the issue with it?

Well, you've got the fencing again that you don't like, but that's no too bad, is it?

There's only so much you can do with metal fencing, isn't there? Let's be honest.

Jacqui hasn't been too put off and the lack of a pool doesn't seem to be an issue either.

It's OK. It's the best one I've seen. It's homely, it's not overlooked too much...

So, could you see yourself living here rather than back home?

-I don't know, we'll see. We'll see!

-How we'll see will we see?

-We'll see.

-Oh, I suppose it's better than what I've been getting before.

Ian's pushing his luck, but the last property might have done the trick.

We've shown Jacqui and Ian three properties in Perth.

The first house in Green Mount was comfortably within their budget

at £211,000, but the children's' rooms were too small

and the aubergine kitchen didn't go down well.

The second house at £230,000 offered more space for the family,

but Jacqui was put off by the metal fencing and proximity of the neighbours.

The third property was a bit more expensive at £237,000,

but Jacqui and Ian loved the stylish decor and privacy in the back garden.

Was it enough to sway Jacqui? Time to vote.

Well, we've seen three houses today in Australia, all fairly similar, but different as well.

We've sat and we've thought about what we can get in Surrey,

which isn't a lot for our money, really.

What we can get in Perth, Australia and the space, and of course,

the money that we'd be spending and we're ready to vote.

Australia!

Well, they seem to have been a bit swept away by that last house.

Although it seems Lily is missing her princess bedroom back home,

but what if they can't afford property three?

Later the Pages discover how much everyday life Down Under will actually cost.

And dreams of owning any property in Australia,

will depend on Jacqui finding work that rivals her job in the UK.

Ian's dreams rest on whether Jacqui can find work Down Under.

In the UK, she has a successful career which she loves.

So, it's going to take something special for her to give it all up.

Back home in Surrey, Jacqui works part-time as a senior staff nurse

at the specialist cancer hospital, the Royal Marsden.

She adores her job and the people she works with have become very close friends over the years.

Senior staff nurses like Jacqui can earn between £29,000 to £39,000 in the south-east of England.

As Jacqui would become at least initially the sole bread winner

if they emigrated, it's vital to find out how pay compares in Australia.

In Perth, Jacqui is up early to meet Tish Morrison,

clinical specialist nurse at St John of God Community hospice in Murdoch.

She hopes that Jacqui's specialist skills might find a home at this palliative care unit.

Tish wastes no time in showing Jacqui the facilities.

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

-Yes, it is.

The great thing about it is that all the rooms here are private rooms...

so there's no shared accommodation.

These doors all open up, so that if the patient isn't well enough

to get out the bed, we can actually get out in the garden.

In the summer time we have to keep the screens closed because there's snakes around.

Oh!

Not something I have to worry about to be fair at home.

Snakes are not a problem, to be honest.

If they make the move Down Under, both Jacqui and Ian will have to find work if they've any chance

of affording a property and lifestyle they want here.

Ian is hoping he might be able to retrain and join the police force.

He's come into the city centre to have a quick chat

with Courtney and Tristan from Perth's Police Rail Unit.

Are there many ex-British police officers working over here?

-Over in Perth itself, there's about 75% British coppers to 25% Aussie coppers.

-That's quite a lot.

-Yes.

-Do they fit in OK over here then?

-Yeah, no, great.

A lot of them seem to be loving the lifestyle and it's a lot more laid back than over in the UK.

It sounds like Ian would feel right at home.

At the hospice, Jacqui's keen to find out how flexible the working hours are.

-What's your hours here?

-We're kind of, I guess more traditional.

7-2.30am is the morning shift.

2-9.30pm is the evening shift, then 9.00 at night till 7.30 in the morning is the night shift.

It's a bit of a juggling act...

It sounds like the hours on the wards may not be quite as flexible as Jacqui's been used to.

But on the upside, they are about to introduce some help for working mothers.

-Vacation care work runs from this room.

-Right.

The group will come in, look after the kids here, then they take them out for activities every day.

-That's brilliant. That's so good.

-Hopefully that will then develop on to full-time childcare on site...

-Mmm. That would be good.

-And childcare would be vital if Ian decided to join the police.

-But is he ready for what that entails?

-What hours do you work?

In Perth we're on ten hours there and we work days and night shifts.

What about the uniform? How's that, running around in the summer?

-I guess it gets quite hot out here?

-It does get very hot in the summer.

It gets to to over 40 degrees Celsius.

-Blimey!

-But this is what we wear, so we've just got to grunt and bare it.

-It's comfortable though?

-You get used to it.

Meanwhile, Jacqui's meeting some of Tish's colleagues, who also moved from the UK.

Shelly's been here for just over twenty years.

Oh, gosh. Would you go back?

Not really, no. I've been back twice for a visit.

They've got such a good life here.

With the outside and the sport and the beaches so, I wouldn't be rushing back, no.

Do you guys socialise a lot? Because I do that a lot at home with the girls from the Marsden.

It's quite a big part of the work-life balance at home.

-Do you guys do that?

-Well, I've only been here about seven months now.

So, I'm just finding my feet on the social side of things.

These girls have already done a calendar of things.

Back in the city centre, Ian's had a really useful chat with Courtney and Tristan.

Listen, guys, thanks for talking to me. It's been brilliant. Thanks for taking time out...

-Take care.

-Take care. Hope you can make it over.

Fantastic. Thank you very much.

-Come on, girls. Say bye-bye!

-Bye bye!

The meeting was really informative for Ian, who's discovered the starting rate for police officers

in Australia is around £26,000, about the same as the UK.

The pay's comparable, it's a good salary.

The hours they do are very good, which would allow a very good, healthy balance.

One of the things back home that's tough is working and family life.

So, that give us a good balance over here.

Jacqui needs some important questions answering.

How does the salary compare here?

-You would be at the top of the increment.

-Right.

-So, I think that works out at about £66,000 a year.

I'm not sure how that compares with the UK.

It probably is comparable, I would say.

Realistically, I think that you have to come and get into the workforce.

It might not be the perfect job to begin with, but it lets you see how the system works.

From there you can make choices after that, once you've got the first job on your CV.

I totally agree. I think I'm going to have enough

stressing away settling the children down and sorting out the husband...

..than worrying about the job.

So, the job, it's good if that is...I'm comfortable with that.

I know what I'm doing with that. Then I haven't got to worry so much about the children. So, that'll be great.

-Thank you ever so much.

-Thanks, Jacqui, for your time.

I would be happy working here, I think. The people here are lovely, the unit is lovely.

It's a job I could do easily...but it's not the Marsden.

I feel bad that I'm taking her away from all that.

But there's something driving me that thinks that it's the right thing to do.

Despite her reservations and everything else, I just want her to dip her toe in the water.

That's the way that I feel. She's got be the same way.

At the moment, I'm feeling a real pull,

because I've got a huge amount of loyalty to the Marsden and I've got the opportunities back there.

Obviously, Ian as well desperately wants me to do well here and work here and come here.

So, at the moment...I'm completely pulled. I don't know what to do.

It's been a long day for everyone, but, ultimately, Ian's dreams

of a new life Down Under rest on Jacqui finding work that suits her.

She seems to have been impressed by what she's seen so far, so how will she vote on work?

I've had a good look round the hospital in Australia,

and it is really lovely, and the people are great.

In actual fact, the job is very similar to the one

I do at home at the Marsden, but, at the end of the day, it's not the Marsden.

My pull is there, my loyalty is there.

I'm going to vote for...

UK.

Although Jacqui's loyalty remains with her job in the UK,

she did warm to the work and people she found here.

Can Jacqui yet be won over to life in Australia?

One of the things Jacqui and Ian are looking forward to

during their week in Perth is making the most of its outdoor culture.

As one of the sunniest capitals in the world, with an average of eight hours of sunshine per day,

the Pages will be able to make the most of the open-air activities on offer.

However, the clear skies do come with a health warning.

As someone who nurses people with skin cancer, Jacqui is concerned

how her children's fair skin will cope in the Aussie sun.

It's an issue any family thinking of emigrating should take into consideration.

So, here's some advice on how to play safe, Aussie style.

Perth enjoys a hot Mediterranean climate,

which means many people enjoy an al-fresco lifestyle, but due to its geographical position

and extended exposure to UV rays, extra precaution is needed when going outside.

Unlike in the UK, Australia has high UV levels for most of the year.

Skin cancer is a growing problem in Australia.

Western Australia has the second highest rate after Queensland,

due to the predominately fair-skinned population and outdoor lifestyle.

Children are particularly at risk from the sun.

Most Australians are aware of the dangers.

-Here's a normal Aussie mum.

-Come in. Come in. Welcome to my home.

Let me show you how a typical Aussie family

looks after their kids in the sun.

We've all got clothing that's specially designed for protecting us from the sun.

I have this long-sleeve, close-weave white shirt,

and the kids have sun protection factor 50

plus bathers with longer sleeves so that they protect their shoulders.

Sun exposure in childhood and adolescent years

significantly increases the risk of developing melanoma later in life.

So that's why it is important to protect children when they're outside.

When we're preparing for a day outside, this is what we need to do to get ready.

The kids need to wear their hats.

They've got legionnaire-style hats with the back to cover their necks and ears.

I've got a big wide-brimmed sun hat as well and sunglasses...

and then the kids, of course, need to wear sunscreen.

We've SPF 30+ and then of course you need to remember to re-apply frequently...

especially after swimming. OK, kids. You can go off and play now.

Protective clothing is important. As is keeping children out of the sun between 10am and 3pm.

But it's also important to protect children when they're at school.

OK. It's recess time. Put your pencils down and your put hats on

and get ready to go out to recess.

The Cancer Council in Australia works closely with schools to introduce SunSmart programmes,

including a no-hat play in the shade policy that encourages

children to get into the habit of wearing a hat when outdoors.

And the good news is that skin cancer is largely preventable through sensible sun protection.

So, however you enjoy the Australian sunshine, always stay sun safe.

But today, the Pages don't have to worry about the sun,

as, on a bit of an overcast morning, we've arranged a family-friendly trip to Perth's AQWA marine park.

They'll be able to take in all the aquatic life that Australia has to offer, without getting wet.

Front of house Assistant Alex Melville gives them a guided tour.

We're currently under 3 million litres of water.

-Blimey, this is Plexiglas!

-It's very thick. It's very safe!

This is Morticia, one of our stingrays.

-Look at that giant big one!

-There's a turtle.

-That one's my favourite.

-There's Ed.

-Isn't he gorgeous?

-There's Victoria!

The girls are having a great time, but Ian knows it's going

to take a lot to convince Jacqui to make the move Down Under.

Does he feel he's running out of time?

'I am getting a bit desperate now to try to convince Jacqui to come out here.

'I don't quite know how I'm going to achieve that.'

At the end of the day, I'm just going to have to sit back and

hope that maybe she's seen something out here that she likes, but...

I think it's going to be a real struggle.

'I think Ian perceives that we would have more time in Australia.

'But, at the end of the day, we're both going to have to work still.

'Yes, we would have the great outdoors more here, and that is a real positive.'

But is that really a positive enough to come to the other side of the world for? I'm not so sure.

Looking to the future, Jacqui's got concerns about an outdoor lifestyle for her girls.

'They are extremely fair, and it will be total sunblock,

'probably for six months of the year, every day.

'I don't know if I really want that stress in my life.'

It's just an added worry. So, yes. That is a real concern still.

Ian doesn't know where he stands.

Jacqui's been...one minute, she's been like, "I'm definitely not going.

"There's no way I'm going." Then the next minute, she's changed her mind.

She's like, "Let's go. Let's just sell everything. Let's just get on a plane and go."

'That just makes me feel really upbeat one minute, really positive, really focused.

'Then the next minute, deflated and lost in direction,'

thinking, if we don't go, what do we do?

One minute he's up, one minute he's down. Because he has been constant.

He want to come here, and that's it. I can't make up my mind.

I think maybe a lot of that is because...

maybe I don't want to come, particularly,

but I'm trying to please him, and I know that sounds awful.

It is sounding awful, but I do feel really guilty.

Because it is me that's holding it all back.

Maybe if I just thought, well, come on, just go for it...

is that really too much to ask?

Well, Jacqui's unsure about the bigger picture, but it has been a successful day out.

Is the idea of a life Down Under starting to grow on her? It's time to vote.

We've had a great day at the aquarium today.

Compared to back home, days out in England, it's been really good.

It's a lot cheaper to come out here in Australia, compared to back home.

But there are other things as well that are the same and a little bit more expensive.

But, overall, we've had a fun day. I think our vote is going to be for...

-Australia!

-UK!

-UK!

It's a split vote!

The Pages found they would really need to stretch their budget to get their dream home.

It's vital they also take into account the cost of living in Australia,

to see if they can even afford it.

It's time to do their sums.

The Pages are keen to compare the high cost of living in Surrey with life in Australia.

We've provided details of everyday costs.

While Ethan has a nap and the girls go mad with the felt-tip pens,

Ian and Jacqui get to grips with the figures.

-We've won first prize in the lottery!

-Chance would a fine thing.

Right, UK cost of living.

We know that the wages are going to be the same.

So what have we got? Electricity per month, £80 in the UK.

-£55 in Australia, that is cheaper.

-The mortgage repayments will be £1,320.

-Exactly the same.

-But bearing in mind we're renting, that's buying.

-Yeah.

Look at mobile phones.

-Mobile phones for both of us, £50 in the UK.

-£70 in Australia.

-£70 here.

Abby's coeliac food?

Two bags of pasta, £8!

Shall we see what the total is for the whole month, then?

£2,173.25.

Which is a difference of £291.25 deficit.

So, looking at this, it is not that more expensive to live in Australia.

I don't think we'd be any worse off. I don't think.

So, what you are trying to say, because it's the same, there is no point in doing it?

Because we're not gaining anything?

What's the point in coming because there is no gain?

That's why I'm saying it's less, because I want to come here,

and you are saying it's the same, because you don't.

-But it is the same, it's the same.

-Yeah, because £1,800...

is exactly the same as £2,172.25.

It's exactly the same, isn't it - it's not a tad cheaper, is it?

And 124.50...

isn't a tad cheaper than £67.66, is it?

That's exactly the same.

It's not just a tad cheaper?

Jacqui tries a different tack.

Ian, money is not as important, is it, to be fair?

But it's not just money, is it?

It's money in front of us, but it's the lifestyle, isn't it?

This is our life in the UK, this is what we have to deal with on a monthly basis.

-This is what we'll be dealing with in Australia.

-It's cheaper.

It isn't, Ian - not really, it's not.

The Pages clearly can't agree on what the figures mean, but Ian is sure he is right.

Going through the figures with Jacqui, every time I came up...that is cheaper, she would say

it was not that much cheaper.

'She doesn't want it to be cheaper, because then I win the argument.

'I think she's still dragging her heels on coming.'

There's things hold holding her back in the UK - her friends, her family and her job -

and I don't think I'm ever going to compete with those.

Is Ian being overly pessimistic? Let's see, it's time to vote.

We've had a look at the facts and figures on cost of living in the UK compared to Australia.

We've added them all up,

and Australia is a tad cheaper.

Our vote is...

BOTH: Australia!

I can't argue with the blooming figures, can I?

It was a tad... just a tad more the other way.

Jacqui concedes that this is a victory for Ian.

I think Ian loves it.

He is on a high now, because I've been saying for weeks and months it's more expensive,

we'll never be able to afford to live there, we'll have to work

really hard to maintain the standard of living we have at home...

yeah,

I've been going on for months.

So, in actual fact,

yeah, it's proved him right, hasn't it?

Is Jacqui starting to see life Down Under as a possibility?

And will seeing a snapshot of family life in Perth convince her further?

Moving to a new community is a major challenge for any family.

For the Pages, they have the added concern of how well they could

manage Abigail's coeliac disease if they were to emigrate to Australia.

So we've arranged for the Pages to meet local family

Lisa and Bob, who also have a daughter with coeliac disease.

They live a short drive south of where the Pages are staying in the suburb of Palmyra.

How are you?

-Lovely to meet you.

-You, too, I'm Ian.

Have you got coeliacs?

It looks like Abby's made a friend.

While the kids do what they do best, Jacqui is eager to compare notes.

Just after she was diagnosed with coeliac, she got flu.

She couldn't recover from it.

She was in hospital for a week from flu, she had pneumonia and intensive care.

-Janey had pneumonia before she was diagnosed.

-Really?

-Is it only her? Her sister's not got it?

-No.

Bob is keen to show the Pages around the family home.

This is just the kitchen... where it all happens.

Jacqui is immediately taken by this older property.

We have seen modern ones. This has such character to it,

it's so much nicer, and you've got space all round you.

The kids make the most of the facilities, while Lisa puts the kettle on.

-This house is gorgeous.

-Thank you, yeah.

-It has loads of character to it.

-We're very comfortable. Thanks.

-Can I ask how much it costs?

It works out to about 1,000 a square metre that they base it on.

So we bought this for just shy of 800,000 Australian.

Yeah.

You can be driving along and you'll see kids playing cricket on the street or kicking a football around.

It seems very family-orientated.

It is a big family area.

Lisa's husband, Bob, originally came from the UK, and Ian is quick to ask his advice.

How can I sell it to my wife, basically?

I need a convincing argument to say look, this is what you need to do.

It's a great place to bring up your kids.

The weather's warm, they live outside. I know it gets warm in the summertime,

but you know, we manage that. You slip, slop, slap.

You put your hats on, do the sunscreen, but you get down the beach

at 8am for two hours every weekend on a Saturday morning.

Yeah, it's just a really nice, pleasant place to go.

Jacqui, meanwhile, is struck by the similarities of their situation.

-I don't know any other mums with a coeliac child.

-Nor do I.

And a three-year-old coeliac child, it's absolutely ....

How is Australia geared towards coeliacs, with food and stuff?

We've seen a huge increase in the variety of food you can get at the supermarket.

I've found,

because we go back to the UK quite regularly as well,

they have more variety over there, but it is getting better.

For Ian, Bob's got all the answers he wants to hear.

Does it allow for a better life/work balance?

When you have family time, the weather's usually good,

so you can go places, do stuff,

you don't open the windows and go, "Raining again!"

But more importantly than that, grub's up.

Who wants something to eat?

Everything is gluten-free.

CHEERING

-It means you can eat it, darling. I will definitely get that recipe from you, if that's OK?

-Yeah.

We have a free prescription for Abigail, she has free fresh bread delivered.

No problem, just delivered. Do you have the same thing here?

No, we don't have that.

Yeah, but at the same time, I've tried that bread on the prescription bread in the UK.

I just make it.

It doesn't cost much.

That's not the support Jacqui's been used to, but Ian is convinced.

Everything I ask, I get the answers back I want.

This is how it is, it's better here, cheaper here, you can have a better

lifestyle for the kids, it's much more rewarding.

'I'm trying to sell that to the wife and I'm struggling here.

'I'm loosing the will to live, I really am!'

Thanks for everything, it's been wonderful, thank you.

Ian, however, might be pleasantly surprised at Jacqui's reaction.

It's probably the best morning we've had since we've been here.

It's been really great.

Lisa is lovely. She's had exactly the same problems with her little girl that I've had with Abigail.

So, yeah, I think this probably more than anything

has definitely persuaded me that this could be for us.

So what do the Pages make of their prospects of a new social life Down Under?

We've had a really lovely morning here today,

meeting another family, and specifically one that has a little girl with coeliac disease.

The girls had a great time.

We looked at how they coped in Australia with all of the gluten-free food.

I think we're ready to make our vote now.

-Australia!

-Australia!

-England!

-Oh, Lily!

-Why...?!

Well, at least Jacqui's been won over. Ian's dream of a move Down Under could now be

a possibility, but things are only going to get tougher.

Ian may be desperate to move to Australia, but for Jacqui,

it would mean leaving behind a close circle of family and friends.

To help them consider the huge emotional decision

that moving to the other side of the world would mean, we've recorded some messages from their loved ones.

-ALL:

-Hi!

-Hi, Jacqui.

-Hi, Ian. I hope you're having a good time.

-Hi, Jacqui!

-Hello!

I know I'm biased because I'm her mum, but I'm extremely proud of her.

She's turned out extremely, extremely well.

She's one of these people that, you know, when you see here,

she comes on the ward, you think thank goodness.

No matter what kind of day you're going to have, you know it's going to be good cos Jacqui's there.

Ian is great, he's really fantastic.

He's always really positive, a really nice guy.

A bundle of laughs, really good fun.

Who is this guy - Ian(?)

I'm going to miss him like mad -

even though I don't get to see him that often,

I'm still going to miss him.

I shall miss Jacqui and the children and Ian very, very much.

And I shall struggle.

I shall miss them very much.

My little Hannah is going to desperately miss Abigail and Lily.

They've been playing with each other since they've been born.

I'm not sure if she's that crazy about going, cos I think she knows what

she's going to leave behind here, both professionally and family-wise.

She doesn't have any family out there that I'm aware of.

-Jacqui is also very... family-orientated person.

-Yeah.

Which means that she's forever onto Mum.

I'd worry she'd get lonely. Cos we all need support and...

with three small children, and her mum gives her a lot of support.

-If that's really what they want...

-They're at the right age to do it.

But they've got to think about it. They've really got to really think

about what they're gaining, what they're losing,

and really...

We love them so much.

And we wish them well.

They've really got to think what they're doing.

It's a long way.

We can visit them maybe once, but that would be it.

That's right.

We'll have to wait for them to come back to us.

We're going to miss you, if this is a decision you choose to make,

we're behind you 100%, whatever your decision is.

But hope you seize this opportunity and hope you have a brilliant time.

Don't forget we're going to miss you so much if you do go, so do remember,

though, when you're choosing, that we're all here at home.

Whatever you do, I absolutely love you all to pieces, and, well, come back soon, OK? Bye.

Don't forget...

that we love you very much and we are certainly going to miss you and the children.

And we love you very much.

Anyway, we'll see you soon, OK?

Lots of love. I love you. Bye.

It doesn't matter where we are in the world. They are still going

to think the same of us, they're still going to be our friends.

Well...

it's not the same, is it?

You can't turn around to me and say it's the same, cos it isn't.

-It's not the same.

-No, but it's not meant to be the same, you know. I love everyone of them dearly.

I will miss them dearly, but at the end of the day, they don't put food on our table,

they don't raise our children, they don't educate our children.

There is nothing so wrong with home, is there? You make it sound as if there's something wrong with home.

I've never said there is anything wrong with home.

But then you have to ask yourself a question - if we're so happy at home,

if everything is so perfect, if our friends and family are everything, why are we even here now?

Cos that's what you want. I really don't want to talk about this any more.

-No?

-No. Enough's enough now, right?

That was harder than I thought it was going to be, actually - it was a lot harder than I thought it was

going to be. I didn't think I would be quite as affected by friends.

I don't know why I thought that, I just didn't think I would be.

'I was actually coming round to things, I thought I could do this.'

After seeing that, I think we're back to square one again.

We've had tears again from Lily about the last vote.

She really doesn't want to come.

She really doesn't.

So, yeah, I think Ian is going to have to get his head around that.

If I sat here and said no, there is nothing that's...

emotional about watching that, about leaving the UK, I'd be a liar.

It is heart-wrenching to see things, but my main reasons for want wanting to come here were for a better life

for my children, a better life for my wife and I, and a better family life.

And those things are still important.

If I'd managed to persuade Jacqui an incey bit this week,

everything I've done has been undone just by watching that DVD.

What can I say? She got emotional, I expected her to get emotional,

and for the right reasons in life, you know.

I don't blame her for that at all.

That's just the way it is, but there goes all my hard work for the week, thank you.

That was never going to be easy.

It's clearly a difficult situation.

It looks like the pressures of their week Down Under have brought matters to a head.

It's the end of a long week in Perth for the Pages.

Ian was relieved when Jacqui loved stylish house number three,

but no work was ever going to live up to her nursing job in the UK.

However, she did concede that the cost of living in Australia

compared favourably to their life in Surrey, and meeting the locals gave Jacqui a whole new outlook.

But eldest daughter Lily wants to stay in the UK,

and messages from their loved ones has made this huge decision even harder.

Ian has worked hard to persuade Jacqui about the move, but has any of it worked?

Will they choose a new life Down Under, or is there too much to leave behind in the UK?

We've had a fantastic week here in Perth. It's been brilliant.

We've met some wonderful people, seen wonderful sights.

We've gathered as much information as we can to help us make our decision,

whether to stay here in the UK or come to Australia.

It's time for our final vote and our final vote is going to be for...

-Australia!

-UK!

The Pages have agreed to disagree on where their future lies.

In the end, friends and family and a good job back home proved too much for Jacqui to leave behind,

but something tells me Ian won't give up trying to convince Jacqui

to share his dream of a new life Down Under.

Join us again next time, when we find out what happens when another

British family have to decide whether they're Wanted Down Under.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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