Cappleman Wanted Down Under

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.

Alan Cappleman lives with his family in Newcastle.

He's desperate to start a new life Down Under.

I would say I was 99.9% certain that I really want to go to Australia.

As a sports teacher, it offers Alan the ideal lifestyle, both in work and leisure.

I hope the lifestyle and standard of living in Australia will be a great deal better than what it is here.

But his wife, Louise, isn't keen on uprooting her family.

We'll lose a lot by leaving.

We'll just have to wait and see.

-Leaving her loved ones behind is something she'll never get used to.

-It's going to be harder.

It's going to be harder for me, I think.

On her trial week Down Under, Louise digs in her heels.

If you're comparing them,

-we're better off in the UK, financially.

-I'm not gonna disagree.

Will this upset Alan's plans to move where they're Wanted Down Under?

Australia has long been a destination of choice for

Brits looking for a better lifestyle and it's on the lookout for people with certain skills and experience.

If you're under 45 and on the skilled occupations list,

which includes anything from nurses and builders to teachers

and scientists, you can apply for a visa and ultimately, residency, Down Under,

but many people underestimate how difficult the move can actually be.

We've given another British family the opportunity to spend a week

Down Under to see if it's all they've dreamt it would be.

After that, they'll have to make a decision one way or the other...

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

Alan and Louise Cappleman live in Newcastle with their three children...

five-year-old Laurie, three-year-old Freya, and Ethan, who's one.

Alan is a 43-year-old PE teacher and wants to up sticks and move

his family to Australia for a better quality of life.

The reason I want to move to Australia is cos I met a couple of Australian PE teachers

a couple of years ago and they talked about how good their lifestyle was

in Australia compared to what it is here.

So I hope the lifestyle and standard of living

in Australia will be a great deal better than what it is here.

I would say I was 99.9% certain

that I really want to go to Australia.

Unlike his wife, Alan's already got family living in Melbourne.

It's a lot easier for me because with my parents and family being

across there and easier, leaving it behind.

Alan's wife, Louise, is 28 and doesn't share his passion.

She has a solid support network of friends and close family who she'd have to leave behind.

I see my mam every day because I drop the girls off at school and she looks after Ethan in the morning.

And then we go to theirs on a Sunday with the family and go for Sunday dinner.

Alan has a son he'd be leaving in the UK.

Adam's 14 years of age.

At the moment, he's a two-minute drive away.

It's easy to get to. If there's any concerns, he can always give me

a ring and I'm always there for him and I always will be there for him.

But he still thinks the move could work out well.

Of course, in Australia, I'm hoping that I'll actually see more of him,

because when he comes over for six weeks' summer holidays,

I've got him for six weeks as opposed to six days a year, whatever that might be.

It takes an outgoing person to move to Australia and make new friends.

Alan might have a lot of persuading to do if Louise is going to come with him.

Louise can be quite shy at times and not quite forceful like that

so that's a concern that I would have for Louise.

If Alan hadn't said anything, I'd be quite happy...over here.

I've now really got to try and convince Louise that Australia is the way forward.

In the UK, Alan has a good job as the head of a PE department and has a lot to lose by moving.

The salary over here is very good.

Most people I think would be very happy with it.

I've got a good job, I love my job, so there is a bit of sacrifice but sometimes you take one step back

to take two steps forward and that is one way that I'm looking at it.

I just don't want to go across there and have

not as nice a house.

I'd lose a lot by leaving, I think.

We'll just have to wait and see.

The cut-off for a skilled migrant visa is 45 years of age, so for the Capplemans, it's now or never.

By the time the visa process goes through, I'll be 44, nearly 45, so it's probably my last opportunity

-to get out there.

-But this decision is one they've both got to make together.

It's not just about me and my dreams and aspirations, it's about what's

going to be useful for the whole family.

If that means

-that Louise doesn't want to go and we've had a good...

-That's it.

Then that's it. Yes.

Will Alan and Louise be able to come to an agreement?

To help them decide, we're sending them to Perth, the capital of Western Australia.

With its relaxed atmosphere, miles of beaches and sporty culture, it's

bound to give them and the children a lifestyle they're looking for.

And its suburbs should provide options for buying

good-size property on their budget for £225,000.

Perth is also home to five universities and various further education colleges

meaning Alan will have plenty of opportunities.

We've found three possible lifestyles for our family, each

offering a brand new way of life for them to try on their budget...

but which one will be the most suitable?

Life on the coast is a world away from what the Capplemans are used to.

With beaches and national parks close by, there are

plenty of opportunities for them to spend time together as a family.

A four-bedroom house like this one in Quinns Rock

could set you back up to £400,000, well beyond the Capplemans' budget.

Further in from the coast, house prices drop to around 240,000,

but with fewer work opportunities close by, Alan would face up to an hour's commute to work each day.

So, very different from their life in the UK.

But what about the second option?

Melville is an outer suburb of Perth and the closest you can get to living

in the country, with attractions including a reptile centre

and aquariums giving the children a unique opportunity to see wildlife up close.

Houses here are expensive and this four-bedroom property

will set you back over £400,000, smashing the Capplemans' budget.

Other houses in the area will be around 330,000.

That's still too high for the Capplemans.

And it could involve a 30-minute commute for Alan in to work.

But what about the third option?

Living in East Perth will put the Cappleman family right in the heart of the city.

Here, they can access anything they want from the central business district, meaning shopping and

entertainment are close by, as well as the famous Swan River, should the family want to cruise and sightsee.

The average price of a four-bedroom home here is around £750,000

and the Capplemans might be hard-pressed to find property within their budget.

But there are various schools and colleges within walking distance for Alan.

So three very different possibilities for our family to try.

So which one did we decide would suit them best?

We're sending the Capplemans to live on the coast in Carramar.

With its sandy beaches and activity-filled lifestyle,

the family should be happy here and find a property on their budget.

We've got a job for Alan to try out, found some properties to show them...

It's not right for our family, I think. It wouldn't work.

..and give them a taste of the Aussie lifestyle, but will it live up to expectations?

Rain's coming. Let's go.

And will they decide to stay?

Doesn't matter if you vote UK.

It's time for the Capplemans to take the plunge.

The journey from Newcastle to Perth takes 21 hours and the family

finally arrive in Australia at 5.30pm local time.

Alan made this trip before, about 20 years ago, but it's Louise and the children's first time Down Under.

Australia doesn't feel as far as I expected, you know.

We had a good flight and I think that made a big difference.

Looking forward to bed, a cup of tea and the sun and tomorrow morning.

No rain.

They're all excited about the adventures that lie ahead.

But will Alan be able to persuade Louise they can build a new life so far from home?

The Capplemans will be staying in Carramar, a northern suburb

of Perth, an hour from the city but just 15 minutes' drive to the beach.

With four bedrooms and a large open-plan living area, there's plenty of space for the children.

Let's hope the Capplemans like it.

Here goes.

It's nice.

This kind of property would cost around £230,000 and a teeny bit over

their budget, but it'll give them an idea of the Aussie style of living.

So what do you think? The only drawback, I think, with the open-plan

is the fact that is when you're making some meals, the smell's going to be around the lounge.

I can keep an eye on the kids if they're in the living room. It's easier, isn't it?

But thinking about what we have at home, in terms of furniture, I think it could quite easily fit into here.

Well, they're off to a good start and Alan's already moving in.

But what about the bedrooms?

It's a little bit bigger than what we've got back home but it's

still a little bit smaller than what I thought.

Not too impressed then, but the bedrooms have a few added extras.

That's more like it, isn't it? It's a much bigger bathroom suite, isn't it?

-It's tiled a little bit nicer than ours is, as well, isn't it?

-A lot nicer.

It's newer. It's a nice big bed.

Not huge.

It's not as big as I perhaps thought.

Will the outside be any more impressive?

OK.

-Not big enough.

-Nowhere for the trampoline. Or the slides. Tiny garden.

I think we'd want a bigger garden.

Think by the time you put your trampoline up there... In fact,

-you wouldn't get your trampoline up, would you?

-So what's the verdict on their rental accommodation?

One of the reasons that we want to move here is that we want the kids and the outdoors.

You look at the size of the garden.

It's not very spacious if we are going to be here.

-We want a bigger garden, don't we?

-We'd need a bigger garden.

Let's hope the Capplemans feel a little bit more at home tomorrow.

I think after seeing this house, it'll be very interesting to see what we can actually get for our budget.

That's important. Make sure we've got that sorted out by the end of the week.

Alan already knows he wants to move Down Under but he's got to convince Louise.

What's really important is that we use this to try and convince you

that Perth will be right for all of us as a family.

I just need to see what it's like.

It's not convincing, is it, seeing what it's like.

-OK.

-Louise is keen to make her own decision.

Yeah. I think this week's going to decide a lot of things, isn't it...

Whether we stay or go.

Absolutely.

Let's hope the Capplemans can come to an agreement.

Back in the UK, the Capplemans live in a four-bedroom detached house,

which they believe to be worth around £245,000.

In Australia, they're looking for a four-bedroom, two-bathroom property and have a budget of up to 225,000.

So, we found them three properties to look around.

First up is a four-bedroom house which is on the market for around

£220,000 and well within their budget, but will they like it?

Well, it's not the grand open-plan entrance hall Alan may have been expecting.

Small, it's a bit small.

I'm not too sure about coming straight in from the outside straight into what could be the living room.

The master bedroom's so big there's even room for a desk, so maybe that'll please him.

It's nice.

It's bigger than ours. Yeah.

The suite's not huge though, is it?

It sits nice. It'll do.

There's a walk-in wardrobe.

A walk-in wardrobe. Come on, Louise.

That must tick a box.

Unimpressed with the master bedroom, maybe they'll like the space of the traditional Aussie family room.

-This is nice.

-This is more like it, isn't it?

I like the space in here.

Finally, this is the kind of thing they want.

Have we got the unit space...

-compared to what we have?

-Not as much.

The room's a nice size. It's big.

Enough room for the kids to play.

Big windows, as well. Light.

But with a nice size living area, there seems to be a compromise in the bedrooms.

Suppose a little bit smaller than what I expected, to be honest.

It's very similar to what we have at home.

A bit bigger than what we've got... plus all the wardrobes.

I don't know if they are bigger than what we've got.

-I don't think they are.

-But we've got our wardrobes all built in.

Will the outdoor living area make them see this property differently?

Now, this is more like it.

I can quite easily see myself on a Saturday afternoon opening up a few glasses and a bit of a barbecue.

Yeah.

Fantastic. Definitely Saturday afternoon, this.

Ah, yes. To top it off, there's a pool.

-A swimming pool.

-It's what you wanted, isn't it? It's a nice garden, isn't it?

Fantastic. This is about why you wanted to come to Australia.

So this property seems like it's got big potential.

I think the inside's a little bit smaller than what we already have and I think that you would say that

for the unit space for the kitchen and what have you.

I think this is fine for just us.

Yeah.

It's what we need... Till you've got a job sorted and everything.

I think the good thing is that we could afford this ourselves.

But like I say, I think it would be a nice...

-We'll have to see what we could get.

-Yeah. What we could possibly get.

But Alan has bigger and better plans.

He's considering asking his Melbourne-based parents to invest in a property with them.

Be really interesting to see what we could get if perhaps, you know,

the possibility of clubbing together with my parents and what have you...

see what size property we could get for that.

Yeah. That would be interesting.

If he can persuade his parents to invest, they could afford a much

more luxurious property from the start. But there's a small catch.

His parents would be leaving Melbourne and moving in with them.

To give them a taste of what could be achievable

if they all clubbed together, we found property number two.

It has four bedrooms and extra reception rooms.

It's valued at £310,000 and could be theirs,

with a bit of help from Mum and Dad.

This looks nice, doesn't it? This is nice, isn't it?

-Nice and spacious.

-Nice size.

-Yeah.

-Nice size.

-The suite's quite nice.

It's a similar size to the last one.

Double shower. A nice big double shower there.

First impressions are good but they'd need space for Alan's parents.

To think about that second budget, if my parents were here, you know, there's a possibility

-that perhaps this room could be used for my parents as a bedroom or lounge for them.

-Oh, yes.

Every woman's dream, having the in-laws living in the front room.

Yeah, if the house is big enough. Yeah.

I think you were thinking more of like an annexe, weren't you, instead of building something.

It's something to think about.

This cinema would work for most film buffs but it doesn't do it for Alan.

One of the real ideas... Reasons why you want to come to Australia is for the outdoor stuff and

-this room hasn't convinced me for that reason and I think it could be better spent.

-A playroom.

Yeah. Even a playroom.

I don't want them like the UK, sat in the house watching DVD after DVD and what have you.

End of rant. Don't go on, Dad.

Ethan's just fallen asleep.

-A nice size living room.

-Louise is loving the luxurious

-space and decor but there's only one room that really impresses Alan.

-Oh, yes.

The best room of the house so far, would you say? Quite like this room.

But she has other ideas.

We could have a bigger kitchen and have it more like a day room or something, for the kids.

With luxury additions and room to spare, this is a lot of house for

£310,000, but it isn't quite what Alan and Louise are looking for.

If you're going to stretch your budget,

then you'd want bigger rooms and

we've yet to find one, really.

Will the outdoors area change their mind?

-Nice pool.

-Beautiful pool, isn't it?

Can imagine just sitting round there in an afternoon...

enjoying the sun. It's nice.

It's not child-friendly in any way.

It's a lovely pool. It's just not for me. I like grass.

It's like something you'd get in a hotel.

That looks fantastic, doesn't it?

No. It's not right for us as a family,

and I think if we're considering stretching the budget to this amount...

-I thought we'd get something much bigger.

-..it wouldn't work.

I preferred the other one.

It seems like Louise would prefer a place of her own,

and Alan's parents can keep their wallets closed for now.

We're going to show them their final property, which they should be able to afford on their own.

Property three is on the market for £235,000.

It's slightly over the Capplemans' budget but not unachievable,

depending on what they can get for their house back in the UK.

With four bedrooms, a stylish, modern design and a pool, could this be the one?

-Nice room.

-Not very big.

-It's not very big. Plenty of light.

It's not as dull for you as one or two others, perhaps.

Too small again.

Apparently, with Alan, size is everything. Will the bedrooms be more impressive?

-Quite a nice size.

-Nice size. Yeah.

-Oh!

-Oh! Nice wardrobes for me.

-Oh, just what you...

-LOUISE GIGGLES And for me.

-Lots of drawers.

The bathroom's probably the best one we've seen so far - the en suite.

They seem to like the en suite, too, but there's a small problem with the layout.

-The bedroom's right at the front again.

-It's a nice window.

I like the arch. Normally, they're just square.

Yeah. That takes away a bit of privacy, though, doesn't it?

Nice and bright.

Possibly the best we've seen so far, I think.

It is the nicest inside, isn't it?

The large, open-plan living area also ticks some boxes.

-It's a big dining room, isn't it?

-It's a nice dining room.

This house's wooden floors and minimalist design are doing their job. This is looking more promising.

I like the floor - the polished floor. It's really nice.

And on further viewing, Alan's decided there's a bit more space than he originally thought.

-The rooms are definitely bigger than the other two.

-A little bit.

I think this is potentially the best inside that we've seen so far. Yeah?

Yeah. It's a good one, this.

-So what about outside?

-There's no grass, though.

No, but the kids would be happy in the swimming pool. That's fantastic.

Nice little area.

It's nice, but I'd still like grass.

-You'd still like grass.

-But this is the right size house.

-You'd be happy with this type of house?

-With some grass in the garden.

I still think I like the outside of the first house.

The first house, outside, was absolutely perfect, wasn't it?

And I like the inside here, so we'd have to compromise on a balance there, somewhere.

Property three seems to be a hit.

The Capplemans have seen three prospective houses.

Property one was within their budget of £225,000, and although they liked the living space and outdoor area,

they'd have to compromise with small bedrooms.

I suppose it's a little bit smaller than what I expected, to be honest.

Property two was a lot pricier, and certainly had the wow factor,

but Louise would have to share with the in-laws.

There's a possibility that perhaps this room could be used for my parents, as a bedroom or lounge.

And the outdoor space wasn't to their taste, either.

It's not right for us as a family and I think it wouldn't work.

Property three was right on budget and seemed to offer a good compromise,

with its nice, clean design, open spaces and good size rooms.

Possibly the best we've seen so far, I think.

But Louise would have to make do with a yard out back.

Nice, but I'd still like grass.

So did the Capplemans find the dream home they were looking for?

I did a lot of research on house prices before coming out,

so I've had a pretty fair idea about the price of the houses that we've looked at.

The quality of the houses is better than what I actually thought

and what I'd researched and what I'd heard and read.

And I think the design of the house has probably impressed Louise more than I expected.

So, I think that's a good thing...

for me, certainly, anyway.

I would like to think that what we've seen today has been enough to influence her vote.

How she'll vote, I really don't know, I really don't know, but I hope it's showing the Australian flag.

Has Louise been impressed enough to vote the way he wants?

We've had a fantastic day, looked at three very nice houses.

In terms of value for money, we are going to vote for...

ALL: ..Australia.

So, despite a few misgivings, Alan and Louise like some of the properties,

and it's Alan's job that will get them their visa.

So he needs to find good work in Australia.

Back in the UK, Alan is the head of physical education at this school in Newcastle.

I have a real passion for my job.

I have some great staff that work with me,

and the kids can be challenging at times, but really quite receptive as well. It's a fantastic job.

It's something that you don't wake up in the morning and think, "Oh, I've got to go to work."

I'm also involved with something that I've loved all my life and really been involved with,

and that's what I want to remain in.

He earns around £43,000 a year, and has great prospects of moving up the career ladder.

But he's willing to give all this up for a better work-life balance Down Under.

One of the biggest problems is going from head of faculty to, perhaps, taking a step or two down.

My wife's biggest concern is whether I'll manage to cope with that.

But I think what's important is that I don't become too arrogant.

I do have experience within the sport and health, but it's a new national curriculum across there.

It's something that I need to come to terms with.

And I don't see any reason why, within a couple of years,

I can't be trying to get back to the level, the standard, that I'm at at the moment.

Alan is heading off for a day's work at the local secondary school.

He knows this could be the make or break for his family.

It's basically essential that if we come to Australia, that I can find work,

and this morning will hopefully give me a good opportunity to find out whether that is possible.

He wouldn't start as head of department, so may have to take a salary cut.

And he's not getting any younger.

In the UK, at 43, 44 years of age, I would find it very difficult to pick up employment as a PE teacher,

and I'm wondering whether I would have the same concerns over here.

But the Australian commute is already getting Alan going.

I'm feeling very excited. It's been a pleasure driving in this morning,

with the sun shining and what have you,

and I've been really interested in a number of things so, yeah, I'm quite excited this morning.

Alan's going to be shown around by Simon Young, the head of PE at Hale Grammar School.

With 1,000 pupils, this school is a lot bigger than Alan's used to back home.

The curriculum is heavily geared towards sport, and has an enviable array of top-class facilities.

The Australian rugby team even trains here.

Alan will have to prove himself if he's to get a job somewhere like this.

We're very fortunate...

He thinks he's going straight for an interview but Simon has other ideas.

He's going to drop the new kid in at the deep end.

We're going to try and convince Alan today that footie should be Aussie rules and not soccer. OK?

We're also going to throw him in and see how he goes with you guys. OK?

Unfortunately, Alan's left his PE kit at home.

Let's hope his moves are as silky as his shirt.

Yeah. That's much better. A couple more, then we'll go to some kicking.

Give yourself a couple of steps.

Alan, keep your eyes that way and your hands out in front of your face. Good luck.

Concentrate, Alan. Don't let us Brits down.

-Was that hard at the back?

-Yeah.

I'll just catch whatever comes my way.

Nice. Alan's got to grips with a new kind of football.

All right. Jogging, fellas.

In Australia, sport is at the heart of young people's education,

and Alan is keen to quiz Simon on its importance.

-How much PE does a student have?

-They do probably eight to ten hours per week.

Eight to ten hours a week? That's just absolutely amazing. Fantastic.

A lot of it for us is culture.

-The boys want to do it, so they're all pretty serious and competitive about their sports.

-Yeah?

As Simon and Alan get more acquainted,

Louise is taking in the local attractions and getting some shopping in.

Louise has the chance to reflect on the move, and she's still not convinced.

See what's in the next one.

Australia's a lot more spread out, I think.

I thought there would be more places to walk to.

From what I've seen, you have to get in the car to go everywhere.

She wouldn't work to begin with, so could be left, literally, holding the babies.

Alan's main argument is that it's a much better life for the kids...

which sort of makes me feel like I should come across...

but obviously, I've got my friends and family to think about.

So it's whether I can live over here without them...

look after three kids on my own.

But she's willing to keep an open mind.

-What's the fashion like over here?

-Over in the UK,

it's more your big sort of department stores,

whereas over here, it's more your little boutique sort of style.

So every little place is different.

If there's a certain style that you're after, I'm sure you'll be able to find it in Perth.

Apart from the shopping, Louise has lots on her mind.

The whole thing really rests on whether he can get a job,

cos if he can't, we can't really come over...

assuming we sell the house, house prices and things, financial reasons.

Although Louise is still unsure, Alan's been working hard to try and persuade her.

If the kids love it, maybe I should come across. Don't know.

So, yeah, there's a lot of things to think about, I think.

Alan needs to find out what he could earn in Australia to see if he and Louise could afford the move.

In the UK, a PE teacher with responsibilities like myself, would take me up to say £43,000...

86,000. How does that compare with the Australian wages?

Entry point would probably be...

50, around 50,000.

-£25,000. Yeah.

-Yeah.

And then probably climbing to 70,000, 75,000.

-Yeah.

-And then if you're in middle management like me,

then you're looking at 75 plus, probably maxing at about...

depends where you are, but going to in excess of 100, around that mark.

Alan may have to take a salary cut to start with, but he could forge a good career in Australia.

From what I've seen, he's a pretty enthusiastic and, um...

pretty motivated guy, and I think he'd be a wonderful asset for any school, in England or Australia.

I don't think Alan would have any trouble adapting to the Australian way of life.

I think he's a PE teacher, he obviously loves his sport, which we do,

so I've no doubt that he'd really enjoy his time over here.

That's just what Alan wanted to hear.

I think Simon's given me some good indications that there will be work here,

although nothing can be confirmed at this stage,

and that my experiences, mainly athletics and football,

would certainly be welcomed in Western Australia,

and that's a nice thing to hear.

I wonder how he'll vote.

I've had a fantastic morning.

My concerns about age, my lack of experience in Australia football and salaries have all been answered.

For that reason, the country I'm going to vote for...

..is Australia.

The Capplemans love the active, outdoor lifestyle,

and Australia is one of the best places in the world to take up sport.

Australia is a successful sporting nation, and their willingness to try all sports and be great at them

makes them envied worldwide.

Some would even call them sports crazy.

It's just part of what we do... with good weather,

and so we spend

a lot of time outdoors one way or another,

and we also have a lot of infrastructure in place,

including parks and gardens and those sorts of things, so we have a lot of open space.

So what role does the PE teacher play in Australia's sporting success?

We have dedicated physical education teachers,

and that's important, because if children learn the right way to run, the right techniques,

then you should practise the right way, and so they get taught all these things at a very early age.

Ron even believes sport can help a family like the Capplemans settle in Australia.

Sporting clubs are certainly a terrific way in Australia of meeting people,

as are the schools that your children will go to.

There are great places to meet people in the community and quickly become a part of the community.

Alan Cappleman is convinced that a new life in Australia will be better for him and his family.

I would say I was 99.9% certain that I really want to go to Australia.

But his wife, Louise, just isn't convinced.

If Alan hadn't sort of said anything,

I think that I'd be quite happy over here.

I've now really got to try and convince Louise that Australia is the way forward.

A look around some properties was generally positive.

I think this is, like, fine just for us.

-Yeah. It's what we need...

-I totally agree.

-..till you've got a job sorted and everything.

And Alan fell in love with the job he tried.

I think Simon's given me some good indications that there will be work here,

and that my experiences, mainly athletics and football,

would be welcomed in Western Australia.

But it's not all plain sailing. It turns out to be more expensive than they'd hoped.

So if you're comparing them, we're better off in the UK, financially.

I'm not going to disagree.

And leaving loved ones behind is never easy.

Sorry.

Upsetting my mam.

By the end of the week, they'll have to choose one way or the other

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

But will Louise come round to Alan's way of thinking?

Australia seems to have some great opportunities for Alan,

but if they want to make the move, they have to be realistic about their finances.

They'll need to get a good price for their house back in Newcastle.

Alan and Louise bought their four-bedroom house back in 2001 for £106,000.

They now believe it to be worth around 245,000, but will it be worth as much as they think?

We sent round three estate agents to give a more recent valuation.

Smallish dining room off the main hall.

Yeah. Nice room.

A big table gives the impression that it's a little on the small side.

'But nicely decorated. Nice.'

Windows look to be recently done, as well.

Yes. It's a really, really, nice room.

OK. This is the lounge area.

Very well presented. Nice decoration.

Fireplace. Laminate flooring.

'Clean and nice and extended over to the rear.'

What you would class as a sunroom, I suppose, which is great for families.

I like this. I like this extension.

'Nice and bright. Neutral colours.

-'This will definitely add value to the property.

-This is the kitchen.'

Very nice. High-gloss work surfaces.

Breakfast bar. Fitted appliances.

Yeah. Nice kitchen leading to utility area.

Possibly could have made better use of the space.

'Decent size bedroom and decorated fairly neutrally.

'They haven't over-committed on it being a child's bedroom.'

Keeps it fairly neutral and should keep the majority of buyers happy.

Oh, right. So this is the smallest room of the property.

Well presented, again. Used currently as a toy room, but would make an ideal study.

-'Good.

-Good size third bedroom.'

Radiator.

Looking on to the gardens.

'It's very nice.'

Master bedroom with built-in wardrobes...

leading to an en suite.

That's nice, nicely decorated.

'The property's a four-bedroom detached property with an en suite.'

Built roughly 2000, 2001, it's very close to good hospitals, schools and transport links.

Very popular area. I would expect this property to achieve somewhere in the region

of 225 to 230.

And for a quick sale, I would say 215,000.

As an asking price, I'd recommend something in the region of 220,

I would have said.

For a quick sale, I'd value it at 210 to 215.

Those valuations were a lot less than they'd hoped.

So how will it affect their ability to move?

I'm not surprised, but I'm still a little bit disappointed in hearing 220...

210 especially, for a quick sale.

I think we'd be silly to sell it... now, when, I mean, they probably are going to go back up.

So based on what we've just seen and heard, you would be less convinced about making the move over here

based on the 210, 215, possibly even 220 mark,

whereas if we were to sell it for more than that, it might influence your decision?

Well, if we could get a bigger house.

I'd still rather rent it out so we'll have that in case we do come over and it doesn't work,

-and we can go back.

-Something to fall back on. Yeah.

The reality of how much their house is worth has dented the Capplemans' plans.

They'll need to take a closer look at their entire finances to see if they can afford to live Down Under.

We've prepared a comparison between their living expenses in the UK

and in Australia to find out which leaves them better off.

Life insurance. More expensive. That's a bit of a surprise.

-Some things seem to be less expensive.

-There's a massive difference in the council tax.

You know, £150 a month we're paying, and you're looking at £500 per year.

That's about a third of the cost of what we pay per year,

so there's a massive saving there.

The groceries aren't as cheap as they imagined.

More for food in Australia.

Everyone's got the perception that Australia's cheaper.

I think the only thing that surprised me is that the food is possibly

more expensive, but I don't think they have the competition in selling and buying the food.

I don't think there's a great deal of difference.

From what we've seen, the majority are pretty much the same as what we're paying.

A few are more.

Plus your wage. Your wage is going to be slightly lower to start with.

You might get up to what you're on now but you're going to start lower.

So at the minute, we're better off, plus we don't have to buy a new car.

There's the cost of moving.

So if you're comparing them, we're better off in the UK, financially...

-..I think.

-No. I'm not going to disagree.

And there are lots of hidden extras of moving that perhaps Alan hasn't faced up to.

But is this enough to sway his vote?

Having had the house valued, comparing prices over here and in the UK,

with the reality check, we're going to vote for...

-..UK.

-UK.

So it looks like Louise is starting to make Alan face the realities of a move Down Under.

This has been her round, if you like, and...

she sees this, perhaps, as a way of saying, "Look, we are better off in the UK."

But how much will Louise's opinion count?

I think he's still determined to come, regardless.

I think he's quite happy to gamble, whereas I'm a bit more reserved.

I'm a bit scared of selling up and coming over

and him not getting a job, which I don't think's really passed his...

I don't think he's thought about it at all, really.

I think he thinks he'll just get supply work or something.

It might work. It could work.

He's a bit more laid back, I think, than me. I'm more...

I'm more of a worrier, I think, probably.

I've been trying all week to convince Louise, and I thought I'd more or less got there until today.

Louise is still undecided about the move, but a major selling point

is the Australian lifestyle, so we sent them out to get a taste of it.

Within Perth, there are 18 parkland areas,

which means the family should be able to get out and explore as often as they like.

Alan's trying to convince Louise that outdoor life is better in Oz, but it's not quite working out.

The rain's coming. Let's go.

You do have to be prepared for some classic British weather.

This isn't what the Capplemans came halfway round the world for,

-but nothing can dampen Alan's enthusiasm.

-Just like England.

-Got to expect a bit of rain.

-Colder than I thought it would be.

-We should have brought some more jumpers for the kids.

-Yeah.

And I think I'll bring my rain jacket out next time.

Could this be another reason for Louise to stay at home,

or is she starting to see the brighter side of life Down Under?

The lifestyle in Australia is obviously much better than over in England,

cos you can get out. I mean, it's been raining but it's not freezing.

You don't get that freezing wind that we get.

She knows Alan will be out at work to start with, and she'd be left home alone.

I think I am under a bit of pressure

to come over, cos I know how much he wants to do it and I think it probably is better for the kids.

I do like it. I do like it.

It's just whether I can actually adapt and make the move...

and be on my own with the kids, with no support at all.

Despite Alan's persistence, Louise is determined to make up her own mind.

I think Alan still will vote to come here.

Um...I'm still not sure.

I'll just have to ponder on that one. But...

I don't know. I'll have to see, I think.

So, on Australian lifestyle, how will they vote?

We've had a great day out. A little bit cold, but also, a little bit of sunshine.

So we've decided that the country we're going to vote for is...

..Australia.

Ethan's throwing his toys out of the pram, but how will Louise deal with her final decision?

So Louise could be coming round to the idea of emigrating,

but if you move to the other side of the world, you leave all your friends behind.

So how easy will it be to make new ones in Australia?

The Capplemans have come to meet David and Janet Green.

David is a teacher who emigrated to Perth two years ago.

They're having the classic Aussie barbecue on the seafront, and their kids make friends straight away.

-We were out here 20 years ago...

-Right.

-..myself and Janet, and I always wanted to come back.

I thought it was fantastic here. It's just the lifestyle for the kids and that sort of thing.

Your situation just seems to be exactly the same as mine.

I was here 20 years ago, in Melbourne.

I loved it and wanted to come back, but it just didn't happen.

As Alan and David compare notes, Louise wants to know how quickly Janet settled.

So have you found you fitted in all right over here?

-Yeah. I mean, there's always an adjustment period.

-Yeah.

-Um...

And I do occasionally feel

that I miss people back home, but I think, generally,

our way of life is a lot nicer.

We're a lot more relaxed. We actually spend more family time together.

That's exactly what Alan wants.

So how did either of them find work?

I dropped my resume off as a relief teacher

and Janet's resume off as somebody who could help out in the offices, if required, in administrative work.

That night I got a phone call and I got all excited, thinking I'd got my first bit of paid work.

It wasn't for me, it was for my wife. She started the work and I started the beach.

It seems Janet and David both landed on their feet.

It didn't take long after the first two or three weeks. Got some work,

and it's amazing how quickly it picks up.

The good thing for us is that most of the relief co-ordinators are always begging

for good phys ed teachers.

Wow! David's really selling it to Alan, but he doesn't need any more convincing.

OK, guys. Do you want to come over and get some food? Ladies?

Can Janet persuade Louise Australia's the best place for the kids to grow up?

Our two are just more active.

It's just a really good opportunity for them,

and a really good start, I think, to their lives.

If that wasn't enough to convince her, the Greens' children, Sam and Charlie, have a go themselves.

When we got here, the people who are our friends now,

kept on asking us to play with them and to sit next to them in class...

-On our first day.

-..on the first day, and they're really friendly.

Laurie, Freya and Ethan would have no trouble meeting new friends.

So it's all down to Louise.

I think when somebody isn't fully convinced, it's always difficult

for the party that does want to take on the adventure, but I think Louise

seems quite open to it, even though she does need a bit more convincing.

Sam, Charlie, come on!

They've already made new friends, but has it converted Louise?

I think speaking to Janet's put my mind at rest about coming over and not sort of being alone.

We probably would adapt quite well.

It's easy to meet people, and everyone here seems really friendly.

I think once you do get to know people, it's going to be easier

to find the areas you want to be in, find good schools.

Um... They seem to have a lovely family life. They seem to have more time to spend with the family,

and I think that's what we want.

Thank you very much.

Alan feels he's done everything he can, and now it's up to her.

'I don't think, really, now, it's about convincing Louise.'

I think it's going to be a case of does Louise want to come over?

Does she want to make the move? Does she want to commit herself to leaving her family and friends behind?

If she can make that move, then I think we'll be across here next year.

So, on making new friends, how will the Capplemans vote?

Been a great morning, having a barbecue in the park there.

We've met a lovely family who were in a similar situation to us,

two years ago, had a great time, so for that reason,

the country that we've decided to vote for is...

ALL: ..Australia.

So, Louise is starting to think that a move Down Under might just work.

But before the Capplemans make their final decision,

they've got to remember who they'll be leaving behind.

We've prepared some messages from their friends and family back in the UK.

Hi, Alan and Louise, Laurie, Freya and Ethan.

'Hope you're having a lovely time over there.'

'Louise, Alan and the kids are a very noisy family.'

It's always chaos, but really good fun at the same time.

'The two girls are almost kamikaze. They're not like the other grandchildren.'

They're very rough and tumble.

Their dad, being a PE teacher, has brought them up to run, jump, skip and...

'They're generally fairly rowdy children, but good as gold, really.'

-He's a bit of a charmer, isn't he?

-Yeah, and a bit of a...

shall we say a bit of a Del Boy?

'He tells you one thing but does another.'

-But he's got a heart of gold. Deep down, he's a lovely person.

-Yeah.

'Louise is a lovely person.'

She's quite shy around people she doesn't know.

She's very gentle, caring, and she'll do anything

-'to help anybody out.

-When she first told me about going to Australia, I was quite excited for her,'

cos a bit of us would absolutely love to go myself.

And you never know. Next year...

'..I wouldn't mind going, too.'

I understand their rationale, why they want to go to Australia.

They want to have a better lifestyle for the children

'and she feels that maybe she'll get more

'from somewhere like Australia than she would get from the UK.'

'They've been talking about going to Australia for a few years now.'

And at first, I wasn't sure it was a good idea...

mainly because she'd be away from all her family, her friends.

She's got three very young children

'and she does get a lot of help from her family and friends.'

It's a long way to travel on a regular basis. Um...

'But it's up to them to make their own minds up.

'I think that's fair, and I wouldn't like to influence them,'

really, too much,

but obviously, we would miss them very much.

'From a selfish point of view, I don't want them to go to Australia.'

I'm very close to Louise and the children, as well, um...

'I'll miss having them around and being able to call in whenever I've got five minutes for a coffee.'

INAUDIBLE

The first few months, we'd miss them at the table. You know,

'it'd be quite a wrench.'

'And Louise and Caroline are also quite close, so I think it would be a strange thing'

to feel the family unit had just suddenly shrunk so much.

'I'll miss the girly chats with Louise and the phone calls.'

I'll miss the clothes borrowing, and I'll miss the kids to bits.

'My mum's kind of hoping they won't go.'

I think she thinks they'll hopefully come back and decide it's not for them,

cos I don't think she'd know what to do with herself if they went over there.

'The thought of, you know, the children...'

It's sort of growing up, you know, without us.

Sorry.

I'm missing you lots back here, and I'm missing the kids especially.

I love you lots and we'll see you soon.

'I hope it's all gone nicely for you.'

And remember, we're waiting at home for you.

See you soon.

Upset my mam.

It's a difficult one, isn't it, you know?

Um...actually hearing them talk about you in that way

makes things a little bit more difficult.

It's going to be harder for her to come over.

It's going to be harder for me, I think...

family and friends-wise, cos my mam's upset by it.

I don't think there's been anywhere that I've gone this week and not thought about Adam, as well -

about how much he would be really keen to have been around

and been seeing some of the things and hearing some of the things that we've seen and heard this week.

But, you know, your mam and dad,

financially, in a year or so's time,

won't need to work and can quite easily come over and spend longer periods of time over here.

I would like to think that in a year or two's time,

if we were over here, then they would certainly start to consider making the move themselves.

And I think that's perhaps a conversation that we need to have with them when we go back to the UK.

It's almost time for the Capplemans to make their final decision.

Their week Down Under has brought the reality of a possible move into focus.

Alan'll be worried if it's changed my mind about staying here or going.

I think it probably has. I think I'm probably back to 50-50.

It means a lot to me,

and I think it would mean a lot to the kids, um...

But if Louise does say no, then... it's difficult.

I really don't know.

Once we leave and she goes back to the UK, perhaps she might reconsider.

The Capplemans' week in Australia has been a real mixture of highs and lows.

They quite liked the properties.

I think this is fine for just us. It's what we need...

-I totally agree.

-..till you've got a job sorted.

And Alan loved his job prospects.

There will be work here, and my experiences,

mainly athletics and football, would certainly be welcomed in Western Australia.

But the cost of moving proved a little more than they'd hoped.

From what we've seen, at the minute,

we're better off, cos we don't have to buy new cars, the cost of moving.

So if you're comparing them, we're better off in the UK, financially.

No, I'm not going to disagree.

And for Louise, leaving her mum and family so far away would be a real wrench.

Upsetting my mam.

But it's time for the final vote.

We've had a fantastic week in Australia.

We've certainly been made very welcome.

The country that we've decided to vote for is...

ALL: ..Australia.

We need temporary visas for a month.

What made you make the decision, the final decision?

Laurie wanted to stay here, I think.

-Brilliant.

-But...

-No "buts".

-..but not for ever.

-How...?

There's nothing much I can say, really. Er...

So the Capplemans were united in the end.

Let's hope it works out for the both of them.

Join us again next time when we find out what happens

when another British family are Wanted Down Under.

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