0:00:03 > 0:00:06Hello and welcome to Wanted Down Under,
0:00:06 > 0:00:11the show that catapults a British family right across to the other side of the world
0:00:11 > 0:00:14to help them make the biggest decision of their life,
0:00:14 > 0:00:19whether to stay in the UK or to move to Australia.
0:00:19 > 0:00:23The Wall family from Nottingham are going to take a chance
0:00:23 > 0:00:27on giving up their life in the UK for a new one down under.
0:00:27 > 0:00:32I've never actually been, so is it just a dream? I'm not really sure.
0:00:32 > 0:00:36But are they prepared for what that would mean to their loved ones?
0:00:36 > 0:00:39It would be like saying the last goodbyes.
0:00:39 > 0:00:41A goodbye isn't the best at any time,
0:00:41 > 0:00:46never mind when you're probably not going to see them in the flesh again.
0:00:46 > 0:00:50And will a wake-up call put an end to their dreams?
0:00:50 > 0:00:53That's a big disappointment in my eyes.
0:00:53 > 0:00:54Gutted.
0:01:18 > 0:01:23There's recently been a 20% increase in families seeking jobs in Australia.
0:01:23 > 0:01:28With its warm climate and promise of work, it's a very attractive option.
0:01:29 > 0:01:32For people under 45 with a skill in demand,
0:01:32 > 0:01:35it could be a realistic time to make the move.
0:01:35 > 0:01:40But, if you've never even set foot down under, it's a massive challenge.
0:01:40 > 0:01:4520 British families have been pushed to breaking point as they find out
0:01:45 > 0:01:48about real life down under and, after just one week,
0:01:48 > 0:01:51they'll have to vote one way or the other,
0:01:51 > 0:01:55whether to stay in the UK, or to move to Australia.
0:01:56 > 0:01:59Paul and Angela Wall live on the outskirts of Mansfield
0:01:59 > 0:02:02in Nottinghamshire with their two children,
0:02:02 > 0:02:0515-year-old Dylan and 11-year-old Becky
0:02:05 > 0:02:09and there's another on the way. Angela is four months pregnant.
0:02:10 > 0:02:15Paul works as a self-employed carpenter and joiner, but he's been hit by the credit crunch.
0:02:15 > 0:02:19A move down under might be the solution.
0:02:19 > 0:02:21Work went pear-shape over here a bit.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27Australia seemed a better place to go because there might be more job opportunities.
0:02:27 > 0:02:31I do know that they're building a lot of houses at the moment over there.
0:02:31 > 0:02:34Angela was surprised when Paul first suggested it.
0:02:34 > 0:02:38My first reactions were, "Don't be silly.
0:02:38 > 0:02:42"Can't do something like that." And then, of course,
0:02:42 > 0:02:46when you talk about something like that, straight on't internet and have a look.
0:02:46 > 0:02:49And it looks so much nicer over there.
0:02:49 > 0:02:52The quality of life looks so much nicer.
0:02:52 > 0:02:57But I've never actually been, so is it just a dream? I'm not really sure.
0:02:57 > 0:03:01Angela juggles two jobs as a carer to help make ends meet.
0:03:01 > 0:03:05Life is a struggle and she's worried it won't get any better.
0:03:05 > 0:03:10At the moment it's always wondering whether there IS work over here.
0:03:10 > 0:03:15Whether there's work for the children as well, especially with Dylan leaving school next year.
0:03:15 > 0:03:18It's such a worry knowing that they've got to fend for themselves
0:03:18 > 0:03:20as well as we've got to fend for ourselves.
0:03:22 > 0:03:26Angela's particularly worried about Dylan's prospects as he's dyslexic,
0:03:26 > 0:03:31but Paul knows that his son has some useful skills.
0:03:31 > 0:03:36He's a bit like me really, good with his hands. He's not a silly lad. He just struggles with words.
0:03:36 > 0:03:41Thick, dumb, retard. You get it all the time at school.
0:03:41 > 0:03:44Just cos you've got dyslexia don't mean you're thick.
0:03:44 > 0:03:47Becky is really close to her grandparents
0:03:47 > 0:03:50and Angela is worried that she doesn't understand what's at stake.
0:03:50 > 0:03:55Becky's just dead excited. She thinks it's just a big holiday.
0:03:55 > 0:03:59I don't think she really realises what it's going to be like,
0:03:59 > 0:04:02the fact that she won't see her grandparents as often as she does.
0:04:02 > 0:04:06At the moment, Becky has some more pressing concerns.
0:04:06 > 0:04:14I would be a bit scared if there was a crocodile that went into the house
0:04:14 > 0:04:19and if there was spiders and that, cos I'm scared of them.
0:04:19 > 0:04:23How's the crocodile getting in? Is it going through the cat flap?
0:04:23 > 0:04:27As well as being part of a strong community and having great neighbours,
0:04:27 > 0:04:29they have a large and supportive family.
0:04:29 > 0:04:32Paul's parents live just round the corner
0:04:32 > 0:04:34and Angela is particularly close to her sisters.
0:04:34 > 0:04:38But her parents are her first concern.
0:04:38 > 0:04:42Dad's not well enough to fly out to Australia.
0:04:42 > 0:04:45That has got to be the hardest thing to leave behind.
0:04:45 > 0:04:49My parents' first impressions was,
0:04:49 > 0:04:53"Can't you wait till we've gone, till we're not here any more?"
0:04:53 > 0:04:55They didn't want to talk about it.
0:04:55 > 0:05:02They didn't want us to mention it and they went into denial if we said anything about it.
0:05:09 > 0:05:12The Walls don't often get to enjoy days out together
0:05:12 > 0:05:15and they hope this will change in Australia.
0:05:15 > 0:05:17Life has been hard for the family recently,
0:05:17 > 0:05:22but are they prepared to leave behind all that they love in the UK?
0:05:22 > 0:05:23- Oh!- Yes!
0:05:25 > 0:05:30For the week down under, we're sending the Walls to Perth, capital of Western Australia.
0:05:32 > 0:05:35Situated between the bush and the western seaboard,
0:05:35 > 0:05:38Perth has a relatively small commercial centre.
0:05:38 > 0:05:41Busy during the day with office workers, shoppers and diners.
0:05:41 > 0:05:44This area is surrounded by city suburbs,
0:05:44 > 0:05:48offering a mixture of apartment and town-house living.
0:05:48 > 0:05:51The suburbs spread out north and south along the coast.
0:05:51 > 0:05:56The further you go, the more you can get for your property pound.
0:05:57 > 0:06:02We found three possible lifestyles for our family,
0:06:02 > 0:06:08each one offering a brand-new way of life for them to try on their budget.
0:06:08 > 0:06:10But which one will be the most suitable?
0:06:13 > 0:06:17The Walls could make the most of trendy dining and high-end shopping
0:06:17 > 0:06:21with a home in one of the city's suburbs surrounding central Perth.
0:06:21 > 0:06:25Popular with many young professionals, Subiaco has a great reputation
0:06:25 > 0:06:29and is one of the most fashionable places in Perth to live.
0:06:29 > 0:06:35For Dylan and Rebecca, entertainment options here might be a big draw, but property doesn't come cheap.
0:06:35 > 0:06:40This two bedroom home would set the family back £615,000
0:06:40 > 0:06:43and would be too much of a stretch for their budget.
0:06:43 > 0:06:47But they'll be plenty of work options for Paul nearby,
0:06:47 > 0:06:50where he could expect to earn around £200 a day.
0:06:50 > 0:06:53So, very different from their life in the UK.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57But what about the second option?
0:06:57 > 0:07:00A laid-back life with the outback on your doorstep
0:07:00 > 0:07:03can be found in the outer suburbs of Perth.
0:07:03 > 0:07:06There are affordable homes and family friendly suburbs like Ashby,
0:07:06 > 0:07:09which has a strong market garden scene.
0:07:09 > 0:07:13But work in the outer suburbs would be scarce
0:07:13 > 0:07:16and Paul could face a substantial commute of up to an hour
0:07:16 > 0:07:18into the city for work.
0:07:18 > 0:07:22A four bedroom home like this would cost the Walls around £320,000
0:07:22 > 0:07:28and they wouldn't feel out of place as the area has a strong British contingent.
0:07:28 > 0:07:31That all looks very inviting.
0:07:31 > 0:07:33But what about the third option?
0:07:33 > 0:07:37Relaxed waterside living is readily available
0:07:37 > 0:07:41in one of the many coastal districts on Perth's western seaboard.
0:07:41 > 0:07:45The aspirational suburb of Mount Claremont is only a stone's throw
0:07:45 > 0:07:49away from the beach and a ten-minute drive from the city.
0:07:49 > 0:07:54Beautiful properties like this three bedroom, two-bathroom family home
0:07:54 > 0:07:57command a price for the desirable location,
0:07:57 > 0:08:01with this one costing £730,000.
0:08:01 > 0:08:04But if you venture further up the coast,
0:08:04 > 0:08:08good-sized family properties can be found for around £450,000.
0:08:08 > 0:08:09With this option,
0:08:09 > 0:08:13Paul's potential work could be only a 15 minute drive away.
0:08:13 > 0:08:18So three very different options there, all of them life changing.
0:08:18 > 0:08:22So where did we decide to send the Wall family?
0:08:23 > 0:08:26With the promise of a good quality of life by the sea for the new baby,
0:08:26 > 0:08:31a range of sizable family homes, but with a shorter commute into the city centre,
0:08:31 > 0:08:37we decided that the coast was the best option for Paul and Angela and their growing family.
0:08:37 > 0:08:39We've arranged a job for Paul to try.
0:08:39 > 0:08:41All right, mate. I'm Paul.
0:08:41 > 0:08:43Set up a selection of housing options.
0:08:43 > 0:08:46There's a swimming pool. I definitely like this one.
0:08:46 > 0:08:49And lined up some leisure time to help them decide
0:08:49 > 0:08:53whether to make the life-changing move down under.
0:08:53 > 0:08:58Angela and Paul want to find out if Australia will provide a better way of life for their family,
0:08:58 > 0:09:02but will Perth live up to their expectations?
0:09:02 > 0:09:07They only have a week to try and decide where their future lies.
0:09:07 > 0:09:12After an exhausting 9,000 mile journey, they emerge on the other side of the world.
0:09:12 > 0:09:15So how did they cope with the 18 hour flight?
0:09:15 > 0:09:17Quite good. It weren't that bad.
0:09:17 > 0:09:20- Was it?- I don't know. I'm ready for bed.
0:09:20 > 0:09:22- We were all right. - And it's not raining.
0:09:22 > 0:09:26- What do you think of it? - It doesn't feel like Australia yet.
0:09:26 > 0:09:31It doesn't seem like we're here yet. It's not real till we get out there.
0:09:31 > 0:09:35It hasn't sunk in yet for the girls.
0:09:35 > 0:09:38Well, the journey's almost over.
0:09:40 > 0:09:44The Walls are staying in a three bedroom house in Connolly,
0:09:44 > 0:09:47a northern suburb only two minutes drive from the beach
0:09:47 > 0:09:50and 15 minutes from Paul's potential work.
0:09:50 > 0:09:55- Big, innit?- It's nice, in't it?
0:09:55 > 0:09:57So first impressions are good
0:09:57 > 0:10:02and the open plan living area should suit their needs for the week.
0:10:02 > 0:10:06But there's only one thing that's at the top of Angela's wish list.
0:10:06 > 0:10:09It's got a dishwasher. We're all right!
0:10:09 > 0:10:11How will upstairs fare?
0:10:11 > 0:10:14- I'm havin' this one. - This is Becky's room, is it?
0:10:14 > 0:10:18Angela's already worried about the local wildlife.
0:10:18 > 0:10:21- Make sure there's no spiders in there first.- Are you that scared?
0:10:21 > 0:10:27Spiders not included, a family house like this would cost around £220,000
0:10:27 > 0:10:31to buy and, with the centre only being 20 minutes away,
0:10:31 > 0:10:34it's ideally located for exploring Perth.
0:10:35 > 0:10:37I like this.
0:10:37 > 0:10:40This is where we'll relax when it's a nice summer's day.
0:10:40 > 0:10:42No, you're not. This is my bedroom.
0:10:42 > 0:10:44This is my luxury away from you.
0:10:44 > 0:10:47- Mum and Dad only room. - How come there's four chairs then?
0:10:47 > 0:10:49Ha-ha! I think she's got you there!
0:10:49 > 0:10:51So what's their overall impression?
0:10:51 > 0:10:54It's a bit smaller than ours though, in't it?
0:10:54 > 0:10:56Er... Do you reckon?
0:10:56 > 0:10:59- I don't think it is.- Yeah. I do. - I reckon kitchen's smaller, but I...
0:10:59 > 0:11:01The entrance is bigger.
0:11:01 > 0:11:04- What do you think then?- I like it.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06I could rent it and live in it.
0:11:06 > 0:11:08Yeah, yeah.
0:11:08 > 0:11:10I could live here.
0:11:11 > 0:11:17It's the end of a long journey for Dylan and Becky, but for Paul and Angela it's just beginning.
0:11:17 > 0:11:21It's going to be the biggest week of us lives, in't it?
0:11:21 > 0:11:25- Definitely.- To decide. - If it's worth coming or not.
0:11:25 > 0:11:28- Yeah.- Moving and leaving all family behind.
0:11:28 > 0:11:32No sister to go out with.
0:11:32 > 0:11:37Nobody. Don't know anybody at all and it is a long, long way.
0:11:43 > 0:11:47Back in the UK, Angela and Paul live in an extended four bedroom house
0:11:47 > 0:11:52in Nottinghamshire, which they bought 16 years ago for £22,000.
0:11:52 > 0:11:56But they have since spent a lot of time and money renovating it.
0:11:56 > 0:12:00In Australia, they're looking for a four bedroom house
0:12:00 > 0:12:07and have a budget of up to £175,000, depending on what work Paul can get.
0:12:08 > 0:12:11We have found three suitable homes for sale.
0:12:11 > 0:12:13The first is located in Stratton, 20 minutes from Paul's
0:12:13 > 0:12:17potential work and a half hour's drive from the beach.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24Being slightly more inland, it offers value for money, as this four bedroom, two bathroom property
0:12:24 > 0:12:27is on the market for £180,000.
0:12:27 > 0:12:30So with a little negotiation on the asking price,
0:12:30 > 0:12:32the Walls should be able to afford it.
0:12:33 > 0:12:35Small TV.
0:12:35 > 0:12:37Is this the main lounge?
0:12:37 > 0:12:41- I don't know. This is, er... - Tiny, in't it?
0:12:41 > 0:12:44- I don't know what you'd use this for. - I don't know what you'd call it.
0:12:44 > 0:12:48Whether it's lounge or extra-lounge.
0:12:48 > 0:12:52- Bedrooms. - I like this one. It's pink.
0:12:52 > 0:12:56I think this one might be the main bedroom. Look, we're en suite.
0:12:56 > 0:12:59- Oh, yeah?- It's weird having a bedroom down on the first floor.
0:12:59 > 0:13:02- It is.- Dylan, it's a bungalow. - I know, but...
0:13:02 > 0:13:04We've never lived in a bungalow before, have we?
0:13:04 > 0:13:07Strange, in't it, looking out on the front of the house?
0:13:07 > 0:13:11But what will they make of the living area at the back of the house?
0:13:13 > 0:13:15- That's better.- This is bigger.
0:13:15 > 0:13:20- Don't like colour. Don't like the green.- No. The kitchen needs ripping out, don't it?
0:13:20 > 0:13:22I think they like magnets just a bit!
0:13:22 > 0:13:24I don't like kitchen at all.
0:13:24 > 0:13:28- It's old-fashioned, in't it? - We'll change this altogether.
0:13:28 > 0:13:32You'd have to find a joiner, wouldn't you? To change it.
0:13:32 > 0:13:36We know who to call then! But Paul soon spots some worrying features.
0:13:36 > 0:13:40No skirting there. Plastered to floor.
0:13:40 > 0:13:43That's you, then, that's the main job you do.
0:13:43 > 0:13:46Maybe they don't bother with it here.
0:13:46 > 0:13:50While Paul chews that over, there are the other bedrooms to see.
0:13:52 > 0:13:55- What would this be? - This is another room...
0:13:55 > 0:13:58- another bedroom.- Another bedroom.
0:13:58 > 0:14:02- Another wardrobe without any doors on it.- They don't like doors.
0:14:02 > 0:14:06No. I ought to leave them a business card. They need some doors fitted.
0:14:06 > 0:14:09Paul's spotting work opportunities everywhere!
0:14:09 > 0:14:13- I reckon rooms are too small. - They are tiny, aren't they?- Yeah.
0:14:13 > 0:14:15It's time for the back garden.
0:14:15 > 0:14:18This is actually quite nice.
0:14:18 > 0:14:21- I like it.- It's nice and bright.
0:14:22 > 0:14:25- Shaded. For a barbie. - There ain't a swimming pool.
0:14:25 > 0:14:27There's no room for a swimming pool.
0:14:27 > 0:14:31Becky's a bit disappointed and she's not alone.
0:14:31 > 0:14:37At £180,000, this property is right at the top of their budget and it isn't what they were dreaming of.
0:14:37 > 0:14:39It's not big enough.
0:14:39 > 0:14:43We could get a lot nicer house in England for that amount of money.
0:14:43 > 0:14:45Yeah. More room and...
0:14:45 > 0:14:48- Yeah.- Inside and outside.
0:14:48 > 0:14:50- Yeah.- We're not bettering ourselves.
0:14:50 > 0:14:53No, I don't think we're bettering ourselves for this one.
0:14:53 > 0:14:56- Definitely not.- It's not big enough.
0:14:56 > 0:14:59- No. It's a no for first one, in't it?- Yep.
0:14:59 > 0:15:01Too dear, too small.
0:15:01 > 0:15:03Too small.
0:15:03 > 0:15:09It seems the Walls' eyes have been opened and as they start coming to terms
0:15:09 > 0:15:13with what they can afford on their budget, it's on to property two.
0:15:13 > 0:15:16Located only five-minutes drive from the Indian Ocean
0:15:16 > 0:15:20and 15 minutes from Paul's potential work,
0:15:20 > 0:15:24the coastal suburb of Beldon is only ten-years-old and has
0:15:24 > 0:15:26plenty of open spaces to kick a ball about.
0:15:26 > 0:15:31This four bedroom, two bathroom house is on the market for £200,000.
0:15:31 > 0:15:35So it would be a bit of stretch on their budget.
0:15:35 > 0:15:37I'm liking this.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40- You are?- Yeah.- Why? Because of trees on garden?
0:15:40 > 0:15:42And I think the beach is only five minutes away.
0:15:42 > 0:15:45Sounds like we're off to a good start.
0:15:45 > 0:15:47This looks nice.
0:15:47 > 0:15:51- Yeah.- Yeah. - This is more like a front room.
0:15:51 > 0:15:58This L-shaped reception room then opens out on to a spacious dining, kitchen and living area.
0:15:58 > 0:16:02- Now, this is good.- The kitchen's better than the other one.
0:16:02 > 0:16:07- It's not too big.- This is way good. I could sit here to watch telly.
0:16:07 > 0:16:11- Becky's decided this is the home for her.- I like this.
0:16:11 > 0:16:12- Are you moving in?- Yeah.
0:16:12 > 0:16:16This house is really nice, but we ain't going to afford it.
0:16:16 > 0:16:17Ever the optimist, Dylan!
0:16:17 > 0:16:21- We might have to sell everything. - Sell you!
0:16:21 > 0:16:24Ah! Daddy doesn't mean it!
0:16:24 > 0:16:27If we did come, this would be pushing the budget, you know.
0:16:27 > 0:16:31- Oh, well.- Oh, well. You won't be able to eat.- Oh, well.
0:16:31 > 0:16:35Maybe they should see the rest of the house before crash diets ensue.
0:16:35 > 0:16:37This will be my room, I guess.
0:16:37 > 0:16:41- Why, because it's pink already? - It's still a bit small, but more room than the other.
0:16:41 > 0:16:44You always get bagsies on rooms, don't you?
0:16:44 > 0:16:46I thought that were gonna be a wardrobe.
0:16:46 > 0:16:50- No. It looks like that is.- Yeah. - The wardrobe's over there, look.
0:16:50 > 0:16:54- Oh.- Little one.- You won't fit your clothes in there, Beck.
0:16:54 > 0:16:57I'll do what that person does.
0:16:57 > 0:16:59That's the spirit, Becky!
0:16:59 > 0:17:01This will be Mum and Dad's room.
0:17:01 > 0:17:03Yeah, I like this room.
0:17:05 > 0:17:08- Walk-in wardrobe.- With doors!
0:17:08 > 0:17:11An en suite. I like this bedroom.
0:17:11 > 0:17:13It's bigger than our bedroom at home.
0:17:13 > 0:17:16- But I reckon it might be noisier with main road.- Yeah.
0:17:16 > 0:17:21For money, I think we're pushing budget with work we'll still need to do.
0:17:21 > 0:17:23But you want to move in, don't you?
0:17:23 > 0:17:25- I prefer it to the last one. - Yeah. I do.
0:17:25 > 0:17:29- This one's a lot better than the last one.- I'm still not sure.
0:17:29 > 0:17:32But they're undecided and the road noise is an issue.
0:17:32 > 0:17:35But it does make the property more affordable.
0:17:35 > 0:17:39Maybe the small water feature out back will make up their minds.
0:17:39 > 0:17:43There's a swimming pool. I definitely like this one!
0:17:43 > 0:17:45- This is nice.- This is a lot nicer...
0:17:45 > 0:17:48That's where me and Dylan's going to be and that's you and Dad!
0:17:48 > 0:17:52- Nice sitting area. - I would only move if we were moving to a house like this.
0:17:52 > 0:17:56The outdoor living space has really inspired the whole family,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59but Paul's trying to keep his feet on the ground.
0:17:59 > 0:18:03I think we'd be pushing it to come and move in here straightaway.
0:18:03 > 0:18:09I think we'd have to rent and, basically, work our way up to something like this.
0:18:09 > 0:18:11It's more what I dreamed about.
0:18:11 > 0:18:14This is what we've got to go back and look for.
0:18:14 > 0:18:16See how much we can get. How much money.
0:18:16 > 0:18:18How much our house is worth.
0:18:18 > 0:18:21If I can get a job on what I earn now, we'll be all right.
0:18:21 > 0:18:23We can move into this.
0:18:23 > 0:18:25Good. Hope we can.
0:18:25 > 0:18:29They're right. Buying a property like this would depend on what
0:18:29 > 0:18:32they could sell their house for and how much Paul could earn.
0:18:32 > 0:18:35But even pragmatic Dylan seems to be won over.
0:18:35 > 0:18:38It shocked me really. Dylan's actually turned round
0:18:38 > 0:18:42and said he'll actually come to live here for this house.
0:18:42 > 0:18:45So things are looking up.
0:18:45 > 0:18:48But Paul's still coming to terms with Perth's property prices.
0:18:48 > 0:18:50This morning...
0:18:50 > 0:18:55I was quite shocked how much more it cost compared to England.
0:18:55 > 0:18:57I were a bit disappointed to be honest.
0:18:57 > 0:19:03I don't know if you hope for too much when you come over.
0:19:06 > 0:19:11Perhaps option three might be the answer to the Walls' budget concerns?
0:19:11 > 0:19:13With Paul in the construction business,
0:19:13 > 0:19:17Angela's always hoped that one day he would build them a dream home.
0:19:17 > 0:19:19In Australia, he could do just that.
0:19:19 > 0:19:24Buying a plot of land and getting a house built on it is a viable option financially.
0:19:24 > 0:19:28In Butler, a northern suburb only a couple of minutes from the beach,
0:19:28 > 0:19:32you can get house and land packages from £166,000,
0:19:32 > 0:19:34well within the Walls' budget.
0:19:34 > 0:19:37But, of course, you have to start from scratch.
0:19:37 > 0:19:41In't this what you've always dreamed of, Mum?
0:19:41 > 0:19:43Having a plot of land and...?
0:19:43 > 0:19:46I've always told Daddy he ought to build us a house.
0:19:46 > 0:19:48And I've never been that interested.
0:19:48 > 0:19:51I don't know why I'm a bit off put.
0:19:51 > 0:19:56But you build new houses. You should praise new houses.
0:19:56 > 0:19:59We'll have to go and have a look at the show home and see.
0:19:59 > 0:20:03It seems Paul's a bit daunted by the scale of a project like this,
0:20:03 > 0:20:06but Angela's keen to talk him round by showing him
0:20:06 > 0:20:11what kind of house they could live in if they gave it a go.
0:20:11 > 0:20:14- This is nice.- Very modern, in't it?
0:20:14 > 0:20:18- Would you be able to do something like this then?- Yeah.
0:20:18 > 0:20:22If you did it, it wouldn't look nowt like this. Not be as nice.
0:20:22 > 0:20:26Well, that's not the kind of encouragement Paul needs, Dylan!
0:20:26 > 0:20:30- This will probably be your room. - Yep. This is nice.
0:20:30 > 0:20:32With all the fancy pillows.
0:20:32 > 0:20:34What's behind? Is that your bathroom?
0:20:34 > 0:20:38- I would have thought so.- I like that pillow, Dad. Wardrobe. Dad...
0:20:38 > 0:20:43This is a walk-through en suite.
0:20:43 > 0:20:45- I like this.- Nice.
0:20:45 > 0:20:50- I know you said you don't like new houses as such, but I do.- You do!
0:20:50 > 0:20:53Angela's sold.
0:20:53 > 0:20:55She just needs to convince Paul.
0:20:55 > 0:20:58- This is nice.- Nice size. - You've always wanted a red kitchen.
0:20:58 > 0:21:01It's a proper kitchen.
0:21:01 > 0:21:05Could you see yourself in here though watching telly and that?
0:21:05 > 0:21:06I don't know. It's all too new.
0:21:06 > 0:21:10We'd have to buy all new furniture if we came in here.
0:21:10 > 0:21:11I want new furniture anyway.
0:21:11 > 0:21:13You want a new life, new house...
0:21:13 > 0:21:17- New study and four new bedrooms if you want too.- Rebecca's room.
0:21:17 > 0:21:21- Yeah, we've been into main one. - We've been into main one. - I like this one.
0:21:21 > 0:21:25- Yeah, that's nice. - You prefer this one, don't you?
0:21:25 > 0:21:26I can see where you're swinging.
0:21:26 > 0:21:29It's nice. It all looks clean and fresh.
0:21:29 > 0:21:33And Paul might be persuaded, taking into account a house and
0:21:33 > 0:21:38garden finished to this standard would cost around £175,000.
0:21:38 > 0:21:41- This is cheaper than the last house we looked at.- Yeah.
0:21:41 > 0:21:44I know that had a pool, but this is all new.
0:21:44 > 0:21:49Compared to a new house in England, money-wise, what would you get?
0:21:49 > 0:21:52Money-wise, you'd be probably better with this one.
0:21:52 > 0:21:55The price of land is expensive in England.
0:21:55 > 0:21:57It's something to look at, in't it?
0:21:57 > 0:22:00It's surprising that you can get a new one
0:22:00 > 0:22:05cheaper than the older properties we've looked at.
0:22:08 > 0:22:11The Walls have seen three very different options.
0:22:11 > 0:22:15The first house was within budget, but the bedrooms were too small
0:22:15 > 0:22:17and it wasn't what they were looking for.
0:22:17 > 0:22:20Property two would have been a stretch financially,
0:22:20 > 0:22:24but they loved the pool and the open-plan living area.
0:22:24 > 0:22:27The house and land package was an affordable third option
0:22:27 > 0:22:30and has certainly given them food for thought.
0:22:30 > 0:22:34But has it been enough to choose Australia over their home in the UK?
0:22:34 > 0:22:37Time to vote.
0:22:37 > 0:22:41After looking at the three properties today and comparing the prices
0:22:41 > 0:22:45and what we'd get for us money over in Australia,
0:22:45 > 0:22:48we've all decided and our vote will be...
0:22:48 > 0:22:51- England!- Australia!
0:22:51 > 0:22:54Why did you pick England?
0:22:54 > 0:22:57I don't know. I didn't like the first house.
0:22:57 > 0:23:01- Yeah.- And I decided from then, I prefer my house at home.
0:23:01 > 0:23:05- You liked the last one. - I did like the last one and I was very undecided.
0:23:05 > 0:23:08I could still go either way, but if I've got to make a choice,
0:23:08 > 0:23:10my house at home.
0:23:12 > 0:23:18It's been a long day and the Walls head home with Angela, at least, undecided.
0:23:18 > 0:23:22Later, they discover how much their UK home is worth
0:23:22 > 0:23:27and they find out how much everyday life down under will actually cost.
0:23:27 > 0:23:29That's a big disappointment in my eyes.
0:23:29 > 0:23:33But will Angela be more or less convinced about a move down under
0:23:33 > 0:23:37once she's come face to face with some of the local wildlife?
0:23:40 > 0:23:44The Walls want to spend more quality time as a family
0:23:44 > 0:23:47and hope the better weather down under means
0:23:47 > 0:23:50they can all enjoy the outdoor activities together.
0:23:50 > 0:23:52But having never been to Australia,
0:23:52 > 0:23:55will it live up to their expectations?
0:23:57 > 0:24:01For many people, the charms of Australia lie in its outdoor culture.
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Barbecues, beaches, outdoor activities and general fun in the sun.
0:24:06 > 0:24:12Unfortunately for the Walls, today it means rain and lots of it.
0:24:12 > 0:24:16Oh, well, at least we have something to distract them with.
0:24:16 > 0:24:20To show Angela and Becky there's a lot more to Australia than spiders,
0:24:20 > 0:24:23we've arranged a trip to Perth Zoo to help them find
0:24:23 > 0:24:27a new appreciation of all that's wild and wonderful in Oz.
0:24:27 > 0:24:30The heavens open just as the Walls arrive
0:24:30 > 0:24:33and it starts raining cats and dogs. Well, just the one.
0:24:33 > 0:24:38Zoo keeper Belinda Turner introduces them to Durka.
0:24:38 > 0:24:44- Good morning.- This is an Australia wild dog, so not like a domestic dog, which loves hugs and pats.
0:24:44 > 0:24:47Dingoes like to sniff on their own terms.
0:24:47 > 0:24:50I'll take you guys up into the Australian bush.
0:24:50 > 0:24:53You can meet some of the other cool Aussie animals.
0:24:53 > 0:24:55- Lovely, yeah. - Just follow me up this way.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02Bedraggled Durka's not that keen on the rain, so while he goes for breakfast,
0:25:02 > 0:25:07Belinda takes the Walls to the bush walk section, which focuses on indigenous animals.
0:25:11 > 0:25:15- It looks like something off of Lord o't Rings.- Yeah.
0:25:15 > 0:25:21And where better to start with than the most iconic of marsupials and Australia's national symbol.
0:25:21 > 0:25:26Belinda's brought some tempting vegetation with her so Becky can meet orphaned kangaroo, Flex.
0:25:26 > 0:25:31She's only two-years-old, so she's a young kangaroo. Flex was hand-raised.
0:25:31 > 0:25:35Her mum threw her out of the pouch, which kangaroos do when they feel threatened.
0:25:35 > 0:25:38A female will contract her muscles and throw her joey out of the pouch
0:25:38 > 0:25:44to either distract the predator that's chasing her or to lighten her load to get away from a bush fire.
0:25:44 > 0:25:46They throw their joey and save themselves.
0:25:46 > 0:25:50It's a really harsh way of life, but Australia's a harsh environment.
0:25:51 > 0:25:55The creature that's well-adapted for survival is the echidna,
0:25:55 > 0:25:58one of only two egg-laying mammals in the world.
0:25:58 > 0:26:00These shy fellows are a year old.
0:26:00 > 0:26:02They've got backwards-facing feet.
0:26:02 > 0:26:05Echidnas like to dig, so these are like little shovels.
0:26:05 > 0:26:07They're hollowed out and they do lots of digging.
0:26:07 > 0:26:11They can dig really quickly into soil and basically submerge
0:26:11 > 0:26:16themselves, so only the prickly bits are showing, which means predators can't really get them.
0:26:16 > 0:26:19So you can see he's scratching with that long claw.
0:26:19 > 0:26:21Some grooming.
0:26:21 > 0:26:25That's how you get in between those spikes, with a really long claw so you don't prickle yourself.
0:26:25 > 0:26:27What do you think?
0:26:27 > 0:26:29Weird.
0:26:29 > 0:26:32That's one way of putting it, Becky!
0:26:32 > 0:26:39The Walls find the slightly less prickly koalas having a nap, but they do sleep up to 20 hours a day.
0:26:39 > 0:26:44The next marsupials are a bit quicker on their feet, but apparently not quick enough.
0:26:44 > 0:26:47The Tasmanian devil used to be found all across Australia,
0:26:47 > 0:26:51even here in Perth in south-west WA up to about 500 years ago,
0:26:51 > 0:26:54but when the dingo got introduced to Australia,
0:26:54 > 0:26:56it was a better competitor, a better predator.
0:26:56 > 0:26:59It took their food and they became extinct on mainland Australia.
0:26:59 > 0:27:04The dingo didn't get to Tasmania, which is the only place where the devils now exist.
0:27:04 > 0:27:07They have just been put on to the endangered species list
0:27:07 > 0:27:11and they could possibly go extinct in the next 15, 20 years, which is quite awful.
0:27:11 > 0:27:16They're a beautiful animal and we do hope there are good efforts to save them.
0:27:16 > 0:27:21One creature the Tasmanian devil definitely wouldn't want to get up close and personal with
0:27:21 > 0:27:22is Belinda's next suggestion.
0:27:22 > 0:27:28She sends the Walls off to meet one of Australia's most feared native species,
0:27:28 > 0:27:32the saltwater crocodile.
0:27:32 > 0:27:34Wow! It looks not real.
0:27:34 > 0:27:36He's ready to eat us.
0:27:36 > 0:27:38It is real, cos it moved its leg!
0:27:38 > 0:27:41He could eat you whole.
0:27:41 > 0:27:44- Yep.- Not chewing you, just swallow you in one move.
0:27:44 > 0:27:47- Yeah, I know. Look at the size of its neck.- Has it actually blinked?
0:27:47 > 0:27:49Does it blink?
0:27:49 > 0:27:52They do blink, but not very often.
0:27:52 > 0:27:56What do you reckon? Coming to a country that's got them in't rivers?
0:27:56 > 0:27:58A bit weird because...
0:27:58 > 0:28:00Weird? What about scary?
0:28:00 > 0:28:02- Yeah...- They're not in Perth, though.- Paul's right.
0:28:02 > 0:28:08- Saltwater crocodiles are only found in northern Australia. - I'd still be careful, just in case!
0:28:08 > 0:28:11Yeah.
0:28:11 > 0:28:12Not that scary, are they?
0:28:12 > 0:28:15- Yeah.- Yeah. - I think I'm with the girls, there.
0:28:15 > 0:28:21It's clear the Walls are beginning to realise how different Australia is to home and the morning has
0:28:21 > 0:28:27given them some time to start thinking about what could be the biggest decision of their lives.
0:28:30 > 0:28:33Quack-quack! Come over here.
0:28:33 > 0:28:37Dylan and Becky head off to take in some of the less indigenous species
0:28:37 > 0:28:43and, although the weather's improved, Paul's been surprised by life down under.
0:28:43 > 0:28:45A little disappointed on the weather.
0:28:45 > 0:28:49We didn't expect this much rain, to be honest, but
0:28:49 > 0:28:52just a bit too much like England at the minute.
0:28:52 > 0:28:54But his thoughts turn to Angela.
0:28:54 > 0:29:00I'm trying to make Angela see we can have a better life out here.
0:29:00 > 0:29:04But I don't know. I still think the family's a big thing for her still.
0:29:04 > 0:29:08- I think her mum and dad's playing a big part.- I don't know.
0:29:08 > 0:29:10I'm still not sure what I want.
0:29:10 > 0:29:12I'm still 50-50.
0:29:12 > 0:29:17I really, really do not know. I think Paul, especially with the second house we looked at yesterday...
0:29:17 > 0:29:21I mean, he loved that house and he could see our future being there.
0:29:21 > 0:29:24He's more up for it at the moment than perhaps I am.
0:29:24 > 0:29:27But one thing's for sure.
0:29:27 > 0:29:30The kids have definitely changed their minds.
0:29:30 > 0:29:34They really don't want to go home now, so...
0:29:34 > 0:29:37I don't know if it's for the right reasons.
0:29:37 > 0:29:40I'm not sure Dylan and Becky would agree with that,
0:29:40 > 0:29:43but whatever their reasons, it's time to put them to the test.
0:29:43 > 0:29:45How will the Wall family vote?
0:29:45 > 0:29:48We've had a lovely day here at the zoo.
0:29:48 > 0:29:50The weather's turned out nice for us.
0:29:50 > 0:29:55We've seen a lot of nice animals and the vote is going to be...
0:29:55 > 0:29:58Australia!
0:29:58 > 0:30:00Are you surprised I voted Australia?
0:30:00 > 0:30:03- A little bit.- Why?- I don't know.
0:30:03 > 0:30:06I thought you were for going back.
0:30:06 > 0:30:09Yeah, but I think on lifestyle
0:30:09 > 0:30:12it's more relaxed and there's more to do.
0:30:12 > 0:30:16The Walls have all been impressed by the Aussie wildlife, but coming up,
0:30:16 > 0:30:23their views on a life down under are seriously put to the test when they get messages from back home.
0:30:27 > 0:30:30Angela and Paul are concerned that Becky and Dylan would struggle
0:30:30 > 0:30:34if they cut ties with friends and family in the UK.
0:30:34 > 0:30:39If they emigrate to Australia, they have to be sure they can make new friends.
0:30:41 > 0:30:44They are especially concerned that, because of Dylan's dyslexia,
0:30:44 > 0:30:47he would struggle to fit into college or find work.
0:30:47 > 0:30:50So we've arranged for them to meet up with Carol Sargeant
0:30:50 > 0:30:53and her daughter, Jamie, who's also dyslexic.
0:30:53 > 0:30:56Hi, Rebecca. It's nice to meet you. Would you guys like to come and sit down?
0:30:59 > 0:31:00I'm Jamie.
0:31:00 > 0:31:02- Rebecca.- Sweet.
0:31:02 > 0:31:05- So you've got dyslexia?- Yeah, I had a lot of people telling me I was stupid,
0:31:05 > 0:31:08so I'm working really hard to prove them wrong.
0:31:08 > 0:31:10That's annoying, innit? You get it a lot.
0:31:10 > 0:31:14Some people, I know I'm cleverer than them, but just cos I can't read and write...
0:31:14 > 0:31:20- They think they're smarter and it's easy for them.- Yeah. It just makes school life a lot harder.
0:31:20 > 0:31:25For a long time, Angela and Paul weren't sure why Dylan was struggling at school.
0:31:25 > 0:31:29They don't really tell you that much in England about dyslexia.
0:31:29 > 0:31:33It's took a long, long time for us to get diagnosed.
0:31:33 > 0:31:38- But you find that a lot of your teachers treat you as though you're a troublemaker, don't they?- Yeah.
0:31:38 > 0:31:43Dylan has actually been chucked out of class for actually asking for more help.
0:31:43 > 0:31:45Just basically turned round to him and said,
0:31:45 > 0:31:48"You were there. You listened. You're just causing trouble."
0:31:48 > 0:31:52Carol explains how Jamie has benefitted from the Australian schooling system.
0:31:52 > 0:31:56You can do a combination of high school and what they call TAFE,
0:31:56 > 0:31:58like a college you go to to learn a trade.
0:31:58 > 0:32:01Jamie does four days at high school
0:32:01 > 0:32:06and one day a week she goes into TAFE in town and does a media course.
0:32:06 > 0:32:09So if you're a person who's more of a hands-on person,
0:32:09 > 0:32:13you've got that option of, if your child is having trouble academically,
0:32:13 > 0:32:19they can go in and do your TAFE part-time or full-time, depending on if it's going for a trade.
0:32:19 > 0:32:22This sounds like it could be a good option for Dylan.
0:32:22 > 0:32:26But in the meantime, Carol and Jamie want to show the Walls the local sights.
0:32:26 > 0:32:29They take them to nearby Joondalup Park and Lake.
0:32:29 > 0:32:35And while the kids take in the local wildlife, Carol wants to find out what's holding them back.
0:32:35 > 0:32:37What about family?
0:32:37 > 0:32:39I could move away from our family.
0:32:39 > 0:32:41I could talk to my mum and dad over the phone,
0:32:41 > 0:32:44but she's a lot closer to her family.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47I've got two sisters and a brother and then me mum and dad, but me mum
0:32:47 > 0:32:49and dad wouldn't ever be able to come over here.
0:32:49 > 0:32:52Me mum perhaps could, but me dad wouldn't be able to fly.
0:32:52 > 0:32:56So how do you think you're going to go, coming over here not having any family?
0:32:56 > 0:33:00- I really don't know.- Because you're going to be away with work?- Work.
0:33:00 > 0:33:04And she'll be stuck with a newborn.
0:33:04 > 0:33:08So it would be very much getting you finding people that you could connect with.
0:33:08 > 0:33:13Carol's hit the nail on the head and, in true Aussie style, she's ready to lend a hand.
0:33:13 > 0:33:16I think it would be very essential for her to try and make friends
0:33:16 > 0:33:19as fast as possible, find different groups.
0:33:19 > 0:33:21We've said that we'll keep in contact.
0:33:21 > 0:33:24If she decides she's going to stay we can help her meet new people.
0:33:24 > 0:33:28The day's experience has certainly given Dylan a lot to think about.
0:33:28 > 0:33:32Today's been useful, her being dyslexic and stuff like that.
0:33:32 > 0:33:37It's been interesting. It's made me think it should be easier to make friends over here,
0:33:37 > 0:33:43but there's still other things what makes me think about staying at England.
0:33:43 > 0:33:46It's a long way and it's a lot of hard work, in't it?
0:33:46 > 0:33:50Just to move to a place and start everything from new.
0:33:50 > 0:33:54Dylan is unsure about where his future should lie, but how do the
0:33:54 > 0:33:59Wall family feel about the prospect of making new friends down under?
0:33:59 > 0:34:02We've had a great afternoon.
0:34:02 > 0:34:08It's been brilliant meeting friends and finding out about Dylan with his dyslexia.
0:34:08 > 0:34:12And I think at the end of the day we've all decided and the vote will be...
0:34:13 > 0:34:15Australia!
0:34:18 > 0:34:22Families like the Walls, with teenagers, may wonder
0:34:22 > 0:34:26what options are available to their children when they leave school.
0:34:26 > 0:34:31If not academically inclined, like Dylan, there's a great system of
0:34:31 > 0:34:35vocational training in Australia to get school leavers into work.
0:34:35 > 0:34:40Training is an absolutely pivotal priority of our government
0:34:40 > 0:34:43and I think right throughout Australia.
0:34:43 > 0:34:48We have around 1,600 training institutions throughout Western Australia that provide
0:34:48 > 0:34:53a plethora of opportunities for those students that want to take up a training opportunity.
0:34:53 > 0:34:59As early on as secondary school, students in Australia can begin to focus on vocational skills.
0:34:59 > 0:35:02The Australian education system values
0:35:02 > 0:35:05non-academically inclined students and they offer various programmes.
0:35:05 > 0:35:08One of them is through TAFE, Technical And Further Education,
0:35:08 > 0:35:11and the programme offered gives a VET qualification,
0:35:11 > 0:35:14Vocational, Education And Training qualification.
0:35:14 > 0:35:19They include courses in hospitality, secretarial studies, manual arts,
0:35:19 > 0:35:22the traditional building trades apprenticeship courses.
0:35:22 > 0:35:25Or for something a bit different, the robotics course
0:35:25 > 0:35:29brings together several disciplines to engage students in a fun way.
0:35:29 > 0:35:30We developed a programme
0:35:30 > 0:35:35where the kids in engineering actually create an arcade machine.
0:35:35 > 0:35:39It's sort of catering for lots of different sorts of students who have different skills.
0:35:39 > 0:35:46As students look towards employment, school-to-work programmes provide workplace experience.
0:35:46 > 0:35:50Students would do either a career link or work readiness programme,
0:35:50 > 0:35:54whereby they'd be out of school for one day a week doing specific, on-the-job training.
0:35:54 > 0:35:57They have a structured, workplace learning programme developed
0:35:57 > 0:36:01by the college in conjunction and with co-operation of the employers.
0:36:01 > 0:36:07So for Dylan's dreams to take up carpentry, there seemed to be plenty of opportunities available.
0:36:07 > 0:36:12And with only 5.7% of the Australian population unemployed in 2009,
0:36:12 > 0:36:19compared to 7.9% of Britons, the prospects for emigrating teenagers are good.
0:36:19 > 0:36:24So if you are in Western Australia at the moment there is absolutely no excuse for you not endeavouring to
0:36:24 > 0:36:30pursue a training pathway which will take you through life with meaningful career opportunities.
0:36:33 > 0:36:38Uppermost in Paul's mind when viewing properties was cost.
0:36:38 > 0:36:41Can they afford to move to Australia?
0:36:41 > 0:36:43It's vital they take into account what they
0:36:43 > 0:36:48can make from their UK home and the cost of living in Australia.
0:36:48 > 0:36:50It's time for a reality check.
0:36:50 > 0:36:55In the UK, the Walls own an extended four-bedroom house on the outskirts
0:36:55 > 0:37:00of Mansfield, which they bought 16 years ago for £22,000.
0:37:00 > 0:37:08They estimate it now to be worth around 95,000, but what is the true value in the current climate?
0:37:08 > 0:37:11We sent round two estate agents to assess the property.
0:37:11 > 0:37:16Any potential move down under depends on what they can get for their house.
0:37:16 > 0:37:21We've got a DVD for them and it may prove worrying with the drop in property prices.
0:37:21 > 0:37:24- Ready to press play?- Yep.
0:37:24 > 0:37:27There we go.
0:37:32 > 0:37:36Quite a new nice room. Opens into the kitchen.
0:37:36 > 0:37:37Looks bigger.
0:37:37 > 0:37:41Now this is good. Well fitted-out. Plenty of modern units.
0:37:41 > 0:37:45This will certainly be one of the selling points of this house.
0:37:47 > 0:37:50Double-glazed patio doors to the garden.
0:37:50 > 0:37:52UPV also to the front.
0:37:52 > 0:37:54Work in progress. Nice little room. Super.
0:37:58 > 0:38:00Reasonable second bedroom.
0:38:07 > 0:38:11Completely unexpected part of the accommodation.
0:38:11 > 0:38:16It's got a delightful kitchen. It's got a very nice layout of rooms downstairs.
0:38:16 > 0:38:21Upstairs, it has a fourth bedroom, which has been extended off the third bedroom,
0:38:21 > 0:38:25meaning it's not a private room and that probably hits the price a little bit,
0:38:25 > 0:38:30as does the fact that, for this area, it's more developed than perhaps you would expect.
0:38:30 > 0:38:34Therefore I would value it for a sale at 85,000.
0:38:34 > 0:38:38With a quick sale, I would bring it down to 79,950.
0:38:38 > 0:38:41Well, that's 10,000 less than they thought it would be worth.
0:38:41 > 0:38:44There is so much riding on the value.
0:38:44 > 0:38:47Maybe the second agent will have a more promising figure.
0:38:47 > 0:38:49It is well-maintained throughout.
0:38:49 > 0:38:51Got the gas central heating, the double-glazing
0:38:51 > 0:38:55and the accommodation has certainly been improved by the current owners.
0:38:55 > 0:38:58My only concern is whether they have overspent on it in terms of
0:38:58 > 0:39:03the loft conversion, which is useful space but sometimes can be a loss leader.
0:39:03 > 0:39:06Valuation-wise, I'd be looking to put the property
0:39:06 > 0:39:10on to the open market at an asking price of 79,950.
0:39:10 > 0:39:13And for a quick sale, I'd be looking at 74,950.
0:39:14 > 0:39:18- It's not the news they were hoping for.- Gutted.
0:39:18 > 0:39:21The valuation makes up Paul's mind.
0:39:21 > 0:39:25So we'll be looking to rent if we could, definitely.
0:39:25 > 0:39:29- I wouldn't sell it at that, no way. - That's the market at the moment.
0:39:29 > 0:39:32Yeah. But we knew that anyway, didn't we?
0:39:32 > 0:39:34Mm-hm.
0:39:34 > 0:39:35- Don't make it any better.- No. No.
0:39:38 > 0:39:41As the children head off, Paul faces facts.
0:39:41 > 0:39:45I thought he'd get closer to 90, really, but...
0:39:45 > 0:39:51So them houses we've looked at over here we won't be able to go for straightaway anyway.
0:39:51 > 0:39:53- No.- Be renting.
0:39:53 > 0:39:56It were weird seeing house on DVD, weren't it?
0:39:56 > 0:40:01- Yeah, it didn't look bad though, did it?- No. I'm quite happy with it.
0:40:01 > 0:40:03Didn't have a swimming pool, though.
0:40:03 > 0:40:09Ah, with that disappointing news, Paul and Angela are going to have
0:40:09 > 0:40:14to do their sums to see if a move to Australia is possible at all.
0:40:14 > 0:40:19We've provided the Walls with some details of everyday costs of living in Australia.
0:40:19 > 0:40:25Not something the children have to think about, but of crucial importance to Paul and Angela.
0:40:25 > 0:40:28Council tax, £100.
0:40:28 > 0:40:30So that's saving, in't it?
0:40:30 > 0:40:34See, me mortgage is a big jump up, innit?
0:40:34 > 0:40:38And then you've got your air conditioning on top of your gas and electric.
0:40:38 > 0:40:42Plus you don't get your NHS that you get over in England.
0:40:42 > 0:40:48With the unexpected costs of private health insurance and air conditioning, it's not looking good.
0:40:48 > 0:40:52Let's have a look at shopping.
0:40:52 > 0:40:57More things are dearer. I said frozen pizzas were dearer, didn't I?
0:40:57 > 0:41:02But I think everything is, food-wise. Not on an awful lot, but when you add it all up
0:41:02 > 0:41:06over a month, you're talking another £100 on your shopping, aren't you?
0:41:06 > 0:41:09- Don't make it any easier.- No.
0:41:09 > 0:41:14- Does it?- That's a big disappointment in my eye.
0:41:14 > 0:41:17The cost of living's dearer.
0:41:17 > 0:41:19The house is dearer.
0:41:19 > 0:41:22- The job's got to be marvellous.- Yeah.
0:41:24 > 0:41:26Gutted.
0:41:31 > 0:41:35Life down under is much more expensive than they'd believed it to be,
0:41:35 > 0:41:37and Paul's taken it particularly hard.
0:41:37 > 0:41:41He needs some time to gather his thoughts.
0:41:41 > 0:41:44Paul's shattered by it.
0:41:44 > 0:41:49He really liked the houses that we looked at and he was set for coming,
0:41:49 > 0:41:53but with the price that we'd get for our house
0:41:53 > 0:41:58and the price of living over here, I think it's been a big blow to him.
0:41:58 > 0:42:02It's going to cost us more to live here, so it all depends on Paul's wages again.
0:42:02 > 0:42:07It was all a bit disappointing.
0:42:08 > 0:42:12Bit of a shock to us, really. I don't know if we were just being naive
0:42:12 > 0:42:16and thinking that things like that were going to be cheaper over here.
0:42:16 > 0:42:20The second house that we looked at, I could see at the weekend sitting
0:42:20 > 0:42:24by, watching the kids playing in the pool and that.
0:42:24 > 0:42:30I thought if we did get a really good price that, ooh, maybe we could sell, but
0:42:30 > 0:42:33really, reality kicks in.
0:42:33 > 0:42:35And we knew really that
0:42:35 > 0:42:38the price weren't going to be good.
0:42:38 > 0:42:41It's just that when you see something you like,
0:42:43 > 0:42:44you start wishing, don't you?
0:42:47 > 0:42:53After finding out the price of our house in England and comparing different prices of the cost
0:42:53 > 0:43:00of living in Australia compared to England, we've both thought about it and our vote will be...
0:43:00 > 0:43:01England!
0:43:02 > 0:43:04That were easier, weren't it?
0:43:08 > 0:43:11It all hinges on Paul's work.
0:43:11 > 0:43:16Will he earn enough to finance a move to Australia and the lifestyle they've dreamt of?
0:43:16 > 0:43:18The pressure's on.
0:43:18 > 0:43:23Back home in Nottinghamshire, Paul works as a self-employed joiner and carpenter.
0:43:23 > 0:43:27He can earn anywhere between £400-£700 a week.
0:43:27 > 0:43:31But jobs have been hard to come by since the recession.
0:43:31 > 0:43:36In Australia, he hopes the work will be plentiful and that it will be better paid.
0:43:36 > 0:43:40Paul is up early and he's very aware of how important this is.
0:43:40 > 0:43:44A lot rests on this morning at work, really,
0:43:44 > 0:43:48because if the wages aren't as good,
0:43:48 > 0:43:55basically, with the cost of living being a little bit more, that would put a right damper on things.
0:43:55 > 0:44:01While Dylan relaxes at home, Angela and Becky check out a local mother and toddler group.
0:44:01 > 0:44:08If they emigrated, Angela faces the prospect of looking after a new baby without the support of her family,
0:44:08 > 0:44:14- so she's keen to find out what amenities and support there are for new mums.- Hiya. I'm Angela.
0:44:14 > 0:44:15Hi, I'm Ayla.
0:44:15 > 0:44:19Hiya. Hiya. We're looking into moving to Australia.
0:44:19 > 0:44:23It's a first visit and we're just seeing whether we like it, whether it's suitable for us.
0:44:23 > 0:44:26It's the wrong season to see whether you like it!
0:44:26 > 0:44:27I know.
0:44:27 > 0:44:32Just wondering what help there is out here for when you've got young children.
0:44:32 > 0:44:37There's a lot of kindies, like this playgroup centre.
0:44:37 > 0:44:41There's swimming lessons. We do a dance lesson at the community hall. And the mums...
0:44:41 > 0:44:46we sometimes get together socially as well, outside of the playgroup without our children,
0:44:46 > 0:44:50so it's just nice to catch up and interact without these interruptions.
0:44:50 > 0:44:53So, yeah, it's good.
0:44:53 > 0:44:57With Angela at home looking after the baby, Paul would be
0:44:57 > 0:45:01the sole wage earner in Australia, so it's vital that his day at work goes well.
0:45:01 > 0:45:04He's meeting Andrew Marshela, who runs a local carpentry firm.
0:45:04 > 0:45:07- Hi, I'm Paul. - Hi, my name's Andrew. How's things?
0:45:07 > 0:45:09This family business should be right up Paul's street,
0:45:09 > 0:45:14as they cover new builds as well as renovation and restoration work.
0:45:14 > 0:45:17This is my dad, Andrew.
0:45:17 > 0:45:19Hello. I'm Paul.
0:45:19 > 0:45:20Father-son team, obviously.
0:45:20 > 0:45:24I've got a son who's 15 that I want to become a joiner as well.
0:45:24 > 0:45:27So you want to form a team, father and son, like me?
0:45:27 > 0:45:30- Yes, definitely. - If you work hard, you'll get it.
0:45:30 > 0:45:34- People want nice doors and nice joinery. There's always work.- Good.
0:45:34 > 0:45:38But Andrew points out that there has been a drop in demand for joinery work in Perth.
0:45:38 > 0:45:41Not because of the recession, just the way things have gone.
0:45:41 > 0:45:45There's a lot more aluminium, steel jambs in the new housing. The cheap stuff.
0:45:45 > 0:45:48I've noticed that when I had a walk round and I thought, "Ooh!"
0:45:48 > 0:45:52There's still the renovation market. People want to maintain what's already there
0:45:52 > 0:45:58in the older suburbs, the inner city and all the rest, so there's still enough work, I suppose, in joinery.
0:46:01 > 0:46:05Meanwhile, Angela has found a mum who has already made the move from the UK.
0:46:05 > 0:46:08- So how long have you been in Australia? - I've been here four years now.
0:46:08 > 0:46:15My husband and I came out, just the two of us, and we had Ruby, who's here, and then Matilda.
0:46:15 > 0:46:17- Are you glad that you did it? - Yeah, definitely.
0:46:17 > 0:46:21Absolutely no regrets at all. We haven't been back since.
0:46:21 > 0:46:23Angela addresses some concerns.
0:46:23 > 0:46:27- Was it easy enough making friends over here?- When you have kids it's a lot easier.
0:46:27 > 0:46:29Cos the mother's group, that's been great for me.
0:46:29 > 0:46:32I think I just made a decision whether to look...
0:46:32 > 0:46:36I hope my parents aren't watching this! But rather than look back at the past generation
0:46:36 > 0:46:40to look for the future and we just thought it would be such a better move for our children.
0:46:40 > 0:46:47At the workshop, Paul's got some important questions himself, not least, will he be able to find work?
0:46:47 > 0:46:50Things have slowed down over here, but I don't think it's anywhere near as bad
0:46:50 > 0:46:53as what you're experiencing over there.
0:46:53 > 0:46:58I'm just wondering about the salary over here compared to England. Back in England, I could earn
0:46:58 > 0:47:01somewhere between £150 to £200 on day work.
0:47:01 > 0:47:06Yeah, look. Most of the guys on site are earning 300, 400, 500 a day.
0:47:06 > 0:47:11That's not what Paul was hoping to hear, as at £150 to £200 a day,
0:47:11 > 0:47:14that's the same as he could earn in the UK.
0:47:14 > 0:47:18And Angela's worried about Paul getting bad news.
0:47:18 > 0:47:23At the beginning of the week, yeah, he was really up for it. He thought, "Brilliant! We'll be able to do it."
0:47:23 > 0:47:27And then after watching the house price and the cost of living,
0:47:27 > 0:47:31it has put a dampener on it and he's started to think, "No, we can't do it.
0:47:31 > 0:47:35"We can't afford it." Which is making him feel down about it.
0:47:37 > 0:47:41Andrew's brought Paul down to a coastal property he's working on
0:47:41 > 0:47:44to show him the type of job he could do here.
0:47:44 > 0:47:47So this is a job that I've being doing for probably about a year now.
0:47:47 > 0:47:49Let's go inside and have a look.
0:47:49 > 0:47:53Yeah, this is definitely the sort of thing I'll be interested in.
0:47:53 > 0:47:59Also, obviously, you've got some skirting and architraves running around the door jambs and everything
0:47:59 > 0:48:02that the guys still have to put on. A couple of doors that still have to go on.
0:48:02 > 0:48:07All the joinery that we've done is all out of jarrah, which is a local, West Australian hardwood.
0:48:07 > 0:48:08Paul gets down to brass tacks.
0:48:08 > 0:48:14Is there any chance you'd get in touch with me if any job opportunities turn up?
0:48:14 > 0:48:19Yeah. You know what you're talking about and there is a market still over here for this sort of work.
0:48:19 > 0:48:23- Good traders are hard to get, so yeah. I can't see why not. - That's a bit of good news, then.
0:48:23 > 0:48:28So it seems that finding work won't be too much of a problem in Australia.
0:48:28 > 0:48:30But how is Paul feeling about the salary?
0:48:30 > 0:48:36A little bit disappointed finding out that the pay over here is about the same as Britain.
0:48:36 > 0:48:42So with the cost of living, it's going to be a bit harder to move over.
0:48:42 > 0:48:46It's been a crucial morning and it's time to vote on work.
0:48:46 > 0:48:53After finding out about work today and pay and availability of work,
0:48:53 > 0:48:55my vote is going to be...
0:48:55 > 0:48:57England.
0:49:01 > 0:49:05Paul is finding it hard to make his dream of a life down under work
0:49:05 > 0:49:09and things are only going to get tougher still.
0:49:09 > 0:49:15Paul and Angela don't know anyone in Australia and they're about to have a new baby.
0:49:15 > 0:49:20Will they be able to cope without the support of their loved ones in the UK?
0:49:20 > 0:49:24We've recorded some messages from their friends and family to help them
0:49:24 > 0:49:28consider what making a move to the other side of the world would mean.
0:49:28 > 0:49:32- Are you ready?- Yeah.
0:49:34 > 0:49:37- Hi, everyone.- Hi. - Hello, Angela, Rebecca, Dylan.
0:49:37 > 0:49:40- Hiya.- Hi, Angela. Hope you're having a good time.
0:49:40 > 0:49:43Angela's a good mother.
0:49:43 > 0:49:45Always has been a good mother.
0:49:45 > 0:49:49She does look after her children and looks after Paul.
0:49:49 > 0:49:53He's good to his family and he's good to us when we need him.
0:49:53 > 0:49:55We know he's going to be there when I need him.
0:49:55 > 0:49:58I think being neighbours, you can't really ask for any better.
0:49:58 > 0:50:01You can't pick your neighbours and certainly if I was to move again,
0:50:01 > 0:50:04I would wish for neighbours exactly like those.
0:50:04 > 0:50:07They're just always there. If they're not there, they'll be missed.
0:50:07 > 0:50:09He's funny.
0:50:09 > 0:50:12Makes lots of mistakes.
0:50:12 > 0:50:15- It's always him that falls off his bike.- Get stuffed.
0:50:15 > 0:50:19If anyone is in trouble, it's usually him.
0:50:19 > 0:50:22- He makes us laugh, don't he? - Yeah, he's a character.
0:50:22 > 0:50:24We are a close family, aren't we?
0:50:24 > 0:50:26We are quite a close-knit family.
0:50:26 > 0:50:29Yes.
0:50:29 > 0:50:31We all live within about half an hour of one another.
0:50:31 > 0:50:37At least once a week we see them all. And that would be a hole...
0:50:37 > 0:50:44Yes, it would be a hole in the family. I dread the thought, really.
0:50:45 > 0:50:49You can pick the phone up, but it's not quite the same, is it?
0:50:49 > 0:50:52No. It's not being in the same room as them.
0:50:52 > 0:50:54We go down there, we sit, we have a cup of tea.
0:50:54 > 0:51:01We have a barbecue together, whatever, and it's a proper interaction, in't it, between us?
0:51:01 > 0:51:05Well, obviously, we don't want them to go,
0:51:05 > 0:51:09with our hearts. With our heads, we want them to go out there and do well
0:51:09 > 0:51:12- and settle down.- And to get on their feet.- And to get on their feet.
0:51:12 > 0:51:18Me dream is for him to really make a good life for him and his family if they do decide to step over there.
0:51:18 > 0:51:22Cos Paul's a really hard worker and if anybody deserves it, he does.
0:51:22 > 0:51:26It would be like saying the last goodbyes,
0:51:26 > 0:51:32because there's no way I could get across to Australia
0:51:32 > 0:51:39and I'd only be able to communicate with them over the internet, wouldn't I?
0:51:39 > 0:51:46A goodbye isn't the best at any time, never mind when you're probably not going to see them
0:51:46 > 0:51:47in the flesh again.
0:51:47 > 0:51:51You're coming to the end of your week now. You've got some big, big decisions to make.
0:51:51 > 0:51:54Just hope that everything that you choose to do...
0:51:54 > 0:51:58If it's to stop out in Australia, then, you know, brilliant.
0:51:58 > 0:52:01If not, then come back. Our barbecue's always lit for you.
0:52:01 > 0:52:04All right, Dylan. Hope you've had a good week.
0:52:04 > 0:52:07Find yourself a girl maybe that likes you.
0:52:07 > 0:52:10Right! But remember we're still here.
0:52:10 > 0:52:14We don't actually want you to go, but if you feel it's good for you, then you should.
0:52:14 > 0:52:17We'll still get in touch with you.
0:52:17 > 0:52:20I know you've got a big decision to make. I know it's hard.
0:52:20 > 0:52:26It is hard for us as well as you, but we will support you in everything you do.
0:52:26 > 0:52:30We know that it's something you've really wanted to do for a while now.
0:52:30 > 0:52:35I hope the decisions are coming through and you make the right one.
0:52:35 > 0:52:37You know we're all going to miss you, don't you?
0:52:38 > 0:52:40Got me going now, look.
0:52:42 > 0:52:46All we want from you is, you know, to enjoy what you're doing there.
0:52:46 > 0:52:52Make sure it's something you want to do. I'm sure you'll make the right decision.
0:52:52 > 0:52:54- Love you loads.- Bye.
0:53:00 > 0:53:02I expected to hear you crying.
0:53:05 > 0:53:09- No, that's your dad.- I know. I would have said that.
0:53:09 > 0:53:12You've got watery eyes.
0:53:13 > 0:53:15- So would you miss everybody?- Yeah.
0:53:15 > 0:53:19- What do think about all that? - Very upset.
0:53:19 > 0:53:22- What were you expecting, then? - I don't know.
0:53:22 > 0:53:25- I'm surprised you didn't cry. - She's not the soppy one.
0:53:27 > 0:53:33Ah! I think Paul was surprised by the strength of his feelings there.
0:53:33 > 0:53:38Has he underestimated the emotional ties with the UK?
0:53:38 > 0:53:41It's nice to feel like you have
0:53:41 > 0:53:44actually achieved something back at home.
0:53:44 > 0:53:49Your mum and dad don't actually tell you how proud they are of you
0:53:49 > 0:53:51when you grow up.
0:53:51 > 0:53:53It's nice to hear about that.
0:53:53 > 0:53:56But Angela's feeling pragmatic.
0:53:56 > 0:53:59Lots of people do it. Lots of people emigrate.
0:53:59 > 0:54:04Yeah, it's a long, long way away, but if you want to better your lifestyle,
0:54:04 > 0:54:06you have to think about these things
0:54:06 > 0:54:08and it's just one of the sacrifices you have to make.
0:54:10 > 0:54:16As the Walls prepare for their last evening in Perth, Paul still knows what he really wants.
0:54:16 > 0:54:20The dream is still Australia because I think Rebecca and the little lad
0:54:20 > 0:54:24what's not here yet, I think it's going to benefit them loads.
0:54:24 > 0:54:29The week has been a real test for the whole family.
0:54:29 > 0:54:34It got off to a good start when the Walls fell in love with house number two.
0:54:34 > 0:54:35This is nice.
0:54:35 > 0:54:41It's what I dreamed about. If I can get a job on what I earn now, we could move into this.
0:54:41 > 0:54:44Good. Hope we can.
0:54:44 > 0:54:48And although the weather could have been better, the Walls did enjoy what Australia had to offer.
0:54:48 > 0:54:53But their dream of a new life was dealt a big blow when the cost of living in Australia
0:54:53 > 0:55:00proved much higher than expected and Paul's salary turned out to be much less than they were hoping for.
0:55:00 > 0:55:03It's put another nail in the coffin, really.
0:55:03 > 0:55:08It's a massive decision for the family and it's crunch time.
0:55:08 > 0:55:12Will they choose to stay in the UK or start a new life down under?
0:55:12 > 0:55:14We've had a great week.
0:55:14 > 0:55:17We've found out loads of information.
0:55:17 > 0:55:21We've seen the family and friends, seen what their views are.
0:55:21 > 0:55:26Shame about the weather. We've had plenty of rain, but it makes you feel like you're back in England.
0:55:26 > 0:55:31But after everything else, we've decided and our vote will be...
0:55:31 > 0:55:33England!
0:55:33 > 0:55:38I do want to come, but I don't think it's just the right time for us yet.
0:55:38 > 0:55:42I wouldn't like to rule it out and say, "No, we're definitely not coming,"
0:55:42 > 0:55:45but I don't think the time's quite right at the moment.
0:55:45 > 0:55:49- You just haven't got the money, have you?- There's a lot more involved than what we thought.
0:55:49 > 0:55:53Despite the disappointment of what Paul could earn,
0:55:53 > 0:55:58the Walls did enjoy the lifestyle Australia has to offer.
0:55:58 > 0:56:01But in the end, financial practicalities
0:56:01 > 0:56:07and the concerns of having a new baby on the way proved just too much.
0:56:07 > 0:56:11It seems they won't be moving, at least for the time being.
0:56:11 > 0:56:18Join us again next time when we find out how another British family get on when they're Wanted Down Under.
0:56:30 > 0:56:33Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd
0:56:33 > 0:56:36E-mail subtitling@bbc.co.uk