Phoenix Family Wanted Down Under

Making your dream move abroad means facing the costs,

like leaving behind the people you love.

But the biggest cost is financial

and if the sums don't add up, it's a massive risk.

So, would you choose your future with your head or your heart?

'If you're desperate for a better life for your family.'

-They are my world. So long as they're happy, I'm happy.

-'But the costs leave you stunned.'

If it's this or the UK, it's the UK, isn't it?

'And your family can't bear the idea of leaving loved ones.'

I can't imagine being one day without her.

We are together all the time.

'Would you gamble your future on a new life on the other side of the world?'

'Every year, thousands of us move to New Zealand for a new start.

'The more relaxed pace of life in this country of beautiful scenery is a powerful draw.

'It doesn't work out for everyone. Many return home, missing their old lives.'

For the Phoenix family,

the next week could change the course of their lives.

They'll experience the reality of life in New Zealand

before they have to make a huge decision -

whether to stay in the UK or move down under.

The Phoenixes are heading to Auckland.

After a 26-hour marathon, flying over 11,000 miles,

they touch down in New Zealand, shocked by the sheer distance they've travelled.

The furthest we've been as a family is Spain.

It's a really long way away from home. It's a big thing for all of us.

It brings home how far away we are from all our friends and family.

It's not just nipping around the corner like I do with my mum.

-We just want to go and have a look.

-Can't wait to see it all.

In the UK, the Phoenixes hail from Chester in Cheshire.

Sarah, who's 27 and Dean, who's 28,

are parents to eight-year-old Rhiannon and Cody, who's six.

'Dean has worked as a floor layer since he left school at 16.

'However, his job has put a massive strain on family life.'

Often, I get home and the kids are in bed so I don't see them.

I see them for half an hour in the morning.

It's six days a week normally so it's not a life. It's like a permanent job.

Basically, he never saw Rhiannon as a baby.

It was me that bathed her and got up in the night.

'Desperate for a better family life,

'Dean is convinced that New Zealand offers the future they crave.'

It would just be nice to spend quality time as a family.

We just can't do it here. It's just impossible.

If our lifestyle changed in New Zealand and he was around more,

I think they'd think, this is great, my dad can be here with us

doing things like going to the park. It's not always, "me mum".

We want a family life. We want to go to the beach at the weekend.

We want to make plans where we can do stuff.

The Phoenixes thinks New Zealand holds the answer to their problem.

But they have never set foot there.

I've never been there. Never been to New Zealand.

I have spoken to a couple of people from there who are living over here

and all they say is they wish they'd stayed over there.

I'm very apprehensive because you just don't know.

Because we've never been there,

we're going over with an open mind which is in one way a good thing

and in one way, we could get there and think,

it's not what we thought at all. We haven't got a clue.

The possibility of a better future would come as a high price, especially for Sarah.

My mum comes everywhere with me. We are extremely close.

When we've been on holiday, we're upset

and we've only been to Spain for two weeks.

It's a big, big, big thing.

As a close-knit family, if just the idea of the move is causing heartache,

can they handle the separation when it happens?

My mum took the news awful. She won't speak about it.

The thought to her is just unbearable, I think.

They are my life, that family, being here. They are everything to me.

I love them to bits.

I can't imagine being one day without her

because we are together all the time.

There isn't a day when I don't see her.

With so much to lose, all the pressure is on Dean to convince Sarah

their future lies on the other side of the world.

If she makes her mind up she doesn't like it and it's not for her,

she'll say we're coming back and that's it really.

I think the thing that would persuade me to give it a go

if I can see that me, Dean and the kids

are going to have a much better life altogether.

There's no point going out there for it to be the same as it is here.

It's not worth it. I'm going to be worse off than what I am here.

Now, everything rests on their week in New Zealand.

Will they find the life they dream of or will it prove too hard to leave friends and family behind?

The Phoenixes face a huge dilemma.

Dean dreams of spending the time he wants with his family

but Sarah knows the pain that moving could cause all of them.

10,000 miles is a long way to go for a promise of a better life,

especially to a country neither of them have visited before.

The Phoenixes have chosen to visit Auckland on the North Island of New Zealand.

It's the country's largest city with a population of around 1.5m people,

nearly a third of the entire country,

so there should be plenty of work opportunities for Dean.

Ranked among the top 10 cities in the world for quality of life,

it comes with a downside - house prices are the highest in New Zealand.

They will spend their week in the Devonport suburb.

Across the harbour from the centre of Auckland, it's close to the beach

with shops and restaurants nearby,

and should give them a great taste of New Zealand living.

-It's nice.

-Wow! Oh!

-Oh, it's gorgeous, innit?

-I'm surprised!

It sounds as if they like what they see.

-Oh, it's nice, yeah.

-Wardrobe for you.

-For all my stuff.

-None of yours will fit in there, Dean!

-You're right.

-Let's look in here.

-What do you think? It's lovely.

No bath! Doesn't really matter, does it?

And the outside appeals to Dean's green fingers.

It's nice. I like it.

You'd go for decking and a loads of rocks and that would do you.

I know the garden's small but I like it.

Dean's happy, but even though it's only the first day,

Sarah is already missing her mum.

I keep thinking I can phone her and tell her what happened on the plane

or what the house is like and what the kids think of it.

But you can't phone her because it's the middle of the night.

-I can't wake her to tell her I felt sick on the plane, can I?

-No.

It seems the enormity of what they've taken on is hitting home.

It is a massive decision.

New Zealand has to be fantastic for me to move away from my mum and dad.

But I see what Dean wants and I understand it.

For Dean, this week is his last hope for the family life he dreams of.

My heart is set on New Zealand. If it doesn't work out, I'd be a bit lost.

It depends on Sarah and the kids. That's what it comes down to at the end of the day.

If she said I don't think I can settle here

or I'd miss my family too much, we couldn't come.

In the UK, the Phoenix family live in a three-bed semi in Chester.

It's a house that suits their needs and they're being realistic

about the kind of home they'd like.'

We don't want anything too fancy. That type of thing doesn't interest me.

Sarah would be the one to ask about that.

However, the location of any future home is a very different matter.

Being in the middle of nowhere is my idea of hell.

I've said that when we decide on a house,

it's got to be by schools, shops, so I can speak to people.

Dean and Sarah love their UK home

and are hoping to find something similar in New Zealand.

Auckland's property prices are the highest in the country.

It could be a tough task finding a home they like and can afford.

We'll show them three options in Auckland based upon what they want from their ideal home,

what they can afford and the real price of property down under.

Property one is in the district of Brown's Bay.

On the outskirts of Auckland, it's a popular area

with beaches and shops close to hand.

This three-bed house should have plenty for the family

but will it fit with their budget?

Are you ready?

Wow, it's gorgeous, isn't it? So far, anyway!

It's a promising start but they will have to contend

with a topsy-turvy approach to house design.

-It's a bit strange having a bedroom downstairs.

-One bedroom, yeah.

-Shall we have a look upstairs?

-Yeah.

-You go first.

It's a common style down under

but how will they take to having the living room upstairs?

This is nice.

It's a bit strange having the living area up the stairs,

-but it's lovely.

-It's bigger than what I thought it would be.

-It's bigger than our kitchen back home, isn't it?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Got more storage.

-Seems to be.

It's laid out a bit better.

-Do you want to look out the window?

-It's nice, I really like it.

Wow! Look at this, Code.

-This is nice and bright, isn't it?

-Yeah, it's lovely.

That's what I like about it, actually.

-There's light coming from everywhere, isn't there?

-Yeah.

What's in there?

THEY LAUGH

It's huge in there! You can have a shower together now.

This house has proved to be a hit,

but will the price keep them smiling?

-The moment of truth. See how much it costs.

-Find out.

Sarah and Dean are working to a budget of £150,000.

So, will their New Zealand dream be off to a flying start?

Time to turn the card over and find out the price.

SHE GASPS

-Crikey! £232,000!

-Yep.

-That's quite a lot, isn't it?

-That is quite a lot, yeah.

This house is nearly £100,000 over their budget.

This is the first house we've seen,

-so hopefully we'll be able to afford somewhere.

-Yeah.

Dean's hopes of convincing Sarah to move could come to a sudden end

if they can't even afford a house that is only just good enough.

The second property is in the area of Torbay.

It's a quiet family suburb with some of Auckland's best beaches.

Being on the most northerly point of the city,

the Phoenixes should get more house for the money.

With two bedrooms and set over two storeys,

this house is a similar size to their UK home,

but will it be within their reach?

There is a decent-sized garden, great for the children,

but it will need some maintenance.

-You'd be good at that.

-No, I hate gardening.

OK, maybe it's best to skip inside then.

Oh, this is nice in here.

We have to have a telly.

You could sit there and watch the kids

if we had a trampoline in that bit out there.

Yeah.

-I think it's a decent size, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-I like it.

Well, that's a good start,

especially compared to the first house's design.

It seems like a better layout so far. For us.

Will they be as positive about the bedrooms?

This is a nice bedroom, isn't it? It's got a nice view, as well.

-Yeah, I like this. I think that's the best bit, the view.

-Yeah.

It's not wow, but then again, I don't think we're going to get wow.

Dean and Sarah are being realistic, but there is a downside.

It might be a bit of a problem only being two bedrooms.

-But then again, they could share.

-Initially, yeah.

-Yeah, initially.

-Couldn't they?

-Yeah. I mean, if it's just to start off.

-That's it.

-A basic start, that's all we want.

-Yeah.

Outside, there is plenty of space.

But is it enough to make a difference?

I quite like this one.

-It's nice and... Nice enough for us, isn't it?

-Yeah.

Mmmm... That doesn't sound convincing.

Dean has driven this move to New Zealand,

yet it seems to be Sarah who is trying to keep their spirits up.

Perhaps he hoped for a bigger house.

It's time to find out the price.

This house appeals to both of them,

but is it something they can afford or will it be out of reach?

183,000.

-What do you think?

-Pounds.

I think that's a bit higher than I was expecting.

Even with only two bedrooms,

this house is still £30,000 over their budget.

Everything now rests on the last house meeting their needs.

The third property is in the Birkenhead area.

With good schools and close to the city centre,

it's popular with families.

And a central location would mean a shorter commute for Dean.

It's only got two bedrooms, but it might be something they can afford.

-A bit small for the dog, Dean, mightn't it?

-Yeah.

-There's only one sofa, we'd all be fighting for it.

-Yeah.

It's not a family home. Definitely not.

With space already a problem, can the bedrooms offer more room?

I can only see one bedroom now.

-We can't live in here with one bedroom.

-There's one downstairs.

I don't know, there might be.

But then again, I don't think we'd have you downstairs and us upstairs.

Rhiannon is right, there are two bedrooms.

The problem is - how do you get to the other one?

-Strange, isn't it?

-This is strange.

-Weird, isn't it?

-No, it's just...

-No, it's not right, is it?

Sarah can see only one use for this room.

If there were three bedrooms upstairs, this would be ideal

for the dog on her own. Yeah. But, no, no.

-This is not right, is it?

-Not for us.

-Not for us.

It does come with a large communal garden. Can that save the day?

Look at all them things with nails sticking out! Come off, kids!

# I believe I can fly! #

Come on, let's go!

Quickly.

In case anyone makes us stay.

Quick!

With a lack of space and an unusual layout,

this house doesn't seem to have anything for the Phoenixes.

-Could the price change their minds?

-What do you think it's worth?

I think it's definitely the cheapest, than the other two.

-Are you sure?

-Yeah.

-So, what's this house worth?

-Oh, my God!

-147,000.

-That has shocked me.

-Has it shocked you?

-Yeah.

-147,000!

I didn't think it would be that expensive.

I just can't believe that this is that price. I can't believe it.

If it's this or the UK, it's the UK, isn't it?

I won't come and live in this.

House prices in New Zealand have come as a shock.

Property one definitely won them over,

but it was totally out of their price range.

Property two's garden and nearby beaches made it attractive,

but they'd struggle to meet the asking price.

And property three was the cheapest, but it fell too short

of their expectations of living in New Zealand.

It seems there is no way they can afford what they're

after in Auckland.

So, how will the Phoenixes vote?

Based on the houses we've seen today, we are voting for...

THREE: UK! CODY: New Zealand!

You liked the houses, Code? Yeah?

-Compared to ours...

-Value for money, it's the UK, isn't it?

Yeah, definitely. Value for money, it's the UK, yeah.

Can Dean rescue his dream or have property prices in New Zealand

shattered his hopes? It's not looking promising.

New Zealand's house prices have come as a big shock to the Phoenixes

and the pressure is on Dean to find work that will pay enough

for them to afford the move.

But if the salary he needs means giving up the quality time he wants,

then the family face being in the same position

they're desperately trying to escape from.

In the UK, Dean is a floor layer and Sarah works

part-time at a school canteen.

Dean has done this job since he was 16 and earns

up to £38,000 a year.

But this is after doing a lot of overtime,

which is putting a massive strain on him and Sarah.

Some days we never see each other.

I come home late. I wouldn't go upstairs and wake her

with the babies, I'd stay downstairs.

And off to work before she got up the next morning.

That's not a life, really, is it? With kids.

Give me a kiss then. Good luck.

Everything now rests on Dean being able to find the work and pay

that will give him the family life he's desperately seeking.

It's on me to live out here, really.

So, depending on what we find out today and what we hear,

that's the bread and butter as to whether we move or not,

if we can afford to live out here.

If there's work out here. I mean, if there's no work,

we won't be able to come. So, it would be nice to speak to somebody.

-Hey.

-How are you doing, mate? Good to meet you.

-And yourself.

-Welcome to New Zealand.

-Thanks very much.

Dean will be spending the day working with floor fitter Seamus,

who gets him stuck in straight away.

-We want to move out here for a bit more family time.

-Yeah.

Well, you definitely get that out here in New Zealand.

We try to make sure that everyone does have their time.

We like to work hard and make the money,

-but still have time for the kids as they're growing up. You know?

-Yeah.

And there's more good news.

Generally, a full day's work, that's all we ask for.

I, generally, with my guys, say to them, "OK, this is your day's work."

If they finish at two o'clock, I don't care.

Because you've done... you've completed my day's work for me.

The lifestyle here, really, if you want to work like that,

you come here, do your day's work... You know?

Meanwhile, to explore what there is for her and the children,

Sarah is taking them to a local swimming group.

It's definitely the sort of thing that I would do

if we come over here for us to meet new people and things,

because we do a lot of after-school clubs back home.

We're out nearly every night.

Back in the UK, Sarah has a very close group of friends,

and it's crucial she can have the same in New Zealand,

especially as she's hoping to stay at home until Rhiannon and Cody

have settled into life down under.

-Where are your two?

-The one with the blonde hair

and then the little girl with the bright clips in her hair.

Yeah, they're mine. So, two, yeah.

Well, it all seems to be going swimmingly,

and Sarah isn't being shy about meeting new people.

Thanks very much.

She's made a great start. Two of the mums, Anita and Becky,

have already invited Sarah around for a cuppa.

As both of them have recently emigrated from Britain,

can they ease Sarah's worries?

-How has your little boy settled in?

-He said something the other day.

I said, "Well, we can always go home." He went, "No,

"I'm not leaving my friends."

-So, he's settled in really well then.

-Yeah, he really did.

Quicker than all of us, really.

It just puts your mind at ease a little bit that they will settle in

eventually. Or straight away, probably, they will.

It's more me that...

For Sarah, that is the big problem, and it may not be easy to solve.

Me and Dean are very close and the kids are really close

to my mum and dad.

-It's that closeness...

-That would be very hard, to be honest.

-Really hard. I shan't lie.

-Even this week I've missed her.

That's what makes me think it's going to be really hard.

I do find it quite hard to keep in touch with everybody.

For Sarah, the heartbreak of being so far away from family has

always been her biggest fear, but she's keeping a brave face on it.

The fact that leaving your friends and family and it's so far away

and there's only a small time that you can speak to them

has got me thinking a little bit.

But then again, I think,

by talking to them, it seems that that is the only thing

that puts anybody off, which is the only thing that's putting me off.

Sarah's worries could be a big problem.

And Dean is also getting some bad news from Seamus.

I do a lot of overtime in the UK.

Do your fitters do a lot of overtime here?

There will be times, yes, that they'll work on weekends.

But what actually happens here is you don't get double time

and time and a half in New Zealand.

-It's a set rate.

-Yeah.

-So, it's up to you.

The decision is - I have a job for you on the weekend and you decide

whether you want to or not. There'll be no real pressure on you.

If I really want you to do that job on the weekend,

-then I might give you a day off through the week.

-Yeah.

And switch it around that way.

-Back in the UK, we normally get paid time and a half.

-Yeah.

-For Saturdays.

And, obviously, anything after our eight-hour days is time and a half.

And it's double-time for Sundays, generally. So, that's different.

That's a major blow. In the UK,

Dean relies on getting paid extra for overtime to make up his wages.

Would his salary compensate for this?

You roughly start off around 18 an hour,

and then you progress up to be 25.

That would take time to get to 25 because tradesmen in New Zealand,

generally, are sitting around about the 20 an hour mark.

It's not too dissimilar to what I'm getting back home.

It would be nine pounds an hour-ish.

Obviously, I'm expected to do more hours of overtime in the UK.

-Obviously, I get paid a bit more for doing the overtime.

-Yeah.

So, without the possibility of overtime,

he wouldn't be able to earn as much as he does in the UK.

That's even if he worked the long hours he's trying to escape from.

Still, Dean isn't giving up hope.

Seamus, if we do decide to move to New Zealand,

-would there be a job for me here?

-Let me think about that.

-Yeah, OK, there's a job here for you for sure.

-Lovely.

-No problem at all.

It's a small consolation, but can Dean really afford to make the move?

Even if he works the same hours as in the UK,

he'll still earn less money because there are no overtime rates.

So, how will he vote on work?

I've experienced what my job is going to be like in New Zealand today.

I'm voting for...

New Zealand!

Maybe we will be stretched a bit more financially,

but we're not worried about that because we want the family lifestyle.

That's a real surprise. Has Dean really thought this through?

Or is he just so desperate to escape his work-life balance in the UK?

Sarah is waiting to hear the news.

If the wages are the same and the houses are a bit more expensive,

we might have to look at how we divide our money up

if we decide to come.

If I work as well, it shouldn't be a problem,

should it? That's good. That's really good.

If they both have to work as much as they do in the UK,

is there any point in uprooting the family?

The lifestyle they want could be well out of the reach.

Despite some mixed news, both Dean and Sarah are staying

positive about the future they could have in New Zealand.

But is their dream blinding them as to what it might cost?

In the UK, Sarah and Dean own a three-bedroom semi in Chester,

which is on the market for £130,000.

Everything hinges on what they can get for their home

if the move is to have any chance of happening.

We sent round two estate agents to give their opinion.

OK, first impression.

It's quite a small-looking room,

but I feel the decoration maybe makes it look small.

I would probably suggest lighting the colour of the paint work

to make the room feel a bit bigger.

OK, it's a good-sized double bedroom. It's a nice room.

Not too dark, then(?)

Well, it's quite a nice bright room. Nice floor.

Oh, it's bright now! It's not dark.

And then we come to the garden, which is nice and private.

Yep, that's fine.

There is an oversupply of property in the area,

with a lack of available mortgages for buyers.

However, there are properties sold at the right price.

Current market, I put this house on the market for 114,950.

The rental market, which is currently very popular,

I'd suggest £475 per calendar month.

For a quick sale, I'd like to see it under 100.

I should think it would fly out at that.

For lettings, you're looking at 550, 600 a month.

Those are low estimates.

Even the best price of £115,000 is a lot less than they had hoped for.

I certainly wouldn't sell it for 100 grand

because I think it's worth a lot more than 100 grand, definitely.

I definitely, definitely think it's worth more than that.

What about the day-to-day living costs?

Are there more surprises waiting for them

when they compare New Zealand with the UK?

In the UK, their combined monthly income totals £2,878.

But in New Zealand, they can only expect to bring in 1,700.

-That is a big drop, really, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Everything comes out of that?

-Yep.

That's not promising. What about their outgoings?

In the UK, our mortgage is 492 and our rent in New Zealand will be 908.

-So, that's quite a massive amount, really, isn't it?

-Yeah.

So, how do the numbers add up?

All right, are you ready?

Our spending in New Zealand would come to 2,228.

If you take it away from our wages...

Well, that doesn't cover the wages.

-What's our wages?

-1,700.

Dean's near enough on 40 grand at home to 21 here,

that is a big difference, isn't it? For a wage.

-If you can't afford to live, you can't come, can you?

-No.

If you can't afford to live here...

-Not on them wages.

-Not on that wage, definitely not.

-We just can't do that, can we?

-No.

The cost of living seems to be far worse than the Phoenixes

ever imagined. Where does this leave their future?

BOTH: UK!

The harsh reality of living costs in Auckland has come

as a big blow to Dean and Sarah.

But if the price of the move could mean going into serious debt,

it's a huge risk to take.

With so much at stake, it's vital the Phoenixes find out

if New Zealand really can offer the family lifestyle they want.

For them, moving to the other side of the world

is all about being able to spend more time together.

So, they've decided to get out

and enjoy some of the simple pleasures of New Zealand life,

whilst giving them valuable thinking time.

We've never flown kites before with the kids.

It's all new.

This is exactly the kind of thing Dean has missed out on

-all these years.

-That's good!

Yay!

There you are! Oh, no! Oh!

Oh, great!

This is just for the kids, eh? I'm not doing this at all.

Of course you are, Dean.

It's turning out to be a lovely day, until the weather turns

a bit British.

Quick, quick, go and get in the car!

That's the end of the kite flying, with the kite down.

I'm a child down now, by the look of it. Rhiannon!

Rain stops play, I guess.

There's a sunny bit coming up over there.

That should be here in a minute.

Sarah's forecasting is spot on and they are soon on the beach.

Dean and Sarah are loving spending time together as a family.

Seeing Rhiannon and Cody so happy today has brought home

why they want to make this move.

-You do think the kids like it.

-Yeah, I think they really like it.

Yeah, I do.

I think there's loads for them to do, isn't there?

Yeah, I think there's a lot to see, too.

Yeah. To be able to come here, if it was just down the road from you...

I mean, look around! Cody, in his coat, paddling in the sea!

-The kids are a lot more outgoing, aren't they?

-Yeah, I think so.

-Yeah.

-So, it's nice just to be able to let them have a bit of freedom.

After a taste of what life in New Zealand can offer,

how will they vote on lifestyle?

Based on the lifestyle we've seen in New Zealand, we're voting for...

ALL: New Zealand!

For Dean, this is everything he's ever wanted.

I could quite happily move here tomorrow, I think.

I mean, being out here today and seeing the kids the way they are...

They're growing up so fast and I don't want to miss any more of it.

That's why we're doing it. So, they're the main issue.

They seem to have absolutely loved it.

So, yeah, it does make a big difference. Big difference.

But there are some dark clouds on the horizon.

The only drawback or concern I've got is, obviously, financially...

But we think we can work around it.

We are quite comfortable at home.

We have built up a nice friendship group and they've got kids

the same age and things, so, I think,

to leave all that to be worse off,

I don't know whether it would be worth it.

Rhiannon, Code! Come on!

Sampling the Kiwi lifestyle is a welcome reminder of just why

Sarah and Dean are considering such a big move.

But there is one more cost they need to weigh up -

the pain of leaving behind the people they love.

We've prepared some messages from their family and friends back home.

Sarah and Dean have decided to watch it with the children

so they can assess how they feel about the move.

-Hi, Sarah and Dean. Hope you're having a lovely time.

-Hi, everyone.

ALL: Hi!

Sarah is a lovely mum. A very, very good mum.

And nothing comes before her children and her family.

Sarah, to me, here, you now, is just everything.

We're together all day every day.

I think they're thinking of moving to New Zealand

because they want a better life for themselves and for their family.

I think they realise that the kids are to have a better

chance at life over there, basically.

I'm not so much worried for Dean on this side of things, but for Sarah.

Definitely, leaving us is going to be the biggest drawback

for Sarah.

You know, I see her every day with the children, go to school together.

It's going to be a lot more difficult with her not being

up the road, for me. So...

The thought of it, at the moment, is just heartbreaking for me.

It just really is. Yeah.

I'd just like to say, if you do go, we would miss you.

I'd miss the children running around.

At Christmas, it would be really strange without you here

on Christmas night or Boxing night.

I hope it's given you enough information to make your choice,

and I hope for you it's the right one.

Although it's a big choice,

I think, whatever you decide will the right one.

I know it will be totally different over there,

but I hope you've really enjoyed it.

I'll be so glad to have you back home.

You know, even a week is too long for me.

But don't let that affect your, you know, decision making.

You do what you think is best for you

and I'll stand by you all the way, you know that.

I've known you for like 14 years now.

And it has just been the best friendship I've had.

I've loved being your friend. We've had some laughs.

We've had some great times. It's just...

I don't know, just thinking about it upsets me.

So, I'm going to let you go and I'll see you when you get back.

And take care then.

I knew it was going to be bad.

It's not as bad.

It's seeing my mum and dad, I think, and Stew.

-Yeah, it's not a surprise that you are upset, to me.

-No.

Seeing how upset Catherine got, as well, because we've been friends

for a lot of years, haven't we? So... They are everything to me.

That was a very painful reminder of how much they stand to lose.

Will it prove too much to handle

and end their dream of moving to New Zealand?

After a tough week, there's a lot to think about.

For Sarah, it's always been about her family.

I'm so close to them. So it is a really big deal.

I wouldn't take it lightly, at all. It's huge.

Dean has loved New Zealand, but will his dream be out of reach?

I'm probably a bit knocked back after the week,

with just the financial side of it for me.

We couldn't afford to live at the moment.

The cost of living is similar to the UK,

but the salaries are nowhere near.

You wouldn't get a lot of blokes of his age that would stick to a job,

make sure your family is all really financially well off

and OK and can live OK.

And he does for us, and he always has done.

So, I felt really gutted for him, to be honest.

I did really feel gutted for him.

The lifestyle has been better than I expected, really.

I mean, you hear about it, but you don't believe it till you're here.

It's just... I'm probably a bit more worried now about finances

because, obviously, it was a real shock seeing the figures on paper.

See, I think, a move to New Zealand would be absolutely fantastic

for the kids, absolutely brilliant,

which is the whole point in doing it.

You know, it's all for the kids.

It's everything for me, you know.

They're my world, and that's it. As long as they're happy, I'm happy.

Seeing Rhiannon after the week, and the change in her from being

quite reserved and shy to now she's out, she's off.

We're wondering where she is, when normally she's never far from Sarah.

So, I think that speaks wonders for the lifestyle here.

She's gone back to a little girl again, which is brilliant.

It's been a big week for the Phoenixes.

Realising just how important family life is to them

convinced Dean and Sarah that New Zealand offers an ideal future.

But there's no getting away from how much that future may cost.

So, will it be the life they want or the one they can afford?

Based on our week in New Zealand, and all the highs and the lows,

our final vote goes to...

THREE: New Zealand! RHIANNON: UK!

Oh, you still want the UK, yeah?

Despite all the obstacles in their way,

Dean and Sarah have refused to give up their dream

of life down under.

We've got to go home to the UK and look at a lot of things, haven't we?

Yeah. Now that we've experienced it, we know we do want it.

-We can really try for it, can't we?

-Yeah, that's it.

-So, we'll sell, probably, your kidneys.

-Mine? Thanks!

-I need mine.

The Phoenixes' trip to New Zealand has given them a taste of the life

they dream of.

However, with so much uncertainty, will it be worth the gamble?

But that's not quite the end of the Phoenix family's story.

A few days ago, we got a call with some exciting news.

So, I've come to Chester to find out some more of the details.

Over a cuppa, with Dean at work, Sarah spills the beans.

So, Sarah, what has happened since we last saw you?

Some very good news, I believe.

Lots of good news. And it's all been a bit mad, as well.

We came back and, obviously, decided that we're going to go.

So that was it, really.

We just packed up and thought, "Right, we're going to get

"the house rented out." And that was it, we're going.

But it's not quite that cut and dried, is it?

Because when we saw you, you both loved New Zealand,

thought it was right for your family.

-Yeah.

-But there were a few niggles, weren't there?

A few negatives, with the cost of living and property.

That was a shock to us, actually. It really was a shock.

But after coming back and discussing it and things,

the lifestyle for the kids is just amazing.

We're going to struggle for a little while, but it's all going to be

worth it. That's what we hope.

In all honesty, I don't think I expected you to go quite so quickly.

You've been back, what? A month?

-Yeah.

-Why the rush? What's gone on?

-Basically, Dean got offered a job.

They want him to start in October, so that was it.

We said, "Right then, we're going in October."

-How fantastic!

-And sort of sorted everything out.

It has been hard, but we've done it and we're going. So, that's it.

-How amazing! Now, I know you're really close to your family.

-Yeah.

What did they say? How did they take it?

Well, what you don't know is that my mum and dad are coming with us now.

My dad got offered a job.

They never told us until we got back from our visit to New Zealand,

so that was their amazing news. And we were just so over the moon.

So that's me, with no worries now at all. Now that my mum and dad

are coming, I'm sorted. That's it.

So, let me get this straight, without you or Dean knowing,

your parents have been searching for a job, found a job,

got accepted, got their visas.

And by the time you came back,

-that was waiting on your doorstep.

-Yeah. Basically, yeah, that was it.

I wish I had seen your face! I think mine is a picture.

Well, I was crying. My mum was saying,

"I thought you'd be happy." I said, "I am, that's why I'm crying!"

-It was just amazing.

-You had no idea?

No, because what my mum and dad had said is, they didn't want to

build the kids' hopes up of saying, "We might be able to come out there,"

and then after it all, saying, "We can't come now."

My goodness!

So, it's not four of you moving to New Zealand, it's now six of you.

Yes. And we're all living together in a house there.

Right by the beach, as well, the place is.

Bliss how a plan comes together! I bet you can't believe your luck.

I think it's meant to be, especially with my mum and dad

being able to come with us. That's just my dream.

Remind me never to play poker with your parents.

Because if they can keep that from their daughter for so long,

that is impressive.

-It is.

-Well, we wish you all the very best.

-Thank you very much.

How brilliant! And thank you for letting us share the exciting news.

We nearly missed you!

We got the call a few days ago. Brilliant. I'm so delighted.

Thank you, thanks very much.

'Thanks to Dean's job offer, they managed to get

'their visa in a month and will soon be heading down under.

'With Sarah's parents coming too, their problems of money

'and missing family could be solved.'

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd