Green Family Wanted Down Under

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Choosing to move your family Down Under is always a risky decision

But would you be prepared to gamble leaving your home, your job and loved ones behind

just to find out if the grass IS greener

on the other side of the world?

For Claire Green, Australia offers the chance of a dream job.

There's no job opportunities here. That's why we're looking to go to Australia.

But for the rest of the family, the sacrifices could be huge.

Our life in the UK is perfect, I couldn't ask for any more.

-So will emigrating be a remedy?

-I could definitely get used to this.

-Same here.

Or an emergency waiting to happen?

Ugh! I don't like it.

Can they bring themselves to make the toughest choice of their lives?

We don't take risks, but maybe we need to start.

I just don't know what's best for us all now.

Australia is the most popular destination

for Brits emigrating abroad.

They may be tempted by the promise of a better life

on the other side of the world, but the reality of leaving behind

everything and everyone can turn that dream into a nightmare.

The Greens face the choice of a lifetime -

whether to swap their lives in Scotland

for a new start in Australia.

They'll have one week to find out

if the reality of life in Oz can measure up to their hopes

before they make their big decision.

After a 48-hour marathon, flying over 10,000 miles,

the Green family finally touch down in Australia,

tired but excited.

Trip was great, flights were fantastic.

It's a long time, because we had to start off...two days ago, nearly,

to travel down here on the train, then get two planes.

I can't wait to get on and see a bit of Australia and see what it's like.

Ahead is a week that could decide their future,

whether here or back home in Fife, Scotland.

Firefighter Rob Green and his wife Claire share

a happy home with their children,

11-year-old Robyn, and Mia, who's seven.

I've got to say, our life here in the UK is perfect.

I couldn't ask for any more.

You know, nice house, I've got a job that I love,

Claire's qualified to be a nurse and got a degree, which is amazing.

But for Claire, the future isn't so bright.

I'm studying for a degree in nursing,

but unfortunately in the climate we're in just now in Scotland,

there's not going to be a job for me at the end of it, so...

Claire's hoping to begin a new career in Australia,

but for Rob that could mean the end of a job he loves.

I love it, I love coming to work.

The guys I work with are fantastic.

If go to Australia, I'd have to give this up - you can't transfer in to be a firefighter.

You must be a permanent resident, and go through the application process.

And, essentially, go right back to the start.

But they both want to find out

if Australia could provide the whole family with a better future.

The reason we're thinking about going to Australia,

and the only reason, mainly, is for job prospects.

Not just for myself but, obviously, for the children, when they grow up.

If I can give them a better opportunity than they can have in this country,

it's my duty to try and help them on their way.

And at least have a look and see if there's a possibility.

They know leaving won't come easy for anyone,

but especially for Claire.

Within a mile radius, we've got Claire's mum and dad,

we've got brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and friends as well.

All within, you know, a five-minute walk, literally.

Even though he's really close to my family now,

it's me that's going to be leaving my family.

I think that would be the single hardest thing

that we'd have to deal with.

Ahead is the biggest test the family will ever face,

and both Rob and Claire know what's at stake.

We don't do risk. We just don't do risk.

This is completely off the wall.

This is standing over the edge of a cliff,

and trying to decide whether or not to jump.

the Greens have based their happiness on one simple rule,

but it's a rule they'll have to break

if they decide their future really does lie Down Under.

With its golden beaches, bright lights and big city glamour,

the Greens are visiting Sydney.

They're keen to find out if Australia's best-known city

could offer the future they dream of for the family.

Base for the week will be the Northern Beaches,

an idyllic area, home to its fair share of millionaires

and, for the next week, one bleary-eyed family from Fife.

It's the first time any of the Greens have ever set foot

in Australia, so will their new home get them off to a good start?

-Wow.

-Wow, look at the size.

-So big.

-Lovely.

-It's really nice.

-That's a proper family living room, isn't it?

-Yes.

-It's stunning.

-This would be amazing for parties.

-Yes.

Quick, I'm picking first bedroom.

EXCITED CHATTER

-I'm picking it.

-It's mine!

-No, it's mine.

-It's my room.

-That'll be your rooms.

-We're sharing a room?

I'm thinking there might be another room over here.

This will be your room.

-Oh, this is my room.

-Oh, wow.

-A walk-in wardrobe.

-I want it, I want it!

-Well done.

Perfect house.

I'm so happy.

Their new home for the week certainly fits the bill,

but it should, at 2.5 million.

So, are they in for a shock when they see what they can afford?

I'm hoping they don't show me houses like this

because then that's just going to really make the decision unbearable.

This is just such a beautiful house.

-We can't imagine being able to afford anything like this ever.

-No, no way.

The Greens hope that selling their home in Fife will help them

afford their ideal property in Sydney.

But faced with the reality of living in one of the most expensive cities

in the world, well, it could be a big ask.

Back in the UK, the Greens live in a four-bedroom detached property

in Lochgelly, West Fife.

They believe it's worth £160,000.

If they can both find jobs in Australia,

they could afford a budget of 180.

But if the Greens are going to be persuaded to move,

their new home will have to offer plenty of temptations.

We love open plan living.

-We'd need at least four bedrooms.

-The ideal would be to have a pool.

Everybody wants a swimming pool, don't they?

Today, we'll give the Greens a taste of Sydney's housing market.

We'll show them three options based upon what they want

from their ideal home, what they can afford

and the real cost of property Down Under.

After seeing for themselves what's on offer, we'll reveal to the Greens

just how much each house costs.

The first property is in the suburb of Mona Vale,

on the outskirts of Sydney.

Mona Vale is a family area and thriving shopping district,

with a cafe culture and stunning beaches.

This two-bedroom apartment is just 500 metres from the water,

which should appeal to the outdoor-loving Greens,

but will it offer the wide-open space indoors, too?

It's all right. Light and bright.

-Kitchen's smaller.

-It is...

-Very small.

-It's really small. Where would you eat?

-No, there's no dining room, is there?

I couldn't eat on the couch.

-Couldn't eat off your knee all the time.

-No.

First impressions aren't great,

so it's outside to check out the balcony.

-It's a bit small.

-Aye, you wouldn't have parties out here, I don't think.

-No.

-It's quite noisy as well.

You've the road next to it, the main road.

I want to be able to sit around a table.

You want to be able to sit out here

and sunbathe and eat outside, and things like that.

Not the party area they were looking for

and with just two bedrooms, it's looking like a tight squeeze for everyone.

-It's compact.

-Oh, yeah.

Bathroom. That's the smallest bathroom in the world.

This is a better room.

Yeah, but it's a better room,

but you'd have to put the two girls in here.

-We'd have to have the tiny room.

-Yeah.

-Not for us, this one, I don't think.

-No, definitely not.

It's slightly worrying now, isn't it? It's brought us down with a bang.

This apartment has left the Greens cold

and they haven't even seen its price.

Will the cost make up for all that's missing?

Ready?

Uh-huh, go for it. OK.

-Wow.

-£267,000.

400,000.

Well... What could we buy in Scotland for that?

Half a castle. Pretty much.

-But that's a lot of money for not very much space for us.

-Yeah.

Need more space.

£87,000 over budget and it doesn't even begin to meet their needs.

It's a big setback. What do the girls think?

I think if we were both smaller, we could maybe fit,

but the size we are now, I don't think we could.

Yeah...

cos you snore.

-You fart.

-You fart, too!

-I do not.

-Yes, you do.

-I do not.

-Yes, you do!

-No, I don't.

-Yes, you do.

-I don't.

-Do.

-Don't.

-Do.

-Don't...

So, plenty of reasons not to like the first property,

but the second is just around the corner.

This first-floor apartment is still close to the beach,

but it's in a quieter location which may go down better.

However, can it make up for their disappointment with the first one?

-This is nice.

-This is bigger.

-Wow.

-It's not noisy.

It's not. It's a lot quieter.

It's so much quieter.

-This is... Oh, the kitchen.

-It's a good size.

-You'd be able to have a dining area here.

-Aye, you could.

But the whole point of coming to Australia was sitting outside,

-having a barbecue.

-To live in this area,

I don't think we're going to get what we're looking for, so this might be a compromise we have to make.

But you know I don't do compromises!

The balcony.

This area's nicer. It's quiet and...

-We're nearer the beach, aren't we?

-Yeah, you can hear the sea rather than the roads

and the cars, but I don't know.

-Again, it's a compromise you've got to make, I think.

-It is.

How much space you get.

I don't know if I'm prepared to make that compromise.

What?

-Is it all wet?

-No, it's worms.

-Oh... Oh! It is worms!

It's loads of worms.

Ugh! I don't like it. No.

Can the bathroom redeem the apartment

-or is it already sunk?

-CLAIRE LAUGHS

-What is it?

-Do you want to come in?

The last bathroom you said was the smallest bathroom in the world? No, it's not.

-Oh, my God!

-We'll just leave now.

-We'll just leave now.

-I don't think we need to see that bathroom.

-That's not a bath, it's a sink!

-Again, finding the space they want in an apartment is a real issue

and with only the bedrooms left, it's not looking good.

Now, I know this is a bit cliche,

but I really wanted a walk-in wardrobe.

So you want a walk-in wardrobe, a swimming pool, a massive house...

-A hot tub.

-Not a swimming pool, but... I want a walk-in wardrobe.

-And this is the biggest bedroom.

-Yeah.

Could the girls share this room?

It's not a family house. The kids couldn't have people staying over.

-We couldn't have family staying.

-Nobody would come and visit us.

That's not a compromise we could make, I don't think.

This apartment isn't what they want or need

and they still have to find out its price.

So, you ready?

-This has got to be more than the last one.

-Much more.

-Especially being close to the beach. Ready?

-No!

Half a million dollars.

£334,000.

I can't see that value in this house.

With having two bedrooms.

It's purely location that would give it that value.

In Scotland, for the extra £60-£70,000,

-we would have an extra bedroom.

-I think we'd have an extra house!

Yeah!

For such a small place, the price came as a real shock to the Greens.

Some drastic action is needed, so we're moving further out of the city

to try to get more for their money.

The final house involves a boat trip across the Pittwater Estuary

to Scotland Island, about 25km north of the city.

If they choose to live here,

this is how the Greens could commute to work and school.

-Do you think you'd like to go to school by boat, Mia?

-Yes.

-Would that be amazing?

-As well as a boat ride,

access to the third house is a short walk up the hill.

This split-level timber home has views through the woodland

to the water and should offer the Greens all the space they need,

-but is it worth the journey?

-Oh, wow. This is nice.

This is more like it. It's much more like what I imagine.

Yeah, this is more of what I wanted.

-Proper seating area.

-Proper, yeah.

-And it's all open plan. It's great.

It's great and the kitchen's bigger than the ones we've seen.

-It's probably bigger than the house we're in.

-Look.

You don't need a kitchen! Proper cooking area.

That's amazing.

-Wow, a garden as well. A big garden.

-Wow.

That's great, you can imagine having a party and a meal out here and things.

-Nothing like I expected to see.

-No, nothing at all.

This house seems to be going down far better

with plenty of space on offer, but are there in bedrooms for everyone?

-Good-sized bedroom.

-This is plenty of space, isn't it? Really good size.

Oh, yeah. It's really good.

I think this would be Robyn's bedroom.

Would it? There might only be two bedrooms.

This might be it.

I don't think so, though.

The girls will be disappointed if there are only two bedrooms,

but there's still a lot to see. Or is there?

LAUGHTER

Why would you not have a proper bath?

I don't even think we could fit a Mia in there.

OK, not the biggest bath in the world, but there is one more room that should be a welcome sight.

-Wow, it's a big front bedroom.

-It is big.

-With a walk-in wardrobe!

-So it is.

-Oh, it's massive.

This is much more what I thought.

-Yeah, you could have a little party here.

-A bed party, too.

A bed party, too, yes.

It looks as if the Greens HAVE found their ideal home,

with all the room and features they could want.

All that's left is to find out its price.

I don't want to look at this one.

-Come on. We need to.

-If we don't know...

We need to know.

Wow. It's still a lot of money. £400,000, still a lot of money.

Less than I expected.

No, a lot less than I expected,

compared to what we looked at earlier on.

It's still a lot of money and there's still a lot of compromises.

-There is - I mean, there's still only three bedrooms.

-One shower.

But it just goes to show what you can get if you move out a bit further.

Once I'm on my full wage and you're working on your full wage,

-this is something we could afford.

-It is, it is a realistic price.

It's still a lot of money,

-but medium-term, it's certainly realistic.

-Yeah.

I would be happy moving to something like this.

-Plus, it's called Scotland Island.

-Well, this is it. Scotland Island!

Viewing houses in Sydney has been a real wake-up call for the family.

They still believe the dream is within their grasp.

The first apartment fell well short of their needs,

and the price left them shocked.

Although the second was better placed,

they couldn't see any value for money.

Finally, house number three offered the Greens everything

they were looking for, but it came with a hefty price tag.

So, after a day of house hunting,

have they been impressed enough to give up their home in Fife?

We've seen three properties today, and now it's time for us to vote.

ALL: UK!

-You've all done UK?

-I didn't think you two would vote that way.

-Did you not like this last house?

-I liked the last house,

but the two apartments,

I couldn't share with Mia.

You couldn't share a room with Mia?

Yeah, I couldn't live without a bath.

She couldn't live without a bath! Oh, well, that's good.

What about you?

I just think when you compare the houses we seen today to ours,

and the price you'd have to pay, there isn't a comparison.

I mean, this last house was beautiful, stunning,

but there was still a compromise - only three bedrooms and one bathroom.

The houses are lovely, but just too expensive.

It would be cool to live on an island, though.

It would be cool to live in Scotland Island, even.

-That would be even cooler!

-"Where are you going?" "Scotland!"

With its eye-watering price tags,

Sydney's property market has left the Greens feeling blue.

If their dream home is to become anything more,

both Rob and Claire will need Sydney to offer good work opportunities

and big city salaries.

With concern about getting a job in Scotland, Claire has come to a local care home

to find out about working down under.

She has arranged to meet the care manager, Pat Smith,

-to show her around.

-Oh, it's lovely.

Claire is about to qualify as a nurse

and is hoping that Australia will provide not only the right job,

but a career.

So this is Jean, our resident. Jeanie, this is Claire.

-Hello, Jean, nice to meet you. How are you today?

-Nice to meet you.

Not bad for an old girl.

I'm sure you're fine!

I'm over from Scotland visiting, having a look around,

seeing what it's like to work here.

-So is it OK if I watch Pat do your dressing today?

-Of course it is.

That's excellent, thank you.

If you come to Australia, what would you like to do here?

Well, hopefully have as much fun as possible -

that's the main priority.

But I qualify as a nurse really soon and there's no jobs in Scotland,

so I would like to get a job as a nurse over here.

And ideally I would like to work in community

or care of the elderly, I've not decided yet.

We could use her, couldn't we?

-We could think about that!

-Yes, come and work with us.

-I think I would maybe have fun here, actually.

-I think so.

So is this part of your role as well, you do all the dressings?

Yes, we do all the dressings, all the skin tears

or whatever needs to be dressed.

Because the care home where I work in Scotland just now, we would not

be allowed to do this, it would be district nurses that would come out.

We do, for more serious wounds and that, we do get the home nurses in and they do those dressings.

But the skin tears and something like this, we do it.

The more hands-on approach is just what Claire was hoping for.

But there's a few more questions to be answered to help make up her mind.

The hospital wards that I've worked on at home aren't very flexible,

you don't find out your shifts until two weeks before,

and it's 12.5-hour shifts, so you work from seven in the morning till 7:30 at night.

Well, I start at 3.30 in the afternoons

and I finish at 10 at night some days.

Other days are 7.30 until 3.30.

And I think over here the wages are higher, as well.

Obviously, the cost of living is higher,

but back in Britain I would start on about 21,000,

which is maybe 30,000.

-And I think...

-I think it's around 42 here.

-42,000?

-So, you know, 12,000.

-It's a big difference.

It is a big difference, especially when I finish at 3:30

and I can go out to the beach.

-Enjoy the sun, that's exactly right.

-I really can't thank you enough.

Good working hours and a better salary are attractive reasons

to move, but have they made up for their tough start to the week?

After yesterday, seeing the houses, I was kind of like, "No,

"I'm not going, there's no way.

"I can't cope with living in Australia in a house like that."

But speaking to my husband last night, we looked at maybe renting

as a better possibility for us, and then after being here today,

this is definitely the type of place I'd rather work

and I'd look forward to coming to work,

rather than just having to take any job that was available in Britain.

It looks as if Claire could have a promising career in Australia,

but it comes with a big catch.

In Australia, Rob wouldn't be able to transfer into the fire service

for at least two years.

And with life looking costly, he would be forced to give up

the job he loves and find paid employment elsewhere.

Keeping his skills could be tough,

but one option is joining the New South Wales Rural Fire Service,

a volunteer-based force.

So he's visiting a local base to find out what's involved.

Do you think my skills would be of use to the local fire service?

I certainly think they would.

While it's not always possible to transfer straight

from one country to another and have your skills recognised,

certainly your practical skills that you've learnt,

and the experience you've had working in a fire service on the other side of the world

will be of great use to the rural fire service.

A lot of the principles are still the same

and you'll obviously have an understanding of how emergency services work,

so that will surely give you some kind of ability

to fit in very quickly with what we do here.

After a quick chat,

Rob is invited on a ride to check out the local area.

And it's not long before he has the opportunity to rescue

a damsel in distress.

So we've come across a motor stranded at the side of the road here.

She's run out of petrol.

So we're just going to see if we can help in any way,

cos it's a really busy single carriageway road,

and there could be an accident if we don't give them a hand.

There you go, you can jump in!

Could almost turn it around and put it on the other side, right there.

-Brakes.

-Brakes, brakes!

All right, we're out of here.

All in the name of helping the community.

Didn't expect to get a show, I was only here for an hour or so,

but that was good fun - honorary member of the rural fire service for five minutes there.

We required your muscles, thank you.

It's been an enjoyable experience, but could volunteering

really compensate Rob for what he'd be giving up?

There's a lot more to the rural fire service than I thought.

I think I'd like to get involved with it if we do move over here.

I don't know how much time I could devote to it, especially

if both of us were working full-time. I think it would be difficult.

With so much riding on his decision, he is faced with a dilemma -

Claire's career, or his own.

Before they vote on work, Claire has some news to share.

Today I went for my work experience, and when I went back in -

I had left my handbag -

I went back in and she gave me her card and said, you know,

"Let me know when you're qualified, I'll give you a job no problem."

That's amazing, it's amazing it would be that easy for you to get a job.

You know, it's certainly not like that in the UK,

and it won't be for the next how many years?

-So that could really swing it, I think.

-But it would be a risk.

It wouldn't be a risk. It'd be a risk me getting a job, not you getting a job.

The move to Australia could mean security for Claire

but uncertainly for Rob, and another risk for them to take.

How will they vote?

We both had work experience today and now it's time to vote.

-Ah, so, why've you voted for that, then?

-Just because today was amazing.

It's the type of nursing that I want to do.

I want to look after residents and spend time with them and really

care for them, and I want them to enjoy being in a home as well.

And today I got a tiny brief glimpse of that,

and it would just be amazing.

-I kind of expected that, to be honest.

-I expected yours.

Well, I love my job.

I think I could do the same job over here, possibly, given time.

But obviously if I went with the rural fire service initially,

I wouldn't be getting paid for it, and that is no good for us.

We need the money to pay a bigger mortgage or higher rent or whatever it may be.

It's a mixed result for the Greens.

Claire's found her dream job,

but it may come at the cost of Rob's career,

making the risk they face even bigger.

However, none of this will matter

if they can't get a decent price from selling their UK home.

Rob and Claire bought their house in 2010 for £160,000.

But what do two local estate agents think it is worth?

It's a really generous living space, lounge, dining area

and added value with a conservatory overlooking the gardens.

The fact that the lounge and dining room are open plan means it's wonderful for family living.

A bright, airy room which has many attractive features.

He sells it better!

This is a very bright room as well, being to the rear,

which seems to be a feature of the house.

It's been really well landscaped, great patio area,

easy to maintain, really smart garden.

Nice double room with a fitted mirror wardrobe and combed ceiling.

-It looks really small.

-Front aspect of the property. Very well presented.

This is a great nursery room, isn't it? Lovely.

Fine for a fourth bedroom.

A super room with a superb view. Wonderful.

The room is very bright. This is a real strong part of the home.

It's a really nice, well presented four-bedroom detached villa,

in good order throughout.

I would value the property at £160,000.

The house is very well presented in a modern estate

with wonderful views to the rear.

To sell the property just now I would suggest an asking price

of offers over £150,000.

That's quite a drop considering a year.

-I don't think I would sell it for that price.

-No.

Cos I really love my house.

We couldn't afford something anywhere near that size over here. No way.

And if we did, we'd have to work two jobs each or something,

we'd never see the kids. This whole thing,

we're thinking about a more relaxed lifestyle - it wouldn't be.

That's a shock, and are there more to come?

We've prepared a breakdown of the family's expenses to find out

if they can live in Australia.

OK. I'll let you do the numbers.

-Shall we start with the shopping list?

-Yes.

-OK. £92.85.

-What, so 40 quid difference?

-Yeah.

And that's not even a full weekly shop.

The food shop in Australia is almost twice as much as the UK.

We've also worked out what their mortgage repayments would be

-should they buy their dream home.

-Property three... £2,484 a month.

-That's insane.

-And how much do we pay just now? About 600?

-650.

-Wow.

-This is the final comparison.

-So, 2,250 x 12 is 27,000.

OK, so now we're looking at Australia.

The cost of living in Sydney appears to be more expensive,

but when Claire and Rob look at their potential wages,

will it cover their costs?

I can't believe there's that much difference.

So we do have £20,000 more a year disposable income

if we lived in Australia.

But that's because it's based on me earning a salary.

All right, your salary can be pretty certain.

We know that you can in that here, we know there is a demand for nurses.

But my salary, you know, there's no guarantee

I would earn that sort of money until I can get a job as a firefighter.

I think we take these figures as they are, because we can't guess.

So let's just go with these figures and make a decision on that.

I think we should.

The Greens are not used to taking risks,

so are they prepared to take this massive leap of faith?

Will they vote with their heads or with their hearts?

So, we done a reality check, looked at our sums, now we're going to vote.

-Australia.

-Australia.

Fair enough. OK.

I don't know if we're going to be a lot better off by living here,

it just depends on jobs and what I can get, what you can get back home

and things like that. But, on the face of it,

it looks like we would have the same standard of living here, I think.

-And I would be able to get a job that I would love.

-Yes.

And I'm sure we could probably reduce the mortgage payments by renting.

They still want their dream to come true, but after a night's sleep,

Rob is less convinced the move could work for the whole family.

Having reflected and looked at the figures more closely,

there's quite a few things that aren't there that need to be added -

you know, childcare costs are going to be pretty high,

I would think, if we're both working full-time.

One of the main reasons for thinking about moving here was for the kids -

to give them a better standard of living.

And I don't know if myself and Claire working more hours and not spending

as much time with them would give them a better standard of living.

With the figures still spinning in their heads, the Greens are caught

between what kind of life Australia could offer them and at what price.

Finding out if Oz can deliver the lifestyle they dream of

could be a big step towards making up their mind.

The Greens have had a lot to think about,

and a taste of the benefits of living in Oz would very welcome,

so they are spending the day outdoors, starting with a picnic.

And it's not long before they meet a familiar face in Alex,

from the rural fire service.

If they were to make the move,

it's important for all the family to replace the social life

they'd be leaving behind.

Yeah, there's lots of things to do around here,

we've got a few really nice pubs along the water,

that's always a good place to sort of meet everyone

on a Saturday afternoon or a Friday afternoon if it's nice and warm.

Which would be every Friday and Saturday afternoon!

I can't sell it to you like that. It does rain here sometimes!

They are soon joined by more friendly faces who can offer

some useful advice.

So what about childcare around here?

It's a bit harder to find, cos there's a lot of working mums,

but in saying that, if you put your child's name down early,

you find positions.

Mum and Dad have met some new friends. How have the kids got on?

I don't think I'd have that much trouble making friends,

but although it can be scary moving to even a new school,

moving to Australia, that would be pretty big.

I don't think I'd have trouble making friends.

I'll have enough to play with. I will really miss my friends in Scotland.

Today has helped answer some of Rob and Claire's worries,

but they've only dipped their toes in the water,

so the next stop is back at the Pittwater Estuary.

-We're just about here on the map.

-You think so?

-Yeah.

-So how do we get home?

-It's that way.

It's hard to tell who's having more fun,

the little kids or the big kids.

-It was really good, wasn't it?

-I really enjoyed that.

-It was fun.

-Nice to do something in the sun.

-It is.

Nice not to have to wear a wetsuit to do it, as well.

-I could definitely get used to this.

-Same here.

It's just the day they wanted, but has a taste of the Aussie lifestyle

done enough to win everyone's vote?

We've done some Australian activities today,

and now we're going to vote.

-Australia.

-I'm in the middle.

-The middle!

-In the middle!

Why are you in the middle?

It's just, I like the activities here

but I'd like to be with the rest of the family as well.

Ohh!

-So, Australia?

-Definitely.

-Why?

If we were back home, we would do this on a really sunny day

but we would have to plan it.

You'd just do this every day,

-whenever you feel like it, couldn't you?

-Yeah.

-Australia for you as well?

-Yeah, I just think there's not a comparison.

You can do whatever you want to do in the sun. It's just totally different.

If he says to the girls back home, "Let's go kayaking," they'd be like,

"No, I don't want to. I want to watch TV, want to sit in the house."

This is the middle of winter and this is what it's like. No comparison.

During the week,

the Greens have dealt with their fair share of financial surprises.

But there's one cost they've yet to face,

and that's the emotional one.

Leaving behind their close network of friends and family.

-You quite happy to watch it, girls?

-Yes.

-OK, here we go.

Hello, Rob, Claire, Robin and Mia.

-Hi, Rob, Claire, girls, how you doing?

-Hi Claire, hi, Rob.

-If they went, we'd miss them all.

-I'd miss the kids.

You'd miss them coming round.

Aye, I'd miss the kids. I'd miss Claire and Robbie as well,

but I will miss the kids.

-Personally, I want them to come home.

-You want all your family.

I want all my family, of course I do.

All the guys on the shift are missing you, Rob,

and we all hope you make the right decision.

We're all 100% behind you

and if you do decide to come back you will be welcomed with open arms.

But if you do decide to stay in Australia,

we will all be looking forward to the invitations.

I was devastated when he left Liverpool to go to Scotland,

so for him to go to Australia

would be another huge piece of my heart going.

I know it's going to be a big decision for you,

but make a decision on what you want to do.

Think of yourselves.

As for your family, we can come out and see you, you can come

and see us every second year.

I would not want to stand in your way

but I really hope you decide to stay.

Rob, Claire, we know you're really thinking about going to Australia,

but it is a massive decision to make,

you've got to really think properly about it.

You've got to weigh up all the cons and pros.

It might be a better life out there for you,

but you've got all your family at home and we will miss you,

we'll miss the kids more than ever.

We know Australia has a fantastic lifestyle, so many opportunities,

but you do have a good family network around you, and nothing can buy that.

We'll miss you.

Do you think makes a difference to you, Mia? Seeing all of them? Yeah?

-Why?

-Just does.

-It just does.

-What about you?

-No, it did.

It hit home a bit more, how far away we are.

How much people probably would miss us.

You only really about the big things,

you know, the sun, the extra money you might have,

the outdoor living and a barbecue every night and things like that.

But the biggest reason to move in the first place was for the kids.

You know, for their future,

for them to be able to get their qualifications and get a job.

But weighing that up against everybody else,

I just don't know what's best for them any more now.

To take them away from family - would that be doing more damage?

I don't know.

Seeing messages from home has left the Greens feeling more torn than ever.

But will they decide the rewards of life down under

really could be worth the risk?

It's time for them to make their final choice.

We promised each other we wouldn't speak about it,

we didn't want to influence each other.

We really want to know at that final vote,

what everybody's real feelings are.

I've got no idea how Claire is going to vote at the moment.

It could go either way.

The kids are the same - I think the kids love it here, they've really enjoyed it

and they'd love to stay for a lot longer, but I'm really not sure

how they're going to vote when thinking about it forever.

It makes it very difficult to make the choice.

I don't know what I'm going to pick.

It's a really big decision, because I like it over here,

but I like it back home as well.

Can the family who don't take risks make that leap of faith

and vote for a new life in Australia?

This is us at the end of a week in Australia.

We had an amazing time, we've met loads of lovely people,

we've done great activities, we've woken up in the sun every day.

So now it's time to vote.

-Middle.

-UK!

You bunch of wimps! You can't all do that!

-I never thought you'd pick the UK.

-Well...

-I did, that's what I guessed.

My grandad always said measure twice, cut once.

-And we just don't know enough to make a decision just now.

-What about you?

-I thought you would have picked the UK.

-Yeah, I thought so.

Well I like everything over here

but it's really hard to leave family and friends behind.

-OK.

-What about you, wimp number three?

I like Australia, but I like the UK,

-but I don't know which one I like the best.

-What about you?

I didn't know what you would say.

Well, I don't know what I will say, that's why.

I love Australia, I have really sort of started to love it here,

but I've got my family, so I have to be in the middle just now,

because not one is pulling me enough each way.

After seeing the ups and downs of Sydney life at first hand,

the Greens couldn't quite make that leap off the cliff.

Instead, they found themselves back where they started.

They've been home in Fife now for two months, and I've come to

find out whether there are finally ready to make that decision.

So, you two, what's the next big step for the Green family?

I don't know. I think honestly we just need to get your degree out of the way

first to make sure that all goes through OK and then see where we are.

The thing is, with me and Rob, you can never say never.

At the moment, I would say we are staying.

-Probably about...

-70%.

-We're going to be staying.

-Hang on, 70% we're definitely staying?

Are we staying or are we not staying?

At the moment, we're staying.

So if I just happen to have some visa papers here,

in a year's time, will they be gathering dust?

-I don't know.

-I really don't know.

It could really go either way, couldn't it?

At the moment, they will be sitting on a shelf gathering dust,

but if in six months' time I still don't have a job, that might change.

Shall I leave them with you?

Yes, leave them with us and they might be filled out.

-You're not exactly grabbing them out of my hand!

-No.

I think that might be the answer.

It's too big a risk, this one, I think.

Everything we've done has always been measured and would make sense,

and the risks are minimum.

That's the way we've always been and to take this big risk,

I don't know whether we can, whether we could.

And you don't think in 15 years' time there will be any regrets?

-I never have any regrets.

-No, no regrets.

That's a great way to live your life.

Having left Australia pretty undecided, now they are back

and had time to think things through it seems, for the Green family,

Scotland is the right home for them.

For the moment, anyway.

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