0:00:02 > 0:00:06The perfect family life is a dream that's familiar to us all,
0:00:06 > 0:00:10but moving to the other side of the world is a huge decision,
0:00:10 > 0:00:15especially when you risk tearing apart the family you want to protect.
0:00:15 > 0:00:21The Turners are caught between a new life in Australia and what it could cost them.
0:00:21 > 0:00:27I'm hoping she'll decide to come with us. If not, we might have to stay.
0:00:27 > 0:00:33- And after a week of ups... - As they say, the Queen has arrived at her mansion.
0:00:33 > 0:00:38- ..and downs...- I don't know if they'll be able to persuade me.
0:00:38 > 0:00:46- ..they'll face a potentially heartbreaking choice.- We need to realise how difficult it'll be.
0:00:48 > 0:00:50Sorry.
0:01:13 > 0:01:17With its 30,000 miles of coastline and sunny climate,
0:01:17 > 0:01:24life in Australia has long been a favourite destination for Brits dreaming of a new life abroad.
0:01:24 > 0:01:31But when around 10,000 return home each year, sometimes that dream isn't all it's cracked up to be.
0:01:33 > 0:01:39The Turners have one week to swap their life in Swansea for a new start in Perth.
0:01:39 > 0:01:45It's a huge decision, probably the biggest they'll ever have to make.
0:01:45 > 0:01:51To make that choice means travelling over 9,000 miles and crossing three continents,
0:01:51 > 0:01:57spending 17 hours in the air. Plenty of time to think about the reality of moving so far away
0:01:57 > 0:02:00Coming from plane to plane,
0:02:00 > 0:02:07with the break in-between, it was such a long time. It made me realise how far from home we were.
0:02:07 > 0:02:13- But it's still less than a day. - I'm quite excited to see and do everything
0:02:13 > 0:02:17because I haven't got a clue about Australia. It's a big experience
0:02:17 > 0:02:21and will help me decide what is best for us all.
0:02:21 > 0:02:27It was the longest 18 hours of my life. If I do stay home, I've got to travel all that time
0:02:27 > 0:02:33- to see you and I hate flying as it is, so it just puts me off. - That's fair enough.
0:02:33 > 0:02:35I'd rather stay home and live there.
0:02:35 > 0:02:41There's still a big journey ahead for the family, but already worries are starting to show.
0:02:41 > 0:02:47The life Down Under is a new experience for everyone and a long way from their home in Swansea.
0:02:50 > 0:02:56Simon Turner and his wife Trudy live with Trudy's 19-year-old daughter Kirsty
0:02:56 > 0:03:01and their son Jacob, who's eight. They have a happy life,
0:03:01 > 0:03:06but for Simon it comes at the price of working long hours running his own accountancy business
0:03:06 > 0:03:12- and he's desperate for a better work/life balance.- What I'm hoping for, rather than expecting,
0:03:12 > 0:03:16is to work less hours and have more time for the family.
0:03:16 > 0:03:21I've been on about it probably for five or six years.
0:03:21 > 0:03:28Trudy at first didn't really say much. Now she's not quite as up for it as I am,
0:03:28 > 0:03:32but getting there. She's willing to give it a go.
0:03:32 > 0:03:38I'm sort of 50% if I want to go or don't want to go. I don't know what I want, really.
0:03:38 > 0:03:44I don't know what it's like. I know he wants me to be happy, but he deserves as well
0:03:44 > 0:03:49a life where he can be comfortable and not work all the hours.
0:03:49 > 0:03:53Spending time together is important to the Turners
0:03:53 > 0:03:57and they hope Australia can offer a better family lifestyle,
0:03:57 > 0:04:02but for Trudy and Kirsty that could mean a painful decision.
0:04:02 > 0:04:09I think Kirsty's sort of got an open mind. She'll have a look and see what she thinks.
0:04:09 > 0:04:14If she meets people and meets friends, she'll be really happy,
0:04:14 > 0:04:18but if she finds it more difficult, I think she'll want to come home.
0:04:18 > 0:04:24Her dad is here, all her family and my family are here for her, but she's always been my girl
0:04:24 > 0:04:27so I don't think I could leave her high and dry.
0:04:27 > 0:04:32For student Kirsty it's almost an impossible choice.
0:04:32 > 0:04:37Them moving there and my dad over here, it's kind of like choosing.
0:04:37 > 0:04:44I feel like whether I stay here or whether I go there, I'm going to miss out on either one.
0:04:44 > 0:04:48I don't know what the future holds, whether she'll come or not.
0:04:48 > 0:04:53If she decides really not to come, I have to think about whether I need to come back.
0:04:53 > 0:04:59It's a massive dilemma for the Turners and one that affects the whole family.
0:04:59 > 0:05:06I think it's going to knock us for six and we need to realise how difficult it's going to be.
0:05:06 > 0:05:08Yeah.
0:05:08 > 0:05:10You all right?
0:05:15 > 0:05:16Sorry.
0:05:19 > 0:05:23The Turners love almost everything about their life.
0:05:23 > 0:05:27All that's missing is the time to enjoy it together,
0:05:27 > 0:05:33but if Australia can't provide the life for all of them, they face a heartbreaking choice,
0:05:33 > 0:05:39whether to give up on their dream forever or risk splitting up the family.
0:05:42 > 0:05:47Home for the week is Perth in Western Australia.
0:05:47 > 0:05:53With its warm climate and wide open spaces, the family hope it could be the ideal place for them,
0:05:53 > 0:05:59but with so much riding on the decision, can it really deliver the goods?
0:05:59 > 0:06:06First stop is their base for the week in the suburb of Karrinyup, just a short drive from the airport.
0:06:07 > 0:06:13This four-bedroom open-plan home should give them a good taste of typical Aussie living.
0:06:13 > 0:06:20- Still not as big as I thought it'd be, though.- OK.- I think for the budget that we'd like to spend
0:06:20 > 0:06:23- I want something...- More open-plan.
0:06:23 > 0:06:28Moving to the other side of the world is a big decision for anyone
0:06:28 > 0:06:32and worries are never far from the surface.
0:06:32 > 0:06:38I've never been so nervous in my life. This is basically going to decide whether I move or not.
0:06:38 > 0:06:46Either I move here and build a life around them as well, or I stay home and I don't have that reliance.
0:06:47 > 0:06:53There's nothing in Australia that I feel has any benefit to me. I'm not looking for a bigger house.
0:06:53 > 0:06:57It's not offering me my friends or my family or anything.
0:06:57 > 0:07:02It's only offering me a better life for the children than we've got.
0:07:02 > 0:07:09This week coming up, there'll be a lot of decisions made around whether it's the right move for us or not.
0:07:09 > 0:07:14- We'll just wait and see. - I think it's a matter of whether it's worth giving up
0:07:14 > 0:07:19everything we've got for it, all our friends and family as well.
0:07:23 > 0:07:27If Trudy is to sacrifice her home and the people she loves,
0:07:27 > 0:07:35getting the right house is crucial, but property prices in Perth are amongst the highest in Australia.
0:07:35 > 0:07:42So finding a home that fits their dreams and their wallet, it could be a big ask.
0:07:42 > 0:07:47Back home, the Turners live in a three-bedroom semi-detached house in Swansea.
0:07:47 > 0:07:54They've spent time and energy on making it a home and believe it's worth around £130,000.
0:07:54 > 0:08:01Combined with Simon's salary, they're hoping for a budget of £280,000-£340,000.
0:08:01 > 0:08:09Their house is Trudy's pride and joy and she knows exactly what her dream home will need to make her move.
0:08:09 > 0:08:15My ideal house would be a four-bedroomed, open-spaced house,
0:08:15 > 0:08:18hopefully with a little pool for Jacob,
0:08:18 > 0:08:21in a quiet area.
0:08:21 > 0:08:25The ideal house for me would have room for people to come and stay,
0:08:25 > 0:08:29and for me it's got to be a fairly easy commute to work.
0:08:29 > 0:08:34One reason I'm going is I don't want to spend all my time in work.
0:08:34 > 0:08:38Today we'll give the Turners a taste of Perth's housing market.
0:08:38 > 0:08:43We'll show them three options, based upon what they want,
0:08:43 > 0:08:47what they can afford and the real cost of property Down Under.
0:08:47 > 0:08:55After seeing for themselves what's on offer, we'll reveal to them just how much each house costs.
0:08:55 > 0:08:59The search begins in Joondalup, a suburb north of the city.
0:08:59 > 0:09:04It's a popular area for families with beaches, shops and schools.
0:09:04 > 0:09:10The three-bedroom house they've come to see is a typical example of a modern Aussie home,
0:09:10 > 0:09:14but will it appeal to Trudy and the rest of the family?
0:09:14 > 0:09:20- It just reminds me of back home. It's big enough definitely for us. - Definitely.
0:09:20 > 0:09:26It's just if we've got people coming to stay, I don't know whether this sort of set up is big enough.
0:09:26 > 0:09:34We've got to provide for everyone as well. We don't want to be cramped for two weeks every few months.
0:09:35 > 0:09:41If the indoors looks too small for their needs, can the garden change their opinion?
0:09:41 > 0:09:45Th only thing missing is there's a pool, but it's very small.
0:09:45 > 0:09:52- But it's not a deal breaker. - No, it's just I know Jakey really wanted a pool. Would you be happy
0:09:52 > 0:09:57- - with something little like that? - Yeah, a little bit.- A little bit.
0:09:57 > 0:10:01No pool for Jacob, but Trudy spotted something far more refreshing.
0:10:01 > 0:10:06All I need now is my Malibu, Coke and ice, snatch a lemon, cut it up
0:10:06 > 0:10:14- and into my drink. That's fab. - So it's decided - you want the house because it's got lemons.- Lovely.
0:10:14 > 0:10:21But Kirsty doesn't seem as impressed and with only three bedrooms lack of space is a real problem.
0:10:21 > 0:10:27If you're going to move over here, the big thing is that people can come and visit if they want to.
0:10:27 > 0:10:34- A house with only three bedrooms isn't big enough.- Definitely not big enough for us.- OK.
0:10:34 > 0:10:42Although it's a similar size to their UK home, this doesn't offer what they want or need.
0:10:42 > 0:10:47- So will finding out the price seal its fate?- What do you reckon?
0:10:47 > 0:10:53- I think it'll be 250. - I think it's worth 240 English pounds.
0:10:53 > 0:10:58- Sounds a lot, doesn't it? - £240,000, yeah. Jake?
0:10:58 > 0:11:00- I think it's 250. - 250.
0:11:04 > 0:11:06Ready, guys?
0:11:09 > 0:11:11265.
0:11:11 > 0:11:18- What do you think of that, Kirst? - Way overpriced for what it is. - I think it's overpriced.
0:11:18 > 0:11:25I'm not surprised. It's just not a price I'd pay for a three-bedroom, one-bathroom with small rooms.
0:11:25 > 0:11:31- I'd rather go further out for that bigger house that we wanted. - Yeah.
0:11:31 > 0:11:37- At the moment, this wouldn't sway me to come over here.- No. - I like it, but not enough.
0:11:37 > 0:11:44The first house may have been affordable, but it didn't deliver enough. Will finding what they want
0:11:44 > 0:11:46mean a big jump in price?
0:11:46 > 0:11:51The second house is a two-storey home on the outskirts of Joondalup.
0:11:51 > 0:11:57It's close to the beach and has good transport links to the city, which may help Simon.
0:11:57 > 0:12:02With four bedrooms, there should be enough space for everyone.
0:12:02 > 0:12:06As they say, the Queen has arrived at her mansion.
0:12:06 > 0:12:12Just up the red carpet there's a downstairs dining room, a family-sized kitchen diner
0:12:12 > 0:12:18- and two living rooms, so plenty of space for Her Majesty. - Probably smaller than I imagined.
0:12:18 > 0:12:24- I was expecting something really big, open-plan, just from the front. - Or maybe not.
0:12:24 > 0:12:29A decent enough sized kitchen, love. Not massive, but big enough.
0:12:29 > 0:12:34- But it's not very nice. - OK. A bit harsh.
0:12:34 > 0:12:40It's not very nice at all. When I was outside, I was really expecting luxury.
0:12:40 > 0:12:46I'm just disappointed, I think, for me. I thought the Queen had arrived at her castle
0:12:46 > 0:12:49and now I feel like a princess.
0:12:49 > 0:12:56- And then you have the second living room.- I just feel it could be modelled better inside.
0:12:56 > 0:13:00- It's just not thought out. - No, I don't think it is.
0:13:00 > 0:13:06This house is failing to convince and upstairs even the extra bedroom is little consolation.
0:13:06 > 0:13:12No, the outside was fantastic. When I arrived, I thought we'll never afford a house like that.
0:13:12 > 0:13:16But now I wouldn't want to buy it.
0:13:16 > 0:13:20However, there is one feature that should keep Jacob happy.
0:13:20 > 0:13:23- This is nice. I like this.- Yeah.
0:13:23 > 0:13:27You've got a little pool there. A medium-sized pool.
0:13:27 > 0:13:31- Unfortunately, the inside is nowhere near...- What you wanted.
0:13:31 > 0:13:38Although this house offers more space, it still hasn't lived up to the Turners' hopes
0:13:38 > 0:13:45and if the price is over-budget, it'll be even tougher to convince Trudy and Kirsty to make the move.
0:13:46 > 0:13:48- Ah!- I think this...
0:13:48 > 0:13:53- 465.- 465 for you, Jake? That's not a bad guess, mate.
0:13:53 > 0:13:55I'm going to say 475.
0:13:55 > 0:13:59I'll say 480, but I don't think it's worth it.
0:13:59 > 0:14:05If I really had to guess a value, I wouldn't guess more than about 440.
0:14:05 > 0:14:06OK.
0:14:09 > 0:14:11You ready, guys?
0:14:11 > 0:14:17- 400,000. - So it's not that much. I was closer than any of you.
0:14:17 > 0:14:23- And I said I wouldn't pay 430. - I don't think I'd pay 400. I wouldn't buy it.
0:14:23 > 0:14:29Both over-budget and underwhelming, the second house is another failure.
0:14:29 > 0:14:33Finding the right house is looking like a big ask.
0:14:33 > 0:14:38For their final option, they head to the quiet suburb of Tapping.
0:14:38 > 0:14:44It's an hour's commute from the city, but should offer the family more for their money.
0:14:44 > 0:14:48The house they've come to see is on a new development.
0:14:48 > 0:14:54- With four bedrooms, a pool and a gym for Trudy and Kirsty, it sounds tailor-made.- Ahh!
0:14:54 > 0:14:56Looks like home.
0:14:56 > 0:15:02- I think Mam will like this room. - Oh, this really is nice.
0:15:02 > 0:15:07And I love the en suite. The kitchen is really nice.
0:15:07 > 0:15:11I wouldn't touch the kitchen. I wouldn't touch anything.
0:15:11 > 0:15:17It's just like back home. Jacob seems excited. He can see something out there.
0:15:17 > 0:15:19Lovely, lovely blue pool, isn't it?
0:15:19 > 0:15:25It's exactly what we're looking for. Shall we go and check if the bedroom is going to be a downer?
0:15:25 > 0:15:31- Yes.- It seems too good to be true at the moment.- It does, but you never know.
0:15:31 > 0:15:37Jake's been won over by the pool and Trudy by the space.
0:15:37 > 0:15:40But can it impress Kirsty?
0:15:41 > 0:15:46- Oh, there's a second bathroom, too. - This would be Kirsty's shower room.
0:15:46 > 0:15:48This would be all for you.
0:15:48 > 0:15:52- Would that swing it for you, Kirst? - Mm.
0:15:52 > 0:15:56All right, does it change your mind just a tiny bit?
0:15:56 > 0:16:02- I told you like the houses here. - Patio doors here to open up onto the pool.- It'd be nice.
0:16:02 > 0:16:05You'd just want to dive in.
0:16:05 > 0:16:11The house seems to be offering something for everyone and the best has been saved for last.
0:16:11 > 0:16:13Ah!
0:16:13 > 0:16:20- It's a gym at the moment, anyway. - Yeah.- It does everything that we need in the house.
0:16:20 > 0:16:25- It ticks every box.- I think so. - Every single box, in and out.
0:16:25 > 0:16:31- So you'll go to Dad's gym in the morning? Yeah. And then the pool.
0:16:31 > 0:16:34You'll be keeping really fit, then!
0:16:34 > 0:16:40With all the features they could want, the Turners look to have found their ideal home,
0:16:40 > 0:16:47but will its promise be undone by its price? With a maximum budget of £340,000
0:16:47 > 0:16:51there's a lot resting on what's inside this envelope.
0:16:51 > 0:16:56So what do we think, then? What did you say it was?
0:16:56 > 0:17:00- Judging on the last one, 320. - You say 320.
0:17:00 > 0:17:06I'll just go a little bit higher than you at 325, but I wouldn't say much more than that still.
0:17:06 > 0:17:11- No, probably not. - - What are you thinking, Jake? - 350.
0:17:11 > 0:17:16- If you're right, you can keep it. - Yeah, that would be cool.
0:17:16 > 0:17:22- Go on then, have a look. - Jake, you can read it out. I'll just bring it out for you.
0:17:22 > 0:17:27Ready? Jacob's excited. Can he live here? Can he not live here?
0:17:27 > 0:17:32- He's thinking, "Can I have it?" - Pull it out, Jake. Hold it up.
0:17:32 > 0:17:34Oh! 350 - you're right!
0:17:34 > 0:17:35Yeah!
0:17:35 > 0:17:39I can't believe you were right, Jake.
0:17:39 > 0:17:44- I could see myself settling in a house like this. - I could see myself here.
0:17:44 > 0:17:49- If I get the job offer.- Kirst, would this be enough to sway you?
0:17:49 > 0:17:56I don't know. I mean, I do like the houses and I do like the lifestyle of it,
0:17:56 > 0:17:59but I just don't think it's me.
0:18:01 > 0:18:07It's a mixed result. They found a house that could persuade Trudy to swap Swansea for Australia,
0:18:07 > 0:18:11but the location still isn't enough to convince Kirsty.
0:18:15 > 0:18:21The Turners have seen three different properties. The first house was on budget,
0:18:21 > 0:18:26but short on space and features. The second's looks wowed them,
0:18:26 > 0:18:31but it flattered to deceive and came with a huge price tag.
0:18:31 > 0:18:37Finally, the third house offered all the space and facilities they could want,
0:18:37 > 0:18:40but at the price of a long commute for Simon.
0:18:40 > 0:18:47So have these houses done enough to persuade them that leaving the UK could be worth the sacrifice?
0:18:47 > 0:18:53OK, that's the end of the housing day. We've seen three very nice, very different houses
0:18:53 > 0:18:58and it's given us a very good idea of what we can expect from a house.
0:18:58 > 0:19:04Based on the houses that we've seen today, our vote is going to be...
0:19:12 > 0:19:15ALL: Australia!
0:19:15 > 0:19:17That's a surprise!
0:19:17 > 0:19:20Australia, Jake? And Kirsty.
0:19:20 > 0:19:24- You prefer the houses over here, then?- Yeah.
0:19:24 > 0:19:30Even though I don't know whether I want to live here, the houses are still nicer here.
0:19:30 > 0:19:35They've got massive gardens and pools, which is really nice.
0:19:35 > 0:19:39And the houses are generally bigger and I'd have a bigger room,
0:19:39 > 0:19:43so they always are going to be better than the UK ones anyway.
0:19:47 > 0:19:52A vote for Perth from everyone is a great result for Simon,
0:19:52 > 0:19:55even if Kirsty still has her doubts.
0:19:55 > 0:20:01But moving to Australia won't come cheap if the Turners want their dream house, too,
0:20:01 > 0:20:08so the pressure's on Simon to find work that pays well, but will still give him the family time he craves.
0:20:10 > 0:20:14Simon works long hours running his own accountancy business.
0:20:14 > 0:20:22He earns around £50,000 a year, but finding a better work/life balance drives his desire to move.
0:20:22 > 0:20:29I don't feel I'll have to do as many hours. Swansea tends to be quite a depressed area, salary-wise,
0:20:29 > 0:20:36for what I do. If I'm going to move, I may as well go the whole hog and try something new.
0:20:36 > 0:20:43Having built up his business from scratch, Simon would be taking a big gamble on giving it all up.
0:20:43 > 0:20:49A little bit apprehensive because it's not within my comfort zone that I'm used to,
0:20:49 > 0:20:53but still looking forward to it. It's something different.
0:20:53 > 0:21:00We've arranged for Simon to meet with Bruce Fielding, a consultant at a large Perth accountancy firm,
0:21:00 > 0:21:04to find out about working in the city.
0:21:04 > 0:21:11While Simon gets the lowdown on Aussie finance, Trudy, Jacob and Kirsty are off to Caversham Park
0:21:11 > 0:21:17to meet some of the local wildlife. Park ranger Geoff Cotterill is on hand to show them around.
0:21:17 > 0:21:22How would you like to see some kangaroos?
0:21:23 > 0:21:25If they do move to Australia,
0:21:25 > 0:21:32Trudy is keen to get involved with volunteer work and the park could be a way of meeting new people.
0:21:32 > 0:21:38- If I wanted to come down here and volunteer, would that be something that you'd look at?- Yeah, absolutely
0:21:38 > 0:21:41We have a volunteer programme at the park,
0:21:41 > 0:21:46a lot to do with helping the public with directions around the park, taking photos.
0:21:46 > 0:21:51- He does photography back home. - You have to wear a uniform. - We don't mind that.
0:21:51 > 0:21:57It's a family-run park, so we're all one big family here, which includes the volunteers.
0:21:57 > 0:22:03We do social events all together and we'd like to make you part of that if you come back and see us.
0:22:03 > 0:22:06This is something I would really be interested in doing.
0:22:06 > 0:22:12And with the social part of it as well, it will be good for me to network and meet people,
0:22:12 > 0:22:18as well as the animals, and I think that's going to be a big part of me being able to move over here.
0:22:18 > 0:22:23- We'd love to see you.- Good, good. Would this push you towards Oz?
0:22:23 > 0:22:28It does appeal to me, it makes me interested, it makes me want to come here,
0:22:28 > 0:22:32- so it does make me think... - There's more to life in Oz.
0:22:32 > 0:22:36- Yeah, there's more to life in Oz than just...- Fashion.- Just fashion.
0:22:36 > 0:22:42This would be your thing. You could meet people and maybe after a year, you might think, "I've got friends.
0:22:42 > 0:22:44"Maybe I could live here."
0:22:44 > 0:22:50Trudy is working hard to sell the idea of life in Oz, but if Simon can't find the right job,
0:22:50 > 0:22:53there'll be no future in Australia.
0:22:53 > 0:22:59My first question is whether my skills and experience fit into the local market and the local economy.
0:22:59 > 0:23:02Your experience suits the industries
0:23:02 > 0:23:07that are going well here in Western Australia at the moment - engineering, construction.
0:23:07 > 0:23:10So where would you see me pitched in the market?
0:23:10 > 0:23:17- You'd be looking at something from.. anywhere from 90,000 per annum through to 150,000.- OK.
0:23:17 > 0:23:21So if you pitched yourself to start at the lower end of that range,
0:23:21 > 0:23:27you've got plenty of scope to grow over the next two or three years as your experience grows.
0:23:27 > 0:23:30If you can get a position with a company that's growing
0:23:30 > 0:23:34and doing well, you've got a good chance to grow with them.
0:23:34 > 0:23:37Simon's salary would match what he earns in the UK
0:23:37 > 0:23:41and with the prospect of it growing, a future down under looks promising.
0:23:41 > 0:23:47I feel very positive about the possibilities of a role here in Perth.
0:23:47 > 0:23:51My skills and experience seem to be a natural fit
0:23:51 > 0:23:54and the salary levels are what I need them to be
0:23:54 > 0:23:59for us to make a success of it, so I think it's going to be good.
0:23:59 > 0:24:01So which way will he vote?
0:24:01 > 0:24:06Based upon what I've found out today and the conversations I've had and the work I've done
0:24:06 > 0:24:12on whether I'm going to work in the UK or Australia, I'm going to vote for...
0:24:15 > 0:24:17..Australia.
0:24:17 > 0:24:23I think this is going to make it easier for Trudy, but I don't think it will be the overriding factor.
0:24:23 > 0:24:29There are other things relating to family and friends that will be a stronger pull on Trudy to the UK,
0:24:29 > 0:24:35so even though the opportunity to buy the house that we're going to want in the future
0:24:35 > 0:24:41is going to be sort of one thing off the checklist, I don't think it will be one of the main factors.
0:24:45 > 0:24:48Simon's earning potential is great news,
0:24:48 > 0:24:52but a big salary could come at a cost to the family.
0:24:52 > 0:24:58And there's another money matter for the Turners to face - the sale of the house they love.
0:24:58 > 0:25:02We've sent two estate agents round to the Turners' Swansea home
0:25:02 > 0:25:05for an estimate of what it may fetch on the market
0:25:05 > 0:25:11and with the house they like in Oz at the top of their budget, they'll need every penny they can raise.
0:25:12 > 0:25:16Ground floor bathroom. Good sized lounge.
0:25:16 > 0:25:20Patio doors opening on to the balcon as well and views of the bay.
0:25:20 > 0:25:23- Pity it weren't a nice day.- Hmm.
0:25:23 > 0:25:27Lovely sized bathroom. Nice sized corner bath with a shower over.
0:25:27 > 0:25:31- It looks nicer than I thought. - Yeah, it does.
0:25:31 > 0:25:36Very nice kitchen, two nice windows to the back garden as well, built-in appliances.
0:25:36 > 0:25:39He's polite, isn't he? I like him.
0:25:39 > 0:25:43Good sized second bedroom and definitely a boy's room.
0:25:44 > 0:25:48One of the pluses is it's got three good sized bedrooms.
0:25:48 > 0:25:51- She's nice, she is. - She is very nice, Kirst.
0:25:51 > 0:25:56The big plus for this property is obviously the fantastic sea view.
0:25:56 > 0:26:01Ex-local authority properties don't always attract buyers, but it has good views.
0:26:01 > 0:26:05We'd recommend that this property is put on the market at 89,950
0:26:05 > 0:26:08with offers at 80,000-plus being considered.
0:26:08 > 0:26:11The rental value would be around £450 per month.
0:26:11 > 0:26:14- That's not too bad.- No.
0:26:14 > 0:26:18We'd value this house at 85,950 with a quick sale of 80,000
0:26:18 > 0:26:21and a rental figure of 450.
0:26:21 > 0:26:27I'm surprised it was quite that low, but I'm not overly surprised the way the market's gone in recent years.
0:26:27 > 0:26:33- To be honest, I wouldn't even sell i for 80,000 or 85,000.- I'm not selling it for anything anyway.
0:26:33 > 0:26:36- I want it as a pension. - It won't deter our...
0:26:36 > 0:26:40- Not at all.- ..deter us from moving at all if we wanted to, is it?- No.
0:26:40 > 0:26:46- I was really happy with that. - You're just happy with the comments. - I don't care about value.
0:26:46 > 0:26:52That's a big drop in value even if Simon and Trudy seem determined to stay positive,
0:26:52 > 0:26:54but everything now hinges on the cost of living.
0:26:54 > 0:26:59We've prepared a comparison of the Turners' expenses in Australia.
0:26:59 > 0:27:05Based on their calculations, they'll find out if they can afford to live down under.
0:27:05 > 0:27:10- Lemons are three times as much, so you know the answer to that. - A lemon tree.- Yeah.
0:27:10 > 0:27:14So the overall difference is about £45, £50 a week.
0:27:14 > 0:27:17The weekly shop in Australia is more expensive.
0:27:17 > 0:27:19What about the other costs?
0:27:20 > 0:27:25Coming to the monthly payments, council tax is...
0:27:25 > 0:27:31- More expensive.- Transport is going to be a lot cheaper because you're not travelling to Cardiff.- Exactly.
0:27:31 > 0:27:35- I always expected the cost of living to be higher.- Yeah.
0:27:35 > 0:27:42Based on the UK salary of 50,000, we come out at just over 300 a month...every month left
0:27:42 > 0:27:47and the equivalent salary I've been told I can earn over here is around £90,000
0:27:47 > 0:27:51which is...80% more again, but because of the extra cost of living
0:27:51 > 0:27:55and the higher mortgage for the house that we want,
0:27:55 > 0:27:58we're going to pretty much come out the same every month.
0:27:58 > 0:28:03Financially, we'll just be the same. We're not moving to be better off.
0:28:03 > 0:28:07- As long as we're not worse off. - We're moving for a better lifestyle.
0:28:07 > 0:28:13- That's all good, isn't it?- I think so.- And the job market is good over here.- Very strong.- Very strong.
0:28:13 > 0:28:18- You're thinking the sooner you move, the better? - While the market's still strong.
0:28:19 > 0:28:26It looks as if the Turners will be no better or worse off in Australia than they are in the UK,
0:28:26 > 0:28:30so how will they decide where their future lies?
0:28:30 > 0:28:34So after considering the options on the cost of living in the UK
0:28:34 > 0:28:39as opposed to the cost of living in Australia, we're going to vote for...
0:28:46 > 0:28:49- ..Australia.- Australia.
0:28:51 > 0:28:58- Happy days.- Happy days. I thought you would vote Australia anyway.- We still had to make sure it was right.
0:28:58 > 0:29:03If we had been slightly worse off, there could have been adjustments we could have made.
0:29:03 > 0:29:10But if we had been quite worse off, I don't think I could have justified it to myself bringing everyone over.
0:29:10 > 0:29:16I just think if we're having a bette lifestyle and we're getting a better house out of it, which we are,
0:29:16 > 0:29:22then to break even with that kind of house and that kind of lifestyle is pretty good going.
0:29:26 > 0:29:31Having an accountant for a partner does have its advantages
0:29:31 > 0:29:34and Simon is convinced the numbers do add up.
0:29:34 > 0:29:37But for this move to really happen,
0:29:37 > 0:29:42everything hinges on the Turners finding a lifestyle they can all enjoy together.
0:29:42 > 0:29:47It's time for the Turners to sample what Perth has to offer the family.
0:29:47 > 0:29:53With Kirsty's keen interest in fashion, mum and daughter spend the afternoon hitting the shops
0:29:53 > 0:29:56for a bit of retail therapy and thinking time.
0:29:56 > 0:30:00Meanwhile, Simon and Jacob check out the local football club.
0:30:00 > 0:30:05Simon coaches Jacob's team at home and would like to continue down under,
0:30:05 > 0:30:09so they're joining a practice session for a kickabout.
0:30:09 > 0:30:13Do you want to get a ball and start to have a warm-up?
0:30:13 > 0:30:19- Yeah?- Then once you've warmed up, we'll introduce you to the team and we'll get going.
0:30:19 > 0:30:23He's already enjoying himself. He's smack in the middle of it all.
0:30:23 > 0:30:26Hopefully, that's a good sign for the future.
0:30:26 > 0:30:32While Jacob is getting stuck in, the girls are taking a break from shopping for a heart-to-heart.
0:30:34 > 0:30:37So being in the city centre here now,
0:30:37 > 0:30:42would this persuade you to come out, whether it's now or in a couple of years?
0:30:42 > 0:30:46Yeah, it has definitely persuaded me to come out.
0:30:46 > 0:30:53I mean, I have to finish uni. I'm not going back home anyway, whether you live there or not.
0:30:53 > 0:30:57So it has made me think about doing something with my career here.
0:30:57 > 0:31:03Even if you didn't move now, maybe after the degree, where there are no jobs back home,
0:31:03 > 0:31:07you could come out and make a life for yourself, come and stay with us,
0:31:07 > 0:31:13get yourself a job that you've always wanted, good pay and meet some friends and have a good life.
0:31:13 > 0:31:18- Yeah, it's made me think about it. - Good. All we want you to do is to think about it.
0:31:18 > 0:31:23Keeping Kirsty happy will go a long way to helping Trudy settle in Oz.
0:31:23 > 0:31:27But it's just as important that Jacob makes friends,
0:31:27 > 0:31:30so she's joining the soccer mums for a bit of a gossip.
0:31:30 > 0:31:36- Hi, guys.- Hi.- I think he'll miss his friends and his football friends are really important to him.
0:31:36 > 0:31:41This team is a really welcoming team, so he might get lucky.
0:31:41 > 0:31:43Jake joined it late and he loves it.
0:31:43 > 0:31:47Once they get involved in school, they make new friends.
0:31:47 > 0:31:50- They're very adaptable. - More adaptable than adults.
0:31:50 > 0:31:54I think, "When I get here, my God, I'm going to be on my own!"
0:31:54 > 0:31:58Then you meet mums when he goes to school and the soccer thing.
0:31:58 > 0:32:04- Yes, I'm hoping so, I'm hoping that's going to be my little... - Way in.- Yeah, way in.
0:32:04 > 0:32:08- Otherwise, I'll just be on my own all the time.- Which would be hard.
0:32:08 > 0:32:14A first taste of the Aussie lifestyle seems to be hitting all the right notes for the Turners.
0:32:17 > 0:32:22But Simon's dream has always been about spending more time together
0:32:22 > 0:32:29and they'll thank him as that means a 6am start the next morning for a bit of classic Aussie keep fit!
0:32:29 > 0:32:33We have a special family here this morning out from England.
0:32:33 > 0:32:39I don't know if they've won a prize or maybe it was last prize to get down to boot camp this morning.
0:32:39 > 0:32:44We're going to head off for a little jog, so you can chuck your drinks down there.
0:32:44 > 0:32:47We'll head clockwise around this way so follow me.
0:32:58 > 0:33:00Good work. That's it.
0:33:00 > 0:33:03Well done. Keep going.
0:33:03 > 0:33:04Raise...
0:33:04 > 0:33:07Three, two, one and go!
0:33:11 > 0:33:13Three, two, one and go!
0:33:16 > 0:33:20Kirsty's quite competitive in that little run.
0:33:20 > 0:33:23- Awesome work, eh? Kirsty doesn't do running.
0:33:23 > 0:33:28- She does a lot of sleeping. - Maybe the change in climate might inspire her.
0:33:31 > 0:33:35Compared to going to the gym back home, this is quite fun.
0:33:35 > 0:33:41Going to the gym, you just go to work out, but here it's activities, it's more than just working out.
0:33:42 > 0:33:45What do you like about it?
0:33:45 > 0:33:47Running slow...
0:33:47 > 0:33:50Would you get up to go to boot camp at the weekends?
0:33:50 > 0:33:54It was a really good way of making friends and I enjoyed it.
0:33:54 > 0:33:56It was good.
0:33:56 > 0:34:02I don't know about the six o'clock starts, mind, but I reckon you get used to them, don't you?
0:34:02 > 0:34:09Experiences like boot camp could be a way for the Turners to spend more time as a family,
0:34:09 > 0:34:14but have the last couple of days convinced everyone that the Aussie lifestyle is for them?
0:34:14 > 0:34:20The lifestyle that we've experienced here in Australia, compared to the UK, is a lot better,
0:34:20 > 0:34:23generally because of the weather as well,
0:34:23 > 0:34:26so our vote is going to be...
0:34:32 > 0:34:35ALL: Australia!
0:34:37 > 0:34:41- Everyone's Australia? - Yeah, everybody's Australia.
0:34:41 > 0:34:43I didn't expect that.
0:34:43 > 0:34:45- Happy with that, Kirst?- What?
0:34:45 > 0:34:49- Do you think the lifestyle is better here?- Yeah, it is better out here.
0:34:49 > 0:34:53Everything's chilled, everything's relaxed.
0:34:53 > 0:34:55- Which is what you like?- Yeah.
0:34:55 > 0:34:58Isn't that what you like, Trudy?
0:34:58 > 0:35:03I liked just basically everything over the week. The football was great. I got to meet mothers.
0:35:03 > 0:35:08I like football and it's better playing football out here
0:35:08 > 0:35:13because I've been playing in the sun and back home I always have to play in the rain.
0:35:13 > 0:35:16It's going to be better for us.
0:35:16 > 0:35:20We won't be spending nine months of the year stuck in front of the TV
0:35:20 > 0:35:26with someone spending three hours a night in front of his computer because there's nothing else to do.
0:35:31 > 0:35:38A vote for Perth's lifestyle is a huge boost for Trudy's hopes of bringing Kirsty with them to Oz,
0:35:38 > 0:35:42but there's still one big question that has to be answered -
0:35:42 > 0:35:47can the Turners cope with the pain of leaving their loved ones behind?
0:35:47 > 0:35:51The family are very close to their friends and relatives,
0:35:51 > 0:35:54so seeing messages from them will be hard for everyone.
0:35:54 > 0:35:59So we're going to have to watch the DVDs from all the family and friends now
0:35:59 > 0:36:04and we've seen yourself and the children get upset with these things.
0:36:04 > 0:36:07Should we let Jacob watch it? Kirsty is older.
0:36:07 > 0:36:13I think Kirsty wants to watch it anyway and I think Jacob would feel really left out if he didn't.
0:36:13 > 0:36:19It's important, because he's got to make a decision, we can't just show him the good stuff and not...
0:36:19 > 0:36:21I did say that the other day.
0:36:21 > 0:36:26I did say, "Is he just looking at the pool and thinking, 'I'm going to live here?'"
0:36:26 > 0:36:31As much as it may upset him, we've got to let him make the full decision.
0:36:33 > 0:36:36I'm not looking forward to this bit.
0:36:38 > 0:36:42- Hi, everyone.- Hi, gang. - Hello, Simon, Trudy.
0:36:42 > 0:36:46Simon, I'm very close to. He's my eldest.
0:36:46 > 0:36:51He never moved away from Swansea until he was in the navy.
0:36:51 > 0:36:53Trudy's a fun-loving person.
0:36:53 > 0:36:56She always looks for the best in people.
0:36:56 > 0:37:00Trudy as a sister is very caring, supportive.
0:37:00 > 0:37:02She's always there for me.
0:37:02 > 0:37:05As a daughter, Kirsty is very loving
0:37:05 > 0:37:10She loves coming home on her breaks. It's nice to see her.
0:37:10 > 0:37:14I think they're doing the right thing. If it was me,
0:37:14 > 0:37:19looking back on my life, I would go straight away.
0:37:19 > 0:37:23Before, it was always in the future, but I don't know how I'll cope with it.
0:37:25 > 0:37:29I know how I feel. I don't know how his mum feels.
0:37:29 > 0:37:31I do know how she feels.
0:37:32 > 0:37:33But...
0:37:33 > 0:37:36It's a big wrench.
0:37:36 > 0:37:42I hope this week away has helped you make up your mind on what you want to do.
0:37:42 > 0:37:48Even though you're going to be miles away, we're always here for you and you can pick up the phone.
0:37:48 > 0:37:54I can't tell you how much I'll miss you all. Trudy, I'll always be your best friend wherever you live.
0:37:54 > 0:38:00I think you've got great courage and I just want you to know I love you all very much.
0:38:00 > 0:38:04Hi, Kirsty. I hope you make the righ decision which is to stay there.
0:38:04 > 0:38:07I'll miss you very much and I love you.
0:38:07 > 0:38:10If you want to come home, there's always a place here for you.
0:38:10 > 0:38:14Whatever you decide, we'll back you all the way.
0:38:16 > 0:38:23- Go for it, boy. You, Trudy, Kirsty and Jacob. If you like it out there, go for it.- We love you lots.
0:38:23 > 0:38:27Don't forget me, will you, please? I'm not going to forget you.
0:38:28 > 0:38:34God bless you all! I'm so happy for you. Make a go of it, please.
0:38:34 > 0:38:36Bye-bye, darling.
0:38:38 > 0:38:42I do want them to go, but I'm going to miss them.
0:38:44 > 0:38:46That was really sad.
0:38:47 > 0:38:50- That was sad, wasn't it?- Hmm.
0:38:50 > 0:38:54That was tough. That was really hard.
0:38:54 > 0:38:58- It was tough.- It was tough.- It was tougher than I thought it would be.
0:38:58 > 0:39:00It's going to be a tough decision now.
0:39:00 > 0:39:05Kirsty, whichever decision you make, it hasn't got to be your decision for ever.
0:39:05 > 0:39:08Do you think you're going to lose support?
0:39:08 > 0:39:10Um...
0:39:13 > 0:39:16You're not going to lose support here.
0:39:16 > 0:39:20It's not going to be any different to being over here, is it?
0:39:23 > 0:39:26Hmm? You're going to get the same support.
0:39:26 > 0:39:32Exactly the same support. No matter where we are, I'm always going to be there for you
0:39:32 > 0:39:38whether it's the end of the phone, on the end of a plane. Christmas you can come and spend on the beach
0:39:38 > 0:39:40and eye up all the talent.
0:39:40 > 0:39:44- Hmm?- There'll always be a room in the house for you wherever we are.
0:39:44 > 0:39:50There'll always be a home here if we decide to come over here. Whereve we are, there's a home for you.
0:39:55 > 0:40:00Seeing the pain their move would cause was a tough experience for the whole family.
0:40:00 > 0:40:06With their future hopes in the balance, it's time for the Turners to make their crucial final vote.
0:40:07 > 0:40:10The week's been very, very tiring.
0:40:10 > 0:40:14It's had its ups and downs, but overall, I think we've enjoyed it.
0:40:14 > 0:40:18I really didn't think I was going to like it over here.
0:40:18 > 0:40:21I was more or less going for Simon's sake.
0:40:21 > 0:40:27At the beginning, I was so scared, if I didn't want to come here, that I was going to lose my mum.
0:40:27 > 0:40:30I don't think I'm going to lose my mum any more.
0:40:30 > 0:40:36I think I've put her mind at rest that I'm not going to abandon her to come over here.
0:40:36 > 0:40:40I'll still be with her 100%. I'm always going to be her mother.
0:40:40 > 0:40:43I'll always be there for her like I have the last 19 years.
0:40:43 > 0:40:49The things we've done this week have reinforced the view that we're going to have...
0:40:49 > 0:40:54I won't call it a better lifestyle. We enjoy our lifestyle back home.
0:40:54 > 0:40:58We'll have a different lifestyle that will be of benefit as well.
0:40:58 > 0:41:04We've only got one life and if I don't give it a chance, for me and Simon and for the kids,
0:41:04 > 0:41:08then I'm going to really be missing out on something really good.
0:41:08 > 0:41:13It's time to vote. Has Trudy done enough to persuade Kirsty
0:41:13 > 0:41:18or will Simon have to put his dreams on hold to keep the family together?
0:41:18 > 0:41:21It's been a week of ups and downs, I'm hoping mostly ups.
0:41:21 > 0:41:25I guess we'll find out in a few moments.
0:41:25 > 0:41:30Based on our experiences of the past week, we've decided to vote for...
0:41:34 > 0:41:36TRUDY AND SIMON: Australia.
0:41:39 > 0:41:43Australia for you. We knew Kirsty was going to go UK.
0:41:43 > 0:41:47What about you, Jake? It was Australia then, was it?
0:41:47 > 0:41:50- Stay in Australia?- Yeah?
0:41:50 > 0:41:52Well done, boy.
0:41:53 > 0:41:55Maybe in a couple of years' time?
0:41:55 > 0:42:00- It's not that I'm not ruling out Australia...- Yeah, I know.
0:42:00 > 0:42:04But if I voted for now, to go back now, it would be Britain now.
0:42:04 > 0:42:09- To go back to Britain now.- But maybe in two years' time, the vote will be completely different.
0:42:09 > 0:42:13I'd wait till I'd finished uni, then it might be Australia.
0:42:13 > 0:42:19- I think that's the fairest thing we can ask for.- I'm happy with that. - Yeah?- That's made me happy.
0:42:19 > 0:42:22- That's made me happy.- Cool.
0:42:22 > 0:42:26I need to grow up and realise that I need to rely on myself as well.
0:42:26 > 0:42:30They are nearly 40 and it's a great opportunity for Jacob.
0:42:30 > 0:42:36Even if I don't want to go, I'll always support them going because it would be great for them as well.
0:42:36 > 0:42:42We'll always be a family, there'll always be us four, but we'll just live in different places.
0:42:47 > 0:42:54After a week to remember, the Turners have made the big leap and chosen a new life in Australia.
0:42:54 > 0:42:59And there's still a chance that Kirsty will join them on the other side of the world.
0:43:19 > 0:43:23Subtitles by Subtext for Red Bee Media Ltd 2012
0:43:23 > 0:43:26Email subtitling@bbc.co.uk