Green Family Wanted Down Under

Making a new start in a new country is always a gamble,

but when you've faced tough times at home,

the grass can look a lot greener on the far side of the world.

For one family, a chance to find out could decide their future.

The Green family believe in living life with a positive attitude,

but financial worries have put their world under threat.

I'm working harder, I'm getting more stressed.

A big mortgage to pay, bills to pay. It takes its toll, I think.

So can Australia provide the new life they dream of?

We're going to be quite unstable financially for the first few years.

I wouldn't even consider living here.

It's a huge gamble for the family and the stakes couldn't be higher.

It's a real wrench. A real wrench.

With its sunny climate and connections to the UK,

Australia has always been a favourite destination

for Brits seeking a new life.

But behind leaving everything and everyone you know

can be much harder than you expect.

The Greens have one week to experience living in Australia,

before deciding whether to make the move Down Under for good.

Making that choice though

could mean leaving their home in St Albans far behind them.

They fly from London via Singapore, spending 20 hours in the air

and covering almost 10,000 miles.

After touching down, thoughts quickly turn to the possibilities of living in Australia.

The journey doesn't concern us really.

It's just the thought of our grandparents not being able to come out.

-It would put a few people off coming to visit.

-Yeah!

Mind you, when they see the palm trees!

It's a typically positive start to the Greens' week,

and a world away from their lives back in St Albans.

School nurse, Sally, and her husband, Mark, are parents

to 19-year-old Jake and daughters Ella, 15, and 11-year-old old Izzy.

Freelance photographer Mark has worked hard to build his business and support the family

but the recession has meant tough times.

The lack of work has repercussions with the family because it means I'm seeing less and less of them.

I'm working harder, I'm getting more stressed.

A big mortgage to pay, bills to pay. It takes its toll, I think.

It's a time for change.

Desperate for a better quality of life,

the family were set to emigrate three years ago,

but couldn't sell their property, and found themselves trapped.

I'd come to the conclusion that that was it. We were going to have to stay in the UK.

We literally felt it was all taken away from us.

And unable to escape, things went from bad to worse.

We went through a stage where, financially,

we were really struggling and I wasn't sleeping at night.

My Mum, who had had Alzheimer's, died quite suddenly. My Dad had had a stroke.

Jake had been beaten up, Ella had had a spinal operation

and finally, I ended up in hospital with pneumonia.

I think we just thought, enough is enough.

It's been particularly hard, the last few years especially.

That's why we've been thinking about perhaps moving to Australia.

The Greens are pinning their hopes on a better life Down Under

but everything hinges on Sally getting visa sponsorship for an Australian hospital.

If I don't get the sponsorship, I don't get the dream for either myself or my family,

which would be very difficult.

Student Jake may follow his family after completing his degree

but for Ella and Izzy, leaving friends and relatives will be far more immediate.

I'm worried about starting again because even though I know the lifestyle would be better,

I've got amazing friends here.

So to leave them is going to be really hard.

And for Sally, leaving her Dad behind will be a painful decision to make.

It really worries me, leaving my Dad behind.

When we were looking at emigrating a few years ago,

about the time we would have actually landed in Australia, was actually the time that my Mum died.

I think it was a real reality check because had we landed then,

I would have been on the next plane home again.

So you realise that wherever you are and whatever you're doing,

there's always going to be a pull back to the UK.

The Greens are willing to give up a lot to move Down Under,

but there's no guarantee that life there will be any better.

It's a big test of their positive outlook on life.

It's sink or swim, really. We've got to try and do something.

-We just want a future.

-We just want a future, not only for ourselves.

We're really conscious of the children. It's now or never really.

If ever a family needed a new start, it's the Greens.

But with so much riding on the week ahead,

can the reality of life in Oz live up to their hopes?

Or could their dreams be starting to unravel?

The family want to find out if Perth in Western Australia could be the right place for them.

It's a fast growing city with low unemployment and a booming economy,

and should be ideal for Mark and Sally's work prospects.

But can it live up to their hopes?

Home for the week is the beachside suburb of Mullaloo, just north of the city.

This four-bedroom house is close to the beach with plenty of space to spread out,

and should give them a great first taste of Aussie living.

Oh, wow! Look! This is nice.

-Lovely.

-Put the kettle on then!

They like what they see, but the reality of what's to come is starting to hit home.

It does suddenly hit you that you've arrived somewhere and actually, you don't know a soul.

We're looking forward to looking around and see what Perth's got to offer.

I feel like, as a family, we're ready for an adventure.

Back in the UK, the Greens live in this four-bedroom house in St Albans.

It's perfectly suited to their needs

and they're hoping to find something similar in Perth.

We'd love to have a bedroom each for the children

and somewhere that's flexible for people to come and stay.

I'm hoping that loads of people will come and stay.

The kids desperately want a swimming pool, of course.

It's more the area really, to be honest.

Hopefully, if it's near the beach and near amenities, we'll be very happy won't we?

They hope to raise £300,000 in equity from the sale,

and have a budget of up to £600,000 in mind for a future Australian home.

We've arranged to give the Greens a taste of Perth'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 the price of each of the houses.

The search begins in the suburb of Ellenbrook, on the north edge of the city.

It's a relatively new area with lots of on-going development.

And being on the outskirts, should offer value for money.

But savings on prices could come at the cost of an established location.

The four-bedroom single storey property they've come to see

is a typical open plan Aussie home, but what will they make of it?

-Nice!

-Wow!

-Lovely flooring.

This could be your chill out room, guys.

Wow, look at this! Izzy, look, walk-in wardrobes. Wow, look, there's two!

The house's stylish interior and open spaces seem to be going down well.

Would you like living in a place like this? Open plan?

Yeah, I'm very open to anything, actually.

I don't know if it would be too noisy.

Cooking, talking, eating, someone playing pool.

Mark seems less impressed, so it's on to the bedrooms.

At least there's no fighting over which room you're going to have. They're all the same.

-They're all big enough for double beds though.

-Better than at home.

-Yeah. Anything bigger, really.

Outside there's a decent sized garden with space to entertain.

It's very small but it's beautifully designed, isn't it?

If we didn't care about a pool, it would be nice.

-Guys, look, a pizza oven. Rather than a barbecue.

-That's nice.

I like the property,

but the fact it hasn't got a pool would be a no-no really.

It's all nicely done but it's not for us.

This house hasn't exactly blown them away,

and they have no idea of its price,

So how close is it to their £600,000 budget?

-I reckon it's just under two hundred.

-Yeah. So, 195 in UK pounds?

-I think so.

-Yeah.

-OK, shall we have a look and see?

-Great. Let's find out.

-And?

-Wow! Three twenty.

-That's more.

That's a lot more than we thought, isn't it?

So it's the equivalent of £320,000.

That surprises me. I wouldn't even consider living here

because we're so far from the sea, there's no swimming pool here,

it's too open plan for me and its facilities for the children.

There's no infrastructure round here at the moment.

This house is £280,000 under budget,

which would leave them virtually mortgage free.

But the lack of facilities

and location hasn't impressed the Greens.

So can the next house will offer them more of what they want?

The destination is the family suburb of Darch.

With plenty of schools, shops and sports facilities close by

and the beach a short drive away, it offers a far more lively location.

And with four bedrooms over two storeys, it's a much closer match

to their UK home, which should help the Greens feel more at home.

Every boy's dream, Jake.

An office probably.

-Yeah, that's nice. Open plan.

-I like that.

-This is lovely.

So far so good.

I think it would be lovely for when we had visitors

because it would be a bit separate from the family, which is nice.

They've got their own wardrobe, en-suite shower room. It would be really lovely wouldn't it?

That's Grandad sorted!

Upstairs, there's a further three bedrooms, so plenty of room for everyone.

In fact, things seem too good to be true.

-This is a lovely sitting area.

-Great. We could use it as a dining area.

I didn't realise there was a main road here though.

-It's a shame because that's the swimming pool.

-Oh, right.

-I thought this was the back of the house.

-It is the back of the house but it's a main road.

-Oh, right.

-You can't have everything, can you?

-No, you can't.

A swimming pool was high on the Greens' wish list, but a house next to a main road definitely wasn't.

Even so, they're staying as positive as ever.

So after discovering that property one was affordable,

do they think that property two is within their budget?

-Moment of truth. How much is it worth?

-What do you reckon?

I think it's about £600,000. English pounds.

If you think about it, you don't know much about the area,

but what we've seen driving up, it's not like the beach, it's not loads of shops.

I was thinking about 800,000 dollars.

-Oh, wow!

-850,000 dollars. I was fifty thousand out.

So at the moment with the exchange rate, that's about 540,000 UK pounds.

-That's about what I thought.

-Yeah, that's what I thought.

-It's a good price for the house but it reflects in the location.

-Yeah.

-If you were near a beach...

-I suppose it would be over a million.

-Oh, yeah.

Although this house offered plenty, it still hasn't lived up to the Greens' hopes.

Everything now rests on their final stop.

The third house is in the Ashfield area.

It's close to the city centre with good schools and popular with families.

A central location should mean an easier commute to work,

but will it come with a jump in price?

With a pool, plenty of room, and a great location, on paper,

this house should offer everything the Greens are looking for.

Wow!

Wow! This is lovely.

I think we should buy this now!

Yeah. Sold to the Green family!

But bear in mind, how far are we from the sea?

That's true. But we're near the city.

Yet again, the family are seeing the bright side.

But could choosing between the city and beach be a drawback?

-Oh, wow! That looks like a lovely garden.

-Yeah, that's nice.

-Wow! Look at that pool!

-Is there a swimming pool down there?

-Let's have a look.

-Look, it's got the little huts we like. It's got a table and seats.

-This is nice.

-What's in there? Is that an en-suite?

-Yeah.

My blue and white duvet would go so good in here with my white furniture.

-You reckon this is your room, do you?! That's a nice, bit en-suite.

-It's huge!

The house seems to have won everyone over.

But will it be worth giving up on a beach location?

It's got a swimming pool, it's got the grounds.

From what I've seen so far, it's got the living accommodation, which we all like.

-It's near the city.

-It's near the city.

So, for me, this property would be worth sacrificing the beach for.

Well, that's progress, and there's just the downstairs to investigate.

-Isn't this fantastic!

-It looks outside to the pool as well.

That is lovely.

It could actually be like a visitor accommodation as well. It could be both.

You could have pool or table tennis there.

It's big enough for a whole family to stay in if you think how big it is.

You could have a double bed there and a couple of singles here.

-Almost like this is accommodation come day lounge.

-Yeah.

-Beautiful!

'The Greens seem truly smitten by this house.

'But will its location put it over budget?

'Everything rests on the turn of a card.'

-My guess is it's going to be over £1m.

-I think a million.

-It won't be over.

-The moment of truth.

One million! £635,000!

How? My goodness.

We just don't know, do we? We have no idea of prices or location.

That is just incredible.

We said there's going to be a compromise

so either the accommodation is small because you're near the sea

or because you're near the sea, you won't need a swimming pool.

It's changing what we said originally.

The goal posts are changing but they always do.

'The Greens seem to have found what they're looking for, but it comes with a big price tag.

'And with uncertainty over their job prospects,

'will it put them under the same financial strain they want to escape from?

'The family have seen three different housing options with two clear financial choices.

'The first offered a mortgage free future but it fell short

'of the lifestyle Mark and Sally were used to and would want.

'The second house offered stylish interiors and the swimming pool they craved,

'but it came with noisy neighbours.

'House number three offered everything they wanted in an Aussie home

'but they wouldn't be able to pay for it on Sally's wages alone.

'So which way will they vote on houses, Australia or UK?'

Based on the properties we've seen, we've all decided to vote for...

ALL: Australia!

We got them the wrong way round?

Well done, we all picked Australia.

-Oh, wow! Amazing.

-You could probably tell that.

-Not surprising!

We've suddenly realised that maybe the goal posts have changed a bit.

It's a little about money, a little about locations and ease of access to Perth.

It's more about the lifestyle and less about having the beach on our doorstep

if it has to be a choice.

I'm optimistic with the price of this property.

Tomorrow, once we have an idea of the job market

and how much we can earn, we can sit down

and have a look at prices.

A full house of votes is a great start for the Greens.

Although it comes with a hefty price tag.

The home they fell for is way over budget,

and unless they find good work prospects and salaries,

their new start could be a real challenge.

'Back in the UK, Mark runs his own freelance photography business.

'He's built it up over the ten years,

'but the recession has hit him hard and motivated the move to Australia.'

The bread and butter has gone in my industry.

The more lucrative work is getting harder to find.

'Mark hopes Australia could offer better prospects.

'But it's Sally's nursing qualifications that hold the key to the move.

'As the main visa applicant, the family's dreams

'rest on her chances of securing a work sponsorship.'

It would be hard to give this job up because I love it.

As it's a passport to be able to relocate to Australia

and a better future for Mark's career,

I'm happy to do it. I will be sad to give this job up.

'In Perth, there's a lot riding on the day ahead.

'She's visiting one of the hospitals

'to find out about her prospects in Australia.'

I feel like I'm going for an interview. I feel quit nervous.

'Director of Nursing and ex-pat, Cath Smith,

'is on hand to give her an insight into working Down Under.

'Here, Sally would work as a paediatric nurse.

'To put her bedside manner to the test, she's meeting Cherie Crocker and Jeffrey.'

Hello, Jeffrey, Hello. I understand it's bronchiolitis season.

-Is that what's Jeffrey's got?

-Yes.

-Poor Jeffrey, that's not very nice.

In the UK, with the bronchiolitis season, I associate it with being cold and wintry.

Even though it's not like that here,

it's interesting that your winter is still the broncholitis season.

-How have you found the nursing care on here?

-It's excellent.

If you've got questions, they answer them.

They help you and give you a break. Anything you need, they help you.

That's lovely. Do you think it will be a nice place for me to come and work?

-It would.

-You think people are friendly?

-They are.

-That's lovely.

That's important to me. It's going to be a big move coming from the UK.

To know I'm going to come to a unit that's friendly is lovely.

'It's vital Sally can secure a visa,

'but for Mark it's just as important he can find work,

'or the Greens will be jumping out of the frying pan into the fire.

'To get some advice, he's spending the day on the beach at a lifestyle shoot.'

I'm hoping to find out what the freelance possibilities are from my colleagues.

It's going to be a great experience. Glad to be here. Looking forward to it.

'He's meeting freelance photographers Erick and Ian

to find out about work prospects in Perth.'

It's important for me to get up and running.

I wanted to know what the freelance possibilities are here in Perth.

Commercially, there are good clients here for advertising.

There are good clients here for mining.

It's a matter of having your own niche and get part of the market.

Sure.

If you are going to come over here and going to see clients

it will be two years before you start getting a good flow of clients

because it takes time.

'Building up a new career could take time and a lot of effort

'but are the rewards worth it?'

Let's just wait for that sun to come out.

Over here, photographers charge between £1,200-£2,500 a day.

Coming over here, you would be able to get on your feet.

I have to get on my feet pretty quickly, I've got three kids. My mentality is different.

I'll have to go into areas or go to the mining up north and do some research.

'The rates sound good, but with no guarantee that Mark will find work,

'it's even more important that Sally has a good chance of getting that sponsored visa.'

There's going to be a lot of opportunities for nurses in WA health.

This particular hospital is expanding.

We are recruiting and we also have the development of a new tertiary hospital.

That's going to be completed in 2014

so we will be reliant on a number of overseas recruitments

for the workforce of that hospital.

'In the UK, a nurse with Sally's experience and qualifications could earn £34,000.

'In Australia, she'll need to at least match that to make the move financially viable.'

I've printed off a salary sheet for you

which explains how the salaries work for nurses in WA.

I've worked out roughly from your CV

that you'd be a level 1.5 which is 62,262 a year.

That's a basic salary.

That probably equates to about £40,000.

It's obviously a better salary. That makes me feel positive. Thank you.

I feel like a huge weight's been lifted off my shoulders.

The future of my family emigrating out here

relies on me getting a job and a visa sponsorship.

I was beginning to feel that was impossible.

Now it's a certainty. It's a total change and it's lovely.

'Australia seems to offer lots of promise.

'But is it worth giving up the job she loves to work full-time?

'The future of the move lies in Sally's hands.

Based on our experience, our vote today is..

-Both!

-Australia!

Oh! Australia! That's fantastic! Brilliant!

-I can't choose because they were absolutely lovely.

-What have you done?

Both! I love the work today but I love my job in the UK.

-That's fantastic!

-I know it's going to be a learning curve

and it's going to take a year or two for me to get established,

but if you are going to do it anywhere, you might as well do it here.

It's a mixed result for the Greens.

Sally's happy nursing in the UK or Australia,

but Mark knows building up his career could be tough proposition.

With a possible dream house to pay for,

everything could hinges on selling their UK home.

'We sent two local estate agents around to the family house

'in St Albans to find out what it might fetch on the current market.

'If they're to afford their ideal home, they'll need to raise

'every penny they can towards a house in Australia.'

This is quite a big room and it's being made to look quite small.

It's probably a little bit cluttered.

That's a polite way of saying it's full of junk.

A nice, bright, spacious kitchen

which leads on to a conservatory with seating area.

So this is a wonderful addition to the property.

-The garage space is being utilised as an office.

-It's a bit messy.

-I thought your rooms were messy, but that's bad.

-Yeah.

Nice-sized double bedroom

with the bay window from above the downstairs sitting room.

A very nice room.

So this is the smallest room in the house,

which is the fourth bedroom, which is being used as a child's room.

So this is the second bathroom which is a bit dated,

so would require a bit of work.

-It's not that bad!

-It is!

In this current climate, I'd expect this property

to go on the market for around about £575,000.

For a quick sale, we'd be looking to achieve around about £540,000.

In today's market, I'd value this house at around £625,000.

For a quick sale, perhaps just slightly under £600,000.

Maybe with an asking price of £599,950.

We like him.

Is that about right, or did you think a bit more?

It's about right.

'The lowest valuation of £540,000 is far less than they'd hoped for.

'And it was the failure to sell their house

'that put the brakes on their last move.

'But once again, Mark and Sally are remaining positive.'

Let's check these figures over.

'Will the cost of living in Australia dent their enthusiasm?

'We've prepared a comparison of the Greens' expenses at home and in Oz.

'Based on their calculations, they'll find out

'if they can afford to live Down Under.'

So this is the grocery list.

Everything in Australia is more expensive.

The final total, according to our shopping list,

£121 in the UK

and £202 in Australia.

So even those small differences add up to quite a lot in the end.

OK, let's do the outgoings first.

-And the grand total is...?

-2,091.

UK pounds. And now Australia.

Mm-hm. 2,482.

It means we're going to be paying

another 4,692 per year.

And your difference in wages?

My wages, even at a much lower band of nurse grade in Australia,

I'd still be £5,600 better off.

It will even out with my extra wages here

and the cost extra of utilities and food here.

We wouldn't be able to afford the dream property.

That's lovely.

I never expected to come into a property like that straightaway.

We'll be quite unstable financially for the first couple of years.

But I think because we've been through a lot of stress in the UK,

we're sort of almost used to it. So I think we're willing to take that gamble.

If push comes to shove, I'll do a couple of jobs out here.

I mean, you know,

if it gets us up and running as a family, then I'll do that.

'It's a tough decision. The Greens could struggle

'for the first couple of years in Australia,

'adding to their stress and pressure.

'Are they willing to take on the risk?'

Potentially, it is going to be a lot better for us and the family.

I think initially...

-It is going to be hard for the first year or two.

-Yeah.

But I think what we've got to think about is

the potential for the future.

So based on today's reality check,

our decision is to vote...

-Australia.

-..Australia!

THEY LAUGH

-So you did Australia, as well?

-I did.

-Well done.

-Well, I think potentially...

-Yeah.

-I think potentially...

-Potentially for work and potential for the family.

-Yeah.

-I think...

-I think we feel a bit like we're sinking in the UK

and there's a possibility of having a lot of optimism for the future.

-Making a difference.

-Making a difference. Yeah.

Mark and Sally seem determined to make the move, even though

the figures don't look any better than those at home.

But in their eyes,

it's the Australian lifestyle

that could make all the difference to the family.

And with so many of them, keeping everyone happy could be a real test.

'To give the Greens a taste of what Perth has to offer,

'they're heading out to explore one of the beaches in the area.

'If they make the move Down Under, it's important for all the family

'to settle in and make friends.

'And for Jake, at least, that transition could be an easier one.

'Back in the UK, he works as a lifeguard.

'Joining a lifesavers' club could be a great place to make friends.'

Jake's just come over from the UK. He's come to try surf lifesaving.

I thought you guys could show him what you can do on the board

and maybe give him a few tips.

'He may have had experience poolside,

'but I'm afraid in Oz, they do most of their saving on surfboards.'

'So while Jake tries to stay afloat, Ella and Izzy meet up

'with some of the club's girl members.

'And they have something in common.'

-So, are you guys all from Australia originally?

-No.

I moved here about seven years ago.

From Milton Keynes in England.

-So, are you pleased you made the move?

-Yeah. Absolutely.

Australia has so many more options for us.

The thing I'd miss back at home is, like, obviously, friends and family.

That's why Surf Club's really great.

It's a good social environment, as well.

-So not just your brother can join, but you two can, as well.

-That's good.

Definitely, if you come and emigrate here, then you'll be able to meet new people.

It's a lifestyle, rather than a sport.

'And, of course, the most important reason for the move to Australia...'

-Lots of boys.

-Lots of boys.

-Hot bodies. Good tans.

-Do you get the traditional surf dudes?

-Pardon?

-Blond hair.

-Blue eyes.

'Mark can see the benefits, too.'

I think they're in an environment where they can come down and meet friends

and I think it's shown them it's possible to make friends quickly.

'Although Jake may not move over with the family straightaway,

'it's still important that he could see a life for himself Down Under.'

If I do come out here, this is something I would do.

So it has influenced me in that way.

'And making friends seems to have come easy to the girls, too,

'which will hopefully give them confidence about a move.'

-I think generally, Australians are all really nice.

-Yeah.

And it's interesting to see that they're not Australian,

they're like all from other countries.

And the positiveness of, like, how they've adapted here

and the lifestyle.

I think it's made me feel even more that I want to move

cos if they can do it, I don't see why I couldn't.

'A few hours on the beach has given the family a glimpse

'of how life could be Down Under.'

It makes us feel a lot better knowing the kids would make friends easily.

Whereas before we have a sense of duty as parents

to try and make the right decision for our children,

now I think it will be their decision, rather than just ours.

'But it's not just all about beaches and barbies.

'There's also plenty of parks and green spaces to explore in Perth.

'And one of the best ways of seeing them is on two wheels.

'In Western Australia, it's the law to wear a helmet when cycling,

'so the Greens are buckling up.

'But Jake and Ella decide to go on foot.'

Keep up, guys.

It's great! Look at that!

-Look at that! Isn't that beautiful!

-It's river, is it?

Oh, look! We were wondering when you were going to turn up.

Wow! That's great, isn't it?

You never overtook us, did you?

I think I remember beating you lot.

I remember being right behind you, which is pretty impressive.

'Spending time together as a family

'has brought home the opportunities Australia offers.'

Sally and I have, come to a stage in our life

with our age and professionally

where we're...looking for change

and, um, looking for sort of an adventure.

I think we have to try and make a decision

for what we feel is the right thing for all of us for the future.

If we came to Australia, my mum and dad and all us

would see it as a new start. Everything's over.

We're all well.

Come out to the sunshine, have the nice lifestyle.

In reality, it might not be as good as we're saying and we know that,

but the fact that we can start over

and forget about everything and just have a new life,

an adventure, a journey out here,

yeah, I think it will be good for all of us.

Mum and Dad, they go to work and then they come back and work.

And, like they said, all they seem to be doing is working.

So if we came out here, we'd, like, have more leisure time,

make more leisure time, spend more time as a family, go to the beach

and not just be indoors and all around the house.

Just outdoors together.

I would like them to go ahead and move.

I can always come out at a later date or as a holiday.

I won't be living with them for ever.

So I want them to come here either way, really.

With or without me.

'It's been an ideal day

'and I have a sneaking feeling which way this vote may go.'

We've had a fantastic day today.

The sun's been out, we've been cycling, by the lake

and eating ice-creams.

And our final vote for lifestyle is...

ALL: Australia!

What did we all put?

Everyone was Australia and Ella's...

I meant to do both, actually.

-THEY LAUGH

-But I did Australia!

-You love Australia, Ella?

-Yeah.

I like the lifestyle here,

but we haven't been able to see as much as I want to.

-It's only based on what you've seen.

-And what about you, Jake?

It's the sun. It's quite nice over here.

-It makes you feel well.

-I like the beach.

And the beach, yeah. The beaches are so beautiful, aren't they?

Beautiful weather in the winter.

It would be ideal to go to work in this weather.

To commute in this weather must be bliss. Australia gets my vote today.

After another vote for Oz,

the Greens have well and truly fallen for life Down Under.

But there's still one final test for them to face.

The reality of leaving behind the people they love.

I know we've had an amazing week and I know I've watched

the children's sort of emotions change towards the move to Australia

during the week, but, er,...I'm a bit worried

about them watching the DVD

because I think, you know, it's going to be quite heart-wrenching, really.

I know. But that's all part of the process, darling. We're out here.

We can't bring them here for the experience and then, you know,

not let them go through the...the difficult part, really.

-Yeah.

-Of seeing our friends and relatives

and how they feel about us.

I think we should let them watch it.

-Yeah.

-All watch it as a family.

-Yeah.

Hi, Sally. Hi, Mark. And the kids.

-Hi, Sally and Mark and the rest of the family.

-BOTH: Hello!

Hello, Sally and Mark. I'm glad you've had a nice week in Perth.

I've been Sally's friend for just over 20 years.

And, she is one of my closest friends.

She's a great friend. She's very supportive of the kids.

And Mark and all the rest of the family.

They're like our second family here in the UK.

We don't want them to go, but if that's what they want,

um, we're very happy for them.

We wish them the best of luck.

I shall miss them a lot.

But I can't be sad for them.

Because they have to do what they have to do.

It's just been so lovely having them there.

-They're always there.

-Our children have grown up together.

All those years of parties and picnics

and everyday life and suddenly...

It's a long way away, Australia.

Since my wife died 2.5 years ago,

it's the family I'm closest to.

I live near them.

And if they go, it will leave a hole

in my existence in St Albans, if you like.

Sally, Mark, you've been out there for a week now.

Just make the decision with your heart.

I know you've got to make a decision,

but the decision should be yours.

You shouldn't really think about us in the UK.

You've got to think of yourselves.

I hope you'll go, enjoy life there

and I shall be out to see you.

It's, like, you know Pop is upset,

-but he just doesn't want to say it.

-Yeah. Yeah.

He's always been really supportive of us

and, always helped us when we need help and, um...yeah.

I suppose I always envisaged we'd be there for him as he got older.

She can always leave a job, you can always leave an area,

but to leave your friends and your family

is a difficult thing to do.

We are very close, the five of us,

but we're also very close to our friends and my dad at home.

Um, it's a real wrench. A real wrench.

Seeing their loved ones was a painful reminder

of just what the Greens' new start would cost.

And with so many question marks over their finances,

making their final decision could be a real test of their belief.

So, will it be Australia or the UK?

I think the week we've had here has been more than I could've wanted.

Cos, before we came,

I was really excited, really wanted to come,

then right before we came, I thought, what am I doing? Can't do this.

I arrived in Perth and thought, I don't know anybody.

And from then on, I've just had the most amazing time.

It's been fantastic.

I was...a bit apprehensive

to whether I would like the area, like Perth.

But I think after just being here a week, it's wonderful, beautiful.

The opportunities we've experienced

and the lifestyle, generally,

we've got a good insight of what life would be out here

and, yeah, I think it's been good, hasn't it?

Yeah. None of us feel like drastically,

definitely not going or 100% are going.

We've got pros and cons of staying

and pros and cons of coming out here.

There seem far more opportunities for not only people of our age,

but for children coming out of university, as well.

So, yeah, it's all about hope.

I have to, er, look after my interests

and look after their interests. Hopefully, as a family,

we'll make the right decision.

'Will the promise of a new life be enough to convince the Greens

'that it's worth the sacrifice?'

Based on all of our experiences this week, we've decided to vote for...

ALL: Australia!

Has everyone voted? You did both, Jake, did you? He's done both.

Why did you do both?

Just for now, I can't decide

on one week's worth of seeing Australia,

I can't decide definitely 100% I want to move here,

so that's why I chose 50/50.

I think we need to give it a go.

I think, um,...it would be a good choice to make.

I'm really excited about the prospect of living somewhere else

and this week has just confirmed what I'd hoped that, um,...

..living in the sun, feeling well and, um,...

..just trying something new is really exciting.

And life's for living.

After a memorable week, the Greens have been convinced

that Australia can offer them a new start.

They may have plenty still to do before they make the move,

but it's a big step towards the future they dream of.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd

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