Devey Family Wanted Down Under

Fond memories of holidays abroad can often give rise to

dreams of what life might be like if we lived in some far-flung

corner of the world. But are they just fantasies,

or could the grass really be greener in another country?

For one UK family,

the next seven days will answer the biggest question of their lives.

Sophie Devey has long dreamt of starting a new life down under.

If we don't get to go and see it,

it will always be there - it will always be "what if"?

But it's a dream her husband Steven struggles to share.

I just said, "No, I'm not moving.

"Sophe, leave it alone. I'm not moving. I'm not emigrating."

And after a week experiencing the ups...

No!

Never!

No!

..and downs of emigrating...

Sophie's always had that niggle in her mind that it's just...

for something better.

I've always said, "You've just got to be happy with what you've got."

They'll have to choose a future that's right for everyone.

I might have to just accept that it's not for him, really.

For Brits seeking to emigrate,

New Zealand offers the promise of a better home from home.

With its mild climate, it's big on outdoor living,

and very big on scenery,

whilst its ties to the UK give it the familiar feel of home.

However, for many new arrivals, the dream simply doesn't live up

to their hopes, and they end up returning to the UK.

Over the next week, the Devey family will experience

the reality of everyday life in New Zealand.

At the end of it,

they'll face a critical choice -

whether to stay in the UK, or to make the move for good.

The Devey family's adventure begins with a 21-hour flight to Auckland.

However, almost a full day in the air seems to have done nothing to dampen their enthusiasm.

It was long, but not as bad as I thought it was going to be.

Because they always say "gruelling" - a "gruelling" 21-hour flight.

But it wasn't as bad, as gruelling - it was just long.

And as you land, it looks kind of like England, the trees and things.

It's quite similar. So I'm sure...

-It doesn't feel like we're halfway around the world from England.

-No.

It looks like the family are raring to go,

but this week is the first time any of them

have visited New Zealand, and worries aren't far from the surface.

-We're excited about what we're going to see and everything, but...

-And what we're going to do.

..apprehensive about what we're going to find out.

Ahead of them is a vital week...

far away from the home and lives they know.

Back in the UK, Sophie, her husband Steven,

and their children - Eloise, aged six,

and Ruben, aged five, live in the town of Paddock Wood in Kent.

They enjoyed their home and lifestyle,

but for Sophie the idea of emigrating has long been on her mind.

Originally, my brother moved out to Australia over ten years ago.

A couple of years after he'd been out there in Melbourne,

we went out there as a family.

We went out there for a couple of weeks and had a great time,

and then we came back, and I had the idea of actually going out there,

maybe spending a year out there, just working.

And then I met Steve, got married and had children,

but I've always had that travel bug and that never left me, really.

Sophie's dream of life down under is still as strong as ever,

but for years she's faced a huge challenge -

persuading Steven to share it.

She told me about the need to perhaps emigrate

probably about the time we moved here.

I can't recall having any conversations before we moved here.

We moved here 2007 in the January, and I just said,

"No, I'm not moving." I just kept saying no.

I said, "Sophe, leave it alone. I'm not moving.

"I'm not emigrating."

Faced with their partner's worries, many might have given up hope,

but Sophie kept on pushing to emigrate.

And after the recession brought Steven close to redundancy,

he, too, started to wonder if the time was right for a move down under.

That was the turning point.

But I'd never got the same bug that Sophie had.

I never got the same intensity at any time.

It was always Sophe with the drive, and I was going along.

However, even with Steven on board,

Sophie knew the risks of moving to a country they had never set foot in.

We'd never really had time to sit back and think, "Hang on a minute, is there...

"are there career opportunities out here,

and are the schools right for the kids?"

and all those sorts of questions, and we thought, "How can we

"make that leap, without not visiting the country first."

But just as their hopes began to grow,

tragic events put the Deveys' plans on hold.

And the earthquakes happened as well, didn't they, which set us back a bit as well?

Christchurch was on our sort of list of places we wanted to go to.

So that happened, and that just... Things going on here,

the earthquake there, the speed of the visa happening -

all just shook our resolve a little bit,

and it didn't take much for mine to drop right back down.

After another two years of soul-searching,

Steven is once again ready to give New Zealand a try,

and it's now or never for the Deveys,

but while time has passed, leaving their loved ones won't be any easier to face.

Our families play a big part in our lives.

Steve's got a really big family, the children have got loads

of cousins who they love. And for the children,

losing their close friends, really, and them starting afresh at school.

So that's a big concern as well.

I won't miss nothing, really. Except for Isabella, my best friend.

I mean, we talk about visiting, family coming over to see us,

and it all sounds good when you talk about it now, but the truth is it's so far

and so expensive to do. Realistically - our family and friends,

we wouldn't see them very much again. And that's the reality.

With so much to lose, the family's future hangs in the balance.

And both Sophie and Steven know how big a risk they could be taking.

We're fairly content here as a family, generally.

Steve enjoys his job, I've got a good job,

the children have lovely friends, and that's probably one of the things

that makes you question whether going to New Zealand is the right thing to do.

I'm quite happy with how things are right now.

But there's something missing for her, and I don't know how to help her find it.

If we don't get to go and see it, it will always be there,

it will always be "what if?" You know, why didn't we just visit,

have we missed the chance of a lifetime?

The grass will be cleaner for Sophie to go somewhere else.

With me, it's never like that. But I think it's a good thing in a way,

because it makes her ambitious, so it pushes us forwards to do things,

but at the end of it, you've still got to be practical and decide if

that's the right thing, and if it's not, then you have to let it go.

Giving up all they have would be a huge gamble for the Deveys,

but Sophie's long dreamt that her family would share the life

she fell in love with down under, and after years of doubts,

Steven's ready to give New Zealand a try.

Ahead of them is a decision that could change their lives for ever.

For their week down under,

the family are staying in the city of Auckland.

almost a third of the Kiwi population live here,

attracted by a quality of life rated as the third best in the world.

But that popularity doesn't come cheap,

with property prices being the highest in the country.

The Deveys' temporary home is a modern apartment located

right in the heart of the city. As their first taste of Kiwi living,

hopefully it'll get the week off to a good start.

It's very sleek, isn't it?

It's functional, really, isn't it?

Not sure about the kitchen being in the dining room and lounge. It reminds me of going caravanning.

-This is the sort of size, the kitchen you get.

-It's very basic, isn't it?

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

It's not the best beginning,

but perhaps the city views can make up for the lack of space.

Let's have a look on the balcony. Be careful.

It's noisy!

-Yeah, we're right in the centre, aren't we?

-Yeah.

It is a good base, but realistically,

about living somewhere like this - not with the family.

As first impressions go, Steven and Sophie haven't exactly been

wowed by Auckland, and their thoughts soon turn to the week ahead.

I still think there are going to be things that I'm really going

to love, and there may be bits that I perhaps thought I would,

but find out that I don't like so much.

Since getting off the plane,

I don't think I've changed whether I would come and stay here.

I'm still around about 30%.

I haven't changed my mind as yet,

so we'll see as the week progresses, how that changes.

You know, I'd like to think that at the end of it, we come to

a mutual decision,

but I might have to accept that it's not for him, really.

In the UK, the Deveys live in this three-bedroom

family home in Paddock Wood.

Sophie has a passion for interior design

and has spent years transforming the house room by room.

They have a budget of £250,000 to spend on a Kiwi property -

that's if they can find something that will live up to their hopes.

In terms of properties,

we'd like somewhere that's big enough to put people up,

so that we can have friends and family stay, so sort of

four-bedroomed house, quite open-plan, and somewhere with a nice, big garden.

It would be nice live near the coast,

and it would be nice to live near shops and schools and...

I'm not one of these people that thinks you've got to have a swimming pool and acres of land.

Today, we're giving the Deveys a taste of Auckland's property market.

We'll show them three typical options based on what

they want from their ideal Kiwi home, to what they can afford.

After seeing for themselves what's on offer,

they'll find out how much each house costs.

The first house is in Orewa,

a small town on the Hibiscus Coast, 25 miles north of central Auckland.

It's a popular location for young families, with schools

and facilities close by - so it should appeal to the Deveys.

But is this one they could like and afford?

Oh, this is nice.

-Wow! This is really open-plan as well.

-Yeah, I was going to say that.

Look at the view. It's nice.

See, you've got a dining room and lounge here. You could have people round, couldn't you?

-Quite nice to have the kitchen separate.

-Separate, yeah. Definitely.

There's a bit of mix 'n' match on the old units, isn't there?

It's a cautious start from Steven and Sophie.

But with four bedrooms and a popular location,

they should be close to what they're looking for.

Perhaps the bedrooms can impress.

OK. A little bedroom.

So it could be a spare room, it could be an office.

Yes. Nice little room.

That doesn't sound too convincing either.

So can the landscaped garden make a difference?

There's a little garden-type area there, Sophe,

-that you can do something with.

-Oh, right.

-One of our things was a garden, wasn't it?

-Yeah.

And it has got a garden, but it's just...

-a lot of garden, but not as much as you can use.

-No.

This house may look good on paper, but the reality simply isn't

getting Steven or Sophie excited about living in New Zealand.

-That's another bathroom to clean.

-Yeah, true.

There's no wow factor for us, with this one. It's just nice.

To me, it doesn't seem as family...

to me, it's almost like going into a bungalow that's for older people.

-Just a nice...

-Just OK.

-..clean, well-kept property.

-It's liveable, definitely.

I don't think it would suit us, particularly.

I mean, if it was on the market for, I don't know, 300,000, it might be.

After failing to win them over, it looks like the only thing

this house can tempt the Deveys with is a good price tag.

But does it come with one?

Yes, it's half an hour from Auckland, so the commute's good.

So I think it's going to be above £250,000.

Turn it over.

Ah! Oh, my word!

No! No way!

£329,000!

Any other property in this area that would suit us

is going to be out of our price range, definitely.

-I think it's a "no" for this one, then.

-Yes.

At almost £80,000 over budget, that's a big setback

for Sophie's hopes of convincing Steven to emigrate.

And finding a home that fits their wallet

and needs is looking like a real challenge.

So can the second house offer an improvement?

It's located in the rural suburb of Stillwater.

Although closer to the city, it's an up-and-coming area,

which should help stretch the Deveys' budget.

Nice and quiet, isn't it? What do you think so far, Sophe?

Yeah, it's got a good outlook.

I like it. Yes, it has.

This four-bedroom property has the room they need,

but after a tough start, can it lift the mood?

This is nice.

Yeah. This is the lounge and diner, and the kitchen.

It's nicely decorated.

I think it could probably do with an update on the kitchen.

That sounds much better.

And outdoors there's a relaxing sight - in more ways than one.

Could you see yourself sitting in the hot tub, Sophe?

-Yeah, I could.

-And a glass of wine?

Yeah, be lovely. Would you like that hot tub at home? Outside?

Would you have hot tub parties with your friends?

We've got a paddling pool at home. A blow-up one. It's not quite the same.

A hot tub might be a welcome bonus, but can the basics

in this house do a better job of impressing Steven and Sophie?

-That's the bedroom.

-That's a nice size, isn't it?

-Yeah. Is that the en suite?

En suite - nice. Yes?

It's not a huge room, but it's sufficient, isn't it?

-Yeah, if you got the wardrobe space in here, then it's OK, isn't it?

-If there's wardrobe space.

That sounds just about OK.

But it's not long before Steven spots a problem.

You could fit a double bed in here if you needed to.

Yeah. I've just had a look at these windows - I think they're single glazed.

And you've got that dirty great road there.

Double glazing would be good, wouldn't it?

Noise might be an issue for Steven,

but can the large rear garden make up for it?

That greenery is lovely.

I mean, apart from the cars going by, it's really quiet,

and you can just hear the birds and that.

Yeah, I really like it. It's quite quirky and different, isn't it?

I'm glad we've seen it in the sunshine.

It's got the views, it's got space.

It's got quite a lot of potential.

It has, definitely.

It just looks a little bit, I don't know,

a little bit unfinished, you know, it's not done by a craftsman.

No. Yeah, like you say, it's a bit rustic

and it's a bit... It needs a bit of work.

This house might not be perfect,

but it's definitely captured Steven and Sophie's imagination.

However, will its price shatter the illusion?

OK, back into the main living room.

-OK, shall we have a look?

-I can't look!

254,000.

-254,000.

-That's roughly what we'd expect for ours.

So...? Yes?

That's what we'd be thinking, yes, so it would be...

It's not unreasonable.

The only improvement you could make on this is if you found

a similar property, with a similar outlook and area

-but it was just a higher spec finish.

-And didn't have to do the work.

Despite being a little rough around the edges,

this house was almost bang-on their £250,000 budget,

and with Steven sounding cautiously optimistic,

it's a much better result for Sophie.

However, finding that elusive wow factor could well be key.

And with just one stop left, the pressure is on for the last

house to deliver it - without breaking the bank.

It's in the coastal resort of Gulf Harbour.

It's a popular area, but at 45 minutes outside the city,

it should still offer value for money.

It can't be. It can't be all of it.

-Wow! That's a really good size.

-That must be next door!

-Look at that.

There's a tennis court there and a children's play area.

Did you see all the shops as we drove in, and all the stores?

Yeah, looks like a really good... Loads of amenities.

The house comes with shared tennis courts and swimming pool,

which would be ideal for the children.

First impressions - really nice with the area and the house.

Very nice.

And the double garage.

While mum and dad look round the ground floor,

Eloise and Ruben carry out a thorough survey upstairs.

Bathroom - very big.

I like this bed.

The children seem taken with their rooms,

but how have mum and dad been getting on?

It's nice. Nice outlook from your kitchen.

Yeah, I do like this kitchen/diner.

There's much more worktop than we've got at home, the amount of preparation you've got...

Because you've got this space here, and these two smaller spaces.

-Through to the lounge.

-That's a good-sized lounge, isn't?

Oh, yeah - that's nice, isn't it? I like this.

-We've got a good-sized lounge, at home.

-Plenty of seating.

-That's what we want.

That's another positive response from Steven.

So is he coming around to New Zealand houses?

Master bedroom. Oh yes. Big, isn't it?

Ah, this is great.

Look at all the seating in here. You could have an office down there.

-You could either have an office...

-Or you could have a walk-in wardrobe there, couldn't you?

-I wonder if we've got any...

-Might be in there, though.

-Ah, there you go.

-Oh, no! I'm going to have to move in now. That's it.

I think this property is really exciting.

We haven't really seen anything yet that we'd have to do a lot to.

It's just cosmetic, isn't it?

I think that's Sophie well and truly won over.

But there's still the garden to see.

-A bit of outdoor area.

-Yes.

It's not a lot of room for, you know, a table and chairs.

It would just be there, really, would it?

Nice house. Could do with a bigger garden, but... I don't think it's...

You've got so many things going on, and you've got the front, so...

Both Sophie and Steven have been impressed by the final house.

Even a small garden hasn't put them off.

But with so much riding on this week, the big question is...

OK, let's have a look, then.

..can they afford it?

No!

Never!

No!

That's quite amazing!

It can't be typical, there must be... They must want a quick sale.

-I'm amazed.

-Hmm.

I'm amazed.

At £30,000 under budget, that's quite a price tag,

and it could be vital in winning Steven over to Kiwi property.

I guess, the closer you get to Auckland, the more expensive it is,

-so it may be just that bit further out that it drops in price.

-Yeah.

-Yeah.

It's been a day of highs and lows.

Despite having a great location

and plenty of space, the first house left the Deveys cold.

And at £80,000 over budget, its price froze them in their tracks.

Thankfully, some amazing views,

and a hot tub helped warm things up in property two.

And it was affordable, despite needing some TLC.

But the final house impressed everyone,

and, costing far less than they thought,

it showed a real upside to property down under.

So, have the Deveys seen enough to convince them

that Auckland property could be for them?

It's time to vote.

Based on the properties we have seen today, our vote goes to...

New Zealand!

-CHILDREN:

-New Zealand!

-New Zealand.

You've chosen New Zealand?

Certainly. I felt the house was spot-on, in a lovely area.

Based on the properties we've seen, and the spaciousness of them

and the size of the rooms,

and the outlook, the views, definitely.

Why didn't you like the houses we've seen today?

You didn't think there was much of a garden?

Why's he saying that? He didn't like the first one!

The first one was nice, wasn't it?

Ruben might be a tough customer but, after years of dreaming,

that's a great start for Sophie.

I kind of thought, that I was more likely to be negative,

in a way, when I came out here, because I've kind of seen it through rose-tinted

glasses before - just things I had read, and spoken to people,

but now I have experienced it for myself, it's better than I envisaged.

I think anyone who has seen what we have seen so far,

putting aside family and work commitments at home, if you

put all that to one side, I think you'd be crazy not to want to live here.

After years of dreaming,

the Deveys' first taste of real life down under ended on a high note.

And Steven's positive tune is music to Sophie's ears.

But are his job prospects in Auckland worth giving up

a career he loves?

Back in the UK, Steven works as a health and safety

adviser for a construction company, earning around £40,000 a year.

It's his sought-after qualifications that hold the key to

moving down under, but he knows that giving up a job he loves

and which provides security for his family won't be an easy decision.

Before moving to New Zealand, I think

we'd look at the financial differences, definitely,

because, although we don't mind having to take a step

back on the wage structure,

I'd certainly like to make sure that I had something to go to...

Yeah, definitely, that there was a job waiting for me there.

Meanwhile, Sophie is hoping that a move to New Zealand could

offer her a chance to follow up on another long-held dream.

At the moment, she works part-time as an administrator

in a local school, but her real passion lies elsewhere.

Interior design has always been a big thing for me, and it was

when I was at art college, although I didn't study it, it wasn't an option

at that time, but it has always been there, and it is part of me.

I'm quite a creative person, but because of having the children

and working, as well, it is not something I have been able to really pick up.

It would be nice to get to New Zealand, looking into something

I really wanted to do.

To see what opportunities Steven could have in Auckland,

he's meeting Sam Roth, who works for a large construction firm.

With the move resting squarely on his shoulders,

it's vital that he finds out if his skills are in demand.

Our health and safety story is "zero harm".

It's an impossible task, there is no such thing as zero harm,

but I think it's the attitude in and around it.

I think it is part and parcel of the project manager role,

and that's probably where I see you, in our company, anyway.

That's not an ideal start,

as project managing would mean a change in roles from the one

Steven currently has in the UK.

So, is Sophie having more luck, finding out

whether retraining as a designer could be a realistic option?

She's visiting a local school of interior design,

to meet Elaine Ingle, who manages their adult education courses.

I've got two small children at home, at primary school age,

could I do this course part-time?

The course is over three years, this is a part-time course,

and it requires two-and-a-half hours of classroom time,

and you can do a class either in the morning or in the evening.

That's really good, yeah.

And what would the job prospects be for someone like me?

With further training,

you could become a professional interior designer,

or you could work as an assistant to an interior design firm.

Fitting her studies around part-time work

and looking after the children would be a big plus for Sophie,

but there is no guarantee of a job at the end of the course.

College fees would put more pressure on the family finances,

so everything could well ride on Steven's earning

potential in New Zealand.

What is the level of salary that I could expect to receive

working in New Zealand for Cook Brothers?

I think, for a project manager, depending on where you were

living, anywhere between 80 and about NZ 150,000.

Are you doing a lot of recruiting at the moment, Sam?

We are recruiting for project managers,

and quantity surveyors, also, in Queenstown, and in Dunedin and in Auckland.

So a person with your skills is of definite interest to our company.

That's quite a result.

It looks like Steven could double his UK salary

if he was prepared to change roles down under.

So, is that potential enough to convince him

to leave a career he knows and loves back home?

Based on the work activities in New Zealand, my vote goes to...

..New Zealand.

I do love my job at home, but I have to weigh up everything and

consider my work/life balance, and is this somewhere I'd prefer to be.

That vote is great news for Sophie, and after

their day of fact-finding, she meets up with Steven to compare notes.

So, how does that make you feel now,

does it all seem more promising after finding out what you found out?

Yes, it's definitely more promising,

I think it helps me crank it up a notch again.

So, after two days and two votes, things are looking

good for Sophie's dream, but can the good news continue?

There's still a long way to go before they face their final decision.

That's more optimism from Steven, who seems to be well

and truly buying into life down under, but it's the chance

to enjoy New Zealand together as a family that excites Sophie the most

about emigrating. So, will the Kiwi lifestyle live up to all her hopes?

The Deveys would love to spend more time outdoors as a family,

and living in a warmer climate would be a real plus.

Today, they are visiting the Kiwi Valley Farm Park,

and for two animal-loving children it's a real treat.

Look a chicken just came in! A chicken!

Look, it's a chicken. A chicken!

It's more about them today, and not so much... You know,

the property and jobs has been about us,

but now I think they finally feel, "This is great,"

you can really see what suits them and what they like to do.

Both Ellie and Ruben prefer to be outdoors.

When we are at home, the weather is not right.

Here, there are lots of parks, there are lots of families

in the parks, so it's very family-orientated, which is great,

you know, and at weekends, spending more time together.

That's what it's all about.

Do you do horse-riding here?

-Oh, yes.

-OK.

Can we go horse-riding?

Someone wants to do that.

Seeing the children happy is a reminder of what first

inspired Sophie's dream, and what it could mean for her family's future.

I think we could definitely feel more content here.

Since having the children, I have wanted them

to enjoy more of an outdoor life,

and, definitely, here, that seems to be the case with kids.

So that would make me happy, to see them happy

and for Steve to be in a good job.

And just the environment generally,

and for the beaches and parks and things.

I think, generally, you just feel more content here,

and the weather just picks you up.

Sophie has always had that niggle in her mind that there is

something better, and I have always said that you've just got to

be happy with what you've got, but she's always pushed that

little bit, and pushed us to be a little bit more ambitious.

When we came out here, I was a little bit apprehensive about what

I would find...

but it's just been a real eye-opener.

Auckland has surpassed my expectations, I think, quite a lot.

After years of doubt, Steven seems to be moving ever closer to

sharing Sophie's dream of a new life down under.

And after an ideal day out,

I think I can guess which way this vote will go.

Based on the lifestyle activities we've seen today,

our vote goes to...

-ALL:

-..New Zealand.

What made you plump for New Zealand?

It's just that lifestyle they've got over here is much preferable.

It's more outdoors and it just feels quite good.

I think it's the same, really.

It's the outdoor activities that they have got to choose from,

and places like this, where they can come and see the animals,

and the weather meant they were able to come and do it.

Just generally, I think, they love the outdoor life,

and I think we would as well.

New Zealand's great outdoors were just as good as the Deveys

were hoping for, and, even better news,

Sophie's dream seems to have rubbed off on Steven.

But could all this promise be hiding some painful realities?

In particular, is this a dream they can afford?

Funding a move could well hinge on what the Deveys can

raise from the sale of their UK home.

They believe it's worth £250,000,

but will two local estate agents agree?

Nice French door to a conservatory.

He's going upstairs!

This must be your master bedroom.

'Large fitted wardrobe.'

WHISPERS: He'll be looking for an en suite.

Really well looked after.

Woo!

This is a nice room.

What about mine?

OK, this room's another great size.

Third bedroom,

'which estate agents call a little room,'

but this one is not, again.

Would definitely take a double bed. Good.

'What we would do is value the property and put it on the market'

for £275,000.

Oh, my.

-'For quick sale, obviously...'

-What is he doing?

'..we've the issue of the stamp duty'

at 250 and I think that's probably the figures we'd be looking at,

around 250.

-ESTATE AGENT:

-'If the property was

'to come onto the market today, I'd recommend'

a marketing price of 250,000

and if they were looking to achieve

'a quick sale, then possibly putting it on at a range,'

235 to 255, to get more people through the door.

That's what we paid for it, isn't it?

-But, you know, the market's since...

-It's gone back...

It stabilised and dropped, didn't it?

So that's probably about right, really.

There's quite a big difference in figures,

isn't it, between the two estate agents?

Yeah, but I think you can be

confident enough, now, that it's at 250.

Yeah, it's the benchmark, really.

But it's just good to think that we could sell it, if we wanted to,

and not make any great loss.

-Or we could rent it out.

-Yep.

Those valuations are reassuring news,

but is the lifestyle that so impressed Steven and Sophie

going to make financial sense?

We've prepared a comparison of their expenses,

so they can work out the real cost of living in New Zealand.

So, so far, an avocado is cheaper

and beans.

Potatoes are nearly double.

Eggs, crisps and avocados

-is what we'll be living on.

-Be our staple diet.

The weekly shop looks to be more expensive than it is in the UK.

£27.56.

So it's an increase of, what? 24%?

But Steven could earn up to double his UK salary in New Zealand

and Sophie also has plans to work part-time.

And with their dream house in Gulf Harbour costing less than

their UK property, their mortgage payments would be lower.

-So, that's £80 less, isn't it?

-It is.

So, overall, have Steven and Sophie

worked out a way to afford the dream?

£967.

Then we're better off in New Zealand

by about £100, which is good.

-Very promising...

-It is, isn't it?

..and quite surprising.

The numbers look very encouraging for the Deveys,

but are good prospects enough to convince them

to leave the stability and security they already have at home?

Based on the comparisons on the cost of living between

the UK and New Zealand, our vote goes to...

BOTH: ..New Zealand!

And you chose New Zealand because?

Because the comparisons with the cost of living,

I was pleasantly surprised that that they were in the...

We'd be better off in New Zealand,

which I never expected, at all.

I think if it worked out that we would be worse off here

and there were other aspects of the lifestyle, et cetera,

that weren't so good, it would be an obvious decision, wouldn't it?

But it turns out that we'd actually be as well off, if not better.

That's yet another win for New Zealand.

But, after coming so close to being won over,

it seems there's still something holding Steven back.

I think that Sophie's still thinking very much with her heart

and I think this has just reinforced it for her, this whole trip.

I'm still using...

..my head, rather than my heart.

I was a little bit apprehensive when we came over.

There's still a little bit to do.

What's still holding me back a little is the fact that we're

going to be halfway round the world.

So there's the family connection,

friends, that I'm thinking about,

but I think that's one bridge and one hurdle

I'm going to have to overcome.

I still will take a logical thought process

before I make a final decision.

With the figures looking good,

it could have been the final piece in the jigsaw for the Deveys,

but Steven's worries about leaving loved ones have

brought his doubts back.

So, could seeing messages from them put all their plans on hold?

Having encountered so many positives,

there's one final obstacle facing the family -

the pain of leaving loved ones behind.

So, shall we let the kids watch this?

Do you think they're all right to see it?

Yeah, I think so.

-Do you want to see it, kids?

-RUBEN: Yeah.

I'm going to see it a little bit,

but if I don't like it, I'm going...

-..to play.

-OK.

-'Hi!'

-'Hi, hope you're having a good time!'

-Hi!

-Hi!

-Hi!

-How are you doing?

'So, hello, Steven.'

-Hi, Steve, Sophie.

-Sophie, Ellie, Ruben.

We hope you're having a lovely time.

'Sophie, she's a great, fantastic mum.'

She's brilliant to Ellie and Ruben.

'But, most of all, she's just a really, really good friend of mine.'

Energetic, is our Steven.

'He does everything full pelt.'

-Eloise is crazy.

-Crazy.

-Bonkers.

-'Bonkers.'

-Bonkers!

'Ruben, you think he's ever so quiet and he is -

'he is quiet - but when you do

'one-to-one with him, talking to him,'

he'll just come out with the funniest things.

Sophie's always wanted to go and explore other places

'and she's always had this bit of a dream to, you know,

'go and live somewhere else.'

'I think Sophie mentioned about'

moving away at least last summer.

-A bit of a shock to us, really.

-A big shock.

Cos he's quite family-orientated.

'We was having breakfast, Christmas,'

and Steven said, "We're thinking about..."

-"Going."

-"..emigrating to New Zealand."

-'I was really taken aback.

-Everything stopped.'

We didn't let him know.

We didn't say anything. So I said,

'"I'll put the kettle on. Anybody want another drink?"

'Just while I could collect myself back together again.'

Sophie's watched her brother go through that

and seen how it's all worked out for him,

'so that must be somewhere

'in the back of their minds, an easier...'

-ELOISE: Who's that man? SOPHIE: Grandpa.

-'..transition.'

'I think it'll be a fantastic'

opportunity for them, but obviously we'll really miss

Sophie and our chats together

and I know Isabella will really miss

'Eloise and Ruben a lot.'

'You know, if the opportunities are there, yeah,

'we wouldn't stand in his way.'

We'd be disappointed that we couldn't see them as often...

Bank holidays and Christmas and that, that would be sad.

'We'd have to buy an aeroplane, wouldn't we?'

'It would be very sad. I'd hate to think of them'

-'that far away, cos we wouldn't see them a lot.

-No.

'I'd hate to think that we wouldn't see them again.'

'Make sure you are aware of the situation and,'

if it's in the right place, the right location, the right...

'I'm sure you'll make the right decision.'

It's a big, big step you're taking

and I can't pretend that we won't miss you,

'but, on the other hand,

'we hope that you follow your dream'

and it would turn out right for you.

Yeah, it was exactly what I thought they'd say.

I thought they'd be positive and say,

"We'll save up and come and see you."

Yeah, it's good to know that they

didn't outright say, "Well, we just couldn't come out."

I think if we saw this and we were over here for real,

-we'd be thinking, "Oh, blimey, I do miss everybody."

-That would... Yeah.

I wasn't sure how your mum and dad would be,

because I know your mum's spoken to me before and said

she was worried about they might not be able to come out here.

They would miss us, but they also said, you know,

"You've got to do what's right for you and the family."

And that's my biggest worry, that we wouldn't see anyone again,

cos we'd be living our life, they'd be living their lives

and there's no reason for them to come unless it's a holiday.

So...

Seeing their friends and family brought the reality of emigrating

into sharp focus for everyone and all the benefits they've seen

this week will be for nothing

if they can't face the pain of leaving home.

After years of dreaming, "What if?"

it's time for the Deveys to choose their future.

It's been a huge week for the family, and for Sophie,

a chance to see if her hopes could be made real.

For years, Steven has worried about moving, fearing he may

never see his loved ones again,

but having seen the positive side of life down under,

he now faces the biggest decision of his life.

-STEVEN:

-I think when Sophie came here,

she was looking a few little things

just to confirm what she thought and she found them straightaway.

For me, each day has been just ticking off a big list of things,

each day, and just done that.

There's no negatives about coming out here,

apart from the fact that we'd miss our family and friends,

which I suppose everybody has to contend with.

-STEVEN:

-My life back home's good. I enjoy it.

There's not a lot of change about it,

but it was worth taking this opportunity

to come and see something different.

And I was quite surprised that, you know, things look

and appear even better than the situation that I have back home.

I don't think Steve will have taken the decision lightly.

I think he's weighed up everything he's seen and heard

and he's really put everything into it.

So, after years of wondering, have the Deveys seen enough

to convince everyone to emigrate?

Based on our week spent here in New Zealand,

our vote goes to...

-New Zealand!

-New Zealand!

-England.

-Oh!

-England?

Do you prefer it at home? Do you?

I went for New Zealand because everything seems right for us here.

Everything's turned out to be a positive.

Everything we've looked at has seemed really promising.

Being here just feels really good and the work situation,

the leisure, the lifestyle is really good.

I've just enjoyed my time here.

I've tried to keep an open mind about it and I'm glad I did,

because it allowed me to see it for what it really is.

-Look at the statue.

-Look at that, it's nice. Come on.

After a week to remember, Steven's been won over by New Zealand

and even though Ruben may take a little more convincing

from Mum and Dad, for Sophie, it's time to put her dream to rest

and start looking forward to the real thing.

Subtitles by Red Bee Media Ltd