Clanahan Family Wanted Down Under


Clanahan Family

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Building a future with your partner is one of life's great adventures.

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But if you can't agree which side of the world to spend it,

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even the strongest relationships can be tested.

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Leah Clanahan left Australia for the UK ten years ago.

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Now she is desperate to return home.

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I think if we don't go back to Australia to live,

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I am going to be broken-hearted.

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But for husband Andrew, that is a massive ask.

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If I leave the UK then I'm leaving my family behind,

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that I very much care for and don't want to do that.

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Being torn between relatives on opposite sides of the globe

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is affecting the whole family.

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I'm a bit worried about my mum and dad,

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if one stays in Scotland and one stays in Australia.

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Now it is decision time for the Clanahans.

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After this week, if it is a no, I have to totally change my life.

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In the last 20 years,

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over 600,000 British citizens have moved to Australia,

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drawn by its warm climate, endless beaches and wide-open countryside.

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The country is a magnet for those seeking a better life abroad,

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but for some, Australia doesn't live up to expectations

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and around a third return home having given up the dream.

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The Clanahans have visited Leah's family

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in Adelaide before, but this is a very different trip.

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Leah's dream of permanently returning home to her loved ones

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depends what happens in the next week.

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Will she be able to convince Andrew to uproot the family from everything

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they know and love in the UK and make the move down under for good?

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The family may be familiar with the 10,000-mile flight to Adelaide,

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but the marathon journey still takes its toll.

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We've left Friday afternoon and this is now Sunday morning.

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-We've pretty much been travelling the whole time.

-It was a bit long.

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The feeling of coming home is fantastic. The air is different.

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I know people will think I'm stupid saying that,

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but there's just something about Australia.

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And more than 24 hours in the air has given Andrew

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plenty of time for serious thinking.

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Quite apprehensive about the week ahead,

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because, for us to sell up in the UK, what is my house worth?

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I don't know what it is like here, no idea. I don't know the salaries,

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I honestly don't know what we would be able to afford.

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I know Australia is the place I want to be,

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I just need Andrew to realise that as well.

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If Andrew doesn't find the right answers to his questions

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in the week ahead, it could be the end of Leah's dreams for good.

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The Clanahan family are Andrew, Leah, Brodie who is two,

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and Marlee, aged eight. They live in Lauder near Edinburgh.

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Leah is originally from Adelaide in South Australia.

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I came here ten years ago on a backpacker's trip,

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and I met Andrew, and that kind of just changed the whole trip.

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It was never, ever meant to be anything serious

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because she knew she was going back home. That was always her intention.

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When photographer Leah became pregnant with Marlee,

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a move back to Australia could still have been on the cards.

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That was until Andrew was dealt a blow.

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We were talking about this is the time we need to go to Australia and

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do we want Marlee to be born here,

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would we want her to be born in Australia?

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We were really discussing it. That is when we lost his father.

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My family are very close, it was just the four of us, my sister,

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myself, Mum and Dad and when Dad went, that was a big shock to us.

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I suppose any plans that we had were put on hold.

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Leah was desperate to bring her daughter up around her own family down under.

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But that would have meant Andrew leaving his behind,

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-just when they needed him most.

-That just changed everything.

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All I wanted to do was go home.

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This was my first baby and it made me realise,

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I think it emphasised to me where I want to be.

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The family are spending all their spare cash on trips to Adelaide,

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but that is putting huge financial strain on them.

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Yeah, I mean, it costs me an absolute fortune to go out Australia.

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And the reason we keep going on holiday, but not moving out there...

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Is just purely because not knowing work wise what I would get

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when I go over there. I am settled here.

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I have got a job that I enjoy doing, that is reasonably paid

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and it is leaving everybody behind.

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Leaving his mum behind would be a massive wrench

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and that is a situation Leah is all too familiar with.

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My mum is on her own.

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My sister is there, but...and I know your mum is on her own as well.

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This is why we end up having a debate

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because all those feelings that you've got are exactly what I've got.

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Yeah, you're right.

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Torn between families on opposite sides of the globe,

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things are becoming desperate.

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I think our relationship has certainly changed in the last couple of years.

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I certainly feel more resentful to him,

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especially when he makes comments about leaving his family behind.

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That really hurts me because I've left my family behind as well.

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And the implications of being unable to persuade Andrew to make

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a move are already weighing on Leah's mind.

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I worry about my mother getting older and who is going to look after her,

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and all the worries Andrew has for his mum at the moment,

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I have for my mum every day so...

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After this week, if it is a no, I have to totally change my life

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and my thinking.

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Andrew knows his wife's future happiness is at stake.

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It makes me feel pretty down myself, seeing that Leah is unhappy.

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I am well aware that if we go over to Australia that would be

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good for her and would make her feel so much better.

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-For Leah, a life down under means everything.

-A dream come true for me

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would be to live my life in Australia.

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That's it.

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I know it's sad, but that would be my dream.

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The Clanahans are at crisis point.

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While Leah is desperate to be with her family, Andrew can't bear the

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thought of leaving his and is unsure of his job prospects in Australia.

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Over the next week,

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they'll explore every aspect of Australian living.

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Then Andrew will have to make a heartbreaking decision,

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whether to grant Leah her dream or stay in the UK for good.

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For this trial week, the Clanahans are staying in Dernan Court,

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an established suburb north-east of Adelaide.

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Just 10km from the city centre,

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and minutes away from Leah's mum's house.

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Their temporary home for the week is this period cottage.

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Will it put Andrew in the right frame of mind?

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-This is nice. This place is quite... Deceiving.

-It is.

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It is just beautiful.

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It is very olde-worlde which I don't think Andrew believes

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Australia has to offer so that is good to show him that.

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This room is quite big, very high ceiling.

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Yes, that is what attracted us to our house in Scotland,

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-the high ceilings, didn't it?

-Yes.

-It is a good start.

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It is a nice place to spend the week.

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I don't think I could probably live here, somewhere like this,

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as I think it's on the small side compared with what we're used to.

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-The high ceilings again.

-And the details.

-Lots of details.

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So is that what you are saying, for an Australian house, you are looking for high ceilings?

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Not necessarily, no.

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I'm just saying it's got nice high ceilings.

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The hard sell is on, but is it too much, too soon?

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I get pressured when I come out to Australia all the time

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because Leah is thinking he doesn't want to move to Australia. But that is not the case.

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It's just the uncertainty of moving and what I would be coming out to do.

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I'm nervous that Andrew has come on this journey and he's thinking,

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"OK, let's find out, let's see what this is about," and then when we

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get the facts that he is going to be like, "See, I told you so.

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"This isn't for us," so, I have that worry.

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-The family's future rests on the week ahead.

-It could be difficult.

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We could end up leaving here at the end of the week and she could be

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quite down about our decision if it ends up going to the UK.

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If I don't get what I want at the end of it, which is

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to move back to Australia, then I have to try and work out,

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can I live the rest of my life in Scotland?

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And daughter Marlee is also concerned about the future.

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I'm a bit worried about my mum and dad,

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if they decide if one stays in Scotland and one stays in Australia.

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With so much at stake,

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this week really will be crunch time for the Clanahans.

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Back home in Scotland the Clanahans live in a three-storey, five

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bedroom new-build in Lauder, a quiet village 30 miles from Edinburgh.

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It is a spacious modern family home which they bought six years ago,

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-for £283,000.

-I really love this house.

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I think we are quite lucky having the space that we do.

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Probably it would be emotional to give up this home

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because we have raised our daughter here.

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She has been here since she was two years old. This is the only home she remembers.

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It gives you everything that I would want in a home, I suppose.

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It is just in the wrong country for me!

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Both Andrew and Leah have very clear ideas about what

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they would like from a house down under.

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The dream would be to be in a reasonable-size property that

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fits my family's requirements.

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Four bedrooms is what I'm really looking for.

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In Australia, growing up there

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I know the houses have big verandas around the house.

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I would love something like that.

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Because we've used any savings to go to Australia,

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any money I will be taking with us will be from the house.

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I think we're looking to spend between 250 and £300,000.

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If we go there and we find that in reality, we can only afford

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a one-bedroomed flat, then that is not going to happen.

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And we'll just maybe have to come to terms that

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Australia will be off for us.

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To give the Clanahans an idea of what

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they could buy in Adelaide, we are showing them three properties based

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on their budget and needs, from the affordable to their dream home.

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Only after seeing each property will they find out what they cost.

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The search begins in Mawson Lakes,

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a suburb in the north-east of Adelaide.

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It is a newly developing area, 20 minutes from Adelaide's city centre

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and 15 minutes from the beach.

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With shops, schools, childcare centres and Leah's family nearby,

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could it be the spot for the Clanahans' perfect home?

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-Oh, wow.

-Ooh, this is different from how it looks outside, this is nice.

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-Nice long hallway.

-Yes.

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Very long hallway.

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-This would be your bedroom, Marlee.

-It is a reasonable size.

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It has got good wardrobe space.

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It's about as big as the one I have back home.

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Do you reckon it is the same as back home?

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I think this is bigger than your bedroom back home.

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Might be because that is a double bed in here.

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An en-suite that goes back out into the other side.

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I like this.

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-It is looking good so far.

-Look at this.

-Wow.

-It is a nice house.

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I like it here.

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Andrew is making all the right noises. Leah should be pleased.

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But is she?

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See, I think personally I would prefer to live further afield

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to get more room.

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But then this is handy for the city.

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I just think this house is a little bit too small, personally.

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Compared to what we live in back home, it is far smaller.

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Even moving over, I think it would be...

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It may well be that we would have to make that compromise

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-if we were coming here and finding a smaller property.

-And I'm up for

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that, but I'm just...

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Mixed emotions for Leah.

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The house has made a good impression on Andrew but it may be

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the extra space Leah wants is beyond the couple's £280,000 budget.

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What do you think this house is worth?

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I think this house is probably worth about four or 500,000?

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I think this is probably about 350.

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-Do you think so?

-Yeah.

-Let's see. Right.

-OK, Marlee, read it.

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We'll get Marlee to read it.

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Right, Marlee, what is it worth, then?

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369,000.

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-Wow.

-I was pretty close, wasn't I?

-I was well and truly out, wasn't I?

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I thought for that money you would probably get something a bit bigger

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with a bigger garden, so that has been a bit of an eye-opener for me.

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A disappointing start for Leah.

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At £253,000, this house is under their budget,

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but it is not the right size.

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Perhaps property two can lift her spirits.

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The next house is in Greenwith,

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a quiet middle-class suburb with good facilities for families,

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including a choice of schools and large shopping centres.

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The property is further out from the city centre

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but does have the four bedrooms the couple want

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and a large outdoors area for the children to play in.

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Is this more what Leah had in mind?

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Oh, my gosh, I think this is our house. Beautiful, isn't it? Wow.

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I like this as soon as you walk in. I really like this room.

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I think I've been sold on this house just from the outside.

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So everything else is a bonus. It is like he's home already.

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-This is nice out here, isn't it?

-My gosh, this is huge.

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Such a fantastic area for you, Marlee, isn't it?

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Just a good area for the kids. They've already got the trampoline in there.

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I think we're just liking it because of all the good furniture.

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-We will get our own stuff as well, Marlee.

-Very practical, Marlee!

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-I really like it.

-Shall we just buy it now?

-Yes.

-OK.

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-We might want to look at the rest of the place first?

-No.

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No, OK, just buy it! Come on then.

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Looks like this house is a hit with everyone and there is more to come.

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Mum, this would be good for you.

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SHE GASPS

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-Oh, my gosh.

-What's in here?

-This is like the working area. Oh.

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Wow, this is really good, isn't it?

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This is like, this is my dream.

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Do you know, I had a good feeling about this area.

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This house is just amazing.

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-It is fantastic and good working space here.

-Big en-suite.

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-With a bathroom.

-Oh, wow.

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-It's a nice bathroom, isn't it?

-Yes, I'm sold.

-There's a lot of space.

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-Do you like it?

-I do like it, yes.

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You know, it is a house that we need.

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We've got three floors back home in the UK

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and here it's all on one level, but it's plenty of room, isn't it?

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There's enough room. So shall we find out how much it's worth?

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-Oh, yeah, let's do that bit then.

-This is the scary part now.

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This house has certainly put a smile back on Leah's face,

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but will the price wipe it off again?

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Do you know, I am so nervous I don't know if I want to find out.

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Because I think if we find out that we can't afford it,

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then the dream is over.

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I probably think it's 536,000.

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That's very precise, yeah.

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I want you to have an open mind that it might not be in our budget,

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but we might be able to get to it.

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Just remember that we still have to sell our own place

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back in the UK which we don't know the value of yet. OK?

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It would all depend on what I could secure

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or what we both could secure work-wise.

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-So, let's both have an open mind.

-Let's have an open mind.

-OK, darling.

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510,000.

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That's £70,000 over their potential £280,000 budget.

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That doesn't seem too bad to me though, because I'm looking

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at the pounds. £350,000.

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It's £100,000 more than the last house.

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-Yeah, but look at the size...

-You're getting a lot more house for it.

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-You're getting a far better setting outside.

-So, we are getting it?

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-Erm, no, not at the moment, Marlee.

-But there's hope that we might!

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This house offers everything the family are looking for,

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but unless Andrew can find the right job prospects, it could remain

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beyond their reach.

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Last stop of the day is a newly-built estate

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on the outskirts of Adelaide.

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Blake's Crossing is still under construction,

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but once completed will have plenty of facilities for young families.

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The Clanahans are viewing the show house.

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Will it offer the space they want at a price that's right?

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-Wow!

-Wow!

-This is different!

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That's just the hallway!

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-What would you use this space for?

-An office.

-An office, yeah, maybe.

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-This is huge.

-Good, isn't it?

-Just looking at one room.

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-Have you found your room?

-Yeah.

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This large family home comes with several open-plan areas,

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a study and five bedrooms -

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plenty of room for overseas guests and there's more.

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A window out to the pool!

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-Wow!

-Wow!

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Wow. My goodness.

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-I can see you in that, doing your laps.

-Yes.

-Yes. Totally cool.

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But Andrew's got his sensible hat on.

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This is a new-build. So nobody's been in here before.

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But then, remember our house was a new-build back in Scotland as well.

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We obviously saw the show house there like we're seeing just now.

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When we move into our own house, we've not got all the decor and

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you've not got the finished garden and there's lots of work to do.

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We'd obviously have to put work into making this place look like this.

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-Being negative.

-I'm not being negative. I like this, it's nice.

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This house has got the wow factor,

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but is it within their £280,000 budget?

0:17:500:17:53

I think this one is probably about 600,000.

0:17:530:17:56

-540,000.

-OK, Dad?

0:17:560:18:01

-510,000.

-OK. So, whoa, let's see.

0:18:010:18:05

-What did you reckon it was?

-600.

-OK.

0:18:050:18:08

Right, do want to go and have a look then, Marlee?

0:18:080:18:10

ANDREW INHALES SHARPLY

0:18:130:18:14

-599,000.

-I was pretty close.

0:18:140:18:20

That's more than £130,000 over their budget.

0:18:200:18:24

So, that's a lot of money. It's double the house that we've got.

0:18:240:18:29

The price is just beyond us

0:18:290:18:31

and what we could dream of paying at the moment, you know.

0:18:310:18:34

It's just... This house is worth far more than ours back home

0:18:340:18:38

and yet it probably is a similar size to the one back home.

0:18:380:18:40

But if Andrew did find a better paid job down under, the dream home

0:18:400:18:44

could still be achievable.

0:18:440:18:46

A beautiful property and I wish we could afford it.

0:18:460:18:49

But I think I could definitely live here.

0:18:490:18:51

But it's just based on my current salary, that's not going to happen.

0:18:510:18:56

It's been an interesting day on the property hunt.

0:18:590:19:02

The first house was within budget but too small.

0:19:020:19:05

Property number two was everything Leah had hoped for,

0:19:050:19:09

even though it would put a strain on the chequebook.

0:19:090:19:12

And the final house captured everyone's imagination but to

0:19:120:19:15

achieve it, the family would have to increase their income massively.

0:19:150:19:19

So, when it comes to property, has Andrew been sold on Australia?

0:19:210:19:25

So, based on the houses that we've seen today, we are going

0:19:250:19:29

to vote for...

0:19:290:19:30

ALL: The UK!

0:19:370:19:39

I didn't want to go for the UK

0:19:430:19:44

because I really want to come to Australia but just based on the

0:19:440:19:48

houses we've seen today and based on the salary we have back in the UK,

0:19:480:19:52

I don't think we can ideally purchase any of those houses comfortably.

0:19:520:19:56

I was hoping I'd see a house that I could easily afford

0:19:560:20:00

and short of the first one, which was far too small,

0:20:000:20:03

those last two, I couldn't, and that still puts a lot of doubt there.

0:20:030:20:06

But certainly based on what I've seen today, yeah, UK.

0:20:060:20:10

Far from the start Leah was hoping for.

0:20:100:20:13

Her vote for the UK goes against everything she's ever wanted

0:20:150:20:18

and the reality of Adelaide's property prices

0:20:180:20:21

means the couple's work prospects are now vital if Leah is going to

0:20:210:20:25

be in with a chance of keeping her dream alive.

0:20:250:20:28

Leah's desperate to move back to Australia,

0:20:340:20:36

but she knows the ideal home and lifestyle will come at a cost.

0:20:360:20:40

As the main breadwinner,

0:20:400:20:42

finding the right job for Andrew down under will be

0:20:420:20:45

crucial if a move's to work financially and for him, it'll be

0:20:450:20:49

tough to top the job satisfaction he gets

0:20:490:20:52

as a technical manager back home.

0:20:520:20:54

I have been with the same employer for 19 years.

0:20:540:20:59

Very, very loyal employee and once I am there, I like to stay put.

0:20:590:21:05

I like the stability and like to try

0:21:050:21:08

-and do as much as I possibly can for my employer.

-He loves his job.

0:21:080:21:11

When I first met him, he was very technical

0:21:110:21:14

and some of our first dates were going out to outages

0:21:140:21:18

and things like that.

0:21:180:21:19

It's not everybody who can say they enjoy their job,

0:21:190:21:22

but I do like my job. And I would really miss that.

0:21:220:21:25

Leah's all too aware how everything depends on Andrew's

0:21:250:21:29

job prospects in Adelaide.

0:21:290:21:31

You know, if I didn't love him so much and we didn't have our life

0:21:310:21:34

together I would have gone a long time ago

0:21:340:21:36

because I am homesick and that's where I want to be,

0:21:360:21:39

but I really believe in him

0:21:390:21:41

and I think if he gets something, that will help.

0:21:410:21:45

With the children looked after by a childminder, the couple

0:21:450:21:49

set off to explore their work opportunities.

0:21:490:21:51

Leah would like to have her own photography business, so meets

0:21:510:21:54

local professional, Miriam.

0:21:540:21:56

Meanwhile, Andrew's off to an IT company to get

0:21:580:22:01

the low-down on a potential job from Nick, a senior manager.

0:22:010:22:04

What I currently do back in the UK, I'm a manager who looks after a team

0:22:060:22:11

of engineers who are responsible for looking after primarily our networks.

0:22:110:22:15

Do you have a similar type of job in this company?

0:22:150:22:19

Actually, yeah, that's very close to what a lot of the guys here do.

0:22:190:22:23

We have a team of network engineers who maintain

0:22:230:22:25

the operation of the network

0:22:250:22:27

and certainly the depth of experience,

0:22:270:22:29

managing a large team, complex products,

0:22:290:22:32

various supplies and technologies

0:22:320:22:35

-is something we would find very appealing.

-OK.

0:22:350:22:38

-That's good to hear.

-Great news for Andrew. How's Leah getting on?

0:22:380:22:43

So, in Adelaide, what do you think are the opportunities

0:22:430:22:46

for family photography?

0:22:460:22:48

Adelaide is a very friendly, welcoming family town,

0:22:480:22:52

so there's a lot of young families with children here.

0:22:520:22:55

It's a great job to get into because you can really

0:22:550:22:58

control how big or how small you want it to be,

0:22:580:23:00

so really, it's just the perfect job for a mum.

0:23:000:23:03

What would you think you would be charging families

0:23:030:23:06

for an hour session?

0:23:060:23:07

200 for an hour shoot for one person and then

0:23:070:23:10

I charge 30 per extra person so a family of four would be 290.

0:23:100:23:16

The figures sound good and for Leah a life down under

0:23:160:23:19

could be tantalisingly near.

0:23:190:23:21

It's just so close, you know. I can feel it and it's so...

0:23:250:23:30

it's here. But now all the apprehension is coming back,

0:23:300:23:33

because I know it doesn't rely on that.

0:23:330:23:35

Our moving to Australia isn't reliant on me getting a job.

0:23:350:23:39

It's Andrew getting a job.

0:23:390:23:40

So, now I have to wait to see what he's going to find out today.

0:23:400:23:44

Will Andrew deliver the news she's desperate to hear?

0:23:440:23:47

Everything hangs on his job prospects.

0:23:470:23:50

In general, Adelaide doesn't have the

0:23:500:23:53

level of activity in terms of people moving around and hiring,

0:23:530:23:57

relative to other capital cities within Australia.

0:23:570:24:01

I suppose that was one of my fears about coming out to Adelaide.

0:24:010:24:04

But that's relative to other cities within Australia

0:24:040:24:07

and we actually do have a vacancy for a network operations manager

0:24:070:24:11

which may or may not be suitable.

0:24:110:24:13

-We should talk further, I think.

-Wow, OK.

-How's that?

0:24:130:24:17

Wow!

0:24:180:24:20

Very surprised you're saying that just now. Kind of threw me!

0:24:210:24:24

For a senior management job with your skills and experience,

0:24:240:24:28

as we've gone through I would be comfortable sort of

0:24:280:24:31

-pitching you towards the 110, 120,000 base salary.

-Wow. OK.

0:24:310:24:36

Which in Adelaide is more or less enough to comfortably

0:24:360:24:41

support a decent lifestyle... sun-drenched, all that stuff.

0:24:410:24:45

This could be a major turning point for Andrew.

0:24:450:24:48

I don't think I myself sort of ever entertained

0:24:480:24:51

the possibility of us moving to Australia just because I was quite

0:24:510:24:55

settled in my work and regarded it as being a reasonable salary.

0:24:550:24:58

After sort of discovering what I have discovered here in that

0:24:580:25:01

I could be actually on a better salary than I'm on in the UK,

0:25:010:25:05

it makes this whole thing a definite possibility

0:25:050:25:08

and we now have to sort of look at putting everything

0:25:080:25:12

into practice now and seeing what we can do to move out here.

0:25:120:25:15

It's time to put Leah out of her misery.

0:25:150:25:18

It was a very, very interesting afternoon. It went very well for me.

0:25:180:25:23

-Really?

-Surprisingly well, yes, to the point where he said

0:25:230:25:27

-we've got a job here for you right now.

-What?

0:25:270:25:30

If you would like to apply for it and booked me in for an interview.

0:25:300:25:33

-What?

-Yeah.

-And what did you say?

0:25:330:25:35

I said, well, I'm very interested, yes!

0:25:350:25:38

-I'm so happy.

-You've done well yourself, so...

0:25:390:25:42

-So, salary wise, what...

-About 120,000.

0:25:420:25:45

My God. So... Well, what does this mean, though?

0:25:470:25:50

-This is what we wanted to hear. Are you happy about it?

-I am happy.

0:25:500:25:53

I mean, obviously, it makes it look now that it's a strong goer

0:25:530:25:58

to moving over here. Yeah.

0:25:580:26:00

I mean at those sort of salaries we could almost afford these houses

0:26:000:26:03

we went to look at yesterday afternoon.

0:26:030:26:05

He seems to think that's achievable

0:26:050:26:07

based on what other people earn here.

0:26:070:26:10

That's all music to Leah's ears,

0:26:110:26:13

but has Andrew heard enough to put his mind at rest?

0:26:130:26:16

Based on our experiences today, we've found our a lot of good

0:26:160:26:20

information that's definitely been useful to moving across here.

0:26:200:26:23

Some big surprises, so we're are going to vote for...

0:26:230:26:27

BOTH: Australia!

0:26:340:26:35

Things are looking up for Leah.

0:26:370:26:39

-Are you really happy?

-It's amazing.

0:26:390:26:41

When you look on the Internet or anywhere else

0:26:410:26:43

you never see the jobs. But when you actually go and speak to people

0:26:430:26:47

you suddenly found out that they've got jobs.

0:26:470:26:49

Andrew's first vote for Australia is a huge boost for Leah.

0:26:520:26:56

It looks like he could be finally coming round to the

0:26:560:27:00

possibility of emigrating.

0:27:000:27:01

So, could a taste of the local lifestyle bring Leah yet another

0:27:010:27:04

step closer to home?

0:27:040:27:06

In the UK, the Clanahans share a passion for visiting old

0:27:060:27:10

castles and estates.

0:27:100:27:12

So, down under, they have spent a day roaming the grounds

0:27:120:27:14

of Carrick Hill, one of Adelaide's few surviving period homes.

0:27:140:27:19

It's a chance for the family to reflect on what life could be like.

0:27:190:27:23

The kids have definitely enjoyed today.

0:27:260:27:28

What's good about it, I think, is probably the weather more

0:27:280:27:31

than anything else because, we do something like this back home

0:27:310:27:34

you tend to find that the grass is damp

0:27:340:27:37

because it's probably raining at the time.

0:27:370:27:39

It's not as much fun, obviously. Having the sunshine just makes it.

0:27:390:27:41

Well, yeah, I've seen big changes in Andrew.

0:27:410:27:45

I mean, today I've seen him jump in a sack

0:27:450:27:47

and I've never seen him do anything like that before!

0:27:470:27:51

So, you know, I think it brings out the best in him

0:27:510:27:55

being over here.

0:27:550:27:57

And everyone's had time to think about the future.

0:27:570:28:00

It's been an interesting week for me, emotion wise.

0:28:000:28:04

And certainly after going to the employer yesterday

0:28:040:28:08

and finding out how likely it is that

0:28:080:28:11

I could find employment here - that makes a big difference.

0:28:110:28:14

We have a lonely existence in the UK.

0:28:140:28:16

We have a bit more of a lifestyle environment in Australia.

0:28:160:28:22

I can just see my children flourish already.

0:28:220:28:24

Even today, watching them run around and roll down hills,

0:28:240:28:27

I haven't seen them be that happy for months.

0:28:270:28:30

I think my mum's lonely because she doesn't get anybody to talk to

0:28:300:28:34

when I'm at school and my dad's at work.

0:28:340:28:37

I think it'd be different in Australia because some of her family

0:28:370:28:41

don't work and she'd be able to see them every day.

0:28:410:28:44

So, based on their potential lifestyle,

0:28:440:28:46

will the family vote for the UK or Australia?

0:28:460:28:49

Based on our lovely day here today, we're going to vote for...

0:28:490:28:53

ALL: Australia!

0:28:580:29:00

It's great seeing the kids getting the opportunity to play outside,

0:29:030:29:06

and that's the climate that has driven that.

0:29:060:29:09

It's not like back home we don't get good times outside as well, it's just they tend to be limited.

0:29:090:29:13

Here, I think there will be more of them, and that's the reason why I've gone for this today.

0:29:130:29:17

I love Australia, come rain or shine,

0:29:170:29:19

but I think today has just proved that with the children,

0:29:190:29:22

they have had such a good time,

0:29:220:29:24

so, you know, that is why I chose Australia - for lifestyle.

0:29:240:29:27

A unanimous vote for the Aussie lifestyle is great news for Leah,

0:29:340:29:38

but being able to afford it is another matter.

0:29:380:29:41

If they don't get the right price for their house in the UK, Leah

0:29:410:29:44

could find herself back where she started.

0:29:440:29:48

While her mum looks after the children,

0:29:480:29:50

the couple sit down to find out

0:29:500:29:52

if the two estate agents we have sent round to their Scottish

0:29:520:29:55

home agree with the £250,000 they think it's worth.

0:29:550:29:59

This is a very nice room. Very spacious and light.

0:30:010:30:04

Nice bay window overlooking the green as well. Very nice.

0:30:040:30:08

A pleasant contemporary kitchen. It's well fitted.

0:30:110:30:13

It's got classic Shaker-style units.

0:30:130:30:15

Oh, it's a nice conservatory porch and really quite a pleasant room.

0:30:170:30:22

-Did he say it was a pleasant room?

-Pleasant room.

-Yeah, that's my favourite room.

0:30:220:30:25

ESTATE AGENT: That's a very nice room. A little girl's room.

0:30:270:30:31

And cupboards as well, so a place for all the toys.

0:30:310:30:34

-Yeah, too many toys, she's got.

-Far too many toys!

0:30:340:30:38

It's clearly the main bedroom in the house

0:30:380:30:41

and it justifies the description of a master bedroom.

0:30:410:30:44

This is a very nice family home.

0:30:440:30:47

In today's market, I would value the property at £290,000

0:30:470:30:51

and look at any serious offers over 270,000.

0:30:510:30:54

I would value this property at 275,000.

0:30:540:30:58

For a quick sale, you might have to drop down to 250,000,

0:30:580:31:01

as that's the limit for stamp duty going up to 3%.

0:31:010:31:04

-Yeah.

-So, the first guy said 290,000.

-He did.

0:31:040:31:08

-Let's sell it for 270.

-Yeah.

0:31:080:31:10

The other guy said 270 for 250, so you take an average.

0:31:100:31:14

-I am quite surprised at that.

-So are you happy? Is that a good result?

0:31:140:31:17

-That's a good result, yeah.

-Oh, good!

0:31:170:31:19

That's positive,

0:31:190:31:21

but now it's time to tackle how the finances would work down under.

0:31:210:31:24

To help them do the figures, we have provided a comparison of costs,

0:31:240:31:28

beginning with the weekly food shop.

0:31:280:31:30

OK, so...

0:31:300:31:31

-..bacon, UK, £1.64. Here, £4.63.

-Four dollars...

0:31:320:31:38

-No, £4.63.

-Oh, OK.

-It's been converted.

-Oh, God!

0:31:380:31:41

Here's something that's cheaper, here. Battered fish.

0:31:410:31:44

-Seem to eat quite a lot of that, because Brodie likes it.

-Yeah.

0:31:440:31:47

5.96 in the UK, £4.19 here.

0:31:470:31:49

Most things, from what I can see, are definitely more expensive here.

0:31:490:31:54

But if you are on a higher salary, that would compensate for that.

0:31:540:31:58

Baby wipes, UK cost for a pack of three, 1.83.

0:31:580:32:04

-Over here, 5.76.

-Yeah, I thought the baby stuff was more expensive.

-Big difference.

0:32:040:32:08

-So how does the weekly shop add up?

-It's £43.16 more expensive here.

0:32:100:32:17

-OK.

-£43 a week won't break the bank, but what about the bigger outgoings?

0:32:170:32:22

House prices in Adelaide were an eye-opener for the Clanahans.

0:32:220:32:27

Basing their calculations on the second property we showed them

0:32:270:32:30

and taking into consideration Andrew's potential

0:32:300:32:33

earnings of 120,000 Australian dollars, they make it work.

0:32:330:32:37

An extra £20,160 a month, a year, sorry, by living in Australia.

0:32:370:32:43

-Extra? By living in Australia, we're going to be getting that, an extra £20,000 a year?

-Yeah.

0:32:430:32:49

-That's amazing.

-You can get a lot for £20,000, I suppose.

0:32:490:32:53

That figure alone is just based on your salary, so whatever

0:32:530:32:57

I could make and bring to the household would be an extra bonus.

0:32:570:33:00

-That could be our holiday money.

-Absolutely.

-Could be anything.

0:33:000:33:03

It's a lot of money.

0:33:030:33:05

The figures are good, but are they good enough to convince Andrew?

0:33:060:33:10

It's time to find out.

0:33:100:33:12

After the exercise we have just done

0:33:120:33:14

and the comparison we have done between our finances in the UK

0:33:140:33:17

and finances here, we're going to vote for...

0:33:170:33:20

BOTH: Australia!

0:33:250:33:27

I've been blown away by that figure, and I think we would

0:33:270:33:32

actually have such a fantastic life out here, based on all that.

0:33:320:33:36

We never seem to have expendable income at the end of the month.

0:33:360:33:40

We're always scraping about and it is getting to be quite tough for us,

0:33:400:33:45

so I think we would have a very comfortable lifestyle here.

0:33:450:33:47

And certainly, probably any of these houses we saw the other day, we could probably afford.

0:33:470:33:52

The evening is spent with Leah's family in true Australian style -

0:33:570:34:02

children in the pool, drinks on the patio, and family close by.

0:34:020:34:05

Great times, but while Andrew's financial concerns may have

0:34:070:34:10

been addressed, he knows families are at the heart of their dilemma.

0:34:100:34:15

It's difficult, cos obviously,

0:34:150:34:16

we've both got family on each side of the world.

0:34:160:34:19

If I leave the UK, then I'm leaving my family behind who

0:34:190:34:24

I very much care for and don't want to do that.

0:34:240:34:27

Leah feels the time has come for her to be reunited with her family.

0:34:270:34:31

In the beginning, the first few years,

0:34:310:34:33

I danced around supporting him and, you know, just thinking

0:34:330:34:36

of his feelings 100% and putting my own homesickness in the background.

0:34:360:34:40

I think having children changes that,

0:34:400:34:42

because being pregnant and having no-one around you and...

0:34:420:34:46

going to hospital, having a baby and no-one coming to visit you, it's...

0:34:460:34:51

You know, it's a sad time, and no-one wants that.

0:34:510:34:55

Everyone wants their family around them.

0:34:550:34:57

And Andrew is all too aware of how much rests on his decision.

0:34:590:35:04

If it's the UK, then that is going to be shattering for her.

0:35:040:35:07

And for her mum as well.

0:35:070:35:09

Because her mum wants us desperately to move out here.

0:35:090:35:13

In the same respect, it's going to be the same for the people back in Scotland as well, because if we

0:35:130:35:17

say it's Australia, then it's a toughie with my mum and sister.

0:35:170:35:21

The couple had been avoiding having to

0:35:210:35:23

choose between their families for as long as they have been together.

0:35:230:35:26

I think our relationship for the last few years has been affected by this,

0:35:260:35:30

because he has not wanted to come over here and I have,

0:35:300:35:33

and there's that pulling all the time of, you know,

0:35:330:35:35

he wants to be one place and I want to be the other place.

0:35:350:35:39

So, for us to have come and experienced this

0:35:390:35:42

and worked out what we could and what we could not, to then just be...

0:35:420:35:46

end result, no, we're staying in the UK, I think I'd be really upset.

0:35:460:35:50

The week has seen Andrew overcome his financial and work concerns,

0:35:580:36:01

but he still faces possibly his biggest hurdle.

0:36:010:36:05

The family sit down to watch a DVD of messages from loved ones

0:36:050:36:08

back home, which includes Leah's brother, who lives in the UK.

0:36:080:36:12

While Brodie is looked after by a childminder,

0:36:120:36:15

they have decided Marlee should watch it too.

0:36:150:36:18

Hi, Andrew. Hi, Leah, Marlee and Brodie,

0:36:180:36:20

hope your trip is going really, really well.

0:36:200:36:22

Well, I hope you're having a wonderful time

0:36:220:36:25

and I hope you all like it.

0:36:250:36:27

The best way to describe them -

0:36:270:36:29

they are noisy, hard-working and just great people to be with.

0:36:290:36:34

As a family, they are just an absolutely lovely couple.

0:36:340:36:37

They would do anything for anybody.

0:36:370:36:40

Leah is a very artistic person.

0:36:400:36:42

She has a lot of potential to do a lot of good things.

0:36:420:36:45

She's the sort of person that if I had had a sister,

0:36:450:36:49

I would have wanted her as my sister. You know, she's just real...

0:36:490:36:52

Just a lovely, lovely girl. She is so caring.

0:36:520:36:55

She's shy, she's a great mum, great photographer...

0:36:550:37:00

Um... Good friend.

0:37:000:37:03

Andrew as a brother is just a lovely guy to have as your brother.

0:37:030:37:07

Somebody that, you know, without him in my life would just...

0:37:070:37:11

would just be pretty bad. Yeah.

0:37:110:37:13

Obviously, I'll miss them very much so, and the children growing up.

0:37:140:37:19

As you say, there is still Skype and videos and stuff, you know,

0:37:190:37:24

but it's not the same.

0:37:240:37:26

If they do go away, well, Leah will have her family, I can see that.

0:37:260:37:31

-I've never heard her say that before.

-No.

0:37:310:37:33

Just the opportunity to be able to spend Christmas

0:37:330:37:35

and birthdays with them and see my niece and nephew and see them

0:37:350:37:38

grow up, obviously, that's something I would miss greatly.

0:37:380:37:43

Since my dad died eight years ago, you know, Andrew,

0:37:430:37:48

Mum and I, Leah, the four of us just became so, so close.

0:37:480:37:51

I think we've just always been there for each other, no matter what.

0:37:510:37:55

That's...

0:37:550:37:57

When faced with that, it's going to happen,

0:37:570:38:02

that's just going to be so difficult. So upsetting.

0:38:020:38:05

Whatever you decide will be the right thing for you, your family and us, but we'll miss you.

0:38:070:38:12

I know that if you do stay, it's going to be a far better

0:38:140:38:17

life for all of you, and especially for the kids growing up. Erm...

0:38:170:38:21

Yeah.

0:38:240:38:26

I can't say any more.

0:38:290:38:31

-It's just... You feel pulled in both directions.

-Mm.

0:38:450:38:49

-Just hard when you see it like that on screen, though.

-Yeah, I know.

0:38:520:38:57

I'd really miss my uncle and my aunties.

0:38:570:39:00

I know, it's hard.

0:39:050:39:07

When we leave here every time,

0:39:070:39:09

it's so difficult just trying to say goodbye to Leah's family.

0:39:090:39:12

We're with them for normally a few weeks at a time

0:39:120:39:14

and then they all come to see us off at the airport,

0:39:140:39:17

and it's just, you've got that sort of feeling in your throat.

0:39:170:39:19

It's horrible. You're having to walk through the doors, like,

0:39:190:39:23

"Goodbye until we next see you."

0:39:230:39:25

Um, and that's not my family, that's Leah's family.

0:39:250:39:30

So to say goodbye to my family would be a bad one, yeah.

0:39:300:39:33

It's been an eventful and emotional week for the Clanahans.

0:39:360:39:40

Being back in Adelaide has reinforced Leah's desire to be home.

0:39:400:39:44

It's just so close, you know. I can feel it.

0:39:440:39:47

Spending time with family down under made Marlee realise just how

0:39:470:39:51

homesick Leah is.

0:39:510:39:53

I think my mum's lonely because she doesn't get anybody to talk to

0:39:530:39:58

when I'm at school and my dad is at work.

0:39:580:40:00

But good news on the job front for Andrew.

0:40:000:40:03

-He said we've got a job here for you right now.

-What?!

0:40:030:40:06

It means Leah's dream could be tantalisingly close.

0:40:060:40:10

For Leah, the last week has been the best shot

0:40:130:40:16

she has ever had of persuading Andrew to move down under.

0:40:160:40:20

Now she could be on the brink of being reunited with her

0:40:200:40:24

family for good.

0:40:240:40:25

After years of indecision, it's time for Andrew

0:40:250:40:29

and Leah to decide once and for all where their future lies.

0:40:290:40:33

I think about a year ago,

0:40:360:40:38

I hit a crossroad where I just decided I'd had enough in Scotland.

0:40:380:40:44

And it wasn't the people, and it wasn't my home,

0:40:440:40:46

it was just that I didn't want to be there any more.

0:40:460:40:49

I don't know if there's a calling inside you of where you're born

0:40:490:40:52

and you want to return to that place. Whatever it was, I had it.

0:40:520:40:56

So this whole week has, you know, that's going to give me

0:40:560:41:00

what I need to know. Am I coming home or not?

0:41:000:41:02

It's definitely a massive decision.

0:41:040:41:06

If it is a no at the end of the week, Leah will be very heartbroken.

0:41:060:41:10

I think that would take a major toll on our relationship.

0:41:100:41:15

If it's a no for Australia, I'm going to be honest.

0:41:150:41:18

Yeah, it's going to destroy me.

0:41:180:41:21

So how does our relationship move forward from that?

0:41:210:41:24

I do feel pressured. Leah doesn't want to pressure me.

0:41:240:41:27

She definitely does not want to do that, but she can't help doing it.

0:41:270:41:30

Everything relies on the decision that Andrew makes.

0:41:300:41:34

That was a good throw!

0:41:340:41:36

That's a hard thing for me to say, because what's going to happen

0:41:360:41:40

if he says no?

0:41:400:41:41

If I do make the decision to come to Australia, it's going to be

0:41:430:41:47

hard saying goodbye to my family, the loved ones, you know.

0:41:470:41:50

It's people I have known all my life.

0:41:500:41:53

'If we have more children, there's no way

0:41:530:41:55

'we can take our whole family to Australia every year, so I'll then

0:41:550:41:58

'have to look at the reality that I'll be home once every five years.'

0:41:580:42:03

And people are going to die, people are going to get married, there's

0:42:030:42:07

going to be more babies in the family that I am going to miss out on.

0:42:070:42:11

So that's my biggest worry, that...

0:42:110:42:14

that I'm missing everything over here.

0:42:140:42:17

So when it comes to the final vote, can Andrew leave the UK behind?

0:42:170:42:21

Has Leah done enough to convince him to bring her home?

0:42:210:42:25

ALL: Australia!

0:42:340:42:35

-Is that real?

-Yeah.

-Are you really 100%?

-Yeah, I'm happy.

0:42:370:42:42

-Work still is a big risk.

-Yeah, the work, I know.

0:42:420:42:45

Everything else seems to have fallen into place.

0:42:450:42:47

-We'll just have to see where the road takes us.

-Absolutely.

0:42:470:42:50

But it looks a good road.

0:42:500:42:52

Yay!

0:42:520:42:53

It has been an emotional roller coaster of a week

0:42:570:43:00

for the Clanahans, but it looks like Australia has worked its magic

0:43:000:43:05

and Leah's wish has been granted.

0:43:050:43:07

We hope everything works out for them

0:43:070:43:09

and they have a very happy future.

0:43:090:43:11

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