JenJen

Jen is enjoying watching the OLD OLD WDU's have watched the Dixons but watched they're revisited last year.
I is wondering how many of this motley crue will be on the revisited for this year???
Didn't get to record any of last years new ones
An i'm only sky plus-ing this years - so won't be able to keep them.
Yes Aussie dreamer we've watched you today too - I couldn't remember that originally you went to SA - do we get to see why you chose Brisbane??

Liked Kiera and errrm her husband whose name I can't remember (sorry)
It'd be nice to see they're revisited but we won't be here if they decide to do it. I do hope they manage to get out there, hopefully they're family would visit. It does seem key that at certain times you will miss family and friends but when you're engrossed trying to establish your life in Australia it seems ppl are very happy ?

Can't wait til tomorrow

JRB

Just watched todays show about Darwin. I think they made the right decision to stay in the UK. I lived for 5 years down under ( am married to an Aussie) and had my children out there and it was a very lonely experience. Even though we had friends there it wasn't the same.
Also I noticed in the programme when they looked at a house she said something along the lines of liking the Auusie open plan style as she could be in the kitchen and watch the kids play at the same time. If they made some adaptation of their own home or moved they could have that in the UK too! I also agreed that there is nothing like old friends and sometimes in Aus the friends we made were more because we were in a similar situation to them rather than having things in common i.e. isolated and new to city.It seems like they were a lovely family orientated couple with a loving extended family. They seemed to have a good life in Hull and I hope they'll be happy where they are.

JenJen

But I'm not sure they wouldn't do it in the future - who knows guess we'll only find out if they do a revisited and they're on it.

soulrebel

Anyone know where the couple on yesterday got their "cost of living" info on the print-outs that they had, they were discussing petrol, car, utility bills etc.
Was it prepared for them by the BBC or is there a site anywhere with up-to-date cost of living costs?
Don't know how serious to take it or if it is accurate.
Thanks guys

Jenny Hughes

I've enjoyed both episodes this week, not as much repetition, like there was in our episode! I like the added Reality Check, which has extended it to an hour. Last years series was supposed to have been an hour but maybe you were glad it wasn't and you only got 50 minutes of us!! Ha, ha!

I felt for the Hannah family (Jan 4) as like they haven't much time left to make a decision to move 'down under' but our kids are slightly younger and were always positive about making the move and saw a better lifestyle but obviously family is ALWAYS the pull to stay in the UK. Good luck to them, I hope they made the decision to go.

I think the Roberts family (Jan 5) who went to Darwin made the right decision to stay in the UK at the moment, they have years to make the move.

Hope mother and baby are doing well and they're all enjoying their new baby. It doesn't matter where they are, as long as the baby was healthy!! It would be nice to know what she had.

They are a very down to earth sensible couple and you could see they have a very close, strong, loving family.

They reminded me very much of Dave and I, especially before we had the kids and the influence family has on you. We really needed family support when our two were babies and younger and don't regret having all the happy and special times with family, especially the love, support and life experiences of grandparents. The bond they also have with their cousins is VERY important for their own generation to maintain.

Sorry I haven't been on for a while, not had any time this year, lots been happening, it's been a very tough year for us! I've missed my BE 'friends'. Have you missed me?

However, WATCH THIS SPACE!!!!!

Hope everyone is well.

By the way Happy New Year to you all. I do hope 2010 brings you all good health, wealth and happiness. xx

munch

Does anybody know how to legally watch it in Australia on the laptop? Can't access the bbc iplayer as we are not in UK.
Thanks.

JenJen

Remind me of you and your family - where did you go etc?

Jenny Hughes

Our episode was Jan 12 2009.

We're from Liverpool and were taken to Darwin Northern Territory. Check my signature below for our family make up. My husband Dave was the Diesel Mechaninc but he is actually more specialised in his trade.

If you read back on previous posts it will possibly remind you. We had excellent feedback on our episode and were well liked, which was lovely and very positive for all of us.

Happy reading!!

Jenny Hughes

Has anyone really noticed just how much the Recession has taken it's toll on this series, which has resulted in a few up to now voting for UK!

As this series was filmed Summer 2009 (ours was filmed Summer 2008) the house prices had dropped significantly and most of the families have been in negative equity, especially the younger families!

Obviously finances have a massive impact on their decision to move 'down under' but what price do you really put on your life?

We have a 3 bedroomed terraced house with two children and have a very simple life really, not asking for much materialistically. Anything we have in so far as property in Oz would be a massive bonus for us, so we're not really asking for much but a life!! Everyone has different things they want out of the move.

Life has been the hardest for us in 2009 even after tough years building a life with a home and children, as Dave has had to work away the last 9 months, which has put a lot of emotional stress on us as a family. Whilst we have always put a huge emphasis on how important family life is for us there has been many tears shed this year as we have been apart.

We have always said we would rather have less in life and be together than material things that depreciate and devalue with time, things can be replaced, people you care about CAN'T! We have too much of an investment to lose in our family life than property! However we do realise everyone has different priorities in life but for us WE ARE THE MOST IMPORTANT. We have had a roller coaster life and believe me no one knows more than us how precious LIFE really is!

Whatever anyone decides for their lives, GOOD LUCK is wished for all.

JenJen

This program has grated on me today.

WHY is the program so restrictive???????

By the time you've sold you're house, paid for flights, shipping ? renting cars etc? that is a chunk out of what your house is worth too i'm surprised they havent mentioned that.

Alot of people i've known who've moved out there haven't bought a house even within a year of arriving.

Yes you do have to look at the properties for sale cause at some point you MIGHT want to buy and it'd be terrible to get settled renting somewhere to have to move out the area and start again so to speak.
But some people rent out there for years before buying which puts a different spin on things and especially finances.......
Also if one area doesn't necessarily agree with your life or finances you look at another surely???

As Mr JenJen said last night some people have moved out there with very little money and rented and built up they're life and now have a nice house, car etc.
yes in an ideal world it would be great to move out there and be mortgage free or whatever and have the 'ideal' house and garden, in a lovely area 10 steps to the beach with a cafe 5 steps that way.
GET A GRIP BBC, my god if most ppl wanting to emigrate based it on the BBc's version of events it would prob dramatically cut the amount of ppl moving.

As far as i'm concerned if you're thinking about going and living over there the first thing you do is lookat wether you could work over there and how much you would earn and living costs, if that doesn't add up it was still just at the idea stage.

DadAgain

Anyone know if they make a "Wanted back home" series so I can get the BBC to fly me to the UK for a week, hook me up with a couple of over-optimistic potential employers, show me some houses just above my budget and show me a 'typical UK lifestyle again'? (Followed by the emotional video of my parents saying how much better we've got along since living 12,000kms away and how us moving back would no doubt bring back all those nasty niggling tensions again).

I reckon it'd be a hit...

JenJen

LMAOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Elmo2552

Just watched the Perth episode this morn as thats where myself and my OH are moving to end of next month,at last a couple who actually decide to move!!

I was starting to believe we had made the wrong choice!!!

Alfresco

..........................Phew! Glad it was short lived.

Elmo2552

Definately short lived............come too far to give up now
Im sure once we're out there we will love it, dont know til u try anyways