Lots of generalisations on this thread, as usual for a Wanted Down Under thread! I am in Oz and have a friend who has been on the programme, she is very definitely middle class and totally 'living the dream' at the massive house she has just built by the beach. She told me the whole thing is pretty much fabricated, they film every moment of the day for a week and pick the good bits, and she said they definitely encourage people to cry a lot and moan!
Our lifestyle is more modest, but its is undoubtedly a massive improvement on our quality of life in the UK and Ireland. I've lived in Ireland, North and South, and also did a decade in London. All were good places to live ( I loved London) , my life here is better. My house is three streets back from a beautiful beach, a forty five minute train commute to the CBD (but I work locally, a short bus ride). We love the heat, yesterday I finished work at 330 (I started early) and went for a swim at the beach after work.
We have lots of friends from all over, Poms, Kiwis, Aussies, Saffas (strangely no Irish though). Aussies are not all bogan, sports obsessed pissheads (as some people on here seem to think) , and there is lots of culture here, although admittedly not a lot of stately homes! I've been to the theatre four times this year, more than I ever managed in London. Of course Perth won't compare to London or New York, but not many places can. And it has other compensations.
Oh, and I emigrated without visiting first (although I did huge amounts of research.) We also came with no jobs or schools sorted, and only a short term rental. It all worked out fine. Our families miss us, but they see how happy we are and are glad for us, and I know how lucky I am that they think that way.