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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think the families on Wanted Down Under are a bit spoilt/delusional?

277 replies

Hatchinganegg · 09/01/2018 14:50

Almost every episode involves a family with pretty average jobs living in your average 3 bedroom semi detached. They go to Australia and turn their noses up at massive houses because they don't have pools and walk in wardrobes. Or they're 10 minutes from the beach rather than right across the road

They never seem to want to start off a few rungs down from their eventual goal, it all has to happen right away.

They all want identikit houses too- those shiny kitchens and acres of cream carpet. I'd like to see one where the family was after something a little different personally!

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 09/01/2018 14:51

That programme drives me mad. I'm sure they all do it for a free holiday.

Emmageddon · 09/01/2018 14:54

They all seem to be disgruntled that they are not being offered massive salaries either, and that the cost of living in Australia is higher than in the UK. Some of the families have never been there before, and seem to have a distorted idea of what live in Australia is like. Some of them just seem to want the warm weather. If they want year round sunshine and a pool, they should buy a villa in the Canary islands and open a bar.

blackbunny · 09/01/2018 19:41

And why do they always want to buy a house not rent one? Surely it would be wise to maybe rent for say,a year before buying,also maybe a chance to save a bit...

wifeyhun · 09/01/2018 19:44

YANBU

Today's episode for example, they were a lovely family but he would still be working 60-70 hours a week I don't see that as a better move.

They also want gigantic houses when their pay isn't that much more than UK.

Can you even get a mortgage straight away anyway?

FitBitFanClub · 09/01/2018 19:49

They always say they want "the outdoor lifestyle" and then the camera cuts to a couple of surly teens lounging on a sofa in a darkened room, staring catatonically at an ipad, who quite clearly wouldn't recognise an outdoor recreation area if it came up and shook hands with them.

Emmageddon · 09/01/2018 20:09

I think it's a bit cruel to uproot teens and emigrate to Australia just because mum and dad think it will give them a better life. Sometimes I wonder if the parents could do with some counselling to find out why they are so dissatisfied with their lives in the UK before they ditch everything to go and live on the other side of the world.

OccasionalNachos · 09/01/2018 20:13

YANBU at all. In most cases, the ‘better life’ is because they’re on holiday. The reality of working a 60 hour week for an average salary won’t change that, you might as well be anywhere for that!

The grass is sometimes greener because it’s fake as seen on Facebook

FitBitFanClub · 09/01/2018 20:18

Yes, you still have to chop wood and carry water, wherever in the globe you are.
For me, I'd hate to have it hot at Christmas. Warm weather is great, when it's a novelty. There's nothing like a bracing icy walk with the dog in December, wrapped up cosily, and ending up at a country pub with a log fire burning, for a beer or some mulled wine. Don't get that in Australia.
Bah!

wifeyhun · 09/01/2018 20:21

It's the family and friends videos that tip me over the edge.

One from the other day "if you go you will just be a memory to me"

Last series from an elderly relative " if you go you will never see me again" cut to all the small children weeping in horror.

ChaircatMiaow · 09/01/2018 20:29

What is this show?

Where is this magical place in Australia where you can buy a massive house for the price of a 3 bed semi in the UK? Because it definitely isn’t effing Sydney.

Fekko · 09/01/2018 20:31

I wonder if there is a similar ‘destination uk’ version abroad...

KindergartenKop · 09/01/2018 20:32

They all think that food costs tuppence hapenny and then seem surprised when it's more expensive be than here!

Zaphodsotherhead · 09/01/2018 20:32

My daughter (who has moved out to Australia, Melbourne) has been told that she can't buy a house unless she takes Australian citizenship. They currently rent because they are not sure they want to take that step.

Do those 'visiting' families know this?

SnowFairyDust · 09/01/2018 20:34

YANBU, that programme gives me the rage!

Sparklingbrook · 09/01/2018 20:34

I will never get over the 'poor Brendan' episode a few years back. I can't watch it any more .Every family gets on my nerves.

Iwanthertoloveit34 · 09/01/2018 20:35

Its the showing weeping families to young kids that gets me. It seems like the equivalent of ripping a plaster off really quickly, seeing if they cry, filming it then putting it on TV for the entertainment of others.

Vagndidit · 09/01/2018 20:37

It's a very tired formula. It was a great idea when exchange rates were more favourable and there were more need for certain trades. But tighter immigration laws and changes in the economy have made it nearly impossible for families to make a go of it.

witchofzog · 09/01/2018 20:38

The one today where the woman wanted it but the husband didn't. It was always her dream. She earnt £5k per annum so needed his salary. But he would need to get his professional qualifications again as his were not recognised in Australia. I don't think they realised that they would not be able to do it as he would need the qualification to work and without his salary they would not be able to get a house. I don't think they had even been to Australia before this programme. Oh and they also had the tearful family members saying they were too poorly to fly and would not see them again Hmm

LadyinCement · 09/01/2018 20:40

Ha ha. Yes, I suppose people might imagine themselves in Chelsea or the Cotswolds and then they'd be shown an estate house in Swindon.

Those Australian houses all look so depressing - actually so do the Floridian ones and the ones in Spain. The Spanish ones are always on a building site with view of another building site and the presenter cheerfully tells them there's a great community with a bar 14 miles away...

LardLizard · 09/01/2018 20:40

I wonder if some of them are actually depressed ?

Thinkingofausername1 · 09/01/2018 20:42

I prefer come dine with me to those types of programmes. Yes the families seem to be a bit picky.

Fekko · 09/01/2018 20:43

If I moved out there I’d want a luxury apartment overlooking the Sydney opera house or a ranch in the back of behind. Not a flippin ‘Cath and Kim’ house on a huge estate.

Sparklingbrook · 09/01/2018 20:44

It always baffles me when they don't know how much their UK house is worth before the estate agent says. Surely if you were considering this move you would have found out prior.
Same as all the work related stuff. There's this thing called the internet where you can find all this out and save yourself a trip. Angry

Plus what Is Nicky Popidol there for? At least Nadia Sawalha used to go and meet the families.

wifeyhun · 09/01/2018 20:46

Is Nicky actually there or is she superimposed on a background? They may as well just have her doing the voice over.

Sparklingbrook · 09/01/2018 20:48

it's hard to tell. If she is Down Under I have no idea why, she may as well stay at home.