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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Or is 'wanted down under' one of the worst programmes of all time?

79 replies

Coffeeisnecessary · 27/02/2019 11:14

All the pressure on one person in the family who doesn't want to go, the heartfelt messages from family all crying, leaving elderly family, giving up established businesses, it's all just so uncomfortable. Maybe I'm not adventurous enough but I can't imagine giving up everything just because things look nice and sunny on neighbours. Aibu?

OP posts:
ILoveMaxiBondi · 27/02/2019 11:17

I’m kind of with you! The messages from family members seem like torture. Especially when the children are crying!! Awful. But at the same time, I can see why people want that life. I’ve got quite a few family members who have emigrated to either Australia or Canada so for me it isn’t horrendous idea. I couldn’t do it while my children are small though. I couldn’t take them from everyone they know and love.

MrsJayy · 27/02/2019 11:18

But you can't stop watching can you Grin I hate the we are going to miss you videos though i turn it for them.

echt · 27/02/2019 11:19

It's TV, innit? Nothing at all to do with the reality of moving to, and living/working in Australia.

If it makes you uncomfortable, don't watch it.

MrsJayy · 27/02/2019 11:22

I am watching today I don't understand Lees bespoke floor company how is flooring bespoke?

Original poster
Coffeeisnecessary · 27/02/2019 11:22

I totally understand people emigrating if they have family/friends out there (or ones who are happy to travel) maybe I'm just not happy enough just with my own little family but I think if get nervous! Yesterday there was an episode where a family who had never even been to Australia, visited for a holiday for a week and then moved over. Life there isn't like being on holiday! I have family over there so I do get wanting an adventure, but it just seems so idealistic!

OP posts:
GruciusMalfoy · 27/02/2019 11:23

I sort of love to hate it. My favourites are the people who at the beginning are like, "Oh I just couldn't bear to leave my 85yo mother who has insert health issues".

Then one week after a bit of sun, and the promise of £100 extra in their pockets each month it's, "fuck it! Pack up the house, we're off"

CoffeeCakePlease · 27/02/2019 11:24

I'd never seen it before but I'm off work this week so saw yesterdays and have today's on now! It seems a lot of these people are making decisions to move to Australia long term, with dependents, having never been before!? However I guess BBC pay for their week trip, but that's surely not long enough to know for sure, especially if you have no family/social network already over there.

If anyone saw yesterdays (PE Teacher husband and his wife) his 16 yo son (from a previous marriage) who was staying in the UK did a video message saying he wished they would stay, but he'd be happy for them regardless. After hearing that the husband/his dad started saying he now realised how much he'd miss him/he'd miss going for his first pint with him etc. It was frustrating he hadn't thought of this beforehand! Saying that, in the 'return' show they're still living in Australia 8 yrs later.

DoneLikeAKipper · 27/02/2019 11:24

I don’t know. I don’t think it’s terrible for people to want something different, using emotional blackmail to try and change someone’s mind is a bit shit, but without it the show would just be another generic property show I guess. I like the colder climates we have here, but it has a bad effect on some people’s mental health. If moving to a warm country (where you can work/speak the language) is going to improve your life, why not?

Rip Off Britain: Holidays edition was awful from the bits I saw. Such trivial complaints, it was like the worse of Trip Advisor doing Daily Mail Sad-Face for half an hour.

Original poster
Coffeeisnecessary · 27/02/2019 11:25

Echt I know, I'm being mostly lighthearted, and like mrsjayy says you can't stop watching!! I was wondering about the bespoke nature of his flooring too, wonder what he does?!

OP posts:
MrsJayy · 27/02/2019 11:26

It is is all a bit SEEYA mother😀 and the family time is all fantasy isn't it they are on holiday for the week the reality is going to be different what with work and school getting in the way.

Original poster
Coffeeisnecessary · 27/02/2019 11:27

They've visited a farm together as a family and now they want to move?! Their are farms near Leeds you know!! They are on holiday, argh I don't get it!!

OP posts:
GreatDuckCookery6211 · 27/02/2019 11:27

It infuriates me but I love to watch it! So much drama and wringing of hands. The people who don’t want to go knew this before signing up for a free holiday fgs!

TheWaiting · 27/02/2019 11:27

I can see why nhs staff and trades people go. Higher wages and better work/life balance. The programme drives me crazy though listening to these women whinge that they can’t leave their mothers who they’ve moved 2doors away from their whole life. And the mothers crying and begging them not to go. Hmm

Of course I’d miss mine if they did that but you raise them to be confident and independent and to put their own little family unit first. One of my teenagers is keen on a university course that our local university excels in. I’m putting a lot of effort into persuading them that moving 200mikes away is a better idea and will led to greater independence and help them develop more life skills. Of course I’d rather they came home and were just down the rd but it’s not about what I want. I think the weeping parents are always selfish.

Geekster1963 · 27/02/2019 11:28

I know what you mean OP. I could never imagine moving that far from my family. Makes you wonder if some of them do the programme for a free holiday. You don't often find out if they actually moved or not.

I can on the other hand see the appeal but not for me.

MrsJayy · 27/02/2019 11:30

,
Rip Off Britain: Holidays edition was awful from the bits I saw. Such trivial complaints, it was like the worse of Trip Advisor doing Daily Mail Sad-Face for half an hour.

Ah rip off Britain or thecAngry old lady programme.

Original poster
Coffeeisnecessary · 27/02/2019 11:31

Yes the ones who have older children in the UK but leave them, I find that really hard to understand.

OP posts:
OnlyFoolsnMothers · 27/02/2019 11:31

Always also it is only one spouse who champions the move (some random child hood dream)- no way would I move to the other side of the world and cut myself off from everyone and everything i know and love.

MissCharleyP · 27/02/2019 11:32

I think you have to balance it with what is the best for everyone. If there are opportunities there that may not be available here then emigrating may be the best move. I wish I had done something like that, or at least given it a go. My DF had the chance to move to London about 35 years ago, turned it down as my DGM was on her own and not in the best of health. I don’t think he regrets it overall but I’m certain it crossed his mind when he lost his job and struggled to find another about 20 years later, the job he would have had was very secure.

MrsJayy · 27/02/2019 11:32

Ooo did you see the daggers she threw Lees mum when she said she would miss her grandchildren

boble1 · 27/02/2019 11:34

Oooo love watching when people look at the price difference between food.

Original poster
Coffeeisnecessary · 27/02/2019 11:34

I know what you mean TheWaiting, but I don't think I could stop myself from weeping if I had to record one of those for my children! I selfishly wouldn't want them to go so even though I'd say 'you should go live your lives' I'd be sobbing!!

OP posts:
onthenaughtystepagain · 27/02/2019 11:36

My favourites are those who live in a small town in the UK in a fairly average house and wonder why they can't afford to live in Sydney or Melbourne in a massive house with pool and, of course, a walk-in wardrobe.
Surely this programme has been on long enough for people to realise that Australia or New Zealand are not the cheap £5 pomm places they used to be.

MrsJayy · 27/02/2019 11:37

God they are milking this are they not

ILoveMaxiBondi · 27/02/2019 11:41

Oh I don’t think I could do that to my dog! Transporting him 27 hours around the world away from me! Shock poor doggy.

Am I right in thinking this couple are renting a house? They didn’t buy?

The80sweregreat · 27/02/2019 11:42

Its a dreadful programme! i avoid it all costs.