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Wanted Down Under

263 replies

breward · 04/01/2016 20:53

Anyone else put it on series record?

DH said, "You can tell it's January when deluded escapism is back on!"

I love it, but have no intention of ever moving to Oz.

OP posts:
EffieIsATrinket · 20/01/2016 12:23

I felt a bit sorry for him. Though agree re midlife crisis. Surprised at price of housing in Auckland too.

RooftopCat · 20/01/2016 12:53

You'd think if you had dreamt about living somewhere for over 20 years you'd at least go on holiday there before waiting for a tv production company to arrange it.
But I would imagine these people have researched it - jobs, qualifications, house prices etc - but that wouldn't make the programme so 'interesting'.

I always find the day out section a bit odd. "We've been for a walk on a beach/had a picnic. This is so much better than the UK!" Really? Some of these people must live in completely crappy towns if they can't find a bit of forest or a park to explore.
Anyway, I still watch it even though it is the same each episode. Loved yesterday's family - the one with the ex-navy/radiographer mum.

HairsprayQueen · 20/01/2016 13:13

Rooftop I typed out along post earlier along the lines of how come they don't seem to do anything outside in the uk but it's all they dream of abroad. I didn't post in the end as I didn't know if I was just lucky in my area to have nice places to walk!

I think it is a bit mean to show them a house so extremely over budget, and then them saying, 'well we can adjust with the work being different wages/buy less chicken nuggets'- it's going to take a lot to get a mortgage £100k over what you thought 5 minutes ago, not to mention it will severely reduce quality of life/all those days out you'll be having down under trying to pay for it. If you went to look at houses here and then said 'actually this house is not just a few thousand over my budget, but £100000 over' people should think you were a bit stupid.

Floralnomad · 20/01/2016 14:02

The way that boy today was going on about the beach I doubt he has ever been outside his village ! It was awful today when the dad said about leaving the daughter at home , how to make your children feel wanted .

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 20/01/2016 14:33

Let's face it, it's a pipedream and an escape from reality. He envisaged coming home from work around 4 o'clock and going swimming at the beach. The truth of the matter would more likely be longer work hours, to pay the extra mortgage and the growing family would all be wanting to do different things anyway. It's also the case that most of us don't do the things that are right on our doorstep, not unless we've got an established hobby.

I was gobsmacked when he said about leaving their daughter at home, so driven is he to throw everything over and live the other side of the world. But of course now, I'm not gobsmacked at all.

I know a few people who've emigrated to both Australia and New Zealand. One family went way back when and were sponsored with a job to go to, what they were leaving wasn't all that appealing and they were a big family so had each other for support. One went with a very young child and went on to expand their family there, but they already had relatives who'd gone ahead and were already established. I know two mixed marriage families and that's hard because there are pulls and relatives in both directions. The last family were escaping from a downturn in life here and far better opportunities in Australia. Their children were very young though too, which I imagine is easier for them, but harder on family left behind.

I just don't like the people who think it's a golden ticket into a far easier life, as though there aren't any problems with emotions, money, homes, jobs even the weather and it's going to be idyllic on every count.

Davros · 20/01/2016 17:21

Funnily enough I was having a binge WDU catch up today and up popped an email from a friend who moved to Oz about 10 years ago. We kept in touch a little but now she's back in the uk! Looking forward to a long chat tomorrow to find out what happened ......

Thally · 20/01/2016 18:01

They almost always end up increasing their hours and don't seem to cost the childcare for this. It's frustrating that they don't compare like for like.

They also don't cost a trip to the UK once every few years. Or the cost of moving.

I still love it though!

LarrytheCucumber · 20/01/2016 18:51

I think some people will make a go of it wherever they are. I would imagine the ex Navy couple will be fine. I used to work with someone who went for a year about five years ago and they are still there. I doubt if they will ever come back, and she says they have a lovely life. But they would have a lovely life wherever they were because they would make it that way.

southernskies · 20/01/2016 21:05

I live in Auckland and the 'finishing at 4pm to go swimming' does happen. As does 'it's a nice day, lets go fishing'.

But much more for those who are self employed or have a bit of flexibility. Generally, I think there is more acceptance that people have a life outside of work here. There is a lot to do here which is free.

I suspect this is changing though as the cost of housing is having a serious impact here. Gone are the days when people from the UK could sell up in the UK, get $3 to the pound and but in Auckland mortgage free. When I speak to pals about moving here, I say bring a million dollars for a house.

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 21/01/2016 12:00

That all sounds very much in line with what I'd imagined southern and I always take it as a given that anyone relocating, let alone emigrating, has to be prepared to work hard and do a lot more while they establish themselves.

Did anyone see today's with Katie and Ben?
They seem a nice couple but all the time they were viewing properties and discussing the future, I don't think I've ever heard anyone say 'I' instead of 'we'

I was a little bit surprised that Katie could potentially earn almost double her UK salary after she said how hard she'd worked to get to where she is now. That's a big jump.

Oldraver · 22/01/2016 11:10

This couple seem to have anice standard of living in the UK..Well apart from him being shot

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 22/01/2016 11:12

So many teenagers seem to be the ones preventing the families from moving; the secret seems to be to do the move when the kids are under 10.

Oldraver · 22/01/2016 11:14

I was thinking the same about the teens.

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 22/01/2016 11:24

Sometimes the teens are keen, thjnking about Stevie who is 14 and on the other day, but generally the 13+ don't want to. It must be tough for the rest of the family to be at conflict with their teenagers.

HairsprayQueen · 22/01/2016 11:27

Gosh, that's a lot of work she is doing for not a lot of money in the uk, not surprised she's burning out.

Oldraver · 22/01/2016 11:55

I thought she was earning £40,000 ? or did I mishear and it was £14,000

HairsprayQueen · 22/01/2016 11:57

yes £40000 but said she was doing double the hours that the other woman did so nearly 80 hours a week. Is that normal then?

EnriqueTheRingBearingLizard · 22/01/2016 19:04

She was earning a £40,000 salary I think but it's her own business, so she may be leaving profit in that as well.

I read the BBC update page and thought it was a positive programme today in the end.

southernskies · 24/01/2016 07:48

Enrique - yes, migrating is hard work and lots of it can be a bit dull. You take a step backwards career wise initially.

The people who arrived at the same time as us (7+ year ago) all seem to have done well and progressed. But even once established, there are still a few who go back each year. Personally, I don't see that as a 'failure' in the way it was 30 years ago. It's just deciding what makes you happiest and that can be different at different life stages. I've learn't a lot about myself and changed for the better since I moved.

Oldraver · 26/01/2016 11:07

What a plonker...

SignoraStronza · 26/01/2016 11:17

I'd just come on to say exactly the same. A total numpty and I suspect the close friend who died in 9/11 was, or he would like her to have been, the ow.

SignoraStronza · 26/01/2016 11:26

I don't know how he could not be embarrassed to appear on TV after cocking up something as vital as a work visa. Shock
With his family back in the UK poised to move over, having made all the preparations to leave. I'd have killed him!

Oldraver · 26/01/2016 11:34

Me too.... my DH decided without discussion to halt the Visa process (at the last moment) for us. It had been nearly two years of being emotionally invested and taking lots of stick from my parents and aquaintences...

Had he of fucked up the Visa like this bloke I would of told him not to come home

Oldraver · 27/01/2016 11:09

Where are you all ?

I think this is the kind of family that is ideal for this programme...not like yesterdays twat who has already had one shot and managed to fuck it up

SignoraStronza · 27/01/2016 11:31

I'm watching. Seems like a really nice family. Sensible, realistic and with their heads screwed on. Hope the daughter comes round - she might choose to remain with her father though.