This doesn't surprise me in the slightest. When you read forums such as British Expats.com you will find that most of the moves have nothing to do with British House prices. The most popular places for British movers are Australia and New Zealand (I have lost about 10 of my colleagues to those places in the last 3 years).
People on these forums are generally peeved about - The crime rate, overcrowding, abuse of the benefits and health care systems, the weather etc. Many young British families want to live and work where they can support themselves without being taxed to the hilt to support immigrants and those who won't work, they have no problem supporting those who can't work. Many of them are happy to pay for their own health care without having to pay for the healthcare of illegal immigrants, health tourists etc.
I have to say that I totally see why they move and if Sparks would come with me I'd be off Down Under like a shot...
The wages aren't as good as here and the house prices are very high in comparison to the wages but the outdoor lifestyle, less overcrowding and generally laid back attitude more than makes up for this.
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