Teachers search for dream home in TV programme
TWO teachers struggled to find their dream home in Guernsey, despite receiving help from UK relocation programme Escape to the Country.
Nina and Jon Lilley decided to move to the island, along with their three children and Mrs Lilley’s parents, after Mr Lilley got a job as a deputy headteacher.
The programme was broadcast on BBC1 yesterday.
With a budget of £1.2m. they were hoping to find a house with five or six bedrooms, a large kitchen, a spacious garden and room to add an extension.
Mr Lilley, who is originally from Guernsey, had been living in the island for five months at the time of filming, while his wife and family stayed at their home in Bristol.
Presenter Nicki Chapman asked if she needed to be persuaded to relocate.
‘Not really, I have been over here a lot in the summer holidays and the children absolutely adore it, so we knew it might be a good place for them to come and grow up,’ said Mrs Lilley.
All three locations were based in the Vale area, with the first property located 20 minutes’ walk
from Pembroke Bay, priced at £1.15m.
‘I could see ourselves living here and see this working for us in terms of our lifestyle as a family,’ said Mr Lilley.
The second, described as a ‘typical Guernsey house’, was based on a former tomato growing site. It was the only property to exceed their budget at £1.25m.
‘It’s incredible for a house in Guernsey to have such an incredible garden,’ said Mrs Lilley.
The final house, branded as the mystery house of the episode which was priced at £1.1m., impressed the couple, but they decided it was not quite right for the family.
While none of the houses they were shown ticked all their boxes, some gentle persuasion from their nine-year-old son, who told them he would get a job to help pay for one of the properties, helped convince them to view the first house again.
‘We had a tall order, our criteria had a big list and lots of the properties did tick a lot on those lists. The sunshine has really helped showcase the amazing beaches we have got here too.’
When the episode was filmed, there were only 45 properties for sale. The average price of a local market home was £573,000 and £1.3m. for open market.
The programme is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
