tracy123 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Why is it that you chose Australia why not America or somewhere else? Why is Australia the place to be? Cheers Geoffrey Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aldo Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Why is it that you chose Australia why not America or somewhere else? Why is Australia the place to be? Cheers Geoffrey Too many murderers, psycos, fast food, obesity, antisocial behavior, red necks...... hang on a minute..:dull: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rudi Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Guns Love Rudi x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ali Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 It would have been harder for me to work as a nurse in US than in Aus, been to the states a few times and love it, but I couldn't imagine myself living there. Visited Aus and came home thinking 'I could live there' ... so that's what we decided to do, give it a go and see what happens. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest stockies Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Been here on holiday twice before, OH worked out here loads, just loved it from the moment we landed. Never been to America so cant compare. been to alot of european countries too, loved it there also. Oz just seemed to pull more I guess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sykestykes Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 We did actually consider America Geoffrey, but my auntie and one of my good friends live there and the holiday entitlements are dire! My friends hubby has just got 4 weeks' holiday after 15 years with the same company :shocked: and she says it's normal for people to only take 2 weeks holiday a year!!!! My OH only gets 4 weeks a year here in Oz (about standard, I think?) but the longer he stays with the company the better the benefits become. He had excellent holiday entitlements in the UK but we wanted to come here so we can't really complain about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sun Shine Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 Would love to give it a go in USA but immigration from UK is very difficult, as we are not able to apply to the green card lottery. So the only other ways in are to buy a business or get sponsored by an employer, or be very rich, or marry an American. To get sponsorship the employer has to prove they cant get a local to do the job and they have to pay to get you the visa. The rules have tightened up since 9/11 so getting in legally is harder. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest proud2beaussie Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 You have to be a certain type of person to live in the US-it's incredibly fast paced and if you think some Australian wages are low then some of the US are even lower,a friend of mine works as a security guard at a power station-she gets $6.50 an hour. Plus it's very hard to get a visa for there-even harder than Australia,sure they take professionals like nurses and doctors etc but not everyone is a professional. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deb8181 Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 America is very nice - I have been around six times now on holiday there. The only trouble is that America is in the same state as the UK if not worse regarding the economic climate so what's the point. Whatever happens in America seems to have a knock on effect with the UK. Myself personally would prefer somewhere more neutral but without it being a primitive country. My dad emigrated to Thailand in 2007 - wouldnt like the lifestyle out there. They dont have tomatoes apparently and the steaks are few and far between. He continually gets bitten by ant type creatures. His Thai mother in law keeps a bowl of dead bugs on her table for when visitors come round arghhhh!! Its red hot all year round and there is no hot water for showers, not like in the UK anyway, it just sort of bordering on cold/luke warm. When he comes over to the UK for a visit he raids the local Tesco and picks up loads of muffins, doughnuts and cookies as he misses these things over there. After reading this, why not Australia???? Debbie:laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 nice place shame about the people! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andyhus Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 i would end up about 50 stone. i find it easier to be a bit more healthy in Aus. Not that is a reason why i didn't go but it will do for now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
emmaj Posted August 2, 2009 Share Posted August 2, 2009 America was actually our first choice when we decided to leave the UK on our adventure and as Hubs works for an American company we thought it would of been easy to do, but we were wrong. Due to the ressession all recruitment was put on hold and we were advised it could be 3 years before they looked to bring a non US resident over. So we looked where else in the world his company had offices and spoke English and we came up with Oz. The rest as they say is history lol. If Oz doesnt work out for us, I would def try to move to the US again. Emma x Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
olly Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I thought that the US would be a bit like Australia when I went there, and in some ways it is, but it other ways it is definitely not at all. I heard people say that iif you put a Brit, an Aussie and an American in the same room the Brits and Aussies will realise how much they have in common? I was warned at the DisneyWorld resort Florida not to bring my daughter too close to the pool bar, as she was then under 18. (the big bogey is there - alcohol). Next day, my friends took us to the gun range where their son showed my son his recreational shooting. The man behind the counter was incensed that my daughter wasn't shooting, she was 16, old enough they said. "Come on, Mom, she can come over and pick a gun over here". And even though there are so many Australians who visit there, they still ask "Where is Australia? I got asked if I was related to Steve Irwin because I had the same accent. I found most of the Americans friendly to us, I think they are mainly good people, like Brits and Aussies, but certainly the flavour of the country is quite different to both Oz and the UK. I have lived in the UK several times, and I will say that if I was choosing the US or the UK, I would take the UK anytime. I do like to visit the US though, and my best friend lives there now for work reasons, so it's always a good excuse to sink a few Margharitas ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournegirlinny Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I'm an Aussie, from Melbourne, but have lived in the US for a total of 14 yrs, nearly all of it in New York City (with 2 yrs in Miami and 2 in Boston). I am hoping to move back to Aus next year. I have several American friends of course but I do think Brits are a lot more like Australians than they are like Americans. I have lived briefly in London and have friends there too and I love London. I just think culturally, Aussies and Brits are more alike. As for the immigration aspect, as someone who has their Green card and is a lawyer, I can tell you that getting permanent residency to Australia is a lot easier than for the US. Sandra Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kangaroo.bruce Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 more chance of getting shot there than being late for work .......... lmbo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Petals Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 For us was not even considered we are not fans of the American way. I have relatives in the States and my Grandfather retired there with my Aunt and have to say when they visit us know why I do not want to live there. Health system is just appauling for low income people. I have also been to the States a few times when at sea with my husband, if I had to live there it would be on the east coast and up near Canada. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Before I retired, my previous job took me to the USA frequently (roughly 1 week in every 8, usually New York City but some other places as well). As much as I like visiting there, I decided early on I'd never want to live there (and I've been offered jobs that could have got me a green card on two occasions). There are 3 main reasons for my decision: 1. Their cut-throat attitude to life and work. If your boss decides your face no longer fits, you can be fired almost instantly with little or no explanation or compensation. You'll only get 2 weeks a year holiday and may not take all that for fear of offending the boss. No thanks. I want a life. 2. Gun laws. Sorry, I don't feel safer being in a society where every nut-job is legally able to carry a concealed weapon for self defense. 3. (A biggie) I hate the thought of a country where you access to health care is, largely, tied to your employment (see point 1). Being private, as soon as you develop some kind of on-going condition you find that, at best, your premiums go sky high and, at worse, they just stop covering you. No civilised country should operate this way. All that's before considering the near possibility of getting an American visa unless you're lucky enough to have a job offer for some kind of special skills. Canada, on the other hand, was a very real possibilty for us since I was born there and we seriously considered it. I think the only reason I chose Australia was that Canada would have felt a bit like "going backwards" for me. Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melbournegirlinny Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I agree with both posts on the healthcare system in the US. It is terrible and a serious problem for many people who are not covered. I find it hard to really understand, despite my many years there, why they are so against a national health system. Many well-educated, intelligent people will argue with me about how it is 'socialism' and they usually say this in a tone that indicates it is near communism etc...I have taken to asking people now whether they have in fact ever lived in a country with national health. All of them say no! I point out that whilst the health care in Aus has its issues, it is nowhere near as bad as in America. I also enjoy pointing out that recent mortality studies had the US ranking badly whilst countries such as Canada, Aus and the UK and France with national health care ranked very well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RobRat Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 I grew up in America & can honestly explain contrary so some beliefs here. Healthcare is free for low income earners, anything above that and its high insurance premiums and medical bills getting shoved up your ass. sorry I must use the ass word due to gravity of the situation for those that live with that crap. The reasons are. The good employer that will in fact fire your ass for taking the paultry 2 weeks vacation, negotiates with the insurance companys, they get a reduced rate for example, (these are examples and are much more costly) $250.00 a month per family. when you sign up for company provided insurance, the employer will cover 50 to 80% usually. the rest comes out of your pay. You would be quoted $250. a week which means that you pay the employer $250.00 or more out of your check per month. he gets your coverage for free or dam near. Also there are tiers of coverage just like private cover here. the common employee gets lower or mid, the upper executives get the highest tier for little or nothing. Ok, so you have been screwed by the employer whats next. The medical bills. You are on an 80/20 policy. you have 20% copay and youve got it coming to you. You have to go in the hospital, the bill is 100 grand. you pay 20 grand right. The hospital and the insurance companys have agreements and behind your back, the insurance company agrees on a much lower bill, more like 50 grand all up, you still pay the 20 grand, the hospitol gets a total of 70 grand. If you look at the bills, you see where the frivolous cost are. again you get screwed. If you have no insurance, they still will treat you, but the bill may kill you. This is an example of greed and big bussiness Fat Cat executives stealing. Most often you will get letter form the insurance company stating that the claim has been denied, Guess what they are only open during work hours and they know that just about everyone cannot take time off from work to call and dispute there unjust rejection. I always fought them and won. Most people cant fend for themselves against the bullys. Guns, You will be locked up for carrying any concealed weapon in America without a special permit, Permits are not given out often. Contrary to popular belief its not a country full of nutcases running around with guns. you must also remember that regardless of a few conflicts that should not have happend, that America has saved many countrys and stands ready to save this one if help is needed. Dont forget where you come from or where you ancestors went. All and all its a mostly beautiful country with a lot of well meaning people that are beat down in the lower and mid income bracket. They have been raised to be materialistic and no nothing else. Most struggle to raise there familys and do the best they can. I wont pick much at the bad here because the good easily makes up for it. I believe your much better off here, But one must respect and help to improve the great way of life in Australia. If people dont it, it will become what you have left. If you would like to hear how the mortgage industry in America works I would be glad to explain, Its shocking... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest AJM2 Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 My 14 year old son put it simply for me...he said he wouldn't want to live somewhere that you have to walk through a metal detector to get into school. His dad is an american and he still chose Australia in the family vote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bobbsy Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Good post, RobRat. My one quibble is on the topic of guns and "concealed carries". The situation varies from state to state, but there are an awful lot where such permits are freely or easily available--and the trend is for more like this rather than less. More details including an animated graph of the trend: Concealed carry in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest RobRat Posted August 3, 2009 Share Posted August 3, 2009 Good post, RobRat. My one quibble is on the topic of guns and "concealed carries". The situation varies from state to state, but there are an awful lot where such permits are freely or easily available--and the trend is for more like this rather than less. More details including an animated graph of the trend: Concealed carry in the United States - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Bob Thats all to true Bobbsy, the states make there own laws and some of them are loose canons. It scares me that there are gun owners that do not even know how to check the oil in there car, certainly they are not competant to posses a firearm. In general most people just do not have the education and discipline to own guns. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ozboy Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 I thought that the US would be a bit like Australia when I went there, and in some ways it is, but it other ways it is definitely not at all. I heard people say that iif you put a Brit, an Aussie and an American in the same room the Brits and Aussies will realise how much they have in common? ! l agree , although Poms and Aussies are different l think there would be alot more of a culture shock moving to America. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fashionably Late Posted August 8, 2009 Share Posted August 8, 2009 After living in the US for 28 years, having a child there and living through their education and health care system I would never raise my children there. I avoid going back as much as I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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