Please tell me about Australia!!!

[piperdiva]

So, we have been talking about a move (for job reasons). we live in the US at the moment. But what is life like there? Basics such as school for teens, food shopping, HEALTH-CARE?

How friendly are people to foreigners? I like that it is a continent all to itself, and does not take too kindly to illegals *cough*

[Allie]

While it is pleasant enough and the people are friendly to a degree, I'd say if you like your resources like big malls, fine schools for your kids and good shopping centres... don't move.
Australia's very backwards and, dare I say, lazy when it comes to everything. We're always about 5 years behind everyone else.
That's all I'll say.

[A*O]

WTF??? And I would absolutely disagree! Australia is a great country and so long as you live in one of the larger metropolitan areas like, ahem, Melbourne, then as an American you will feel right at home. The education system is WAY better than the US and if you are here on a working visa then you probably qualify for Medicare. If not, health insurance isn't prohibitively expensive but if you don't have insurance no doctor or hospital is going to turn you away - although they may present you with a bill! The cost of living is about the same as the US (thanks to a weaker US$), the weather is great, the people are VERY friendly in our experience and moving here was the best thing we ever did. Seriously.

If you have specific concerns or questions then feel free to PM me!

[Allie]

While I don't know a thing about health benefits, I can assure you that schools aren't that much better, most teachers are isolated and don't really care about their students, and as far as I know most public and even some private schools don't have indoor areas for the kids to sit in, whether it's hot or cold outside. I do believe there is less bullying in Australia though.
The weather is great depending on where you live. Melbourne's weather is shit house. If you want winter snow in summer then the next week 100+ degree days, then Melbourne is the place for you. But Melbourne at night is one of the most dangerous cities in the world isn't it? I know on the few occassions I've been there at night I was frightened out of my wits, and I'm a Londoner by heart. People are friendly, but people do tend to stare more here so if you don't liek being stared at you're in for some trouble.
The neighbourhoods are lovely and safe, you'll have no worries as you won't have the threat of being stabbed or mugged later at night in the suburbs.

Ditto about the PM's, although I'm sure A.O can take care of info better than me. But I'm not bagging Australia, I'm being honest with my experience.

[piperdiva]

Originally Posted by A*O

WTF??? And I would absolutely disagree! Australia is a great country and so long as you live in one of the larger metropolitan areas like, ahem, Melbourne, then as an American you will feel right at home. The education system is WAY better than the US and if you are here on a working visa then you probably qualify for Medicare. If not, health insurance isn't prohibitively expensive but if you don't have insurance no doctor or hospital is going to turn you away - although they may present you with a bill! The cost of living is about the same as the US (thanks to a weaker US$), the weather is great, the people are VERY friendly in our experience and moving here was the best thing we ever did. Seriously.

If you have specific concerns or questions then feel free to PM me!

thank you AO. I'll pm you if and when I need more info

[VenusInFauxFurs]

I used to live in Australia too. Spent many years in Sydney. So, if I can be of any help on that score feel free to give me a shout!

[Sleuth]

I'll speak for the Queensland part of Australia. PM if you want. Im kinda rural but i have the benefits of being 30mins from the beach and 1 hour to Brisbane. Our shopping malls aren't bad at all. Public transport sucks but its getting better... We only have five channels on TV but if you get FOXTEL or Austar or watch DVDs that won't be a problem. As for schools i suggest you check out a few before you decide where to enrol your kids.

another tip: If you do move to Australia and you are paying by "charge card".. i suggest you don't say "put it on charge" as it sounds ridiculous here... we call it a credit card.

[A*O]

Allie, if you think Australia is so horrible and dangerous and cruel to school children why not use that nice British passport you still have and go to visit the UK for a while. I think you will change your mind.

[Anne2007]

I can talk for the NSW (Sydney) part of Australia. It has one of the most beautifule harbours in the world. If you are working in the centre of Sydney lunch time walks around the botanical gardens are divine.

There are both private and public schools. Some public schools are better than others. In fact there are some public schools with such good reputations that people move house to live in the area to send their kids there. An example of this is Epping Boys. I know 12 parents alone that have moved to Epping so their sons can go there.

The other thing about Sydney is there are some lovely beaches.

Our health care if you are lucky enough to be on Medicare is mostly free. Except if you see a specialist or have to get MRI's there you pay a gap.

In the main business district if Sydney you will find strangers a bit like mini New Yorkers. This is becasue most are commuting in hot trains and crowded buses, some up to 2 hours away so they can be in a foul mood. I think you will find your individual co workers friendly an eager to help. Just display your warm and friendly personality and ask lots of questions and they will be great.

If you need the low down on Sydney, then PM me and I will be happy to help.

The good thing about coming to Australia is no matter which state you end up in they are all winners.

Good luck with your move and bring an open mind. Also if you are in a restaurant do not ask for the cheque, we call it the bill.

[piperdiva]

thank you very much for the replies so far. DH or only musing about it at this point. But living in Australia has always been in the backs of our minds for about oh, 15 years

We do not like the way things are going in the US. The illegal alien situation from Mexico is getting really critical. Spanish surpasses English as the dominant language in more and more areas. Among other issues.

[Raspberry gashes]

Originally Posted by Allie

While it is pleasant enough and the people are friendly to a degree, I'd say if you like your resources like big malls, fine schools for your kids and good shopping centres... don't move.
Australia's very backwards and, dare I say, lazy when it comes to everything. We're always about 5 years behind everyone else.
That's all I'll say.

Oi, Australia: LOVE IT OR LEAVE IT.



I've heard that before and thought it fit here.

[piperdiva]

Well, Allie, 5 years behind to me is no big deal. I am not a big city person, I'm not into shopping, or malls. And I rarely watch a lot of TV.

However, if you don't have Whorebucks *cough* Starbucks then I might have some problems.

[Allie]

We have Starbucks!

And for the others, there's the lovely true side to Aussies I so often tell people about!! Pffft. Over it.
Just telling it like it is...

[A*O]

We do have Starbucks BUT we also have the most amazing REAL Italian cafes on practically every street corner and real Italian coffee which makes Starbucks taste like the bland bathwater it really is LOL. If you are a coffee addict you will realise what you've been missing all this time.

Do you have a particular area/city in mind?

[piperdiva]

City, not as of yet, but from what I'm reading from the the net, Melbourne seems like the place for me!

Italian coffee-yum. and Turkish coffee *in love*