Australia

[pat grimshaw]

The climate and the scenery is fabulous but the cities are very multicultural and ridden with conflict.

As I mentioned in your other thread, I wouldn't go to another country just to escape issues in your current life.

 

[subsonic]

Right now, the only thing I remember that I know about Australia is that Sydney is announced as being the 14th most expensive city in the world. But as I can see Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Adelaide has also made the list further down.

List of most expensive cities for expatriate employees - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Oh, and it's sunny and their swimsuit fashion is very popular.
Other than that, I'm lost..

 

[palbert]

Whatever you choose, best of luck.

 

[pat grimshaw]

The other problem with Australia is its government.

We have compulsory voting so the various governments chase the lowest-common-denominator idiot-voter. Government policy swings violently from Malthusian pragmatism to PC-hippy fluffy-headedness.

 

[Daithi]

I spend three months of each year in Melbourne. It has its problems, of course, but it makes USA and European cities look third world. There is a standard of living and an expectation of what a lifestyle should be that is quite extraordinary. However, it is very expensive. Australia is one of the few economies not currently affected by recession. The good life in so many ways, but at a price.

 

[bedbugy]

you will need lot and lots of cash
pack cash you will need it

 

[frankfrank]

Old DENNIS THE MENACE comic:

DENNIS (looking at a world globe): "Someday I'd like to go to Australia. It's my favorite color."

 

[HunterM]

Ozzy Ozzy Ozzy!
Oi! Oi! Oi!

 

[pat grimshaw]

Old DENNIS THE MENACE comic:

DENNIS (looking at a world globe): "Someday I'd like to go to Australia. It's my favorite color."

I probably had a reddish colour in the atlases in those days. It was part of the British Empire 'til 1932 then it was part of the Commonwealth of Nations.

 

[chrisw87]

The other problem with Australia is its government.

We have compulsory voting so the various governments chase the lowest-common-denominator idiot-voter. Government policy swings violently from Malthusian pragmatism to PC-hippy fluffy-headedness.

I don't know about you Pat, but do you feel the current and recent governments have kind of lost the patriotism that Australians should have?

It is one thing that I actually respect fairly high about the US, sure they might be seen as crazy but at least there are people there willing to put some effort into being proud about country they live in.

 

[Taz]

^^There is still patriotism, its just twisted into hate and used as a weapon by the "lowest common denominator" folk. I was dealing with a white trash family today covered in southern cross tattoos and australian flag swimwear -_-

And to the OP, aside from the "bogans" as we call them. the lifestyle here is great. Most people are laid back and friendly. I dont have much trouble with money. Mind you, I didnt come here from another country so I can't say as to how hard that is.

 

[glasvegas]

Dear OP, I am here for my uni as well. Yes, you need lots of cash. Things are ridiculous expensive but there's always ways to cut down your expenses. I been living $25 per week for food, so yes, it is possible. People are way nicer back home, friendly and cheerful. Lots of beautiful places that you can explore. Only been to Sydney and live in Canberra. Weather in Canberra is way colder than any other cities and boring as hell ( it is dead after 5pm, literally )

 

[braex27]

Depends on where you're settling - climate, pace, culture and general day to day vary between the cities.

Melbourne has a huge cafe culture, very temperamental weather.

Sydney is quite fast-paced, very big with nice suburbs surrounding the city.

Brisbane is smaller, nicely laid out, warm and humid and with lots of good new developments near the city.

 

[chrisw87]

Dear OP, I am here for my uni as well. Yes, you need lots of cash. Things are ridiculous expensive but there's always ways to cut down your expenses. I been living $25 per week for food, so yes, it is possible. People are way nicer back home, friendly and cheerful. Lots of beautiful places that you can explore. Only been to Sydney and live in Canberra. Weather in Canberra is way colder than any other cities and boring as hell ( it is dead after 5pm, literally )

I have to say Glassy, I miss the weather in Goulburn. All 4 seasons in 1 day, regardless of the actual season.

I still remember one day in November 2010 or 2009, it was close to 30c and then in a matter of 10-15 minutes the mercury plummeted and it actually started to sleet (wet snow).

 

[maxpowr9]

I studied abroad in Australia (specifically RMIT). Melbourne gets wicked depressing around May and June. It's funny because there was a heatwave in March when it got up to 38C and then by June it was 7C. Yes it is quite expensive there especially if you want to travel. I think my semester there back in 2007 (when the exchange rate was somewhat good) cost my parents around $35k after tuition and expenses.

 

[rotary]

It's been described to me as a "hot Canada". I'd like to go somewhere a wee bit more foreign. Perhaps Mills could chime in?

 

[chrisw87]

I studied abroad in Australia (specifically RMIT). Melbourne gets wicked depressing around May and June. It's funny because there was a heatwave in March when it got up to 38C and then by June it was 7C. Yes it is quite expensive there especially if you want to travel. I think my semester there back in 2007 (when the exchange rate was somewhat good) cost my parents around $35k after tuition and expenses.

If all goes to plan, I may be at the Naval base in Melbourne going through basic training around May/June which will be fun. Especially since some of the exercises include survival at sea. sub 10*c and floating in the ocean in overalls will be amusing. Reminds me of those mornings in police training where I left an energy drink in my car, to find it exploded everywhere due to it freezing overnight, then to progress that morning into short shorts and a thin top for PT.

Australian weather... it is not as extreme as many countries, but it is downright ass-backwards sometimes.

 

[pat grimshaw]

I don't know about you Pat, but do you feel the current and recent governments have kind of lost the patriotism that Australians should have? ....

I think the current federal government has lost the plot.

This sickly-faced woman just gives us lies, spin and more lies. She treats us as 2nd class citizens but she only retains power because she 'got into bed' with a coalition of hippie/crackpots run by a homosexual named Bob Brown.

 

[ravenstar]

Having never been anywhere else I'm slightly biased but I love Australia. Like everywhere else in the world it's got it's problems and lunatics but it's home and love it. Sydney is very fast paced and kind of impersonal, Canberra - no offense to anyone there - is frankly a shit hole that was only built because Sydney and Melbourne refused to allow the other to be the Capital of the country, Adelaide - again no offense - bores me rigid, Brisbane is lovely although frankly everytime I go there it rains so I'm convinced it's a conspiracy, and Melbourne is the home of my heart, I love it there, the vibe, the feel, the lifestyle. If I had the money I'd move there in a heart beat.

 

[Redsox]

What's with the negativity towards Australia by some of the Aussie posters?

Come to Australia and you will love it! Best place on Earth. Sydney and Melbourne are fantastic places.

My boyfriend came form the UK and will never go back.