I am a us citizen thinking of moving to australia, any advice?

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Charlie

Your first concern will be getting a work visa...very difficult to do. You must have a badly needed skill...and then it can easily take 2 to 3 years to get the visa. You may want to check into a working holiday in Australia...this is a new program between Australia and the U.S. and would allow you to visit and work there for up to a year. See 1st site below. See 2nd site to read requirements for work and residence visas.

Senshockeyguy

Save some money

Space Godzilla

Yes, do it! I moved to Australia about 10 years ago from New York and it's been great. No major regrets and I've been able to accomplish things here that I never could have in the US.

You're probably drawn to Australia because of the lifestyle (safety, job security, work/life balance, outdoor activities, etc) so I won't go on and on about that. Suffice it to say, the quality of life is much better here. Sure, taxes are probably higher here but I look at it as paying for more social stability.

I believe that gaining permanent residence is difficult but the working holiday arrangements between Australia and the US (mentioned in another answer) might be a way to get your foot in the door. My wife is Australian so that made getting permanent residence relatively easy.

If you are a professional or have some skills that Australia needs, the link below gives some info on getting in on the general skilled migration program.

Now for some of the negatives. Housing is expensive here (compared to all but the most expensive cities in the US). The US$ is weak now so if you're bringing US$ with you, you won't get as much as you would have a few years ago. Cars and gasoline are also more expensive here. You'd also be pretty far from your family and friends in the US.

Can't think of anything else.

Smiley

Sure, do it! The best country in the world. No major gun problems and the right to a fair go. fantastic place.

darrenls66

Do it!

bfrincess

the right visa
plenty of us $
25kg of baggage so you wont be return back to us.
if you are thinking of moving here,then that's the best thing you will ever do.welcome cuz.enjoy your stay in australia.

peter g

Advice? Be yourself and come on down we'd love to have you.
If you were anything but American i'd say learn the language but you already know it. Having said that, you might still need to learn some of the Aussie slang.
For example, i said to an American who was staying with me a while ago "one Mud Slide will probably get you pissed" to which she responded "why would drinking a Mud Slide make me pissed off?"
Pissed in Aussie lingo means drunk.
There are many words like that which have different meanings but you'll learn 'em real quick.

teamjasper

My family just moved down. We aren't american citizens though, but we have green-cards. We're british citizens, so it might be different. u need a temporary visa, or a permenant visa, whichever. it is hared 2 get a permenant than a temporary though. wen u get here, its not that different. school yr starts in jan though, thats odd. and right now its fall, cuz the seasons r reversed. just have fun and dont pretend 2 be australian (i really pissed some people off)

arbitrary k

Why move??

Are you not happy with the USA?

If, you think the USA is bad wait till you come to Australia, everythings upside down literally!!!! Hence the the nickname "the land down under".

Julie R

I would if I had the money. I love it there I visited in Sydney in 2000 and I left my heart at the Sydney harbour bridge. It's so beautiful there and the people are very friendly.

wotzthepoint?

stay where you are? like we need more yanks cluttering up the streets.

ray z

why? I know several Aussies who are struggling to get HERE! (USA)
taxes are high, the government is restrictive (more so than ours is now) and you are quite limited in a number of ways.
They only except people using a matrix. Age, income level, education, whether or not they have a need for your skills etc.
if you want to go, good luck.
why don't you get a temp job working over there for an American company first and see how you like it?

roxy

Take lots of anti venom with you!

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