Moving from America to Australia?

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Riley

I'm from California and live in Sydney, the only big differences you will really notice is Australian people aren't fundamentally twisted by religion, psychosexually morally twisted by puritan mentality, bigoted racists or politically opinionated. All people in Australia are Australians regardless of which race, color, sexual orientation, disability or beliefs. All people are treated equal and share the same human rights as each other with our anti discrimination laws for all people. You'll also find that Australian Television is a hundred times better than in the US being it's not modified. All the usual shows you'd see back home are on here. Australian money is colored currency not like the green back. You'll feel totally home here immediately without the invisible ball and chain we wear back home also you'll make a lot of new mates as Australians are very down to earth and you'll pick up the Aussie slang in a month. If you don't understand something just ask anyone they will tell you also instead of asking where is the bathroom is when your out ask where the Ladies or Gents "Loos" are. What I really did miss being here in Australia is "American Candy" well I found a US candy store where you can buy root beer, cherry cola, and all the US candy you can think of so you'll never feel homesick or have to get a care package sent from home. It's downstairs in the food court in Myer Pitt Street. There's Taco Bell, Hungry Jacks, Mc Donalds, Burger King, KFC,Subways, Wendy's, Crispy Cream, Gloria Jeans, Starbucks etc here. You'll find Sydney being very much like New York City except laid back instead of the Rockefeller center here in Sydney they call it Martin Place. You'll find you can get anywhere you want to go to by the train, bus, ferry, monorail, tram buses or water taxi. There is no crime, guns, gangs, and the streets are safe to walk anytime. Sydney is 24/7 so if you wanted to go out anytime you can to get something to eat or drink work out at the gym or whatever you want to do. If you want to go to the movies go on a Tuesday it's half price. All Americans who come here never want to leave. Many very well known American actors and recording artists live here. So you'll see them walking along the street and nobody bothers them. On Australian beaches most all women are topless and Australian guy's mostly wear speedos (Australian Swimwear), same at all the public, spas and swimming pools. Australian people dress smart casual, so you would look totally out of place if your wearing a suit, tie and shoes and socks all of the time. All pubs in Sydney have slot machines (Poker Machines). You'll discover prostitution is legal in NSW. Children here still all go outside and play. Plus everyone is very sports minded or are a member of a sporting club or team. Australians mostly like to spend time outdoors or being social with there mates. You will find many Australians have male and female mates and are very open minded on talking about what is seen as taboo subjects in the US like sex or personal problems. So never be shy to ask any question as Australians aren't politically correct You will find everyone you meet are very educated and well mannered, even the all the Australian kids. The legal drinking age here is 18 and you are classified as being an adult. So you will find people here are very mature open minded in behavior and attitude. Aussies pronounced "OZZY" have more freedoms here than in the US also they all have a very standard of living, unseen in the US which they never materialistally brag about it or have a class system.This is my own personal observation since migrating here. Well if you just remember to never pick up a snake or spider, you'll love it here. When you get here get yourself a medicare card from the Medicare office near Town Hall station. The tax office is only a block away in College street near Museum station to get a tax file number. Ask anyone where the Medicare and tax offices are, after three months you can get free medical treatment at any hospital or bulk billing doctor. Mate take the opportunity and come to OZ.The only problem would be is you'll never want to leave.Here's a couple of links to Australian Slang and other general basic information.

â€¢ Koala â€¢ uÊop É¹Çpun

Sydney is very multicultural - you won't have any problems with language barrier or fitting in.

Getting used to living in a new country is always a challenge. The Just Landed Guide is designed to help you deal with the day-to-day challenges of living, working or studying in Australia. It is full of useful information and step-by-step guides on how things work and how to survive in Australia.
http://www.justlanded.com/english/australia/tools/just_landed_guide

.. more about everyday life in Australia from immigration - http://www.immi.gov.au/living-in-australia/settle-in-australia/everyday-life/index.htm

Things to do first when you arrive
- Apply for a Tax File Number (TFN) Do this first. To receive an income in Australia, you need a Tax File Number (TFN). http://ato.gov.au
- Register with Medicare http://www.medicare.gov.au
The Australian Government provides help with basic medical expenses through a scheme called Medicare.
- Open a bank account
In Australia, most income including salary or wages and government benefits are paid directly into a bank account.

All about working here - http://www.workingin-australia.com

Australian Slang Dictionary with unique Aussie phrases - http://members.ozemail.com.au/~enigman/australia/slang.html and http://www.aussieslang.com

... and for Aussie tips on living here about culture etc ...see http://australian.lifetips.com

Good Luck with it all

David J

Money: Aussie dollars.
Language: English (i'm surprised you needed to ask).
Culture: Member of the British Commonwealth, so lots of history.
Behaviour: Very open and honest. If they like you, they'll be the best friend you could ever have. If they don't like you, they will tell you to your face.

Mr Jones:
They don't "idolize" any particular Country or its citizens.

aflumpire

dont worry about the language barrier.

But be aware, here in Australia, some of us do find it hard to puck up the Southern USA accent at first, but after a while, we wont even notice the accent....so it will only be a challenge when meeting people first up...only last a few days (the mis-understnading) I know an american who has been living here for 20 years nd still doesnt sound like an aussie at all so dont be fooled thinking that going home, you will sound different.

Money is the Australian Dollar. We have 5, 10, 20, 50 cents coins with 1 and 2 dollar coins with 5, 10, 20, 50 and 100 dollar 'notes'

Culture. Austrlai is very mulitcultrial. You will fins a lot of Asian influece in Sydney....no, Sydney isnt like an asian city but you will find many asian resteraunts as well as europien and middle eastern meals. We also do have KFC, Mc Donalds and Burger king here...but Burger King is called 'Hungary Jack's' in Australia.

Language....been discussed.

Behaviour...I watch a lot of american shows and my dad has been there and he thinks that their USA behaviour is a lot like ours. We celebrate holidaies with a day off work (most people), booze, a BBQ and Sydney has a rich and tasteful night life...but watch out for drink spikers.

its all good....make sure that you have the correct Visa application coming into the country, be truthful to customs and have different accsess to money such as cash, credit card...travelers cheques can be time consuming and if you do open a bank account (which is a good suggestion from K-Bear), have a trustworth family member to have your Australian bank account details so they can supply emergency cash should something happen....but make sure that the bank details dont fall in the wrong hands!

and renting houses are expensive....have a look at at houses that you can afford and reseach towns that are in your price range for renting...as some towns can be very rough!

And driving....you will need an International Driving permit. Get this from your local motoring assocation. And dont forget that we drive on the left hand side of the road and the driver is on the right hand side of the car!!!

Goonhilda

Words of wisdom from an Aussie.

Don't go into a pub and order a 4X Beer. It will mark you as a foreigner immediately, and it tastes like urine. Also don't order a 'shandy' (beer and lemonade) or your legitimacy as a human being will be questioned.

If you are called a 'wowser' by the locals, that means you're a sissy or a wuss.

On a more serious note, you'll find most Australians are very accepting of Americans. We understand you chaps a lot more than you understand us, because we're bombarded by your media constantly.

We drive on the left side of the road. The age of legality is 18. Thongs in Australia are footwear -- you chaps call them flip flops. You need to be 18 to buy alcohol and cigarettes.

Treat everyone like you would in America. We're all pretty much the same -- we all want what's best for our families, and to live a good life. Crime isn't the problem it is in the US, because we have anti-gun laws, but still be careful.

Our dollar is worth about 87 US cents, so I'd hold out on conversion for a while. Also, fuel here is pretty expensive ($1.45 a litre) compared to the United States, so plan your travel carefully.

See a travel agent and get some advice. They will be able to tell you specific things that are relevant to your situation, and give you advice about the particular area of Sydney you're moving to.

Have fun in Australia!

Edit: Mr Jones doesn't know what he's talking about. We don't idolise anyone, except for maybe Don Bradman and Phar Lap. Yeah, one of our greatest sporting identities is a horse! LOL

Naomi K

Gday, we are very easy going and you wont have any probs bob as you see we do like to shorten our words so lay back and have fun while your here hope you enjoy your stay if you come

Penny J

We drive on the left hand side of the road and sit on the right hand side of the car to drive. You need to be 18 to vote, drink in a pub or bar & buy cigarettes. we are sports oriented with cricket and football (Rugby & Rugby League) dominating. We are laidback, easygoing, open and honest, treat us right and you will be fine. We have dollars and cents but no copper money eg 1c & 2c pieces and at the moment the dollar is worth 87c US.

steve

i spose one plus side is u dont have to tip everyone in australia, just a few lingo things,
elevator=lift
cookie=biscuit
trash=rubbish (trash talk = sledging)
football=football
jello=jelly
jelly=jam
fanny=minge

u could survive with that

Ross M

An American friend describes Sydney and surrounds to be like a British version of California.

Mr. Jones

Well they speak English, they use the Australian Dollar as for the culture they like to drink beer, surf, have barbecues and they idolise Americans.

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