Would Australia be the best place to go to get away from all this b/s in the u.s.a.?

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liz down under

You probably don't hear much about us because there is only 21 million of us (oh and there isn't a war going on here). Our economy was booming until a couple of weeks ago. What has happened in America and Europe has caused our sharemarket to fall and people's superannuation to drop significantly. Our banks are still in very good shape (they have been much better regulated). Our government has a large surplus so they have decided to give out cash presents in order to stimulate the economy so that it doesn't go into recession. Examples include $1000 per child for all families, $1400 if you are on an old age pension, $21000 if you are buying your first home, $5000 when you have a baby etc. etc. If the Chinese economy slows down in the next couple of years that will affect our economy more than anything because they buy huge amounts of our resources. Our unemployment is still very low. We have the 5th highest standard of living in the world and our wealth is more evenly distributed than a lot of countries so we have very little poverty. We have free health care. The lifestyle here is hard to beat. You might think we are a neutral country but we have followed America into the Iraq war, the Vietnam war and the Korean war. Basically when America has asked for help, our government has always said yes.
We are still part of the commonwealth, so the queen of England is still our figurehead but we run ourselves. It is only a matter of time before we become a republic (both sides of politics now agree on that issue). I don't blame you for wanting to get out of America - the level of debt your country has got itself into is staggering and will take generations to pay off.
You will only be allowed to migrate to Australia if you meet certain requirements (high education level, lots of money, skilled in an area that we are short of etc.) I have spent 3 months travelling throughout America and that has made me very grateful for being born in Australia. If you can handle missing your family and friends it is a great place to live. Good luck.

evian.detox@ymail.com

Well like most other first world western countries we mirror what happens in the U.S. So the current economic situation has been mirrored here to a certain extent. U.S. is one of our strongest allies so we're not that neutral, although have the distinct advantage (sometimes disadvantage) of being very isolated geographically from the rest of the world.

In general though, Australia is a great place to live and we are very unique and lucky.

trinkletty

Well comparatively speaking our economy is not doing too badly. It was booming until a few weeks ago when all this recession crisis started happening in the US, but the International Monetary Fund said in a statement last week that the Australian economy is one of very few that will continue to grow in the coming months, albeit at a smaller rate; they also stated this is the one country you'd most like to be in right now given the current economic situation.
Our government is very stable (we are a parliamentary democracy) and we do have well established social security, universal healthcare and public education systems. However, it can be difficult to be allowed to move here unless the government believes you will add skill to our labour force, or is certain that you will not be a burden on society. If you are considering moving country though I can say this is a great place to live, I wouldn't call anywhere else home.

obrientrevor@ymail.com

come i show you around my island every one is good here you just have to know how to talk to people
theres the outback and the coast and the rainforest

Kylie misses her sleep!

Well the economic thing that is happening right now is a world wide crisis.. so yes our economy is affected. What happens on Wall ST affects our markets big time but we arent doing that badly.. so far.

avf_knoxville

My husband and his family are from Australia, but we live here in the states (i was born in California). We plan on possibly having a child is Australia, but definitely moving there for retirement. I've heard how beautiful it is and the accent alone will make you enjoy every day there. Us americans love those accents. hahaha

Kelly

According to Kochie, economically we will be better of than the US because of the export market we provide. We've taken a bit of a slump but not as bad as the states.

Nicole M

Ha, if you are trying to escape this economic bullshit you are comming to the wrong place! Here's an example - My parents both work in the metal industry and they export to USA, China and Japan. Well, because of all the crap happening in USA all these country's have pulled out of their contracts and now all the casual workers have been laid off - if USA hasn't opened it's doors to trade again by next month both them out of jobs and they are permenant staff that have worked there for 10 years. Things are going to hell quickly here like the rest of the world and until your country is stable we are falling with you. I also had plans to travel but they are on hold as things are moving quickly down hill here. We are hardly a nuetral country either - if your after neutral go to France - I hear they keep themselves out of wars ect. If you were just comming for a holiday it would be OK, prob a bargain at the moment but if you want to find work here, good luck - the way things are going we are all going to be looking ourdelves and they will hire locals first. Sorry for the bad news, but I'd hang tight for the time being.

Power Flower

Well, we're bombarded with American television, politics, etc, etc. The US is so self absorbed I'm not surprised Australia is hardly mentioned. Our total population would probably fit into New York! But yes, it's a great place to live. It's beautiful and warm and unique. I wouldn't live anywhere else.

Schnoz

The government is very responsible, in what it does. It does try to consider everyone.
It is sometimes the bureaucrats, who misinterpret the Government's intent, but that happens everywhere, I suppose.

Correct me if I am wrong, but I did read that the US, in the recent past (the last 10 years), had a recession (not the one, which is purportedly current). Well, we were insulated, because of the fact, that our government has regulators who keep a watchful eye on all things financial. Our economy actually grew - primarily, because of the resources, which our country has.

If China suffers a downturn, then I suppose that our economy would suffer somewhat, but I know that we would be still be better off, than a lot of other countries. We ARE the lucky country and we always seem to come out of any problems, without too much lost. What we lose, we regain.

We aren't neutral, as is Switzerland (?), but we do try to keep the peace, with other countries.We do speak up, however, if another country is stepping on their population or another's, as with East Timor and Indonesia.

I might be unemployed and not happy about that fact, but I still would not be anywhere else!

fitz

Our recession started back in 2007 before the Federal Election thanks to the Reserve Bank Governor putting up the interest rate. If you don't believe me then ask the nine drivers & myself who got sacked because of lost contracts at our bus company or ask the employees of Ford & Holden. The Reserve Bank Governor is the only b a s t a r d still getting a big wage for stuffing our lives up all because he said we were all having to much of a good time. P.S. If you do come to Australia then BYO water.

Patricia C

Their economy also has fallen on hard times, as in almost every country at this time. And the Queen of England is the monarch. Neutral? Neutral about what! They're part of the United Kingdom.

bootycreord

Life in Australia is booming unless your an Aborigine of course ,in which case you automatically become a second class citizen.

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