Thinking of Moving to Australia

[Montalban]

Where I can find a job! But if I had a choice, Melbourne looks lovely!

There's some rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne - that's announcing my bias upfront - and I've not been to Melbourne since 1970.

Sydney is the oldest and biggest city in Australia. However it was never planned so the roads are often winding and the freeways don't all link up with each other. Sydney sprawls out in different directions.

Melbourne built on flatter land is grid-like in the city and hasn't had the same transport problems and lack of planning as Sydney has. However we have the world famous harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge etc. We had the Olymics in 2000 (Melbourne had them in the 1950s). We've got famous beaches such as Bondi.

However my mum just came back from a weekend away in Melbourne with the girls and she said it was a shopper's paradise and everyone was very friendly - explaining what trams to catch, etc.

(Georgraphy's easy for Australia. The biggest city is the capital in each state. Each capital has its back on the ocean).

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales. We currently have a premier who was born in the US. She married an Aussie.

Our nation's prime minister (also a woman) was born in Wales so being foreign-born is not an obstacle to great power.

NSW's governor is a woman. The nation's governor-general is a woman. My federal member of parliament is a woman.

There is some transitional difficulties for some professionals from some countries. For instance if you had a medical degree from India, you'd need to do a course to bring you up to speed with standards here. I'm pretty sure that US univervsities and qualifications would be okay.

If you're big on gun ownership you might find Australia restrictive.

We don't have a 'Bill of Rights' but manage quite well as a stable democracy.

If you were thinking down the track of becoming an Aussie we have dual citizenships so you can become an Aussie without losing being an American.

 

[vscola]

There's some rivalry between Sydney and Melbourne - that's announcing my bias upfront - and I've not been to Melbourne since 1970.

Sydney is the oldest and biggest city in Australia. However it was never planned so the roads are often winding and the freeways don't all link up with each other. Sydney sprawls out in different directions.

Melbourne built on flatter land is grid-like in the city and hasn't had the same transport problems and lack of planning as Sydney has. However we have the world famous harbour, the Opera House, the Harbour Bridge etc. We had the Olymics in 2000 (Melbourne had them in the 1950s). We've got famous beaches such as Bondi.

However my mum just came back from a weekend away in Melbourne with the girls and she said it was a shopper's paradise and everyone was very friendly - explaining what trams to catch, etc.

(Georgraphy's easy for Australia. The biggest city is the capital in each state. Each capital has its back on the ocean).

Sydney is the capital of New South Wales. We currently have a premier who was born in the US. She married an Aussie.

Our nation's prime minister (also a woman) was born in Wales so being foreign-born is not an obstacle to great power.

NSW's governor is a woman. The nation's governor-general is a woman. My federal member of parliament is a woman.

There is some transitional difficulties for some professionals from some countries. For instance if you had a medical degree from India, you'd need to do a course to bring you up to speed with standards here. I'm pretty sure that US univervsities and qualifications would be okay.

If you're big on gun ownership you might find Australia restrictive.

We don't have a 'Bill of Rights' but manage quite well as a stable democracy.

If you were thinking down the track of becoming an Aussie we have dual citizenships so you can become an Aussie without losing being an American.

Thank you so much for the comparison! Both cities look (and sound) so wonderful. I fear the incredible shopping in Melbourne would have my husband insisting on Sydney! We currently live near a city that was small and grew too quickly for its roads, so that seems normal for us.

We are both interested in duel citizenship, so that is wonderful to know!

Thanks you!

 

[Montalban]

Thank you so much for the comparison! Both cities look (and sound) so wonderful. I fear the incredible shopping in Melbourne would have my husband insisting on Sydney! We currently live near a city that was small and grew too quickly for its roads, so that seems normal for us.

It's because of how both cities started. We (in Sydney) are a city that started out as a convict settlement. There was no thought of building a great city.

Melbourne was surveyed and planned. But for that very reason I don't think it has the same soul as Sydney.

Various governments here regularly announce great blueprints for transport and then scrap these, to announce another great plan for the city.

We are both interested in duel citizenship, so that is wonderful to know!

Thanks you!

You realise we are a part of the Commonwealth, and we have the Queen as our ruler? I only ask because you, coming from a republic as you do you might find that a bit odd. I know some Irish who've become Aussies who felt especially uneasy about this -being republican AND having the history they do with the British

When you become an Aussie citizen I believe you have to swear loyalty to the crown.

 

[vscola]

You realise we are a part of the Commonwealth, and we have the Queen as our ruler? I only ask because you, coming from a republic as you do you might find that a bit odd. I know some Irish who've become Aussies who felt especially uneasy about this -being republican AND having the history they do with the British

When you become an Aussie citizen I believe you have to swear loyalty to the crown.

I am actually looking forward to that part. Both sides of my family are originally from Great Britain (and both sides remained very loyal to the Queen). I am looking forward to being part of the Commonwealth.

 

[Montalban]

I am actually looking forward to that part. Both sides of my family are originally from Great Britain (and both sides remained very loyal to the Queen). I am looking forward to being part of the Commonwealth.

Oh, okay. But just in case you change your mind there is a small republican movement here.

There's also a move to have our flag changed - to remove the union jack from it.

Myself, I'm happy with keeping both the way they are.

Do you know about our political parties (voting is compulsory here).
Australian Labor Party (ALP) (or just "Labor) is 'traditionally the party of the working class and trades unions.
The Liberal Party (LP) is traditionally the party of small business
The National Party (NP) (formally the Country Party) is traditionally the party of rural interests. Together the LP and NP form a coalition in order to combat the ALP
The Greens - aren't 'traditional' at all. They might be seen as socially progressive, more 'radical' than the ALP
The Australian Democrats - almost a dead party now for siding with the LP and NP
other parties that have made the news in recent years...
One Nation - founded by Pauline Hanson it advocated very strict (arguably racist) immigration policies.
The Shooters Party - advocates less restrictive gun control
Christian Democratic Party (formally The Festival of Light) - is a party centred around the Rev. Fred Nile is very conservative minority party with some representation in my state's parliament

 

[vscola]

Do you know about our political parties (voting is compulsory here).

I did not know about all the different parties, thank you!
I am not a politically active person, so I did not even look into them :o

I have had a pull on my heart to leave America for years. Slowly, over the past 4-6 years, all of our pulls to this country have been removed. Both my husband and I feel like God wants us somewhere else. I have always loved Australia, but I tried to look into every country. I really did ... my husband even ruled out most of them. No matter what happened, we always came back to Australia. If it is where God wants us, not much could keep us away!

 

[Montalban]

I did not know about all the different parties, thank you!
I am not a politically active person, so I did not even look into them :o

I have had a pull on my heart to leave America for years. Slowly, over the past 4-6 years, all of our pulls to this country have been removed. Both my husband and I feel like God wants us somewhere else. I have always loved Australia, but I tried to look into every country. I really did ... my husband even ruled out most of them. No matter what happened, we always came back to Australia. If it is where God wants us, not much could keep us away!

We have shared values, and a common language, so that always helps. (except for some differences*)

Our airwaves are filled with US programs (not sure if that's a good thing)


*-some can be embarrassing.

If you go to friends places here and they have a new child they might get you to hold it. Just holding it is 'nursing' a baby. I've heard one American got embarrassed when her Australian friend asked if she wanted to nurse the baby.

 

[tgg]

Hello everyone, my wife has recently become more and more interested with the idea of relocating to Australia. She asked me to look into some aspects of the country with you, I was hoping you would be able to give input on some things that would help make decisions.

Here are some of the bigger questions:

How well are Christians and Christianity received?

Not very well. Most Australians tolerate them, it's like "I don't agree with your beliefs, but you can practice them without shoving them in people's faces". The only Christians that the majority of Australians like are the Salvation Army because of the work they do for the poor and homeless, as well as the Uniting Church with their LifeLine organisation - an outreach group that does phone counselling.

How good in the middle class job market?

I'm classless, so I can't answer that question.

Are most people content with the government or do they believe that it is not helping the citizens?

Just like any other country - there are people who think it's doing a good job, and others who think it sucks.

What is the perception crime and criminal activity, ie how close and severe do crimes seem to be?

Street brawls and violence on a war memorial day, a schizophrenic gunman mowing down people in Port Arthur in 1996, a number of white collar businessmen embezzling money and being made media mincemeat over it, schoolkids as young as 12 being stabbed to death by older schoolmates, paedophiles being allowed to walk free due to the incompetent so-called "justice" system.

Basically it's like America, just less internationally televised.

Is there any kind of entitlement attitude especially from younger people?

Entitlement to what?

Ok this one is mine, how often do scary wild animals (crocs/snakes) come to populated areas?

There are plenty of snakes in populated areas, particularly in real estate, politics, churches like Hillsong and big business. The other snakes only really come out if there is a major drought that causes the creeks to dry up. I've seen a few of them whilst driving on the main roads. Australia has the two most deadliest snakes in the world - the Western Taipan (aka 'Fierce Snake' or 'Small Scaled Snake'), and the Brown snake (there are several different species of them and they are very bad tempered, fast moving and dangerous).

I haven't seen any live crocs around, except at Australia Zoo. ;-)

And yes, crocodile meat is considered a delicacy with some Australians. It's one of the few reasons where I think eating animal flesh is justifiable - hahahahha! They eat humans, so why not eat them back?

Oh, and you've got to watch out for bunyips and Rolf Harrises - they can be troublesome! ;-)

 

[Montalban]

tgg thanks for a post full of truisms combined with misrepresentations (especially in relation to crime - given the one actual incident you give comes from 1996).

 

[TheDag]

The Australian Democrats - almost a dead party now for siding with the LP and NP

they started losing votes when their leader left the democrats to join the labour party actually

tgg thanks for a post full of truisms combined with misrepresentations (especially in relation to crime - given the one actual incident you give comes from 1996).

i guess you didn't hear about the school kid who got stabbed this year and died and had his facebook memorial page attacked and filled with porn (the guy who allegedly did it has been arrested and charged)

 

[Montalban]

they started losing votes when their leader left the democrats to join the labour party actually

I remember Cheryl Kernot (and it's Labor - they got rid of the 'u' to try and seem distant from unions)

i guess you didn't hear about the school kid who got stabbed this year and died and had his facebook memorial page attacked and filled with porn (the guy who allegedly did it has been arrested and charged)

The only specific thing I noticed was mention of Port Arthur which was 1996, fourteen years ago.

I did hear about that specific incident you mention. However he wasn't talking about a specific incident he said "Schoolkids" as if it's happening regularly. This is not a mere quibble over grammar, because his whole motive is shown, when he also adds that it's "like America"; gross misrepresentation. Sure we have violent crimes but not anywhere near at the same scale.

It's being flippant, and it's misrepresentation.

He also characterises the justice system as being incompetent. The fact is that they've been convicted, sentenced, and then released. His comment about 'incompetent' is not shown to be so. This is again being flippant.

 

[Tahoenite]

Thank you for all the advice, I have a couple more questions:

1) How restrictive are the gun laws, can private persons own hand guns?

2) What is the job need for people in the emergency medical professions, paramedics, EMTs, and the like?

3) I noticed there are some bad crimes in Australian news but I figure those are not the norm. I am more curious if there are any places in Australia that Aussies do not feel comfortable going out at night and if so why? And are there any areas with schools that parents are concerned with sending their children to school.

 

[Montalban]

Thank you for all the advice, I have a couple more questions:

1) How restrictive are the gun laws, can private persons own hand guns?

In general hand guns are only allowed for those who target shoot.

For my state, there's a link here to some answers


I'm not aware that 'personal protection' is a valid reason for owning a gun

2) What is the job need for people in the emergency medical professions, paramedics, EMTs, and the like?

That one I can't help you with

3) I noticed there are some bad crimes in Australian news but I figure those are not the norm. I am more curious if there are any places in Australia that Aussies do not feel comfortable going out at night and if so why? And are there any areas with schools that parents are concerned with sending their children to school.

Each city has its areas that one doesn't go to.

At present there's a lot of alcohol related violence even in the city centre - at night.

In Sydney there's a few suburbs I wouldn't hang around.

The major issue with schools are;
a) quality of education
and
b) bullying.

Recently a boy committed suicide after repeated bullying at school

 

[vscola]

We have shared values, and a common language, so that always helps. (except for some differences*)

Our airwaves are filled with US programs (not sure if that's a good thing)

So very true.
Although I tend to avoid most US programs ... and most television programs altogether!

*-some can be embarrassing.

If you go to friends places here and they have a new child they might get you to hold it. Just holding it is 'nursing' a baby. I've heard one American got embarrassed when her Australian friend asked if she wanted to nurse the baby.

Thank you, that made me smile!

**Oops!

 

[Montalban]

Thank you, that mad me smile!

There's a few others that might cause similar blushes.

There's some others, such as when in America you say "I'm rooting for you", but here root is a very base slang word for having sex.*

A hooker here, is a position on a Rugby field.




*-there's a lesson at school in English classes regading when to put a coma in a sentence because one news item about a Wombat said that a
"Wombat eats roots, and leaves", but they put a coma in the wrong spot so it read "Wombat eats, roots and leaves".

 

[tgg]

Hi Montalban,

Have you heard of these people:

Christopher Skase
Harry M. Miller
Matthew Fletcher
Dennis Ferguson
Bill Darcy
Leisha Harvey

ANZAC Day in Sydney last year

Google is your best friend on the internet - use it!

 

[Montalban]

Hi Montalban,

G'day

Google is your best friend on the internet - use it!

You are the one who said that we're like America. It's up to you to prove this, not me.

In your own time

I'm not in the habit of going to google to do the research to back up someone else's opinion.

But if that's what passes for discussion for you, that's fine.

 

[ebia]

Thank you for all the advice, I have a couple more questions:

1) How restrictive are the gun laws, can private persons own hand guns?

Only under very strict regulations. Carrying a pocket-knife without specific reason is illegal in most states here!

2) What is the job need for people in the emergency medical professions, paramedics, EMTs, and the like?

Those are in need in most places.

3) I noticed there are some bad crimes in Australian news but I figure those are not the norm. I am more curious if there are any places in Australia that Aussies do not feel comfortable going out at night and if so why? And are there any areas with schools that parents are concerned with sending their children to school.

Any substantial city will have places that are less safe than others, and schools that have more problems than others. However, Australia ranks better than most on the first point, and massively better than, say, the US or England on the second. Partly because carrying weapons is a cultural no-no.

 

[Montalban]

Only under very strict regulations. Carrying a pocket-knife without specific reason is illegal in most states here!



Those are in need in most places.


Any substantial city will have places that are less safe than others, and schools that have more problems than others. However, Australia ranks better than most on the first point, and massively better than, say, the US or England on the second. Partly because carrying weapons is a cultural no-no.

I recall some time ago a woman was stopped by police and they asked her why she had a can of hair-spray in her bag and instead of saying she had it for her hair, she said in case she was attacked she could spray it in someone's face.

She was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon

 

[ebia]

I recall some time ago a woman was stopped by police and they asked her why she had a can of hair-spray in her bag and instead of saying she had it for her hair, she said in case she was attacked she could spray it in someone's face.

She was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon

In the UK more or less anything can be considered an "offensive weapon" if there is some intent for it to be - eg the person says that's why they are carrying it, or they are using it in a threatening manner, or there is a particular history of problem with that item in that location, or whatever. The difference that struck me here is the assumption under perfectly ordinary circumstances that a regular pocket-knife or multi-tool is a weapon unless you can demonstrate a legitimate reason for carrying it.