Americans moving to Australia?

Question

My family may be moving to Australia soon, probably in Melbourne area. Would like to know if any Americans (preferably a family) have moved out there and can tell me a few things about Australian way, culture, climate, customs, etc. Thanks in advance.

Answer 1

okay ill start with the obvious...

-u drive on the left here

-dont look foward to getting ur mail delivered by kangaroos, it doesnt happen. there are many other simmaler farses.

-dont talk about how it was better in america or anything like that cus it realy pisses people off

-be warned aussies like to pay out americans, along with english and various other cultures

-bush walks r great, u just have to keep an eye open for drop bears

-popular sports include cricket, rugby, AFL.

-madigra is a must see

-it will prob be fairly hot, but not boiling

-we have summer when u have winter

-there is no such thing as wallmart

-melbourne is a great city have fun

Answer 2

I am a Melbournian.  You should find Melbourne a very liveable, welcoming, enjoyable place to move to.  It is quite a sophisticated city, a bit more European than other Australian cities.  We are known as the cultural capital (lots of live theatre etc.),the sporting capital (home to the AFL, Australian tennis open, the Australian Grand Prix etc.), the fashion capital (lots of designers and good shopping)  and the cuisine capital (lots of great restaurents with cuisines from all over the world).  Melbourne is known for its beautiful parks and gardens and we still have trams running everwhere.  The Australian way is a bit more lay back than the American way but this is not so obvious in big cities like Melbourne or Sydney.  Melbourne has four seasons - can get really hot in Summer and quite cool in Winter and has a reputation for four seasons in one day (ie. changeable weather).  Our customs are not that different to America except that we don't have to tip because everyone gets paid a reasonable minimum wage.  You will still have access to a lot of American media.  It is probably worth getting pay TV as well (then you can get CNN etc.) You won't get a huge amount of American sport on TV.  Our sports are different.  Australian Rules football is huge.  Cricket is big.  Soccer is starting to become popular.  Baseball and basketball aren't that big.  Girls often play netball.

We have free healthcare for all but are encouraged to take out private insurance if we earn good money (ie. you get taxed more if you have a high income without insurance).

There is free education up until tertiary level but we have a lot of private schools in Melbourne  (around 30% of kids are in the private system).

I think you will find the food better here (unless you really like processed junk food).  The markets, butchers, fruit and vegetable shops, hot bread shops, delicatessens etc. are much better to buy from than the supermarkets.

The east and south eastern suberbs are generally considered to be the nicest ones to live in.

Try googling melways for maps.  Try googling metlink for public transport.

There are lots of things to do on the weekends in and around Melbourne.  There are great beaches, wine growing regions, bushwalking areas.  The snowfields are around 3 and a half hours away in Winter if you like skiing.  Surf beaches are around 1-1 and a half hours away if you want to surf.  Google Victorian tourism for more ideas.

I assume you know we drive on the 'wrong' side of the road with the steering wheel on the 'wrong' side of the car?  You must watch out for trams here - if they're stopping you stop because people jump out in the middle of the road.  We also have funny hook turns in the city which I have never seen anywhere else.

I guess I could waffle on a lot more but is there anything else specifically you would life to know?

Answer 3

The main differences (without knowing whereabouts you're coming from)... we don't have to dig our cars out from under 3-feet of snow in winter.  We don't get killer tornadoes, hand guns are illegal, and we don't have kangaroos hoping down the main street of our capital cities.  We also don't celebrate Thanksgiving and Halloween isn't that big here.  However (if you do move to Melbourne), you WILL get a day off for a horse race.  First Tuesday in November... we get all dressed up for the Melbourne Cup and you get the day off.  Civilised!  Beats going down to the polling booths in my books.

I'd have to say the main differences between the States and here is that Australians are more laid back and easy going than our American counterparts.  We don't have anywhere near the number of cable TV stations; but we also don't have the population to support more media.

As for the climate... if'n you're from Texas, you'll probably find Melbourne's weather fairly similar.  If you're from Milwaukee, don't bother packing the goose down coat or snow shovel... you won't be needing them.

A few other major differences... you can't get your driver's licence until your eighteen in Victoria; on the flip side though, eighteen is also the legal drinking age.

All countries have their good and bad points.  Australia's no different.  Hopefully, you'll be able to make up your mind for yourself as to whether Australia is a good place to live.