I've heard you can pay up to 45% tax in Australia, and I know you don't like high tax or progressive tax.

Apart from that, I say go for it.

byes Shinobu-chin XDDDD
...tell me id you see any koala bears!

NO WAY!

There are lots of hidden problems with Australia, some you may be aware about others not.

Hard to gain entry
Low average wage
Low minimun wage
High unemployment
Extreme weahter conditions
Sparsley populated
Lack of good public services
Country is isolated in itself
Don't play football
Is very left wing. England is aswell but...meh

For 200 years, the US used to stand for something. I want to live in the country that follows those views.

When I was born, the US was the best country in the world with respect to that. Not anymore. If our government wants us to follow in Europe's footsteps then fine. I just don't wish to go there.

I want to live under the form of Government that's closest to the US in 1920 (and add in civil rights). That country, I think is Australia. It's not the US, and nothing in washington at the moment tells me it ever will be.

So basically, you're unhappy with how the country is working out, and you want to leave.

Yup, you sure do seem to hate America. Good, we don't need any America-haters here anyways. I do expect some good posts about how much the Australian government sucks though a couple months/years from now.

I always thought it was normal to despise what ever government you have. They never do everything right, not even America.

-Mafoo, i don't even know what you mean. If only you could detail exactly what is wrong with the USA today, and why an 80 year old sexist and racist political system was better in your view.

I don't really believe this, it was just the same argument Mafoo once used, and this opportunity was too good to pass up.

@ Montana - One of our given rights in a democracy it the ability to have a good old whinge about the government. In the UK we're masters at it, I think if we had a government that was better than the total sum of all the governments in the world we would still find reasons to complain. And I find that Americans moan about their government even more than us. It's a beautiful and ancient ritual to be honest.

That coupled with the whole "the grass is greener on the other side" fallacy has lead to this thread.

Do I think Mafoo's serious? Not really. I think he's having a good old moan and thinks Australia may be better for him right now, both the points I gave; but I don't think he is deadly serious about this, everyone thinks it at some point. Don't be so hard on him

Implying it wouldn't be any different if i decided to move to North Korea, China or Columbia.

He's got thick skin. If your gonna call people out over anti nationalist sentiment, you surely better be able to take it in return.

Well i live on the East coast of Australia... and a few things:
-The weather is no where near as bad as everyone makes it out to be. 90-something % of the whole population lives near the coast where it is cooler... The harshest weather is in the outback where you wouldnt be moving anyway. As for the UV, its only a problem between 11 and 3 in the summer months... and you can just put on sunscreen. Its no where near as bad as some people here are making it out to be!
-There are, of course, some very hot days in summer that get 40+ degrees, but overall the weather is very pleasant. Depending on where you live of course, even winter is comfortable to be outside in, and there are many sunny days.
-Best beaches in the world
-Games are generally more expensive taking into consideration conversion rates of currencies. However JB-HiFi sell for far less then every other retailer, and they are starting to dominate the market so other retailers may be forced to start reducing prices
-Currently in the Commonwealth but may become a republic at some stage in the future. The latest referendum for becoming a republic got turned down quite convincingly... When Charles however, becomes king, it may be a different story
-in my *personal* opinion the government currently is pretty good. any government could be better but im very happy with the way the country is being run at the moment
-probably the worst thing in my opinion is the public transport.... Most cities, with the possible exception of Melbourne, have public transport systems that are not up to par with other major world cities. Still, they are bearable.

I love living in Australia, and i doubt i would ever want to live anywhere else... I personally recommend either Melbourne or the Hunter valley/Central coast in NSW. Melbourne constantly tops lists of the most livable and best cities in the world, and the Hunter valley/central coast regions are absolutely beautiful if you would rather live in a more layed back and relaxing place.
:)