I'm kinda getting tired of the US, especially the east coast.My 2 favorite places on the US are the plains in Colorado below the Rockies and the middle of Texas. I'm a cnc programmer professionally so work wouldn't be much of a problem(not many people can do what I do).My wife isn't opposed to the idea(she's a web builder/graphic designer who used to work for an aftermarket HD parts company) I like dry weather that doesn't change much. I'm not very social outside of bars and bikes( I run live sound and play guitar when not riding). So what sucks about Australia? I've never been outside the country(never get time off work) and I only ever talk to aussies on the phone for short times. Anybody spent any time there? Thinking about east to south geographically. not coastal, but not too far in.
I've seen enough nature shows to know I should stay the hell away ;D
Quote from: teddy037.3 on May 28, 2014, 04:58:42 PM
I've seen enough nature shows to know I should stay the hell away ;D
Nature doesn't bother me.if it does, I kick at it, yell at it, or shoot at it.usually it buggers off or I let it alone.
everbody is named bruce
Quote from: bobspapa on May 28, 2014, 05:06:42 PM
everbody is named bruce
Only philosophy professors
Quote from: lpgoldtop on May 28, 2014, 05:05:10 PM
Nature doesn't bother me.if it does, I kick at it, yell at it, or shoot at it.usually it buggers off or I let it alone.
You won't be doing much shooting in Oz.
Quote from: ducpainter on May 28, 2014, 05:47:09 PM
You won't be doing much shooting in Oz.
Good.decent guns are a lot to take care of and bullets are pricey these days. I prefer nature that runs when I yell.
I spent a month over there. Certainly far from living there, but I did enjoy my time. Granted I didn't have any run ins with things like Brown Snakes, various spiders etc. I'm pretty certain a Brown isn't inclined to run away from yelling or kicking.
That being said, what I saw (Sydney, Caines & reef area, 3 weeks camping in the Outback, I think it's a really nice place.
JM
Oz is a great place, particularly Melbourne. Remember that nearly 75% of Oz is way harder than "hard livin"
Come to TX, we do plenty of shooting and [Dolph]
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Australia&city1=Austin%2C+TX&city2=Melbourne (http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Australia&city1=Austin%2C+TX&city2=Melbourne)
Pick your Cities. I picked Austin and Melbourne for you. Also factor in huge moving expense to move to another Country. Cost of fulfilling legal requirements to work since only we are stupid enough to let anyone show up and do about whatever the hell they want. And I hear motos cost a grip over there.
Quote from: bobspapa on May 28, 2014, 05:06:42 PM
everbody is named bruce
i have only ever met 1 person called bruce
Quote from: lpgoldtop on May 28, 2014, 04:21:40 PM
I'm kinda getting tired of the US, especially the east coast.My 2 favorite places on the US are the plains in Colorado below the Rockies and the middle of Texas. I'm a cnc programmer professionally so work wouldn't be much of a problem(not many people can do what I do).
so you hope there is jobs available in what you do ??
Quote from: lpgoldtop on May 28, 2014, 04:21:40 PM
I like dry weather that doesn't change much.
the weather is great like that
it hsa been quite warm atm its 'fall' and 25 degrees C in sydney
Drop bears and taxes.. oh and they drive on the wrong side
Quote from: hbliam on May 28, 2014, 10:41:57 PM
http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Australia&city1=Austin%2C+TX&city2=Melbourne (http://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/compare_cities.jsp?country1=United+States&country2=Australia&city1=Austin%2C+TX&city2=Melbourne)
Does that do current conversion as part of it's calculations? Or is one col in USD and the other AUD which would totally screw up things...
*edit - scrolled down a bit to find that it's USD.. but you can select - got it.
I did run across this little headline...
http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/05/29/4014661.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/local/stories/2014/05/29/4014661.htm)
JM
Hell... we've all got a snake in the bed story.
Quote from: J5 on May 29, 2014, 03:46:40 AM
i have only ever met 1 person called bruce
Me too, probably the same bloke! [laugh]
I have driven right the way round it, through it, flown over it, sailed some of it and love every bit of it! But I am slightly biased!
There are things that can kill you in the ocean (sharks, crocs, jelly fish, cone shells, sea snakes, lion fish, scorpion fish and cigar fish plus more.)
There are things that can kill you in rivers (sharks, crocs, shopping trolleys plus more.)
There are things that can kill you on land (crocs, snakes, spiders, scorpions, dingos, Bruce plus more.)
More people die falling off horses! [thumbsup]
^ kinda surprised it took page 2 for one of y'all to show up here ;)
Quote from: teddy037.3 on May 30, 2014, 12:03:06 AM
^ kinda surprised it took page 2 for one of y'all to show up here ;)
and they say we are slow and cant count ;)
Quote from: teddy037.3 on May 30, 2014, 12:03:06 AM
^ kinda surprised it took page 2 for one of y'all to show up here ;)
That's because none of us could think of "reasons not to move to Australia"
South east not on the coast but not far inland?
G'Day neighbour [thumbsup].
It gets cold in winter. It rains cold rain. Kangaroos don't hop down the main street. Everything you see, touch, eat or own there in the US.... will cost you double here. More or less. Exceeding the speed limit by 3mph will empty your wallet.
Dangerous wildlife? [roll] We just make that shit up to keep the place to ourselves ;) Not an issue, but don't tell anybody.
Quote from: Scoober1103 on May 29, 2014, 11:41:58 PM
More people die falling off horses! [thumbsup]
I have, in fact, fallen off a horse.Got right back on once she was caught.
Quote from: ungeheuer on May 30, 2014, 02:26:41 AM
Kangaroos don't hop down the main street. Everything you see, touch, eat or own there in the US.... will cost you double here. More or less. Exceeding the speed limit by 3mph will empty your wallet.
Good.kangaroos are bastards.
Cost me double because of the cost of import? Or is the cost of living to wage ratio to large?
Are the speed limits reasonable, or are they designed to empty your wallet?
And on that note, do cops dress like in the road warrior? If so, I'd totally join up.
Quote from: ungeheuer on May 30, 2014, 02:26:41 AM
South east not on the coast but not far inland?
G'Day neighbour [thumbsup].
It gets cold in winter. It rains cold rain. Kangaroos don't hop down the main street. Everything you see, touch, eat or own there in the US.... will cost you double here. More or less. Exceeding the speed limit by 3mph will empty your wallet.
Dangerous wildlife? [roll] We just make that shit up to keep the place to ourselves ;) Not an issue, but don't tell anybody.
Just like the cold in winter part?
Quote from: lpgoldtop on May 30, 2014, 02:48:20 AM
Good.kangaroos are bastards.
Cost me double because of the cost of import? Or is the cost of living to wage ratio to large?
Are the speed limits reasonable, or are they designed to empty your wallet?
And on that note, do cops dress like in the road warrior? If so, I'd totally join up.
Kangaroos are not bastards. This is their place before it's mine. Or yours.
I've never earned a wage in the US so I can't give you a sensible answer. But stuff you buy here is twice the price, earnings are probably higher here than in the US, but not double. We pay more for stuff coz we're "used" to paying more. Taxes do not explain why a Ducati here costs twice as much as you're willing to pay. We're a small market.... suppliers do us a favour by even bothering to ship stuff all the way here at all [roll] ;). Bring your own bike with you, sell it when/if you leave.
Define "reasonable"? 110km/h on major non-urban freeways. 100km/h on your typical non-urban backroads (the kinda roads we like to ride our Ducs). Zero tolerance for transgressors.
Quote from: ducpainter on May 30, 2014, 02:49:05 AM
Just like the cold in winter part?
Shall I mention the "P" word?
Cold and wet in winter. When compared to the oft imagined Aussie perma-sunshine.
I dunno...
listening to brimo it sounds pretty warm...maybe even hot by some perspectives...
year 'round.
.. brimo doesnt live in South East Australia Not On The Coast But Not Far Inland.
brimo lives in QLD. Its always warm there, even the rain is warm.
But brimo knows this neck of the woods, he knows the cold and wet of which I speak.
That's why he's in QLD [laugh]
Quote from: ungeheuer on May 30, 2014, 04:07:56 AM
.. brimo doesnt live in South East Australia Not On The Coast But Not Far Inland.
brimo lives in QLD. Its always warm there, even the rain is warm.
But brimo knows this neck of the woods, he knows the cold and wet of which I speak.
That's why he's in QLD [laugh]
Correct! Lived in Melbourne for 30 odd years, Queensland for the last 15, up north and now in the South East corner, mild temps in winter, pretty warm in Summer but not unbearable, oddly enough, Melbourne has higher peak temperatures in Summer than Brisbane.
I'm from Australia and here is a few pointers.
Firstly, make sure there are jobs available here for you . We have a very small market here so it won't be like America .
Secondly, Melbourne, Sydney are very similar but Sydney is a lot dryer and warmer compared to Melbourne. The cost of living in Melbourne is about 25% cheaper.
Thirdly, getting here and becoming an Australian citizen is a little difficult but not as difficult as getting residency in America. The benefits of living in Australia are , Free healthcare, workers rights are heavily protected, education is heavily subsidised , I have never seen a gun in my life.
Finally , all the dangerous animals are out in the bush, I have never been close to anything dangerous. The only dangerous thing we have here is Americans driving on the wrong side of the road .
Please do your research .
Welcome to the forum 86.
Feel free to introduce yourself in that section. We have an Aussie section in the regional list too.
You up North or a Southerner like myself?
Cheers.
Hi kOko. I'm from Newtown in Sydney, I'll do an introduction when I get my 02 S4 out from under the covers.
There's a fair few members in Sydney. Introduce yourself in the Ozmonsters section too, as members up your way congregate there a fair bit.
Cheers.
If you don't like the cold, then definitely go to the states of Queensland or northern New South Wales. While the natural beauty and forests are also great down here, we can have cold winters. If you need a dry heat, then maybe South Australia.
You can visit the states of Victoria and Tasmania in Summer. Also visit the Southern states for the Moto GP in late Spring. It is true, Melbourne's summers and winters are harsher than the more stable temps in QLD and Nth NSW. I live on the outskirts of Melbourne near some of the best riding roads in the country, but I have felt -0 deg C and 50 deg C here. They are rare temps, but possible. 10-40C are probable over the year. We have beautiful forests, parks, ranges and the equivalent of the Napa Valley within 10 minutes of where I live. It's a pity about our winter here.
If you like the nightlife then Sydney and Melbourne are your pick of the cities. If you like country towns then you'll like the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. ;D
Our economy is contracting at present, so it may all come down to where you can get a job.
Good luck.
Quote from: koko64 on May 31, 2014, 05:02:14 AM
If you like country towns then you'll like the city of Adelaide, capital of South Australia. ;D
[laugh] [laugh]
Quote from: boostin86 on May 31, 2014, 01:18:36 AM
I have never seen a gun in my life.
Finally , all the dangerous animals are out in the bush, I have never been close to anything dangerous. The only dangerous thing we have here is Americans driving on the wrong side of the road .
Please do your research .
Guns are everywhere!
I live 30k's from the capital of Queensland and we do have dangerous critters everywhere! And one of the nicest climates in OZ but I'm not going to get into a pissing contest. Depends on what you like doing and what climate you want. Work visas can be difficult and the cost of living can be high as stated earlier but for most of us Aussies we wouldn't live anywhere else!
Oh and we do have wallabies jumping down the street! [thumbsup]
High powered rifle shooting, clay bird shooting and gun handling were school sports at my high school, but then I grew up in Dimboola. ;D
Yep. Pig, fox, rabbit and roo hunting is a past time and while licences and permits are a pita to get they are still gettable and riffle and pistol clubs are everywhere.
guns are interesting and fun to make (my company does some production and prototype work for Beretta USA), but not really one of my prime concerns. I love animals, but I prefer other people to do the hunting( Don't have the patience or the aim) so I can then do the eating [popcorn].
Work doesn't worry me too much, I'd be sure to have something lined up before I did anything.
I expected import costs to be high. How much in-country production is there? I would think anything NOT shipped or flown thousands of miles would be significantly cheaper.
I'm not a "mountain man" or "survivalist" I have no intention of living in the "bush." I like undeveloped land nearby, but I want the convenience of modern society where I eat and sleep after 10 hrs of work. Conversely, I've had great times in New York City, but would never want to live there and I avoid even driving thru Baltimore and DC whenever I can.
Climate and society are my main interests.('cause that's what are driving me nuts here) Looking for low humidity and stable temperatures, or at least predictable temperatures. I'm tired of waking up to 45 degrees and driving home in 80 degrees one day, then 65-75 all day the next, but always in 80 percent humidity. And I think living so close to Baltimore and DC has made me WAY too tense and easily aggravated. I'm not interested in politics, drugs, advertising, Natty Boh, or sports, so I don't have much in common with the majority of people in the area(unless all parties have been drinking and I have a stringed instrument...)
By the by, how easily acquired is Rum? I'm not much of a beer drinker(the occasional stout). Mostly dark rums, dry red wines, and potcheen(legal irish moonshine) . Any ridiculous liquor taxes?(aside from import costs) Some eastern US states have tripled the taxes on liquor, but not beer or wine.
At least I know to visit Adelaide if I ever get over there...I've always liked what folk songs have to say about South Australia!
Bundaberg rum is a locally made rum that is poular here.
Alcohol tax is quite high.
Have a look at www.danmurphys.com.au (//http://) for an idea on prices.
Have a look at www.seek.com.au (//http://) to get an idea on teh jobs market and some ideas on what wages are like.
Most things are imported to aus. Less and less is being made here. (lots of beer, wine and food is made here however).
Sport is generally popular here also.
Further north you go the higher the humidity, as you get closer to the equator. However the temps are more stable and consistent.
If you are looking to avoid the rat race, then all of the big cities should be avoided (however everything is relative).
I for example would not live in Sydney due to how busy it is (just a population thing mostly).
I like Melbourne and would happlily live there. For me a good mix of sport madness and cultural activity.
Everywhere has plusses and minuses.
But given a choice I would stay in Brisbane...
When you say society, what exactly do you mean? access to art galleries, ballet etc? Or a good local establishment to have a few quiet drinks with like minded people? Add alcohol and usually polotics, religion and sport will be discussed same as most locations.
I for example have never owned or shot a gun, most people here have not. (I do not count being irresponsible with air rifles as shooing per se :-) )
I just checked ticket prices
Pittsburgh to LAx to Sydney
$2300 USD round trip for one person.
23hrs.
I can't imagine being in a plane that long.
From Aus is usually AUD $1399ish to LA.
That 14hr flight is not the most fun...
But Aus to Europe is 24hrs also...
I did Brisbane to Nashville one year.
Bris - LA, LA - Dallas, Dallas - Nashville.....
32hours later checked into the hotel. Not the most joyous trip...
Quote from: Monsterlover on June 01, 2014, 08:09:39 PM
I just checked ticket prices
Pittsburgh to LAx to Sydney
$2300 USD round trip for one person.
23hrs.
I can't imagine being in a plane that long.
You do get that day back though, you get here on the same day you started, so as long as you don't go back you've had a win.
It's a wonder any of you Aussies are left at all:
http://www.answers.com/article/1181946/20-things-that-show-everything-in-australia-will-kill-you?param4=tb-us-de-lifestyle#slide=1 (http://www.answers.com/article/1181946/20-things-that-show-everything-in-australia-will-kill-you?param4=tb-us-de-lifestyle#slide=1)
Its a nice little country here but you could find it expensive.
As per tradition being an American and as all you Mericans are rich
you have to buy everyone you meet a beer [drink] [beer] ;D
Ill be waiting at the airport for you [laugh]
Don't worry about all the deadly wildlife your more likely to be killed by a taxi driver or young girl driving while
checking facebook on her phone.
Quote from: Speeddog on June 02, 2014, 06:34:11 PM
It's a wonder any of you Aussies are left at all:
http://www.answers.com/article/1181946/20-things-that-show-everything-in-australia-will-kill-you?param4=tb-us-de-lifestyle#slide=1 (http://www.answers.com/article/1181946/20-things-that-show-everything-in-australia-will-kill-you?param4=tb-us-de-lifestyle#slide=1)
I work with 3 Zimbabweans at the moment and they make African wildlife sound a lot more scary than ours.
Quote from: brimo on June 03, 2014, 02:15:22 AM
I work with 3 Zimbabweans at the moment and they make African wildlife sound a lot more scary than ours.
I think it's the more graphic demise that a Cape Buffalo, Lion, Rhino or Hippo may inflict.
You'll be just as dead as from a spider or snake bite, but not look so second hand afterward.
Two Dogs got it right IMO, given our chosen hobby, most likely an errant car will hasten our demise, pretty much no matter where we live.
Ive been 2 places down there Darwin & Perth. I like Perth a little more. Kind of subtropical. But for all of that I still say "it's a long way to go to be in Canada."
(meaning that its different from the US but not that much different and the plane ride is murder)
Have you looked at Phoenix AZ? good job market. Not cold in the winter, and not too different in a way than the interior of Aus.
Quote from: Mendo Dave 2.0.2 on June 04, 2014, 06:31:05 PM
Ive been 2 places down there Darwin & Perth. I like Perth a little more. Kind of subtropical. But for all of that I still say "it's a long way to go to be in Canada."
(meaning that its different from the US but not that much different and the plane ride is murder)
thats true ,the temps are better here there isnt much snow in australia
perth is nice but it is expensive to live there since the mining boom of years back
To the OP.
Not being an arse, but what makes you think you'll get a visa "to move to Australia"?
We'll welcome you as a tourist and pocket your cash, but you're no more likely to get a resident visa for Australia than I am for the USA.
Unless you have some notable skill. Can you drive a taxi? [cheeky]
Quote from: ungeheuer on June 06, 2014, 03:22:13 AM
To the OP.
Not being an arse, but what makes you think you'll get a visa "to move to Australia"?
We'll welcome you as a tourist and pocket your cash, but you're no more likely to get a resident visa for Australia than I am for the USA.
Unless you have some notable skill. Can you drive a taxi? [cheeky]
http://www.immi.gov.au/Live/Pages/Live.aspx (http://www.immi.gov.au/Live/Pages/Live.aspx)
lpgoldtop does CNC programming, so is pretty skilled, therefore he might have a chance with a "skilled migration visa". There's also the option of a 457 visa if he can find a sponsor.
I've worked (and still do work ) with people that have immigrated on both visas.
Yup, we have a Seth Efrican working with us who was brought here by his previous employer on a 457.
I didn't say it was impossible to get a visa which can lead to residency status...
Quote from: ungeheuer on June 06, 2014, 03:22:13 AM
Can you drive a taxi? [cheeky]
I can! I can drive pretty much anything it seems (all I need is the paperwork that makes it legal!). Awesome. I'm coming to Australia. I even drove our 'Mog when I was over there in the Outback.
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on June 07, 2014, 10:18:26 AM
I can! I can drive pretty much anything it seems (all I need is the paperwork that makes it legal!). Awesome. I'm coming to Australia. I even drove our 'Mog when I was over there in the Outback.
JM
Can you drive a boat?, there's a vacancy up north.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-08/police-recover-remains-in-search-for-man-taken-by-crocodile/5508732 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-08/police-recover-remains-in-search-for-man-taken-by-crocodile/5508732)
Quote from: brimo on June 07, 2014, 11:13:27 PM
Can you drive a boat?, there's a vacancy up north.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-08/police-recover-remains-in-search-for-man-taken-by-crocodile/5508732 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-08/police-recover-remains-in-search-for-man-taken-by-crocodile/5508732)
Seems a bit sketchy to take the job of a man eaten by a 15+ foot crocodile.
But perhaps he had built up some bad karma, and clean-living folks would be in less peril.
(Judas priest that's a big lizard. They regularly get that big?)
Same news page showed some details of a pair of rather brazen lads in separate incidents, maybe NSFW:
http://tiny.cc/rkh4gx (http://tiny.cc/rkh4gx)
The salt water Crocs grow quite large. I've not seen one in the wild.
whatever this iggy Azaelea is.
[puke]
Quote from: brimo on June 07, 2014, 11:13:27 PM
Can you drive a boat?, there's a vacancy up north.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-08/police-recover-remains-in-search-for-man-taken-by-crocodile/5508732 (http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-08/police-recover-remains-in-search-for-man-taken-by-crocodile/5508732)
I can drive one, but I think I'd keep arms and legs INSIDE to not tempt a Salty. I remember them telling us about Saltys when I was in that area. What a difference between Saltys and Freshies. We swam in waters with Freshies nearby. Certainly wouldn't try that with a Salty nearby.
JM
Quote from: the_Journeyman on June 08, 2014, 07:07:26 AM
I can drive one, but I think I'd keep arms and legs INSIDE to not tempt a Salty. I remember them telling us about Saltys when I was in that area. What a difference between Saltys and Freshies. We swam in waters with Freshies nearby. Certainly wouldn't try that with a Salty nearby.
JM
Trouble is, one doesn't know when they're nearby, they'll sit under the surface for hours waiting for a juicy morsel to come along. I've seen some real monsters while fishing up north, it does remind you to keep your extremities well in the confines of the boat.
seems that they don't want to eat you if you swim underwater with them with big cameras and stuff.
http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/underwater-croc-dens-15359830 (http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/video/underwater-croc-dens-15359830)