If you have had it with the United States, you may be thinking about packing up to another beautiful and exciting country where people speak English…like Australia!
The climate, the landscape and the people are all draws to head down under. There are over 90,000 U.S-born individuals living in Australia. Why not join them?
However, life down under may be quite different from what you are accustomed to. Check out some highlights of a day in the life of an American living in Australia. They may help you decide whether you want to take the leap or not!
1. Vegemite Breakfast
Aussies love to smear this black, sticky, salty stuff on their toast at breakfast. Americans, on the other hands, have been known to say it smells like an old bar. This makes sense because it’s made from brewers’ yeast.
In Australia, they use Vegemite on everything from pasta to brownies. It actually has a lot of vitamins and can be very good for you. But, it is definitely one of those things which you will have to get used to if you move to Australia.
2. Check Your Income Stream
If you plan on moving to Australia, you need to have money. A lot.
Prices are about 60% higher than the USA.
It’s also hard to get a work permit to gain employment in Australia if you are not a citizen. You may have better luck as an entrepreneur, running your own business remotely.
With so much business now conducted online, you may be able to run any kind of enterprise from anywhere on the planet. Many expats have found a way to live anywhere they want and make enough money to fund the lifestyle of their dreams — so long as they have an attractive and functional website.
3. Hit the Beach
Australia is famous for its beaches. You can enjoy the beach to sunbathe, swim, surf or scuba even if you are living in a big city like Sydney. You can also explore remote and pristine coastal areas like the private islands along the Great Barrier Reef.
Be careful. Australian beaches may present several risks you may not encounter at home. You may get carried away by a riptide, shark or dingo. You may be bitten by a poisonous jellyfish or spider.
It’s a good thing that the Australian healthcare system is so good. You can even get a home doctor to make a house call if you get sick or injured by one of the continent’s many dangers.
4. Make Sure You Can Stay Longer
If you are an American living in Australia, you must have a visa. If you are married to an Australian citizen, permanent resident or eligible New Zealand citizen, you can travel to and live in Australia.
Youths between ages 18-31 can work and study there for one year with a special visa. You can get a Higher Education visa if you have been accepted by an Australian university.
Other options include a Temporary Work visa if you are sponsored by an Aussie business or an Investor Retirement visa if you meet certain income requirements.
5. Plan An Adventure
One of the best reasons for living in Australia is to see this amazing region. Plan to travel to Uluru in the Outback, the Great Barrier Reef or to New Zealand. You are a plane ride away from the South Pacific islands and parts of Asia.
Take advantage of your location on the other side of the planet and explore everywhere you can.
6. Go Out with Your Mates
Although Americans may find it hard at first to make friends, eventually you will find the Aussies to be a jovial bunch who are hapy to share a lager with you at the neighborhood pub.
Get out and meet people and enjoy the cultural differences. You may learn a lot!
An American Living in Australia: Fish out of Water?
As an American living in Australia, you may be confronted with many strange and wondrous experiences that are very different from your home country. But if you wanted the same old life, you would have stayed home! If you enjoy a wild and rugged country with the ever-present possibility of adventure, think about relocating down under.
For more guidance on getting the most out of life at home and abroad, check out our site.
