[dottjt]

Interestingly, as a young Australian, I've thought about this a lot and I genuinely struggle to find a better country to live in.

We have our share of problems, but compared to the problems of other countries, I can't help but feel they're significantly less.

A large part of it being how isolated we are from the rest of the world and all the benefits that provides. Not to mention the low population density of the country as a whole.

[flask_manager]

It really depends what specific circumstances you are comparing. If you are looking at trades, low skill full time, or casual work, I dont think there is a better place to be. If you are comparing the lifestyle available from a full time skilled job (tech especially) its honestly not great.

Work anywhere in Asia, and while your wage may be lower, what you get for it goes a whole lot further. Restaurants are a focus, but things like a regular cleaner, doorman, club memberships are a whole lot more accessible. Things that are really only available in Australia to generational wealth these days, are available to skilled employees.

Work in western Europe, and the wages are slightly higher, and the cost of living is slightly lower; however the expectation for work-life balance is far better. 38hr weeks are very strict, with an expectation of flex time and time in lieu. with more weeks off, and better access to things like parental leave and study accommodations.

People make poor comparisons to America, because its a very hard thing to generalize. From my personal experience as a skilled full time worker, there is not one metric where Australia is a clear winner, and many where its far behind. The top end of healthcare is better in the USA, and if you factor in the lower taxes cheaper too. Crime statistics are worse, but localized to places I have no reason to go... I would say that USA as country is worse, but if you only look at the experience of someone who already has a skilled job, then you come out far ahead in the states.

[dottjt]

I would have to disagree about the full time skilled job comment.

I work remotely for a tech company and to say that you can barely work in Australia whilst earning a very decent salary, is an understatement. 2 - 3 hours a day, at most (at least in tech). Some days you don't even have to do anything. And this is most large companies (although it depends on your rank).

This factor alone makes Australia an amazing place to live, excluding all the other reasons to live here.

Compared to America and Asia, if I have to work 3-4 times harder than I currently am, what am I actually gaining? I'm just losing time to live the life I truly want. No thank you.

[flask_manager]

The 3 hour day is a rare thing, but I dont think that its more available in Australia than anywhere else... I know more people with that setup in the states, as an anecdote.

And fully remote in the states has the additional benefit of actual high speed internet.

[dottjt]

Well all I can say is that I've worked at 1 startup, 1 agency and 2 very large tech corporates here in Australia, and I've been able to maintain only working 2 - 3 hours a day at each of those companies, as well as maintain a few days not doing anything at all.

And I wouldn't even consider myself top-tier at what I do.

Although to your point, I think Australian work culture is very flexible. You can work a lot if you want. You can also do the bare minimum. I've just noticed that there's no enforced standard, aside from doing literally nothing. In a lot of cases, the few people who do work a lot do end up making up for all the people who don't want to work, so it evens out in the end.

[ekianjo]

> We have our share of problems, but compared to the problems of other countries, I can't help but feel they're significantly less

Covid camps and police take down for people jogging without masks did not convince you to move? I guess nothing will

[dottjt]

Instead of pointing out the problems, which provides nothing constructive to the discussion, can you please provide alternate countries which you believe might be better.

In addition, can you please also outline the problems of these countries, so we can properly evaluate and understand their problems objectively.

[sgt]

Come here to South Africa. In fact a lot of South African "expats" are moving back. Many, many places are extremely decent and lifestyle can be excellent.

[dottjt]

It could just be the media, but I've heard nothing but terrible things about South Africa.

Failing government. Constant crime. Water shortages. Power blackouts. Is it perhaps different if you're living in a gated community?

[sgt]

Depends where you live. I don't live in a gated community and I am not affected directly by crime. Power blackouts is called loadshedding and has to do with capacity. Get solar and batteries and you will be immune to that. It's being fixed too.

[dottjt]

But what you describe is so limiting, because you're forced in the one area. What if I want to leave the area and go for a road trip? Would I be safe travelling to the rest of South Africa, if there is crime, blackouts and a lack of water?

In Australia I can safely travel to anywhere within the country.

Where do you live btw? Would be interesting to research, happy to look into it more.

[sgt]

Not limiting at all, you can travel pretty much everywhere safety. The crime ridden areas are usually crammed into small spaces. Poor people in SA are pushed into tiny areas. Lots of tourists come here to drive around and go 4x4-ing and so on. I'm near Cape Town.

[dottjt]

Yeah, fair enough. Thanks for your time, I'll look into it!