Living in Australia

I think Australia would have to be one of the nicest places in the world to live. But like every country it has its strengths and weaknesses. Starting with the strengths:
1. Best beaches: Australia would have to have the best beaches in the world in terms of natural beauty. If you are looking for a more ‘cultured setting’, outside Sydney, this is hard to come by. Eg. Bondi and Manly are good.
2. Temperate: Australia has a very comfortable climate because of its warm sun, dry cool breezes. In Sydney, you need only wear heavier clothes for 1 month. Very mild, with a few humid days a year only. You don’t need aircon.
3. Space: Australia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, so there is a lot of clean air, wilderness areas, and generally a lot of space
4. Quiet: Australia is a very harmonious society, people might be noisy, but there is plenty of space to express, so no problem
5. Support: Australian government offers good services, with libraries, public entertainment facilities, free access to a lot of recreation areas.
6. Scenic: Australia is a very scenic country due to well maintained parks and urban environments. Its relatively clean because of its sparse population, and general respect for the environment.
7. Relaxed: Australian people are very easy-going, so it’s a pretty friendly place, but they are not very curious, engaging, or broad-minded in their range of interests. They have very firm ideas about what they want, and are not easily swayed. Their social networks evolve around work and school. When they change jobs, they change (drinking) friends. Very deep!
8. Purchasing power: Australia is a little expensive in terms of purchasing power. It has deteriorated in recent years because of a lack of competition, easy monetary policy, though there is still a lot you can do for free. Telcos are not cheap, but otherwise utility costs are low.
9. Service culture: Australian service is ok, though deteriorates in rural areas, though it is improving as the urban influence spreads.
10. Clean: There is not so much pollution in Australia. A non-issue really because of the small industrial base, and its dispersed. Cars create a little pollution in the largest cities, but not problematic
11. Transport: Roads in Australia are very good, rail is slow and expensive. There is little traffic. You really need a car if you live outside the major cities.

There are of course the negatives:
1. Regulated: Australia is a highly regulated society, and some of these regulations impose great costs or burdens on people. Despite the amount of land available, its expensive because of zoning (development) restrictions. You wouldn’t want to live in the cheap areas, eg. No roads, services or jobs, unless you can run an internet business.
2. Insular: Australia since WWII has lost its notion of community ‘voluntary’ services, particularly among the aged. The elderly are not as active as they once were, instead they appear very indulgent – in activities and diet.
3. Decadent: Australians are a little insular and soulless. I seldom have any interest in talking to them. They are easy-going, but not very interesting. Very superficial, decadent. Its just a very care-free place to live. It needs a war to inject some character into the place.
4. Dispersed: The country is so BIG it really is a hard place to get around and see. You can travel great distances and see very little – particularly there is a lack of cultural eye-candy.
5. Under serviced: The country is under-serviced for tourism. You might drive past a scenic spot, but you would never know because it hasn’t been developed. This can make the travel experience a little boring and shallow. Very predictable. If you like the outdoors though, you will not be disappointed.
6. Isolation: Australia is a little isolated from other places – though it is close to NZ
7. Dryness: Australia is desperately in need of water after years of drought. The average rainfall has been falling for the last 50 years. Hopefully it will turn around because its getting a little brown!